HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-02 PB Minutes FinalPage 1 of 5
TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting - Tuesday, 2 June 2020 – 7:30 PM
Water & Sewer Garage – Next to Town Hall at 3577 Terrace Road – Cortland, NY
Board Members (*absent) Others Present
Christopher Newell, Chairman Bruce Weber, Town Planning/Zoning Officer
Nicholas Renzi Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary
Laird Updyke John DelVecchio, Town Attorney
Nasrin Parvizi
Ann Hotchkin
Applicants & Public Present
Attorney Fran Casullo for Richard Osborne, Jr., Applicant; John Holbein for Suit-Kote Corporation,
Applicant; Kevin Whitney for Cortlandville Fire District, Applicant; Glen Reisweber for Lime Hollow
Nature Center, Applicant; Jim Reeners, Applicant; D. Grasic & Andrew Day for Source Renewables,
Applicant; Attorney Larry Knickerbocker for Brendon & Cassandra Byrnes, Applicants; Michael Reeners.
R EGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Town of Cortlandville Planning Board was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
by Chairman Chris Newell.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 3 MARCH 2020
A motion was made by Member Ann Hotchkin to approve the Town Planning Board Minutes of 4
February 2020, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Nasrin Parvizi, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #21 of 2020.
NEW BUSINESS
Richard H. Osborne, Jr., Wayland Osborne & Lorraine Osborne, Applicants/Reputed Owners –
4659 McGraw North Road – TM #78.00-03-03.000 – Subdivision of Land
Chairman Newell recognized Attorney Fran Casullo, representing the applicants who were seeking
approval to subdivide this 63±-acre parcel as shown on the survey maps accompanying the application.
Member Parvizi asked about access to the parcels, and Attorney Casullo assured her it was okay.
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Ann Hotchkin to approve the
Subdivision of Land, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Parvizi, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #22 of 2020.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 2 June 2020
Page 2 of 5
Suit-Kote Corporation, Applicant/Reputed Owner – Off NYS Route 281, North of Fisher Ave. – TM
#76.18-01-04.100 – Subdivision of Land
Chairman Newell recognized John Holbein of the NYSDEC, representing the applicant. He stated that
the DEC has been in negotiations with Suit-Kote for some time to purchase part of this parcel, as shown
on the maps accompanying the application. As indicated, the subdivided southern portion will be
combined with the existing NYSDEC Tax Parcel 76.18-01-05.000. There are no plans for the land, he
said. Member Nick Renzi asked if this parcel collected water from Bell Drive; Mr. Holbein was not sure
of the drainage.
At the close of this brief discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to approve the
Subdivision of Land as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Hotchkin, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #23 of 2020.
Cortlandville Fire District, Applicant/Reputed Owner – 99 NYS Route 13 – TM #96.09-02-05.000 –
Conditional Permit – Proposed Equipment Storage Facility
Chair Newell recognized Kevin Whitney, representing the applicant who was seeking a Conditional
Permit to construct a 28 ft. by 40 ft. non-sprinklered storage building to store straw, pallets, etc., as
described in the narrative accompanying the application. The District needs more space, he said.
Member Hotchkin asked who paid for this, and Mr. Whitney responded that District funded it with the
assistance of grants from Senator Seward and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton. County also assists the
District with payment of electric and gas bills.
A motion was then made by Member Renzi to approve the Conditional Permit for the proposed
Equipment Storage Facility. The motion was seconded by Member Hotchkin, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #24 of 2020.
Lime Hollow Nature Center, Applicant/Reputed Owner – 332 McLean Road – TM #105.00-01-
08.200 – Conditional Permit for Proposed Picnic Pavilion
Chair Newell recognized Glen Reisweber, representing the applicant who was seeking a Conditional
Permit to construct a picnic pavilion, 32 ft. by 45 ft., near their Visitor’s Center where there is already a
concrete pad which will be increased in size to accommodate this structure. No sides, just an open-air
pavilion as shown on the sketch accompanying the application. Member Hotchkin asked about onsite
traffic pattern, and Mr. Reisweber answered her questions.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 2 June 2020
Page 3 of 5
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to approve the Conditional
Permit for the proposed picnic pavilion, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member
Hotchkin, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #25 of 2020.
Jim Reeners, Applicant/Church of the Redeemer, Reputed Owner – 229 & 1176 Tompkins Street
– TM #s 96.06-01-15.210 & 96.31-01-11.000 – Conditional Permit for Proposed Residential
Housing Development
Chair Newell recognized the applicant and his son, Michael, who were seeking approval to develop the
subject parcels to accommodate five six-unit residential units and one commercial building. He
explained that the project would actually occupy about 5.68 acres in the Town and about a half acre in
the City of Cortland. They are not interested in a commercial development, and would like it to be an
over-55 facility. A variance would be required to allow parking spaces and the square footage of
commercial space to be less than allowed, which he explained. The proposed commercial building
would house their own office for the project and their other facilities, a maintenance facility, and
perhaps an amenity for the development.
In response to Chairman Newell’s question, Mr. Reeners responded that all five units would not be
constructed at once; they would start with one six-unit building, called Phase One. Each rental unit is
like a “small home,” having their own garage and entrances. Rent includes everything, gas, electric,
sewer, water, trash removal, and maintenance. If the demand is there, then they would put together “a
bigger plan.”
The Board discussed procedures/public hearing. PZO Weber affirmed that SEQR would be done at this
meeting, then go to the ZBA at their next meeting to act on the two variance requests, and then come
back before this Board at the end of the month.
Member Hotchkin asked Mr. Reeners if he had considered a “community building.” Jim responded that
there were some stumbling blocks to do so, but it’s still under consideration. Member Hotchkin also
expressed her concern with the proposed traffic patterns.
Proposed parking space size was discussed, with the applicant seeking a variance for 9 ft. by 16 ft.
spaces instead of the required 10 ft. by 20 ft. spaces. Cars today are smaller, the applicant said. Since
there is driveway parking (14 ft. wide), he did not see the need for larger spaces.
Chairman Newell then read aloud Part II of the Full Environmental Assessment Form. Negative
responses were obtained to all questions in Part II. Therefore, it was determined by the Planning Board,
on a motion made by Member Hotchkin, that the action, based on the information submitted,
would not cause any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a Negative
Declaration. The motion was seconded by Member Renzi, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #26 of 2020.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 2 June 2020
Page 4 of 5
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Laird Updyke to set a Public Hearing for
the proposed Residential Housing Development for 30 June 2020 at 7:30 p.m. The motion was
seconded by Member Renzi, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #27 of 2020.
Source Renewables, Applicant/Gunzenhauser Real Estate, Reputed Owner – Locust Avenue – TM
#76.20-01-08.000 – Conditional Permit for Proposed Solar Energy System
Chair Newell recognized Drazen Grasic and Andrew Day, representing the applicant who was seeking a
Conditional Permit and Aquifer Protection District Permit to construct one 4 MWAC solar array on 20.9
acres of this 24-acre property. The plans, Mr. Grasic stated, will be completed this week, and he briefly
described what was proposed, also as set forth in the narrative accompanying the application. The
Cortland County Planning Department has reviewed the project and provided their comments. They are
requesting that the Town Planning Board consider allowing the County IDA to act as Lead Agency under
SEQRA, with the Town being an involved agency.
Town Attorney John DelVecchio commented that since the proposed project is both within the Town and
the City of Cortland, if the Board was to act on SEQRA and, later, the City conducted their own SEQRA
analysis, there could be a segmentation challenge with respect to SEQRA. Therefore, to eliminate the
possibility of that legal challenge, what’s been suggested by the applicant is that the IDA act as Lead
Agency with respect to SEQRA. Attorney DelVecchio stated that he had spoken with the IDA’s attorney
who said that the IDA is willing to act as Lead Agency on this project. The City Attorney also said that
the City will also consent to the IDA being Lead Agency. There should be some sort of coordination in
this regard, he advised the Board.
In response to Member Hotchkin’s question, Mr. Grasic explained ingress/egress to the site.
At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Member Parvizi that the Town of
Cortlandville Planning Board agrees that the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) shall act as
Lead Agency under SEQRA for the proposed Solar Energy System. The motion was seconded by
Member Renzi, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #28 of 2020.
Brendon J. Byrnes & Cassandra J. Byrnes, Applicants/Reputed Owners – Gallagher Road – TM
#105.00-04-14.200 – Subdivision of Land
Chair Newell recognized Attorney Larry Knickerbocker, representing the applicants who were seeking
approval to subdivide a 6±-acre parcel from this 15±-acre parcel, as shown on the annotated survey map
accompanying the application. The subdivided parcel will have road frontage of about 300 feet.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 2 June 2020
Page 5 of 5
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Updyke to approve the Subdivision of
Land, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Hotchkin, with the vote recorded as
follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #29 of 2020.
William J. Thomas & Colleen F. Thomas, Applicants/Reputed Owners – 4355 Locust Avenue – TM
#76.20-01-01.000 – Lot Line Adjustment
(It is noted that Board Member Ann Hotchkin recused herself from this matter.)
With no one present to represent the applicants/owners, and having reviewed the application, narrative,
and annotated sketch, a motion was made by Member Updyke to approve the Lot Line Adjustment,
as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Parvizi, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke Recused: Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #30 of 2020.
Caliber Commercial Brokerage – Request for Sketch Plan Review of Proposed wellNOW Urgent
Care Clinic – NYS Route 222 – TM #86.13-01-58.100
Board members discussed the traffic pattern onsite and the parking spaces. Landscaping was also
questioned.
With no one present to represent the applicant, and no further discussion, a motion was made by
Member Renzi to postpone any action on this matter until the 30 June 2020 meeting of the
Cortlandville Planning Board to allow a representative to be present. The motion was seconded by
Member Parvizi, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #31 of 2020.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:30 p.m., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Member Hotchkin, seconded by Member
Parvizi, with all members present voting in the affirmative.
Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Draft e-mailed to Town Clerk & AR, JD, PB Members, DD, BW, KM & DC on 7/1/20.
Approved 8/4/20.