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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB 2026-01-27 CB 2026-01-27 Final 1 CONSERVATION BOARD January 27, 2026 Hybrid Present: Anne Clark (co-chair), Jeanne Grace (co-chair), *Steve Bissen, Gian Dodici, *Kate McKee, *Andrew Miller, Nancy Munkenbeck (arrived late), Craig Schutt, *Tim Woods (arrived late), *Naomi Cator-Szymanski (alternate) Liaisons: Spring Buck (Town Board) Staff: Loren Sparling (Deputy Town Clerk) Guest: Matt Scheffler “*” denotes attendance via Zoom The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Review and Acceptance of Minutes RESOLUTION #1 (2026) – ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 25, 2025 C Schutt offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that the Conservation Board of the Town of Dryden hereby accepts the meeting minutes of November 25, 2025, as written. 2nd G Dodici Roll Call Vote A Clark Yes J Grace Yes S Bissen Yes G Dodici Yes K McKee Yes A Miller Yes C Schutt Yes N Cator-Symanski (alt) Yes Old Business: Conservation Grant J Grace had previously informed the Board of a significant opportunity for land preservation involving a no-match conservation grant (ranging from $50,000 to $3.5 million per project, from a total of $25 million available). This grant could facilitate the permanent protection of Trillium Woods and/or nearby wetlands. T Woods arrived at 7:07 p.m. The application deadline of February 18 (3:00 p.m.), however, was deemed too restrictive for this project, as the timeframe for securing the property or reaching an agreement with the current purchasers is extremely tight. The Board discussed the possibility of alerting the Planning Board or approaching the developers to explore a conservation plat or a purchase of the most sensitive ecological areas. N Munkenbeck arrived at 7:09 p.m. Old Business: Planning Joint Meeting with the Climate Action Committee A joint meeting with the Climate Action Committee (CAC) was tentatively scheduled for March 31, with the objective of identifying mission overlaps and strategic goals for the CB 2026-01-27 Final 2 upcoming year. A Clark will circulate that date to the CAC to see if that is amenable to their schedules. Old Business: Outreach / Newsletter Ideas N Cator-Szymanski will gather outreach ideas for the spring newsletter. J Grace thought that the memorial tree planting would make for a good article. Old Business: Bob Beck Memorial Garden Update Progress continues on the memorial tree planting and bench installation. Trees have been planted and the locust wood for the bench has been acquired. The plaque will be manufactured and installed on the bench over the winter. The official dedication of the site is targeted for a Saturday morning in May, avoiding Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and local college graduation weekends. J Grace will consult with Gwen Beck regarding her availability in order to further narrow down a date. New Business: Proposed Development on Ed Hill Rd / Hile School Rd The Board conducted a thorough examination of a preliminary proposal for a major subdivision on Ed Hill and Hile School Rds. This development has emerged as a primary concern for the Conservation Board, Environmental Management Council (EMC), Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), and local residents, being considered a significant threat to the environmental and agricultural integrity of the area. The project site encompasses two significant Unique Natural Areas (UNAs): Trillium Woods and an extensive wetland area. The wetlands are a known habitat for the globeflower, a rare plant identified by the Wetland Trust. The woods also contain a rare fir/hemlock community. The EMC submitted a letter to the Planning Board opposing the proposed development, specifically in the two UNAs. While the developers consulted with the DEC regarding state-regulated areas and species, some Board members noted a lack of awareness regarding County-level UNA designations and the specific ecological value of the local community. C Schutt related that the AAC discussed the proposed development at their last meeting, ultimately resolving that there should not be any development on that site, as the site is situated between two of the Town’s three active dairy farms. It is simply not a good place in which to put a housing development. Specific agricultural conflicts include: Proximity to Infrastructure: Beck Farms is currently installing an 8 million gallon manure lagoon approximately 200 feet from the proposed housing. Nuisance Factors: Ongoing odors from its large bunker silos and the operational noise of a 4,000 cow dairy farm would likely lead to significant public conflict with new (high- income) residents. Economic Impact: The development would remove approximately 85 acres of tillable land. Local farmers estimate they would have to travel at least 10 miles to find replacement acreage, increasing road traffic, pollution, and operational costs. The Board argued that the subdivision, as proposed, runs completely counter to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan regarding housing density, accessibility to services, and the protection of agricultural land and environmental features. In addition, increased residential traffic combined with heavy farm machinery is expected to accelerate the deterioration of roads already in poor condition. CB 2026-01-27 Final 3 The Board further engaged in a nuanced debate regarding the legal standing of UNAs within the Town’s zoning rewrite. While State law protects certain species on State land, private landowners currently have the legal right to alter these areas unless specific local protections are in place. UNAs were originally established with a promise to landowners that the designation would not be legally binding or restrictive. While some members suggested incorporating UNAs into the zoning rewrite, the consensus favored keeping them as informational tools to avoid breaking trust with landowners and sparking public backlash (similar to past Critical Environmental Area [CEA] controversies). N Munkenbeck provided Board members with an initial draft of a letter that she intended to send to Tony Salerno, chair of the Planning Board, requesting the formation of a subcommittee to address this issue. She wondered if there was interest in this letter coming from the Board as a whole. C Schutt remarked that such a letter will show a coalescence of concern from both the Conservation Board and the Agriculture Advisory Committee. RESOLUTION #2 (2026) – SEND LETTER TO PLANNING BOARD, REQUESTING THAT A SUBCOMMITTEE BE FORMED RE: TRILLIUM WOODS DEVELOPMENT N Munkenbeck offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, a letter was drafted on behalf of the Conservation Board, as follows: “Since the property on Hile School Road has so many important features to the Town, we think it would be a good idea to have the Planning Board appoint a subcommittee to review this at as early a stage as possible. As a proposed major subdivision, it is going to require a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR), including intense reporting on features important to the Town in both environmental and economic areas. This seems like an excellent time to make use of existing expertise available on the Conservation Board and the Ag Committee, both of which are tasked with advising on such matters. We would suggest such a committee be made up of one or two members from each of those boards, as well as one or two members from the Planning Board and with an invitation to representatives from the developer.” RESOLVED, that the Conservation Board of the Town of Dryden hereby directs this letter be sent to the Planning Board, requesting that a subcommittee be formed in regard to the proposed Trillium Woods development. 2nd A Miller Roll Call Vote A Clark Yes J Grace Yes S Bissen Yes G Dodici Yes K McKee Yes A Miller Yes N Munkenbeck Yes C Schutt Yes T Woods Yes Matt Scheffler, a concerned Hile School Rd resident, expressed support for this letter, adding that there are just too many things going on at once with regard to the proposed development that it deserves a closer look by the various interests that would be impacted. K McKee informed Board members that an article was recently published in the Ithaca Voice regarding the proposed development and its potential impact on the UNAs. Because of this, other people in the County are aware of the issue. CB 2026-01-27 Final 4 The Board would like UNA tracking to be improved, such that when one goes up for sale, any issues might be dealt with ahead of time. With real estate agents and developers often unaware of UNA designations, the Board is exploring the inclusion of UNA notices in Right to Farm pamphlets or deed searches to alert potential buyers. There is also consensus that the County’s UNA committee should transition from merely identifying areas to cataloging them and helping landowners understand the unique features on their property, framing the designation as a resource for land management rather than a restriction. S Bissen will raise this with the Environmental Management Council (EMC), as they are in the process of deciding their priorities for the year. A Clark suggested a future newsletter piece to educate landowners on the value of UNAs. New Business: High School Representative to the Conservation Board The Board is seeking to emulate the Climate Action Committee by integrating high school students (upperclassmen) into its membership. The Board is investigating whether to appoint a formal high school representative or invite members of the High School’s Sustainability Club to serve as informal liaisons. The local law governing Board membership currently allows for nine full members (and two alternates) and does not specify a minimum age for members, though candidates must be Town residents. Outreach for interested students will be conducted through Dryden High School’s Sustainability Club and Garden Club. N Munkenbeck will attempt to find similar clubs in the Ithaca City School District. The Board currently has two alternate positions. One is occupied by N Cator- Szymanski, while an application from Jodi Korich is pending review by the Town Board. New Business: Repair Café In collaboration with the Climate Action Committee, the Board is organizing a Repair Café, to be held on Saturday, April 18, at the Dryden Center for Community. The focus of the event will be to repair furniture, lamps, electronics, and cloth items/knitwear to promote reuse and energy conservation. Members were asked to spread the word of this event to anyone who might specialize in such repair, as the group is always looking for help. The CAC will use the event to advertise the things they are working towards (e.g., energy conservation). The Board plans to use this event to display posters regarding UNAs and general conservation goals. N Cator-Szymanski volunteered to make the posters, but would like some key points from the Board. K McKee wondered if there might be something at a future event for young children (e.g., toy repair and stuffed animal cleaning). New Business: Owasco Lake Watershed Management Board A Clark would like to relinquish her role as the representative to the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Board. The Owasco Lake Board holds monthly hybrid meetings in Auburn (on the morning of the third Tuesday). A Miller thought that Jodi Korich might suit the role, as she is very interested in Dryden Lake. A Clark noted that there is a lot of crossover discussion regarding the two water bodies. There being no further business, on motion made by N Munkenbeck, seconded by S Bissen, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. CB 2026-01-27 Final 5 Respectfully submitted, Loren Sparling Deputy Town Clerk