HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-31Dryden Conservation Board May 31, 2016 Page 1 of 2 Conservation Board May 31, 2016 Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair) Gian Dodici, Craig Schutt, Steve Bissen, Milo Richmond, Charlie Smith, Nancy Munkenbeck (at 8) and Tim Woods, Alternate Liaisons: Linda Lavine, Town Board and David Weinstein, Planning Board The meeting was called to order at 7:10PM Review and approval of minutes from April 26, 2016: C. Schutt moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by C. Smith and unanimously approved. Town Board: Linda Lavine - the Town Board approved two resolutions relevant to the Conservation Board at the last regular meeting: - Resolution #86 approving the recommended members of the Rail Trail Task Force - Resolution #87 which grants the Rails to Trails Task Force the power to negotiate with easements with land owners; final approval will be Town Board responsibility. - The Town Board also discussed a resolution regarding the Pinckney Road parcel. It appears a private individual is interested in purchasing the land for conservation purposes and will grant an easement to the rail trail section on the property. Planning Board: D. Weinstein - The Planning Board received a preliminary report on the developing Agriculture and Ag Land Protection Plan by Debbie Teeter, Cornell Cooperative Extension - They are continuing to explore ways to permit large community solar systems in Dryden - Community solar is when community members “owns” the solar panels and get credit from the solar company versus commercial solar which is owned by a corporation or as a business. - “Wall Street Solar” refers to the large groups that want to put up solar and are getting land owners to sign leases that undermine land uses. Many of the leases are similar to the fracking leases in that the companies are gathering as many as they can without actually knowing if or where they will construct the solar facilities. The land owner is then unable to use the land for other purposes. - They also passed a resolution supporting a change in the zoning. Two zones, Rural Residential and Rural Agriculture had a density limit of 2 units per acre. Those zones were changed to permit 6 units per acre if the property has municipal water and sewer Ag Advisory Committee: C. Schutt - no meeting last month Planning Department: R. Burger - no report EMC: S. Bissen Dryden Conservation Board May 31, 2016 Page 2 of 2 - Due to an increase in use of the Six Mile Creek Natural Area and, unfortunately an increase in misuse and littering, the number of rangers patrolling the area has been increased from 2 to 4. - In terms of the proposed West Dryden Pipeline, about half the people have signed easements - UNA subcommittee walked the Sapsucker W oods UNA (Unique Natural Area) and revised some of the boundaries New and continuing business: - Rail -Trail Task Force update - The members have been appointed and work is being done on the easement documents. - The next meeting is on June 15th at 7PM at the Highway building - Natural Resources Conservation Plan - The Board discussed the method they are currently using and determined it might be more efficient to break the document from the Town of Ancram into sections to be considered between meetings and then presented at the meeting. - Water Resources - Gian Dodici - Farmland Resources - Craig Schutt - Biological Resources and Recreational Resources – Nancy Munkenbeck and David Weinstein - Enduring Features and Scenic Features —Milo Richmond The Board discussed the difference between Conservation and Preservation. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20PM. Respectfully submitted, Erin A. Bieber