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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-20TB 2-20-20 Page 1 of 8 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING February 20, 2020 Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl James Skaley Cl Kathrin Servoss, Cl Loren Sparling Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk Richard Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Director of Planning Jennifer Case, Bookkeeper Supv Leifer called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Board members and audience recited the pledge of allegiance. TOWN CLERK RESOLUTION #41 (2020) – APPROVE MINUTES Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the meeting minutes of January 9 and January 16, 2020. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Servoss Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes BUDGET MODIFICATIONS End of year (2019) budget modifications were presented to board members and explained and discussed. RESOLUTION #42 (2020) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATIONS AND ENCUMBRANCE Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the attached budget modifications for the fiscal year ending 2019 and an encumbrance in the amount of $16,745.30 from account A8020.458 because the scope of work anticipated to be completed in 2019 for the comprehensive plan is delayed until 2020. 2nd Cl Servoss Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Servoss Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes TB 2-20-20 Page 2 of 8 Continuing Education Credits The Director of Planning has asked the board to approve planning board training credit for two education sessions attended by Planning Board members. RESOLUTION #43 (2020) – APPROVE PLANNING BOARD TRAINING CREDITS Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves continuing education credits at the rate of one credit per hour of participation for the following trainings: 9/25/19 Incremental Development by Incremental Development Alliance – 3 hour at Tompkins County Library 11/21/19 Stream Buffer Workshop by Tompkins County Water Resources Council – 3 hour at T.C. Center for History and Culture 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Servoss Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Varna Sidewalk Plan Resolution Cl Skaley moved a resolution he has prepared and it was seconded by Cl Leifer for the purpose of discussion. J Skaley explained this has to do with the potential project update for Route 366 through the hamlet of Varna. The plan presently is to repave from the Ithaca city line to Route 13. The Varna plan talks about a sidewalk and pedestrian plan. DOT seems to want to get the paving done and then do the sidewalks (probably on one side of the road). He wrote the resolution to encourage DOT to consider stopping the repaving around the Turkey Hill intersection and that would allow extra funds to complete the sidewalk plan. The project has been on TIP for a number of years. He would like to encourage DOT to rethink their objectives and help the community appropriately develop. Sidewalks are really important for bicyclist and pedestrian safety. Page 49 of the Varna plan talks about guidelines for main street, sidewalks on both sides, crosswalks, etc. Comments during discussion: • ITCTC has nothing to do with the project other than getting the funding on the TIP. • It’s too soon; this project is in the pre-planning stages. • It is not DOT’s preference to have a sidewalk only on one side. • There may not be space for two travel lanes, two sidewalks, bike lane and curbs. • Road lanes must be at least 14 feet for a good travel lane. • Some would oppose not paving the entire planned portion of the road. • DOT has indicated they would do their best to at least put a sidewalk on the south side. • There will be a study later this year; perhaps do this resolution after the study. • The preference of the community should be made known. • Water and sewer lines are deteriorating; the sidewalk can’t go over them. TB 2-20-20 Page 3 of 8 • Water/sewer lines should be replaced before paving commences. • It is appropriate for the town to express its desires to the DOT so they are aware when reviewing the project. • They have that in emails. • The TIP was originally a $400,000 sidewalk project (not much sidewalk at all). It was amended in the TIP to $700,000 which would still likely be only one side from Forest Home Drive to Freese Road. The sidewalk project was merged with the repaving project. That was originally 2.1 million dollars. When the study was done for this stretch of road, they discovered they would need two courses of paving instead of one. Now it is a 5.8 million project, still including the sidewalks. It has been scoped out as getting the paving done from NYSEG to the city line and getting sidewalks put through Varna. DOT will accomplish as much as they can given the funding and the desires to have sidewalks in Varna. • DOT talks about pedestrian safety and there are people on this road with fast cars and there will be an accident at some point. • Extending the paved area is counteracting the underlying premise of pedestrian safety and traffic safety. • The community has waited a long time for this development to occur. • These projects are on a ranking system, and the people who speak up the loudest are the ones who get in to the system. • There is limited space to have two sidewalks. • The engineer hired by the town when the plan was developed thought so. • Four houses might have to be removed. • The lane width could be reduced. Maybe not. • We need realistic expectations; driveways could be removed. • We need to express what we want before there is a plan in place. • Reluctant to go on record endorsing something that could result in property taken by eminent domain. • If we never say anything, we get what DOT gives us. • Standards have changed with the Complete Streets Act of 2011. That is a design protocol. Lane width of state roads can be shrunk. This would be the time to ask. • DOT is bound to follow an adopted plan as closely as possible. • It is a 30 mph zone, but a good portion of the cars go much faster. • They would still like a traffic light at Route 366 & Freese Road (that has been requested). • The Varna plan should be attached to the resolution when it is sent to DOT. The board discussed the wording of the resolution and agreed on the following. RESOLUTION #44 (2020) – REVISED SIDEWALK PLAN FOR VARNA Cl Skaley offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas, the Varna Community Development Plan adopted in 2012 describes a transportation goal that includes a plan for sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic calming measures to enhance pedestrian safety and improve the character of the community, and Whereas, the project to upgrade Rt 366 through Varna has been on the MPO TIP for a number of years awaiting funding, and Whereas, the project is now in early design stages, and Whereas, Region 3 DOT has indicated a preference to use current funds to repave Rt 366 from the City Line to Rt 13 and limit the sidewalk plan in the hamlet based on available funds, therefore, be it hereby TB 2-20-20 Page 4 of 8 Resolved that the Town of Dryden urges Region 3 DOT to study the feasibility to revise their planning for the Rt 366 upgrade to include sidewalks on both sides of the road, appropriately placed pedestrian cross-walks and a bike lane and traffic calming measures as described and laid out in the Varna Community Development Plan. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Servoss Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Leifer Yes Supv Leifer Yes Varna Zoning Presentation D Weinstein explained that the Planning Board had formed a subcommittee to examine the discrepancy between the current zoning and the Varna plan to see if there was a way to make the two more compatible. They produced a plan that was discussed by the Planning Board over several meetings. There was a unanimous recommendation of proposed changes to the Town Board. He made the same PowerPoint presentation to the Town Board on January 9 but two members were absent, so he presented it again. Comments/Discussion: • Every proposal seen in Varna since the new zoning has been at the maximum allowable density. • The proposed density is a compromise between what the Varna plan envisioned (454 bedrooms) and what the zoning would currently allow (2700 bedrooms). • Some the proposed zones on the map have been changed since the last presentation. • Why can’t this change wait and be incorporated in the comp plan update and resulting zoning? Experience is that the last one took a number of years. There is potential for a lot of development in that time. • People who care about climate change are pushing for density near destination. The new comp plan will include climate change, sustainability and greenhouse emissions as a component of it and may have a recommendation on where to build. • Community character is important to the people who live there; it is reasonable to have a modest amount of density. • The idea of densifying a node was convincing to people when the zoning was adopted. • Experience says we need to find a different way of getting to the goals articulated in t he Varna plan. • State law says zoning should reflect the comprehensive plan. If the current zoning is in conflict, it is something that should be corrected. • That goes along with the road update and having the road improved along with sidewalks to make a holistic community instead of the current drive-through community. • If the board wants to go through the redline version of the document, D Weinstein will do that with them. • The map has been changed since it was last presented; a few lots are different. • The highest density allowed in the Varna Plan in the residential area was 10 single-family homes with 2 extra if they were green and 1 additional if it was a redevelopment. This proposal is 6 plus 2 if green development. • The community thought the hamlet could increase by 50% under the Varna Plan; the zoning would allow an increase by four times. That is the incompatibility. • None the scenarios anticipate a change in Hillside Acres. • Planned Unit Developments are still allowed in the hamlet. TB 2-20-20 Page 5 of 8 • They are spot zoning for not necessarily a good reason. • It gives the board a tool of flexibility to deal with a new situation not envisioned. • PUDs can end up going against the whole idea of predictability in zoning. • The County is still falling behind in owner occupied homes. • If you don’t provide a landscape that clearly wants diversity in terms of both income and types of housing, you’ll get the most dense thing because that is what developers make the most money from. • There are small entrepreneurial developers who have indicated they may be interested in building different kinds of housing, but there has not yet been a proposal. • Ithaca Neighborhood Housing has expressed an interest in developing subsidized housing in the Varna area, either for rent or for sale. • The community would like a mixed type of development. • When combining parcels you can carry the zoning 100’ into the new zone. • The plan has been presented in Varna via presentation at the Varna Community Association, the Varna Newsletter, and the Varna list serve and people who live there are in favor of it. • Percentage of property owners that are aware of it is not known. • There has been no negative feedback. • The plan was developed in a series of charettes in Varna by the residents. • The 12-acre parcel would be a good opportunity for a Community Housing Development Fund project. Having a prime location like this would truly make affordable development possible. • There is increased interest in smaller, more unique developments. • There is a trend to have a development approved, and then they sell the property. • It may be a good idea to have time limits on approvals and/or that they be shovel ready. • Varna has potential to be a really interesting development where new ideas a re tried out and the high allowable density is working against that. Supv Leifer will forward the proposal to Atty Sokoni for review and to prepare for public hearing. There may need to be changes after the public hearing based on comment. The public comment can be held open as long as possible. PROPOSED BUSINESS INTRODUCTION 983 Peruville Road Ray Burger explained that service business will require a special use permit. He would like to introduce it tonight and schedule for a public hearing next month. The existing building will be remodeled inside. It is a basic site plan review. Parking wi ll be 9 spaces out front. The sign fits the commercial design guidelines. CITIZENS PRIVILEGE Bruce Brittain said he is an engineer and worked on the design of both Forest Home single lane bridges. He has been frustrated that Freese Road bridge seems to be stalled out and thinks the only way to move forward is if everyone bends a little. He came up with a design that no one will be really happy with but that everyone can live with. He did not reference any previous alternatives and did not work with any stakeholder group. This is his design, a single lane bridge, single span, plate girders, concrete deck, trusses restored and put on the sides, HS 20 load limit, 14’ lane (any municipal/emergency vehicle can cross the bridge). He thinks this is the way to go forward and asked board to give it some serious consideration. (The attached was previously emailed to board members.) The information has been provided to Doug Mills at DOT. Supv Leifer will send the updated information. TB 2-20-20 Page 6 of 8 Cl Lamb said the board appreciates this and have discussed it with DOT and the consultant as well. This plan is viable as one of the alternatives. It reflects one of alternatives and more style than what was proposed. There would need to be enough space for a bicycle. A decision would need to be made about whether the bikes are on the deck or on the walkway. This bridge won’t need flashing lights, or it could be put in provisionally without lights and a backup plan. Laurie Snyder, 36 Freese Road, thanked B Brittain for his proposal and read the attached letter. Martha Robertson, 1655 Ellis Hollow Road, speaking as a citizen not as a county legislator, said she has driven the bridge many times. She agrees with everything L Snyder read, particularly the concern about overbuilding the bridge. If the road is posted at 9 or 5 tons, then 15 tons for the bridge should be plenty. That will drive many things in terms of what’s possible in terms of historic preservation or adding a walkway. Bruce has done a great job on his proposal but she questions why you would overbuild a bridge with so little traffic and so modest a need. If there is no plan to build the road to an unlimited amount, an unlimited weight on the bridge is unnecessary spending of taxpayer money. If the board will express a clear willingness on this, then the DOT could be convinced. We don’t have to go very far to find a precedent for it. Janet Morgan, 940 Dryden Road, commended the board on thoughtful questions and reasonable discussion tonight. It’s good to have the board working on all this stuff. She couldn’t hear the discussion of the budget modifications however and asked the board to think about that next time. She was interested in those numbers and couldn’t hear it. Cl Lamb said Mr Brittain’s plan is a replacement plan. While the old trusses will be used, SHPO or Federal Highway may not like this plan any better than the others. He’s not saying the board won’t support it, but we need to brace for negative feedback from SHPO and Federal Highway. D Weinstein said it eliminates the beams and stringers. The National Historic Bridge Foundation has made a claim to SHPO that those are not part of the historic structure. Brittain’s plan will maintain the pins, which are very historic and unique, as well as the trusses. This is a hybrid, a compromise. M Robertson said we don’t know what could be saved if you were looking at a 15 -ton bridge instead of an unlimited one. COUNTY BRIEFING M Robertson reported that Leslyn McBean-Clairborne has been elected as chair of the legislature and Shawna Black is vice-chair. The Route 13 survey is open and over 1000 people have completed the survey so far. Comments will be accepted until February 28. Senator Chuck Schumer visited the Veterans Services Office today and announced a push for the VA to start recognizing four additional diseases as presumptive qualifications for benefits for Vietnam era veterans. They are trying to raise awareness because the VA Office of Management & Budget is refusing to accept those as qualified areas for benefits. Two of the six veterans in attendance have two of the possible qualifying diseases. TB 2-20-20 Page 7 of 8 Tuesday morning at 10:30 at the Habitat for Humanity’s location at 1932 Slaterville Road there will be an announcement welcoming the Town of Dryden as the first associate member of Community Development Housing Fund. The town has made a $50,000 commitment to affordable housing in Tompkins County. PLANNING DEPARTMENT R Burger has presented the board with the department’s monthly report. The Planning Board will begin review of two projects this month. One is a Dollar General store near NYSEG on Route 13 and the other is at 19 Quarry Road where an additional storage building is proposed. There is one more meeting on the T-Connect service proposed by TCAT this Saturday at the Poets Landing community room. The proposal is to use smaller buses to bring people i n from a mile radius of the village to connect to the main TCAT bus. ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES Planning Board – Cl Lamb reported the Planning Board has been discussing Varna Auto who wants to expand their business. They were sent to the ZBA for a variance. It would be an expansion and modernization of a local business. They have proposed moving forward with wind law amendments. R Burger said that likely that will be done at the same time as solar amendments. There was more discussion about the comp plan, and they are moving forward with a public speaker series. Conservation Board – Cl Sparling reported the Conservation Board would like Dryden to start a program like Brighten Up Caroline where they distribute free LED light bulbs. There was discussion about the water quality improvement project, and they would like input on decisions being made. RECREATION & YOUTH COMMISSION – Cl Sparling reported they talked about Project LEAD, a summer youth employment readiness program geared toward 13 to 15-year- old youth. They are looking to put out a call to work organizations for participation and would like a link on the town’s website. AG Committee – received the Planning Board’s comp plan presentation Rail Trail Task Force – Also had the comp plan presentation. They are making progress on the trestles in Game Farm section. They are halfway through the three-year stewardship agreement with DEC and are trying to get a permanent easement. Dryden has passed a resolution in support of a reduced speed limit on Game Farm Road and the Town of Ithaca has just passed one. They are making progress with an easement on the VanGuard Press property. Climate Smart Community Task Force – Will reduce their meetings to once every three months or so. There is a focus on getting students in the various school districts involved in outreach. Safety & Preparedness Committee – Janice Bretscher reported the committee has reached out to the Tompkins County Healthy Neighborhood program and are trying to set up a collaboration with them. They are run out of the Tompkins County Health Department and they provide free home visits to promote safe and healthy homes. They supply carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, radon monitors, child safety products, pest control products and such for free if there is a need. She distributed pamphlets from the group. TB 2-20-20 Page 8 of 8 Tony Bretscher is stepping down from the committee and Glen Hughes will be joining. CERT Program Update – They are currently drafting the policy and procedure manual and volunteer registration for the program. All individuals who completed the fall basic training course who are now interested in joining the team are completing three online incident management courses and submitting basic background checks. Of the 9 participants who are eligible to join the team, 6 or 7 are on target to join. They are visiting police and fire departments in town to introduce the CERT program to them and offer assistance and get feedback on the program. It is their understanding that CERT volunteers are considered to be good Samaritans and are covered under the town’s workers compensation at no additional cost to the town. The next basic training course is being organized for spring and will be announced soon. Broadband Committee – Will be applying for USDA Connect grant in March (the deadline was moved up from May). It could come as a partial or full loan, combination grant/loan or full grant. The amount of money available could potentially cover the whole project. Yates County received 10 million dollars in December for a similar plan. Other Business B Avery reported that there was recently a Stipulation and Consent Order in court matter between Hanshaw Village Mobile Home Park and Tompkins County. The stipulation agreed to a reduced assessment of $150,000 for the last six tax bills. She has computed the amount and a voucher will be submitted for payment in March. The amount is a little over $4,000.00. There being no further business, the board adjourned to executive session at 8:58 p.m. to receive advice of counsel on the matter of waivers under 900(G) of the Zoning Law . No action was taken. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk