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Home My WebLink About2003-02-20 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday , 20 February 2003 - 7 : 30 PM - Town Hall Members , Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present Monica Carey, Chair Joan Fitch , Recording Secretary Barbara Clark Glenn Morey, Town Supervisor Tom Guihan George Senter, Town CEO Mark Baxendell Sheldon Clark, Town Councilman Brad Albro , Acting Chair Louie Sovocool , Town Councilman Mary K. Gloster Kris Strickland , Deputy Clerk Janice Haines Applicants & Public in Attendance Don Scheffler, Applicant; Fran Speight for Paul Speight, Applicant The meeting was called order at 7 : 30 p . m . by Acting Chairman Brad Albro . Paul Speight , Applicant / RO - 481 LaFayette Road - TM #28 - 1 - 16 . 2 - Site Plan Review for Proposed Bed & Breakfastf3 Acting Chair Albro recognized Fran Speight who was seeking approval to operate a bed and breakfast in her home . In response to Acting Chair Albro 's questions , she stated that the home had previously been a bed and breakfast and , after she and her husband purchased the home , they wished to continue the business; it was strictly a change in ownership . They would be using three second-floor bedrooms , two with baths and one smaller room for guests ; the Speights would occupy the first floor as their residence . Member Gloster asked about the permits required and CEO Senter stated that a bed and breakfast was different from a hotel, so it would not require any special permits from the Health Department, etc . CEO Senter explained to Ms. Speight that she was allowed five bedrooms , ten lodgers, and has to be owner-occupied . He also stated that it met all setback requirements , etc . There was sufficient parking in the rear of the home . Mrs . Speight stated that the name of the business would be "Turtle Dreams Bed & Breakfast. " With regard to a sign , she advised that she would be using the sign that was there . CEO Senter commented that she would need to come in and fill out a sign application . Having a public hearing was discussed . Member Baxendell stated that this is an existing business and is simply changing owners , so he did not think a public hearing should be held . With no further discussion , a motion was made by Member Tom Guihan to waive the public hearing and approve the bed and breakfast as requested . The motion was seconded by Member Janice Haines , with the vote recorded as follows : Ayes : Acting Chair Albro Nays : None Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Gloster Member Guihan Member Haines Absent: Chair Carey Motion carried . This becomes Action # 5 of 2003 , Chairperson Monica Carey arrived , but requested that Acting Chair Albro continue with the meeting. Page 1 of 3 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 20 February 2003 Donald F. Scheffler RO / Applicant - 1364 Sovocool Hill Road - TM #24- 1 - 15 - Site Plan Review for ATV Dealership Acting Chair Albro recognized the applicant who was seeking approval to operate an ATV Dealership out of his existing repair shop . The ATVs he planned to sell were two-wheel drive motorcycles made for off- roading (he submitted brochures for the planned vehicles) . He stated that were very quiet, went anywhere , and did not "tear up the woods . " His application was accompanied by a letter dated 5 February, addressed to Chairperson Carey, which explained any concerns that the Board might have with regard to his proposal . Mr . Scheffler explained that in order to receive his NYS Dealer's License , he needed approval from the Town Planning Board to operate the business. A letter to the applicant from CEO Senter, dated 3 February 2003 , was also received and placed on file . CEO Senter stated that it was his opinion that ATV sales fall into the category as stated therein, and would require Site Plan Review by this Board . Member Gloster stated that there was really nothing in the Land Use Activities section of the code to cover this type of business . CEO Senter stated that it was an allowed use , with Site Plan Approval . With regard to signage , the applicant stated that he planned to put a 3 ' by 6 ' sign on the existing building, and would obtain a sign permit from CEO Senter. At the request of Acting Chair Albro , Board Secretary Fitch then read aloud Part II of the Short Environmental Assessment Form . Negative responses were obtained to all questions . Therefore , it was determined by the Planning Board , upon a motion made by Chairperson Monica Carey that the action , based on the information submitted , will not cause any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a Negative Declaration . The motion was seconded by Member Haines , with the vote recorded as follows : Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None Acting Chair Albro Member Clark Member Gloster Member Guihan Member Haines Motion carried . This becomes Action # 6 of 2003 . A motion was then made by Member Barbara Clark to waive the Public Hearing and approve the Site Plan as requested . The motion was seconded by Member Mark Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows : Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None Acting Chair Albro Member Clark Member Gloster Member Guihan Member Haines Motion carried . This becomes Action # 7 of 2003 . Approval of Minutes - 16 January 2003 A motion was made by Member Mary Gloster to approve the 16 January 2003 Minutes , as submitted , The motion was seconded by Member Clark , with the vote recorded as follows : Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None Member Albro Member Clark Member Gloster Member Guihan Member Haines Motion carried . This becomes Action # 8 of 2003 . Page 2 of 3 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 20 February 2003 Compliments to Deputy Clerk Member Gloster stated to Kris Strickland , Deputy Clerk, "I think this is the neatest packet we 've received , and those new forms are working so well. It was all really clear and just well put together. " All the Board members concurred and thanked Kris for her efforts . Continuing Ed Report Member Tom Guihan reported that he attended a meeting for the County 's Comprehensive Plan . He reported that it turned into a "donnybrook" and no consensus / agreement was achieved . Another meeting has been scheduled , and Member Guihan stated that he would attend . Leshkevich Motor Vehicle Repair Shop - Wood Road (Robert Fouts , RO ) CEO Senter advised the Board that there are more cars than allowed at this site . He had talked with Mrs . Leshkevich who informed him that they wanted to be able to have more vehicles there ; CEO Senter advised her to come in to talk with the Board about this . They are presently allowed eight vehicles . The landowner should be advised of this and provided the opportunity to attend any meeting where the Leshkeviches are on the Agenda. Deputy Clerk Strickland stated she would compose a letter to the owner . Boundary Change Discussion Chairperson Carey stated that she had talked with the ZBA Chair, Lyle Raymond , and they concluded that because they were currently working on the Comprehensive Plan , once that was finished , they will be visiting the code changes , which are numerous . Therefore , they felt that it would be better to wait until the Code changes were made before doing anything with the boundary change issue . The Planning Board has been able to work with the boundary change requirements as they presently exist , even though the regulations are not clear. Adjournment At 8 : 10 p . m . , a motion was made by Member Clark to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Guihan , with every member present voting in favor. Jo47E . Fitch , Board Secretary 3 / 5 / 03 R � �: � WO MAR 0 6 2003 1OWN Lh• (�rnv ; UjV Page 3 of 3 TOwN CLERK