Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-18 PB MinPage 1 of 3 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting via Zoom - Thursday, 18 March 2021 - 7:30 PM Town Offices – 101 Conger Boulevard – Groton, NY Members, Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present Mark Baxendell, Chairman Robin Cargian, Deputy Town Clerk/Host *Leon Brockway, Jr., Vice-Chairman Joan Fitch, Board Secretary Monica Carey Edward Neuhauser Lisa Maloney Hahn Samuel Rose Dan Cerretani Applicants & Public in Attendance None. REGULAR MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board was called to order by Chairman Mark Baxendell at 7:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 18 FEBRUARY 2021 A correction was noted by Deputy Clerk Robin Cargian who advised that the term “Manufacturing Facility” should actually be “Fabrication and Repair Facility” (under Cayuga Tool & Die application). A clarification of the topography was also made. A motion was made by Member Monica Carey to approve the Minutes of the 18 February 2021 Planning Board meeting, as corrected. The motion was seconded by Member Lisa Maloney Hahn, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Baxendell Nays: None Member Carey Member Cerretani Absent: Member Brockway Member Neuhauser Member Rose Member Maloney Hahn Motion carried. This becomes Action #10 of 2021. OLD BUSINESS - NONE NEW BUSINESS - NONE (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 March 2021 18 August 2016 Page 2 of 3 OTHER DISCUSSION Revision to Site Plan Application Checklist Form Chairman Baxendell advised that Deputy Clerk Cargian had sent them the checklist forms used by other municipalities, and her suggestions for revising the Town’s form. Robin is the person who deals with the public when they go through the application process and use the checklist. Procedures utilized by other municipalities were discussed. Member Carey commented that the Code Enforcement Officer always looked over the applications before they came before the Board to make sure what was being applied for was an allowed use in the area, etc. Chairman Baxendell commented that a few years ago the Code Officer did take care of that. Member Sam Rose commented that Robin’s list of suggestions looked good, but wanted to know who decided what when it came to the answers? Chairman Baxendell then reviewed Robin’s list of suggestions, item by item, a copy of which has been placed on file for the record. Good thing to have topographic map. Applicants come with hand-drawn maps, and that’s not going to be sufficient anymore. EMS access should be in there. We need to make the applicant think: flood zone? Garbage disposal? Wetland? If it requires a Code change, we can ask for it. Member Cerretani asked about energy distribution facilities, electric, gas, solar, etc. Were they left out on purpose? Member Rose asked if the plan was to combine Robin’s suggestions with what we have and “marry” them? Chairman Baxendell commented that there will be a sketch plan review and there should be a list. There is no sketch plan checklist, just a site plan checklist. Member Carey thought there should be some kind of a sketch plan application giving their name, tax map number, type of project proposed, etc. Just a real simple application to go with the checklist would be the best way, she stated. Robin countered that maybe start with something simple to see if it works. If it’s not on the list, it is not allowed. Chairman Baxendell commented there is no place to list land use and that should be on the application somewhere so there’s no question of what we are calling this, e.g. fabrication and repair; more clarification is needed. Member Maloney Hahn remarked that Dryden does a good job with their sketch plan—it’s simple. Chairman Baxendell asked how everyone felt about a sketch plan application; maybe Robin could provide something at the next Board meeting that is general information to get us starting to think about things. Not sure what kind of checklist is wanted. This would be an opportunity to help the applicant go through all the checks. Member Neuhauser commented that this would mean looking at things twice. Same checklist used for both sketch plan and site plan? Chairman Baxendell summarized that it sounds like we would like to have a sketch plan application with a sketch plan/preliminary review checklist, the two kind of merged into one, with proper wording to make it user friendly, which would also make the point that this is important. Without a proper application, and everything completed, he did not think the Board would look at it. He also added that maps should be professionally done and to scale. Member Rose again asked who makes the final decision regarding “unsightliness”? Member Carey thought it should be the Code Enforcement Officer. Chairman Baxendell responded that, theoretically, “it falls with us.” Board members should go look. Member Cerretani wondered if the two items regarding trees, shrubs, landscaping and protection of neighboring properties against noise, glare, etc., could be combined in some way? (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 March 2021 18 August 2016 Page 3 of 3 Chairman Baxendell asked Robin to combine all in a “neat little package.” He further commented that the sketch plan has been put back in, as it was quite some time ago. It should take three meetings to get a business up and running. He then summarized that they have talked about moving the SEQRA back to the preliminary, and adding the sketch plan with the sketch plan/site plan review checklist. Deputy Clerk Cargian commented that she will get back to the Board next month. ADJOURNMENT At 8:30 p.m., a motion was made by Member Rose to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Neuhauser, with all members present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz, Attorney Casullo & Board Members on 4/14/21.