HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-28TOWN OF GROTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Meeting Minutes - Wednesday, 28 September 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 Joan Fitch, Board Secretary
Patricia Gaines Don Scheffler, Town Supervisor
Carolann Darling
Daniel Cerretani
Applicants & Public in Attendance
Meredithe Mathias for Pyramid Network Services, LLD, Appellant; Town Councilman Sheldon
Clark; Lee Shurtleff (did not sign Attendance Sheet) .
OLD BUSINESS
Pyramid Network Services, LLC, Applicant/ Kathy Wolf & Peter Clark, Reputed Owners -
194 Old Peruville Road - TM #36.-1-63.2 - Proposed Weather Station
(It is noted for the record that the Public Hearing on this matter was held and closed on
24 August 2016, with discussion/ decision to be conducted at this meeting of the Zoning
Board of Appeals. Reference is made to those August Minutes for further details.)
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.
At the 24 August 2016 public hearing/ meeting the ZBA requested that the applicant provide a
listing of some of the other locations where such a facility had been installed, an additional
narrative explaining how the subject site was selected, and whether or not this installation
was critical to the function of the entire system. All of this information had been supplied by
Ms. Mathias, copies of which have been placed on file for the record.
The Board reviewed the submitted materials, and Ms. Mathias satisfactorily answered all of
their questions, including how data is transmitted, how system works, what it's classified/ not
classified, etc. Chairman Schiele read aloud the definition of accessory use which would
require a Site Plan Review by the Town's Planning Board; this might mean an interpretation
instead of a variance. Member Carolann Darling thought it would be a telecommunications
facility. Chair Schiele sees it as a non-commercial transmitting and receiving antenna; an
FCC license would be required for that type of facility. Member Dan Cerretani felt it was more
for providing research data, and not as an accessory to the purpose of the property. Member
Pat Gaines noted that there was no section on research.
After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Member Paul Fouts that the Town of
Groton Zoning Board of Appeals considers the proposed Weather Station to be a
research, testing, or development enterprise. The motion was seconded by Member
Gaines, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Schiele Nays: None
Member Fouts
Member Cerretani
Member Darling
Member Gaines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action # 19 of 2016.
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Town of Groton ZBA Meeting Minutes
28 September 2016
Chairman Schiele then recognized Lee Shurtleff, Director of Emergency Response for
Tompkins County. His office, he said, has a vested interest in this proposed weather station,
as does the State's Office of Emergency Management. It is extremely important to have this
information fed to the County Office to predict impending storms and/or disaster scenarios.
This, he stated, directly affects local emergency responders. He spoke in support of this
proposed installation.
Chairman Schiele then stated that the subject application would now be referred to the Town's
Planning Board for a Site Plan Review.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 24 AUGUST 2016
A motion was made by Member Fouts to approve the Minutes of the 24 August 2016
meeting of this Board. The motion was seconded by Member Darling, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Schiele Nays: None
Member Fouts
Member Cerretani
Member Darling
Member Gaines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #20 of 2016.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:56 p.m., a motion was made by Member Gaines to adjourn the meeting. The motion was
seconded by Member Darling, with all members present voting in favor.
tet..-�
Jo n E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz,
` Attorney Monty & Board Members on 11/09/16.
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