HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-16 Planning Board Minutes
Town of Danby Planning Board
Minutes of Regular Mee ng
April 16 2024
PRESENT:
Ed Bergman (arrived 7:11 pm)
Jacob Colbert
Colleen Cowan
Sco Davis
Jamie Vanucchi
Kelly Maher (chair)
ABSENT:
Jodi Scriber
OTHER ATTENDEES
Town Planner Greg Hutnik
Recording Secretary Cindy Katz
Public (in-person)Judith Clark; Jonathan Joseph; Russ and Kim Nitchman;
Joel and Cindy Lamson; Zach Larkins; Leslie Connors
(Town Board Member)
PUBLIC (VIRTUAL)Ronda Roaring; Vince of Doli le Building & Design; Ted
Crane; Katharine Hunter (Town Board Member); Joel Gagnon
(Town Supervisor)
This mee ng was conducted in person with virtual access on the Zoom pla orm
(1) CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA REVIEW
The mee ng was called to order at 7:01 p.m. There were no addi ons or dele ons to the
agenda.
(2) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Mary Ann Barr 2021
The Town of Danby
1830 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
danby.ny.gov
Planning Board Minutes
Tuesday 16 April 2024 at 7:00PM
no one spoke
(3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Approve minutes from March 2024
Moved by Cowan; sended by Colbert
The motion passed.
In favor: Colbert, Cowan, Davis, Vanucchi, Maher
(4) TOWN BOARD LIAISON REPORT (VERBAL)
Leslie Conners, board liaison, addressed the Planning Board.
●The town board held two public hearings the previous night: on the South Hill
Recrea on Trail MOU with NYSEG and on the an amendment to town zoning
regarding signs and ligh ng
●The town board is currently dicussing addi onal amendments to the town zoning
regarding setbacks and restric ons on businesses in the Hamlet
●They are s ll discussing the special events law
●May 18th is the Danby plant exchange at the Fire Sta on
(5) DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
SPR-2024-03 956 Steam Mill Road Parcel: 11.-1-5.12 Applicant: Jonathan Joseph
An cipated Board ac on(s) this month: Applica on Review, Public Hearing, Final Ac on
Zone: Rural 1 SEQR Type: Type 2
Proposal: Construct a single family dwelling unit
The applicant addressed the Planning Board with a descrip on of their project to build a
small two story passive solar home on a mostly wooded lot they currently own.
Public Hearing
The public hearing was opened at 7:11p.m.
Ronda Roaring spoke against building the house, sta ng this spot is an "avian hotspot"
and a house there will be disrup ve to them.
Ted Crane asked if the Planning Board had a response to these concerns?
Planner Hutnik replied that while that area is a bird hotspot, building a single family
home is the most basic of land rights and should not be negated or denied.
The applicant asked to respond. He read a statement from a neighbor, Leah Dodd, an
avid birder, in support of his proposal. Planner Hutnik clarified that this statement is part
of the record.
The public hearing was closed at 7:16 p.m.
Board Discussion
Planner Hutnik reviewed the process - reminding the board that this applica on could
receive preliminary and final approval tonight. He stated that the stormwater
management plan will be taken care of following approval, and that the district this house
is in, Rural 1, the largest district in Danby, requires Site Plan Review for a single family
home although other districts in Danby do not. He thinks this proposal is reasonable.
Bergman requested dark sky compliant ligh ng. The applicant added that his wife is an
astronomer and that would not be a problem. Chair Maher suggested dark sky
compliance be added as a condi on.
MOTION: To pass Resolu on 3 of 2024 gran ng approval to the proposed site plan with
the condi on that it be dark sky compliant.
Cowan moved, seconded by Bergman
The mo on passed.
In favor: Bergman, Colbert, Cowan, Davis, Vanucchi, Maher
SUB-2024-02 18 East Miller Road Parcel: 7.-1-19.3 Applicant: Joel Lamson
An cipated Board ac on(s) this month: Final Plat Review; Declare Lead Agency for
SEQR
Zone: Hamlet Neighborhood SEQR Type: Unlisted
Proposal: Minor Subdivision of 1 lot to 2 lots
Hutnik provided an overview to the Planning Board, explaining that the applicants
currently have a duplex and hope to subdivide and build another home on the new lot.
The applicants will be going to the BZA next week in order to request a variance for the
set-backs.
He reviewed that this is the final plat review but there will need to be another mee ng
for a public hearing.
Bergman voiced that he used to live in applicant's duplex, but he does not see a reason
for conflict of interest. Planner Hutnik agreed.
They clarified that the house will have its own new sep c system and well, and that each
house will have its own drive-way.
In response to an inquiry from Cowan, Planner Hutnik explained that he is working with
the applicant on a tree plan ng plan that will sa sfy the required tree coverage for the
zone. Maher noted the number of dead trees in the area, and suggested they consider
plan ng some trees along the border with their neighbor, even if this is not something
that can be required by the Planning Board.
MOTION: To pass Resolu on 4 of 2024 declaring the Planning Board lead agency
Moved by Bergman, seconded by Colbert
The mo on passed.
In favor: Bergman, Colbert, Cowan, Davis, Vanucchi, Maher
SEAF Part 1
The Planner and the Planning Board reviewed the Short Environmental Assessment Form
Part 1 (SEAF), filling in any parts that the applicant had le out. Planner Hutnik added
that he will ask the DEC to weigh in on ques on 13. They discussed theloca on of the
sep c system and the new well. The Planning Board requested that the future well's
loca on be marked on the survey. They also requested the future drive-way be shown as
well as, if possible, the exis ng sep c system.
Planner Hutnik reviewed to the applicants that once they receive a revised survey, they
can come back to the Planning Board for a public hearing, followed by SEQR and the
poten al for final approval. Hopefully by that me, the DEC will have responded to his
inquiry. The BZA will see the applica on next week and Planner Hutnik does not
an cipate much concern.
(6) PLANNER REPORT
Planner Hutnik gave his report verbally:
●The BZA will be meeting next week
●Zach Larkins is building a boardwalk at Dotson Park which has been funded by a
park grant the town received
●He continues to work the special events law. This law is designed to regulate
larger events -- not including things like weddings and graduations -- and is
meant to provide a path to permitting them, not stoping them.
●Likely an amendment to the zoning law that allows for freestanding signs will be
approved once we receive comments from the county. Maher requested the PB
see it once it is approved. They discussed details related to the amendment and
what is being changed.
●Danby is looking to apply to become a "pro-housing" community. If accepted, this
will mean we will have access and/or priority to receive more funding
opportunities.
●Planner Hutnik attended an erosion training last week.
●He will seek to apply to more housing type programs. The single family housing
program has used up all the funds we had and was a great success, while the
newer mul family one is ge ng started.
●Norbut solar farm were issued a no ce of viola ons by the DEC. They have since
addressed the various viola ons. This is a prime example of how much work a
town can put into approving and reviewing a large project like this, only to have
changes happen in the company that results in no one reviewing what is
permi ed and what is not. Davis expressed concern about the town ge ng stuck
if Norbut gets sold. He suggested Connors look into such a scenario.
●Maher inquired about the safe streets intiative. Planner Hutnik replied it is a
project that will happen over an extended amount of time. Current goals include
identifying hot spots with unsafe road conditions. There will be a website
available to the public where they can flag areas of concern.
●Planner Hutnik is working with the City of Ithaca, regarding drinking water and
how larger solar arrays may impact the water layout of the town. They may
recommend expanding the aquifier overlay area of the town.
●They discussed op ons for a skate park.
●The Ithaca Board of Realtors recently had a meeting that included a presentation
on the housing crisis. Planner Hutnik will circulate that presentation.
The Planning Board and others present than had a discussion about the housing crisis,
its roots, various zoning regulations, and how the town can help support middle income
residents and the development of the Hamlet.
(7) ADJOURNMENT
The mee ng adjourned at 8:25 p.m.