HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-15E
Date:
Time:
Place:
November 15, 2000
7:00 p.m.
Lansing Town Hall Board Room
AGENDA
1. Call Meeting to order.
2. Roll Call.
3. Privilege of the floor:
a. Christian Nils: Northeast RCAP reroute- Wr. 17,ext.5
4. Site Plan Review: E. Shore Drive Dental Office.
5. Request for Water: Drake Road.
6. Engineers Report: Dave Herrick
7. Highway Superintendent: Pete Larson
8. Code Enforcement Officer: George Totman
9. Review of information mailing: ie
moratorium on multiple dwellings
10. Board Members reports.
11. Audit Resolution,
12. Executive Session if needed.
13. Adjournment
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November 15, 2000
The Lansing Town Board met in Regular Session at the Lansing Town Hall Board Room
at 7:00 p.m with Supervisor Farkas presiding.
The Supervisor called the meeting to order and had the clerk take the Roll Call,
Stephen Farkas
Herbert Beckwith
Katrina Greenly
Meg Overstrom
Francis Shattuck
Bonita Boles
Richard John
ROLL CALL
Supervisor
Present
Councilperson
Present
Councilperson
Present
Councilperson
Present
Councilperson
Present
Town Clerk
Present
Town Attorney Present
VISITORS: George Totman, Dave Herrick, Pete Larson, Helen Osika, Cathy Morrel, Phil
Skeps, Ron Bowman, Dave Baker, Janet & Bob Keefe, Donna Scott, Steve Barnes, Candis
Bailey, Scott Sperling, Caroline Rasmussen, Anita Sullivan, Tom LaVigne, Gary Sloan, Beverly
Abplanalp, Bob Caryl, Howard Walrad, Fred Miller, Don Bordenent, Martin Hirschhorn, Jill
Vaughan, Christian Nill, Connie Wilcox, Jack McNamara, Douglas McEver, Kathleen Caryl,
Carole & Ralph Lobdell, Nancy Loncto, Dan Konowalow, Marcy Rosenkrantz, Jack Avery,
Edythe Conway, Floyd Ferris, Scott Morse, Bill Stark, Paul Constantini, Scott Bishop, Barb
Bennett, Mary Boles, D.J. Sheldon, Jane Sheldon, Jeff Sweazey, Paige Nichols, Debra Nichols,
Richard Wentworth, Jean Wentworth, Dennis Osika, Rob Davenport and about 10 other
residents.
Mr. Nill presented a Draft Diagnostic Survey of Current Conditions and the need for
public water supply for proposed Water District 17, Extension 5.
Mr. Nill stated the report was in regard to Algerine Road, Bill George Road, Ludlow
Road and Lansing Station Road. He gave the following Executive Summary:
The Town of Lansing requested the assistance of the Northeast Rural Community
Assistance Program to undertake a needs assessment survey in the vicinity of Lansing Station,
Algerine, Bill George and Ludlow Roads to be the scope and severity of perceived water supply
problems. This report presents and analyzes data for all areas that were surveyed. A survey
questionnaire was developed in June, and copies were sent out to Town residents during the
summer. The subject area comprises approximately 214 residential households.
163 completed surveys were returned to the Town Office. This figure represents
approximately 76 percent of the households that were contacted. Survey responses were
tabulated in accordance with standard statistical procedures, and cross - tabulations were
performed in order to identify certain data trends and potential problem areas.
Nearly half of the residential water supplies in the subject area are lake wells. 37 percent
of the households in the survey rely on drilled wells; 7 percent have dug wells. Half of all
respondents have not recently had their water supply tested. The untested well supplies should be
of some concern here. Among wells that have been tested recently, 44 percent tested positive for
coliform contamination.
Residential households in the subject area spend, on average, $289 per year on expenses
relating to the maintenance and repair of their private well water systems. The figure does not
include daily operating expenses such as electricity to run water pumps, periodic water sampling
and testing for bacterial contamination, or certain other treatment costs. Depending on site -
specific conditions such as depth of the well and many other factors, the seasonal cost
considerations may add $50 to $100 to the annual estimated total cost cited above.
Among all those responding to a question that asked their opinion on the prospect of
developing municipal water supply in the area, 55 percent expressed support for continued
exploration of public water supply options for the subject area. Twenty percent expressed their
opposition to any such Town initiative, and the remainder (25 %) expressed no opinion.
157
158
Continued, November 15, 2000
In conclusion, there appear to exist sufficient grounds to explore in greater detail the
feasibility of developing public water supply in the subject area. The level of need for either type
of public facility is not uniform throughout the study area. However, the specter of supply
deficiencies, strong potential for contamination given shallow well depths in some areas, and
related trends seem sufficient to merit priority attention and closer examination by local officials.
It is recommended that a preliminary engineering report be completed which, along with
public input gathered from subsequent public informational meetings, would provide the Town
Board with a sound basis for determining whether a major public water supply project is in the
best interest of the Town.
There are state and federal programs offering grant dollars and low interest subsidized
loans that can go a long way towards bringing annual user costs down to an affordable range.
The Town will need to act aggressively in order to avail itself of the funding opportunities
offered through these programs.
To complete this needs assessment phase, local officials should:
a) meet with the Tompkins County Department of Health to discuss public water supply and
wastewater management issues affecting the subject area; b) conduct a public informational
meeting to collect additional input concerning the water supply and wastewater management; and
c) if possible, assist property owners in testing their water supplies.
Mr. Nill also stated that half of the water supply has not yet been tested. The average of
the 83 responses willing to pay, maximum amount is approximately $ 461.00 per year for capital
debt service and operations and maintenence. In the final report there will be aditional maps. He
felt the Town Board needs to finalize the asessment report, hold a public hearing and if there is a
"green light ", there would then need to be a revised Engineers report, income survey, district
formation and funding applications filed. He felt a time table needed to be set up.
Mr. Farkas stated that the Town Board will hold a public informational meeting
sometime after the holidays. He asked all residents present to put any and all comments and
concerns in writing and mail them to him.
SITE PLAN REVIEW: EAST SHORE DRIVE DENTAL OFFICE:
Jan Ormsby approached the Board regarding a dental office at 1308 East Shore Drive.
She has not yet purchased the property but wanted to find out if the Board would allow a Dentist
Office before she made an investment. She stated that there would be parking for a maximum of
8 cars and her hours would be Monday thru Friday from 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After some
conversation, the following resolution was made:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Shattuck:
WHEREAS, a business owner in the Town, Janice Ormsby, appeared to request the
Town Board conduct a site plan review for a property located at 1308 East Shore Drive for use as
a dental office; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing Town Board having discussed the request and
determined that the proposed dental office would not significantly impact the character or
function of the neighborhood, and having made a negative declaration and approved the SEQR ;
therefore it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Town of Lansing Town Board hereby approves the request by
Janice Ormsby to allow the use of the property at 1308 East Shore Drive as a dental office.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board. . , (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor
DRAKE ROAD WATER REQUEST:
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Continued, November 15, 2000
Janet Johnson of 934 East Shore Drive requested a water line extension for her back lots
on Drake Road. After some discussion, the following resolution was offered:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mrs. Greenly:
WHEREAS, Lisa Johnson appeared to request the Town Board allow the creation of a
water district extension to property fronting on Drake Road (Tax Map no. 37.1- 1 -9.2) through a
back lot hook up to the WD 7 water line on East Shore Drive; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing Town Board by prior resolution, having granted
emergency water line hook ups to two other properties located on Drake Road (Tax Map nos.
37.1 -1 -9. and 37.1- 1 -14), with the provision that these properties would be required to join in the
expense of any future extension of a water line along Drake Road;
WHEREAS, the Town Board having considered the eight factors in the Town's ploicy
for back lot water line extensions; therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing hereby approves the request
by Lisa Johnson to allow a back lot water hook up to the property located on Drake Road (Tax
Map No. 37.1- 1 -9.2) under the following condiditons:
1. The Owner shall satisfy all requirements for the formation of a water district extension to
Water District 7, which extension shall include the adjacent properties that are currently
Receiving water under contract with the Town (Tax Map Nos. 37.1-1-9.4 and 37.1-1-14).
2. The water district extension to be formed to serve these three properties shall be
subsumed within any future water district extension that may occur along the Drake Road, and
the property owner shall join in the formation and pay the proportional expense of such new
water district extension along Drake Road.
3. The owner shall produce an easement to show access to East Shore Drive for purposes of
constructing a water line connection to Water District 7.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor
Gary Sloan of 6 Janivar Drive asked the Board for their help in obtaining sewer to his
property. He asked if the Town had ever shared in the expense of extending a sewer main.
Mr. John stated that the result could be better if the Town shared in the cost but he would
have to check into the legality of it. The Board felt it would be better to extend the main in the
street rather than to go through back lots. Mr. Herrick also agreed with the Board in this matter.
The Board told Mr. Totman to save two (2) permits for Mr. Sloan.
Mr. John will check into the legality of the Town sharing in the expense and discuss it at
the next meeting.
RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Greenly and seconded by Mr. Shattuck:
WHEREAS, the Town maintains a section of roadway known as Milliken Station
Extension which crosses the railway tracks near Cayuga Lake; and
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Continued, November 15, 2000
WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing Town Board has received a request from the
Tompkins County Highway Department to place no parking signs for a space of 800 feet to the
east from the intersection of the Milliken Station Extension with the railroad tracks to ensure that
buses and snowplows are able to maneuver and turn around; therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Town of Lansing Town Board hereby directs that the Town
Highway Superintendent shall erect no parking signs on Milliken Station Exension for a distance
of 800 feet to the east from the intersection with the railroad tracks.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER:
Mr. Totman presented his monthly report and stated that fees were up from last year by
$ 13,232.00 and the estimated cost was up $ 4,315,456.00. He also stated that he was down 29
permits.
Mr. Farkas stated that between now and December 13, 2000 a public informational
meeting will be held regarding changes in the original ordinance regarding multipal dwellings.
He also stated that a mailing will be sent out to all town residence before the informational
meeting is held. All legal meetings will be held after the informational meeting and will follow
by changes to the original ordinance. This will not happen by Decmeber 31, 2000 due to the time
frame involved. He then requested the Board to extend the moritorium.
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mrs. Greenly:
WHEREAS, the Lansing Town Board, having received public comment concerning a
provision of the Town of Lansing Land Use Ordinance, as amended July, 1998, involving the
conditions required for the construction of multiple dwelling units in the Town of Lansing,
particularly the category entitled "Dwelling, conversion of existing building into three or four
dwelling units, multi - family including apartment and condominium, townhouse ", and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, by prior resolution imposed a moratorium until December
31, 2000, on the granting of building permits for multiple dwelling units as entitled in the Town
of Lansing Land Use Ordinance as "Dwelling, conversion of existing building into three or four
dwelling units, multi - family including apaprtment and condominium, townhouse" in order to
review the Land Use Ordinance in light of the public comment received and to consider possible
amendments to such Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has received proposed amendments to the Town of
Lansing Land Use Ordinance from the Town Planning Board recommending changes to the
approval process and the areas in the Town where multiple dwellings could be constructed; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to have an additional period of time in which to
receive public comment on the proposed amendments and to make the proposals known to the
community prior to scheduling a public hearing on the adoption of such proposed amendments;
therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Town of Lansing shall extend the moratorium on the issuance of
building permits for multiple dwelling units as entitled in the Town of Lansing Land Use
Ordinance as "Dwelling, conversion of existing building into three or four dwelling units, multi-
family including apartment and condominium, townhouse" through the regular Town Board
meeting scheduled for February 21, 2000, unless sooner terminated or extended, in order for the
Town Board to discuss and consider the issue of amending provisions of the Town of Lansing
161
Continued, November 15, 2000
Land Use Ordinance; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Lansing shall extend the moratorium on the issuance of
building permits for multiple dwelling units as entitled in the Town of Lansing Land Use
Ordinance as "Dwelling, conversion of existing building into three or four dwelling units, multi-
family including apartment and condominium, townhouse" through the regular Town Board
meeting scheduled for February 21, 2000, unless sooner terminated or extended, in order for the
Town Board to discuss and consider the issue of amending provisions of the Town of Lansing
Land Use Ordinance; and it is further
RESOLVED, that any denial of a building permit pursuant to the terms of the
moratorium shall be subject to review by the Board of Zoning Appeals under the process for use
variances; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Town Board shall hold a public informational meeting on
December 13, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall to receive public comment on the proposed
amendments to the Town of Lansing Land Use Ordinance.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor
Mr. Farkas asked the Board to amend a resolution made at the last meeting to allow the
Lansing Cheerleaders to use the Board Room after business hours to allow them to use it
beginning at 3:15 with quite activities until closing time due to the school bus schedule. Mr.
Totman stated that they were there this afternoon and he could hear them clearly. The Town
Clerk asked why they couldn't use the Annex until 4:00 p.m. Mrs. Greenly stated it was a matter
of loss time. No action was taken as it was felt that direction was to be given to Sharon Bowman
and Jodi Dake.
AUDIT RESOLUTION•
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mrs. Greenly:
RESOLVED, that the bookkeeper is hereby authorized and directed to pay the following
bills as approved by the Town Supervisor:
Voucher Numbers: 1104- 1237
Prepaids: 1104 and 1105
GENERAL FUND $ 30, 163.40
HIGHWAY FUND $ 45,946.68
LANSING LIGHTING DISTRICTS $ 1,320.61
LANSING WATER DISTRICTS $ 53574.33
TOWN HALL PROJECT $ 23,477.17
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor
162
Continued, November 15, 2000
TOWN CENTER COMMITTEE:
Mrs. Overstrom stated that the Town Center Committee received a $ 4,000.00 grant
from the Tompkins County Center for Commercial Revitalization. The next step is to draw a
larger strategic plan. They will include the 2010's committees work in the plan. They will hold
their next meeting on December 12, 2000 at 6:30 p.m.
LANDSCAPING OF TOWN HALL:
Mr. Farkas thanked Mr. Larson, his men and the park guys for all of their hard work
involved in the landscaping of the new Town Hall. He stated that himself and Mrs. Greenly have
offered to feed the highway and parks and recreation men for all of their hard work. He also
thanked Mrs. Greenly for all of her work in the project. The luncheon will take place after deer
season is over.
FLAG POLE:
Mrs. Greenly stated that the flag pole should arrive next week.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE:
Mrs. Greenly stated that the next meeting will be held on November 16th at 7:30 p.m. in
the old Town Hall building. Contracts will be discussed.
BUDGET ADMENDMENT - RECREATION DEPARTMENT:
Mrs. Greenly proposed a budget admendment. Additional programs were added which
brought in extra revenue in excess of $ 20,000.00. The Recreation Department would like
$ 5,000.00 of that to cover the last two months of regular expenses.
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mrs. Overstrom:
WHEREAS, the Lansing Town Board, having received a request from the Recreation
Department for a budget amendment to increase the budget by $ 5,000.00 to cover the cost of
new programs and increased enrollment in existing programs;
WHEREAS, the Town has received revenues as a result of these new programs and
increased enrollment in excess of the amount requested; therefore it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing hereby approves the
requested budget amendment for the Town Recreation Department to increase the budget in the
amount of $ 5,000.00, and such amount shall be transfered to the Recreation Department
account.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Meg Overstrom, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board. I I (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor
Mr. Farkas stated that the lease between the Library Committee and the Town needs to be
signed.
A man in the audience asked why things weren't done before now regarding the changes
in the ordinance. He felt it could open a whole can of worms. Mr. Farkas disagreed with this and
felt the public deserved the right to speak and be completly informed.
Nancy Loncto asked the Board to make sure they put as many dates as possible and as
much about the ongoing process through February 21 st, 2001 as possible in the letter that will be
Continued, November 15, 2000
going out to all residents. The Board agreed to do this.
PLANNING BOARD:
Mr. Shattuck stated that a meeting will be held on Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall
Board Room to discuss only the moritorium issues. This meeting will be between the Planning
Board and the Town Board. The public is invited but no public comment will be taken at that
time.
NEW FIRE TRUCK:
Mr. Beckwith stated that the new fire truck should arrive in about another week.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Greenly and seconded by Mr. Shattuck:
RESOLVED, that the Regular Session be adjourned at 9:11 p.m. to go into Executive
Session to discuss a personnel matter.
Carried.
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mrs. Overstrom:
RESOLVED, that the Executive Session be terminated at 9:58 p.m. and the Regular
Meeting be reconvened.
Carried.
On motion, meeting adjourned at the call of the Supervisor.
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