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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-18Page 1 of 5 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting - Thursday, 18 August 2016 - 7:30 PM Town Hall Court Room – 101 Conger Boulevard – Groton, NY Members, Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present Edward Neuhauser, Chairperson Rick Fritz, Town Code Enforcement Officer Lisa Maloney Hahn, Vice-Chair Joan Fitch, Board Secretary Monica Carey Sheldon Clark, Town Councilman Barbara Clark Victoria Monty, Town Attorney Mark Baxendell Don Scheffler, Town Supervisor Bret Wyllie Leon Brockway, Jr. Applicants & Public in Attendance Robert Brenner, representing Verizon Wireless, Applicant; Robert Walpole for Richard & Georgie Tillotson, Applicants & Robert & Crystal Young, Applicants; Amber Driscoll, Applicant; Kris Boyce, Roger & Tina Adams, Bob Abele. PUBLIC HEARING Verizon Wireless, Applicant/Roger F. Adams, Reputed Owner – 868 Peruville Road – TM #35.-1- 27.1 – Proposed Communications Tower The Public Hearing was opened a 7:30 p.m. with the reading aloud of the Legal Notice by the Board Secretary; proof of publication has been placed on file for the record. Chairman Ed Neuhauser recognized Robert Brenner of Nixon Peabody Law Firm, representing the Verizon Wireless who was seeking approval to erect a 160-foot communications tower at the location indicated. Reference is made to the July 21, 2016 Minutes of this Board for detailed information on what was being proposed; at that meeting, the Preliminary Site Plan was approved and the Public Hearing date/time was set. Chairman Neuhauser asked if there were any comments from the Public; there were none. With everyone heard who wished to be heard, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:33 p.m. REGULAR MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board was called to order by Chairman Ed Neuhauser at 7:33 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 21 JULY 2016 A motion was made by Member Monica Carey to approve the Minutes of the 21 July 2016 Planning Board meeting, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Lisa Maloney Hahn, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #41 of 2016. (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 18 August 2016 Page 2 of 5 OLD BUSINESS Verizon Wireless, Applicant/Roger F. Adams, Reputed Owner – 868 882 Peruville Road – TM #35.-1-27.1 – Proposed Communications Tower (Note: Reference is made to this Board’s Minutes of 16 June 2016 and 21 July 2016 for additional information.) Chairman Ed Neuhauser recognized Town Code Enforcement Officer Rick Fritz who advised everyone present that the correct address for the proposed tower location was 882 Peruville Road, NOT 868 Peruville Road, per the new 911 data. Chair Neuhauser asked if there were any questions from the Board members; there were none. A motion was then made by Member Barbara Clark that the Town of Groton Planning Board declares itself Lead Agency under SEQRA for the proposed communications tower. The motion was seconded by Member Leon Brockway, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #42 of 2016. Chair Neuhauser then read aloud Part II of the Short Environmental Assessment Form. Negative responses were obtained to all questions in Part II. A motion was then made by Member Clark that, based on the information and analysis of the SEQR concerning this application, the Town of Groton Planning Board has determined that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a Negative Declaration. The motion was seconded by Member Maloney Hahn, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #43 of 2016. (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 18 August 2016 Page 3 of 5 A motion was then made by Member Mark Baxendell to approve the Final Site Plan for the proposed communications tower, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Carey, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #44 of 2016. Richard & Georgie Tillotson, Applicants/Reputed Owners – Chipman Corners Rd. – TM #16.-1- 12.3 – Proposed Minor Subdivision w/Flag Lot (Reference is made to this Board’s Minutes of 21 July 2016, at which meeting there was some confusion with regard to what appeared to be a “pole” accessing the remaining portion of the land. At that meeting, Chair Neuhauser commented that this should be researched before any further action is taken.) Chairman Neuhauser recognized Robert Walpole, Realtor, representing the applicants who were seeking approval to subdivide a 1.07±-acre parcel out of their 88±-acre property, as shown on the map accompanying the application. Chairman Neuhauser also advised Mr. Walpole that, after researching the matter, there was no flag lot established previously; therefore, one had to be created. With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Maloney Hahn that the Town of Groton Planning Board declares itself Lead Agency under SEQRA for the proposed Minor Subdivision w/Flag Lot. The motion was seconded by Member Bret Wyllie, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #45 of 2016. Chair Neuhauser then read aloud Part II of the Short Environmental Assessment Form. Negative responses were obtained to all questions in Part II. A motion was then made by Member Baxendell that, based on the information and analysis of the SEQR concerning this application, the Town of Groton Planning Board has determined that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a Negative Declaration. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #46 of 2016. (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 18 August 2016 Page 4 of 5 With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Carey to approve the Minor Subdivision w/Flag Lot as shown on the aerial photo accompanying the application. The motion was seconded by Member Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #47 of 2016. NEW BUSINESS Robert & Crystal Young, Applicants/Richard & Georgie Tillotson, Reputed Owners – 137 Chipman Corners Road – TM #s 16.-1-12.3 & 12.1 – Boundary Line Change Chairman Neuhauser recognized Robert Walpole, Realtor, representing the applicants who were seeking approval to combine a just-subdivided portion of TM #16.-1-12.3 with their adjoining property, TM #16.-1-12.1, as shown on a portion of the tax map accompanying the application. With no further discussion, a motion was then made by Member Maloney Hahn that the Town of Groton Planning Board declares itself Lead Agency under SEQRA for the proposed Boundary Line Change. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #48 of 2016. Chair Neuhauser then read aloud Part II of the Short Environmental Assessment Form. Negative responses were obtained to all questions in Part II. A motion was then made by Member Brockway that, based on the information and analysis of the SEQR concerning this application, the Town of Groton Planning Board has determined that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a Negative Declaration. The motion was seconded by Member Carey, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #49 of 2016. (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 18 August 2016 Page 5 of 5 With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Brockway to approve the Boundary Line Change, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Carey, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Wyllie Member Brockway Motion carried. This becomes Action #50 of 2016. Amber Driscoll, Applicant/Reputed Owner – 132 Durfee Road – TM #24.-1-10.1 – Site Plan Review & Special Permit for Proposed Elder Cottage Chairman Ed Neuhauser recognized the applicant who was seeking approval to renovate the existing barn on their property to make it into a livable space for her mother to reside. The mother, whose home was destroyed by fire in July, would be the only one to ever live there, she stated. They were proposing this as an Elder Cottage. Chairman Neuhauser and the Board then reviewed the definition of Elder Cottage as it appears in Section 365. The Board’s concern with what was being proposed was that it did not meet the definition of an Elder Cottage because an Elder Cottage is intended to be something that’s a very temporary structure that uses the same onsite facilities and, at the end of its specific use it is to be removed. He then explained to the applicant that what she was really asking for was a subdivision, or they could, if available, utilize an actual unit that is rented and installed temporarily next to the family home of their adult children or other relatives or friends. Ms. Driscoll agreed that what they were requesting did not fall under the definition of Elder Cottage. She stated she would be happy to “call it whatever you want.” The property contains a little over eight acres, so Chairman Neuhauser commented that there was plenty of land available to subdivide the barn from the existing home. Another option would be to ask for a variance from the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals to do what they wanted. Ms. Driscoll commented that she did not want to add any other structures to the property. At this point, CEO Rick Fritz offered to spend some time with the applicant to help them understand all of their options and the procedures to provide close-by housing for her mother. No Action Taken. OTHER BUSINESS • Chairman Neuhauser once again reminded Board members that the State requires four hours of training for each year that is served on the Board. No one knew of any training that was currently available. ADJOURNMENT At 8:25 p.m., a motion was made by Member Maloney Hahn to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with all members present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz, Attorney Monty & Board Members on 8/23/16.