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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-2025-PlanningBoard Minutes Mary Ann Barr 2021 Planning Board Minutes Tuesday 18 March 2025 at 7:00PM The Town of Danby 1830 Danby Road Ithaca, NY 14850 danby.ny.gov MINUTES PRESENT: Colleen Cowan Ed Bergman Scott Davis Jodi Scriber Jamie Vanucchi Kelly Maher ABSENT: Jacob Colbert OTHER ATTENDEES: Town Planner: Greg Hutnik Recording Secretary: Cindy Katz Public (in-person) Shane & Julie Spencer; Leslie Connors; Zach Larkins; Pacific Austin; Michael & Lucy Rowell Public (virtual): Ronda Roaring; Joel Gagnon; Ted Crane; Katharine Hunter Bianca Cammarano; Emily Disalvo (1) CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA REVIEW The meeting was called to order at 7:04pm. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda. (2) PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Ronda Roaring had a few points and thought Planner Hutnik could respond at another time. Regarding the parcel for discussion, she wondered if a leach line was present or required. She expressed concern about her own property values and stormwater as related to neighboring properties, as well as junk/trash in general on Danby properties. She suggested the town require people be in compliance before the town approves anything on their land. (3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Approve the February 18 2025 Minutes Moved by Cowan, seconded by Scriber The motion passed. In favor: Berger, Cowan, Davis, Scriber, Vanucchi, Maher (4) TOWN BOARD LIAISON REPORT (VERBAL) Town Board member Leslie Connors provided a brief report:  Town Board member Hansen resigned and Stein was appointed to complete  They are looking into using the Clean Energy Improvement grant to install heat pumps and possibly EV chargers are Town Hall  The town is a living wage employee and approved new wages (5) DEVELOPMENT REVIEW SPR 2025-01 91 Townline Road Parcel: 1.-1-1.12 Applicant: Michael Rowell Anticipated Board action(s) this month: Review Application; Schedule Public Hearing Zone: Rural 1 SEQR Type: Type 2 Proposal: Build single family residence on vacant lot The applicant addressed the board and explained their plan to put a new manufactured shipping container house (“expandable container house”) on the land. There was discussion on the site work required for the site, including the location of the drive-way, and that septic and electric will be installed new. They reviewed the site plan and discussed the plan to use the already existing well. They turned to the house rendering and the Applicant explained how the house is transported and unfolds. The Applicants clarified the color detailing on the rendering in regards to contour lines, explaining that the white shows the contours by the drive-way. They further explained that the house will be supported on piers (as insulation is required on the bottom), and that the area beneath the house will be functional, either by way of a garage or storage or both. Additional trees will be planted to make up for those removed. The Applicants answered a number of questions from the Planning Board as well as the audience regarding the materials, construction, and process of obtaining the house, seeing as it is very unusual. Hutnik said he will work with the Applicants regarding stormwater, noting a pretty large ditch. The Applicant explained various site work for the location, and how the house will be physically placed into its permanent spot. They scheduled a public hearing for the site plan review in April. The Applicant noted that the “white thing” noted by resident Roaring is their van, while also clarifying that other boxes and structures on the land are for beekeeping and animal care. Planner Hutnik brought up the existing easement, and they discussed the limits from it as well as from the existing pipeline. Cowan left at 7:35p.m. (6) DESIGN CONNECT PROJECT PRESENTATION As part of an exercise for a Cornell University project called “Design Connect,” a group of graduate students are putting together a master plan for the Dobson property for the site as a potential venue for new development. A community engagement event was held with Danby residents the prior week, and another one will likely be held the second week of April. As part of their project, the group gave a presentation to the Planning Board and sought feedback. Key findings from the community engagement event and suggestions from the Planning Board included:  Danby residents feel a need for a community center & senior housing  Planning Board members noted the importance of understanding the water situation (availability, potential contaminants etc) as a critical precursor to developing that piece of land  The on-going need for childcare & various ways this need can be met through development  Vanucchi emphasized the importance of a site-wide strategy, which can be approached via stages, and offered her expertise as a landscape architect (7) SAFE STREETS FOR ALL JOINT SAFETY ACTION PLAN – REVIEW PRIORITY LOCATIONS IN DANBY The Planner and the Planning Board reviewed the two Danby locations examined by the Safe Streets for All Joint Safety initiative over the last year in order to provide feedback. The Town Board is also preparing a list of comments. Areas up for discussion include the segment of Danby Road (Route 96B) from Miller Road to Michigan Hollow Road, and the intersection of Spencer Road (Route 34/96) and Station and Maple Roads. Planner Hutnik pulled up the maps on the large screen, and they reviewed how to make sense of the various icons and information on them. In regards to the 96B segment, they discussed speed limit signs, the cost of sidewalks (and if those costs were accounted for already in the recommendations), and lighting considerations. Regarding West Danby, they discussed, among other things, speeding, the darkness of the area, paint on the road in various weather conditions, and the feasibility of a round-about. Planner Hutnik briefly shared another house rendering shared by the Townline home applicants with him. (8) PLANNER REPORT  Planner Hutnik continues to coordinate with the Design Connect graduate students  They are still looking for a quote for the crosswalk at Town Hall  He continues to work with the Regulatory Review Committee  Planner Hutnik is working with the CAC to make a map of protected land in Danby. There may soon another easement in Deputron Hollow.  The planner and the town are still trying to figure out how sewering the town could work. There are still many questions. (9) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm.