HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-13 a .
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•2 Town of L
3 Monday , September 13 , 1999 ; 7 : 00 PM PLANNING BOARD
4 PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS
5 (spumes present)
6 • Brad Griffin, Chair * lacoba Baker .
7 * Lan-y Sharpsteen ` Lin Davidson
8 4 Viola Miller • David Lippert
9 • Gregg Travis
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11 * Paul Butler, Town Councilman
12 George Totman, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer
13
14 PUBLIC PRESENT
15 Christiana Howe 30 I3esemer Rd , Ithaca
16 Jo-Ann Mancini 22 Sky Acres Drive, Ithaca
17 Katrina Greenly 184 Ludlowville Rd , Lansing
IS Tom Todd 847 Davis Rd
110 Dooley Kiefer Tompkins County Board of Reps.
Janet Steiner Tompkins County Public Library
21 Matthew Shulman 204 Wilson Rd
22 Alice Farkas 134 Bower Rd
23 Kathleen Watson 84 Drake Rd, Lansing
24 GENERAL BUSINESS
25 Brad Griffin called the meeting to order at 7 : 06 PM.
26 NEW BUSINESS
27 Approval of Minutes of August 9, 1. 999- Page 1 , Line 37. . . Brad Griffin corrected . . . of the Lehigh
28 Valley . . . Page 4 , Line 1 O . . . Brad Griffin clarified . . . that if applications for review, they should move on
29 those promptly . Lin Davidson moved to accept the minutes as amended . Jackie Baker seconded. VOTE :
30 ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
31 Committee Reports
32 FMC - Larry Sharpsteen apologized that he will not have a report for the last EMC meeting as he was ,
33 working. Larry added that he will enter the minutes of that meeting for the record as soon as he gets them .
34 Trails — David Lippert stated that he and Jackie met with Fernando for about an hour discussing the whole
35 issue of trails. Fernando suggested that they go back and clarify what they wanted with regards to trails .
36 Fernando gave them a copy of the Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council Transportation Trail
37 Corridor Study to look at as a grass roots sort of thing. Jackie Baker stated that Dave wanted to know
whether they should go the transportation route or the recreation route for funding. Fernando responded that
it would depended who you asked , that he would go the transportation route. Fernando stated that just about
40 any trail would qualify, except maybe a loop in a park. Jackie said Fernando agreed that the last trail would
41 be the best one because it had so many plusses to it and did so much connecting. Fernando said he thought
42 they could overcome the problems with it. Jackie stated that Fernando pointed out all the current trails and
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2 Town of Lansing Planning Board. September 13, 1999
I said he would like to see them connect to those trails as much as possible. David clarified that when he
2 asked Fernando which route to go with funding, Fernando was pushing transportation because that is the •
3 area he is in . Fernando did tell them that if they wanted to pursue the recreational funding, he gave them the
4 name of someone who works out of Taughannock Park .
5 Jackie Baker stated that as a Planning Board , they are not in a position to take leadership in developing a
6 trail , but they could certainly encourage citizens. Jackie added that Fernando said it is much better coming
7 from the citizens than coming from the Board . Lin Davidson stated that his impression would be that the
S transportation route would be from ISTEA monies , where the recreation side might be a little less money,
9 but a trail that is not quite as expensive as the ISTEA would require.
ID
I 1 Janet Steiner, Tompkins County Public Library Presentation
12 Brad Griffin stated that they had a near quorum of the County Board and introduced George Totman , Toni
13 Todd and Dooley Keifer. Brad also introduced Jo-Ann Mancini from the Lansing High School library. Brad
14 Griffin offered his chair to Mrs . Steiner for her presentation . George Totman introduced Janet Steiner to the
15 Planning Board members . George added that Janet is on the State ' s Commission on Statewide .Libraries and
16 stated that she has been the Director of the Tompkins County Library since 1993 .
17 Janet Steiner stated that this is a very timely meeting and she appreciates being invited to speak about library
8 services in Lansing. Janet explained that there is a county committee called the Library Coordination
19 Committee which is charged with collecting data and talking about whether there are adequate library
20 services in Tompkins County. Janet gave each board member a packet about how libraries are organized .
21 Janet explained the data in the document .
22 Mrs. Steiner stated that there is one county library that is chartered by the Board of Regents to serve every •
23 resident in Tompkins County . Janet added that within Tompkins County there are four autonomous
24 libraries, one in Groton, one in Ulysses, one in Newfield, and one in Dryden . Janet explained that because
25 they are autonomous they are chartered to serve residents in that area, they have their own Board of
26 Directors, and their own budget. Janet stated there are also two reading centers in Danby and Caroline .
27 Mrs. Steiner explained that these two sites were originally bookmobile sites . Janet stated that the
28 bookmobile service was stopped in the late 1980 ' s and residents of those towns went to their county board
29 member and said they would like to maintain some sort of library presence.
30 Mrs . Steiner stated that according to the statistics, 10% of the cardholders are from Lansing. Matt Shulman
31 asked if that was determined by mailing addresses. Mrs. Steiner responded that it was . Matt Shulman
32 replied that it quite possible that a number of people with an Ithaca address could be from Lansing. Janet
33 stated that is possible, but they try to be very accurate . Larry Sharpsteen agreed with Mr. Shulman and
34 added that there are also a number of people in Lansing that have Locke, Groton , and Dryden addresses .
35 Janet Steiner explained that 9% of the residents in the county are from Lansing and that 10% of the
36 cardholders are from Lansing . Janet explained that there arc overlaps , if someone has a card at different
37 libraries, they may be counted twice. Janet reviewed the graphs regarding usage and did an overview of the
38 libraries in the county .
39 Gregg Travis entered at 7 : 27 PM .
40 Mrs . Steiner explained how the different libraries are funded. Janet explained that if a municipality wanted
41 to start a library , there are regulations , based on population, on the number of hours it is required to be open .
42 Janet stated that in Tompkins County , the New York State Commissioner of Education will not charter any
43 more autonomous libraries. Mrs. Steiner stated that there arc other options. •
44 Lin Davidson asked if a library does not belong to the Fingerlakes Library System , would they be allowed to
45 do the interlibrary loan ? Mrs . Steiner stated that they have not really been down that road . Janet explained
3 Town ofLansing Planning Board Septeniher 13, 1999
that Dryden is not a member. She added that Dryden is on the verge of deciding whether they want to join
; the Fingerlakes System .
3 Janet Steiner explained the options as a branch of the Tompkins County Public Library in its own building,
4 or a branch as part of another building, or a reading center. Paul Butler asked if the reading rooms have
5 computers . Janet replied that they do and they will soon be connected to the internet. Janet explained that
6 Time Warner is giving free internet access to libraries .
7 Brad Griffin noted that in the pie chart, it depicts 10% of cardholders are out of county. Janet Steiner
8 explained that because the Fingerlakes Library System covers five counties, and by state regulation they
9 must give free cards to people in those counties- Cortland , Seneca , Cayuga , Tioga, and Tompkins. Brad
10 Griffin asked if the out- of-county cardholders are active users . Janet explained that they purge their
I I borrowers every year, so if they have not used their cards within the last three years, they would not be in the
12 system anymore. Brad Griffin stated that the library is moving to new quarters and asked if they anticipate
13 that parking and access will be easier there. Mrs . Steiner stated that yes they do . Janet added that they were
14 told by experts that they should expect to see a 15% to 40% increase in usage after the new library opens .
15 Janet Steiner explained that if Lansing residents want to see some sort of library in Lansing and it is a
16 priority , then it needs to start there . Matt Shulman asked if Janet would share with them the results of the
17 survey that they had done . Janet explained that before she was Director, in 1991 , one of the options that
18 were looked at was a branch in Lansing. Janet added that the Trustees are interested in learning more about
19 what Lansing would like to see.
20 Tom Todd asked about the history of branches in malls , do they work? Tom stated that someone had
21 mentioned the Pyramid Mall and there is certainly a lot of foot traffic there. Janet Steiner replied that she
dithinks malls are great. Mrs. Steiner added that it could be an option . Katrina Greenly asked if it would really
address the needs of Lansing, should it be more centralized? Mrs . Steiner stated that it needs to be
24 somewhere people can see it and it is convenient. Katrina stated that they need to ask the people , maybe a
25 survey.
26 Lin Davidson asked if anyone had put a town library and a school library together and had a happy
27 experience. Mrs. Steiner replied that it is very rare . She added that she could get them the information
28 about where it worked . Jo-Ann Mancini stated that she thinks that is a dream solution . Mrs. Mancini stated
29 that if you have the perfect site where the community and the students coming in, that is good . However,
30 you have to realize that when students want reference material , they want it now. Mrs. Mancini stated that
31 the school library is curriculum driven . Jo-Ann stated that there would have to be a lot of money to fulfill
32 two very different needs.
33 Matt Shulman stated that one thing lie thought could improve service immediately, with virtually no cost to
34 the library would be to have someplace to return books . Janet Steiner stated that they could take a look at
35 that , but she added that book drops need to be emptied daily or they would be overflowing . Mrs . Steiner
36 stated that you would have to have a driver and a van and those things are not inexpensive items. Matt
37 Shulman stated that if the books are dropped off in Groton , they would get back to Ithaca. Man asked if
38 someone could design a route so that they could swing by Lansing to pick up books as well . Matt stated that
39 it would not be " no cost" but he challenged that it would have to cost a lot. Mrs. Steiner replied that they
40 need to go back and decide what are the most important library services that Lansing citizens want. Mrs ,
41 Steiner stated that the T. C .P .L. would then try to direct their resources in that direction . Jo-Ann Mancini
42 stated that when she first came to work in Lansing, there was a book drop in the high school , but she does
43 not know what happened to that. Dave Lippert added that one of the school personnel that had to take kids
6.I to Ithaca or pick them up from Ithaca would transport the books once a week.
45 Brad Griffin stated that he tends to look at libraries as a traditional user, walking out with a pile of books .
46 Brad asked Mrs. Steiner and Mrs. Mancini what they see as the role of a library ten years hence . Janet
47 replied that she thinks their role as a place where people connect with information will still be valid , no
48 matter what form it is . Mrs . Steiner stated that she thinks the printed form will last, even more so than the
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4 Town of Lansing Planning Board, September 13, 1999
1 digitized . Mrs . Steiner stated the library they are building will have both . Mrs . Mancini replied that. she
2 likes her print, but she also likes her computer. She stated that her students are using databases , but they arc41/
3 certainly using printed materials too . Jo-Ann stated that they need both .
4 Janet Steiner stated that they need to be well prepared to answer the question " Why is it needed ?"
5 Dooley Keifer stated that she is a member of the committee Janet spoke of She stated that if anyone would
6 like to give her some feedback of what prompted this meeting, she would be happy to take that information
7 back to the committee . Brad stated that Matt Shulma.n ' s question about the book drop somewhere is a valid
8 one . Dooley stated that is a specific thing, so that is for Janet to do.
9 Brad Griffin thanked the quests .
10 Brad Griffin stated that the Town of Lansing ' s Comprehensive Plan dealt with the library issue . Brad added
11 that the Comprehensive Plan is something they are going to be updating within the next year and stated that
12 Mrs. Steiner said she has some material that would help them in a town survey . Brad stated thinks that is the
13 best course for them to take.
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15 Cornelis Drost, Warren Road Business Park — Brad Griffin stated that Mr. Drost ' s proposal is not for an
16 action of the Planning Board , but a recommendation to the Town Board. Brad stated that he thinks it would
17 be proper to recuse himself as a voting member of the board because he has a financial interest in Mr.
18 Drost ' s company. George Totman stated that the Town Board asked Mr. Drost to present this to the
19 Planning Board to get their opinion .
20 Cor Drost stated that this is pad. of the original Planned Development Area on Dutch Mill Rd . Mr. Drost
21 stated that there were some stages. Cor stated that at first there was a concern that there be two egress roads. •
22 Mr. Drost stated the first plans are summarized on Page 5 . After public meeting, with some real strong
23 opposition, it was decided that it would not be a good idea to mix residential traffic and commercial traffic.
24 So, the plan was changed to make Dutch Mill a three lane road and it was felt that would be adequate for
25 emergencies and a connection to residential areas was not needed . Cor stated that at the time there was a
26 right- of-way still on the map and because of the time frame he was under he thought he would just take care
27 of it when the time came to address it . Mr. Drost stated that time is right now .
28 Viola Miller asked if he was asking to eliminate both easements. Mr. Drost responded that is correct . Viol
29 stated that they have tried very hard to think down the road and they wanted to try to make sure there would
30 be an entry to back land . Cor Drost stated that he had a letter of support from the owner of Lot 14 . Cor
31 stated that he also had the owner of Lot 12 with him tonight and that it affects him just as much.
32 Lin Davidson stated that this looks like the standard thing, where a developer wants a cul -de-sac and also
33 wants a definite answer not "maybe there ' s a road there someday . " Lin stated that with any kind of
34 planning, they were looking at it form the interconnectivity aspect. Mr. Drost stated that it would mix
35 residential and industrial traffic .
36 The Board discussed the survey map. Brad Griffin read the Subdivision Rules & Regulations, Article 6 , Sec.
37 602 G . , Page 21 , regarding cul -de-sacs.
38 Mr. Drost stated that if the Planning Board would wish to look on this favorable, the Town Board is meeting
39 on Wednesday. Mr. Drost stated that there is more than one solution . Mr. Drost stated that the right-of-way
40 to the west is the one that is most urgent. Cor stated that if the Planning Board would not agree to the whole
41 thing, he would want just the West Side right-of-way to be deleted . Paul Butler asked if Cor would be happy
42 with just the West Side. Mr. Drost responded that he would like them to consider the whole thing, but he •
43 would accept the West Side being removed.
44 Brad Griffin called the question of approving the application as presented . VOTE : ALL OPPOSED .
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5 Town ofLans•ingilts.: Board, September 13, 1999 I
Brad Griffin called the question of recommending the modification of the proposal to eliminate the West
W right-of- way. VOTE : FIVE MEMBERS IN FAVOR. Brad Griffin recused himself from voting.
3 Mr. Drost and Mr. Barney thanked the Board for their time.
4
5 OTHER BUSINESS
6 Maps- Lin Davidson stated that there is a series of photos at the assessor ' s office that they can buy for $3 . 00
7 to 54 . 00 a shot. Lin added that he wished they had had those tonight so they could see where these roads
8 arc. Lin suggested they allow George to order a set that covers the whole town . Lin Davidson motioned to
9 authorize George Tatman to spend up to $ 100 . 00 for aerial photos for town coverage . Viola Miller
10 seconded . VOTE : ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY .
t David Lippert expressed frustration of things coming in on a deadline. David stated he thinks they are
12 getting blindsided too many times. Viola Miller agreed. David stated that the next time something like this
13 comes up , whether or not he agrees with it, he is going to vote no just on principal . Brad Griffin stated that
14 his point was well taken . Brad stated that he would really welcome it if a member, at any time, there has not
15 been sufficient time for research , raise that question . Brad added that, on the other side , he has observed
16 some Planning Boards that never decided anything. Brad stated that as a member of this board , he is proud
17 of the fact that the public applications and decisions are quite timely.
18 Discussion on the Comprehensive Plan - Brad Griffin stated that he took a copy of the Comprehensive Plan
19 on vacation and went through it . Brad would like to raise a question about the approach or process to update
20 it . As Brad read the Comprehensive Plan , it did not seem to be as hard as he thought , it is a rather well
46 written document. I-Ie asked for thoughts on how they go about updating it. Brad added that the library
issue is an element of the Comprehensive Plan. It could be a lot more specific and could involve another
23 portion about the survey.
24 Matt Shulman stated that he spoke with Janet Steiner as she was leaving because he wanted to get some
25 clarification . Matt stated that Janet seemed to think there were disadvantages to having a private library.
26 Matt asked Mrs. Steiner if he was correct in thinking the only disadvantages were that you do not
27 automatically have interlibrary loans and that you would not get some minimal State funding. Mrs. Steiner
28 told Matt that he was right, those are the two disadvantages . Matt asked if the matter of interlibrary loans
29 was a matter of statute or a matter of practice . Mrs. Steiner replied that it was a matter of practice . Matt
30 asked if it could be negotiable and Dooley Keifer replied that everything is negotiable in America . Matt said
31 he was told they should start collecting the data now. He asked her if she would be willing to write an
32 article for the paper. She agreed. Brad Griffin stated that they appreciate it.
33 Brad Griffin stated that this is just one of a number of elements to be improved . Lin Davidson stated that he
34 read the Comprehensive Plan and was impressed by it. Lin suggested they deal with it in sections at a time ,
35 rather than going full press like they did with the 2010 . Lin stated that they should do things in order,
36 according to priority. Lin stated that you have to have public input and doing it in sections may help keep a
37 focus on each section .
38 Viola Miller informed the Board members of the Planning Federation meeting starting on Sunday, October
39 17, 1999 . Viola stated that she and Jackie will drive down on Monday and attend the meetings Monday and
40 Tuesday, that way they will only get charged for one night . Viola noted that one of the things on there is the
4 ! Essentials of Comprehensive and Community Planning. George Tatman gave out copies of the registration
forms . George stated that there is a difference in price if you do not register before September 20 , 1999, so if
rtgiothey could get the registrations to the bookkeeper by then , it would cost less.
44 Brad Griffin stated that tlie complete map is being mounted on a material other than they described
45 previously. Brad stated that it is thin , strong arid it appears they will not have to provide a protective edging.
6 Town of Lansing Planning Board, September 13,, 1999
t Brad stated that he picked up three of the smaller scale maps. He dropped one off with Matt Shulman , one
2 he will leave one with George Tatman , and the third one he would like to take up to Pete Larson .
3 The board discussed possible dates for the town tour with Pete Larson . They decided Sunday, October 24 at
4 7 : 00 AM would be best for them . Brad stated that he would take the map to Pete and verify with him that
> the date would be okay with Pete.
6 David Lippert motioned to adjourn at 10 : 00 PM. Lin ]Davidson seconded . VOTE: ALL IN FAVOR.
7 MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY .
8 The next meeting is scheduled for September 13 , 1999 .
9 Submitted by Robin Cornell .
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