HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-17-CP November 17, 1998
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Comprehensive Plan Committee
Public Hearing, November 17, 1998
Present: Peter Demjanec, Gregg Hoffmire, Krys Cail , Ruth Kahn, Catherine Stover, Sue
Poelvoorde, and Dave Tyler.
Recording minutes : Deb Austic
Public present : Lauren Bishop, George Larsen, Sheila Ferrari , Brian Henehan, Osmo Heila, Ron
MacLean, Annyce Turco , Kai Shafft, Andrea Murray , Cindy Robinson, Eileen Jacobs, Fred
Knewstub, Bob Shaw, Richard & Betty Berggren, Tom Reitz, Linda Knewstub, Don Sola, Eileen
Jacobs, Dan Burgevin, Caroline Duddleston, Bobby Weatherby , Peter Penniman, Andy Hillman,
Doug Austic, Don Ellis, Alex Rachun, Bob Carpenter, and Charles Schlough.
Peter began the hearing at 7 : 35 p . m . and introduced the Comprehensive Plan Committee
and Planning Board members present. Sue explained the review process and the information on
display . The formal hearing adjourned for 20 minutes while Committee and Board members
circulated with residents and discussed the plan. The hearing reconvened at 8 : 05 p . m . and Krys
reviewed the history and development of the comprehensive plan. Krys described the map as
conceptual and read a list of criteria that the Committee had used for building the map . Ruth
explained the ground rules for the public hearing and deadline for public comment. Dave opened
the hearing for public comment.
Linda Knewstub asked whether the C3 area on Agard Road might be moved and how that
could be accomplished . Dave described the process for reviewing the comprehensive plan and
suggested concerned residents send written comments and attend public hearings . Knewstub
expressed concern for the vagueness of the term "industrial enterprises" and the implications for
future development.
Cindy Robinson suggested the plan and language needed more specifics before residents
could support it.
Peter commented on the C3 zone and suggested the Town was likely to see new
development similar to that already existing in the Town. Peter also explained that the plan was
likely to be altered in response to comment and the final plan would be only a suggestion to the
Planning Board to develop zoning . The specific guidelines would be established with the updated
zoning and would also be subject to public comment.
Andrea. Murray said residents would like to support the plan if the language was more
specific .
Brian Henehan said he recognized the need for the C3 zone someplace but asked how the
zone was sited; whether ag land or sewer and water were taken into consideration.
Charles Schlough questioned the specificity of the districts on the map and suggested that
they would become the basis for borders in the zoning and questioned the need for such a high
concentration of development.
Don Sola suggested that C3 was an inappropriate category for the Town because quality
of life issues were more important. Sola questioned whether an industrial park should be a
priority for the Town and whether zoning for industry was necessary .
Schlough said there seemed to be an attempt to categorically eliminate certain activities
rather than recognize there may be a level of acceptability .
A resident asked for clarification on the language in the plan and said that terms such as
"light industry" or "industrial" were being used without knowing what was really intended.
Sue pointed out that the comments about the terminology were very important and the
Committee did recognize the need to create clearer definitions for the types of production and
cottage industries that were intended .
Osmo Heila stated that the plan needed clearer definition of what was meant by industry .
Andrea Murray pointed out that it was hard for the public to accept the plan without
knowing the zoning definition of C3 first.
Eileen Jacobs pointed out that Ulysses Square was not indicated on the map as a
commercial zone .
Tom Reitz said the C3 zone was 90% agricultural land and suggested the zone be moved
to the north of Agard Road to consolidate more with the Cl zone .
Bob Carpenter expressed concern for the need for water in the Town.
A resident suggested the C3 zone near Agard Road be moved to the intersection of Perry
City Road, Van Dorns Corners Road and Route 96 .
November 17, 1998
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Linda Knewstub asked whether C3 was planning vocabulary term with a set definition or
did the Committee create the zone labels .
Krys briefly explained some of the limitations on the Town to determine acceptable
development.
Peter requested a poll on whether an industrial park would be inappropriate for the Town.
15 people felt an industrial park was inappropriate . Peter described some of the industrial
enterprises currently operating in the Town and tried to determine whether residents would
accept similar enterprises .
A resident asked where a Walmart would be located. The Committee stated that it would
go in C2 .
Charles Schlough asked whether there was any attempt to provide protection against
large agriculture .
A resident asked whether the C3 on Agard Road was necessary considering all the other
available zones .
Don Ellis said there needed to be more definition for C3 but not eliminated. Ellis
suggested examples from outside the Town would be helpful and also disruption from
agriculture seemed more of a threat than C3 and should be addressed more . Dave Tyler pointed
out that agriculture was a main means to preserve open space .
Ron MacLean complimented the efforts on balancing the issues and for setting up a
direction for the Town to be going . MacLean suggested the Town should have an economic
development agency to attract the kinds of desired commercial enterprises . MacLean also said he
was glad to see attention on recreation and the use of natural resources .
Linda Knewstub suggested tightening the wording on C3 to alleviate worry about the
future implications of vague definitions . Knewstub also suggested the C3 be reduced to closer to
Route 96 . Knewstub felt there should be better advertisement of future public hearings and
perhaps a map included in the newspaper.
Peter Penniman said the residents and Committee are concerned about defining the
categories and asked whether there could be a estimate of what percentage would be developed
or amount of parking .
A resident suggested the C3 on Agard be reduced or part of it moved to the Perry City
Road intersection.
Ruth explained the rationale for designating a larger area to be available for development
but only a small percentage would actually be developed . The Committee asked residents to take
comment sheets and respond with suggestions of what types of businesses would be acceptable
and what wouldn ' t.
Don Sola referred to page 10 and objective #2 under C3 and suggested the C3 would turn
into an industrial park. Sola suggested that C3 be included in C2 .
Linda Knewstub asked for clarification of the difference between a home occupation and
small cottage industry .
George Larsen said he would like to see more restrictions on agricultural activities . Krys
explained there was a subcommittee of the Planning Board working on a right to farm ordinance .
Dan Burgevin expressed concerned about the environmental impacts of development on
the lake and watershed. Burgevin felt the total percentage of land available for development in
the Town was high .
Alex briefly explained the restrictions of the zoning based on the comprehensive plan
map and that only a percentage within the area would be development.
Caroline Duddleston and Bobby Weatherby pointed out that there were existing
businesses already operating within the areas designated .
Linda Knewstub asked if there wasn ' t an area other than Agard Road that C3 could be
located and said perhaps more smaller areas would be better.
Andy Hillman asked whether the protection of the watershed was considered in siting
zones or the NYS open space plan.
A resident asked whether the committee had received any input on increasing economic
growth or whether there was a group in Ulysses for that.
Ron MacLean said the plan expressed a balance of the community and the need for a
balance of activities .
Dan Burgevin suggested any development should take into consideration the
environmental impact and should be sustainable .
Don Sola said that malls and industrial parks have been built and failed and that Ulysses
should try something different.
Peter noted that the article 239 response came from the county with a finding of no
deleterious impact. The hearing ended at 10 p . m .