HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-06-22 TOWN OF LANSING
• Planning Board Meeting
Monday, June 22, 1992; 7:30 p.m.
PLANNING BOARD
*Denotes Present
* Roger Hagin * Cheryl Nickel
* Grace Haney Larry Sharpsteen
Linda Hirvonen * Robert Todd
* Viola Miller Mullane Al White
* George Totman, Planning, Zoning, and Code Administration
Larry Tvaroha, Town Councilman
Chairperson Linda Hirvonen opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m .
Cheryl Nickel briefly described her presentation on a "Town Center at the Lansing Day celebration. Linda
Hirvonen stated that there was a good turnout with a lot of questions and comments. The majority of feedback
was positive, although some people don 't want anyone telling them what to do with their land. Grace Haney feels
that we are all just caretakers of the land, and need to plan for the future when we are gone. Robert Todd felt that
people need to have some type of monetary compensation for being told what they can or can't do with their land.
Viola Mullane commented that for many years people have had to live with being told what to do. Robert Todd felt
that if people agree to zoning, that is okay but people to the north may not agree. Robert Todd wants the people
• to be able to do what they want.
If 7P,
Roger Hagin congratulated Cheryl Nickel on her presentation and her time invested.
Linda Hirvonen said if and 3hen the zoning is changed, it must be changed to whole-town zoning. George
Totman commented t a `board members in the past didn't want zoning, and that they were scared because of
elections, but now they see the need. George Totman said zoning is to protect the farmers, not to hurt them .
Grace Haney asked whether North Lansing was involved in the original zoning decisions. Viola answered Yes, but
it was only loose agriculture zoning in North Lansing with setbacks and requirements that any commercial
development would come before the Board. George said that most of these guidelines would come before the
• State Building Codes. Linda state that )f we go back to the State to make changes or additions to the current
zoning ordinances, then it must�tie w io e Town zoning. But if changes are made within the current zoned areas,
then it would not be required to change to whole-town zoning.
Roger Hagin commented about the Master Plan which is being developed with Tom Neiderkom. He stated that he
doesn't see how the lot sizes in South Lansing of two to three acres could be affordable, especially if water and
sewer will be coming. He would like to see a minimum soil depth required for the smaller lots. Linda wants
commitment from the Board as to moving forward with whole-town zoning. Roger said No; Robert said No, he
wants to know what the majority of the population feels. Unda commented that she wants to have three
neighborhood meetings in North Lansing to get a feel for their opinions. George Totman thinks the neighborhood
meetings need to be held before the Board decides on zoning, since the survey process has been started. Roger
wants to see the surveys and what they say. What did the students accomplish? Linda stated that she will have
copies made for everyone of the report from Robin and Mario. George would like to have a neutral body
•
categorize the surveys from the different sections of town. It was agreed that everyone would like to see the
results before making decisions on zoning. Grace agreed to work on the tabulation. Cheryl stated that Joe Lusk
is trying to plan the future of the schools and is interested in knowing what the Planning Board's future 0. A 2 c Y
Robert wanted to know what type of recording was done at the focus group meetings. Linda stated that the
students took notes as well as the Community Dispute Resolution Center, and that the results are in the report.
George Totman suggested introducing the results of the surveys at neighborhood meetings in the future to get the
people talking . Linda wants to have the meetings by August. Viola stated that the newsletter from the Lansing
Older Adults Program reaches a lot of people and suggested putting information in it. George Totman suggested
that the Lansing Lions Picnic, which is being held July 4 in Myers Park, always gets a good turnout. No one was
available to present for this picnic.
Robert wanted to know how the people are picked to be invited to the neighborhood meetings. Linda stated that
she would like to see outsiders host the meetings letting them invite the people. She stated that several people
who attended the Lansing Day celebration volunteered to host meetings. Robert commented that the Lansingville
Fire Department hosts dish-to-pass dinners where a lot of people come to. Linda added that it takes people giving
up their time.
Robed commented on George Franz's Right-to-Farm Legislation and the section on density to preserve open
space. He stated that farmers are being asked to put up a house only every 5 - 10 acres instead of 1 - 2 acres.
Cheryl suggested pulling out the good ideas and gather what we want to include in the master plan . Robert also
commented on farm zoning . He would like a section included that states that anyone that moves in next to a
farmer or a farmer's land should know that the farmer will spread manure, and that the farmers will be able to sell
Their land if they want to.
Roger wants to move ahead with zoning in the industrial areas by the airport. He even suggested making a •
moratorium on development in that area until the zoning has been changed. Cheryl stated that the Planning Board
wouldn't be able to prevent building on approved subdivisions. Grace questioned that if the area was zoned for no
more residential , could the current residents be involved in making decisions on lighting , etc. for the industrial
developments. She went on to question that if the developments (e.g . UPS) don't follow suggestions, who
enforces it? Linda stated that if certain suggestions were required, George would be the person to enforce them .
Grace stated that she doesn't want to see a whole UPS area, unless the suggestions would be enforced.
Robert Todd questioned that if whole-town zoning were done, how many people are being effected and how is the
process started? George responded that the Planning Board would give the suggested boundaries and the type of
zoning in each area and would recommend an amendment to the zoning ordinances to the Board. Roger
suggested asking Tom Neiderkorn to prepare a drawing. George commented that the area by Grace is very
strong for zoning, but the area by Robert 12-against. Linda added that we have to have support from the North to
have zoning. Viola agreed. 44 t ►t 6�-15
There being no further business, this meeting was adjourned at 9 :30 p.m .
Respectfully submitted,
7?vLa ok' . &4
Michell
R. Eastman
Next Planning Board Meeting; Monday, July 13, 1992; 7:30 p.m. •
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