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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 10 05 minutes planning board.pdfTown of Enfield Planning Board Meeting October 5, 2007 Draft Minutes Members Present: Virginia Bryant, Ann Chaffee, James McConkey, Calvin Rothermich, Debbie Teeter, Doug Willis Members Excused: Rich Neno, Sr. Guests: Peggy Hubbell - Town Board liaison, Elizabeth Allen, Ken Donnelly, Kevin Lelik, Maxine Lelik, Mary Jo Lovelace, Mike Miles, Antonia Newhart, Cliff Newhart, John Rancich, Bruce Varner, Nicholas Varner, Samantha Varner, Marguerite Wells Call to order 7:10 p.m. Privilege of the Floor • Ken Donnelly provided information for Morrisville Environmental Center, specifically on a recommended set-back of 2500’ from residences. He wants the Planning Board to know there are other alternatives; let’s do this sensibly with sound reason. • Cliff Newhart provided information from the Town of Hamlin, including information regarding set-backs and noise. • Ken Donnelly also mentioned concern over potential liability issues. • Kevin Lelik, a Griffin Road resident for 14 years, enjoys the view, not sure he’d enjoy the wind towers in it. • Marguerite Wells said views can be changed by housing developments, too. She’s concerned that excessive set backs might keep small property owners from having a wind tower on their land. • Cliff Newhart said a wind law shouldn’t be written to fit specific project but to protect neighborhoods. • Bruce Varner referred to LaBella Associates in Rochester and provided information used to determine set backs for safety and noise; he urges the town to refer to engineering criteria when determining set backs. September 5, 2007 Minutes: Motion by A. Chaffee to approve, 2nd by C. Rothermich. J. McConkey wondered if we didn’t decide to adapt the Dryden subdivision form for Enfield use. There was general agreement that this was the case, and the minutes should reflect that. Minutes approved with this change without dissent. Motion by J. McConkey to give adapted form to the Town Clerk for use, 2nd by C. Rothermich, approved without dissent. New Business Debbie Teeter, who works for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County’s Agriculture Program, presented the Planning Board with an overview of the 8-year review process of Agricultural District #2, of which Enfield is a part. Every 8 years the county must provide a report to New York State Agriculture and Markets indicating whether or not the Agricultural District is meeting its goal to protect agricultural lands and support agricultural operations. As part of the review, which provides the information needed to compile that report, Town Planning Boards are consulted regarding land use. This is an opportunity to add land to or remove land from a district. The board reviewed a map showing Agricultural District land in Enfield; most of the town is in the district. After reviewing the maps and discussion about development and agriculture in general, the board determined there were no lands they would recommend for addition or removal. Motion by A. Chaffee to recommend to the Tompkins County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board that the Agricultural District lands in the Town of Enfield remain the same, 2nd by Willis, approved without dissent. Old Business Draft Wind Ordinance • V. Bryant distributed an updated version of the draft law including the recommended changes agreed upon at the last meeting. She experienced some formatting problems when amending the document and asked that the board work through it together to make sure all the recommended changes were indeed reflected. • A. Chaffee said she understood the Town Board is looking for something; V. Bryant agrees but wants to make sure what we forward is clearly understood as a working document. • The board began working through the document to confirm the changes recommended to date were incorporated, but had difficulty due to interruptions by members of the public who wanted the set back figures increased. • Motion by A. Chaffee to change all set backs to 1500’, 2nd by C. Rothermich. J. McConkey said he believes there needs to be at least two set back figures, one from residences and others for property lines, roads, power lines, etc. A. Chaffee thinks there should be one set back for everything. McConkey reiterated he would really like the Planning Board to have a thoughtful discussion about set backs. • Members of the public interrupted the meeting with loud speaking and shouting. • J. McConkey explained the need for order in order for the board to conduct business. He suggested amending A. Chaffee’s motion to include no set back figure. • Members of the public again interrupted the meeting with shouting. • D. Teeter said she prefers a set back that uses a ratio of the height of the tower versus a flat foot of height. • Action of the A. Chaffee motion: Bryant – no, Chaffee – yes, McConkey – no, Rothermich – yes, Teeter – no, Willis – yes; no majority, motion failed. • Members of the public again interrupted the meeting with shouting. The Planning Board was not able to continue with the business at hand due to an inability hear one another. • A. Chaffee moved to send the draft law to the Town Board with the changes approved to date, 2nd by Rothermich, approved without dissent. • D. Willis said the Planning Board needs to due the will of the people, and he doesn’t see much support for this. • J. McConkey emphasized his desire to draft a good local law that would protect the nearby residents and guide potential wind development in the town. Meeting adjourned 8:27 p.m. due to an inability to conduct business over continuous shouting and interruptions from the public.