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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-11-24 ti Minutes LANSING PLANNING BOARD November 24 , 1969 : Town Hall Special Meeting PRESENT : Mr . James Showacre , Chairman ; Mrs . Viola Miller , Messrs . Peter H . Craig , H . B . Ruzicka Also Present : Mr . Francis M . Bennett , Principal Planner , Central New York Dis - trict ; Mr . Tom Niederkorn , Town Planning Consultant ; Mrs . Lynn Lichtenstein , Mr . Niederkorn ' s Associate ; Floyd Ferris , Town Board member ( from 8 : 50 p . m . ) ABSENT : Messrs . Paul Barron , Frederick Edmondson , James Wood The meeting was called to order at 8 : 10 p ,m . by Chairman Show- acre and was turned over to Mr . Niederkorn , who then called upon Mr . Bennett to present the status of the Lansing housing element progress . Bennett The housing element was sent to Albany , but no word has been HOUSING received from that office . HUD is still apparently trying to ELEMENT decide what the initial housing element should encompass . He himself felt that it was a good housing element . So far as he knows , there is no other community in New York State where the Planning Board has actually done the inventory and then given it to the Planning Consultant . If this method works for Lansing it could be made to work in other communi- ties . This gives the initial planner a great deal of advance information . Mr . Bennett ' s own function is to make sure that Lansing gets a good plan and that it is carried out properly and is coordinated with other programs that are going on in the State and at other levels . He realizes from his own newspaper reading that there has been some political activity in con- nection with the Planning Board . The State desires that as many members as possible of the Town Board would attend the meetings of the Planning Board - - at least one such member should be present at these special meet - ings . By their own participation these Town Board members will feel that they are participating in the work of the Planning Board . It is also important that these special meet - ings of the Planning Board be publicized , so that perhaps some interested citizens in the Town will attend . Very shortly there will be a HUD grant of money for advertising such meetings , so that the Town will know what is going on . This will give wider public acceptance . There should be two or three public meetings , with an effort \_ = being made to get people out for the meetings . He himself will then introducing zoning . As manypeople o p p as possible should be Minutes , LANSING PLANNING BOARD , November 24 , 1969 , Town Hall , Special Meeting , page 3 • involved , so that they feel they have had a part in the making of the plan . Craig Discussed the political implications of zoning in Lansing , as having an inflammatory context . Ferris Entered the meeting at 8 : 50p . m . Bennett Knows the history of this matter in Lansing , but feels that educa- tion will ameliorate the condition . Craig Pointed out that any mention of zoning in the Town will bring about emotional displays . Miller This will make it more difficult now to discuss the matter in public meetings . Showacre The members of the new Town Board are almost unanimously in favor of town planning . Bennett Board members do find that sometimes zoning is the only way some things can be enforced . Nothing can be accomplished the first year . In the second year , perhaps 10 percent or perhaps 20 percent , and so on . • Niederkorn Emphasized the importance of getting out the word , during the en- tire process . A good plan presented to the Town Board may lead to acceptance of local ordinances or an attempt along various other lines . Miller Suggested that the term " implementation of the plan" be used to get people to go to the meetings . Bennett Indicated to Mr . Ferris how important it is to have as many of the Town Board members as possible attending the meetings , and that OPC ' s and HUD ' s policy is to get as wide participation as possible from the governing body . Ferris Feels that local ordinances would be the solution and a good ap- proach ; the people in the north end of Town need only a good plan , but in the south end there is more need of regulations . Niederkorn The whole problem is to reach an understanding of the entire plan , on the part of the townspeople . New areas are being con- sidered to bring the public out to the meetings . Slides , graphics , movies , etc . , are being considered to stimulate the interest of the public . Miller Mentioned the importance of avoiding the use of the word " zoning . " • Showacre Emphasized the emotional status of the question of zoning brought about by miseducation of the public by the opposition . Minutes , LANSING PLANNING BOARD , November 24 , 1969 , Town Hall , Special Meeting , page 4 Niederkorn Proposed a public meeting in January of 1970 to present a picture • of the whole idea . Craig Feels that every effort should be made to disseminate informa- tion whenever possible . Small neighborhood meetings scattered all over Town could accomplish this more effectively , in trying to put the message across . Showacre Both approaches might be combined by having a general meeting at the outset , with movies , slides , and very little discussion ; and announce that if there are questions they can be carried to neighborhood sessions where there would be no particular district interests . Bennett No public meeting should be held until there is really something to show the people . Some elements of the comprehensive plan must be ready for presentation at the January meeting . Those who attend neighborhood meetings have to know the subject very well in order to discuss it with their neighbors . Ruzicka Any moves now are premature if this Board tries to present zoning or planning , because the political outcome of the last election makes the opponents feel it was a mandate against zoning and planning . Attendance by members of the Town Board at meetings of the Planning Board would help the members of the Planning Board . Advised waiting until we know khat the new Town Board will actually • do with respect to enforcement of laws already on the books . We should go ahead with the planning , but have no public meetings , as no one will come to them. A preponderance of members from one or the other end of the Town will not help . He himself is on a com- mittee of the Town and could present definite ideas to the Town Board in order to enlighten them on specific projects . Bennett Regarding Section IV of the time table , we should not be carried away with the word " zoning . " It is only one of several ways of carrying out a comprehensive plan . There are two other items to work with - - Capital Improvements and Subdivision Regulations . Ruzicka Asked what implementation actually means , and how it can be approached . Bennett Presented an explanation of capital improvement programs and sub- division regulations . Initially these could be sold to the Town before zoning is presented . Miller There was no feeling against subdivision regulations . Even the Town Board accepted them until it came to the point of enforcement penalties . Niederkorn Agreed with this opinion . • Craig If three different Town plans were to be roughed out , thesecould be presented to small groups , asking for their opinions . Possi- bilities could be presented , but no mention made of zoning . Minutes , LANSING PLANNING BOARD , November 24 , 1969 , Town Hall , Special Meeting , page 5 • Ruzicka Agreed with this suggestion . Miller Feels that this plan would succeed because then the members of the groups would feel that these things would be their own ideas . Ferris Asked how soon there might be a tentative master plan . Niederkorn Feels that one might be ready very early in 1970 , perhaps in early February . Ferris Feels that many people are waiting to see what the master plan will be . Miller Many people have no idea of what a master plan is . Ferris Many people on the borderline have said they would like to see one . The Planning Board was formed with this idea , but that it would be at least two years before a master plan could be presented . Craig The Board in selecting " 701 " took the best route in benefiting the Town , instead of merely using its own resources . Why did it take several months for approval ? Bennett The reason for the lag is that contracts have to be drawn up and cannot be drawn up until the planners get information to go ahead • without restrictions . Then there is the paper work , then sig- natures ; then the trip through the Controller ' s Office , etc . They are now trying to simplify this and speed things up . Craig Suggested that there be a public meeting in January and that there be careful plans for what is said there . Miller Council members could be invited to come in early for the pre - sentation of the Council work . Niederkorn You could announce at the meeting that at a later date these things would be discussed for the benefit of the Town . Showacre The Town has a contractual obligation now to follow through on " 701 . " With the new Town Board having run on the platform of Town planning , they cannot drop the matter . Niederkorn It would be good to present some material to them quickly . Ferris They would be impressed that you actually have something to show them , and that you are working on something . Craig The idea that the people of Lansing not only would be being asked for opinions , but that there is a mechanism for implementing these , would be helpful in bringing about approval . • Niederkorn We could use our worksheets from some other communities , and pre- sent them on slides . The time table could be presented , with a promise to show later what has been accomplished . Minutes ,. LANSING PLANNING BOARD, November 24 , 1969 , Town Hall , Special Meeting , page 6 • It was the sense of the Board that such a meeting should be held ; and that a notice in the paper , plus telephoning all the people who have worked to date , telling them to get out others who are interested , will get more people out . Niederkorn If the Town Board at one _ olits meetings could give it their blessing , this would help . All they need to do is to say that the Planning Board is holding such a meeting , and people should attend it and see what is going on . All that is needed is a message from the Planning Board to the Supervisor saying you are holding such a meeting , and invite all of them , and hope that the towns - people will come . It was first suggested that such a meeting should be held on a regular meeting night of the Town Board . Niederkorn The Board could have an announcement from the Planning Board at its regular meeting , and then the public meeting could be held at the fourth-Monday meeting of the Planning Board . Craig A description of the meeting ahead of time will bring people out . The fourth Monday in January was scheduled for such a meeting . The planning for it will be done at the regular meeting in January , and will be discussed at the regular meeting of the Planning Board in December . • Niederkorn Anticipates making the land -use study over the Christmas vacation , and the lakeshore study when the weather is warmer . There was a discussion of procedure for forthcoming meetings . It was decided that at these meetings there would be acceptance of the minutes of previous meetings , and then the meetings would be turned over to Mr . Niederkorn . Bennett Stated that he would like detailed minutes . Ferris Asked for an explanation of what the Cayuga lakeshore study would be . Niederkorn Explained that all phases of public , or Town , or County open- space areas , plus a road survey , plus the disposition of the railroad tracks , will be studied . If there are any open areas they should be considered for public recreational areas . The pollution problem might also be studied . Showacre The Salmon Creek area should also be studied , to get a genuine idea of the park situation . The bottom land as you go up the creek could be developed into something very nice . • The meeting was adjourned at 10 : 00 p .m .