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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-12-CAC-minutesTown of Danby Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) Minutes of In-person Meeting in Town Hall, and Via Videoconferencing Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 Council Members Present: Joel Gagnon, Anne Klingensmith, Don Schauffler, Brittany Stein, Jonathan Zisk Council Members Absent/Excused: Margaret Corbit, Rene Owens Others Present: Susan Perri (via Zoom), Ronda Roaring (via Zoom) Meeting called to order: 7:00pm AGENDA REVIEW: ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS A boundary issue with the Curtiss easement was added to the agenda. The discussion involved property boundary questions concerning the Melchen property at the corner of Marsh and Durfee Hill roads. The matter involves a potential boundary dispute that could affect Curtiss easement lines. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Susan Perri addressed the CAC regarding enforcement of the conservation easement on the South Hill Cider parcel. She inquired about the monitoring process and compliance with easement terms. Jonathan confirmed this issue was on the agenda and stated it was under review. Ronda Roaring asked for clarification about what road the Olsefski property was located on. Members clarified that the name was actually Olsefski and confirmed it had been corrected on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Don Schauffler requested an edit to the June minutes regarding forestry measurements corrections. Joel Gagnon made a motion, seconded by Jonathan Zisk, to approve the June and July 2025 minutes as amended. Minutes were approved with Brittany Stein abstaining. STATUS OF CURRENT EASEMENTS Anne Klingensmith emphasized the ongoing need for monitoring easements and organizing documentation. CAC members were asked to continue adding documents to conservation easement folders. Discussion occurred regarding the approach for handling duplicate documents in the filing system. HANSON EASEMENT (South Hill Cider) Group discussed background issues including ongoing noise complaints from neighbors and questions about agricultural use versus event venue operations, referencing planning board recommendations from 2018 regarding venue use and documentation of prior warnings about large-scale events. In examining easement compliance, the members noted that the agricultural zone was being used for parking during events and debated whether parking constitutes a violation of easement terms, discussing whether agricultural law supersedes easement restrictions and reviewing allowed uses in the agricultural section per easement Section 203A. The CAC ultimately determined this was primarily a zoning enforcement issue rather than a conservation easement violation, concluding that focus should be on zoning violations rather than easement enforcement for this matter. CURTISS EASEMENT BOUNDARY ISSUE A new survey was being conducted by Melchen on the adjacent property. The chair agreed to obtain and distribute the survey notice letter to the committee and to contact Curtiss property owners to clarify ownership of the disputed area. The boundary change could affect the boundary of the Curtiss easement. The issue arose from neighbor notification of the survey. BIRD BANDING STATION PRESENTATION The presentation was postponed due to the presenter being unavailable in August. Discussion occurred regarding timing for the fall migration period. Members agreed to revisit scheduling for October or November. ONGOING EASEMENTS The CAC reviewed progress on several ongoing easements, beginning with the Sherman easement, which covers 209 acres across three parcels where baseline documentation has been completed and sent to the landowner for review. The members discussed various topics including different restrictive use zones, management procedures for landowners, and considerations of climate change impacts and management flexibility. Regarding the Altman easement, landowner suggestions have been incorporated except for two that were deemed problematic, and the CAC is awaiting the landowner's response before proceeding to legal review. For the Gladstone easement, discussion focused on assigning “parental” responsibility for monitoring, with Jonathan volunteering to take on this role. TIMBER HARVESTING LAW Don reported that significant changes were made based on Highway Department input. The Highway Superintendent declined the enforcement role. Under the revised process, the town planner is now designated as the primary enforcer. All permits will go through the town clerk to the planner, who will consult with Highway. Action: Joel Gagnon made a motion, with Brittany Stein seconding, to send the revised Timber Harvesting law to the attorney for the town for final legal review and then on to the Town Board if there are no significant changes. Motion carried. RECRUITING EASEMENT MONITORS Members agreed to use word-of-mouth recruitment rather than public advertising. Emphasis was placed on recruiting people known to be reliable and diplomatic. Group discussed inviting potential volunteers to accompany current monitors before taking on responsibilities. A buddy system was recommended for monitoring visits. EASEMENT OUTREACH Anne obtained the map from town planner Greg Hutnik showing properties over 20 acres contiguous with protected lands (e.g., state land, existing easements, other preserves). She noted that Unique Natural Areas (UNAs) were initially included in the criteria but were later removed because they were not considered - functionally useful since they had never been enacted into law. The map will be placed in CAC files with an accompanying spreadsheet. Members will identify known landowners for personal outreach rather than conducting a mass mailing. ITEMS FOR NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA Members discussed planning a comprehensive educational review of easement zones and their restrictions. The session would include tax implications, the application process, comparison of easement template evolution over time, and review of state and federal ramifications of conservation easements. Brittany agreed to research actual tax savings examples using her property. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS Joel reported that Peter McDonald, Town of Danby representative to the Environmental Management Council, will present UNA revisions at the next Town Board meeting. Regarding the solar farm follow-up, Anne noted the developer was receptive to their group's recommendations on species and planting locations after the walkthrough. Members discussed a rumor that NYSEG is acquiring property options along Inlet Valley's west face for potential wind development, raising concerns about bird and bat impacts. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:37PM.