HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-24PB 6-24-21
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
June 24, 2021
Present: John Kiefer, Chair, Craig Anderson, Tony Salerno, Daniel Bussmann,
Joe Wilson, David Weinstein, Linda Wagenet, Alice Green (alternate),
Absent: Simon St Laurent
Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
Liaisons: Loren Sparling (Town Board)
Chair John Kiefer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
J Wilson read a resolution prepared by J Kiefer honoring Tom Hatfield.
Resolution #9 (2021) - Recognizing Tom Hatfield’s Many Years of Public Service
J Wilson offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS Tom Hatfield served on the Town of Dryden Town Board from January 1, 1994 to December
31, 2001, and
WHEREAS, Tom served on the Town of Dryden Planning Board from January 1, 2002 to June 12, 2021,
and
WHEREAS, Tom also volunteered his time in service to public schools, fire companies, and other
community groups, and
WHEREAS, in his many years of public service and leadership Tom always conducted himself with great
integrity and energy. Tom treated everyone with sincerity and respect. He was a great team builder
and he worked to craft thoughtful, consensus-based solutions to complex problems, and
WHEREAS, Tom was a wonderful friend and mentor to his colleagues in the organizations in which he
served, and
WHEREAS, Tom was tireless in his efforts to bring professionalism, consistency and dignity to the
organizations in which he served, and
WHEREAS, Tom passed away on June 12, 2021 after many, many years of excellent service to the
citizens and institutions in Dryden,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dryden Planning Board hereby recognizes Tom Hatfield’s many
years of public service and contributions to the Town of Dryden. We will miss you Tom!
2nd A Green – all in favor
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Board members shared their thoughts and memories of Tom, concluding with “his influence will
be with us for many, many years.”
Approval of Minutes
Craig Anderson moved that the minutes of May 27, 2021 be approved, seconded by L Wagenet
– all in favor
Coordination with Town Board
C Anderson said at the end of 2019 the Planning Board passed a resolution to look into more
funding for the Planning Department because there are many problems with inspections and
noncompliance issues. There was no response from the Town Board and he asked Loren Sparling to
bring that matter to the Town Board again.
Cornell Hoy Baseball Field Relocation
Cornell is relocating its baseball field from central campus to an area near Game Farm Road and
Ellis Hollow Road in the Town of Ithaca. Because of its proximity to the Town of Dryden, Cornell has
asked the town for comments. The project is currently moving through the site plan process with the
Town of Ithaca Planning Board. There are soccer fields already in place.
Comments:
• If there are night games, lighting should be night sky compliant and impact on the neighbors on
Game Farm and Ellis Hollow Roads should be considered. There are lights on the soccer fields.
• The Town of Ithaca is requiring a full EAF instead of a short form and Dryden should support that.
• The current plan will cause extra traffic on Ellis Hollow Road. Why isn’t the driveway routed to
Game Farm Road where traffic could flow to/from two directions? There could be a shared
driveway with the soccer fields.
• Parking in general should be considered for a better line of sight.
• The location of the rail trail should be considered when planning the driveway for the fields.
• The Towns of Ithaca and Dryden have requested a speed limit reduction on Game Farm Road.
• The RTTF will be asking the game farm manager whether it would be possible to add some parking
space across the street from the current Town of Ithaca parking area for trail users.
• Any driveway on Game Farm Road should be moved away from the rail trail crossing.
• The project could include increasing the sight line at the rail trail crossing and improving the safety
of Game Farm Road in general.
• Hours of use may be limited to 9:00 p.m.
• Keep the parking on the inside of the site instead of on the Ellis Hollow Road side to reduce noise
for residents.
• Can the fields be used for community use?
R Burger will provide comments to the Town of Ithaca.
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Planning Department Update
Drinking Water Source Protection Plan – R Burger has passed on the comments received to
Steve Winkley and he will present a revised draft at the Town Board meeting on August 12.
The Route 13 pedestrian bridge design report is in initial stages. There will be an open house at
Neptune Fire Hall next Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. It will be set up with stations and representatives
from the Rail Trail Task Force and Erdman Anthony will be present. There will be comment forms or
people can send comments to planning@dryden.ny.us.
The Executive Order for remote meetings has expired. The board hopes to be able to continue
to use zoom for the public to attend.
C Anderson noted that the First Light Fiber site is being cleaned up. The contractor previously
using the sight appears to have moved to the VFW. Is that a contractor yard without a permit? We
should hold everyone to the same rules.
2 Pros Construction has had a small building for sale out front for quite some time and is in
essence a billboard. It was not part of the approved site plan.
Comp Plan Update
J Kiefer reported that they made major changes to comp plan update. Things have been pushed
way back and slowed down for the summer when folks are away. Dates to keep in mind:
June 30 – comments to Sam on the first draft of comp plan.
July 14 - EDR commitment to publish draft #2.
August 11 meeting - review draft #2. Comments are due by August 4.
There is no July comp plan steering committee meeting.
Regular Planning Board meeting on July 22.
When J Kiefer and R Burger next meet with Sam and Jane they will craft another draft of the
future milestones. J Kiefer will be out of the country for the August meeting, so will be asking in July for
someone to chair that meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi Avery
July 16, 2021
Mike Smith, Senior Planner
Town of Ithaca
215 N. Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY14850
Re: New Hoy Baseball Field sketch plan review
Dear Mike,
The Dryden Planning Board reviewed this project at their June 24, 2021 meeting and expressed general support
for the concerns raised in the Town of Ithaca memo dated June 9, 2021. They also offered the following
comments:
1. Adequately consider the lighting and noise impacts to neighbors. Do a comprehensive lighting
study/plan for the entire sports complex there (to include the existing fields). Shield lights to prevent
light spilling skyward and onto neighboring property. Use 3000 degree K or below temperature lights.
End field use at 9 PM to allow neighbors to enjoy quiet and dark nights. Consider moving the parking to
the north of the field to reduce noise.
2. A Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) should be required on a project of this size.
3. To address concerns over the increased traffic onto Ellis Hollow Road consider sharing a driveway on
Game Farm Road with the soccer fields and moving this driveway further from the creek to avoid the
poor sight lines near the bridge. Consider how you might improve the safety of Game Farm Road and
the Rail Trail crossing to mitigate the impact of adding traffic on Game Farm Road. One method would
be to improve the sightlines around the bridge and trail crossing.
4. Consider mitigating the impacts to the neighborhood by allowing local community groups to have use of
these fields at certain times.
Thank you for considering these comments.
Sincerely,
Ray Burger
Director of Planning
93 East Main Street
Dryden, NY 13053
T 607 844-8888 ext. 216
F 607 844-8008
joy@dryden.ny.us
http://dryden.ny.us/planning-
department
Planning Department