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Home My WebLink About2015-11-24Conservation Board November 24, 2015 Page 1 of 5 Conservation Board November 24, 2015 Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair), Craig Schutt, Jeremy Sherman, Gian Dodici and Nancy Munkenbeck (at 7:45) Liaisons Present: David Weinstein, Planning Board Town Hall Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director Guests: Peter Davies and Craig Anderson The meeting was called to order at 7:45PM Tompkins County Trail Network: Ray Burger Tompkins County has received a grant to create a website depicting the trails available in the County. Each community has been asked to generate a list of the trails in their Town. For each trail identified within the Town, information such as trail length, difficulty, on-site amenities, scenic views and wild life viewing, type of activity, public access and a short trail narrative are requested. There will be a meeting of the trails network team on December 1 after which they will turn the information over to a contractor that they have hired to design the website. The website is expected to have pictures and be very interactive and easy to use. The Jim Shug Trail and Campbell Meadow are the two Town owned properties for which the Conservation Board provided information. Planning Board: David Weinstein K. Ezell addressed the Planning Board last night regarding New York State Building Codes. He indicated that the Town has the option of passing a green code for new buildings. The International Code Council does most of the code work for the states. The states have the option to adopt the codes which are revised every three years. Tompkins County is in the energy code of 6 while Cortland is a 5 which means that Tompkins County already meets a higher standard. N. Munkenbeck arrived at 7:45pm. Ag Committee: Craig Schutt They are continuing with the ag protection plan. D. Teeter shared the Lansing Plan with the Committee. The State has deemed the Lansing Plan to be one of the best in the State. They also reviewed the NRCP (Natural Resources Conservation Plan) priority checklist and found that many of the items in the ag section are already covered by the State. B. Beck stated that as they progress with the NRCP, they can reference the other plans that address ag protection. Ag land is a natural resource that should be addressed. After the holidays, the Ag committee would like meet with the other boards to present what they have put together so far. Review and approval of minutes from June 30, 2015 and September 29, 2015: J. Sherman moved to accept the minutes as adjusted, G. Dodici seconded the motion which was passed unanimously. NRCP: Conservation Board November 24, 2015 Page 2 of 5 N. Munkenbeck recommended adding the term “passive” to the section title (To protect and enhance Dryden’s passive Recreational Resources) to indicate that the Board is not actually creating or planning physical activities as the Recreation Department does. B. Beck is hoping to get the Town Board to authorize movement on the trails by getting signed easements from land owners that are interested/willing to support the rail to trail effort. N. Munkenbeck asked what was the purpose of reviewing the Ancram plan goals? - to determine whether these items are appropriate or relevant to Dryden - to determine the degree of agreement within the Board - to determine what might be missing from this list N. Munkenbeck was interested in a bird guide that could end up in the local B&Bs, motels, hotels, etc. Additionally, she recommended another pamphlet that would have geological features or micro-ecosystems. She believes that getting this information to the public should be a high priority because those are the things that will generate interest and then conservation. N. Munkenbeck offered a number of ideas to reach the public including: - providing a pamphlet to direct people to potential recreational activities - include phone numbers to local events, hikes, tours, etc - include contact information to various groups in the area (bird watching groups or archeological opportunities) G. Dodici pointed out that many of N. Munkenbeck’s suggestions have to do with how to connect the public with the recreational opportunities that exist (promotion) while the list seems to be about preserving or conserving tangible natural resources. Complete Streets approach – generally means the road has a wider shoulder. N. Munkenbeck pointed out that we cannot do anything regarding roads in the village and most of the other roads are governed by state guidelines. There are several roads that are already wide enough and by painting the lines narrower, it creates a wider shoulder for bicycles. She believes that protections are already in place and pointed out that no one works to make a road more unsafe. Conservation Board November 24, 2015 Page 3 of 5 D. Weinstein said that some road improvements actually make the situation less safe for bicyclists. - not enough shoulder for the bikes - high speed limits - rumble strips G. Dodici suggested the word “collaborate” in the 4th objective is obscuring the gist of the goal which is “to maintain and expand hiking trails, bicycling trails and other environmentally appropriate recreational opportunities in Dryden.” Collaboration can move to the end of the goal refocusing the goal to the main idea which is maintaining and expanding….. C. Anderson asked why the Board was trying to prioritize the goals since they are all important to the Town and will be addressed as the opportunities open up. B. Beck agreed because it might cause a goal that is given a low priority to be overlooked when the opportunity to achieve that goal is available. The Board agreed with that sentiment and changed the focus from prioritizing to reviewing for missing goals and goals that are not appropriate to the Town of Dryden. Review of the General Goal: To protect and enhance to totality of Dryden’s Natural Resources - Objective 1 - fine - The group removed the 2nd objective - Objective 3 – N. Munkenbeck recommended that when a person comes in for a building permit, the property has to be cross referenced with a DEC map which would show the critical environmental areas- swamps, etc. o G. Dodici suggested a kiosk situation with the DEC information available. An applicant would use the internet program to identify where they want to build; it would be similar to a SEQR but instead of relying on the property owner’s word, the website will potentially provide more accurate information. o A building up to 140 sq feet is exempt - C. Anderson pointed out that right now, an applicant comes in and the Planning Department accepts their word on good faith that they are going to do the right things. With the change suggested, it sounds like the Planning Department doesn’t trust the applicant and thus they need verification regarding potential resources. He feels that the safeguards are already in place. Conservation Board November 24, 2015 Page 4 of 5 - The point was made that as soon as more regulations are enacted, more personnel are needed to enforce the regulations. - It was suggested that Objective #3 be removed entirely since the Goal of “to protect and enhance to totality of Dryden’s Natural Resources” states the same thing. - Leaving the objective in the list was encouraged because it doesn’t hurt to state the goals more than once. - Perhaps the objective can be reworded to state: Raise awareness of the environmental review procedures….. - N. Munkenbeck recommended eliminating #9 since no one seemed to know what the NYS Climate Smart Communities are - She also recommended removing #10 since CEAs are a trigger o C. Anderson supports that recommendation as long as the State still has Dryden’s 3 CEAs as active. - N. Munkenbeck recommended removing “the real estate transfer tax” from #11, make the objective less specific in terms of where the funds would come from. Membership 2016: - Applications have been submitted which will keep the Board membership full. Conservation Board November 24, 2015 Page 5 of 5 - B. Beck said he is willing to serve as chair for another year, although he has fulfilled the position for 2 years already. - If anyone is interested or has a recommendation, they should speak up. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:16 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk