HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-30 PB Minutes FinalPage 1 of 4
TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting - Tuesday, 30 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, (T) Planning/Zoning Officer
Nicholas Renzi Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary
Laird Updyke John DelVecchio, Town Attorney
Nasrin Parvizi
Ann Hotchkin
Applicants & Public Present
Jim Reeners, Applicant; Paul Woodward for McLean Solar 1, LLC, Applicant; Andrew Porter for
Builder’s Best, Applicant; Attorney Don Armstrong for the YMCA Association, Applicant; Tom Kile,
Applicant; Michael Reeners, John Woodward, Pam Jenkins, Andrea Rankin, Paul Pitkin, Collin Horak,
David Park, Colin Spencer, Mark Sweeney Daniel North, Ellie Schecter.
P UBLIC HEARING
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
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Chris Newell; the Board Secretary read
aloud the Legal Notice as published in the Cortland Standard on 16 June 2020, as follows:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town of Cortlandville Planning Board will hold a Public
Hearing on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. regarding the Conditional Permit
application of Jim Reeners for property located at 1160 Tompkins Street, Tax Map #96.06-
01-15.210.
Attendance at the meeting will require you to wear a mask, practice social
distancing, and consent to have your temperature taken. We request that only one
member of the household attend due to space limitations in the Cortlandville
Water & Sewer Garage across the parking lot from the Raymond G. Thorpe
Municipal Building.
Chris Newell, Chairperson
Cortlandville Planning Board
Chairman Newell asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak on this matter, and there
was, as follows:
John Woodward – Village Park – Concerned with commercial buildings. Use still in
limbo. Main concern is how it will be used behind the building. Will there be apparatus,
cars, trucks? Project is senior housing, 55+; are there strings attached. Will it always
be 55+ or, if vacancy problem, will it revert to younger occupants, e.g., student housing?
Concerned that eventually this could be turned into student housing.
Chairman Newell asked the applicant to respond to Mr. Woodward’s concerns. Mr.
Reeners stated there will be no storage in back of the building; does not do this on any of
his multiple properties as he does not believe in doing so. Guarantees there will be
nothing stored in back.
There is no Federal funding; it is being funded “by ourselves.” First phase will be
construction of one six-unit building. Completion of phases will be based upon demand
by over-55 tenants. Proximity to college is major issue for student housing; the proposed
project is not close, and there are over 200 vacancies in the City.
With everyone being heard who wished to be heard,
Chairman Finn closed the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Public Hearing & Regular Meeting Minutes 30 June 2020
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REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Town of Cortlandville Planning Board was called to order at 7:45
p.m. by Chairman Chris Newell.
OLD BUSINESS
McLean Solar 1 LLC, Applicant/Farm East LLC, Reputed Owner – 415 McLean Road – TM
#95.00-01-33.100 – Conditional Permit – Proposed Large-Scale Solar Energy System
Chairman Newell recognized Paul Woodward, representing the applicant, and acknowledged receipt
of written comments from Pam Jenkins, Andrea Rankin, David Park, Judith Weaver and Judy Cain,
copies of which have been placed on file for the record. He then proceeded with completion of Part
2 of the SEQR Part 2 of the Full Environmental Assessment Form. Answers to those
questions/comments were duly noted by Planning/Zoning Officer Bruce Weber for the record.
Upon completion of Part 2 of the FEAF, a motion was made by Member Nick Renzi that, based
on the information and analysis of the SEQR concerning this application for a Conditional
Permit for a proposed Large-Scale Solar Energy System, the Town of Cortlandville Planning
Board has determined that the proposed action will produce a significant adverse
environmental impact, resulting in a Positive Declaration. The motion was seconded by
Member Ann 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 #32 of 2020.
Town Attorney John DelVecchio advised that an Environmental Impact Statement will now be
prepared by the applicant. Once the SEQR process has been concluded, the variance requests will
go before the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Woodward stated that they will work with PZO
Weber and Attorney DelVecchio, proceed with scoping, and will comply with all requirements.
Member Renzi thanked those neighbors who prepared the letters that were submitted.
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 – Preliminary Site Plan Review for
Proposed Residential Housing Development
Chairman Newell recognized the applicant who explained to everyone present that he would like to
develop this 5.7±-acre property into five six-unit apartment buildings for occupancy by those over
55 years of age. The proposed housing development would be accomplished in phases, with the
first phase being one six-unit apartment building along with a maintenance building, their offices,
and possible community room. There will be no dumpsters; trash removal would be the same as
individual residences. Michael Reeners displayed a computer-generated sketch plan to the Board.
Jim Reeners said he would own everything, including water and sewer utilities. PZO Weber
commented that this was a conceptual plan and is not a final site plan as yet. He further stated
that the ZBA, at its earlier meeting, had granted variances for reduced-size parking spaces and
commercial space requirement was waived.
The applicant stated that the City of Cortland has agreed to go with the Town’s decisions regarding
this development. He has also had a preliminary meeting with the NYSDOT regarding an entrance
off Route 13 (Tompkins Street), and they would prefer that the existing curb cut not be used, and
that a new one toward the middle of the development would be established.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Public Hearing & Regular Meeting Minutes 30 June 2020
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Member Renzi asked if any sophisticated marketing studies had been conducted, and Jim Reeners
responded that they expect to market outside the area.
No Action Taken.
NEW BUSINESS
Builder’s Best Home Improvement Center, Inc., Applicant/Reputed Owner – 3798 Luker Road
– TM #95.00-09-01.000 – Site Plan Approval & Aquifer Protection District Special Permit -
Proposed Building Expansion
Chairman Newell recognized Andrew Porter, representing the applicant who was seeking Site Plan
Approval and an Aquifer Protection District Special Permit to construct a 2000± SF office-space
addition at the location shown on the plan accompanying the application. The addition will match
the same exterior of the 1990 addition to the northwest side of the facility.
Member Hotchkin commented that there seemed to be another project coming before this Board
every six months and asked if there was a five-year master plan available. Mr. Porter responded
that he understood, but they do things on an as-needed basis; however, he will take the five-year
plan into consideration.
At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to send the
applications for Site Plan Approval and an Aquifer Protection District Special Permit to the
Cortland County Planning Board for their review. 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 #33 of 2020.
The Young Men’s Christian Association of Cortland, NY, Applicant/Reputed Owner – 4263 US
Route 11 – TM #76.19-01-30.200 – Lot Line Adjustment
Chairman Newell recognized Attorney Don Armstrong, representing the applicant who was seeking
approval of a Lot Line Adjustment as shown on the maps accompanying the application. The
proposed adjustment is thoroughly explained in a 11 June 2020 letter to PZO Weber from Attorney
Armstrong, a copy of which has been placed on file for the record.
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Hotchkin to approve the Lot Line
Adjustment as requested. 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 #34 of 2020.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Public Hearing & Regular Meeting Minutes 30 June 2020
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Tom Kile, Applicant/CNY Living History Center, Reputed Owner – 4386-4392 US Route 11 –
TM #76.15-01-30.000 – Conditional Permit – Aquifer Protection District Special Permit –
Proposed Display Building
Chairman Newell recognized Tom Kile, representing the applicant who was seeking a Conditional
Permit and Aquifer Protection District Special Permit to construct an “antique-looking” fire station
to be utilized for display of antique fire-fighting equipment, as shown in the sketches accompanying
their applications. PZO Weber explained to the Board (since the proposed project would be in the
flood plain) the process.
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Hotchkin to forward the
applications to the Cortland County Planning Department for their review. The motion was
seconded by Member Laird Updyke, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None
Member Renzi
Member Parvizi
Member Updyke
Member Hotchkin
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #35 of 2020.
wellNOW Urgent Care Clinic – South Side of NYs Route 222 – TM #86.13-01-58.100 – Sketch
Plan Review – Proposed Facility
PZO Weber advised that he had received a call from wellNOw, indicating they were unable to attend
this meeting, but asked him to poll the Board for their opinion as to whether this was a good
project and had no problems with it, or if they should hold off to have a representative come before
the Board to provide more information.
Member Hotchkin stated she liked the project, but had a concern with the driveway and the stop
sign. Members Parvizi and Renzi had no problems/concerns, but then Member Parvizi said she
would like to see what landscaping was planned. Chairman Newell commented that he would like
to see what the building would look like, and would like to see some building renderings. PZO
Weber concluded that a representative should come before the Board to answer any questions
A motion was then made by Member Renzi to postpone the Sketch Plan Review of this
project until the next meeting of the Town of Cortlandville Planning Board to allow a
representative to be present. 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 #36 of 2020.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:55 p.m., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Member Updyke, 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 8/3/20.
Approved on 8/4/20.