No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-28Conservation Board June 28, 2016 Page 1 of 3 Dryden Conservation Board June 28, 2016 Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair), Peter Davies, Jeremy Sherman, Nancy Munkenbeck, Craig Schutt, Charlie Smith and Milo Richmond Liaisons Present: David Weinstein, Planning Board and Kathy Servoss, Town Board Town Hall Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director The meeting was called to order at 7PM. Review and approval of minutes from May 31st: C. Schutt moved to approve the minutes as presented, C. Smith seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved. Reports and Updates: Town Board: K. Servoss - K. Servoss was recently appointed and did not have a report. Town Planning Board: D. Weinstein - This Thursday (June 30th), the Planning Board is hosting a discussion at the Dryden Fire Hall regarding Community Solar. The Planning Board is currently working on legislation recommendations that will permit Community solar arrays in the Town. - He strongly encouraged everyone to attend. - C. Smith questioned whether the solar panels create an impervious surface that might be of concern o D. Weinstein pointed out that although it may appear as a solid surface, the panels are not blocking the water. There are significant gaps between the panels which permits plenty of pervious ground. o N. Munkenbeck offered the term “rain shadow” to explain the effect of the panels - P. Davies questioned how many solar installations can be put into use before NYSEG says they are losing money on transmission and the generating companies complain they are losing their daytime production. N. Munkenbeck indicated that NYSEG was just granted permission to increase rates significantly. P. Davies pointed out that those that don’t have solar and are paying more, might end up being against solar. - P. Davies asked for an estimate regarding how many solar installations might be coming into Dryden. D. Weinstein said that there are only certain places that the solar installations can be placed; they need 3-phase power lines to connect to. Conservation Board June 28, 2016 Page 2 of 3 - There are two new cell towers being installed in Dryden. One will be on the former RPM site (on Route 13, near the cemetery) and the other will be close to the Town of Groton/Dryden border. o There is some concern about the cell towers not using co-location installation on the towers. - The Planning Board has been getting applications for re-use or expansion of buildings. Those kind of projects are exempt from SEQR which the Conservation Board may wish to keep in mind. o Several members indicated that they would like to know if SEQR can be done at the discretion of the Planning Board or is it totally under the control of the DEC. - C. Schutt indicated that the Conservation Board may want to think about where the Solar installations might go. The Route 13 corridor is in the County Comprehensive Plan as a scenic corridor and that is also the area that has 3- phase power lines. Ag Advisory Committee: C. Schutt - Cooperative Extension has started the writing for the Ag Plan and most of the meeting was spent reviewing the document and making suggestions. NY Rural Water Association: C. Schutt - They have received 112 responses to the survey and they are going to extend the response time. DRYC: K. Servoss - Last month’s meeting was cancelled due to a failure to achieve a quorum. - K. Servoss was the Chair of the DRYC but has been recruited for the Town Board opening. She will be the Town Board liaison to the Conservation Board. Town Planning Department: R. Burger - A public hearing for the Zoning Law Amendment, which will increase the potential density in areas with public water and sewer, will be held at the July 18th Town Board meeting - There is a potential Planned Unit Development in Varna. It is on a 7 acre lot with a concept plan for 36 Town Homes. It is located along the rail trail (740 feet of trail) and part of the amenity package for the PUD will be developing the trail and deeding 1.1 acres to the Town. (The amenity package refers to the exchange of a desired benefit to the Town granted by the developer (in this case the trail) for increased in allowed density). Rail Trail Task Force: B. Beck Conservation Board June 28, 2016 Page 3 of 3 - B. Beck is the Chair and Bruno Schickel has agreed to serve as the Vice-Chair. - Currently they are working on the trail easement agreements and reviewing land deeds and survey maps for the parcels for which they need easements. - There hasn’t been any further movement on the Game Farm section of the trail. o C. Smith reported he learned the Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife Resources is retiring in July. He agreed that he would meet with her and get her caught up with the current situation. The Board believes she might be able to provide advice on the best way to move forward with that section of trail. - B. Beck has found that the Town has a water/sewer easement along the entire trail length from Dryden to Ithaca. New & Continuing Business: NRCP: Water Resources: G. Dodici Farmland Resources: C. Schutt Biological and Recreational Resources: N. Munkenbeck & D. Weinstein Enduring and Scenic Features: M. Richmond The Board discussed the difficulty they had accessing the material and arranged an alternative method. No discussion was held regarding the Plan. Next month’s meeting will be cancelled. The Conservation Board members will be holding a picnic at Dryden Lake Park. The Board discussed the recent mowing of the wetlands adjacent to the Town Hall and the mowing at Dryden Lake. The Conservation Board members have requested that the mowing be held until August so the nesting birds can complete their cycle. C. Smith suggested that a paragraph or two be added to the NRCP addressing the mowing issue. The Red Mill Bridge will be stored behind the DPW. No start date has been given for the project other than sometime this summer. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM. Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk