HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-24TOWN OF GROTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Meeting Minutes - Wednesday, 24 August 2016 - 7:30 PM
Groton Town Hall Court Room - 101 Conger Boulevard - Groton, NY
Board Members (*Absent) Others Present
Ted Schiele, Chairman Sheldon Clark, Town Councilman
Paul Fouts
Patricia Gaines Joan Fitch, Board Secretary
Carolann Darling
Daniel Cerretani
Applicants & Public in Attendance
Meredithe Mathias for Pyramid Network Services, LLD, Appellant; Town Councilman Randy
Jackson; Deputy Town Clerk Robin Cargian.
PUBLIC HEARING
Pyramid Network Services, LLC, Applicant/ Kathy Wolf & Peter Clark, Reputed Owners -
194 Old Peruville Road - TM #36.-1-63.2 - Proposed Weather Station
The Public Hearing was opened at 7 p.m. by Chairman Ted Schiele who read aloud the
Legal Notice as duly published in The Groton Independent on 17 August 2016. Proof of
Publication has been placed on file for the record.
Chairman Schiele recognized the appellant's representative, Meredithe Mathias, who was
seeking a use variance to erect a 33 ft. weather station, including weather monitoring
equipment, at this location. The variance is needed as this type of project is not in the Town
of Groton's Land Use table and, therefore, is not allowed according to Section 302. The
weather station would be used to relay weather data to Albany, NY, as part of a weather
gathering system which is also used for Federal purposes.
Those ZBA members present introduced themselves.
Chairman Schiele then read into the record the 20 July 2016 letter to Ms. Mathias from Town
Code Enforcement Officer W. Rick Fritz, advising her of the denial and right to appeal. A copy
of this letter has been placed on file for the record. Chairman Schiele also advised the
appellant that this Board has not yet heard back from the adjoining Town of Dryden, nor the
Tompkins County Department of Planning, so there will be no determination made at this
meeting.
Chairman Schiele then recognized Ms. Mathias who explained in detail what was being
proposed on the subject parcel. This weather station would be the only one in Tompkins
County, but they do have several in the surrounding areas. It is not a commercial tower
where the landowner has any financial benefit; they will receive the weather information. The
tower/ equipment is solar powered. It's single use and nothing else will be placed on the tower
which can be erected within 5 to 7 days, and has a four -foot base. There will be a 3±40ot
lightning rod on the top of the fully fenced in tower.
Technicians will visit the tower for maintenance about three to five times per year. The
proposed location was selected because of its openness, it's away from buildings, and the
willingness of the landowner. Chairman Schiele asked Ms. Mathias if there was something in
writing that explains why this particular location is so important and what makes the request
unique. She offered to provide this to the Board.
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Town of Groton ZBA Meeting Minutes
28 July 2016
Member Dan Cerretani asked about electric service, and Ms. Mathias stated this would not be
needed as everything will be solar powered. The Board then reviewed the drawings provided
with the application and reviewed the Land Use Table; they reviewed the definitions and talked
about accessory use. Member Pat Gaines commented that the word "weather" should be
added as a type of tower, as it's not like a cell tower.
Ms. Mathias stated over 100 stations have been erected, and this same installation was made
in Wolcott and Huron, NY. Chairman Schiele asked the Board if they agreed with CEO Fritz's
interpretation, and stated he would like to receive other information from wherever the
appellant had to obtain a variance. He also said that the Board couldn't approve something
that was not permitted in the Code. Is it a non-commercial facility?
Member Carolann Darling asked if the telecommunications definition could be expanded,
maybe broadening it to include weather stations. Ms. Mathias noted that the weather station
is not regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Chairman Schiele felt that the
Board needed to look further into this and see where this facility "fits," and he would like to
see how other municipalities have looked at it. Ms. Mathias suggested visiting the Town of
Huron website to see if the ZBA record is posted thereon.
The Board then reviewed the "Balancing Test" questions with the appellant. Ms. Mathias then
gave the Board a list of items she will provide for the next meeting.
Chairman Schiele asked if there was anyone present from the public who wished to speak on
this appeal; there was no one.
With everyone being heard who wished to be heard, the Public Hearing
was closed at 8:12 p.m. on a motion by Member Paul Fouts, seconded by
Member Gaines, with all those present voting in favor.
No Action Taken.
Chairman Schiele advised that the next meeting would be on 28 September 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — 28 JULY 2016
A motion was made by Member Cerretani to approve the Minutes of the 28 July 2016
meeting of this Board. The motion was seconded by Member Gaines, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Schiele Nays: None
Member Cerretani
Member Darling
Member Gaines Abstain: Member Fouts
Motion carried.
This becomes Action # 18 of 2016.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:15 p.m., a motion was made by Member Cerretani to adjourn the meeting. The motion
was seconded by Member Darling, with all members present voting in favor.
J n E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz,
Attorney Monty & Board Members on 9/28/16.
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