HomeMy WebLinkAboutJ - 10 CPIC Summary
Subject: Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee Summary of Notes and
Recommendations from July 18, 2022 to January 19, 2023
Date: May 9, 2024
Executive Summary
The Town Board passed Resolution 343 on December 15, 2021 creating the
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee (CPIC) for the Town of Cortlandville “to
accomplish the goals of the Comprehensive Plan adopted on December 1, 2021.”
This report is the summary of the Town of Cortlandville’s Comprehensive Plan
Committee’s meeting notes from July 18, 2022 thru January 19, 2023 provided by the Town
Clerk’s office.
Methodology
In January 2024, the Town Board assigned Councilman Glenn D. Reisweber the duties of
Chairman, Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee. Councilman Reisweber asked the
two remaining members of the committee, Mr. Bruce Weber and Mr. Michael Barylski to review
and summarize all the meeting notes July 18, 2022 thru January 19, 2023. Councilman
Reisweber reformatted their summary using the following outline:
A. Action Headings and subheadings from Table 5-1 Cortlandville Action Plan from the
Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan.
B. Discussion Topics.
C. Recommendations to the Town Board.
Page 5-3: Review and Update Zoning Code
A. Wellhead and Aquifer Protection District. Map and adopt CEA and review/update aquifer
protections.
Discussion Topics.
1. The Town adopted a new Wellhead Protection and Aquifer Protection Plan in 2022. This
new law covered the criteria that the Comprehensive Plan outlined.
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Recommendations.
1. Adopt a Critical Environmental Area (CEA) for all Wellhead Protection Zones 1a.
2. In addition, estimated travel times, supplied by Cortland County Health Department and
the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District need to be reviewed to
determine if they should be expanded.
B. Agricultural-Residential (A-R) Zoning District. Update district boundaries and district
language including allowable uses.
Discussion Topics.
1. The town must follow the 2018 Farmland Protection Plan of 2018
2. Adhere to all Cortland County Health Department regulations.
Recommendations.
1. Increase lot size in the agricultural area to 5 acres for subdivision of agricultural land.
2. R1 Districts. Require 2.4 acres for residents on septic and well, and 300 ft. lot width.
Require 30,000 sq ft minimum when connected to public sewer and water.
3. Modify existing map to extend the R1 district from Cosmos Hill Road and Blue Creek
Road to Westmore Lane.
C. Conservation Residential (C-R) District. Create a new zoning district that provides a
transition between rural and more developed areas.
Discussion Topics.
1. Zoning Law #178-63 explains Cluster Development.
Recommendations.
1. For C-R district, require 4 acres.
D. Solar Energy Law. Review and update the 2018 solar law.
Discussion Topics.
1. The Town’s new solar energy law was adopted in 2022.
E. Business District Overlay. Create a new overlay zoning district to incentivize development
of underutilized and infill parcels.
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Discussion Topics.
1. Changing the State Route 13 corridor from Bennie Road to the Town of Virgil boundary
to a B3 district. The committee felt a B2A district would be more suited for the area with
hotels, motel restaurants, and recreational venues. The committee also discussed
restricting big box retail stores in the area and felt it more suitable for small retail stores of
5,000 sq ft or less.
2. On behalf of the Town Board, the Town Attorney asked the committee to examine
redefining a new district incorporating land on State Route 13 South near the Gutchess
Lumber Sports Complex.
3. The committee addressed the following:
a. Hours of operation for businesses and determined that each business is different,
and each application would need review on an individual basis.
b. Prohibited and permitted uses.
c. The State Route 13 corridor contains prime farmland.
Recommendations.
1. Create 5 business districts to accommodate 2 new districts. Define 1 new district
encompassing State Route13 South from Empire Tractor to the Town of Virgil boundary,
both sides of State Route 13 and extending to sections of Byrne Hollow Crossing behind
Essex Steel and the existing Byrne Dairy facility opposite side of the road to the Gutchess
Lumber Sports Complex as the most restrictive area. Define another new district
encompassing Empire Tractor north to Bennie Rd and State Route 11 north from the City
of Cortland boundary to the Village of Homer boundary. These would be one district, for
example B4, and the State Route 13- Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex area would be B5.
The remaining B1, B2, B3 districts would remain the same.
2. Large scale retail operations should not be considered in the adjacent areas near Gutchess
Lumber Sports Complex.
F. Industrial Districts. Update I-1 district to include performance standards, review I-2 districts
regarding uses and district boundaries.
Recommendations.
1. Change the area along State Route 13 from the current HEP Sales/ North Main Lumber
store to Shipwreck Golf to an I-1 district.
G. New Mixed-Use District. Consider areas on State Routes 11 and 13 near the City of Cortland
to encourage retail, small business, and residential mix.
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Discussion Topics.
1. Food trucks are considered a drive-in restaurant because there is no inside dining.
Recommendations.
1. The following areas should be considered mixed use districts given that they contain
residences, retail sales and small businesses.
a. State Route 11 (North Corridor) defined as the area between the City of Cortland
and the Village of Homer boundary. Change B-2 down to B1 to include
restaurants and drive-in restaurants.
b. State Route 11 (South Corridor) City of Cortland boundary to the intersection of
Ridge Road in McGraw
c. Tompkins St from the City of Cortland boundary to the intersection of State
Route 281 and from there north to the City of Cortland boundary.
H. Stormwater Management. Conduct a culvert study and review Stormwater Management
and Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations (Article XVI).
Discussion Topics.
1. All new developments are required to produce plans for proper runoff management
conforming with present Town Stormwater Management.
Recommendations.
1. Conduct a culvert study to assist with stormwater management coordinated by the
Cortlandville Highway Department.
2. Stormwater 178-90-B. Add section #5 to read as follows: Initiate any land clearing,
grading, earth moving, paving, property subdivisions or construction or development
activities, where such activities occur in stream corridor overlay districts.
3. Section 178-91 Performance Standards. Add another Section # E. Stream Overlay
Standards.
I. Stream Corridor Overlay. Require minimum buffers from stream banks and wetlands.
Recommendations.
1. The original Comprehensive Plan Committee suggested 30' of buffer from top of bank
with the first 10' from the top as a natural buffer and the remaining 20' can be lawn or a
landscaped area.
2. There shall be no permanent structures within that buffer zone.
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J. Visual Character. Update zoning and site plan regulations to address buffers, development on
steep slopes and important views from public right-of-way; and revisit/revise town design
standards.
Recommendations.
1. Use the Town Newsletter to ask the public what views they would be interested in
preserving.
2. Protect from the impact of soil erosion and sedimentation on slopes greater than 15% an
engineer shall provide Stormwater plans for Cortlandville to review.
Page 5-4: Prepare and Adopt Utilities Master Plan
a. Identify sewer & water line extensions.
b. Identify lateral restrictions.
Discussion Topics.
1. The committee suggests that the zoning laws in existence will dictate where the utilities
should be run.
2. The town should not extend water & sewer lines to areas unless public health issues arise.
3. The Water & Sewer Department has a database readily available to the public.
Page 5-4: Prepare a Multi-modal Facilities Plan
a. Identify existing and future transportation facilities.
b. Include complete streets criteria incorporating transportation facilities.
Discussion Topics.
1. Actively promote and insist on complete street design.
Recommendations.
1. Form a separate subcommittee to address this area. Consider involving the Mobility
Manager, Melisa Potter, and the Town of Cortlandville Highway Department as these
people are more familiar with this area.
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Page 5-4: Expand use of Access Management Standards
a. Review existing standards and update standards outlined in Aquifer Protection Plan.
b. Apply access management standards to select segments.
c. Review select intersections for application of complete street techniques.
Recommendations.
1. Planning Board should provide comments to developers in the initial phases of the site
plan for safe pedestrian and vehicular access to nearby areas.
Page 5-4: Protect and Strengthen the Blodgett Mills Hamlet
a. Prepare a neighborhood plan to address issues and opportunities.
Recommendations.
1. Assign a public representative who is familiar with Blodgett Mills to advise the town.
Page 5-4: Protect and Reinvest in Neighborhoods
a. Conduct a housing and neighborhood conditions survey to identify needs and incentives to
attract desirable housing options.
b. Update town regulations to implement appropriate transitions between land uses focusing on
the transition between residential and non-residential uses.
c. Pursue grant funding including CDBG funding and other sources.
Recommendations.
1. Hire an outside agency to procure grant money, access needs, and contact residents to
involve them in updating town regulations.
Page 5-5: Protect/Enhance Tioughnioga River
a. Participate in reinitiated LWRP preparation.
b. Implement public access locations.
c. Protect riverbed from erosion, sedimentation, and pollution.
Discussion Topics.
1. The committee agreed with the Comprehensive Plan recommendations cited in Sections
4.2, 4.4, and 4.5 on Pages 4-14 thru 4-15.
2. Limiting development is the most important factor.
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Recommendations.
1. Review the LWRP and work to implement public access. Existing stormwater regulations
cover this well.
2. For steep slopes of more than 15% erosion control must be established. Refer to Town
zoning law 178-90c (1) & E3.
3. Examine need to develop a plan for stormwater that addresses water quality and quantity.
Page 5-5: Protect Lime Hollow Nature Center
a. Review adjacent zoning for conflicts focusing on buffers between adjacent land uses.
b. Assign town liaison to facilitate communication and cooperation.
Discussion Topics.
1. The town should maintain natural buffers to preserve this area from neighboring
properties. The committee believes that there already exist sufficient regulations to
accomplish this.
Recommendations.
1. The committee agreed with the Comprehensive Plan recommendations cited in Sections
4.3 and 4.4 on Pages 4-14 thru 4-15.
Page 5-5: Land Conservation
a. Continually update Land Conservation Map.
b. Update Site Plan regulations to prohibit/limit development in wetlands and floodplains and
on slopes greater than 15%.
c. Incorporate minimum buffers from “top of bank” for wetlands, streams, into zoning and site
plan regulations.
Discussion Topics.
1. Continually update maps for all town departments to use during project review and for
issuance of permits.
2. FEMA regulates development in wetland areas, flood plains and slopes greater than 15%.
3. Town should follow NYSDEC Regulations to set buffers from "Top of Bank" near
wetlands and streams.
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Recommendations.
1. Stay current with the town's regulations and policies on zoning, subdivisions and site plan
regulations. Seek recommendations from such agencies as FEMA, NYSDEC, Cortland
County Soil & Water Conservation, and the Cortland County Health Department.
Page 5-5: Sense of Place
a. Identify gateway locations and guidelines.
b. Identify location for a Town Center/community center.
c. Assist community groups to secure space for shows and performances and facilitate
connections to potential partners.
d. Update town materials including the Welcome to Cortlandville Pamphlet.
Discussion Topics.
1. Assist Community Groups in finding available meeting spaces by suggesting contacting
the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and
Chamber of Commerce.
2. Leverage Town Newsletter, town website and links to the Experience Cortland website.
3. Maintain contact with local school districts to share development plans.
Recommendations.
1. Develop “Welcome to Cortlandville” signs perhaps mentioning the home of Gutchess
Lumber Sports Complex and Lime Hollow Nature Center with directions to these areas.
Suitable gateway locations include the following:
a. State Route 13 vicinity of the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex.
b. US I-81Exit 10 vicinity of State Route 11 and State Route 41.
c. US I-81Exit 11 vicinity State Route 13 in the City of Cortland.
d. US I-81Exit 12 vicinity of US Highway 81 and State Route 281.
2. The town should identify the Town Center, locations of local community centers or
pavilions where community groups could assemble for meetings, shows, and
performances. Possible options include:
a. An open pavilion at Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex.
b. An open pavilion in Blodgett Mills, 2 more in McGraw at the Purchase
Recreation Park as well as a community center.
c. There could be a small park developed directly to the west of the Peter Alteri Jr.
Municipal Garage on Terrace Road.
d. Lime Hollow area has a few indoor areas for meetings as does the CNY Living
History Center.
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Page 5-6: Collaboration and Communication
a. Schedule regular meetings/communications with adjacent municipalities and Cortland
County.
b. Build/maintain/enhance relationships by scheduling regular communication with agencies,
community groups and the public.
Discussion Topics. The town will continue to work through the County Towns and Villages
Committee.
Page 5-6: Recreation
a. Maintain/improve town owned park facilities.
b. Maintain partnership with City of Cortland.
Discussion Topics.
1. Continue to improve town owned park facilities and maintaining a partnership with the
City of Cortland, the Village of McGraw, Blodgett Mills Hamlet and the Homer Area
Recreation Committee.
2. The town has acted by hiring a Recreation Director and establishing the Town of
Cortlandville Parks and Recreation Committee.
Page 5-6: Sustainable Community
a. Promote the expansion of broadband.
Discussion Topics.
1. The committee believes that the town did a study that addressed this.
2. The town could check into using some of the ARPA money to fund this.
3. There is training available for seniors through the Office of the Aging, local libraries, and
OCM BOCES.
b. Promote responsible development of renewable energy sources.
Discussion Topics. The town passed an updated Solar Law. Our wind power regulations are up
to date.
c. Collaborate with adjacent municipalities, Cortland Transit, Seven Valleys Health Coalition,
and others to improve the public transportation system.
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Discussion Topics.
1. Cortland Transit is improving. However, they are experiencing a manpower shortage.
2. The Office of the Aging has acquired a bus and will coordinate with Cortland Transit to
reach outlying areas as soon as they can find the drivers needed.
d. Collaborate with adjacent municipalities and agencies to identify the potential for shared
services.
Discussion Topics. The town can improve on its collaboration with adjoining municipalities.
e. Earn Climate Smart Community Certification.
Discussion Topics.
1. The town would have to apply to https://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/65494.html.
Recommendations.
1. Reach out to the Village of Homer and Town of Dryden as they have earned the Climate
Smart Community certification.
f. Actively seek funding opportunities.
Discussion Topics. The town contracts with Thoma Development Consultants on a regular basis.
g. Support and attract community minded businesses.
Discussion Topics. The town should continue to support and attract businesses that are
conducive to the spirit of the community.
Original Signed
Glenn D. Reisweber
Town Councilman
Town of Cortlandville