HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-19 TB 11-19-20
TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
November 19, 2020
Via Zoom
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl James Skaley,
Cl Kathrin Servoss, Cl Loren Sparling
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Rick Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper/HR
Andrew Pierce, Recreation
Peter Walsh, Town Attorney
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
RESOLUTION #139 (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 October 8,
October 15, and October 22, 2020.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Announcements
Cl Skaley reported the grant applications to the Environmental Facilities Corporation
for sewer and water have been sent. The Department of Health has scheduled a conference call
for November 30. He is still looking into the possibility of CDBG funding.
He has received a partial report from the company conducting the associated income
survey. The response rate on the letter survey was pretty good and they will be visiting
residences for follow up after Thanksgiving.
Recreation Department
Andrew Pierce presented a proposal to develop five acres of the land behind town hall
(adjacent to the community garden space) into multi-purpose fields for programs. The
PowerPoint presentation is on the website. The rec reserve fund balance is $27,045.55 and he
hopes that with grants and donations this can be accomplished.
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Comments during discussion:
• Highway/DPW staff can help with construction.
• Dozer rental could be one of the larger costs.
• Cost estimates and cost savings would be helpful.
• Adequate parking and access are available.
• The location is near the barn where goal posts and supplies are stored.
• Having everything onsite and accessible is more efficient.
• Are there future plans to do something on the western side of town?
• This is a current need and savings over time for town programs that all can attend.
• They are working on plans for the other side of town.
• The land by town hall is already owned by the town.
• The town recently acquired a small piece of land on Wood Road that might be used for fields.
• There was a Recreation Master Plan that talked about trying to locate something in the
center of town.
• Something in the center of town kind of makes sense, but it isn't walkable for anybody.
• Support for existing facilities on the west side would be great.
• The trail benefits everyone in the town.
• This seems like a logical use of land that exists and makes it easier for staff to manage
programs.
David Peck, of the Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission, said the DRYC has had
several discussions about parkland and recreation space and the general desire is to locate
smaller spaces around the town rather than one large complex. He is glad that Andrew has
brought this forward. Most of the programming for youth sports happens in and around the
Village even though it draws from the whole town. They would like to see park areas around
the town to serve both youth and adults.
Alice Green said now, while the town is looking at its comprehensive plan, is a great
time to be thinking about recreational spaces around town that are walkable. They have asked
the consultants to look at the Recreation Master Plan. She doesn't think it makes sense to put
a lot of money into one space in a town the size of ours, but this is a reasonable compromise.
This is a good, efficient proposal that uses town lands. It is not extravagant and is doable. She
hopes we can get behind it.
The sense of the board is to move forward and after dollar estimates are received, they
can pass a formal resolution.
Vacation Policy
A proposal was presented and discussed last week to amend the town's vacation policy
to allow for new employees to have vacation days in their first year of employment.
RESOLUTION #140 (2020) - Amendment to Personnel Vacation Policy for New Employees
Cl Servoss offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2019, the Dryden Town Board approved the amended
policy for the accrual of vacation leave for town employees that changed from monthly
accrual to an annual accrual, and
WHEREAS, the new policy indicates that new employees are not allowed any vacation time in
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their first year of employment with the Town, which is discouraging to new employees, and
WHEREAS, the Personnel Committee has reviewed the policy and recommended a new
amendment to the Vacation Policy to allow new employees up to 5 days of Vacation Leave in
their first year of employment, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board discussed the recommended amendment during the
Agenda Meeting on November 12, 2020, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Dryden Town Board hereby approves the following amendment to the
Vacation Policy for Town Employees not covered under the Highway/DPW union contract,
retroactive to January 1, 2020:
ACCRUAL
Vacation time will be allocated to each employee on January 1 St each year, beginning in
2020.
Permanent employees (including full time or part time employees, excluding temporary
and seasonal employees) shall earn vacation time based on length of service with the
Town.
New employees receive 2 1/2 days of vacation time on their six-month anniversary, 2 1/2 days'
vacation time on their nine-month anniversary and 5 days of vacation time on their one-year
anniversary. No vacation is available before their six-month anniversary. Each January 1st
thereafter, employees will be credited with vacation time based on the chart below:
Term of Employment Vacation Days Earned
6 month Anniversary 2 1/2
9 month Anniversary 2 1/2
1 s Anniversary 5
2n Year (beginning Jan 1st) 10
3r Year 11
4th Year 12
5th Year 13
6t Year 14
7th Year 15
8th Year 16
9th Year 17
10th Year 18
llth Year 19
12th Year & beyond 20
acation leave shall not exceed 20 work days per year.
Recognizing that vacation time may be used in hours, not just days, vacation hours shall
be determined as follows:
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• 40 hour/week employees receive 8 hours/day of vacation
• 35 hour/week employees receive 7 hours/day of vacation
• 25 hour/week employees receive 5 hours/day of vacation
• 20 hour/week employees receive 4 hours/day of vacation
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Covid-19 Guidelines for Town Employees
R Young explained the procedures being followed by employees at the Highway/DPW
Department. These guidelines cover the town hall employees and what should be done in
certain circumstances. The board agrees that these are more guidelines than policy and the
guidelines suggested by the state and county could rapidly change. These guidelines will apply
to employees not covered under the union contract and will be distributed to department heads
to be shared with their department employees. Guidelines attached.
EMS Resolution
Cl Lamb explained that this resolution came out of the Emergency Services
subcommittee of the Tompkins County Council of Governments. This is a way to put the plight
of the volunteer fire and emergency medical services on the agenda of state legislators and
asking for more attention on the issue. Services in rural areas are stressed right now and this
resolution asks the state to look at this and provide a formula funding for our fire and EMS
services. TCCOG is asking participating municipalities to pass this resolution or some form of
it and speak as a group on the matter. He has spoken with members of the Dryden Fire
Department and they like it. R Young and Mike Hall both commented that they support this
resolution.
RESOLUTION #141 (2020) - REQUEST FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, volunteer Fire and EMS services in rural New York State have been under
pressure for many years - ongoing declining volunteerism rates which leads to the closure of
departments, which leads to the expansion of coverage areas for nearby agencies, which
themselves struggle with staffing-in an environment of ever-increasing costs; and,
WHEREAS, efforts to increase volunteerism, particularly in EMS, while noble, are
neither sustainable nor effective enough to make a meaningful impact; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of these circumstances, many municipalities have been forced to
implement paid EMS Departments, contract for services with other paid departments,
or do without timely EMS coverage for their residents; and
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WHEREAS, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical nature of EMS
services, particularly in rural areas where EMS response is the primary source of
frontline emergency healthcare to millions of NY residents; and
WHEREAS, as a subset of the healthcare field, annual EMS cost increases strain the budgets of
rural towns and villages who are nevertheless morally and ethically obligated to provide these
services to their constituents; and
WHEREAS, Article XVII §3 of the New York State Constitution states that,
"The protection and promotion of the health of the inhabitants of the state are matters of public concern
and provision therefor shall be made by the state and by such of its subdivisions and in such manner,
and by such means as the legislature shall from time to time determine." (emphasis added);
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden calls upon
New York State to allocate funding to local municipalities to support the provision of rural
EMS services. The Town requests that New York State consider creating a Consolidated Local
Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) or State Transportation Operating
Assistance (STOA) model of funding wherein funds will be allocated to municipalities using
formulae which takes into account call volume, coverage area and funding needs; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be sent to the town's state legislators.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Dog Control Update
Town dog control providers are selling the property that the shelter is situate on and
moving. The new buyer of the property is interested in continuing to lease the shelter to the
town and has been negotiating a lease price with the Supervisor. The town will have to hire a
new dog control officer and Rich Leonard's son, who has helped with the duties over the years,
is interested. Supv Leifer will meet with him and update the board in December.
Noise Ordinance
The board discussed two drafts of a noise ordinance. Attorney Walsh said the board
already addresses noise for commercial/industrial uses. He suggests taking what is already in
place and broadening it slightly to encompass the public purpose to be served. He suggests
the law be made effective on the first Monday of the month following filing with the Secretary of
State to allow the town time to make the public aware of it. Comments were made regarding
time limits and decibel levels. The intent of this as written is to provide something that can be
prosecuted on something other than a meter reading. The definition of unreasonable noise is
officially broad. Ag activities, natural phenomena and other things are excluded in the zoning
law.
The following language was introduced and a public hearing set for December 17, 2020,
at 6:30 p.m.
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TOWN OF DRYDEN, NEW YORK LOCAL LAW No. of 2020.
A Local Law Enacting Noise Control Regulations in the Town of Dryden, New York.
BE IT NOW ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Dryden (hereafter "Town Board") as
follows:
Section 1. Subdivision A. Policy Statement of Section 1307 of the Town of Dryden Zoning
Law is hereby amended to read as follows:
The Town of Dryden has a compelling interest in ensuring for its residents an environment free
from excessive noise which may jeopardize their health or welfare or degrade the quality of life.
The prohibitions of this section are intended to protect, preserve and promote the health, safety,
welfare and quality of life for residents of the town through the reduction, control and prevention
of such loud and unreasonable noise.
Section 2. Subsection C. Definitions, of Section 1307 of the Town of Dryden Zoning Law is
hereby amended to add thereto two new definitions to read as follows:
Unreasonable noise - any excessive or unusually loud sound which either annoys, disturbs,
injures or endangers the comfort,repose, health,peace or safety of a reasonable person of normal
sensitivities, or which causes injury to animal life or damage to property or business.
Person in charge of a party or other event or gathering - the person or persons who obtained
permission to utilize public property for that party, event or gathering, or the person or persons
who own or rent private property for any party or event (regardless of whether the renter has a
long-term or short-term lease), and any adult person who lives in or on the premises involved in
such party, event or gathering.
Section 3. Section 1307 of the Town of Dryden Zoning Law is hereby amended to add thereto
a new Subsection I, entitled "Prohibition of Unreasonable Noise", to read as follows:
I. Prohibition of Unreasonable Noise.
1. No person shall make, continue, cause or permit to be made any unreasonable
noise.
2. It shall be unlawful for any person in charge of a party, event or gathering that
occurs on any private or public property to allow that party, event or gathering to produce
unreasonable noise within any building, or outside of a building at a distance of 25 feet or more
from the source of such sound. It shall also be unlawful for any participant in that party, event
or gathering to contribute to such unreasonable noise.
3. Factors to be considered in determining whether noise is unreasonable in a given
situation include, but are not limited to, any or all of the following:
a. The intensity of the noise.
b. The duration of the noise.
c. The intensity of the background noise, if any.
d. The zoning district within which the noise emanates and all zoning districts that
lie within 500 feet of the source of the noise.
e. The time of day or night that the noise occurs.
f. The proximity of the noise to sleeping facilities.
g. Whether the noise is continuous or impulsive.
h. The existence of complaints concerning the noise from one or more persons who
are affected by the noise.
i. Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual.
j. Whether the noise is due to a natural or human-made activity.
Section 4. Severability. Should any section or provisions of this Local Law be declared by any
court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not affect
the validity of this Local Law as a whole or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to
be unconstitutional or invalid.
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Section 5. Effective Date. This Local Law shall take effect on the first Monday of the month
following upon its filing with the Secretary of State.
County Briefing
Martha Robertson reported that the county passed its 2020 budget on Tuesday night.
There is a decrease in local spending of.83% and a decrease in all spending of 5.5%. The tax
rate will be $6.21 per thousand and the overall tax levy increase is 2.21%. A median priced
home ($200,000) will see a tax increase of$42.87. They still have a lot of big question marks.
One of those is TC3. We don't know about the aid they have budgeted from the state.
The Varna Community Association is applying for a childcare grant through the IDA.
They have $100,000 available and four programs have applied and gotten some funding,
including the TC3 childcare center. She encouraged the VCA to apply for assistance with their
ventilation system.
The town's Housing Fund contribution will be put to work. Jim Skaley is the Dryden
representative to the program oversight committee. Second Wind, a non-profit, has applied for
and received funding toward a project in the Village of Dryden (4 units for women; housing and
support services). The grant is $120,000, so Dryden's $50,000 will be matched with $70,000
of county money. This round they had more than a million dollars in requests and $780,000 to
spend. Supv Leifer said he hopes to be able to commit another $50,000 for the next round.
Planning Department Report
The monthly update is on the website. R Burger said there will be a couple of public
workshops (virtual) on December 8 and 9 to get some feedback from the public on preliminary
goals and strategies.
The Maifly development at the corner of Freese Road and Dryden Road received final
site plan approval from the Planning Board last night.
Highway/DPW Department
Supv Leifer reminded board members to contact Rick Young if they want to look at the
Apple Orchard PRV in light of recommended repairs or replacement. TG Miller is putting
numbers together for either scenario.
R Young has requested authorization to purchase a JCB Teleskid-3TS-8T to replace the
skid unit sold at auction. With this piece of equipment, because of the telescoping boom, they
could load smaller trucks with salt safer and more efficiently, among other things. The cost
would not exceed $84,000.00 (from account DA5130.2). He expects $122,000 from the
equipment that was sold at auction. Attachments that worked on the old machine will work on
this one.
RESOLUTION #142 (2020) -AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF TELESKID
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase of a new JCB
Teleskid-3TS-8T at a cost not to exceed $84,000.00.
2nd Cl Sparling
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Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Freese Road Bridge Update
Cl Lamb reported that the town's findings document was acceptable to NYS DOT and
they have forwarded it on to the State Historic Preservation Office where it presently remains.
It will then be sent on to Federal Highway and if approved there, we will have the approvals we
need.
Advisory Board Updates
Planning Board-They are urging participation in the comprehensive plan update via
virtual open houses. They are looking at goals that will lead to recommendations and action
items. There will also be the ability to comment on the Dryden2045 website and a hard copy
available at the town hall.
Conservation Board-There was a discussion regarding the dam at Dryden Lake and
whether it should be removed or repaired. They also discussed deer management and
developments that are proposed without an associated recreation space and the possibility of a
recreation trust fund or impact fee.
Bob Beck said Craig Schutt has taken the lead on gathering information on Dryden
Lake Dam. Roger Beck, who replaced the dam in 1974, has been consulted and they are trying
to get the plans from that construction from DEC. He may be helpful in making a
recommendation to the Town Board.
Recreation &Youth Commission-In addition to items already reported tonight, the
DRYC supported the Rec Department's proposal to host the Willow Running Ugly Sweater 5K
planned for December 5. Donations will be used to preserve the trail.
Ag Committee - No meeting.
Rail Trail Task Force -A subcommittee of the Rail Trail working on the Route 13
pedestrian bridge has decided which alternative they feel is in the best interests of the town
based on cost and alignment while staying within the town's water/sewer easement on the old
railroad bed. A resolution for adoption by the board was presented and reviewed by Cl Lamb.
The Rail Trail Task Force supported this resolution unanimously.
RESOLUTION #143 (2020) - RECOMMENDING THAT THE DRYDEN RAIL TRAIL RT 13
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE ALTERNATIVE, IN WHICH THE BRIDGE, RAMPS AND ALL
ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS STAY WITHIN TOWN'S EXISTING WATER AND SEWER
EASEMENT TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE, AND THAT THE TOWN ACQUIRE
LAND NEEDED FOR THE PROJECT.
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Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Rail Trail Task Force's successful grant-writing efforts have yielded multiple
awards for the Town to construct a pedestrian bridge crossing at Route 13. These grants
include: a Tompkins County Tourism Implementation Grant, a Tompkins County Tourism
Capital Grant, a New York State Multi-Modal Grant and a New York State Department of
Transportation (NYSDOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant,
WHEREAS, Erdman Anthony, the engineering company charged with overseeing the
project, has prepared four bridge alignment alternatives with cost estimates and land
requirements,
WHEREAS, the Rail Trail Task Force in carefully reviewing the four alternatives, while
considering cost and the alternative alignments (within the historic railroad 66-foot "curb
cut" constraint in crossing this controlled-access highway) has selected Alternative 5X (see
attachment) which offers the most straight-forward alignment and lowest estimated cost,
WHEREAS, the trail and eastern bridge-approach ramp of the selected alternative requires
land on two parcels east of Route 13 for which extensive Task Force effort has, to date,
been unsuccessful in obtaining adequate trail easements,
WHEREAS, the area of land required to cross the edge of each parcel will be contained
mostly, if not entirely, within a previously encumbered Town of Dryden sewer and water
easement,
WHEREAS, the width of the required land crossing the edge of each parcel will be defined
as a minimum needed for construction, use and maintenance of the trail and bridge
approach ramp,
WHEREAS, the eastern end of the approach ramp will be positioned as far as feasibly
away from the private residence to the north, and
WHEREAS, NYSDOT has offered to provide to the Town of Dryden their services and
expertise in property acquisition,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Dryden accepts the recommendation
of the Rail Trail Task Force and selects Alternative 5X as the preferred alternative.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Dryden will ask NYSDOT to proceed with the
process of property acquisition for the required portions of the two land parcels adjacent to
Route 13.
2nd Supv Leifer
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Attachment: Route 13 Pedestrian Bridge Alternative 5X
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Safety & Preparedness-No report.
Climate Smart Community Task Force- Met October 27, 2020 and most of the
meeting was a presentation on the NYS Stretch Code from Lou Vogel. It was suggested that he
present to a joint session of the Planning Board and Town Board. Perhaps that can be done at
the December 10 meeting.
Broadband Committee -Met last Friday and expect to hear in December about the
ReConnect grant. They hope to be rolling fiber by mid-2021. Ryan Garrison will present a
business plan and update the board in December so that everyone knows where the project
stands and what the timelines are. There will be outreach to the high schools and a logo
contest.
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW REGULATING SHORT-TERM RENTALS
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. In August of 2019 the Town Board
gave the Planning Board a charge to work on this, indicating that we don't have a definition for
short-term rentals in the zoning law. They don't really fit the definition of a bed and breakfast,
boarding house, inn or hotel. The Planning Board was asked to define short-term rentals and
to recommend any regulations to be sure they are used in a way that doesn't diminish the
quality of life for the rest of the town. The proposed law is on the town's website.
Kyra Stephanoff said her neighbor has been renting his house all summer long every
weekend and sees a lot of flaws in the proposed law. Fifteen weekends from mid-June through
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Labor Day is about 30 days. There is no community in the neighborhood when she has
strangers next to her house every weekend.
Cl Lamb -The first and foremost concern with this law was to make sure that we didn't
have empty houses being rented out on a short-term basis perpetually. We wanted the owner
to be an occupant. This law states that an owner of a property cannot be absent more than 30
days of year if they are doing short-term rentals. So that allows someone to be able to rent out
their house for Ithaca College or Cornell University graduations.
Comments during discussion:
• 15 weekends equal 30 days - 15 weekends with total strangers next door.
• The police responded this summer to a drug overdose there.
• You should feel safe in your own home.
• People party until late and have other people over to the property who don't stay there.
• Who will monitor this? It's like a hotel with no manager on site.
• You can't get a decent night's sleep during these weekends.
• The owner is present during the week, vacates for the weekend and rents the place out.
• The effect on wells is a concern. Stephanoff has run out of water this summer.
• She doesn't have peace and quiet or drinkable water because of the activities next door.
• They've lived quietly in the house since 1983 and now they are continually being disturbed.
• The proposed law addresses this on two sides: noise and rental.
• Water quality and quantity is an issue. The law doesn't address that.
• We can't address the water issue through rental restriction.
• The law limits occupancy to two adults per bedroom that effectively limits the number of
people in a house.
• The primary goal of the law is to prevent houses from being used exclusively for short-term
rental.
• Her husband died in September. He had MS, couldn't sleep this summer, and it stressed
his heart and he died of a heart attack.
• Do any municipalities restrict short-term rentals based on density? Yes, in some larger
cities.
• It could be limited in locations where there are aquifers.
• There could be a computation of dwellings and acreage and limit usage that way.
• That would be difficult and perhaps make the town liable for limiting the economic
potential of their property.
• This would take the town from nothing to having something on the books about short-term
rentals.
• Some of the things described could happen just if you had a bad neighbor.
• The Sheriff can handle some of these problems.
• Could this be further limited to no more than two weekends a month?
• Weekend rentals is big in this area and people rely on the income.
• Limiting the number of people in the house will help alleviate a water problem.
• The town is working on a noise ordinance to respond to that issue.
• There is a permitting process in the law.
• The owner or an agent must be available in case of any problems or issues.
• Can a permit be revoked or suspended due to a number of complaints? Not currently, it
could be added.
• There are monetary penalties for violations of the zoning law.
• The town is considering a noise ordinance that would help in this situation.
• A permit for a short-term rental should be able to be revoked for complaints.
• That can be addressed in the permitting process.
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• Will short-term rentals be subject to inspection? No, commercial facilities and multi-family
rentals are subject to regular inspection.
• Requirements such as smoke detectors can be tied in via the property maintenance code.
The board discussed whether to make amendments to the proposed law, which would
require another public hearing. They decided that getting this in sooner rather than later
would be better, knowing that it can be amended.
The public hearing was closed at 8:51 p.m. The board reviewed the short
environmental review form. The response from County Planning had no recommendations or
comments.
RESOLUTION #144 (2020) - Lead Agency Designation and Negative Declaration of
Environmental Significance - Local Law Regulating Short-term Rentals and Amending
Town of Dryden Zoning Law
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town Board has before it a draft local law entitled "A Local Law Regulating
Short-term Rentals and Amending Town of Dryden Zoning Law Articles III (DEFINITIONS); V
(USE REGULATIONS); AND VII (VARNA) AND IX (GENERAL REGULATIONS)"; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed a short-form EAF prepared by the Town Planning
Department with respect to the proposed action; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board on November 19, 2020 conducted a public hearing on said draft
local law; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of said local law is an unlisted action under the regulations
implementing Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law (the New York State
Environmental Quality Review Act, also known as SEQR);
NOW, it is hereby RESOLVED as follows:
1. The Town Board hereby establishes itself as lead agency to coordinate the
environmental review of the proposed action;
2. Based upon its thorough review of the EAF and any and all other documents prepared
and submitted with respect to this proposed local law, the Town Board makes a
negative determination of environmental significance ("Negative Declaration") in
accordance with SEQRA for the above-referenced proposed action and determines that
an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required; and
3. The Responsible Officer of the Town Board of the Town of Dryden is hereby authorized
and directed to complete and sign as required the determination of significance,
confirming the foregoing Negative Declaration, which fully-completed and signed EAF
and determination of significance shall be incorporated by reference in this Resolution.
2nd Cl Skaley
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
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RESOLUTION No.145 of 2020 - Adopting Local Law No. 4 of 2020 amending the Town of
Dryden Zoning Law and entitled "A Local Law Regulating Short-term Rentals and
Amending Town of Dryden Zoning Law Articles III (DEFINITIONS); V (USE
REGULATIONS); AND VII (VARNA) AND IX (GENERAL REGULATIONS)".
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town has authority to adopt the local law referred to above (hereafter, "the
Local Law") pursuant to Article 9 section 1 of the New York State Constitution and section 10
of the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, after due deliberation, finds it in the best interest of the Town of
Dryden to adopt said Local Law; and
WHEREAS, the Local Law was introduced at the meeting of the Town Board on October 15,
2020, and the Town Board reviewed and discussed the Local Law and set a public hearing to
be held by said Town Board on November 19, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. to hear all interested parties
on the Local Law; and
WHEREAS notice of said public hearing was duly advertised in The Ithaca Journal; and
WHEREAS said public hearing was duly held on said date and time and all parties in
attendance were permitted an opportunity to speak and comment on the Local Law; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Local Law is an unlisted action pursuant to the New York State
Environmental Quality Review Act and its implementing regulations, for which the Town Board
of the Town of Dryden acting as lead agency in an environmental review with respect to the
adoption of the Local Law made a negative determination of environmental significance on
November 19, 2020, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental
Assessment Form Parts 1, 2, and 3 prepared by the Town's Planning staff;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it hereby
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden hereby adopts said Local Law as Local
Law No. 4 of 2020, entitled "A Local Law Regulating Short-term Rentals and Amending Town
of Dryden Zoning Law Articles III (DEFINITIONS); V (USE REGULATIONS); AND VII (VARNA)
AND IX (GENERAL REGULATIONS)", a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part
hereof, and the Town Clerk is hereby directed to enter said Local Law in the minutes of this
meeting and in the Local Law Book of the Town of Dryden, and to give timely notice of the
adoption of said Local Law to the Secretary of State as required by law.
2nd Cl Skaley
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
PUBLIC HEARING
AMEND SITE PLAN & SPECIAL USE PERMIT
4-SEASON STORAGE
1400 DRYDEN ROAD
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 9:11 p.m.
Page 13 of 17
TB 11-19-20
R Burger explained that this is an existing business that was given a special use permit
by the town about five years ago for two buildings. A third building is now proposed. That
triggered a process to deal with stormwater issues, so some of the recommendations that came
from the Planning Board's review were regarding the stormwater issues. Applicant, Michael
Moore, is present.
M Moore said they propose to build a third building with climate-controlled units.
There will be one roll-up entrance and three emergency exit doors.
What is the capacity for storage units in the county? Applicant runs at 80-90%
occupancy and above, and gets calls daily for more climate-controlled storage. His facility on
Trumansburg Road is currently 100% full and has been for several months. The demand is
high.
The third building will be behind the existing ones, not really visible from the road and
accessed by the driveway currently in place.
The board reviewed the short EAF. There is no water/septic/restroom on site.
Question 17 was amended in response to recommendations from the Planning Board last night
to acknowledge that there is a significant runoff from that building's roof that is being directed
into the swale then fed into the stormwater basin at the back of the property.
RESOLUTION #146 (2020) - NEG SEQR DEC - APPLICATION TO AMEND THE SPECIAL
USE PERMIT AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR THE SELF-STORAGE BUSINESS LOCATED
AT 1400 DRYDEN ROAD, TAX PARCEL 52.-1-8.5
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution:
WHEREAS,
A. The proposed action involves consideration of the application of Michael and Kathleen
Moore, 4-Season Self Storage to amend the Special Use Permit and Site Plan Approval for the
self-storage business located at 1400 Dryden Road, tax parcel 52.-1-8.5; and
B. The proposed action is an Unlisted Action for which the Town Board of the Town of Dryden
is the lead agency for the purposes of uncoordinated environmental review in connection with
approval by the Town; and
C. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, in performing the lead agency function for its
independent and uncoordinated environmental review in accordance with Article 8 of SEQRA,
(i) thoroughly reviewed the Short Environmental Assessment Form ("EAF"), Part I and any and
all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to this proposed action and its
environmental review, (ii) thoroughly analyzed the potential relevant areas of environmental
concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse impact on the
environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and (iii) completed the
EAF, Part 2.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, based upon (i) its thorough review of the EAF, Part I
and any and all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to this proposed action
and its environmental review, (ii) its thorough review of the potential relevant areas of
environmental concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse
impact on the environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and (iii) its
completion of the EAF, Part 2, including the reasons noted thereon (which reasons are
incorporated herein as if set forth at length), hereby makes a negative determination of
environmental significance ("Negative Declaration") in accordance with SEQR for the above
referenced proposed action, and determines that an Environmental Impact Statement will not
Page 14 of 17
TB 11-19-20
be required; and
2. The Responsible Officer of the Town Board of the Town of Dryden is hereby authorized and
directed to complete and sign as required the determination of significance, confirming the
foregoing Negative Declaration, which fully completed and signed EAF and determination of
significance shall be incorporated by reference in this Resolution.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
There were no public comments and Supv Leifer closed the public hearing at 9:10 p.m.
R Burger noted maximum building coverage in this district is 60% and this project is at
57%.
RESOLUTION #147 (2020) - Approving Site Plan and Special Use Permit Amendment for
an Additional Self-Storage Building at 1400 Dryden Road, Tax Parcel 52.-1-8.5
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS,
A. Michael and Kathleen Moore, 4-Season Self Storage have applied to amend their Special
Use Permit (SUP) and site plan to add a 102 ft. x 167 ft. building to the existing self-storage
business at 1400 Dryden Road, Tax Parcel 52.-1-8.5; and
B. The original SUP and site plan was approved by the Town Board on January 2, 2015;
and
C. An application, sketch plan, short EAF, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
(SWPPP) have been submitted, and
D. The Town Planning Department considers the application complete and in conformance
with the requirements of Town Zoning Law §501, §600, §1103 and §1201, and
E. A public hearing was held on November 19, 2020 with public comments registered in
the meeting minutes and considered by this board, and
F. The Tompkins County Planning Department has reviewed the application pursuant §239
-1, -m, and-n of the New York State General Municipal Law, and
G. In a letter dated October 20, 2020, the Tompkins County Department of Planning and
Sustainability stated that they had no recommendations or comments on this proposal,
and
H. Pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act ("SEQRA") and its
implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden
has, on November 19, 2020, made a negative determination of environmental significance,
after having reviewed and accepted as adequate the Short Environmental Assessment Form
Parts 1, 2, and 3, and
Page 15 of 17
TB 11-19-20
I. The Town Board has reviewed this application relative to the considerations and
standards found in Town Zoning Law§1104 for site plan review and §1202 for Special Use
Permit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board approves the sketch plan documents, submitted with the application
dated September 16, 2020 as site plan for 1400 Dryden Road, conditioned on the following
prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy:
a. Provide Operation and Maintenance Agreement/Easement for Stormwater practices,
subject to Town Attorney approval.
b. Resolve the issues in the TG Miller review letter dated 11-6-20, subject to Town
Engineer approval.
2. The Town Board hereby finds that the considerations for approval of the requested
Special Use Permit listed in Section 1202 of the Town of Dryden Zoning Law have been met,
specifically that:
a. The proposed use is compatible with the other permitted uses in the Mixed Use
Commercial district and compatible with the purpose of this district as self-storage is
an allowed use in this district and this parcel is located along the Route 13 corridor
with other commercial businesses;
b. The proposed use is visually compatible with adjoining properties and with the natural
and manmade environment, as this proposal is for expanding an existing allowed use in
this commercial district. The property is bordered on the east and west by a dollar store
and a cafe. A residential area lies to the north and some landscaped screening on the
south and west borders of the lot.
c. Parking, vehicular circulation, and infrastructure for the proposed use is adequate.
There will be no sidewalk along Route 13 as there is no other sidewalks to connect to;
while 9 parking spaces are required by code the proposed 6 spaces are adequate since
use of this facility is intermittent; the fire department has approved the access for their
vehicles; and there is no demand for sewer and water;
d. The overall impact on the site and its surroundings considering the environmental,
social and economic impacts of traffic, noise, dust, odors, release of harmful
substances, solid waste disposal, glare, or any other nuisances has been considered
and found to be negligible, based on the information in the Short Environmental
Assessment Form;
e. Restrictions and/or conditions on design of structures or operation of the use necessary
to ensure compatibility with the surrounding uses or to protect the natural or scenic
resources of the Town have been incorporated into the site plan;
f. The project complies with the requirements for site plan review and conforms to the
Town's Commercial Design Guidelines to the maximum extent practicable in that: the
new building is screened from the roadway and landscaping along the road frontage will
break up the large expanse of the buildings.
3. The Town Board, finding that the applicant is in compliance with all other provisions of
the Town Zoning Law and other applicable ordinances, approves a Special Use Permit
amendment for the self-storage business at 1400 Dryden Road with the Town of Dryden
Standard Conditions of Approval as amended August 14, 2008.
Page 16 of 17
TB 11-19-20
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Servoss Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Citizens Privilege
None.
There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk
Page 17 of 17
COVID-19 Guidelines for Town of Dryden
1. What if an employee tests positive for COVID-19?
Any areas that have been used for prolonged periods of time by the sick person should be closed off,
according to CDC instruction. Twenty-four(24)hours should elapse before cleaning and disinfecting the
space(s). (This delay is to minimize the exposure of the cleaning person to the respiratory droplets.)
The infected employee will remain in home isolation for at least 14 days or until the employee is allowed
to return to work(See item#2 below).
The Department Head will inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID,but not
mentioning the name due to privacy. The Department Head will also alert the HR Director.
Employees who work directly with the infected employee should immediately quarantine in their home
with the option to work remotely.HR Director will alert the Tompkins County Health Department of the
positive case so they can start the contact tracing process.
If the employees who are exposed are highway or DPW employees, see below.Note that exposure means
having been within 6 feet of an infected employee for more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period.
2.When will an employee who tested positive be allowed to return to work?
The CDC advises that the employee may discontinue home isolation after at least 10 days have passed
since the symptoms started AND at least 24 hours have passed since having no fever without the use of
fever-reducing medication AND other symptoms have improved.
3. What if an employee is contacted from the Tompkins County Health Department regarding
exposure and needs to quarantine?
According to Tompkins County Health Department guidelines,the employee who has been exposed
should quarantine in their home for 14 days and work remotely, if possible.
If the employee who was exposed is a highway or DPW employee,they are considered essential.If they
are not showing any symptoms and there are no other employees available to do their work,they are
allowed to work,but will wear a mask at all times, stay socially distanced,and be closely monitored for
any symptoms.
4.What if an employee was at a business where there was a known positive case?
Tompkins County Health Department guidelines should be followed. If the employee was at the business
during the time listed on the notice,the employee should immediately quarantine and schedule an
appointment to be tested at a local testing site.
If the employee is a highway or DPW employee,they are considered essential.If they
are not showing any symptoms and there are no other employees available to do their work,they are
allowed to work,but will wear a mask at all times, stay socially distanced,and be closely monitored for
any symptoms.
November 17, 2020
5. What if an employee's family member is exposed?
The employee is still allowed to go to work if the family can follow the quarantine instructions from the
Tompkins County Health Department. (The employee is not in quarantine,only the family member.)
6.Does an employee who cannot work remotely and is quarantined, sick,or cannot work due to
family responsibilities(see description below)have to use their personal sick time?
An employee who cannot work remotely and is quarantined,sick,or cannot work due to family
responsibilities does not have to use their personal sick time.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act that is currently effective until December 31,2020 requires
that employees are
• paid 2 weeks(up to 80 hours)of paid sick leave at their regular rate if the employee is
quarantined and/or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
• paid 2 weeks(up to 80 hours)of paid sick leave at two-thirds(2/3)the employee's regular rate of
pay because the employee is unable to work because of caring for an individual subject to
quarantine or care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed
• given up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds(2/3)
the employee's regular rate of pay,if the employee has been employed for at least 30 days and
unable to work due to care of a child whose school or day care is closed
• part-time employees would be eligible for the number of hours of leave that the employee works
on an average over a 2-week period
NYS has a quarantine sick leave law which says basically the same thing, but also says that public
employers are required to provide 2 weeks of paid sick leave,no matter the size of the employer.
7. If an employee travels to a state that is on the New York State Travel Advisory list,and is required to
quarantine for 14 days or until such a time as they have a negative COVID test,is the employee eligible
for New York State COVID sick leave?
According to Executive Order 202.45,employees will forgo their paid COVID sick leave benefits if they
engage in non-essential travel to any states other than contiguous states. If an employee chooses to travel,
they will have to use their personal vacation time during their returning quarantine.
8.Who are essential employees?
New York State defines the following employees as essential:
• DPW and Highway Employees
• Code Enforcers
9.What if a Town building is directed to close to the public due to the pandemic?
Essential employees are allowed to work from the building following social distancing and capacity
guidelines.ALL other employees should work remotely, if possible.If an employee is not able to work
remotely and the state allows municipal buildings to be open to conduct business,the employees in
shared workspaces should make a plan to stagger their working times so employees are following
capacity guidelines and not sharing the same space.If possible,a mix of working remotely and working
November 17, 2020
in the building shall be utilized.All department working schedules should be approved by the department
head.
Staggering hours in the building may reduce total working hours. Should this occur,the municipality
may authorize paid sick leave to cover the hours not worked up to the employee's normal/average
working hours per week.
Employees are responsible to track their own hours, specifying the number of hours worked,not
worked up to their normal/average hours per week, and number of hours paid via leave(vacation or
sick)each pay period due to the pandemic.
November 17, 2020
LOCAL LAW No. of 2020
A LOCAL LAW REGULATING SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND AMENDING TOWN
OF DRYDEN ZONING LAW ARTICLES III (DEFINITIONS); V (USE
REGULATIONS); AND VII (VARNA)AND IX (GENERAL REGULATIONS)
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY. This Local Law is enacted pursuant to the statutory authority
conferred on the Town of Dryden by Municipal Home Rule Law Section 10, and New York
Town Law Section 264.
SECTION 2. Article III, Article IV, Article V, Article VII and Article IX of the Town of
Dryden Zoning Law are hereby amended as follows:
"ARTICLE III: DEFINITIONS.
Add "Short Term Rental"Definition:
"SHORT-TERM RENTAL - Rental of a residence or a portion of a residence to the same natural
person or family for fewer than thirty (30) consecutive days."
In ARTICLE VII: VARNA
Section 702: Varna Use Regulations add Section 702—E as follows:
"E. Short Term Rental provisions contained in section 912 shall also apply in Varna, and shall
be subject to the short-term rental permit process outlined in that section."
SECTION 3.
In ARTICLE IX: GENERAL REGULATIONS add Section 912 as follows:
"Section 912: Short Term Rentals
A. Use of a dwelling unit or a portion of a dwelling unit for short term rental is permitted only
when the residence containing the dwelling unit is contained in or adjacent to the primary
residence of the property owner and only as an accessory use.
B. Short term rental of a residence or a portion of a residence, meeting all of the following
requirements:
a. Compliance with all Federal, State, County, and local laws, codes, rules and
regulations, including but not limited to the New York State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code.
b. Permitted short term rental types:
i. Rental of a residence or a portion of the residence, such as a secondary self-
contained accessory apartment or a room contained in a residence, for a maximum
of thirty (30) days total in any calendar year where the owner is not present in the
residence, provided that the owner of the residence or his/her agent is available
locally in order to respond in a timely manner to complaints regarding the condition
of the residence or the property at which the residence is located or regarding the
conduct of occupants of the residence.
ii. Rental of a secondary self-contained accessory apartment,provided that the owner
of the residence is present in the residence during the term of the rental.
ill. Rental of a room, or portion contained in a residence, provided that the owner of
the residence is present in the residence during the term of the rental.
A short-term rental may not be used by a total that exceeds 2 adults per bedroom."
C. Short-term rental registration permit:
(a) Prior to use of a residence or any part thereof for short-term rental, the owner of the
owner of the residence must obtain a registration permit from the Town.
(b) The owner shall complete a registration form and submit it with a bi-annual registration
permit fee of$90. The registration permit must be renewed every two years.
(c) Advertising of a property for short-term rental is prohibited absent a valid registration
permit.
D. Presumption. In a court action or proceeding involving an alleged violation of thisArticle,
the publication in an advertising medium including but not limited to print newspaper, an
online forum such as Craigs List or a social media publication shall be deemed to create a
rebuttable presumption that the owner of the property rented the property out as advertised.
SECTION 4.
The "Allowable Use Groups Chart" in Sections 501 and 702 (Varna) respectively are hereby
amended to include "short-term rentals" as an allowed use in all zoning districts in the Town
including Varna.
SECTION 5. SEVERABILITY. If any part or provision of this Local Law or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance be adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction,
such judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part or provision or application directly
involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered and shall not affect
or impair the validity of the remainder of this Local Law or the application thereof to other persons
or circumstances. Any prior inconsistent Local Law is hereby repealed and superseded.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing in
the office of the New York State Secretary of State in accordance with section 27 of the
Municipal Home Rule Law.