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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-7-16MINUTES - TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD MEETING - THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2026 AT THE TOWN HALL, 101 CONGER BOULEVARD, GROTON, NY Planning Board Members Present: Planning Board Members Absent: Leon Brockway, Jr. -Chair Ryan Ramplin, Vice Chair Monica Carey Dan Cerretani Edward Neuhauser Mark Baxendell Sam Rose Also Present: Brian Bartholomew, Applicant Robin Cargian, Town Clerk Dan Carey, Town Board Phil Esparza Old Business: RESOLUTION #26-13 – APPROVE MINUTES FROM JUNE 18, 2026 MOVED by Member Carey, seconded by Member Rose RESOLVED, to approve the minutes of June 18, 2026, as submitted. Ayes – Baxendell, Carey, Rose, Brockway Jr., Neuhauser, Resolution Passed Nays - None New Business: Applications Applicant/Owner: Brian Bartholomew Property Address: Peruville Rd. (south road frontage) and Brown Rd. (north road frontage) Tax Parcel: 34.-1-19.2 Purpose: Additional two-lot subdivision of the previous subdivision within two years. The applicant explained the request is for an additional minor subdivision of 11.14 acres from the 23.67- acre parcel located on Peruville Rd. (Route 34B) and stretches to Brown Rd. They currently have a buyer for the Brown Road parcel who will, hopefully, build a large house and increase the town's tax base. Both proposed lots have over 300’ of road frontage. The main portion of this subdivision was part of a previous exempt subdivision in 2024 that created a parcel for the house from the rest of the vacant land, triggering a Planning Board review. With no further questions or comments from the board or the applicant, the discussion moved to SEQR review. RESOLUTION #26-14 – TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD DECLARES ITSELF LEAD AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF SEQR REVIEW AND DECLARES A NEGATIVE DEC MOVED, by Member Baxendell, seconded by Member Carey, that the Planning Board declares itself as the lead agency. Member Rose read aloud Part II of the Short Environmental Assessment Form and all questions in Part II received negative responses. A brief discussion took place regarding the new 2026 question on the SEQR list asking if the project would potentially affect disadvantaged communities 2 identified as having comparatively higher burdens or vulnerabilities according to the Disadvantaged Community Assessment Tool. It was noted that the closest disadvantaged communities listed on the tool were located on the east side of Cortland, and there is also one at the southwest corner of Ithaca into Danby and Newfield. Having found no negative impacts, a motion was then made by Member Rose that, based on the information and analysis of the SEQR concerning this application, the Town of Groton Planning Board determined that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts, resulting in a Negative Declaration. Member Carey seconded the motion with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes – Baxendell, Carey, Rose, Brockway Jr., Neuhauser Resolution Passed Nays – None RESOLUTION #26-15 – TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD APPROVES THE TWO LOT SUBDIVISION APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY BRIAN BARTHOLOMEW FOR PERUVILLE RD., ORIGINAL TAX PARCEL #34.-1-19.2 WHEREAS, the two-lot subdivision application submitted by Brian Bartholomew, located on Peruville Rd., Tax parcel #34.-1-19.2, was part of a previous exempt (two-lot) subdivision under 34.-1-19 in September of 2025, and WHEREAS, the Groton Planning Board reviewed the minor subdivision application and found that all lots requested met the size criteria of zoning, would be an allowed use for building in that zone, and the Environmental Assessment was negative, RESOLVED, that the application be approved by a motion made by Member Baxendell, seconded by Member Carey. Ayes – Baxendell, Carey, Rose, Brockway Jr., Neuhauser Resolution Passed Nays - None The floor was offered to Town Councilperson Dan Carey, who updated the Planning Board on several things before the Town Board. There are upcoming security system changes to the Town Building. Negotiations continue with the South Main Street solar as the developer is having difficulty finding a tree species that meets the requested 8-10’ height. Cornell University has proposed an education program for disadvantaged farmers to take place in and around the solar sites for the Yellow Barn solar project. They have asked the Town to provide funding from its portion of the Host Community Agreement to pay for the program, which the Town Board was not in favor of. There being no further business, Member Carey moved to adjourn, seconded by Member Baxendell at 7:40 pm. Unanimous. Robin Cargian Robin Cargian, Town Clerk July 20, 2026