HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-13 December 13, 2017
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SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
December 13, 2017
A Special Meeting of the Lansing Town Board was held at the Town Hall Board Room,
29 Auburn Road, Lansing, NY on the above date at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to
order by the Supervisor, Edward LaVigne and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to
the flag. Roll call by Deborah K. Munson, Town Clerk, showed the following to be
PRESENT:
Andra Benson, Councilperson Katrina Binkewicz, Councilperson
Robert Cree, Councilperson Doug Dake, Councilperson
Edward LaVigne, Supervisor
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Guy Krogh, Town Counsel, Dan Veaner, Lansing Star, Ted Laux,
Michael Long, Town Planning Consultant, Tom Ellis, Planning Board Chairperson,
Suzanne Hinderliter, Natalia and Stephen Emlen, Christine Eisenhut, Melanie Malone,
Stephanie Behler, Hurf Sheldon, Bill and Judy Hinderliter, Pat Pryor, Ellen Garcia, Tom
Butler, Mike Koplinka-Loehr, John Dean, Vicki Bland, Joseph Wetmore, and a few
other attendees.
CANCELLING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Supervisor Edward LaVigne, stated for clarity that this meeting is for the Town Board to
discuss between themselves whether to have the public hearing on December 20, 2017 or
to cancel it. He noted, there is nothing on the agenda for public comments.
Planning Board Chairperson Tom Ellis, reported the following:
The Comprehensive Plan had been in progress for five (5) years before it was turned over
to the Planning Board. The Planning Board was tasked by the Town Board to review,
edit and condense the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan has been reduced
to about one hundred (100) pages. The Planning Board has held twenty two (22)
meetings and spent over two hundred (200) person hours on the Comprehensive Plan.
After the Planning Board’s public hearing, they received about thirty (30) pages of
comments, and they reviewed and commented on all of them in public meetings. The
Comprehensive Plan has been reviewed by Tompkins County (239 review) and they
complemented the Town on creating a good plan. Tompkins County recommended two
(2) modifications. One was a mistake by the Planning Board and the other was to change
a few words.
Councilperson Katrina Binkewicz, read the Planning Boards response to the 239 review
regarding the minor modifications.
Councilperson Andra Benson, asked Town Counsel Guy Krogh to explain how legally
binding the Comprehensive Plan is, or how it is not legally binding.
Town Counsel Guy Krogh, stated the following:
The Comprehensive Plan is not a law; it guides the law. It is a plan to teach the
community what to look for; community goals. It is a legal document. When the Town
Board receives the recommendation, of the Comprehensive Plan, by the Planning Board a
public hearing must take place within ninety (90) days. Once adopted, it should be
reviewed for subdivisions, policies, local laws, etc. A Comprehensive Plan is supposed
to evolve and change; it is a starting point.
December 13, 2017
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Town Planner Mike Long, stated the Bell Station land is currently zoned lake front on
one side and agriculture on the other side. He noted, once the Comprehensive Plan is
adopted the zoning can be reviewed. Mr. Long, reported some language has been
changed in the Comprehensive Plan regarding Bell Station.
Supervisor Edward LaVigne, stated nothing has changed with zoning yet.
Councilperson Doug Dake, stated the Comprehensive Plan has been worked on for six (6)
years and plenty of input has been reviewed. He noted the public has had six (6) years to
come forth with their input.
Councilperson Katrina Binkewicz, stated she would like time for “public connection” on
this; possibly two (2) to three (3) months.
Town Counsel Guy Krogh, stated since October 2014 there have been over fifty (50)
public meetings (including the Agriculture Plan).
Town Counsel Guy Krogh, stated by law once the Planning Board turns the
Comprehensive Plan over to the Town Board, the Town Board must have a public
hearing within ninety (90) days. The Town Board is not required to make a decision
within ninety (90) days, but they must have a public hearing or it goes back to the
Planning Board. There may be more informational meetings or public hearings as long
as one (1) public hearing is held within 90 days.
Councilperson Andra Benson, asked for clarity regarding changes to the adopted
Comprehensive Plan. Town Counsel Guy Krogh, stated once the Comprehensive Plan is
adopted by the Town Board all that is required to make a change is for the Town Board to
have one (1) public hearing. He noted this is done all the time and the plan is not set in
stone.
Town Counsel Guy Krogh, stated this is a good Comprehensive Plan and recommended
to have the Public Hearing as soon as possible. He reported, the Town Board can have
more public hearings and informational sessions.
Supervisor Edward LaVigne, proposed to have the public hearing on December 20, 2017
to fulfill the ninety (90) day requirement. He stated the approval does not need to be
completed at the meeting on December 20, 2017. Supervisor LaVigne, noted other
meetings can be held, in other areas of the Town later, but having the public hearing on
December 20, 2017 will take care of the requirement.
The Town Board agreed to go forward with the already scheduled public hearing on
December 20, 2017.
ADJOURN MEETING
Meeting adjourned at the call of the Supervisor at 7:20 p.m.
Minutes taken and executed by the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah K. Munson
Town Clerk