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Home My WebLink About2013-04-18 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 18 April 2013 - 7:30 PM Town Hall Court Room - 101 Conger Boulevard - Groton, NY Members, Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present Edward Neuhauser, Chairperson Gary Coats, Town CEO Monica Carey, Vice Chair Joan Fitch, Recording Secretary Barbara Clark Victoria Monty, Town Attorney Mark Baxendell John Morey Bret Wyllie Lisa Maloney Hahn Applicants & Public in Attendance Brandi Hulslander, Applicant; Tammy Bernhardt for Charles Bernhardt, Applicant; Robert Burgdorf 8� Ken Cowley for Verizon Wireless, Applicant; Town Supervisor Glenn Morey. 11 REGULAR MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board was called to order by Chairman Edward Neuhauser at 7:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 21 MARCH 2O13 A motion was made by Member Monica Carey to approve the Minutes of the 21 March 2013 Planning Board meeting, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Mark Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Member Maloney Hahn Motion carried. This becomes Action #34 of 2013. NEW BUSINESS Brandi Hulslander, Applicant/Reputed Owner - 79 Pleasant Valley Road - TM #36.-1-4.1 - Site Plan Review- Proposed Minor (Two-Lot) Subdivision Chairman Neuhauser recognized the applicant who was seeking approval of a Minor (two-lot) Subdivision of her 5.4±-acre parcel, as shown on a portion of the tax map accompanying the application. She stated she was giving approximately one acre to her brother to put a double-wide on. CEO Gary Coats added that the subdivided lot would be "at least that big, or bigger." Chairman Neuhauser asked the Board if they had any questions; they did not. Page 1 of 4 (T)Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 April 2013 With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Barbara Clark that the Town of Groton Planning Board declares itself as Lead Agency under SEQRA for the proposed Minor Subdivision. The motion was seconded by Member Lisa Mahoney Hahn, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Member Maloney Hahn Motion carried. This becomes Action #34 of 2013. Chairman Neuhauser read aloud Part II of the Short Environmental Assessment Form. Negative responses were obtained to all questions in Part II. A motion was then made by Member Mark Baxendell that, based on the information and analysis of the SEQR concerning this application, the Town of Groton Planning Board has determined that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a Negative Declaration. The motion was seconded by Member Bret Wyllie, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Member Maloney Hahn Motion carried. This becomes Action #35 of 2013. With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member John Morey to waive the Public Hearing and approve the Minor Subdivision, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Member Maloney Hahn Motion carried. This becomes Action #36 of 2013. Charles M. Bernhardt, Applicant/Reputed Owner- 515 Old Stage Road - Part of TM #20.-1-36.4 - Site Plan - Proposed Pet Kennel (Spotted Zoo Pet Hotel) Chairman Neuhauser recognized Tammy Bernhardt who, along with her husband Charles, was seeking Site Plan approval to have a 40 ft. by 60 ft. pet kennel/pet hotel (pole barn) constructed on the subject property as shown on a copy of the aerial map attached to their application. The business would accommodate any type of pet she stated, mostly dogs and cats, but perhaps other small household pets that needed caring for while the owners were away on vacation, etc. Member Monica Carey asked how many pets, and Tammy responded she had room for 16 dogs and 6 cats, plus any Page 2 of 4 (T)Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 April 2013 other small animals. The largest animal accommodated would be a dog. She also stated that her husband planned to use a portion of the pole barn for storage of his boat. The pole barn will be heated and contain a bathroom. At the conclusion of a discussion, a motion was made by Member Carey to accept the Preliminary Site Plan for a proposed pet kennel and set a Public Hearing for 16 May 2013 at 7:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Member Maloney Hahn, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Member Maloney Hahn Motion carried. This becomes Action #38 of 2013. OLD BUSINESS Nixon Peabody LLP. Applicant/Dale lis Sandra Kinney, Reputed Owners - 80 Salt Road -TM #37.- 1-18.2 - Proposed Verizon Cell Tower- Sketch Plan Conference (Reference is made to the March Minutes of this Board for the initial discussion of this application.) Chairman Neuhauser recognized Robert Burgdorf, representing Verizon Wireless who was seeking approval to place a cell tower on this property, as shown in the extensive documentation provided. Mr. Burgdorf explained how the tower was sited and the area it would cover. The proposed 195-foot tower would be placed on 3.67± acres of land leased from the owner. There would be a 12 ft. by 35 ft. equipment shelter within the chain-link fence, accessed by a gravel drive. The location is on the edge of a wooded area, close to a high point. There will be no guy wires, and the tower will be placed on an engineered concrete foundation. Board members made the following requests/comments: • Asked for a photo simulation of the tower placed as planned. • In accordance with the Tompkins County Department of Planning's letter dated 18 April, the Town may want to require a simulated view as suggested therein. The Board asked the representative to do so; Mr. Burgdorf stated he had no problem doing so. • The Board asked what was Verizon's plan for dealing with other areas not covered by this cell tower. The Board then discussed the SEQR process with regard to Lead Agency. Mr. Burgdorf stated the proposed project was an Unlisted Action, not required, but that Verizon does it anyway; most boards, he stated, just do the Short Environmental Assessment Form. The only impact, is visual. The proposed installation is regulated by the FCC and the FAA; both agencies are okay with what is planned. Electric and phone lines will be constructed underground. At the conclusion of their discussion, a motion was made to postpone the continued review of the proposed Verizon cell tower until the 16 May 2013 meeting of this Board. The motion was Page 3 of 4 (T)Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 April 2013 seconded by Member Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Member Maloney Hahn Motion carried. This becomes Action #39 of 2013. OTHER MATTERS • Training: CEO Coats advised those present of upcoming training being held by the Town of Spafford regarding the SEQR process. The session would take less than two hours and qualifies for training requirements. The trainer, who is an attorney, would come here to instruct. CEO Coats said he would schedule the session at the convenience of the Boards, Town would pay fee, but may charge if other outsiders would like to attend. Hours suggested: from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Date(s) suggested: May 2nd or 91h, 2nd is preferred, or May 23rd. CEO Coats will email everyone when training is all set to go. • FEAF Review for Cell Tower: CEO Coats mentioned retaining Patrick Snyder, an Attorney at Law and a Professional Engineer specializing in Environmental Law, as an expert when it comes to the SEQR process for the proposed cell tower. The Board thought this would be beneficial and asked Town Attorney Monty to set this up. ADJOURNMENT At 8:35 p.m., a motion was made by Member Maloney Hahn to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with all members present voting in favor. r J E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Coats, Chair Neuhauser&Board Members on 5/15/13. Page 4 of 4