HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-21- Planning Board Minutes
PRESENT:
Ed Bergman (arrived 7:16pm)
Sco Davis
Jody Scriber
Jamie Vanucchi
Kelly Maher (Chair)
ABSENT:
Colleen Cowan
Jacob Colbert
OTHER ATTENDEES:
Town Planner Greg Hutnik
Recording Secretary Cindy Katz
Public (in person)Cindy and Joel Lamson; Zach Larkins
Zoom (virtual)Katharine Hunter (town board member); Joel Gagnon (town
supervisor); Jeremy Holmes
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 7:02 p.m. There were no addi ons or dele ons to the
agenda.
(2) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Zach Larkins asked the board for guidance on moving forward with his plans for a cafe on
his property at 1914 Danby Road. He has previously been to the planning board
regarding this property. Current zoning limits him from moving forward because any
cafe/restaurants can only be located on corner lot. They discussed the merits and
nega ves to three poten al op ons: building a road, re-zoning the parcel itself, or having
the town board amend the law. Hutnik thinks the parcel could be a good candidate for
Mary Ann Barr 2021
The Town of Danby
1830 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
danby.ny.gov
Planning Board Minutes
Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 7:00PM
re-zoning if the town does not want to amend the law. Vanucchi noted that there are
not very many corner lots anyway, so the law is limi ng in general. Maher supported re-
zoning or amending the law for that par cular corridor. There was a general agreement
that building a road would be cost-prohibi ve. Hutnik commented that there is a clear
process and path forward for a private home-owner to apply for their parcel to be re-
zoned, while the town could always amend the law in the future. Supervisor Gagnon
commented that the town board had mostly agreed that they would support amending
the law to allow restaurant uses in the Hamlet Zone District on the major corridors (96b
and 34) and that the planner could go ahead and work on moving that forward. Planner
Hutnik emphasized the importance of building town buy-in for any amending of the laws.
(3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES (April 2024)
MOTION: To Approve the April 16 2024 minutes
Moved by Scriber, seconded by Bergman
The mo on passes.
In favor: Bergman, Davis, Scriber, Vanucchi, Maher
(4) TOWN BOARD LIAISON REPORT
Board member Leslie Connors was not present to give a report.
(5) DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
SUB-2024-02 18 East Miller Road Parcel: 7.-1-19.3 Applicant: Joel Lamson
An cipated Board ac on(s) this month: Applica on Review; SEQR Determina on;
Public Hearing; Final Ac on Proposal
Zone: Hamlet Neighborhood SEQR Type: Unlisted
Proposal: Minor Subdivision of 1 lot to 2 lots
Planner Hutnik reviewed previous ac ons on this applica on and pointed out updates to
the drawings (well, proposed drive-way, tree plan ngs). He explained that the objec ves
for the Planning Board are to determine environmental significance, hold a public
hearing, and make a final decision on the applica on. Maher wondered how the well
plans are reviewed and the resident responded that they are reviewed with the sep c
engineering by the County.
SEQR
Hutnik shared that he had contacted the DEC as previously discussed regarding ques on
13 on SEAF Part 1. They confirmed there was a body of water (tributary to Bu ermilk
Creek), but that there were no impacts with this proposal. Planner Hutnik screen shared
Part II of the Short Environmental Assessment Form ("SEAF"), Chair Maher read from it
aloud, and it was agreed that the answer was "no or small impact may occur" to all
ques ons.
MOTION: To Pass Resolu on 5 of 2024 that the Proposed Minor Subdivision will not
result in any significant adverse environmental impacts and therefore make a nega ve
determina on.
Moved by Bergman, seconded by Davis
The mo on passed.
In favor: Bergman, Davis, Scriber, Vanucchi, Maher
Public Hearing
The public hearing was opened at 7:26 p.m
No one spoke.
The public hearing was closed at 7:26 p.m.
Board Discussion
Maher read the language of the resolu on. They discussed if tree plan ng ought to be a
condi on; Hutnik explained tree plan ng is not usually customary in a small subdivision,
and that the applicant will be plan ng trees as required by the zoning code.
MOTION: To Pass Resolu on 6 of 2024 to approve the preliminary and final subdivision
with no condi ons.
Moved by Vanucchi, seconded by Scriber
The mo on passed.
In favor: Bergman, Davis, Scriber, Vanucchi, Maher
Hutnik and Maher reviewed documents and what needed to be signed. Hutnik handed
the applicants their plat, explaining they need to bring it to the county clerk for filing.
The applicants le .
SUB-2024-03 405 Troy Road Parcel: 4.-1-1 Applicant: Adam & Carrie Kartman
An cipated Board ac on(s) this month: Final Plat Review; Declare Lead Agency
for SEQR
Zone: Rural 1 SEQR Type: Unlisted
Proposal: Minor Subdivision of 1 lot to 2 lots
Maher reviewed the poten al ac ons for the applica on. Hutnik pointed out that the
applicant is not present in person or on Zoom, explaining the planning board is s ll
welcome to view it and ask ques ons. He clarified there is no ac on needed except for
declaring lead agency and they could do it now or next me. Hutnik shared the parcel
map and reviewed the loca on in north Danby. Hutnik provided a summary of the
background of the parcel, which was bequeathed to a brother and sister by their mother
when she passed. The applicant is interested in conserving the parcel in the name of his
mother, and is looking into pu ng it in an easement that would maintain some
development rights through the town's easement program. Because there are s ll many
decisions and ques ons that need addressing by the applicant, the planning board
elected to wait un l the next mee ng to make any ac ons. Presumably the applicant
would be present at that me.
(6) PLANNER REPORT (VERBAL)
●Hutnik is leading the effort to have a planning conference in Ithaca in October.
He thinks this would be a good opportunity for planning board members to get
some professional development and training hours in.
●The town is going through an email shuffle right now and it's a bit bumpy. If you
cannot access your town email call the town clerk Mariah Dillon.
●The town is also considering changing its email policy so not everyone needs to
have their own town email address.
●He reminded the planning board members that there are many pre-recorded
training videos that can be watched at their leisure for training hours. The
planning board wondered if they needed to print out a cer ficate a er watching?
●The zoning amendment was passed in regards to signs in the Hamlet
neighborhood.
●Danby Food and Drink is opening in a few weeks!
(7) ADJOURNMENT
The mee ng adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
All agenda items are for consideration and are not final until voted on by the Board.
As a Planning Board, we want to know what residents have to say. The time set aside for this is at the
beginning of the meeting during 'Privilege of the Floor.' Once the meeting moves past Privilege of the Floor, we
are still interested in what you have to say, but please be aware that your comments or questions during this
part of the meeting can be entertained only if time permits. Please wait to be recognized by the Chair before
speaking. If you wish to comment or ask a question during the regular part of our meeting, we ask that your
comments pertain to the subject at hand, and again we insist that they be civil and respectful.
Materials for this mee ng are available on the Town calendar: h ps://danby.ny.gov/event/
Past mee ng materials are available above and at:
h ps://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=2224&dbid=3&repo=Danby&cr=1