HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-17
TGPB
OWN OF ROTON LANNING OARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 17 March 2005
7:30 PM – Town Hall
Members, Groton Planning BoardOthers Present
(*Absent)
Monica Carey, Chair Joan Fitch, Recording Secretary
Barbara Clark Gary Coats, Town CEO
Tom Guihan
Mark Baxendell
Brad Albro
Mary K. Gloster
Janice Haines
Applicants & Public in Attendance
Ed & Sally Neuhauser, Applicants; Alberto Maccou, Applicant; Don Scheffler, Town Councilman.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Monica Carey.
OB
LD USINESS
None.
NB
EW USINESS
Edward & Sally Neuhauser – 434 West Groton Road – TM #s 15.-1-40 & 37.1 – Boundary Change
Chairperson Carey recognized Mr. Neuhauser who explained to the Board that he was acquiring
58.89± acres (TM #15.-1-37.1) from the adjacent landowner (now or formerly Catherine M. Holden),
and he would be combining that acreage with his own parcel, TM #15.-1-40, as shown on a portion of
the tax map which accompanied the application. The total acreage, after the boundary change,
owned by the Neuhausers would be 131.67± acres.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Member Mark Baxendell to approve the Boundary
Change, as requested, with the 58.89± acre parcel (TM #15.-1-37) to be combined with TM #15.-1-40
by deeddescription. The motion was seconded by Member Tom Guihan, with the vote recorded as
follows:
Ayes: Acting Chair Carey Nays: None
Member Albro
Member Baxemdell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #8 of 2005.
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(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 17 March 2005
Alberto Maccou, Applicant/Steven & Valerie Sweazey, ROs – NYS Route 34B (Peruville Rd.) – TM
#36.-1-62.3 – Preliminary Site Plan
Chairperson Carey recognized the applicant who stated he had a signed purchase offer for this 2±
acre parcel for the purpose of constructing two five-unit apartment houses. The fifth unit would be
located in the basement because of the topography of the property. Each house would look “like a
regular house.” He showed the Board a rendering of the proposed apartment house, along with the
room layout. Member Tom Guihan asked about his intention of putting in two houses, and Mr.
Maccou responded there was 309± feet of road frontage to accommodate both houses on one parcel.
At this time, however, he was proposing construction of only one apartment house, with the other at
a future date.
Member Mary Gloster stated she would like to see a drawing of the entire parcel, indicating the
proposed placement of the apartment houses thereon. Chair Carey advised the applicant that the
plan should also indicate a north arrow, where the driveway exits onto Route 34B, and the proposed
parking layout. Mr. Maccou stated the the NYSDOT requires a drawing prepared by a Licensed
Professional Engineer. However, if his project is approved by this Board, he will then have the
required DOT drawings prepared. Chair Carey reminded everyone that this was a Preliminary Site
Plan Review as the applicant was seeking input from the Planning Board as to what was needed for
the Final Site Plan Review.
Member Mark Baxendell stated he would like to see the subject parcel “drawn out like this,” and
indicating where everything would go, including the second house, even though that would not be
done initially. He clarified by stating that the drawing should include: the property lines, where all
structures will be (distances to property line/road), where all the parking will be, location of any
dumpster, driveway location(s), pedestrian access/sidewalk location, sign location, north arrow.
Chair Carey stated that County will want to know the height of the proposed apartment house, a
description/location of waste disposal system, well/water supply. Member Gloster explained to the
applicant that the drawing should be “to scale” and then indicated how he could do that on a sheet of
graph paper; they didn’t have to be prepared by a professional. Also, the location of any exterior LPG
tank or oil tank should be shown on the plan.
CEO Gary Coats asked the applicant how much of the project hinged upon the second house being
constructed, and Mr. Maccou responded that this depended on how things went. CEO Coats then
stated there could not be two apartment houses on one parcel. He would either have to divide the lot
into two parcels, or obtain a variance from the ZBA, in order to have two. Mr. Maccou stated he
would be satisfied with one 5-unit apartment house.
Member Brad Albro asked about landscaping of the site, and the applicant responded it would be
basic landscaping so it looked nice. Chair Carey asked if anyone had a copy of the County Planning
Board’s comments, and no one did. She advised Mr. Maccou to come to the Town Clerk’s Office to
get a copy for his use. In response to Chair Carey’s question, the applicant stated that the driveway
entrance would not have to be built up as the driveway is actually higher than the road, so he may
have to do some cutting. Member Baxendell asked Mr. Maccou if he had the checklist, and he
responded that he did have it. Mr. Maccou stated that he could use a survey map of the property to
prepare his site plan, especially since there was some discrepancy as to whether the road frontage
was 302 feet or 276 feet. Attorney Jim Henry did have an actual survey map of the property.
Member Gloster also advised him to complete the Ag Data Statement. The applicant stated he had
already talked with the Tompkins County Health Department, and his engineer will be Timothy C.
Buhl, PE, from Locke.
Member Albro asked about any exterior lighting, and Mr. Maccou stated there will be outside lights
on the building. Driveway width was discussed, and the applicant responded it would be at least 15
feet; the Board did not think this would be wide enough to accommodate a car entering and one
exiting at the same time.
Chair Gloster informed the applicant that there would be a public hearing set.
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(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 17 March 2005
At the conclusion of their discussion, a motion was made by Member Janice Haines to approve the
Preliminary Site Plan for a proposed five-unit apartment house. The motion was seconded by
Member Albro, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Acting Chair Carey Nays: None
Member Albro
Member Baxemdell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #9 of 2005.
A motion was made by Member Albro to set the Public Hearing for 21 April 2005 at 7:30 p.m., with
the completed application for the proposed five-unit apartment house available. The motion was
seconded by Member Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Acting Chair Carey Nays: None
Member Albro
Member Baxemdell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #10 of 2005.
AM–20J2005
PPROVAL OF INUTES ANUARY
A motion was made by Member Haines to approve the Town Planning Board Minutes of 20 January
2005, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Albro, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chair Carey
Member Albro Nays: None
Member Baxemdell
Member Clark
Member Gloster
Member Guihan
Member Haines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #11 of 2005.
OM
THER ATTERS
Chair Carey and Board Members Guihan, Albro, and Haines reported that went to a training
session in Cortland at the County Office Building.
Chair Carey and Members Guihan and Gloster attended an Ag District training seminar in
Ithaca.
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(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 17 March 2005
Member Baxendell completed Ag District Training w/Rob at USDA; the Tompkins County
USDA office has been combined with Cortland in Cortland.
CEO Coats stated he received a call from Augie Augustine’s attorney, John Stevens, who
stated that Augie’s plans are not definite and very changeable at a moment’s notice. The
attorney understood that the Town needed to see something “concrete” with the proposed use
of Mr. Augustine’s McLean property (former Patchwork & Pies). Also, CEO Coats stated that
they needed something from the TC Health Department regarding the septic system on the
property. Mr. Augustine does not, at this time, have a firm plan and that’s the problem.
A
DJOURNMENT
At 8:15 p.m., a motion was made by Member Albro to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded
by Member Gloster, with all members present voting in favor.
Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary
Emailed to Town Clerk, Chair Carey &
Board Member Gloster on 4/5/05.
Originals mailed.
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