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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-04-24 TOWN OF LANSING Planning Board Monday, April 24, 1995; 7:00 p.m. 0 PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS (* Denotes present) * Jackie Baker * Cheryl Nickel * Lin Davidson * Larry Sharpsteen, Chair * Brad Griffin * Robert Todd * Viola Miller * Al White Larry Tvaroha, Town Councilman * George Totman, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer PUBLIC PRESENT Tom Neiderkorn Training Session Larry Sharpsteen read a letter announcing a training session in Houghton, New York. The training requirement for board members is at least once a year. The training could be conducted in the county or region. Cornell/Ithaca's Campus Cooling System Study in Progress • , Larry Sharpsteen discussed the April 1995 newsletter regarding the cooling system. He - stated that the water that would be returned back to the lake would lead to a buildup of algae and plant matter in the lake. Al White questioned if there had been any studies conducted that determine the thermal climate of the lake. It was thought that John Homa would know more about this issue. Sharpsteen stated that the proposed plan is to draw water from 200 feet deep at 40 degrees, run it through the heat exchanger, and discharge it at 55 degrees at the surface. An environmental impact statement has not been conducted yet. It is estimated that the total cost of this project will be $45 - 50 million. Village of Lansing Newsletter Viola Miller shared a copy of the Village of Lansing newsletter with the Town Planning Board. Sewage Ad Hoc Committee The Sewage Ad Hoc Committee (Kevin Kaufman, Jeff Clark, and Larry Sharpsteen) will be meeting with Jeannine Kirby, Larry Tvaroha, and Dave Herrick on Wednesday, April 26, to share information. The negotiations for sewage treatment are at the point where discharge will be allowed into . Cayuga Lake but not into Salmon Creek or any of the other creeks. Land Use Ordinances 0Tom Neiderkorn distributed a new version of Schedule I. He described the two new districts ' that were created: rural highway, which is along both sides of Route 34 and 3413; and commercial general business. There are a total of nine districts in the town. Tonight's Town of Lansing Planning Board Page 2 Monday, April 24, 1995 discussion will focus on the business /town center district and the general commercial 4111 district. Larry Sharpsteen felt that a special permit meant that the request would go before the Town Board. Tom Neiderkorn indicated that the Town Board would only become involved in an appeal's process. Tom didn't feel that the Zoning Board of Appeals should have any appeal review authority of any the Planning . Board's issues. The Zoning Board of Appeals gives variances . George added that when the Planning Board makes a decision, the only appeal process is an Article 78. George didn't think that the Town Board could overrule the Planning Board. Viola stated that the Planning Board authorizes special permits . Tom stated that a special permit almost always requires a public hearing. Special conditions can be handled administratively. The conditions will be in writing. These conditions will not need to go before the Planning Board; they are handled by the Code Enforcement Officer. Larry Sharpsteen wanted to clarify the difference between special conditions and special permits. A special permit that was set by the Planning Board would require a public hearing. With special conditions, the conditions are set forth and a public hearing is not required. If one of those conditions is site plan review, than it is site plan review but no public hearing is required. Viola commented that some of the conditions can be written so that if the town permits the use, there can be a special permit without a public hearing if it is up to the discretion of the Planning Board. Larry Sharpsteen suggested permitting mobile homes in the general business district. Viola commented that these districts will be expensive areas to put mobile homes in. Larry agreed with not allowing mobile homes in the town center district. Cheryl felt that if mobile homes were allowed in the general business district that restrictions could be established for landscaping. Larry responded that those restrictions should then apply to other family dwellings within that district. Lin Davidson stated that with the eventual opportunity for public water and sewer, there will be more possibilities for the mobile homes to be set up on smaller lots. Viola commented that a mobile home is permitted but under the same restrictions as a dwelling that goes in. She also added that it has always been the intention of the Planning Board to require that the mobile homes only be placed on land that was owned, not rented. Larry felt that the cost of the land in some of these districts would preclude people from putting mobile homes on them anyway. Larry agreed to setting special conditions on mobile homes in the general business district. The conditions will. be, for example: skirting; and something more substantial than a tube, steel, and plank stairway system. George Totman stated that mobile homes are governed under State Building Codes as to whether or not they have proper stairs, etc. Tom suggested allowing mobile homes as permitted in the general business district. Larry added that mobile home parks would not be permitted though. Larry stated that he has a problem with allowing all uses in the town center district but with special conditions. He has received comments from several people who oppose the possibility that everything will be allowed, instead of clearly indicating what will and will not be permitted. George stated that under special conditions, it should be stated in the preface to the zoning ordinance, that once those special conditions have been met, the use will be allowed. Larry stated that if the use is permitted then there aren't any conditions that have to be met. George stated that if it is permitted, the rules in the ordinance still have to be followed. Tom stated that if the use is permitted, there aren' t any conditions that have to be followed expect for yard size, etc. Town of Lansing Planning Board Page 3 Monday; April 24, 1995 ® George Totman was concerned about the new ordinance become too cumbersome and confusing. Viola agreed with George. She felt it would be most useful if the uses were allowed with special conditions and that those conditions are clearly defined. This will make the ordinance much clearer and easier to understand and use. Hunting preserve - It was agreed to not allow a hunting preserve in the town center district, but allow a hunting preserve in the general business district with conditions. Viola and Jackie disagreed with making this a permitted use. Larry wanted to clarify that hunting would still be allowed, just that a hunting preserve would not be permitted. He would prefer to have special conditions in the general business areas. Viola felt that a rod and gun club should be allowed under special permit. Larry then stated that a rod and gun club should not be permitted in the general business district, but a commercial use, such as an indoor firing range, could be allowed under special conditions. Lin felt that one of the special conditions could be that it be soundproof. Tom clarified that from these discussions, both hunting preserve and rod and gun club will not be permitted in the town center or general business districts. Home Occupations - Tom indicated that by definition, a home occupation should be permitted with special conditions. If it doesn't meet those conditions, it isn' t a home occupation. Larry disagreed in terms of home occupations in the rural agricultural district. He thought it was agreed that special conditions would be avoided in that district. Tom then questioned what the difference would be between a business and a home occupation in the rural agricultural district without special conditions. Larry responded that there would be It very little difference. Lin felt it makes a difference in the rural highway district in terms of setbacks, parking, visual, and traffic safety. In the business district, it was agreed that a home occupation could have a business in one part and an apartment in the other part where the owner could live or rent the space out. Viola expressed concern about allowing a lumber yard in the town center. Larry suggested permitting lumber yards with a special condition on square footage of the business. Viola was also concerned that many of the uses in the town center district were marked as special conditions. She felt that some of those uses should be under special permits and appear before the Planning Board for review. Larry stated that once all the districts have been preliminarily classified, then the Planning Board will begin to take a second look at those classifications in more detail. Brad Griffin made a motion to adjourn; Viola Miller seconded. VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR; MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY This meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p. m. Submitted by Michelle Eastman The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 1995, at 7:30 p. m.