HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-21TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 21 March 2019 - 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
Rick Fritz, Town CEO
Donald Armstrong, Town Attorney
Crystal Young, Town Council Member
Joan Fitch, Board Secretary
Applicants & Public in Attendance
Barbara & Barry Siebe, Applicants; Alan Wilkinson, Applicant; Timothy C. Buhl, PE, Mr. Wilkinson's
engineer; Jeff Lucas, Sam Rose.
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 — 17 JANUARY 2019
A motion was made by Member Monica Carey to approve the Minutes of the 17 January 2019
Planning Board meeting, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Lisa Maloney
Hahn, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chair Baxendell Nays: None
Member Carey
Member Neuhauser
Member Maloney Hahn Absent: Member Clark
Member Brockway
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #5 of 2019.
OLD BUSINESS — NONE
NEW BUSINESS
Barbara & Barry Siebe, Applicants/ Reputed Owners - 800 South Main Street - TM #26.-1-25.1 -
Proposed Flea Market
Chairman Baxendell recognized the applicants who explained to the Board that they would like to
have a "flea market style operation" at this location, focusing on selling vintage items, plus there
would be other vendors; there are 31 potential vendors at this time. Mr. Siebe commented that they
had plenty of vendor space and parking for everyone, as shown on the site plan accompanying the
application. He stated they would be open on Saturdays in the beginning, starting in April.
Hopefully, they could expand and, at that time, would come back before this Board. The southwest
corner of the subject property would be used for this expansion.
Member Carey asked about parking access, and Mr. Siebe commented that there would be a walkway
from the parking area to the market area, as indicated by him to the Board. Porta Johns would be
provided and vendors would be responsible for bringing their own canopies/ setups. Member Carey
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also reminded the applicants that this is a farming area and to expect those activities, including the
spreading of manure, on nearby ag properties; Mr. Siebe acknowledged that he is aware of this and
felt the vendors/ customers would understand this.
Entrance and exits were discussed for customers and vendors (signs will be posted), as well as speed
limit and line of sight. Mr. Siebe stated that they would be doing nothing with the barn as it needs
some work. Member Leon Brockway asked the applicants if they would be putting anything on the
field where it's "hashed out" on the drawing, and Mr. Siebe stated it was a "septic leach field" and
they were not proposing to do anything in that area.
At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Member Carey to approve the
Preliminary Site Plan for the proposed flea market, with a Public Hearing set for 18 April 2019
at 7:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Member Brockway, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chair Baxendell Nays: None
Member Carey
Member Neuhauser
Member Maloney Hahn Absent: Member Clark
Member Brockway
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #6 of 2019.
Alan Wilkinson, Applicant/ Reputed Owner - 974 Peruville Road - TM #35.-1-25.2 - Proposed
Storage Units
Chairman Baxendell recognized Tim Buhl, PE, who explained the history of this project, including
starting of construction without a NYSDEC Permit as per instruction of the original engineer for the
project. Therefore, a Stop Work Order was issued by the DEC; there are two buildings there at
present. Engineer Buhl was retained to solve the many problems with the proposed storage unit
facility. He submitted a modified plan, dated 11 March 2019, which indicated the same number of
buildings, the same number of square feet, but a new layout, all of which he explained to the Board.
It is proposed to combine two of the original buildings on the plan, making one "double building" that
is climate controlled. Member Ed Neuhauser commented if propane was to be used, there needs to
be room for the tank; Mr. Buhl said any tank could be buried.
Retention ponds were discussed, along with a landscaping/ buffer. The grading of the site is yet to be
completed. Engineer Buhl stated he had to modify the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and file
it on the site. CEO Rick Fritz commented that he liked the new Site Plan, but units cannot be rented
without a Certificate of Completion. He then explained what was needed from the applicant; an
indication of how the project would proceed in phases. Furthermore, CEO Fritz stated the applicant
needed to stop renting units until a final inspection was completed. Once satisfactorily completed,
there would be a Certificate of Completion.
Town Attorney Don Armstrong also advised of Code requirements and stated that a Public Hearing
would be required. Chairman Baxendell added that this was a "modification of the Site Plan."
Having a special meeting was discussed; the Public Hearing would be based only on the changes.
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Maloney Hahn to set a Public Hearing
for 4 April 2019, 7:30 p.m., at a Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Member
Brockway, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Baxendell Nays: None
Member Carey
Member Neuhauser
Member Maloney Hahn Absent: Member Clark
Member Brockway
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #7 of 2019.
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A motion was then made by Member Brockway to set a Special Meeting of the Town of Groton
Planning Board for 4 April 2019, 7:35 p.m., to consider the proposed Route 34B Self Storage.
The motion was seconded by Member Carey, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Baxendell Nays: None
Member Carey
Member Neuhauser
Member Maloney Hahn Absent: Member Clark
Member Brockway
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #8 of 2019.
OTHER BUSINESS
Interviews for New Planning Board Member
Board Members interviewed two potential candidates for one opening on this Board: Barry Siebe and
Sam Rose. Chairman Baxendell advised that he would recuse himself from the selection because of a
friendship with one of the candidates.
At the conclusion of the interviews and a discussion, a motion was made by Member Brockway
that the Town of Groton Planning Board recommends to the Town Board that they appoint Sam
Rose as a member of the Town Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Member Carey,
with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Member Brockway Nays: None
Member Carey
Member Neuhauser Absent: Member Clark
Member Maloney Hahn Recused: Chairman Baxendell
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #9 of 2019.
Update from Town Board Member Crvstal Young
Town Board Member Crystal Young brought everyone up to date on the John Benson property re a
PILOT program. Board questions were answered by Town Clerk April Scheffler and Crystal. It is
noted that Deputy Clerk Robin Cargian was also present.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9 p.m., a motion was made by Member Brockway to adjourn the meeting. The motion was
seconded by Member Neuhauser, with all members present voting in favor.
J,�dn E. Fitch, Board Secretary
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Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz,
Attorney Casullo & Board Members on 4/3/19.
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