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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-19 TGPB OWN OF ROTON LANNING OARD Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 19 February 2004 – 7:30 PM – Town Hall Members, Groton Planning BoardOthers Present (*Absent) Monica Carey, Chair Joan Fitch, Recording Secretary Barbara Clark Glenn Morey, Town Supervisor Tom Guihan Sheldon Clark, Town Councilman Mark Baxendell Louie Sovocool, Town Councilman Brad Albro George Senter, Code Enforcement Officer Mary K. Gloster Janice Haines Applicants & Public in Attendance Jim Bucko, Applicant; Ed & Eileen Scheffler, Applicants; Vernon Leubner, Applicant The meeting was called order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Monica Carey. Vernon Leubner, Applicant/Glenn Stevens, RO – 451 Cobb Street – TM #24-1-13.1 – Proposed Specialty Auto Parts Business Chair Carey recognized the applicant who was requesting Preliminary Site Plan approval to sell specialty auto parts for high-performance (e.g., drag racers) and classic cars from the garage on this parcel of land. Mr. Leubner explained that he is purchasing the property on a Land Contract from the owner, Glenn Stevens. In a brief statement contained in the application packet, the applicant stated that most of his buying and selling would be via the internet, with occasional customers coming to the garage to pick up parts he was unable to ship or deliver to them. He also attends swap meets and races and takes parts with him to sell. Mr. Leubner stated that it wasn’t like he was going to have a complete parts store, but if the business was successful, he might expand his business into a larger building, perhaps in another year or so. Chair Carey commented that when she visited the site, there were several unregistered vehicles. Mr. Leubner stated that CEO Senter had already talked to him about this. The applicant explained that he would bring a vehicle in to restore, restore it, and then it “goes back out.” All of this reflects the cycle of his business. He further stated that he was only allowed to sell “three or four” vehicles before he would be required to obtain a dealer’s license. Currently, the applicant has two unregistered vehicles on his property—two Novas. He has others, but they are stored elsewhere (Berkshire). Member Barb Clark asked about the trailer units on his property, and he responded that they were used for storage of parts. The property is zoned Agriculture, and a business in this district is a permitted use, with Planning Board approval. Member Mary Gloster stated that she had visited the subject site a month previous and, at that time, there were at least three vehicles inbetween the two trailers and another unregistered one sitting over near the garage. Mr. Leubner responded that they are still there, but the one next to the garage is “half done” and it’s registered, but the plates are not on it; it will be finished when the snow leaves and it will be gone in the spring. Of the three vehicles inbetween the trailers, he stated, two will be restored this year. A red Nova and a green Nova that are there are not registered; the ’67 LeMans is registered. In addition, there is also a registered “pull truck” which pulls the car trailer. CEO Senter asked the applicant about the plates for the registered vehicles and advised him to put the plates in the window so it is visible. Mr. Leubner responded that right now there’s so much snow on them that they would not be visible. He also stated that he was not starting a “salvage yard.” Member Mark Baxendell advised the applicant that the Board certainly did not want that. Page 1 of 5 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 19 February 2004 Chair Carey stated that she had a concern regarding the letter from the property owner, Glenn Stevens, who gave the applicant permission to the applicant to have this business on his property from July 25, 2003 to July 25, 2004. Mr. Leubner stated that he is purchasing the property from Mr. Stevens and has been there approximately eleven years. The letter was provided to him by the owner because the garage needed a roof and some work needed doing on the house; the letter was to give the applicant permission to obtain the necessary permits to complete this work. Member Mary Gloster stated that she was not sure if the Board could grant him a permit for beyond July 25, 2004. Mr. Leubner responded that it was no problem to get another letter from the owner and he would do so. Chair Carey advised those present that this was a Preliminary Site Plan Review, and Final Site Plan Review with a possible Public Hearing would occur at the March meeting of the Town Planning Board. She advised the applicant that they would require an updated letter from the owner. Member Gloster stated that he should also satisfy the matter of any unregistered vehicles with the Code Enforcement Officer, with only one unregistered vehicle to be allowed. At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Member Gloster to approve the Preliminary Site Plan with the limit of one unlicensed vehicle on the site, and receipt of a new letter of permission from the reputed owner, with a Public Hearing set for 18 March 2004 at 7:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Member 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 #6 of 2004. The applicant was advised to be present at the Public Hearing. James D. Bucko, Applicant/RO – 525 LaFayette Road – TM #28-1-15.18 – Preliminary Site Plan Review for Proposed Training Center (Note: The applicant appeared before the Planning Board at its January 2004 meeting and distributed a packet to everyone regarding his proposed year-round Hawk’s Way Training Center. The handout was very complete and explained his proposal. Reference is made to those Minutes for details of what he was proposing.) Chair Carey recognized Mr. Bucko who was present to obtain Preliminary Site Plan Review for his proposed training center. He displayed a detailed 4’ by 6’ layout of what he plans to do and explained everything thoroughly to the Planning Board. The packet presented at this meeting contained a detailed response to each item on the Preliminary Site Plan Checklist, a detail of the proposed solar-powered outdoor security lights, and the NYSDOH Design Handbook for individual residential wastewater treatment systems. Needless to say, the Planning Board was very impressed by the detail of his presentation and information provided. Mr. Bucko reiterated the proposal given at the January meeting for those who were not in attendance. He stated that he would be using an Envirolet dual system toilet (2) with an external composting unit, as shown, with up to 10 persons per day using each unit. CEO Senter asked how the composting system worked, and the applicant explained that through a solar panel and air-flow vent it would become regular composting soil which would be disposed of in accordance with the Tompkins County Health Department’s regulations. This system does meet all of their requirements, he stated. Waterless soap for hygiene would be used. Page 2 of 5 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 19 February 2004 Any required electrical power would be solar. Classes consist of from 10 to 24. Water would be brought in for daily use only. There would also be a woodstove to provide a heat source for the 30’ diameter insulated “Yurt” building. The large display board indicated the placement of new pine trees along the property lines. The proposed lean-tos would be placed on pressure-treated poles. The walking paths will be constructed of mulch; they are presently grass paths. He stressed that everything planned for this proposed four-season business would be to maintain a natural setting with the protection of the environment a majority priority. With regard to parking, there was adequate parking for at least 24 vehicles, although he would encourage car pools. His original parking lot would accommodate 15 vehicles, and another area was shown for expansion of this amount. At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Member Brad Albro to approve the Preliminary Site Plan for the proposed training center, and set a Public Hearing for 7:45 p.m. on 18 March 2004. The motion was seconded by Member Tom Guihan, 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 #7 of 2004. Chair Carey asked the applicant about wetlands which are nearby (across the road). Mr. Bucko assured the Board that he was not going to disturb the natural flow of water on his property and was very conscious of good conservation practices. CEO Senter commented that the applicant’s property was uphill from the wetlands. The applicant stated that the wetlands were actually fed by the natural spring on his property. Ed & Eileen Scheffler, Applicants/ROs – 525 LaFayette Road – TM #s 24.-1-1.2 & 23.-1-16 – Proposed Boundary Change Chair Carey recognized the applicants who were appearing before the Board seeking a boundary change to combine two adjacent parcels which they own, a 24.72± acre parcel, TM #23.-1-16 and their 217.19± acre parcel, TM #24.-1-1.2, as outlined on the tax map accompanying their application. The Schefflers had recently purchased the smaller parcel and simply wanted to add it to their main property. With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Baxendell to approve the Boundary Change as requested, with the two tax map parcels to be combined by deed description. The motion was seconded by Member Gloster, 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 #8 of 2004. Page 3 of 5 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 19 February 2004 Discussion re Leubner Application/Storage Trailers/Zoning Issues Member Baxendell informed the Board that there has always been additional cars on the subject property for many years. CEO Senter stated he had been working with him on this; however, he has moved storage trailers onto the property which nothing can be done about as storage trailers are not covered in the Zoning Ordinance. CEO Senter stated he had been in touch with the ZBA Chairman, Lyle Raymond, regarding this, and Lyle had written up something which CEO Senter would provide to the Planning Board. He had also brought up campground issues and satellite dish issues with the ZBA Chair. Satellite dishes today are mostly of the 18” type, not the big ones. Member Baxendell also commented that the noise from the Leubner business is “horrendous.” CEO Senter stated that there was really no one close by except “Joe.” CEO Senter affirmed that his biggest concern was unlicensed vehicles and he should not be given a permit unless he conforms to the regulations. Member Baxendell stated that the type of business proposed needs to be closely monitored by the Code Enforcement Officer. Member Gloster questioned the proximity of the storage trailers to the road; she had printed a GIS map off from the internet and she felt that it showed them “sticking out into the right-of-way.” Member Baxendell commented that he was very reluctant to grant a Conditional Permit to Mr. Leubner under the existing conditions. Member Baxendell felt that the Board, regarding any such request for this type of business, should be thinking about how to regulate it. CEO Senter stated that if an applicant violates the stipulations contained on their Permit, then he will bring them back to this Board. Chair Carey said she would email the Town Attorney to see if there was some way to put a restriction on the number of storage trailers on his property. Member Baxendell felt the applicant should not be allowed any more trailers than are there now. With regard to Mr. Leubner, Chair Carey stated that the Conditional Permit, if granted, should cover the following: (1) only one unlicensed vehicle on the outside would be allowed, (2) there would be no exterior storage of vehicle parts, (3) hours of operation, (4) limit the time for exterior noise, (5) delivery hours, and (6) exterior lighting limitations. Also, an updated letter of permission would be required from the property owner. He would also have to have a sales tax number and a sign permit for a sign. Approval of Minutes – 15 January 2004 A motion was made by Member Gloster to approve the Minutes of the 20 November 2003 meeting, as submitted. 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 #9 of 2004. Other Business/CEO Senter re Junk Vehicles, Etc. • CEO Senter advised the Board that an ad would be going into the Shopper two weeks before he commences his annual survey for junk cars in the Town. • Member Gloster reminded CEO Senter about camper trailers across from the Pizza Barn. Page 4 of 5 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 19 February 2004 Adjournment At 8:05 p.m., a motion was made by Member Albro to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Guihan, with every member present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Town Clerk, Chair Carey, & Board Members Gloster & Albro on 3/4/04. Originals mailed. Page 5 of 5