HomeMy WebLinkAboutI-09a Comprehensive Plan Comments - Peter Morse-Ackley1/14/2021
Town of Cortlandville Mail - Fwd: Existing Projects/Grandfathering Projects
MailPatty O'Mara <pomara@cortlandville.org>
Fwd: Existing Projects/Grandfathering Projects
1 message
Town Clerk <townclerk@cortlandville:org> Wed, Jan 13, 202.1 at 6:27 PM
To: Tom Williams <tawilliams@cortlandville.org>, John Delvecchio <jdelvecchio@cortlandville.org>, Jay Cobb
<jcobb@cortlandville.org>, Jeff Guido <jguido@cortlandville.org>, Ted Testa <ttesta@twcny.rr.com>, Doug Withey
<dwithey@cortlandville.org>, Chris Newell <cnewell@cortlandville.org>, Nasrin Parvizi <nparvizi@cortlandville.org>, Nick
Renzi <nrenzi@cortlandville.org>, Ann Hotchkin <ahotchkin@cortlandville.org>, Laird Updyke <lupdyke@cortiandville.org>,
Bernice Potter -Master <bpottermasler@cortlandville.org>
Cc: Patty O'Mara <pomara@cortlandville.org>, Peter Morse -Ackley <Pinehillfm@aol.com>, Bruce Weber
<bweber@cortlandville.org>
Good evening,
Please see the below email/comments from Mr. Peter Morse -Ackley for your review and consideration.
Regards,
Kristin
Best regards,
Kristin
---------- Forwarded message --------
From: Peter Morse -Ackley <pinehillfm@aol.com>
Date: Wed, Jan 13, 2021 at 6:03 PM
Subject: Existing Projects/Grandfathering Projects
To: tawilliams@cortlandville.org <tawilliams@cortlandville.org>, ttesta@twcny.rr.com <ttesta@twcny.rr.com>,
jguido@cortlandville.org <jguido@cortlandville.org>, dwithey@cortlandville.org <dwithey@cortlandville.org>,
jcobb@cortiandville.org <jcobb@cortlandville.org>, jdelvecchio@cortlandville.org <jdelvecchio@cortlandville.org>,
townclerk@cortiandville.org <townclerk@cortlandville.org>
I strongly disagree with the closing comments in tonight's meeting. I do not agree that -projects in the process
(which really are still proposals) that are not consistent with our future plan have to be allowed.... regardless if it annoys
developers, residents, or the Pope.
If we are working under a past plan, that is 40 years out of date .... and something (solar projects in residential
areas.... McLean Solar 1, Bell Crest Drive) is COUNTER to the new plan .... the 2021 plan .... these'in transition projects'
should be re -considered and cancelled if not compliant with the new Town Plan....
Just because we allowed something in 1978 does'not mean we need to allow it now....
mean if we are doing things contrary to the new plan we should be able to "change our minds" before we damage
areas that we are seeking to PROTECT... if we are damaging residential areas, the Lime Hollow Buffer, the entryways
to the Town, we should be able to critically discuss and review, especially in light of the Town's new Plan...
Why stress our past tradition to:'respectThonor' the existing developers (is this just to be "business friendly") ..... they
certainly do not seem to respect/honor us .... look again at that letter from 5/26/20 re McLean Solar 1....
There may be legal challenges, but I believe we need to take a stand for our present and
future goals, and we have a Town Attorney who can be directed to stand up for our new plan and goals...
I will be looking into this concept and the tradition of grandfathering "in process projects" to clarify.what the legal
obligations are, and I hope that you, will all do the same.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=5efa286129&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f"/a3A1688816011289329359&simpl=msg-f%3A168881601128... 1/2
1/14/2021
Town of Cortlandville Mail - Fwd: Existing Projects/Grandfathering Projects
understand there may be legal challenges... and my position may be'wrong"...but this needs to be reviewed and
discussed...
Peter Morse -Ackley
Kristin ... can you please get this email to the other members who were on the Zoom
meeting today, and confirm to me that it was sent...
Thank you !!!
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1/19/2021 Town of Cortlandville Mail - Fwd: 1/14/2021 Article- Comprehensive Plan
' 'm ll
Patty O'Mara <pomara@cortlandville.org>
Fwd: 1/14/2021 Article- Comprehensive Plan
1 message
Peter Morse -Ackley <pinehillfm@aol.com> Fri, Jan 15, 2021 at 1:37 PM
Reply -To: Peter Morse -Ackley <pinehillfm@aol.com>
To: "tawilliams@cortiandville.org" <tawilliams@cortlandville.org>, "jdelvecchio@cortlandville.org"
<jdelvecchio@cortiandville.org>, "jcobb@cortlandville.org" <jcobb@cortlandville.org>, "jguido@cortiandville.org"
<jguido@cortlandville.org>, "ttesta@twcny.rr.com" <ttesta@twcny.rr.com>, "dwithey@cortlandville.org"
<dwithey@cortlandville.org>, "cnewell@cortiandville.org" <cnewell@cortlandville.org>, "nparvizi@cortlandville.org"
<nparvizi@cortiandville.org>, "nrenzi@cortiandville.org" <nrenzi@cortlandville.org>, "ahotchkin@cortiandville.org"
<ahotchkin@cortlandville.org>, "lupdyke@cortlandville.org" <lupdyke@cortlandville.org>, "bpottermasler@cortiandville.org"
<bpottermasler@cortiandville.org>, "pomara@cortlandville.org" <pomara@cortlandville.org>, "bweber@cortlandville.org"
<bweber@cortlandville.org>
FYI. Copy of my letter to the Editor re grandfathering.
-----Original Message -----
From: Peter Morse -Ackley <pinehillfm@aol.com>
To: cspencer@cortlandstandard.net <cspencer@cortiandstandard.net>; tmcadam@cortlandstandard.net
<tmcadam@cortiandstandard.net>
Sent: Fri, Jan 15, 2021 1:27 pm
Subject: 1/14/2021 Article- Comprehensive Plan
Dear Editor,
In regard to the story on the Town of Cortlandville Comprehensive Plan.I listened to the entire Town Board meeting. I
heard two people support'grandfathering' in some projects, and one person ask questions if we should grandfather
projects that are not ready for construction. That does not mean "many people" agreed the plan should not effect
proposed projects. Also, it was not clear who could participate in the meeting (or if it just was for people registered to
speak) or I would have objected immediately. .
After the meeting I immediately sent an.email to all participants registering my objection to the -concept of
automatically allowing proposed projects to be 'grandfathered', especially those that are in clear conflict with the new
plan. I believe that to continue without a new review of these projects is unwise. Why continue with proposals that are
contrary to our new plans ?
I also did a quick review of the Town of Cortlandville zoning laws and saw no mention of grandfathering 'proposed'
projects, only grandfathering existing (already constructed) projects. If the Town 'grandfathers' these proposed projects
it is not only unwise, but may be illegal (subject to court interpretation).
My impression, from following the last several months of board meetings, is that the,projects most effected are the
two large scale solar projects that are proposed for the neighborhoods of Deerfield Heights/McLean Road and the Bell
Crest Drive proposal. I wonder why some Town Board participants are so dedicated to forcing through these projects
into people's front yards in spite of neighborhood objections, zoning issues, and common sense.
I look forward to the Cortland Standard's follow-up on this matter.
Peter Morse -Ackley
Cortland, NY
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2/8/2021 Town of Cortlandville Mail - Fwd: Planning and Solar Development —�
Fwd: Planning and Solar- Development
1 message
Town Clerk <townclerk@cortlandville.org>
To: Patty O'Mara <pomara@cortlandville.org>
Patty O'Mara <pomara@cortlandville.org>
Sun, Feb 7, 2021 at 4:34 PM
---==----- Forwarded message,---
From:
essa eFrom: Peter Morse -Ackley <pine-hillfm@aol.com>
Date: Sun, Feb 7, 2021 at 3:28 PM
Subject: Planning and Solar Development
To: tawilliams@cortlandville.org.<tawilliams@cortiandville.org>, ttesta@twcny.rr_com <ttesta@twcny.rr.com>,
jcobb@cortlandville.org <jcobb@cortlandville.org>, dwithey@cortlandville.org <dwithey@cortlandville.org>,
jguido@cortlandville:org <jguido@cortlandville.org>, cnewell@cortlandville.org <cnewell@cortlandville.org>,
nrenzi@cortlandville.org <nrenzi@cortlandville.org>,.lupdyke@cortlandville.org <lupdyke@cortlandville.org>,
nparvizi@cortlandville.org <nparvizi@cortlandville.org>, jfinn@cortlandville.org <jfinn@cortlandville.org>,
ahotchkin@cortlapdville.org <ahotchkin@cortlandville.org>, ckaram@cortlandville.org <ckaram@cortlandville.org>,
tbilodeau@cortiandville.org <tbilodeau@cortlandville.org>,. bpottermasler@cortlandville.org <bpottermasler@cortlandville.
org>, jaloi@cortlandville.org <jaloi@cortlandville.org>, bweber@cortlandville.org <bweber@cortlandville.org>,
jdelvecchio@cortlandville.org <jdelvecchio@cortlandville.org>, townclerk@cortlandville.org
<townclerk@cortlandville.org>;
1). Do the Design and Development regulations in 178-40 still apply ?
Cortlandville Town rules state in A.1 that: new projects include aesthetic issues & appearance from the
corridor; and, in A.21 that new development shall not be visually intrusive, (not) dominate views, nor
contrast -sharply to the existing and/or desirable character of the various planning areas. The standards
say that this shall, be considered in all new non-residential and non=agricultural development. HOW
are solar projects getting around these standards ???
2) Has anyone talked further to Mr. Victor Siegle (2/5/20 Town Board minutes) regarding his statements on the money
being made by the solar developers? His projections were much higher than what we are currently using for
establishing ourPji---" What data do-we:have on the -profits and Pilot potentialsforthese
projects; and WIII you share this data with the Town residents.????
3) On the PILOT for solar factories I believe that.a flat 2% rate of increase for 25 vears is, weak and `
inadequate. I believe the rate should at least be based on a COLA, probably a COLA based on he changes in the
.kilowatt rate that the developer is paid. The 2% flat rate.being used is historically low (and locks us in for 25 years).
Perhaps a minimum 2% increase, or a COLA, which ever is higher!!! If.we are going to have all these sites, let's be
thorough in looking into how tO maximize our income.
4) Please stop Riley Road from proceeding any further....what is currently there Wrecks the scenic
view now, and allowing it to get bi99er will only make it more ugly. The request for the next two proposals should
be stopped now.
5) Why are chain link fences allowed around solar.sites? Zoning, Planning, and design standards all recommend'; -
against chain link. How- are solar projects getting around these standards,???
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2/8/2021 Town of Cortlandville Mail - Fwd: Planning and Solar Development
6) How can our Boards use the DEC SEQRA regulations (p.13) to stop projects they feel will not meet established
standards??? There is no way large solar projects in neighborhoods meet regulatory
and planning standards. I do not believe we have to jump through years of meetings and hundreds, of
pages of documents just to'say "no". For certain proposals we have the right (p13 SEQRA) to ask the developers to
withdraw their application.
Have we developed a way to use the above SEQRA procedure to .clarify where
our Planning Board stands??? By identifying early on if the Board is against,
undecided, or in favor of a proposal, the public and the developers will know how
to react. The issues re: character of a neighborhood, and the development on
corridors seems clear cut. Why are these proposals dragging on for months and
years ???
7) Are we allowing too, many variances ??? Are we getting caught up in not seeing the
forest because of the trees??? Are we so busy avoiding lawsuits and processing
minutiae that we lose track that these sites just don't meet our plans and
standards ???
8) Do your think we have enough, solar projects in= our Town??? Are we mortgaging
our future by approving so many projects right now ???.As I said before, I believe we are paving
our paradise ----our land, our scenic resources, our room for future farming and residences--- in
order to put up solar'parking lots'. It is time to stop ... even if that means going back•to a
moratorium so we can stop this nonsense and become better situated to protect the future
of our Town.
Thank you. -
Peter: Morse -Ackley
Cortland(ville), New York
pinehillfm@aol,com
Kristin E. Rocco-Petrella, RMC
Town Clerk/Tax Collector/Registrar
Town of Cortlandville
607-756-5725 .
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