HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-27 TOWN OF LANSING
Planning Board
Monday, June 27 , 1994; 7 : 30 p . m.
® PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS
(• Denotes present)
• Jackie Baker Cheryl Nickel
• Lin Davidson • Larry Sharpsteen , Chairperson
• Brad Griffin • Robert Todd
• Viola Miller Al White
Larry Tvaroha, Town Councilman
• George Totman, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer
Larry Sharspteen opened the meeting at 7 : 35 p . m.
Review of Minutes of June 13, 1994, Meeting
Brad Griffin made a motion to accept the minutes as presented; Robert Todd seconded.
VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR ; MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
GENERAL BUSINESS
® Resolution - Viola Miller made a motion toPP
ass a resolution in appreciation of over 20 years
P
of service to the Town of Lansing Planning Board by Linda Hirvonen as a member,
chairperson , and as recording secretary. Brad Griffin seconded. VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR ;
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
This resolution will betyped and presented Linda, with a copy also being sent to the Town
B oard. Lin suggested that it be signed by all the board members, and framed. Robert Todd
made a motion to authorize an expenditure up to $40 to carry out this resolution; Jackie
B aker seconded. VOTE: ALL+ IN FAVOR ; MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
•
Review of Proposed Budget for 1994/95 - Larry Sharpsteen distributed a draft of the proposal
Planning Board budget prepared upon the request of the Town Board. He emphasized that
this evening ' s discussion is to review, comment, and finalize this budget for submission to the
Town Board. The proposal includes the budget, a breakdown of how much additional money
is being requested this year, and how much money the project will require in fiscal year 1995 ,
a statement of the schedule, and a brief listing of the items that are specifically excluded from
the proposal.
Jackie Baker questioned the item B . 6 . September committee meeting. Larry Sharpsteen stated
that this follow-up meeting was promised to all the committees to bring them up to date on
the progress of the project. Viola questioned whether the cost of printing and distributing the
final version of the updated comprehensive plan was included. Larry stated that only
preparing one copy of the final version was included. Any further copies or distribution
would come out of the Town Board ' s budget.
Town of Lansing Planning Board Page 2
Monday, June 27, 1994
The board members began reviewing the wording of the proposal. Robert felt that there
should some further clarification within the opening paragraph that this budget is broken
down over two fiscal years.
Larry added the preparation of the SEQR to the exclusions on page two .
Viola made the suggestion that once the Planning Board begins to finalize each of the pieces
to the comprehensive plan, that it pass them on to the Town Board right away. Everyone
agreed that this might be more productive since it will give the Town Board members an
opportunity to provide more immediate feedback or changes to the Planning Board while the
work is still in progress, rather than waiting until the Planning Board has completed their
efforts on this project and then, receiving feedback from the Town Board.
Viola Miller made a motion that as the Planning Board approves each of the pieces involved
in updating the comprehensive plan, they be presented to the Town Board for review and
comments; Lin Davidson seconded. VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR ; MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY
At the last meeting (6/13/94) , the Planning Board approved the " Assumptions " of the
comprehensive plan, and tonight have asked George Totman to distribute a copy of the
assumptions to each Town Board member for review at their next meeting.
Larry then began reviewing each item under B . Item B . 6. Custodial costs for four public
meetings - Larry explained that from previous conversations with the Planning Board, it was •
felt that there is a need to have one open public meeting before the public hearings are .
conducted. Viola commented that the open meetings are not official meetings , and that
during public hearings the board members are not supposed to respond to questions from the
public. Larry proposed that one public hearing be for the comprehensive plan and the other
two for zoning. Viola questioned whether the Town Board would also have to have a public
he . .m ng. George Totman added that once a public hearing is held on a topic/issue, the.
information cannot change for the next public hearing. He stated that typically there is only
one public hearing held for each topic. Brad added that a public hearing would have to be
duly advertised, attended, recorded, and the results would be binding legally adopted out of
that meeting. Robert added his concern that a public comment meeting doesn ' t have any
weight against a public hearing. Larry pointed out that the services of the Community
Dispute Resolution Center will be used during all four of the public meetings. Robert
suggested checking with the town attorney to find out the legal ramifications of the public
hearings and the interaction allowed between the board members and public.
Larry reviewed page two of the proposed budget, without much comment from the board
members.
Lin reemphasized the Planning Board' s desire to work closely with the Town Board on this
project. Lin Davidson made aimotion to submit this proposed budget to the Town Board for
their review; Robert Todd seconded. VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR ; MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY
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Town of Lansing Planning Board P Page 3
Monday, June 27, 1994
Drive Around Town - Brad Griffin thanked Viola for her suggestion that the board members
get together and have a tour of the town . He was surprised by the liability that the town
incurs by taking roads and drainage systems that are substandard in terms of the maintenance.
Viola commented that she was embarrassed that she was a part in approving the Lake Watch
subdivision with its many cul-de- sacs. She feels that the cul-de- sacs are nothing more than
driveways, and the town shouldn ' t be plowing or maintaining them. Larry stated that it was
extremely valuable to have the first-hand comments from Pete during the tour.
Brad commented on two points. that were discussed : George had mentioned that there was
$30 million added in assessed value due to new construction last year; and Pete mentioned
that out of the town tax 90 cents - $ 1 goes to highway tax . Brad stated that the highway tax
figure ($27 ,000 - $ 30,000) doesn ' t go very far when it comes to custom plowing the cul-de-
sacs versus the straight fairway . George clarified that the $30 million figure doesn ' t all
come from new construction; it' also includes reevaluations.
Robert also felt that the trip was tremendously useful and felt that it should be done every
year. He felt it would give the board members a better perspective of what the types of
subdivisions they have been and are approving. George stated that Pete offered to conduct
another drive around in the fall and then in the spring.
Robert pointed out that he wasn ' t aware that the town had a responsibility to maintain some
drainage ditches. Viola felt that the Planning Board shouldn ' t be approving subdivisions that
are creating a tremendous drainage problem. George added that it is the responsibility of the
town engineer to review the subdivisions for any potential drainage problems and discuss
them with the highway superintendent for alternatives. Larry stated that he was surprised to
find out that the town is maintaining a 3/4 mile drainage ditch on Mahool ' s property. He
commented that this information was not brought to the Planning Board during this particular
subdivision. Larry suggested that the Planning Board should explore the legality of approving
a subdivision , and putting in the requirement that the town will not maintain the drainage for
the subdivision other than the road ditches.
Larry Sharpsteen stated that from now in the approval of a subdivision , the Planning Board
shall state that the maintenance of the drainage other than the road drainages will not be the
responsibility of the Town of Lansing. They don ' t feel that the Town of Lansing should
subsidize the developers by maintaining their drainage ditches. If it were within their venue
of authority, they would also insist that the developers repair the damage to the town roads
that is caused by their outflow . George stated that when the town accepts a road, there is a
year' s maintenance clause that is built in for the developer.
Robert Todd made a motion to adjourn ; Jackie Baker seconded . VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR ;
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. This meeting was adjourned at 8 :45 p. m. j
Submitted by Michelle Eastman I ,
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 11 , 1994 .