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Home My WebLink About2016-01-26Conservation Board January 26, 2016 Page 1 of 4 Dryden Conservation Board January 26, 2016 Members Present: Bob Beck, Milo Richmond, Craig Schutt, Charlie Smith, Steve Bissen, Gian Dodici, Peter Davies and Nancy Munkenbeck Town Hall Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director Liaisons: David Weinstein, Planning Board Meeting was called to order at 7:04PM Review and Approval of December 29, 2015 minutes: C. Schutt moved to approve the minutes presented, C. Smith seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved. Town Board: Linda Lavine No report Planning Board: D. Weinstein - The Planning Board Chairman presented on Sustainable Housing and Green Housing development - 902 Dryden Road was part of the meeting. Because there has been some opposition to the development some on the Planning Board feel that the Varna Plan is not understood and thus they will probably do a survey on what kinds of development the Varna residents want. The resistance to the project is leading to questions in regard to whether the plan is viable by some members. - S. Bissen asked if there was a particular group in opposition to the project? - Obviously the neighbors are not happy but many of the other members in the community felt the zone where the project was put was specifically designed for lower density so it does not put a strain on Fall Creek. The question is then, what is the density that is acceptable for that zone. - The 902 Dryden Road applicants have reduced the number of units. - D. Weinstein stated that some of the parking (since reduced) was originally to be built into the flood plain which would harm the recharge area and potentially affect Fall Creek further downstream. - Before the applicants changed their plan, the County declared that the development would have a significant impact on the environment. Ag Committee: C. Schutt - Cooperative Extension (Debbie Teeter and Monika Roth) was at the meeting and has started to write an ag profile for Dryden - They reviewed the Lansing plan in reference to their recommendations and goals. The Ag committee considered which recommendations and goals they might want in the Dryden plan. - There was a discussion regarding the zoning and sent a resolution to the Town Board to hire a consultant, specifically George Frantz, to review the zoning. NYS Rural Water Association: Steve Winkley - No progress to report (C.Schutt - liaison) - Mr. Winkley is working on several community plans right now and it appears he has not had time for Dryden yet. Conservation Board January 26, 2016 Page 2 of 4 DRYC: - The CB does not have a liaison with the DRYC since R. Ryan has resigned. B. Beck asked if anyone was interested in assuming that responsibility. EMC: Steve Bissen - The EMC sent out 600 post cards to let property owners know that the UNA boundaries, in which their property exists, have changed - About 30 people called with only one person expressing a negative response - The Cornell Solar farm - one of the problems they are having is the weeds that are growing up around the panels. With weed wackers, it took 147 man hours to clear the site. They have decided to use sheep (Shetlands and Icelandics) to keep the weed growth down. New Business: - appoint 1st and 2nd Vice Chairs: C. Smith offered the following motion: Whereas, the Conservation Board Chair is charged with recommending a first and a second vice –chair; and Whereas, the Conservation Board by-laws require a paper ballot for approval of the Chair’s nominations; and Whereas, the Conservation Board members chose to suspend the paper ballot; and Whereas, the Conservation Board approves the nominations as presented by Chairman Beck; Therefore, be it resolved, the Conservation Board recommends to the Town Board the appointment of Milo Richmond as 1st Vice-Chair and Steve Bissen as 2nd Vice-Chair per the recommendation of Robert Beck, Conservation Board Chair. C. Schutt seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. C. Smith shared a graphic to illustrate the quote he offered last month: “Freedom diminishes as numbers increase.” The chart showed a drastic increase in population in Dryden over the past 30 years. D. Weinstein added that there is a big push by Tompkins County Legislature to build more moderate income housing to cut down on the 30% of population that are driving into the County daily for employment. That will lead to a greater density but will cut down on pollution. Although there is a building push in Ithaca, most of the new housing is being absorbed by students – Cornell is adding about 500 students a year. More and more people will have to move to neighboring towns as the population increases. The Board engaged in a discussion of Cornell, its programs and the potential changes that may be on the horizon. Goals for 2016: Rail to Trail Parks and Trails guide Stream protection/riparian buffers increase tourism renewable energy - away from fossil fuels NRCP Rail to Trail: Conservation Board January 26, 2016 Page 3 of 4 - M. Richmond asked about the status of negotiations with the Game Farm section of the Varna to Ithaca trail. R. Burger stated that there hasn’t been any movement on discussions. The hunting factions might be more likely to support the trail if some assistance was provided toward infrastructure on the Game Farm. The alternate trail for hikers only is still an option; apparently there is concern regarding the respectability of bike riders. - There hasn’t been any movement on the Freeville to Dryden route B. Beck indicated that he wants to start talking to land owners along the trail. The Town Board needs to guide and approve the contacts; they will also need to provide the easement documents that can be given to the landowners. R. Burger indicated he would draft a resolution for the Town Board to give explicit direction to the Conservation Board to approach landowners. The Cornell Plantations will need to be approached to reaffirm their support of the trail which passes through areas they control. N. Munkenbeck suggested that the trail not be called “the Dryden Trail” since it might undermine the owners’ preferred name – ie, the trail through Plantations land could be called a “connector”. Ray is going to write a resolution to the Town Board asking them to provide approval to start the easement process - getting land owners to sign off on allowing the trail. The “Fox” Bridge across route 366: - who owns it? - the trail will cross that bridge - maintenance and liability? - what is the current condition of the bridge? C. Smith suggested getting closure on the Hoag-Harvey property before they start talking to landowners – it will help the trail cause if it can be stated that the Plantations and the Town of Dryden are supportive. B. Beck added that the landowners who sign an easement will be relieved of liability and trail maintenance. There was a considerable conversation regarding benches – the Plantations have a plethora of applicants who wish to honor someone by paying for a bench. That might be an option for encouraging donations or participation in the trail. M. Richmond and P. Davies agreed to talk with the Plantations. N. Munkenbeck pointed out the need to talk to the landowners before placing benches along the trail – some people may not want the walkers to stop on their section on the trail. The trail piece between Freeville and Dryden needs to be addressed. The section that runs through the William George Agency needs to be secured and there is new management that might be willing to work with the Town. The Board discussed the Hoag-Harvey property. The purchase is ready to move ahead but the purchase is based on a permissive referendum as are all land purchases by the Town. Opponents to the purchase have started a petition; they need 218 signatures to move the purchase for a public vote. West Dryden Pipeline: - The pipeline will not support the stated County goals of reducing the use of fossil fuels and their emissions - The hydro-frackers want infrastructure developed before they push to lift the fracking ban Conservation Board January 26, 2016 Page 4 of 4 - B. Beck believes citizens in the Town are very concerned about the pipeline and wondered if anything should be done with the franchise agreement with NYSEG - C. Schutt said he has spoken with some of the home owners on West Dryden Rd. and many of them are in favor of the pipeline - N. Munkenbeck said she doesn’t really see an issue, it will not be enough to refuel the Cayuga Power Plant, but it will offer lower cost fuel for the West Dryden residents. - B. Beck pointed to the gas leaks in California as an example of the potential danger - Dr. Tony Ingraffea – a natural gas leak expert – has serious concerns about the safety of natural gas - Dr. Ingraffea believes that the increase in infrastructure will undermine the movement to greener fuels. Renovus is planning on building solar farms around Tompkins County that will permit residents to buy in and thereby cut their electric bills. D. Weinstein revisited the disconnect between how we should be treating the highway ditch connection network - what is the practice versus the proper method. There is plenty of information out there about the best way to maintain the ditches. C. Schutt stated that he is not thrilled with the way the ditching was done but he pointed out the Highway department did a pretty good job of hydro-seeding this past summer. G. Dodici said that R. Young was aware of presentations done by Rebecca Schneider on best management practices but he has chosen not to attend. The Town Board controls the purse strings and they might be able to encourage attendance at some of those presentations. C. Schutt feels the Highway department is focused on the audit that was done a couple of years ago that calls for $2.5 million to get Dryden roads up to snuff. C. Smith asked about the potential of getting Rebecca Schneider to present at the Town Hall. The Highway superintendent is an elected position and the Town Board doesn’t have any interest in changing that. The more people that are aware of better practices, the greater the chance that people will try to influence the highway department. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9PM. Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk