HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-07-PB-FINAL MINUTES-11
Town of Ulysses
Planning Board
Final Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2017
Approved: August 21st, 2108
Call to order: 7:08
Present: Chair David Blake, Jonathan Ferrari, Jon Wertis, Katelin Olson, Rebecca Schneider, Rich
Goldman, Town Planner John Zepko; Not present: Steve Manley
Member of the Public Present: Carl Guy
Agenda Review, Minutes Review (July 17, 2018): Concerning the permit review for a sign on the 4
Seasons Storage building in Jacksonville, Mr. Blake asked that the minutes show the applicant agreed to
remove the old sign before installing a new sign. Mr. Wertis then MADE the MOTION and Ms. Schneider
SECONDED the MOTION to approve the July 17th minutes as revised. The motion passed unanimously.
Privilege of the floor: None
New Business
Site Plan Review: Approximately 3,200 square ft single family home. Property located in the CD –
Conservation District, opposite 1371 Taughannock Blvd, Tax Parcel Number 18.-3-9.12. Carl Guy, agent.
Mr. Wertis MADE the MOTION and Ms. Schneider SECONDED the MOTION to open discussion; the
motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Guy, representative for the Fahs family, presented a revised site plan that incorporated all of the
changes requested by the Planning Board at an earlier (May 1st, 2018) meeting. He also included a letter
of approval from the Tompkins County Health Department for the new site septic plan.
Board members asked a few questions about setbacks, sediment control and tree protection and
thanked Mr. Guy for the improved plan. Mr. Blake requested that if happy with the new plan, the Board
keep the request open until the next meeting on August 21st, when Mr. Guy will be able to show the
exact location of the septic system. Mr. Wertis MADE the MOTION to keep the site plan review open
and Mr. Blake SECONDED the MOTION; the motion passed unanimously.
The Board began review of the ZUSC’s zoning proposal with the businesses allowed by site plan review
section. Ms. Schneider noted she has been pleased with the Committee’s efforts but remains concerned
about the intent to move from many smaller to one big zone. She and several other members also
expressed concerns about areas they feel need more protection than what is offered by new zoning. To
that end, Board members decided to create overlay districts – a planning tool less strict than a site plan
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Planning Board Meeting Minutes August 7, 2018
review but still able to aid in preserving the specific character of an area – that would further support
zoning protections.
After some discussion members named Taughannock Creek, watersheds, and steep slopes and wetlands
as features most in need of extra protection. Ms. Schneider noted that immediate implementation of
the overlays will help support environmental protections the Board has already put in place while the
new zoning is discussed and finalized. Mr. Ferrari MADE the MOTION and Mr. Blake SECONDED the
MOTION to recommend the Town Board add the Taughannock Creek, watershed, and steep slopes and
wetlands overlays to the new zoning without delay.
The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion continued about businesses allowed in agricultural and farming zones. Mr. Zepko encouraged
the Board to focus on protecting areas through zoning and not move toward outright banning or
allowing conditions, buildings, etc. – which is not in Planning Board purview, anyway. When a member
questioned allowing operations like breweries and slaughterhouses in farming and agricultural areas, he
suggested using SEQRs (State Environmental Quality Review) or a similar tool to provide protection in
those zones. A member also raised the issue of Cafos (Confined Animal Feeding Operations), saying they
irreparably harm drinking water – leading to a motion MADE by Ms. Schneider and SECONDED by Mr.
Ferrari to not allow Cafos.
The MOTION failed three to two, with Mr. Wertis, Mr. Olson, and Mr. Blake voting nay.
Members talked further about developing standards for nutrient run-off until Mr. Blake noted the time.
Mr. Zepko requested that, instead of continuing a review section by section, each member read and
digest the proposed zoning and come to the next Board meeting with three or four areas of concern to
be discussed.
Ms. Olson MADE the MOTION and Ms. Schneider SECONDED the MOTION to adjourn. Meeting
adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Maria Barry, August 28, 2018