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Home My WebLink About2018-02-15TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting -Thursday, 15 February 2018 - 7:30 PM Town Hall Court Room - 101 Conger Boulevard -Groton, NY Members, Groton Planning Board Mark Baxendell, Chairman Leon Brockway, Jr., Vice -Chairman *Monica Carey Barbara Clark Edward Neuhauser Lisa Maloney Hahn Vacancy (*Absent) Others Present Joan Fitch, Board Secretary Don Scheffler, Town Supervisor Rick Fritz, CEO Victoria Monty, Town Attorney Applicants & Public in Attendance Alan Wilkinson, Applicant; Gary Bush, PE; Robyn Foote, Tammy & Jeff Lasher, Nancy Kelly, Jason Halton, David Dykeman; Nick Newcomb, Ithaca Times Reporter. REGULAR MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board was called to order by Chairman Mark Baxendell at 7:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — 18 JANUARY 2018 A motion was made by Member Lisa Maloney Hahn to approve the Minutes of the 18 January 2018 Planning Board meeting, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Leon Brockway, Jr., with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Baxendell Nays: None Member Clark Member Neuhauser Absent: Member Carey Member Maloney Hahn Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #8 of 2018. OLD BUSINESS American Towers, LLC, Applicant/John A. Beck, Reputed Owner - 422 Champlin Road - TM #19.-l-10 - Set Bond Amount for Tower Dismantling At the conclusion of the Board's discussion, a motion was made by Member Brockway that the Town of Groton Planning Board hereby sets the bond amount of $30,000 (Thirty Thousand Dollars) for dismantling of the proposed cell tower. The motion was seconded by Member Barbara Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Baxendell Nays: None Member Clark Member Neuhauser Absent: Member Carey Member Maloney Hahn Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #9 of 2018. Page 1 of 3 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 15 February 2018 Alan Wilkinson, A-p-plicant/Re-puted Owners - NYS Route 34B - TM #35.-1-25.2 - Pro -posed Self - Storage Facility (It is noted for the record that a Public Hearing regarding this proposal was held and closed on 21 December 2017.) Chairman Baxendell advised everyone that the Board has received updated/ additional information regarding the continued Site Plan Review for this proposed facility. Chairman Baxendell, in response to Member Maloney Hahn's question, reviewed the Board's consideration of this project since its inception. An engineer had been recommended previously, as well as the inclusion of the Town of Dryden's Planning Board. The applicant has since retained an engineer, Gary Bush, who has addressed the issues that were brought up at the last meeting, the largest concern being stormwater runoff. The Board thoroughly reviewed the drawings, focusing on the retention ponds/ drainage patterns indicated. Engineer Bush reported that with the drainage designed for the subject parcel, it should be of benefit to those properties "below" the facility and, therefore, a benefit to the neighborhood. Regarding the public's concerns with lighting on the site, Engineer Bush stated that the building - mounted lights installed would have motion sensors and all lighting would be down -directed (cone type) and not leave the site. There will be no office contained in any of the storage buildings as Mr. Wilkinson, who resides on an adjoining parcel, would have his office in his home. Member Brockway asked about the NYSDOT involvement, and the engineer responded that they will be providing the NYSDOT with what they have requested. Regarding signage, Engineer Bush showed a rendering of a proposed sign which, he said, will not exceed 50 SF and will meet all Code requirements. Plantings were discussed. The engineer stated it is planned to plant lilies and some kind of evergreen trees. The Board discussed various varieties of evergreens and decided that Norway Spruce would be good. Member Brockway asked about the color(s) of siding for the building, and Mr. Wilkinson responded that they plan to go with the blue/white color scheme as shown to the Board. At the conclusion of this detailed discussion, a motion was made by Member Brockway that the Town of Groton Planning Board hereby declares itself Lead Agency under SEQRA for the proposed storage facility. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Baxendell Nays: None Member Clark Member Neuhauser Absent: Member Carey Member Maloney Hahn Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #10 of 2018. At the request of Chairman Baxendell, Member Brockway then read aloud, item by item, Part II of the Full Environmental Assessment Form. All responses to the questions (1 thru 18) in Part II were recorded on the form by Chairman Baxendell; the form has been placed on file for the record. Page 2 of 3 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 15 February 2018 After discussing and completing their responses to the Environmental Assessment questions, a motion was made by Member Clark that, based on the information and analysis of the SEQR concerning this application, the Town of Groton Planning Board has determined that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a Negative Declaration. The motion was seconded by Member Brockway, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Baxendell Nays: None Member Clark Member Neuhauser Absent: Member Carey Member Maloney Hahn Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action # 11 of 2018. With no further discussion, a motion was then made by Member Brockway to approve the Final Site Plan for the proposed self -storage facility, as submitted, conditioned upon ( 1) Norway Spruce trees are to be used as a buffer zone, and (2) the applicant will comply with the NYSDOT regulations as specified. The motion was seconded by Member Neuhauser, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Baxendell Nays: None Member Clark Member Neuhauser Absent: Member Carey Member Maloney Hahn Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action # 12 of 2018. OTHER BUSINESS Supervisor Scheffler acknowledged the passing of Member Monica Carey's mother; everyone's thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. • Town CEO Rick Fritz complimented the Planning Board on their thorough completion of the Full Environmental Assessment Form for the proposed self -storage facility. • Chairman Baxendell acknowledged, with regret, the resignation of Town Planning Board Member Brett Wyllie. Interviews for his replacement may start at the April meeting. ADJOURNMENT At 8:55 p.m., a motion was made by Member Clark to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Maloney Hahn, with all members present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary f/ Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz, Attorney Monty & Board Members on 2/22/18. REV. 3/7/18 (Vote #11 & #12); REV. 4/12/18 (pg. 2, Wilkinson, para. 5) Page 3 of 3