HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-20 534
1 Planning Board Minutes
May 20 , 1998
TOWN OF DANBY
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MAY 20 , 1998
PRESENT :
Chairperson Arch Dotson "
Planning Board Members : William Farrell , Laurene Gilbert, Linda Hansen, Robert Roe , Olivia
Vent, Nancy Weitzel
Others Present
Carol Sczepanski - Secretary
Susan Beeners - Code Enforcement Officer
Tom Chefalo - County Planning Representative
Members of the Public
Esther Dotson, Ed Inman, Naomi Strichartz, Joel Gagnon
Chairperson Arch Dotson called the meeting to order at 7 : 05 P . M .
Motion to Change Order of Business :
A motion was made by Bob Roe and seconded by Nancy Weitzel to move the following items to the
beginning of the Agenda :
1 ) Report on newly formed Town Revitalization Task Force , and Tompkins County
Commercial Revitalization Program .
2 ) Adult Entertainment Uses Report
3 ) Telecommunications Towers Status Report
A vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Carried Unanimously
Telecommunications Towers Status Report :
Susan Beeners reported that the Town Board approved of Monroe Telecom to come to make a
presentation to the Town . A date has not been confirmed at this time .
Adult Entertainment Uses Report :
Susan Beeners reported that she has prepared a revised draft for the Adult Entertainment Uses
Repaort. There is additional language at the end of the document that would fit into Commercial
Zone C by special permit. The distance criteria remains the same . A copy has been sent to the Town
Attorney to review and has not responded at this time . She suggested that the Board review the draft
and at the June meeting it may be ready to transmit to the Town Board .
June Meeting Date
Chairperson Dotson reported that it is difficult for the Planning Board to get information to the
Danby Area News . He is concerned that the Board may need an additional meeting to have a survey
ready for the July issue .
Olivia Vent reported that she has contacted Rusty Monroe and he may be available on June 24th .
Bob Roe said that the Planning Board will need at least one extra meeting to complete the survey so
that it will be ready to publish in the July issue of the Danby Area News . He also suggested that the
'-
Sketch Plan Review for Edward and Donna Inman be scheduled at the same meeting and that the
Board reserve June 24 , 1998 for a special meeting if necessary .
Motion to Schedule a Special Meeting
A motion was made by Chairperson Dotson and seconded by Olivia Vent to reserve the date of
Wednesday, June 17 , 1998 to complete the comprehensive plan survey .
A vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Carried Unanimously
Sketch Plan Review - Inman
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May 20, 1998
Susan Beeners reported that Edward. and Donna B . Inman have submitted application for a proposed
"Clustered" Subdivision . They are requesting the subdivision of Tax Parcel 10 . - 1 -21 . 12 into two
lots of 2+/- acres and 126+/- acres to be deeded for mortgage purposes . Subdivision of lots with less
than 150 feet of road frontage require "Clustered" subdivision approval . No further subdivision or
development has been proposed for the 126 +/- acres .
The Board reviewed the application.
Public Hearing Date Set - Site Plan Review - Inman
A public hearing was scheduled for 7 : 00 P . M . , Wednesday, June 17 , 1998 at the Town Hall , 1830
Danby Road , Ithaca, New York .
Tom Chefalo- Tompkins County Planning
Tom Chefalo reported that finds and assistance are available through the County to help townships
prepare application for a strategic plan for grant funding for the revitalization of commercial districts .
The plan must have defined boundaries of the commercial center based on criteria and identify
existing conditions and likely future conditions, define the purpose of the commercial center and what
it should be like in the future . it must also identify measurable targets to achieve that future and
specify the steps to meet these targets . The plan should also address commercial vitality, design and
public space, historic preservation, pedestrian and traffic circulation, scenic and cultural facilities .
As part of the program the County offers free services to help municipalities produce the strategic
plan but can be done by the Planning Board . An advisory board appointed by the Board of
Representatives review the grants and recommend funding .
Susan Beeners reported that the Town Board appointed a Town Revitalization Task Force to do a
street scape and a master plan for the Town . Laurene Gilbert will report back to the Board the
progress of the Revitilization Task Force .
Comprehensive Plan Review :
Chairperson Arch Dotson reported that he would like to introduce statements about the relationship
of the Planning Board and the Town Board -- for the record -- over the last ten ( 10) days he has had
two (2) meetings with Councilperson Strichartz and protracted telephone conversations with
Councilperson Gagnon and he thinks it is terribly important that these relationships be understood .
He invited Councilperson Strichartz and Councilperson Gagnon to speak to the Board about their
relationship as well.
Privilege of the Floor:
Councilperson Naomi Strichartz reported to the Planning Board that members of the Town Board
want to be involved in the comprehensive planning process and have direct contact with the people
for the collection of data . They want the Boards to work and participate together with regularity
scheduled meetings .
West Danby Methodist Church- Discussion
Councilperson Joel Gagnon reported that he would like to get some feedback from the Planning
Board about the situation with a church in West Danby. The building is a landmark and a prominent
feature in the village in West Danby. The Board was presented with maps showing the location of
the building, cemetery and the surrounding area. The Methodist Conference owns the building and
is under the care of the local congregation. At the end of June the building will revert to the
Methodist Conference and the local community will disband . At this point he will survey the
community and see if there is willingness in the community to support a nondenominational church.
Joel described the many options that the community has suggested for the use of the building if
additional land could be required, i . e . . court, community center, day care center.
Nancy Weitzel suggested that the community submit a plan for the area that will enable them to apply
for a County Revitalization Grant.
Chairperson Dotson said that Councilperson Gagnon should put this information in the context of the
relationship between the Planning Board and the Town Board .
a
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May 20 , 1998
Councilperson Gagnon said that the reason this has been brought before the Planning Board has only
a little with putting it into a relationship with the Town Board . The reason he is bringing it before
the Planning Board is because he is involved in dealing with it and wanted the Planning Board
questions and comments regarding whether there is something else he could or should be doing to
deal with the church situation in West Danby and what could the Town of Danby do to facilitate
meaningful use or re-use of that building and what obstacles are we responsible for in terms of codes
that are currently in place that we might be willing to obviate in order to deal with the situation .
Robert Roe said that if there were historic benefit to the building that there are a lot of benefits
available in terms of funding to restore buildings .
Olivia Vent said that there were no benefits because there is not an ordinance in Danby for historic
buildings and no landmark commission . If there were an ordinance then the building could be
designated and potentially it would be eligible for funding .
Robert Roe said that you will find that you will find that the Town will not do a thing for the building
until it ' s totally divorced from it' s economical function. There must be a separation from. the Church
and State .
Councilperson Joel Gagnon said that as a member of the Town Board he really values and can ' t
imagine the Town Board functioning without a planning perspective and can' t imagine us functioning
as a Town Board without the active participation of engagement of the Planning Board in the decision
making process in an advisory capacity, which is what the law provides . He said he is struggling with
the need to maintain separate group (two separate boards with two separate functions) .
Robert Roe responded the only provisions that are missing are the need for documentation (who said
what and when) . What we can' t deal with in terms of researching and analysis are sympathized
information. He said he applauds Councilperson Gagnon' s willingness to work as a liaison between
the Planning Board and the public but in order for the information to become part of the deliberations
and analysis it needs to be documented . Who said it, what they said and when needs to be specific
and documented for each item brought to them .
Chairperson Dotson suggested that the Planning Board consider this information at the next meeting
and we can have a discussion about it and agree upon the principles .
Nancy Weitzel responded to Councilperson Gagnon that the Town Board is going to review all the
information gathered from. the Planning Board and additional information from residents, neighbors
and various people in the community should be attached to the information when it is sent back to
the Planning Board .
Councilperson Strichartz said that she thinks that if the Town Board has more input earlier in the
process that it' s much more likely to get approved and that if the public has more input earlier in the
game they are much more likely to find everything acceptable .
Robert Roe said that as a Planning Board we are starting with the involvement of the public with the
questionnaire--that' s the first step .
. ' t. .
Nancy Weitzel said that when the last comprehensive plan was developed the public had opportunity
for input . If they complained later, we can' t help it . There was ample time to answer the
questionnaire and and attend the many meetings . If they complained later it was not because the
opportunity for input was not there .
Bob Roe said that the opportunity needs to be equally extended to everybody, certainly not selecting
out people for elicit responses .
Motion to Terminate Discussion
A motion was made by Robert Roe and seconded by Nancy Weitzel to terminate the discussion.
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May 20 , 1998
A vote on the motion resulted as follows :
Carried Unanimously
Draft Survey Document:
Robert Roe presented the Planning Board with a hand written draft of items to be included in a
proposed Survey of Danby residents concerning their desires for the type of community they would
like to live in . He reported that in January the Board designed eight (8) goals to be incorporated into
a comprehensive plan. Based on those goals they were subdivided into ten ( 10) items for survey
construction . Bob described how the questionnaire was designed as follows :
1 ) Three items to deal with agriculture uses ;
2) Five items that deal with activities and lifestyle
3 ) Five items others that deal with space and recreation facilities
4) Five items on economic development concerning services and retail
5 ) Five items on employment
6) Three items on historic cultural resources
7) Four items on natural resources
8) Five items on public utilities
9) Five items on transportation
10) Five items on housing
The Planning Board reviewed and revised the draft Proposed Danby Survey and the secretary will
type up the draft for Bob Roe and the Planning Board members to review . Bob Roe and Chairman
Dotson reminded the Board that the document is only in the planning stages and is not ready to share
with the public or Town Board .
Re-application of New York State Planning Federation Grant
Susan Beeners reported that she is preparing a Re-application to apply again for a New York State
Planning Federation Grant.
ADJOURNMENT :
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9 : 15 P . M .
Respectfully submitted
dtalaiS ettcd.A..
min- 5 -20 . 98 Carol W . Scz a ski , Secretary