HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-19 E -
TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 19 June 2003 - 7: 30 PM - Town Hall
Members , Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present
Monica Carey, Chair Joan Fitch , Recording Secretary
Barbara Clark George Senter, Town CEO
Tom Guihan
Mark Baxendell
Brad Albro
Mary K. Gloster
Janice Haines
Applicants & Public in Attendance
Theodore Roberson , Applicant; Timothy Munson , Applicant; Terry G . Stone , Applicant; Terri & Keith
Lattin , Applicants ; Elizabeth Munson , Paul Munson
The meeting was called order at 7: 30 p . m . by Chairperson Monica Carey,
Theodore Roberson Applicant / Shawn R. Dillon RO - 918 Peru Road TM # 36 1 27 Site
Plan Review - Proposed Picnic Table Sales
Chair Carey recognized the applicant who explained that he wished to build and sell picnic tables at
this location . In response to the Chair's question , Mr. Roberson stated that as far as parking was
concerned , there was usually only one car at a time who came into the driveway. His hours of
operation would be "just whenever we 're home . " When asked for more defined hours , he replied from
7 a. m . to 9 p.m . , when they are home, and mostly in the springtime. Mr. Roberson is presently
conducting this business from this site and was advised by CEO Senter that he needed to obtain a
permit to do so .
Chair Carey advised the applicant that he needed to talk with the NYSDOT regarding any permit
because the location is on a State highway. This should be done before approval of the Site Plan
could be made . The Chair also advised the applicant that his application was required to be forwarded
to the Tompkins County Planning Department for review, but this had not been done as of this date .
Therefore , there could be no formal action taken at this meeting. She stated that there would also
need to be a Public Hearing held which would be scheduled for the July meeting. In response to
Member Guihan 's question , Mr. Roberson stated that he couldn 't wait until a public hearing was held
to sell the tables as once July 41 ' has passed , "no one wants to buy picnic tables as it's too late in the
season . " Member Janice Haines asked how long he had been building and selling these tables , and the
applicant responded about five years .
At the conclusion of the discussion , a motion was made by Member Haines to forward the application
to the Tompkins County Planning Department for GML Review, with the applicant to provide a letter
from the NYSDOT approving his request for picnic table sales on a State highway at the Public
Hearing set for 17 July 2003 at 7 : 30 p. m . The motion was seconded by Member Barbara Clark, with
the vote recorded as follows :
Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None
Member Albro
Member Baxendell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #27 of 2003
Page 1 of 5
(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 19 June 2003
Timothy Munson dba Munson's Auto Sales Applicant / Paul Munson RO - 20 School Street
(McLean) - TM #38-8- 14. 1 & 15 . 2 - Site Plan Review for Proposed MVR Shop
Chairperson Carey recognized the applicant who explained that he wished to open a motor vehicle
inspection and repair shop at this location, as shown on the map presented to the Board. At present,
used vehicle sales are conducted from the site, and have been since 1945 .
Chair Carey noted that the application had not been forwarded to the Tompkins County Planning
Department for GML Review, and that this had to be done before any action could be taken on the
request . She also advised Mr. Munson that a Public Hearing would be required .
In response to the Board 's questions , Mr . Munson stated that his State Permit for a MVR would cover
any environmental concerns related to disposal of motor vehicle fluids . His hours of operation were
planned for 9 a. m , to 5 p.m. weekdays and Saturday; they would be closed Sundays . Elizabeth
Munson stated that time was of the essence because it was a 6 to 8-week process to start their
application with the State in order to obtain their license . A letter from the Planning Board was
needed to go with their application, stating that the business may operate at this location and that no
local license is required . This was as indicated on a section of the Repair Shop Registration form
which accompanied their SPR Application . Chair Carey advised that they could be given preliminary
approval.
The number of vehicles to be permitted on the site for repair was discussed, and it was agreed that the
applicant had plenty of room for parking. Mr. Munson stated that all parking is at least 100 yards off
the road on this 5t acre site . The cars onsite for repair would actually be parked behind the vehicles
that are for sale, so they would not be visible . The applicant would be the only repair person on the
site.
At the conclusion of the discussion , a motion was made by Member Haines to forward the application
to the Tompkins County Planning Department for GML Review, with a Public Hearing set for 7 : 45 PM
on 17 July 2003 . The motion was seconded by Member Brad Albro , with the vote recorded as follows :
Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None
Member Albro
Member Baxendell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried .
This becomes Action # 28 of 2003 .
A motion was then made by Member Tom Guihan to approve the Preliminary Site Plan for the Motor
Vehicle Repair Shop , as requested, with ( 1 ) a limit of 15 motor vehicles onsite for repair/ inspection,
and (2) with operating hours from 9 a. m . to 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday, contingent upon the
outcome of the Public Hearing and the recommendations received from the Tompkins County Planning
Department. The motion was seconded by Member Barbara Clark, with the vote recorded as follows :
Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None
Member Albro
Member Baxendell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried .
This becomes Action #29 of 2003 .
Page 2 of 5
(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 19 June 2003
Terry G. Stone , Applicant / RO - 652 Old Stage Road - TM # 20- 1 - 17 . 3 - Site Plan Review for
Proposed Bait Shop
Chairperson Monica Carey recognized the applicant who explained to the Planning Board that he was
seeking approval to open the "Reel Deal Bait Shop" out of a proposed 10 ' by 16 ' shed shown on the
map accompanying the application . The Board was concerned that there were no dimensions shown
on the map, nor was it clear how access to the bait shop would gained or where parking would be. Mr.
Stone stated there was three parking spaces there at present. He also stated that his hours of
operation were planned from 4 a. m . to 5 p .m . , seven days a week, and that he is licensed through the
NYSDEC .
Member Mary Gloster advised the applicant that if he wished to have a sign for his business , he should
contact CEO Senter . Member Mark Baxendell stated that the Board needed to know how far the
business would be from the road, the parking layout, the location of the driveway(s) in relation to the
business , and if there were any plans for outdoor lighting.
Member Clark asked if there would be any deliveries made, and the applicant responded yes , but no
heavy trucks . Member Gloster stated that there should be provision for anyone coming into the site to
park, then exit by turning around before pulling out onto the road .
At the conclusion of the discussion , a motion was made Member Clark to approve the Preliminary Site
Plan for the proposed bait shop , contingent upon outcome of the Public Hearing set for 17 July 2003 at
8 p . m . , and recommendations received from the Tompkins County Planning Department. The motion
was seconded by Member Albro, with the vote recorded as follows :
Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None
Member Albro
Member Baxendell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried .
This becomes Action # 30 of 2003 .
Keith & Terri Lattin, Applicants / R0.s ? 4> - 823 Old Stage Road - TM # 19- 1 -4 11 Sketch Plan
Conference for Proposed MVR Shop
Chair Carey recognized the applicants who were present for a Sketch Plan Conference for a "small
motor vehicle repair shop . " There was no application , nor drawings as yet. Member Baxendell
reviewed what would be required for a Site Plan Review, i . e . , hours of operation / days of the week,
number of vehicles on the property at one time for repair, a detailed Site Plan (including dimensions)
with parking layout indicated .
Member Gloster noted that there was an adjacent lot which contained two unused cars . The Lattins
stated that they owned this lot, but would not be utilizing this for their business ; it was planned to
utilize their existing garage . Mrs . Lattin responded that these two cars "would be going. " Chair Carey
advised the applicants that removal of these cars would be one of the contingencies for approving their
Site Plan to operate an MVR shop . They were also advised by the Board to obtain a permit from CEO
Senter for any planned sign . CEO Senter told the applicants he had a checklist to use for presenting
their proposal to the Board at their next meeting.
Page 3 of 5
(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 19 June 2003
At the close of discussion, a motion was made by Member Guihan to set a Public Hearing for 17 July
2003 at 8 : 15 p . m . The motion was seconded by Member Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows :
Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None
Member Albro
Member Baxendell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried .
This becomes Action # 31 of 2003 .
A brief discussion was held regarding forwarding of applications to the Tompkins County Planning
Department for GML Review. Chair Carey stated that she understood from a letter she had received
that all applications were subject to GML Review. CEO Senter stated that he thought only certain
applications needed GLM Review (those within 500 feet of a State or County highway, etc. ) , but he
would ascertain the requirements and report them to the Board at the July meeting. Chair Carey
stated that neither the Munson , Roberson , nor the Stone applications were forwarded to the County
for their review as is required .
Member Gloster stated that perhaps there should be something on the checklist to the effect that "If
you are on a State , County, or Town road, you need to go to the appropriate highway authority
having jurisdiction for approval . "
Approval of Minutes - 15 May 2003
A motion was made by Member Gloster to approve the 15 May 2003 Minutes , as submitted . The
motion was seconded by Member Albro, 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 # 32 of 2003 .
Other Business
o Town Clerk April Scheffler will be attending next month 's Planning Board meeting and talk with
the Board about boundary changes . Chair Carey has also asked that the new Deputy Clerk
also attend in order to meet the Board members .
Gregg & Juanita McConnell Applicants / George & Kevin Tillotson ROs LaFayette Road -
Part of TM #29- 1 - 13 . 2
Chair Carey stated that she had received a phone call from Attorney Mahlon Perkins regarding the
Converse / McConnell boundary changes completed at last month 's meeting. Attorney Perkins' opinion
was that this should have been a subdivision . Chair Carey stated that the Board had agreed it was
merely a boundary change , as stated in the Minutes of the meeting, and that it would be approved as
such upon receipt of a Purchase Offer from the McConnells , along with an application . A copy of the
Purchase Offer is now on file . CEO Senter concurred that there could be no subdivision of
"landlocked" property; the subject parcel was merely a boundary change with the addition of acreage to
the McConnell's adjoining lot.
Page 4 of 5
(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 19 June 2003
At the conclusion of the discussion , a motion was made by Member Clark to approve the boundary line
change , as requested, contingent upon receipt of a completed application from the McConnells , with
the appropriate fee . The motion was seconded by Member Haines , with the vote recorded as follows :
Ayes : Chair Carey Nays : None
Member Albro
Member Baxendell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried .
This becomes Action # 33 of 2003 .
More Other Business
o Member Gloster reported that she had talked with Attorney Jim Baranello regarding Section
441 . 12—can we approve on a Preliminary Site Plan if no modifications or changes are made?
Member Gloster stated she read the section as a Preliminary Site Plan could be treated as a
Final Detailed Site Plan , if nothing else is required . Section 441 . 6 was also discussed, and she
wished to verify with the attorney that she was reading it correctly so the Board could always
be consistent in its understanding. Member Gloster stated that Attorney Baranello concurred,
and advised that the Board MAY conduct a Public Hearing on a Site Plan , but "you still have to
go to the Final Site Plan where you MUST have a Public Hearing. " Chair Carey stated that
when people come in for applications they should be informed that the first step is the
preliminary, and that there will be a Public Hearing held at the final review. Member Albro
suggested this , too , but incorporated into the checklist given to potential applicants . Member
Gloster agreed because that way the applicants would be prepared for a two-month time period
for final action on their request .
o Member Clark stated she had received a call from David Hoy regarding tearing down his barn .
He had obtained a permit to do so , but understood it was for a one-year period; however, it's
only for 90 days, as affirmed by CEO Senter . CEO Senter stated that Mr. Hoy should come in
and talk with him and probably an extension could be granted .
Adjournment
At 8 : 55 p . m . , a motion was made by Member Albro to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded
by Member Baxendell, with every member present voting in favor.
J E . Fitch, Board Secretary
7 / 11 / 03
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RECEIVED - FILED RFCEIVEO .
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK JUL 14 2003
101 CONGER BLVD, , GROTON, NY
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