HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-29Conservation Board March 29, 2016 Page 1 of 3 Conservation Board March 29, 2016 Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair), Nancy Munkenbeck, Milo Richmond, Peter Davies, Craig Schutt, Gian Dodici, Charlie Smith, Jeremy Sherman and Tim Woods (Alternate). Steve Bissen excused Liaisons Present: David Weinstein (Planning Board) and Jason Leifer (Town Board) at 8:40PM Staff Present: Ray Burger The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM Review and approval of minutes from February 23, 2016: C. Smith moved to approve the minutes with the recommended clarifications. C. Schutt seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Reports and Updates: Town Board: J. Leifer The Town Board is meeting on Thursday at 5PM regarding the Pinckney Road land purchase to determine the public referendum date, how many voting places will be available, absentee voting, etc. Planning Board: D. Weinstein - N. Bellisario has agreed to provide an easement on the back side of his Hall Road property. The width of the easement is yet to be determined – emergency vehicles need to be able to travel the trail - The amendment to the renewable energy law to permit a commercial or large solar installation was discussed. Currently, the law restricts a solar installation to 2000 sq feet or less. - Has consideration been given for the end of the solar panel life cycle? - Current law covers the end of use for any renewable energy installation - Information has been shared indicating that at least two outside solar companies are interested in installation in the Dryden area. - Should restricting the areas solar farms can be built be part of the law in the interest of preserving quality farm land? - Is there consideration for encouraging solar panels on buildings rather than in fields? Yes, the law will encourage using building roofs, perhaps incentivizing that option over the use of ground mounting. Should the law require new commercial buildings to mount solar panels? - What about reflective light pollution? Today’s solar panels are very absorbent and don’t reflect much. - Fill Ordinance: D. Weinstein and C. Anderson (Planning Board) are looking for fill sites to determine how many there are in the Town of Dryden which will affect what direction to take. It will probably be a permitting process based on zoning. - Points of consideration: areas that have flowing water should be protected and fill areas tend to increase truck traffic, dust and noise. - They are close to amending the utilities agreement that will give the Town more control over our utility infrastructure development making sure that the utilities benefit the Town rather than just passing through. Conservation Board March 29, 2016 Page 2 of 3 - Green Building Codes – NYS is going to present new codes that will be comparable to what the Town wants thus there is no reason to add another layer of rules. - M. Richmond asked if N. Bellisario has the proper permits for the activity on the corner of Freese Road and Route 366. Right now, Mr. Bellisario is removing some of the dirt that was deposited there. It is being returned to Cornell. On the lower side of the property, more filling will be done but he has the proper permits to continue. Ag Committee: C. Schutt - The Ag Committee is holding two meetings (the first was March 1 and the second one is tonight) for farmers and farm land owners to get feedback on the “action items” of the plan. Those action items will direct the plan. - George Frantz is working with the Ag Committee on the Dryden Ag Plan B. Beck asked the Board again if anyone was interested in serving as a liaison to the DRYC. Additions to the Agenda: R. Burger shared that the 902 Dryden Road project and the Storage Squad project were both approved at the Town Board meeting. The zoning law amendment was also approved but another problem has arisen regarding properties that have water/sewer service and thus can support a higher density. C. Smith asked the Board members to fill out the survey regarding the Cayuga Watershed Plan. The questionnaire was sent via email and perhaps the emails were sent to “junk” or “clutter” so some folks may not have seen it yet. Pinckney Road Land purchase: B. Beck The Town Board voted to move ahead with the public referendum on Resolution 40 which approves the purchase of the land. The money will come from the Recreation Reserve fund per Resolution 41. N. Munkenbeck recommended the Town Board start a Conservation Fund so they can start putting money away for future land purchases. Rail-Trail planning meetings: B. Beck - B. Beck brought a resolution to the Conservation Board for approval. A group of people met March 16th to discuss the potential of creating a Rail – Trail from Ithaca through Varna, Etna, and Freeville to Dryden. The resolution will create a sub-committee of the Conservation Board to work on easements, communication with land owners, and planning. - N. Munkenbeck recommended the resolution be sent to the Town Board with the suggested edits. P. Davies seconded the recommendation and the Board agreed unanimously. - Please see attached resolution. - The Board determined the Committee name will be R2TSC (Rails 2 Trails Steering Committee) - The next meeting is the 13th of April at 7PM at the Dryden Highway Department. Red Mill Bridge: R. Burger - the County is still willing to move it but there needs to be lead remediation and structural work on the underside of the bridge before it can be permanently placed. Conservation Board March 29, 2016 Page 3 of 3 - the Board discussed the potential places for the bridge including at the Dryden Lake Park connecting the boat launch and the main park and on the potential trail circumventing the Jerry Dell Farm. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9PM. Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk