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Home My WebLink About2002-05-16 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting Thursday, 16 May 2002 - 7: 30 PM - Town Hall Members, Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present Monica Carey, Chair Joan Fitch, Recording Secretary Barbara Clark George Senter, Sr. , Code Enforcement Officer Tom Guihan Glenn Morey, Town Supervisor Mark Baxendell Sheldon Clark, Town Councilman Brad Albro Mary K. Gloster Janice Haines Applicants & Public in Attendance Rick & Brenda Hendrickson, Applicants; Tammy Thomas, Applicant; Morgan Duane Hall, Daniel Hall, Edith Hall, Ed Neuhauser, Dorothy Martinez, Everett Mc??, Dan M?? H???, Mike Zee, Nic Armstrong, David Tregaskis, Dorothy Bossard The meeting was called order at 7*30 p .m. by Chairperson Monica Carey PvB�c�N.c Rick 8s Brenda Henderson ROs - 170 West Groton Road TM # 15 00 01 43 300 Site Plan Review - Paint Ball Recreation Facility Chairperson Carey opened the Public Hearing and read the Legal Notice, as published. The Chair then recognized Rick Henderson, the applicant, who was proposing to open a Paint Ball Recreation Facility at this location. Mr. Henderson explained to everyone present that paint ball was a game played on a designated course in which the participants "capture a flag" to win . He showed everyone the required helmet players must wear for protection, and also the gun which fires paint ball capsules using a gas propellant. The actual paint ball (a gelatin capsule) contains paint (in varying colors) which is non - toxic and washes from clothing, etc. with water. The recreation facility would be open to the public 5- 6 hours, 7 days a week, participants would play in teams, and a fee ($5) would be charged. Each game would last about 20 minutes, he stated . Mr. Hendrickson then advised the Board that he had also brought with him a 10-minute Paint Ball League video which depicted a paint ball game being played at a facility similar to the one he wished to have . These facilities are regulated by the American Paint Ball League, who would assist in laying out the courses and require their inspection in order to be certified by their organization . He explained that he had a small pine grove on the property where he will put his first course; he proposes to add more courses later. Each course must be inspected by the APBL. Chairperson Carey asked for any comments from the public. Dorothy Bossard asked how far the facility would be from Bossard Road , and Mr. Hendrickson replied that it would be 250 to 275 feet at its closest point. She then asked how late it would be open, and the applicant responded he would start around 9 a.m. and close at midnight. He said there was ample parking in the field in front of the proposed facility. In response to other questions from Daniel Hall, Duane Hall, Dave Tregaskis, and Mike Zee, Mr. Hendrickson stated that the velocity of a paint ball is under 280 feet per second, there would be just enough light so the players wouldn 't run into anything, paint balls would be confined to the property with netting, if needed, participants could rent the equipment from him or use their own , each game would be monitored by two referees, paint balls are bio-degradable and non -toxic so it would not harm the environment . Minimum age to play is 10. Other concerns voiced were: traffic on a dead-end road, the loud noise generated by the players, as evidenced in the video, being too close to adjacent property, agricultural area problems such as paint balls being shot at livestock. Member Guihan stated he had visited the subject property. Mr. Henrickson stated that the junk vehicles (2) on the property would be removed and the property Page 1 of 3 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 16 May 2002 cleaned up. Mike Zee stated that he was purchasing the adjacent property on the other side of the hedgerow and was concerned about paintballs and/ or players coming onto his property. When asked about parking, the applicant responded there would be around 8 cars there at one time , two people per car. He stated the parking lot was staked out" but he hadn 't measured it. His sketch indicated the proposed parking and, he said, if this was not enough cars could park in the field. The public's biggest concern was having the facility open until midnight, and the possibility of lights. In response to insurance, Mr. Hendrickson stated that he would have insurance through the APBA. In answer to Chairperson Carey, he stated that he planned to construct a house on the property on the north end of the open field. A Mr. Hahn objected to the noise potential in the neighborhood . Mr. Houser voiced concerns about the noise at night and asked for a perimeter fence to keep people off adjacent lands; he also objected to having the facility operating up until midnight. In response to another question, Mr. Hendrickson stated he would provide MSDS sheets on the paint . Member Gloster asked if the players would make reservations, and the applicant answered it would be reservations during the weekdays, drive-in during the weekend . Also , he stated that the two squares on the plan were places for players to sign in ; "it could be a tent or anything. " Chair Carey stated that the Board really needed a larger, more detailed Site Plan, to scale, indicating the parking, the course(s) , location of facilities, distances to adjoining properties, etc . With everyone being heard who wished to be heard, the Public Hearing was closed at 8*31 p.m . The Board then discussed the parking situation and calculated the participants, including the referees, if the applicant had one , two, or more courses. Public restrooms would be required. They also reiterated that they needed a Site Plan with distances and dimensions, where lighting will be placed . They also want the junk cars removed and at least a 100-ft. buffer zone around the property. Chair Carey stated that the application will undergo GML review by the County and they would like to have that report in their hands to review before making any decision on the matter. Member Mark Baxendell then made a motion to postpone any decision until the next regularly scheduled meeting on 20 June 2002 to permit the applicant to provide the Board with a more detailed Site Plan , as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Brad Albro, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Carey Nayes: None Member Albro Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Gloster Member Guihan Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #21 of 2002 . CEO George Senter advised the Board that they were authorized to place stipulations on the proposed business, e.g. , limit number of courses, set a buffer zone distance, restrict hours of operation , etc. Tammy L. Thomas. RO - Cor. West Groton Road & Bossard Road-- TM # 15 00 O1 43 200 - Minor Subdivision Chair Carey recognized the applicant who was seeking a subdivision of her property as shown on the sketch accompanying the application. There would be five parcels, one containing 5.66± A . which she would retain (corner lot) , one of 7 .92± A. , one of 26 . 18± A. , one of 12 .82± A . and one of 12 .89± A. The Board agreed that the lots met all the requirements for a Minor Subdivision , Chairman Carey noted that "Under 6 NYCRR Part 617 . 5(c) ( 10) , ( 12) or ( 13) of the State Environmental Quality Review Law, the proposed action is a Type II action and is determined not to have a significant impact on the environment, or is otherwise precluded from environmental review under the Environmental Conservation Law, article 8 ." Page 2 of 3 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 16 May 2002 A motion was then made by Member Janice Haines to approve the subdivision , as requested, and waive the public hearing. The motion was seconded by Member Barbara Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Carey Nayes: None Member Albro Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Gloster Member Guihan Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #22 of 2002 . Approval of Meeting Minutes - 18 April 2002 A motion was made by Member Clark to approve the Minutes of the 18 April 2002 meeting, as submitted . The motion was seconded by Member Gloster, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Carey Nayes: None Member Albro Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Gloster Member Guihan Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #23 of 2002 . Adjournment A motion was made by Member Albro to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Carey Nayes: None Member Albro Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Gloster Member Guihan Member Haines Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9 p . m. Jo fA. Fitch, Board Secretary 6 / 6 / 02 FJUN1 02 Page 3 of 3 ' ATTENDANCE ' SHEET i 1 • v / zo i (Your1 . recorded 1 PRI ' , 1 1 ' 1 ' Complete Address Mary Q . Public COMPANY & / OR AGENDA ITEM 2 MAIN ST . , VIRGIL 13045 WA"AAlWANW& pp . 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