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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-03-18 UNSUO TM AAMING G;bMU Special Meeting Town Mall March 18, 1968 PRESENT: Mrs., Viola Miller; Chairman; Mrs, .Anna Willman; Messrs, Clarence Co BensQn, Alen Cimaj Peter H. Craig, Herbert Deigl, ,Kenneth E. Dixon, Frederick W, Edmondson, David G. Flinn, George C. Gyrisco, Ce, D. Kearl, Theodore W, Keeney, Thomas J. McCarthy, Lee C. Naegley, James Co Preston, Roger F. Sandsted, James Co Showacre, Seymour Smidt, Albert Smith, Frederick P. Steinhardt, William J. Stephans, Wallace E. Washbon, ,lames M, Wood, Forrest Be Wright Also: Guest speaker: Mrs Kenneth Gardner, Cooperative Extension Specialist, tResource Development Guest: -;o «vnest J. Cole, Tompkins County Cooperative Extension Agent The Chairman called, the meeting to order at 8:20 p.rn: Copies of the agenda were distributed. The Chairman explained some of the work of the Planning Board during the past year and its relation to the Planning Council, Mr. Showacre then explained the "701" program and showed how it can be fol- lowed in evolving a faster Plan and official Map for Lansing with the help of volun- teer workers. (See enclosure.) Mr. Showacre's presentation wan followed by a talk by Professor Seymour Smidt, who distributed copies of "Procedures for Obtaining Special Tabulations of Town of Lansing Planning Census." He explained the work which he has been doing in analyzing the information from the cards 'based upon the Town survey made in November. He explained the questionnaire which was used, saying that the computer can take out whatever information is of interest to the committees doing basic studies. The records are not identified by names, as the interest is only in tabulation of informa- tion. Any one of the pieces of information can be tabulated. He explained how various categories of information can be requested. If an exact description is not found in the written list of descriptions, the request can be written out by the person making the request. This will enable Professor ftidt to organize the work and get the computer to produce what is desired, Xwwo weeks will be needed at first, after which the information can be produced more4uickly. The Chairman then asked for progress reports. Ifto Benson named the members of his committee and asked for additional Volunteers* His a6mmittee will work on a physical description of the Town, the lands and soil, water drainage, a wildlife survey, and a study of the climate. At the conclusion of Mr. Season's report, the Chaiman emphasized the necessity of getting committee work done as quickly as posst-b le,, before summer comes, as vacations and other summa , aet vities often put a st.oip to committee work. Mr. Kenneth Gardner then addressed the meeting. He first commended the group for continuing the efforts which had been started a year ago« The Extension Minutes, LANSING TWN PLANNING COUNCIL, Special Meeting, Tura lIall, March 18, 1968 - page 2 Service works with gjroupa such as this, in an educational way; this is its role. It solidifies communications between all of the groups concerned. Do other town in his five-county area 'has done basic data work comparable to the work already done in the Town of Lansing. He 'desitr ibed his work with the Town of Candor Planning Board; which started a year ago, At that time the planners thought they knew their town well; they have found during this intervening period that they did not know the town well, but that the work connected with the planning has been very interesting and enlightening, and that they are constantly learning something new. The informa- tion they obtain is shared with others in the Town. A great deal of knowledge is necessary in order to cope with the problems of change in the community. The soils map permits a good many interpretations. Fourteen categories of information have been, developer) for Tompkins County by the: Soil Conservation Service. The studies are basic, and with this correct information a great deal can be learned, and guid- ance gained. He does not know at this point what the priorities are for this Board, but when he knows what each committee needs he can supply the names of resource people who can furnish the informations needed for the development of maps and studies for Lansing. Mr. ardner then showed an impressive series of 'transparencies (maps) de- veloped by the Planning Board of the Town of Candor. These maps were done by Plan- ning Board members themselves. Although it entailed a. great deal of work,, it has been worthwhile to them in communicating with people in the ToVn, Tioga County is associated with 'grooms County in regional planning. This regional planning board has been contacted from time to time to make sure that they are on the right track and are, doing their work accurately. The regional planning board was Candor Planning Board's authority for putting this information together for a master plan, Mr. Gardner is sure that by the time Lansing gets as far as Candor has, there will be some county assistance. The Chairman said that with the advent of a county planning board it be- comes more important now than perhaps before, to have the Town doing its own plan- ning, in order to be ready to work with the county. Mr. Gardner continued by saying it ishighly important that the Board be able to communicate what they wish to the professional planner. There must be in- telligent interpretation of the maps in order to know what is needed and what to request of the professional. He stated further that when the Candor group started, they found the work could not be done quickly, but they also found it to be very interesting. They had a vague idea that some regulations were needed in the Town and there was uncertainty as to whether approval in the Town would be unanimous. They now know the reason be- hind the proposed regulations and can defend theca in front of the Town Board and the citizens. If a committee starts out working and needs an idea of sources and an appropriate method of procedure, Mr. Gardnerts organization is definitely interested in it because Extension itself is learning a great deal from this type of activity. The matter of public affairs and natural resources is new to them, and they are learning how to fill the void that exists in rural towns, The Chairman stated that most of the committee volunteers are ready to go ahead and do the work. They may need guidance in the beginning of their work. Mr. Edmondson said he had not realized that the Council could get this far, and that this enthusiasts will, get the work done. 4 � ,f Minutes, LANSING TOWN PLA101ING COUNCIL, Special Meeting, Town Hall, March 18, 1968 - page 3 Mr. Showacre spoke of the cooperation from the citizens of the Town in connection with the survey. Only two or three in the Town had refused to answer the questionnaire. The Chairman thanked everyone for having attended the meeting and for their cooperation not only in the proposed work but also in work already done. She empha- sized that suggestions and questions should be communicated to the members of the Planning Board. Mr. Showacre spoke of the necessity for a time table, and for doing the work as quickly as possible. The Chairman concluded the meeting by saying that the Council will meet again on April first, at which time progress reports (not final reports) will be reviewed, as this is a progressive program and each group will profit from informa- tion available from other groups. Mr. Showacre stated that whenever a group has a first draft of a report ready, all can study it as a committee of the whole and make suggestions for the benefit of all groups making reports. All reports can be sub- mitted at minimum level. By the end of the school year the first drafts should be ready, If the basic studies should be collected between now and then, the fall can be used in putting the studies together for a master plan. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.