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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-16 Planning Board MinutesThe Town of Danby 1830 Danby Road Ithaca, NY 14850 danby.ny.gov Planning Board Minutes Tuesday 16 April 2024 at 7:OOPM Town of Danby Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting April 16 2024 PRESENT: Ed Bergman (arrived 7:11 pm) Jacob Colbert Colleen Cowan Scott Davis Jamie Vanucchi Kelly Maher (chair) ABSENT: Jodi Scriber OTHERATTENDEES 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 Dolittle Building & Design; Ted Crane; Katharine Hunter (Town Board Member); Joel Gagnon (Town Supervisor) This meeting was conducted in person with virtual access on the Zoom platform (1) CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA REVIEW The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda. (2) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR 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 Recreation Trail MOU with NYSEG and on the an amendment to town zoning regarding signs and lighting • The town board is currently dicussing additional amendments to the town zoning regarding setbacks and restrictions on businesses in the Hamlet • They are still discussing the special events law • May 18th is the Danby plant exchange at the Fire Station (5) DEVELOPMENT REVIEW ;PR-2024-0: 956 Steam Mill Road Parcel: 11.-1-5.12 Applicant: Jonathan Joseph Anticipated Board action(s) this month: Application Review, Public Hearing, Final Action Zone: Rural 1 SEQR Type: Type 2 Proposal: Construct a single family dwelling unit The applicant addressed the Planning Board with a description 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, stating this spot is an "avian hotspot" and a house there will be disruptive 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 application 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 lighting. 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 condition. MOTION: To pass Resolution 3 of 2024 granting approval to the proposed site plan with the condition that it be dark sky compliant. Cowan moved, seconded by Bergman The motion passed. In favor: Bergman, Colbert, Cowan, Davis, Vanucchi, Maher SUB-2024-02 18 East Miller Road Parcel: 7.-1-19.3 Applicant: Joel Lamson Anticipated Board action(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 meeting 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 septic 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 planting plan that will satisfy the required tree coverage for the zone. Maher noted the number of dead trees in the area, and suggested they consider planting 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 Resolution 4 of 2024 declaring the Planning Board lead agency Moved by Bergman, seconded by Colbert The motion 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 left out. Planner Hutnik added that he will ask the DEC to weigh in on question 13. They discussed thelocation of the septic system and the new well. The Planning Board requested that the future well's location be marked on the survey. They also requested the future drive -way be shown as well as, if possible, the existing septic 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 potential for final approval. Hopefully by that time, the DEC will have responded to his inquiry. The BZA will see the application next week and Planner Hutnik does not anticipate 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 multifamily one is getting started. • Norbut solar farm were issued a notice of violations by the DEC. They have since addressed the various violations. 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 permitted and what is not. Davis expressed concern about the town getting 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 options 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 meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.