HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-21 Planning Board Minutes (Draft)PRESENT:
Collen Cowan
Scott Davis
Kelly Maher
Elana Maragni
Jody Scriber (Chair)
ABSENT:
Ed Bergman
Jamie Vanucchi
OTHER ATTENDEES:
Town Planner
Recording Secretary
Public
Town of Danby Planning Board
Minutes of Regular Meeting
June 21, 2022
rC: 1
David West
Alyssa de Villiers
Cosmo Alpern, Debbie Benson, Gary Bush, Andy Cove, Ted Crane, Cathy
Darrow, Kevin Feeney, David Gould (Sunbeam Candles), Katharine Hunter (Town
Board member), Joel Gagnon (Town Supervisor, Town Board member), Charles
Guttman, Martin Janda, David Kuo, Greg Nelson, Russ Nitchman, John Pfleiderer,
Deborah Montgomery -Cove, Norbut Solar team (Austin Goodwin, Jon Stone,
David Norbut), Ronda Roaring, Natalia Santamaria, Jennifer Streid-Mullen,
Jeremy Thompson, John Vakiner, Ciele, Dennis, Robert, Anon1
This meeting was conducted virtually on the Zoom platform.
The meeting was opened at T:02 p.m.
(1) CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA REVIEW
There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.
(2) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Ronda Roaring said that, as relates to 127/129 Hornbrook Rd., she liked the idea and thought it would be
good for Danby. Regarding the 240 Jersey Hill Rd. parcel, she talked positively about her own attached
garage and asked the applicants and others to consider putting an attached garage with an apartment
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PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
rather than a cabin or other structures. Lastly, she asked for an explanation of why the applicant for the
Norbut Solar application is listed as Passero Associates rather than Norbut Solar.
(3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Approve the May 17th minutes
Moved by Cowan, seconded by Maher
The motion passed.
In favor: Cowan, Maher, Maragni, Scriber
Absent: Davis
(4) TOWN BOARD LIAISON REPORT
As Leslie Connors, the Town Board Liaison, was absent, Planner David West reported the following:
At their next meeting, the Town Board will be considering adding two parcels to the Hamlet
Neighborhood that are on the edge of that zone. They will also be considering adding light industry
as a use in the Commercial C zone, and Tompkins County has provided an opinion that they do
not see any problem with this.
(5) DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
SUB-2022-01 108 Marsh Rd.
Parcel: 12.-1-5.7 & 12.-1-5.8
Applicant: Gregory and Kathleen Norkus
Anticipated Board action(s) this month: Consider Final Approval
Zone: Rural 2 SEQR Type: Unlisted
Proposal: Applicant would like to subdivide off and sell one approx. two acre lot. To do so,
applicant must combine their two adjacent lots into a parent lot and resubdivide using cluster
subdivision; three lots will be created.
New Documents: Survey
Planner West reviewed that the Board had previously granted preliminary approval with a sketch plan and
had requested a survey, which the applicant has now provided. He showed the survey plat and said the
applicants will be combining their two current parcels and dividing such that there will be one large parcel
with a conservation easement and three parcels clustered, one of which they will be selling.
Kelly Maher noted that parcels 2 and 3 are now separated. She said she was not concerned about this, but
it was different than what she remembered.
Scott Davis asked if a home could be built on parcel 3; it could. He also confirmed that if parcel 2 is sold,
the conservation easement will stay with the deed. Elana Maragni pointed out that the road frontage of
parcel 3 is only 67', and Planner West said that is now allowed in the Rural 2 zone. West also explained
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PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
that it is the clustering that is allowing the lots to be less than ten acres each. He added that a conservation
easement usually allows one house, so a house likely could be built on parcel 2, but there are wetlands
shown on the adopted resource map that limit where it could go.
The Board agreed to the condition that there be no future subdivisions. In response to a question from
Davis, West said that the applicants cannot currently subdivide further under the Town's zoning, but the
condition creates additional protection if there is a zoning change in the future.
MOTION: Approve the subdivision at 108 Marsh Rd. (Res. 6 of 2022)
Moved by Maragni, seconded by Cowan
The motion passed.
In favor: Cowan, Davis, Maher, Maragni, Scriber
SUB-2022-03 88 Gunderman Rd.
Parcel: 10.-1-1.34
Applicant: Jennifer Streid-Mullen
Anticipated Board action(s) this month: Public Hearing, SEQR Determination, Consider
Preliminary and Final Approval
Zone: Hamlet Neighborhood SEQR Type: Unlisted
Proposal: Applicant would like to divide the property into an approx. 13-acre parcel fronting on
Gunderman and a 33-acre parcel.
Public Hearing
The public hearing was opened at 7:23 p.m.
David Kuo, a nearby landowner, asked for a brief description of the subdivision, which was given: the
house is with the larger parcel, and 13 acres on the eastern side is being divided off.
The public hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m.
SEQR Review
Planner West read aloud Part II, and it was agreed that the answer was "no or small impact may occur" to
all questions. He pointed out that the 13-acre lot being created is in the Town's Hamlet Neighborhood zone,
where the Town would like to see development. While there is no current plan for development, it would be
a good place for that in the future. In response to a question from Maher, West said that the Planning Board
would see the lot again only if more than four units were being put on the parcel.
MOTION: The proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts.
Moved by Maher, seconded by Cowan
The motion passed.
PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
In favor: Cowan, Davis, Maher, Maragni, Scriber
MOTION: Grant final approval (Res. 7 of 2022)
Moved by Maher, seconded by Maragni
The motion passed.
In favor: Cowan, Davis, Maher, Maragni, Scriber
SPR-2022-03105 Beardsley Lane
Parcel: 2.-1-9.22
Applicant: Jeremy Thompson
Anticipated Board action(s) this month: Application Review, Public Hearing, Consider approval
of amended site plan
Zone: Low Density Residential SEQR Type: Type II
Proposal: Applicant would like to amend the site plan approved at the January 2020 meeting.
Changes are proposed for landscaping, driveway, and drainage.
New Documents: Update Site Plan
Planner West said there was a new site plan. He noted that the applicant was present along with some
consultants. West said he was happy to see a site plan by an engineer listing how the pond and berm
should be set up to safely and effectively deal with stormwater.
Applicant's Description
The applicant did not have the ability to use audio, only to respond via the "Chat" function. Charles Guttman
said he was an attorney working with Mr. Thompson. Gary Bush said he was the engineer who helped put
the site plan together. Because the applicant was unable to speak, Planner West described some of the
changes: a driveway end that is a T rather than an L, a fence along the driveway to the west, the addition of
a circular driveway, the movement of the septic system, the removal of trees in the front to be replaced with
shrubs and perennials, and the pond being slightly different in location and profile and approved by an
engineer.
Maher asked about the drainage concerns expressed at the last meeting. Mr. Bush explained that the slope
of the site is predominantly to the north, not to the pond. He said that the berm the applicant is proposing
will actually help intercept water from the road and redirect it to the road ditch and around to the north. The
pond is fed only by a small area at the back of the property; the chance of the pond overflowing is virtually
impossible. Still, they added extra height to the west, on the downhill side of the pond, to prevent any issue.
He thought there was virtually no chance of water affecting the neighbors.
Regarding the driveway, Mr. Bush said the original driveway did not offer any place to back up to turn
around; the proposed hammerhead at the end allows for turnaround. As there was concern about
headlights aiming into the neighbors' house, they are proposing a fence long enough to prevent this.
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PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
Mr. Bush said he had designed the septic system and been to the site to inspect it multiple times. He added
that when a homeowner is doing the installation, he likes to make sure everything is done properly. They
made a few corrections after settling, but the system now looks very good.
Mr. Guttman added that the applicant had to make changes to the original site plan because when he got
onto the land, some things just did not work. Davis pointed out that Mr. Thompson should have then come
back to the Planning Board, and Mr. Guttman agreed. Mr. Guttman said this is costing more money and
more delay, but the applicant is before the Board now. Mr. Bush added that that is a rookie mistake that
people sometimes encounter when they are doing a lot of the work themselves.
The Board had held a public hearing at the previous meeting but chose to hold another at this meeting.
Public Hearing
The public hearing was opened at 7:48 p.m.
Andy Cove (111 Beardsley Lane) said the mound is very different than anything in anyone else's yard on
the street. The site plan says it will be seeded to grass, and he assumed it would be mowed. He was
concerned about trees and wildflower areas being shown but not what will be done between the plantings.
He asked about the plan to make it look neat and maintained going forward. He added that the parking
situation has changed many times. On the first plan, all the parking was behind the house; now there is
parking available for four cars. He said he had been in conversation with Mr. Thompson about reducing the
amount of parking and having just enough space to back up, but that is not shown. Everyone else has
garages. Deborah Montgomery -Cove added that their bedrooms are on the side facing the applicant's
driveway. Regarding the drainage, Mr. Cove said he had been assured that no drainage would affect them,
but he had concerns about the ditches and the water from 96B.
Ted Crane shared what he remembered from the original public hearing when site approval was given. He
said that the parking is now much bigger and there are other buildings planned for the future. He added that
the trees already planted are a pleasure and break up the starkness of the landscape. But he thought the
Board should nail down that there will be no further changes. He also felt that the application was replete
with errors and typos.
John Vakiner (114 Beardsley Lane) said he lives immediately across the street. He said Mr. Cove had
expressed the majority of his concerns, but another is that the plan is actually executed according to what
is approved. He wanted to know what Danby would be doing to ensure the drainage items are built
according to the plan. Because the applicant, a novice, is doing much of the work, he worried that there
would be no assurance that the plans, specifically the berm and drainage, would be built according to the
engineered design.
PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
Dennis, also a resident of Beardsley Lane, questioned why the property would need four to six parking
spaces if it is for a single-family home only. Mr. Guttman said the applicant is allowed one building with two
dwelling units and cannot do anything that is not compliant with the zoning. Via Chat, Mr. Thompson said
that it will be a single-family home with a mother-in-law apartment in one structure
Mr. Guttman addressed some of the comments that had been made. He said that in the original subdivision
approval for Beardsley Lane the lots on the highway required site plan approval and there was a lot of
discussion around Lot 1 being for farm -type use. If the applicant does not construct it the way it is designed,
he will not get a certificate of compliance. Regarding the vegetative planting maintenance, the Board has
the ability to tell the applicant to replace trees. Regarding the amount of parking, having enough spaces
keeps it neat and orderly in the case of guests. Ms. Montgomery -Cove felt the circular driveway could
maintain cars; Mr. Guttman did not think that was designed as a parking area. He said the plans for this
house were approved by the architectural committee in the restrictive covenant, and they did not require a
garage. Mr. Bush thought trying to tell the applicant that he cannot park more cars in the driveway was
perturbing and Mr. Thompson has the right to have people over. Mr. Cove felt cars did not need a separate
parking area as opposed to parking in the driveway.
Ted Crane asked that it be included in the minutes that Mr. Thompson had written via Chat that he was not
explicitly intending to have parties, 10 cars, noise, or high traffic. He had also written that it would be built
as Mr. Bush had drawn.
The public hearing was closed at 8:07 p.m.
Board Discussion
Davis clarified that there is not a certificate of compliance but a certificate of occupancy (CO). West said
that because the current site does not meet the adopted site plan, the applicant cannot get a CO. Davis
said he wanted to make sure this site plan was not deviated from. He confirmed that the Board did not need
to say anything explicitly to this effect because the assurances were built into the CO. He added that he
appreciated the engineer's explanation.
Maher confirmed that no Stormwater Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP) was required because the area of
disturbance was small. She felt the driveway seemed excessive but that it was within the applicant's rights
and at least he was proposing fencing to protect the neighbor. She also confirmed that the two additional
structures were not shown on the original site plan but are allowed.
Chair Scriber asked about the fence, and Mr. Bush said it was put in at the request of the neighbors. Mr.
Guttman added that fences are allowed in the restrictive covenant if under six feet tall.
Cowan said the applicant could consider losing the circular driveway. She said she understood the
practicality of the rest of the driveway but that seemed over the top and more asphalt. The applicant said
via chat that it would be limestone crush and run not asphalt.
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PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
Secretary de Villiers asked whether the applicant would be allowed to make the driveway smaller if the site
plan were approved as is. Planner West thought not fully filling out what was approved would not be an
issue but a different driveway location would be. Mr. Bush thought building out the entire T at the end was
necessary to make the driveway functional.
It was discussed whether to put a condition that the plan must be built as specified, but it was decided that
was implicit.
MOTION: Approve the amended site plan (Res. 8 of 2022)
Moved by Davis, seconded by Maragni
The motion passed.
In favor: Cowan, Davis, Maragni, Scriber
Abstain: Maher
SPR-2022-04 240 Jersey Hill Rd.
Parcel: 8.-19-2
Applicant: Cosmo Alpern
Anticipated Board action(s) this month: Application Review, Public Hearing, Consider
Preliminary and Final Approval
Zone: Rural 1 SEQR Type: Type II
Proposal: Applicant would like to add two structures to the parcels, a 14'xl8' cabin/guest suite and
a 12'xl6' studio. Up to 1200 sq. ft. of accessory structures are allowed per Section 602 of the
zoning code, and a cumulative addition of over 400 sq. ft. requires site plan review.
Applicant's Description
Cosmo Alpern and his neighbor Ciele explained that he lives at 224 Jersey Hill Rd. and she lives at 240,
both of which are parcels that were originally part of his family's 10 acres. At 240 Jersey Hill they would like
to put an accessory building for use as a music studio near Mr. Alpern's house and a space for family and
guests near Ciele's house. The guesthouse would have a bathroom but no permanent kitchen.
Planner West noted that a second dwelling is not allowed on the property because of the lot size. He said
the applicant had expressed some urgency so he did advertise a public hearing, but the Board could decide
whether or not they would like to do that. Chair Scriber felt that these were small buildings and chose to
hold the public hearing.
Public Hearing
The public hearing was opened at 817 p.m.
PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
Greg Nelson said he liked the idea but did not know anything about the topography. He asked about septic
considerations from an engineering standpoint. Ciele said they had been approved by the Health
Department to tap into her existing septic.
Katharine Hunter said she was familiar with the applicant and the area and thought it was an interesting
and nice thing.
The public hearing was closed at 8:28 p.m.
Board Discussion
Planner West showed an aerial view. Chair Scriber noted there was a lot of vegetation, and Ciele said you
would not be able to see the structures from the road.
Maragni asked if there will be a driveway or road going to the studio. Mr. Alpern said he would just be
walking over. Maragni said that the application seemed straightforward, simple, and modest.
Davis asked how this differs from a second dwelling. West said that a dwelling contains permanent cooking
facilities. Davis thought if the applicants might want to put a kitchen in, maybe they should go to the BZA.
West said that would be a substantial variance because they have about 10 acres and in this zone you
need 20 acres. There was some discussion of the range of things one could still do. Davis asked if they
could build a driveway to access this building; Ciele said there may be a parking spot but there is no need
for an additional road.
West said that this is a Type II action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and no
further action is required.
MOTION: Grant final approval (Res. 9 of 2022)
Moved by Maragni, seconded by Scriber
The motion passed.
In favor: Cowan, Davis, Maher, Maragni, Scriber
PUD-2021-01 Norbut Solar Farm
Parcel: 10.-1-21.122
Applicant: Passero Associates
Anticipated Board action(s) this month: Site Plan Review, Public Hearing, Consider Preliminary
and Final Approval.
Proposal: Zoning change to PDZ that will allow three community solar fields (up to 5MW) on a
111-acre parcel. The PDZ has been approved by the Town Board.
Public Hearing
s
PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
The public hearing was opened at 8:39 p.m.
Debbie Benson asked for an update and to see the map. In response, Jon Stone of Norbut Solar
summarized the information from a presentation he had given at the last meeting: the planned development
zone has been created and the SEQR has been completed, one array has been greatly reduced to provide
a significant habitat management area, the point of interconnection (P01) has been moved off of 96B to an
area behind the Town Hall, and they have changed the location of the access road. He noted that based on
feedback from the last meeting, they are suggesting a second option for the location of the access road,
which would keep it deeper into the site and straighter rather than hugging the southern border. Ms.
Benson clarified that the access road was still accessing off of Bald Hill Rd. and asked further about the
P01 location. Planner West said it is still through the Roe property, but now the poles will be more buffered
from view and not the prominent entryway marker to the hamlet; he showed this on the map.
Greg Nelson asked to what extent the engineering of the P01 location needs to take into account the new
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year flood maps. Austin Goodwin explained that
when the new interconnect point was designed, the poles were deliberately put outside of the floodplain
border. When the tributary is crossed, they are using an arch pipe that goes over the creek and the road
goes over that —it spans from top of bank to top of bank, so the sediment bottom and the flow path is
unobstructed and the creek is not disturbed. He did not believe you would overflood the arch pipe even in a
100-year storm.
Joel Gagnon said that, with the removal of half the panels in the east -most area, some of the screening in
the original proposal no longer makes sense. He suggested the Planning Board revisit the screening plan
during their site plan review.
The public hearing was closed at 8:51 p.m.
Board Discussion
Maher felt the proposal for the straighter road made sense since it gives more buffer to the neighbors and
is more direct. She asked how far that version of the road would be from the property line, and Mr. Stone
said about 470'. Maher thought that long-term, after decommissioning, the internal road could set the site
up better for hamlet development because it runs down the middle of the site. Mr. Stone said he thought it
was a better design, less road, good for the neighbors and them, and they would welcome a condition to
use that version. He added that, regarding screening, they have suggested a condition that they will
determine a budget for the screening plan and then allow input from the Town once the project is built in
terms of the species and location of the plantings. The Board agreed that should be a condition.
West drew attention to the draft resolution provided by the applicant. He read this aloud. He suggested
striking the findings and conditions section related to the Town Board's PDZ resolution because he was not
sure these were specifically associated with that resolution. Chair Scriber thought that was fine. These
findings were added back in as findings of the Planning Board. West said the Town's engineer, T.G. Miller,
9
PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
suggested making a condition that the applicant be required to address any reflective glare issues. Chair
Scriber thought that was reasonable. West also suggested that the decommissioning plan be approved by
the Town Attorney and signed by the Supervisor before construction can start. Davis supported that and
said he had big concerns around the assumptions in the decommissioning plan; he did not think it would
serve and thought it was important that it be reviewed. Mr. Stone noted that decommissioning plans are
robust and the plan will be reassessed at a ten-year checkpoint.
The Board added four conditions to address screening, glare, the decommissioning plan, and the access
road location.
MOTION: Approve final site plan (Res. 10 of 2022)
Moved by Maher, seconded by Maragni
The motion passed.
In favor: Cowan, Davis, Maher, Maragni, Scriber
SPR-2022-05127-129 Hornbrook Rd.
Parcel: 7.-1-97 and 10.-1-97.13
Applicant: David Gould, Sunbeam Candles
Anticipated Board action(s) this month: Application Review, Public Hearing, Consider
Preliminary and Final Approval.
Zone: Commercial C SEQR Type: Type II
Proposal: Site plan review for reuse of warehouse space in Commercial C zone. The Town Board
is currently considering a zoning amendment that would make this use allowed by site plan review.
Planner West said that there was a problem because the subdivision that created the lot that this
application is for was never correctly executed because it was not filed correctly with the County. The
consideration of rezoning at the Town Board level was also delayed, so the Board will need to look at the
case again in July. He suggested briefly reviewing the application with the applicant and the Town Board
will look at approving the zoning change at their next meeting. Then this will come back before the Planning
Board to reapprove the subdivision and consider site plan approval.
Applicant's Description
David Gould of Sunbeam Candles said they have been located on Mecklenburg Rd. since 2010 but have
outgrown their facility. They plan to purchase these properties and move their manufacturing facility to
Danby, bringing jobs and fun to the community. He said they handmake beeswax candles and do not have
a negative environmental impact. They sell in stores around the country as well as in Ithaca. He has a
purchase order signed and will need the rezoning done before moving forward with the financing. He said
they will be putting one approximately 12'x60' concrete pad between the two buildings so they can run a
forklift or pallet jack and a photovoltaic array to the south of one building. He noted that the building has
been sitting vacant for some time.
10
PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
Board Discussion
Chair Scriber said that this is the type of thing the Town wants to see in Commercial C. Cowan thought it
seemed like a good use of the space.
Public Hearing
The public hearing was not held at this meeting.
(6) PLANNER REPORT
The Planner's report was postponed to the next meeting.
(7) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Alyssa de Villiers — Recording Secretary
11
PLANNING BOARD DRAFT MINUTES
Planning Board
DECISION
OFFICE USE ONLY
Resolution No.: 6
Application No.: SUB-2022-01
Date Received byFECE�v�y
Municipal Clerk.
At a meeting of the Planning Board on L t
June 21 , 2022 , the following N OF DANBY
motion was made by Elana Mara ni : Taw
(name of planning board member)
I move that the Planning Board ❑ deny
❑ approve
Xapprove with conditions (see below)
the application for ❑ Site Plan Review Approval
❑ Preliminary Subdivision Approval
Inal Subdivision Approval
Special Use Permit Approval
❑ Other
made by Greg Norkus_
(applicant name)
for property located at 108 Marsh Rd.
(address / tax map number)
Approval of this application is subject to the following conditions:
There may be no further subdivisions of any of the 4 parcels created.
❑ Additional conditions are attached.
�J
OF VOTE Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
MEMBER NAME
Jody Scriber
Ed Bergman
Colleen Cowan
Scott Davis
Kelly Maher
Elana Maragni
Jamie Vanucchi
V
Absent
V
V
V
I
Absent
Punning Board Chairperson (Date)
OFFICE USE ONLY
Planning Board Resolution No.: L
DECISION Application No.: SUB-2022-03
Date Received by
Municipal CIe F E
At a meeting of the Planning Board on vow
June 21 , 20 22 , the following p,NBY
motion was made by Kelly Maher TOWN pF D
(name of planning board member)
1 move that the Planning Board ❑ deny
X approve
❑ approve with conditions (see below)
the application for ❑ Site Plan Review Approval
❑ Preliminary Subdivision Approval
(Final Subdivision Approval
❑ Special Use Permit Approval
❑ Other
made by Jennifer Streid-Mullen
applicant name)
for property located at 88 Gunderman Rd.
(address I tax map number)
Approval of this application is subject to the following conditions:
❑ Additional conditions are attached.
RECORD
OF VOTE Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
MEMBER NAME
Jody Scriber
Ed Bergman
Colleen Cowan
Scott Davis
Kelly Maher
Elana Maragni _
Jamie Vanucchi
AYE NAY
Absent
V
Absent
Planning Board Chairperson
(Date)
Planning Board
DECISION
OFFICE USE ONLY
Resolution No.: $
Application No.: E_ P03
Date Receive
Municipal C e
At a meeting of the Planning Board on
June 21 , 2022 , the following N C) '
motion was made by Scott Davis 'SOW
(name of planning board member)
I move that the Planning Board ❑ deny
X approve
❑ approve with conditions (see below)
the application for XSite Plan Review Approval
❑ Preliminary Subdivision Approval
❑ Final Subdivision Approval
❑ Special Use Permit Approval
❑ Other
made by Jeremy Thompson
(applicant name)
for property located at 105 Beardsley Lane
(address / tax map number)
Approval of this application is subject to the following conditions:
❑ Additional conditions are attached.
RECORD MEMBER NAME
AYE NAY
OF VOTE Chair Jody scriber
V
Member Ed Bergman
Absent
Member Colleen Cowan
V
Member Scott Davis
V
Member Kelly Maher
Abstain
Member Elana Maracni
Member Jamie Vanucchi
Absent
tanning Board Chairperson
(Date)
Planning Board
DECISION
OFFICE USE ONLY
Resolution No.: 9
Application No.: SP�04
Date Receive cS1
Municipal Cl
At a meeting of the Planning Board on )
June 21 , 2022 the following OF pp,NBY
motion was made by Elana Maraani 'SOW
(name of planning board member)
I move that the Planning Board ❑ deny
approve
❑ approve with conditions (see below)
the application for ;Site Plan Review Approval
❑ Preliminary Subdivision Approval
❑ Final Subdivision Approval
❑ Special Use Permit Approval
❑ Other
made by _ Cosmo Alpern
(applicant name)
for property located at 240 Jersey Hill Rd.
(address / tax map number)
Approval of this application is subject to the following conditions:
❑ Additional conditions are attached.
�J
OF VOTE Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
MEMBER NAME AYE NAY
Jody Scriber
N/
Ed Bergman
Absent
Colleen Cowan
Scott Davis
Kelly Maher
Elana Maragni
Jamie Vanucchi
Absent
w
Planning Board Chairperson (Date)
RESOLUTION NO 10 OF THE
TOWN OF DANBY PLANNING BOARD
June 21, 2022
RESOLUTION APPROVING PRELIMINARY AND FINAL SITE PLAN FOR
DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY
At the meeting of the Planning Board of the Town of Danby (the "Planning Board") held
on June 21, 2022, Planning Board Member _Kelly Maher moved for adoption of the
following resolution; Planning Board Member Elana Maragni seconded the
motion and it was passed.
WHEREAS, Bald Hill Road, LLC, NSF Danby Site 1, LLC, NSF Danby Site 2, LLC, and NSF
Danby Site 3, LLC (collectively, the "Applicant") has applied (the "Application") to the Town
Board of the Town of Danby (the "Town Board") and Planning Board for, respectively, the
approval and implementation of a Planned Development Zone (the "PD ' Zone") pursuant to
Section 604 of the Town of Danby, New York, Zoning Ordinance (the "Town Code") and
preliminary and final site plan approval pursuant to Article VIII of the Town Code, to permit
the construction and operation of three (3) ground -mounted approximately 2.5-5MW AC solar
arrays (each, a "Project Site", and collectively, the "Project") on certain undeveloped land located
at No Number Bald Hill Road in the Town of Danby (now or formerly known as Tax Parcel No.
10.-1-21.122); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 800 of the Town Code, the Application was submitted to the
Planning Board for review, with the Planning Board duly holding a public hearing to consider
the proposed PD Zone on August 17, 2021; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution dated September 21, 2021 (the "Planning Board PD Zone
Resolution"), the Planning Board recommended that the Town Board approve the proposed PD
Zone at the Project Site, subject to the following changes:
1. Section D, 1 of the Draft PDZ should be modified to reflect actual
proposed setbacks up to a maximum of 50 ft for each property boundary
segment.
Draft Site Plan should be amended, if necessary, to include buffers for the
full length of the intermittent stream to be determined in Site Plan
Review.
3. Any and all changes requested by Tompkins County Soil and Water
District, Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability,
and other jurisdictional agencies should be incorporated into the General
Site Plan.
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4. General site plan approval should be contingent on acceptance and
implementation of a Vegetative Management plan sufficient to maintain a
natural, vegetative cover under and around the proposed panel
installations in order to help maintain long-term soil health and natural
stormwater management.
5. General site plan approval should include temporary and permanent
stormwater infrastructure if necessary to adequately protect the
watershed and neighboring properties during construction and
afterwards.
6. The Town Board should consider available mitigations for impacts of the
interconnect facility to historic properties and hamlet character when
reviewing the general site plan.
and;
WHEREAS, the Project constitutes a Type I action under the State Environmental Quality
Review Act and its implementing regulations (collectively, "SEQRA"), thus requiring a
coordinated review; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, duly acting as lead agency for the Project under SEQRA,
conducted a full and comprehensive coordinated review of the Project in accordance with
SEQRA and duly issued a negative declaration pursuant thereto on May 23, 2022; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with New York General Municipal Law Sections 239-1, -m and -n, the
Application was duly referred to the Tompkins County Department of Planning and
Sustainability (the "Coun ") for review and comment, and by letter dated August 12, 2021, the
County indicated its review of the Project and the following recommended modifications to the
Project:
1. We recommend the Town require the applicant to maintain a natural,
vegetative cover under and around the proposed panel installations in
order to help maintain long-term soil health and natural stormwater
management.
2. We recommend development on the wetlands on the site be avoided, but,
if unavoidable, be considered only where wetland hydrologic function
can be maintained. All wetlands on the site should be delineated in order
to implement this recommendation.
3. We recommend the proposed project be located outside a 50-foot buffer
of intermittent streams. A 50-foot buffer is provided for a portion of the
intermittent stream on the property but a portion of that stream, as
mapped by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) is not shown on
the project map nor is it buffered.
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(collectively, the "County Project Recommendations"); and
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly noticed and held public hearings to consider the Application,
including the Applicant's efforts to address both the changes requested by the Planning Board
as set out in the Planning Board PD Zone Resolution and the recommendations offered by the
County as set out in the County Project Recommendations, at which time documentary,
testimonial, and other evidence relative to the Application and the Project were presented for.
the Town Board's consideration and all persons and organizations in interest were heard, and
thereafter closed the public hearing on the Application; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant submitted extensive testimony, documentary evidence, and exhibits
to the Town Board in support of the Application, all of which was considered by the Town
Board in evaluating the Application; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board reviewed the Application in accordance with the criteria set forth
in the Town Code, and carefully reviewed the Project with consideration as to each. of the
recommendations included in the Planning Board PD Zone Resolution, as well as the County
Project Recommendations; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution dated May 23, 2022 (the "Town Board PD Zone Resolution") the
Town Board approved the proposed PD Zone at the Project Site; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board duly noticed and held a public hearing on preliminary and
final site plan review on June 21, 2022, wherein the Planning Board reviewed documentary,
testimonial, and other evidence relative to the site plan, and all persons and organizations in
interest were heard, and thereafter the Planning Board closed the public hearing on the
Application; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board further reviewed the site plan in accordance with the criteria
set forth in the Town Code, including consideration of public input at the public hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Planning Board hereby approves the preliminary and final site plan
portion of the Application subject to and in accordance with the following findings of fact and
conditions:
FINDINGS:
1. The Planning Board finds that the Project, as presented in the Application
being approved hereby, complies in each instance with the County
Project Recommendations.
2. The approved PD Zone Regulations have been developed and written to
permit the Applicant to realize the potential of the Project Site, while at
the same time protecting the surrounding neighborhoods and significant
environmental features.
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CONDITIONS:
1. The project team will work with a subcommittee of the Planning Board on screening
plans once the panels are built and deploy landscaping budget to address any concerns
within a year.
2. That the project team will mitigate any reflective glare affecting homes within 500ft
during the first year after construction.
3. That the project team will sign a decommissioning plan deemed acceptable to the Town
Attorney and Town Supervisor before start of construction.
4. That the project team amend the site plan with the access road location as presented on
slide number 6 of the applicant's presentation.
This Resolution shall be filed with the Town Clerk pursuant to New York State Town Law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Resolution was duly adopted by the Planning Board at its
regularly scheduled meeting, the date of which is listed above.
_Jocelyn Scriber - yes
_Ed Bergman - absent
_Colleen Cowan - yes
_Scott Davis - yes
_Kelly Maher - yes
_Elana Maragni - yes
_Jamie Vanucchi - absent
-11 ~_ Chairperson Town of Danby Planning Board
go,
o. OPc�
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