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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-24 • TOWN OF LANSING Planning Board Monday, June 24, 1996; 7 : 30pm PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS ( * Denotes present) * Larry Sharpsteen, Chair * Jackie Baker * Viola Miller * Brad Griffin * Lin Davidson * Al White * Robert Todd * Larry Tvaroha, Town Councilman * George Totman, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Cheryl Nickel PUBLIC PRESENT David Herrick, Town Engineer, T. G. Miller,pc John Anderson, Tompkins County Health Dept. Larry Sharpsteen opened the meeting at 7 :30pm ZONING ORDINANCE REVIEW Larry Sharpsteen felt that in Schedule I of the Zoning Ordinance, there should not be any restriction on the location of Churches . He would like it to be a P (Permitted as of Right) and suggest that a lawyer look into it. Viola Miller felt parking was a problem in residential areas. George commented that they obviously would originally have to have the room for parking or they couldn 't locate there to begin with. Viola has known across NYS where it has caused a great deal of trouble, small Churches were built only to find out more room was needed. Larry stated he realizes there are draw backs, but has a question as to whether they can legally do it or not. He asked that everyone review it at their leisure. Continued Ordinance Review - At the request of the Planning Board, John Anderson from the Health Department and Dave Herrick, Town Engineer, attended tonight' s meeting to answer any questions of the Planning Board. One of the Board's concerns was the strain put on sensitive terrain particularly along lake frontages where we have steep slopes and bluffs with developments. One idea was to adjust minimum lot sizes in those areas that have potential stress on the sub straight caused by putting sewage treatment beds, adding water and putting additional water in concentrated areas. Questions came from Developers, one being Cheryl Nickel, should the Planning Board consider siting septic systems back further from the cliff edge or looking to ask for larger lot sizes from those critical areas than our largest minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet. . Al White added that one element that was addressed was the requirement to remove all the trees in the area where the septic systems are, which also lets the sub straight move more readily, particularly on the slopes. John Anderson stated just as you can't leave the trees where the houses are going to be or where the parking areas are going to be, it's tough to leave the trees with the sewage system. Al White added apparently on some the steeper slopes the trees have been taken off right along the edge of ® the slopes themselves to make space for raised beds and septic. Larry asked if that would be a restriction placed on the builder or by the Health Department? John Anderson answered that trees would have to be taken within the area of the sewage system. Larry explained to Mr. Anderson that the Planning Board was Town of Lansing Planning Board Monday, June 24, 1996; 7: 30pm Page 2 revising the Zoning Ordinance by request from the Town Board . They are very close to being done and needed information such as this to fine tune some of the final points. Viola Miller asked if this discussion could hinge around whether or not larger lots are needed around those fringe area along the gorges and along the lake front. Robert Todd felt 40,000 square foot was enough but wondered what requirements beyond that does the Health Department have? Viola Miller reminded everyone that the reason for asking Mr. Anderson was that there have been some differences on what size the lots should be and they needed some expertise in this field and something from our Engineers to tell us if larger lots should be considered and if this is valid, something we should think about as a Board. Larry Sharpsteen stated that John Anderson and Dave Herrick were asked here as consultants and professional engineer in their areas of expertise and not write an ordinance for us. Our ordinance allows us to reduce lot sizes with water regardless if public sewer is available. Should we be continuing to reduce lot sizes when public water or sewer is available or do the regulations of the County Health Department afford enough protection that we don ' t have to worry about it? John Anderson appreciated their dilemma, they are experiencing the same dilemma in their office, many people feel lot sizes are not an appropriate way to measure things, that separation distances are much more suitable, in some cases they are correct. He didn ' t feel that the lake front in Lansing to be particularly susceptible to slides . Robert Todd asked if that meant just because one is next to the lake doesn ' t mean the soil or topography is such that one can ' t have smaller lot sizes? John Anderson felt drainage problems along the lake were not due to the lot sizes or the sewage systems in that area, but from storm water and run off Larry Sharpsteen agreed that many of these fields and lots are being replaced by roofs and pavement only to generate more run off. Dave Herrick was asked from an Engineers point of view, have these developments caused more of a problem with rain fall and run off? Dave indicated that yes, they ' ve seen problems in the steeper areas . Pete Larson has had a lot of clean up • associated with channel capacity in the steeper sloped areas . Dave suggested that State required storm water management practice during the construction of a project will reduce some of those problems . George questioned the fact, if the State requires storm management, how do most Planning Boards know this is in effect and how long has this been a requirement? Dave explained this mandate has been in effect since a year ago May, usually these regulations are discussed at Association of Town meetings, the developers themselves should be aware along with the Town Engineer. Larry Sharpsteen stated the Board extended the low density RI Residential Zone 3 , 000 feet up from the lake to Milliken Station for the purpose of labeling that area with the minimum lot size of 40, 000 square feet in an attempt to take some of the strain off of the terrain . Maybe 3 ,000 feet back and further from the lake should be the point where we think about reducing the percentage of lot size covered by pavement or roof to reduce run off down hill . Al White reminded in earlier discussions back at the 3 ,000 feet area was more heavily forested with tree growth and brush, with the larger lot size, the less that is disturbed . Dave felt by the time the run off gets to within the 3 ,000 foot area of the lake it was already 99 percent influenced by everything that happened 30 ,000 feet away . Robert Todd suggested with that statement the Board needed to discuss this more, they were making the assumption the problem was great right at the lake, where that might not be the case . Several board members agreed . Viola suggested that some of the larger developments and subdivisions could control water run off such as Morse Chain has done in creating ponds for their drainage . SEWER COMMITTEE Larry Sharpsteen distributed maps of the proposed sewer district. Larry reported that the Sewer Committee has been very active, meeting every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 8 : 00am . T. G . Miller, pc and a representative 1111 Town of ansing Planning Board Monday, June 24, 1996; 7: 30pm Page 3 from the Health Department have been attending every meeting. The Committee has grown in scope and are on schedule with actual construction beginning in 1998. The Committee Chair along with the Town Supervisor have met with various interest such as Cargill, which is interested in participating at least by donating land for the sewage treatment plant. The Committee is well on its way with this project and goal of a sewage plan that could be paid for in the benefit area without assigning a tax levy to the town as a whole and also bring in the private sector as partners on the up front expense as well as from the commitment to pay for capacity as used. Lin Davidson wanted to know when the project would be ready for its first use? Larry stated the schedule calls for it to be in process in 1998 . The initial benefit area in the blue could conceivably be built in one year with the secondary district in yellow to follow after that. The school has also been approached and are trying to bring them in on it, they are not interested at this time, but are cooperative. Jackie Baker asked if this was the girls' school(The Residential Center) that was interested? Larry clarified it was the Lansing School District he was referring to, the Residential Center' s Director is on the Committee and they think it' s a terrific idea and very advantageous for their partnership. Brad Griffin asked what administrative steps would have to take place before this map begins to become a reality. Dave Herrick explained that the first step was to determine the best area for the sewage treatment plant. The Engineers at this point need to develop flow data and service areas. Costs need to be developed and figure out the funding sources, what costs might have to be born by Lansing residents and businesses and take that data back to the public. If there is a favorable reaction from the information gathered, the ® Sewer Committee would then recommend to the Town Board, Phase I Sewer District be created. George stated the Town has been setting aside money for this . Dave explained Chris Nill from the Northeast Rural Community Assistance Program has been attending the Committee meetings, is Federally funded, and provides his services free of charge to the Town. He is the driving force behind the income survey which was mailed out to residents in the proposed area. Brad Griffin wondered after the benefit area has been established, what was the procedure for involving the people, do they vote on it or take a poll? Dave state a letter would probably be sent out and Public Hearings would be held. Viola Miller asked if everyone in the district would pay an assessment charge and the hook up fee as they wanted to or both? The Committee has talked about it and it has been presented to the public as a user fee supported project. George reminded the Board that those hooking up to sewer in the Cherry Road Sewer District in Cayuga Heights are paying a $4,000 buy in fee. He felt they needed to take into consideration that is where their down payment is coming from . There is $ 104,000 that has been collected, if these new users can hook up without paying the $4,000 there might be an uproar from the Cherry Road District residents. Larry stated that was an entirely different municipality, that was then, this is now. It is the intent of the Sewer Committee as of now, until a household hooks up, they don't get charged just because it runs by their house. Larry also commented that the existence of this Sewer Committee is to a great extent, the outgrowth of the work from this Board. It stems from the earlier comments from working on the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The Town Board has been very supportive once they realized it was a workable plan and threw their weight behind it. Lin Davidson made a motion to adjourn this meeting; Brad Griffin seconded. VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR; MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Submitted by Sue Davenport The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 8, 1996, at 7:30pm.