HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-23Conservation Board
February 23, 2016
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Conservation Board
February 23, 2016
Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair), Charlie Smith, Gian Dodici, Craig Schutt, Steve
Bissen, Peter Davies and Milo Richmond and Nancy Munkenbeck (arrived at 7:45)
Liaisons: David Weinstein, Planning Board
Town Hall Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM
Review and approval of minutes from January 26, 2016:
G. Dodici moved to approve the minutes with recommended changes, C. Schutt
seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved.
The Board discussed whether the Town always needed a public referendum for a land
purchase. They were unsure if the referendum is necessary due to the funding from
the Recreation Reserves or if it applies to all land purchases.
Citizens’ Privilege: No guests
Reports and Updates:
Town Board: Linda Lavine
L. Lavine was not present but R. Burger spoke on her behalf regarding the use of
surplus funds for the purchase of the Pinckney Road property. She was interested in
the Board’s reaction and their thoughts. R. Burger stated that a petition was
circulated and the required number of signatures have been gathered (over 300).
P. Davies asked if the signatures were for or against the purchase. R. Burger
responded they were requesting a public referendum for the purchase. Several
members of the Board immediately responded that must mean they are against the
purchase. R. Burger reiterated that the petition was to put the land purchase to a
public vote.
The discussion included when the potential vote will be and whether the current
owner is willing to wait.
P. Davies asked if the surplus funds are there. R. Burger stated that they are available
and have been used to close gaps in the budget over the past several years.
C. Smith feels that if the money is there, then it seems like a good way to expeditiously
make the purchase. B. Beck reminded the Board of the considerable opposition to the
purchase although some members didn’t feel 300+ signatures represented a
considerable opposition. P. Davies strongly suggested letting it go to referendum based
on the number of petition signatures. D. Weinstein reminded the Board of the
significant amount of funds that will be required to engage in the referendum. On
behalf of L. Lavine, he has talked to Finger Lakes Land Trust, Andy Zepp, to inquire if
they would be willing to front the money needed for the purchase because L. Lavine is
concerned that the current owners will not be interested in waiting for the Town,
especially since there was another offer on the table. Mr. Zepp indicated that the FLLT
is already financially extended assisting with other purchases.
The Board generally expressed concerns that citizens will be unhappy that the Town
moved ahead without public input, especially after the petition was circulated
requesting a public vote. Some of the members pointed out that the property is
valuable enough that the Town needs to move ahead. Another option is to “fund raise”
and convince citizens to contribute to the purchase.
Conservation Board
February 23, 2016
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The downside to purchasing the property with surplus funds is the Town Board
having to take a lot of political heat.
C. Schutt reminded the Board that purchasing the property will not gain the former
rail bed (one of the arguments used to convince people of the importance of the
property) and several Town Board members have not been to the property so they are
voting site unseen.
R. Burger indicated that an easement from the adjacent property owner for the use of
the rail bed is highly likely. C. Schutt thanked R. Burger for telling the Town Board
that the location of the property pin for the Pinckney property indicates a majority of
the trail is owned by the adjacent owner and thus the argument for buying the
property to acquire the rail bed is moot.
B. Beck agreed the pin is off-center of the driveway/trail although the trail has been
used as a driveway for decades by the property owner for access. The adjacent
property owner is willing to talk to the Town about an easement. He doesn’t see any
problem with future access to the property or use of the trail. He believes that the
Town can legally fight for the right of access since it has been historically accepted.
Based on that, he doesn’t believe it is fair to accuse anyone of being dishonest in
approaching the purchase of the property.
C. Smith agreed that having the rail bed was attractive but the availability of open
land for public recreation that does not involve throwing balls or hitting things with
bats is a need that has to be addressed to maintain the quality of the Town. Based on
the rate of population growth, there isn’t going to be land of that size available in the
future. He doesn’t want to see Dryden as a suburb of Ithaca.
M. Richmond agrees the parcel is valuable and he thinks that area needs more
parkland. From a conservation view point, the parcel is highly desirable. He asked
about the potential financial negatives in the future: development, the cost of
maintenance, etc. At this point, the Town has no plans for the property.
C. Smith offered the following recommendation:
The Conservation Board hereby reaffirms the recommendation dated April 28, 2015 to
the Town Board to supporting the purchase of the property known as the Hoag-Harvey
property (tax map # 44.-1-2.323).
The motion was seconded by S. Bissen. Six members voted aye, 2 members abstained.
Town Planning Board: David Weinstein - the Town Board has given 7 charges to the Planning Board - he believes 5 are relevant to this group - evaluate, and provide recommendations for, the language in the renewable
energy facilities law to allow large scale solar and wind facilities in the Town - Review the Use Tables in the zoning - Green Building Codes and the application to the Town - Fill Ordinance - Review and provide suggestions to improve the NYSEG franchise agreement - a parcel has been purchased on Hall Road (within the industrial zone) by N.
Bellisario. The parcel has a portion of the former rail bed crossing the property and
D. Weinstein expressed concern that the land owner may not be willing to provide
an easement.
Town Ag Advisory Committee: Craig Schutt
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February 23, 2016
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- At the last meeting, the Committee determined they will hold two meetings for
farmers and land owners on March 1st and 29th. They want their feedback on the Ag
plan’s progress.
Town DRYC:
No report
Tompkins County EMC: Steve Bissen - They have sent outreach cards to landowners that are located in UNAs with
boundary changes. They have received 40 calls at this point, mostly still very
positive, with two negative calls. - CDs with the new UNA boundaries have been sent to the municipalities - they are leaving access to the website for another month or so - the Tompkins County Legislature has agreed to (potentially) provide enough funding
to review another 33 UNAs this year - Taitem Engineering, Sara Cullota, gave a talk. NYSEG and Taitem Engineering are
combining to do a community energy coordination project to see what they can do
about renewable resources in the County. - The Board discussed the potential of encouraging solar panels on roofs – barns,
warehouses, etc – rather than buying up land for ground mounted panels.
New and Continuing Business:
G. Dodici attended the Water Resource Council meeting yesterday. - A new wetland map has identified 15,312 acres of wetland in the county - The National Wetland Inventory has 10,748 acres identified - The DEC has 5,632 acres they consider wetlands and this new study will not affect
their total - The DEC does not regulate wetlands under 5 hectares (= 12.5 acres)
New Rail Trail committee: Bob Beck - Cl Sloan is interested in getting a committee together - B. Beck has started to put together the committee, looking at easements, funding,
grant writing, etc. - The Town and County are looking for a place to put the Red Mill Bridge; the County
is willing to move it once. The Board discussed the multiple possible locations for
the bridge. - the County has offered to put the bridge in storage for now but the board prefers
the bridge get to the proper location in the first move
R. Burger has a basic easement template for the Rail Trail, the Town lawyers are
looking at it and they are working on one specific to the Pinckney road property - the basic parts will provide town access for trail use and the exemption of land
owner liability
N. Munkenbeck asked if R. Burger knew who owns the FH Fox bridge. R. Burger has
written to the NYS DOT to determine if they are the actual owners and to get feed back
on the trail idea. If the town offered to take over the maintenance, would they give us
the bridge?
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February 23, 2016
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P. Davies skied the proposed trail through the Plantations Monkey Run natural area.
The whole 30 ft width through the Plantations is well maintained and doesn’t need any
work. Just north of the FH Fox bridge (on the property owned by the apartment
complex) the trail has been black topped (about 6’ wide) with lights, benches and a
bbq stand available to the local tenants.
There is a section on one side that has a very steep drop off that will require a rail.
From the FH Fox bridge to Mt. Pleasant road, the trail is very muddy, narrower and a
bit overgrown but is still hikable.
The bridge appears to be in fine shape for hikers, bikers, horses, etc
M. Richmond talked with Todd Bittner of Cornell Plantations.
Mr. Bittner is fully on board with the Rail Trail project and indicated that the
Plantations will be ready to sign an agreement. He recommended reaching out to the
Cornell Planning Department because parts of the potential trail run through ag
lands/ag properties. Leslie Schill is head of the Cornell Planning Department and M.
Richmond has her contact information. T. Bittner has recommended getting the
easements as soon as possible; once they have some landowners on board, others are
more likely to agree.
T. Bittner suggested that the Town of Dryden purchase a vital piece of property owned
by the Brown family.
T. Bittner will attend a Board meeting courtesy of M. Richmond’s invitation
Town of Dryden Guide to Parks and Trails – C. Smith has been in contact with Rick
Ryan regarding the trail guide and he will be working with R. Ryan to finish the guide.
Miscellaneous:
The Village is putting in a couple of wells near Dryden Lake.
− The drilling will be over the summer and they are offering to put in a public
water spigot
− the Board had a couple of concerns:
o vandalism – people turning on the water and leaving.
o If the spigot is placed near the restrooms, users may use the water
inappropriately
− Ideally there will be two spigots – one near each of the pavilions
C. Smith has contacted J. Leifer indicating the Conservation Board would support the
Town hosting a speaker, Rebecca Schneider, to do a presentation about best
management practices. So far, J. Leifer has not responded.
R. Burger stated the County trails website effort is on-going. The Town of Dryden has
two properties on the website: The Schug Trail and Campbell Meadow
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Conservation Board
February 23, 2016
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Deputy Town Clerk
