HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-17 - TB 131
TOWN OF ULYSSES
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
January 17, 2001
Present: Supervisor Douglas Austic; Councilpeople Sue Poelvoorde, Carolyn
Duddleston , Robert Weatherby and Andrew Hillman ; Town Clerk Marsha Georgia .
Supervisor Austic opened the meeting immediately following the annual audit.
Ms . Poelvoorde stated that the Board members were here to discuss the
direction they wanted the Planning Board to go and also noted that she had a
packet from George Frantz, which included his resume .
Mr. Hillman stated that George has done work with the Town of Ithaca in ways
of preserving farmland . They are studying development rights, land trusts and
sub-divisions.
Ms. Poelvoorde stated that an open space plan in a Town helps identify those
areas that the Town may want to protect.
The board discussed different land preservation methods.
Mr. Austic feels that the Town could encourage land preservation but at this
time he feels that the Town is not in the position to buy development rights.
Ms Poelvoorde stated that the Town needs to get an explanation of the
mechanism to do these things. If it's not purchasing development rights, maybe
it's conservation preservation or another mechanism to do under zoning .
Mr. Austic stated that there may be different options.
Tools in our zoning ordinance are size of lots, cluster lots, subdivision .
Mr. Austic stated that he felt he had legitimate reasons for discouraging five-
acre lots. He felt the five acres did not take into account Mr. Weatherby's
concern . Mr. Austic also felt that the Town's present subdivision rules should be
looked at, and suggested different specs on the roads as an example of one area
that perhaps should be amended . Mr. Austic noted that municipal water might
change things and that the Town should have something in place to handle the
change.
Mr. Weatherby stated that he would hope water would encourage cluster or
subdivision . He has a hard time with the lot size . He feels that this area is very
rural and has a lot of open space and he does not see that changing over night
or in five to ten years.
Mr. Hillman feels that with water, the Town will change along Route 96 .
Mr. Weatherby agreed , but feels like the Town should be in a position to help
encourage subdivisions .
Discussion followed on changes that may be done to subdivision regulations like
roads.
Mr. Weatherby stated this all depends on getting water.
Ms. Poelvoorde feels even without water the Town should encourage sub-
division . Ms. Poelvoorde further stated none of the Town officials seem to have
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answers and she would like to see someone do the research on this type of
thing .
We could talk to developers and see what pit-falls they run into.
It was pointed out that there are several subdivisions started now and they still
have vacant lots within them .
Ms. Poelvoorde stated that the thing that is not answered is "how to do it",
noting that the Board members know that there are some barriers already,
including road construction, utilities etc. Ms. Poelvoorde stated that the Town
can't save those costs to a subdivision builder. Roads, maybe, but developers
cannot tell the Town Board how to do that, someone else will have to. Ms.
Poelvoorde further stated the Town needs research conducted, and noted there
are also questions about tax breaks.
Mr. Austic asked what they were trying to figure out.
Ms Poelvoorde stated that they are trying to figure out what direction to give
to the planning board and the other thing is "Are we going to plan on getting
additional help so we can get this zoning ordinance done this year?" Ms.
Poelvoorde felt that this would not be possible if the work on the Ordinance
continues as it has been going .
Mr. Austic stated that the Town is losing commercial, which the Town has, no
commercial zones.
Ms. Poelvoorde stated that the Town is losing everything .
Mr. Hillman stated that there is a chance of losing a pretty good planning
board .
Ms. Poelvoorde stated that she would like to see the new Zoning Ordinance
done in a year or less, and noted that it is not going to get done with the
Planning Board and the Town Board working on it four hours a month. Ms.
Poelvoorde stated this was because there are too many questions like those
raised tonight, and that someone has to take time during the day and make
phone calls, get answers, come back with options and write it up. Ms. Poelvoorde
stated that she does not want to spend the time writing up an ordinance and
does not think the Town attorney should either.
Mr. Weatherby asked Ms. • Poelvoorde if she feels the vvhole ordinance needs to
be changed .
Ms. Poelvoorde stated that while some parts should be started from scratch,
the whole ordinance would not have to be rewritten .
The Board revisited Mr. Frantz's packet and decided that they could invite him
in and discuss different options, contracts, prices, etc.
As far as the direction for the planning board, it was decided that directions
should include :
1 . Take a Break
2 . Discuss the Informational Meetings they/ would like to hold
3 . Town Board will meet with George Front — give direction
4. Work on Site-Plan Review coming before them
Ms. Poelvoorde will contact Mr. Frantz to see when he would be available.
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Hearing no further discussion the meeting was adjourned .
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk
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