The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2015-04-28Conservation Board April 28, 2015 Page 1 of 4 Town of Dryden Conservation Board April 28, 2015 Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair), Jeremy Sherman, Milo Richmond, Craig Schutt, Nancy Munkenbeck, and Gian Dodici Bard Prentiss and Charlie Smith are excused. Town Hall Staff: Ray Burger, Director of Planning EMC Liaison: Steve Bissen Guests Present: Craig Anderson (Planning Board), Eileen Munsch (Design Connect), and Andy Zepp (Finger Lakes Land Trust) The meeting was called to order at 7:07PM Review and Approval of minutes from March 31, 2015: The minutes were unanimously approved. Finger Lakes Land Trust: Andy Zepp Conservation Board visited the Property 3-4 years ago – it is across Fall Creek from Campbell Meadow - The FLLT has embraced the fact that Fall Creek is the largest tributary to Cayuga Lake and it has both significant value for water quality, aesthetics, and wildlife habitat - There are no laws against the dumping of fill on the flood plain - FLLT looks for every opportunity to protect that corridor. - Freeville and FLLT worked together to protect the Genung Preserve, just up the stream - The FLLT wants a green belt along the creek – not ownership but conservation - Hoag-Harvey owns 15 acres across the creek - It is a combination of brush and woods with a sharp drop to the creek. - The FLLT has stayed in touch with the owners and they are potentially interested in a sale for conservation - The FLLT thinks it is worthy of conservation but they have 12 other counties that they are working with. They feel it is better for the Town to acquire the property. Part of the lot is former farm land, high and dry that could be a recreational opportunity. - They (the FLLT and the owners) have not reached the point of agreeing on a price - The assessment is about $50,000 - The FLLT willing to do the appraisal at their expense but only if the Town is interested. Mr. Zepp is certain the owners will be happy to schedule another field trip. - There are two modest structures that will have to be removed. Conservation Board April 28, 2015 Page 2 of 4 - They are reaching out to landowners along the stream hoping for conservation easements - The area is conservation zoning Milo Richmond feels it would be a good idea because of the 3 small feeder streams with a great wetland for amphibians, etc. It is a great spawning area. It will also give the Town the opportunity to clear some of the stream to preserve Campbell Meadow if/when the stream floods or changes its channel. D. Weinstein pointed out that the Town only owns half of Fall Creek so it becomes harder to protect the river. If we owned the opposite bank, it would be beneficial for the land the Town already owns. The possibility of erosion could be slowed down. One of the little feeder streams has deposited a lot of sediment in the stream pushing the flow of the creek toward Campbell Meadow. Kitty corner to the property is 100 acres that is for sale on route 13 – the realtor is aware that there is a conservation interest in the back half of the property and the FLLT will attempt to preserve the rail bed back to the stream. No one else is interested at this time as the property is not on the market. Bob Beck wanted to move quickly based on the nature of the meeting schedule. There are not any toxins at the property as far as the FLLT knows. The Board considered the resolution presented and made changes to ensure the resolution properly stated their recommendation. The Board believes that the DRYC will be interested in the property for potential passive and active recreation. Milo Richmond asked who was responsible for the financial arrangements. The Board agreed that they believe the Town Board is responsible for funding. The FLLT is unwilling to seriously look at the costs until they are sure the Town is seriously interested. N. Munkenbeck moved to approve the resolution to the Town Board proposing the purchase of the Hoag-Harvey parcel as amended. M. Richmond seconded the motion and the resolution was unanimously approved. Park Dabes – - There has been periodic dumping by the Bellasario company - Mr. Zepp recommends that the town purchase posted signs to identify the property borders. The 6 Mile Creek Watershed – - The City of Ithaca has appropriated $20,000 to offset the cost of easement transactions related to the 6 Mile Creek watershed which supplies most of Ithaca’s water. Surveyors’ fees, baseline studies and endowments are costly and the fund is there to help offset the cost of accepting a donation. Design Connect: Eileen Munsch Conservation Board April 28, 2015 Page 3 of 4 - “Team Dryden” met with landowners on and along the trail on Saturday April 25th - They learned about a couple desired reroutes, the pros and cons of the trail from the attendees, and they feel the meeting went well. - Ms. Munsch and her team will present their design to the Town Board on the 14th of May. Liaison reports: Planning Board: Dave Weinstein Mr. Weinstein was not at the last meeting so Craig Schutt reported. - The Board has continued the discussion of the Comprehensive Plan - The Conservation Board was asked about progress on the Conservation Natural Resources Plan which will ultimately be part of the Comprehensive Plan - The Town Board has not yet given permission or a directive for the Conservation Board to move forward on the Natural Resources Plan Ag Committee: Craig Schutt - Debbie Teeter joined the Committee to review the results of the surveys –farmer and landowner - The Gowes attended the meeting along with Jerry Coller from Beck Farms. Mr. Coller was able to explain the Beck farm project to the Gowes. EMC: Steve Bissen - Attended a meeting about the situation regarding honey bees and the colony collapse. This is not the first time historically that colony collapse has occurred. Pesticides, pathogens and stress are considered the causes. - The bees are often transported long distances and feed high fructose corn syrup to keep them alive. - Native environments are a positive for the native bees and potentially beneficial for the honey bees. - The UNA subcommittee is considering a website for the land owners that they can review for about 6 months after which it will be available to the local governments. There are concerns about the damage that could be done to plants and wildlife if the website is made available to the public - He has also heard that consideration has been given to developing hydro power along Fall Creek. Tompkins County Parks and Trails network - They were awarded a grant to work on a County Mobile Enabled Trails website. - The Conservation Board is going to coordinate with the project Citizen’s Privilege: C. Schutt Conservation Board April 28, 2015 Page 4 of 4 - Mr. Schutt agrees that citizens privilege is a great idea but when the agenda states 5 minutes or less, they should be held to that limit - If they want to continue the conversation, he recommended that the citizens request to be on the agenda before the meeting or agree to return to the next meeting. He has concerns that a precedent has been set and that other citizens can point to that and demand equal time. He also expressed concern that the Board was only hearing one side of the issue. - Mr. Beck and Mr. Richmond disagreed. Mr. Beck believes that the Board can tell others that they have been heard and times up, we have other business to do. - Mr. Weinstein argued that this was a special case that no one has heard about, it potentially involved public resources and the time line was very short. - Ms. Munkenbeck agreed that it should have been on the agenda; the agenda could have been adjusted during the meeting. - Mr. Bissen recommended that should the situation arise again, the Board vote whether to permit the citizen(s) to continue - Mr. Beck stated he took full responsibility for the length of the discussion. He said he let it go on so the Conservation Board would be informed. In a democracy, citizens should have the right to approach their town government and express their concerns. - Mr. Beck asked C. Schutt how he feels about the process of review and approval without any public notice about what was happening in the Town of Dryden regarding this issue. o C. Schutt responded that is the way the rules have always been. It is exactly why the farm did not want to tell anyone until they had to; they knew it would create a big to-do. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05PM. Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk Town of Dryden Conservation Board 28 April 2015 Resolution to Town Board Proposed purchase of Hoag-‐Harvey parcel, 44.-‐1-‐2.323 Whereas, Fifteen acres of land are available for purchase east of Pinckney Road between the proposed Freeville-‐to-‐Ithaca Rail Trail and the Campbell Meadow Town Park, and adjacent to a Cornell Natural Area across Pinckney Road, Whereas, This property is a priority for conservation because: (1) it links an existing Town Park to the proposed Rail Trail; (2) it can be developed into an access point for trail users; (3) it has more than 1,000 feet of frontage on Fall Creek; and, (4) it strengthens the link to the Cornell Natural Area, Whereas, The property is largely undeveloped except for two small structures and an abandoned vehicle which could easily be removed from the property, Whereas, The Finger Lakes Land Trust would assist with the acquisition of the property, Whereas, For the Town of Dryden Recreation Department, the property provides the potential for active and passive recreation development, Whereas, The property fully meets 18 of the 27 criteria in the Selection Criteria Checklist within the Town of Dryden’s approved “Methods and Selection Criteria for Land Protection and Acquisition” (see attached checklist), Now, therefore, be it resolved that, The Conservation Board recommends that the Town Board approve the acquisition of the Hoag-‐Harvey parcel, 44.-‐1-‐2.323, as a vital addition to the Town’s conservation lands. Approved: 6-‐0-‐0 by the Conservation Board on 28 April 2015 Town of Dryden Methods and Selection Criteria for Land Protection and Acquisition Selection Criteria Checklist for Land Protection and Acquisition 1. Goals and Purposes To qualify for selection, a property must meet ALL of these criteria: ü The protection of this property is consistent with the stated goals of the Dryden Town’s Comprehensive Plan. ü The property has valuable natural, scenic, recreational, or agricultural resources. ü The property is of sufficient size, given the context of the surrounding area, that its conservation resources are likely to remain intact, or there is potential for protecting additional adjacent acreage in the future. ü Protection of this property aids sound land use planning, promotes land conservation, and encourages careful stewardship of land and water resources. ü The site has the potential for having a sound and cost effective management plan. 2. Public Benefit & Natural Resource Values To qualify for selection, a property must meet ONE OR MORE of these criteria: ü Consistency: The protection of the property is consistent with the Town’s Open Space Inventory, with Tompkins County Plans, and/or with the NY State Open Space Conservation? Identified in a Plan or Study: The area has been identified in a State, regional, or local master plan, guide, study, or inventory as being of special environmental, aesthetic, recreational, educational, or historic significance? Unique Natural Areas Inventory: Contains or includes property within a Tompkins County-‐designated Unique Natural Area. ü Ecosystems/Habitat: Contains significant natural ecosystems, natural features, or habitat for wildlife, fish, or plants (wetland, forest, scrub, field, meadow, nesting, feeding, mating, …), areas used by migrating wildlife, lands containing exemplary ecosystems, or habitats which offer important educational or recreational opportunities. ü Wildlife Corridor: Provides a habitat connection—a corridor linking larger areas of significant habitat that is important for the movement or long-‐term health of wildlife. Rare Species/Communities: Contains endangered, threatened, or rare species or natural communities. Should any plant communities be protected from public use? How much of the area should be protected from public use? Are they susceptible to theft? Are they susceptible to wildlife browsing? ü Water Features: Contains wetlands, floodplains, waterways, riparian corridors, aquifer recharge areas, particularly sensitive watershed areas, or other lands necessary for flood protection, the protection of surface or underground water resources and plant, fish or wildlife habitat, or provide important educational or recreational opportunities. Despite wetland laws at both the State and Federal levels, conservation easements or ownership of wetlands are the most effective protection. ü Stream Corridors: Includes land which would provide public access to streams, allow for the creation of stream-‐side trails, contribute to the protection of water resources, or protect important aquatic or terrestrial habitat. Ecosystem Restoration Potential: Includes ecosystems on site with potential for habitat restoration. For what target species (birds, fish, etc)? Is there potential for creation of ecosystems rare in the area (i.e. convert forest to meadow, etc.). Can a wetland be expanded, restored or enhanced? ü Ecosystem Services Protection: Provides ecosystem services to the town. How are these services best protected? Soils: Contains prime, statewide important, unique, or other productive soil for the purpose of agricultural production. Working Landscapes: Contains lands being utilized for their natural resources, particularly farming and forestry (Are there timber resources on the property? What is the potential for future harvesting?). Working landscapes provide wildlife habitat and scenic value, and can also be a source of recreational and educational opportunities. ü Buffer for Resources: Serves as a significant buffer for prime agricultural land, wetlands, wildlife habitats, or other sensitive areas. ü Contiguous With or Buffer for Protected Land: Is close to or contiguous to, or provides a buffer to an existing conservation easement, park, preserve, or other protected land, or a resource likely to be so protected in the near future. ü Community Character: The property is important to a community as open space because of its significance in defining the character of the community. ü Scenic Views: Protects a scenic view from public roadway, waterway, or recreation area. Locations exist throughout the Town that provide views of hills, forests, rolling farmland, wetlands and waterways. Town residents and visitors value scenic vistas, yet lands which command these views are in demand as building sites. Development of the property could obstruct or diminish scenic views or interfere with views across already protected open space. ü Recreation: Provides significant active or passive public recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of natural resources. If the purpose of the property is primarily a recreational or educational resource, or a scenic view point, the public will have adequate access. Do the recreation opportunities complement other recreation opportunities in the area of the town, or add to existing opportunities, or create new opportunities? How will people get to the property? What parking or bicycle facility needs will there be on the property? Is development of a town facility for recreation or otherwise feasible. Will the property draw people from outside of town? ü Trail corridors: Includes land which would guarantee long term access to trails, extend or link existing trails, provide for new trail networks, or buffer trails from conflicting land use. Is there opportunity for people to use trails as a means for getting to work, or shopping? Geologic and Other Scientific Resources: Contains unique or outstanding examples of geological features or processes, or contains significant paleontological sites, or lands which offer educational or research opportunities of particular value to the scientific community. ü Gateway: Is located in an important transition area between rural and developed areas or along a significant transportation corridor entrance to a town, village or city. Historic or Archaeological Areas: The Finger Lakes region has a rich history, being a focal point of Native American activities prior to the arrival of Europeans. Areas of interest include those which would contribute to the preservation of important cultural resources. Precedent: Sets an important precedent for resource or open space protection in a targeted area. Town of Dryden Conservation Board 28 April 2015 Resolution to Town Board Proposed purchase of Hoag-‐Harvey parcel, 44.-‐1-‐2.323 Whereas, Fifteen acres of land are available for purchase east of Pinckney Road between the proposed Freeville-‐to-‐Ithaca Rail Trail and the Campbell Meadow Town Park, and adjacent to a Cornell Natural Area across Pinckney Road, Whereas, This property is a priority for conservation because: (1) it links an existing Town Park to the proposed Rail Trail; (2) it can be developed into an access point for trail users; (3) it has more than 1,000 feet of frontage on Fall Creek; and, (4) it strengthens the link to the Cornell Natural Area, Whereas, The property is largely undeveloped except for two small structures and an abandoned vehicle which could easily be removed from the property, Whereas, The Finger Lakes Land Trust would assist with the acquisition of the property, Whereas, For the Town of Dryden Recreation Department, the property provides the potential for active and passive recreation development, Whereas, The property fully meets 18 of the 27 criteria in the Selection Criteria Checklist within the Town of Dryden’s approved “Methods and Selection Criteria for Land Protection and Acquisition” (see attached checklist), Now, therefore, be it resolved that, The Conservation Board recommends that the Town Board approve the acquisition of the Hoag-‐Harvey parcel, 44.-‐1-‐2.323, as a vital addition to the Town’s conservation lands. Approved: 6-‐0-‐0 by the Conservation Board on 28 April 2015 Town of Dryden Methods and Selection Criteria for Land Protection and Acquisition Selection Criteria Checklist for Land Protection and Acquisition 1. Goals and Purposes To qualify for selection, a property must meet ALL of these criteria: ü The protection of this property is consistent with the stated goals of the Dryden Town’s Comprehensive Plan. ü The property has valuable natural, scenic, recreational, or agricultural resources. ü The property is of sufficient size, given the context of the surrounding area, that its conservation resources are likely to remain intact, or there is potential for protecting additional adjacent acreage in the future. ü Protection of this property aids sound land use planning, promotes land conservation, and encourages careful stewardship of land and water resources. ü The site has the potential for having a sound and cost effective management plan. 2. Public Benefit & Natural Resource Values To qualify for selection, a property must meet ONE OR MORE of these criteria: ü Consistency: The protection of the property is consistent with the Town’s Open Space Inventory, with Tompkins County Plans, and/or with the NY State Open Space Conservation? Identified in a Plan or Study: The area has been identified in a State, regional, or local master plan, guide, study, or inventory as being of special environmental, aesthetic, recreational, educational, or historic significance? Unique Natural Areas Inventory: Contains or includes property within a Tompkins County-‐designated Unique Natural Area. ü Ecosystems/Habitat: Contains significant natural ecosystems, natural features, or habitat for wildlife, fish, or plants (wetland, forest, scrub, field, meadow, nesting, feeding, mating, …), areas used by migrating wildlife, lands containing exemplary ecosystems, or habitats which offer important educational or recreational opportunities. ü Wildlife Corridor: Provides a habitat connection—a corridor linking larger areas of significant habitat that is important for the movement or long-‐term health of wildlife. Rare Species/Communities: Contains endangered, threatened, or rare species or natural communities. Should any plant communities be protected from public use? How much of the area should be protected from public use? Are they susceptible to theft? Are they susceptible to wildlife browsing? ü Water Features: Contains wetlands, floodplains, waterways, riparian corridors, aquifer recharge areas, particularly sensitive watershed areas, or other lands necessary for flood protection, the protection of surface or underground water resources and plant, fish or wildlife habitat, or provide important educational or recreational opportunities. Despite wetland laws at both the State and Federal levels, conservation easements or ownership of wetlands are the most effective protection. ü Stream Corridors: Includes land which would provide public access to streams, allow for the creation of stream-‐side trails, contribute to the protection of water resources, or protect important aquatic or terrestrial habitat. Ecosystem Restoration Potential: Includes ecosystems on site with potential for habitat restoration. For what target species (birds, fish, etc)? Is there potential for creation of ecosystems rare in the area (i.e. convert forest to meadow, etc.). Can a wetland be expanded, restored or enhanced? ü Ecosystem Services Protection: Provides ecosystem services to the town. How are these services best protected? Soils: Contains prime, statewide important, unique, or other productive soil for the purpose of agricultural production. Working Landscapes: Contains lands being utilized for their natural resources, particularly farming and forestry (Are there timber resources on the property? What is the potential for future harvesting?). Working landscapes provide wildlife habitat and scenic value, and can also be a source of recreational and educational opportunities. ü Buffer for Resources: Serves as a significant buffer for prime agricultural land, wetlands, wildlife habitats, or other sensitive areas. ü Contiguous With or Buffer for Protected Land: Is close to or contiguous to, or provides a buffer to an existing conservation easement, park, preserve, or other protected land, or a resource likely to be so protected in the near future. ü Community Character: The property is important to a community as open space because of its significance in defining the character of the community. ü Scenic Views: Protects a scenic view from public roadway, waterway, or recreation area. Locations exist throughout the Town that provide views of hills, forests, rolling farmland, wetlands and waterways. Town residents and visitors value scenic vistas, yet lands which command these views are in demand as building sites. Development of the property could obstruct or diminish scenic views or interfere with views across already protected open space. ü Recreation: Provides significant active or passive public recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of natural resources. If the purpose of the property is primarily a recreational or educational resource, or a scenic view point, the public will have adequate access. Do the recreation opportunities complement other recreation opportunities in the area of the town, or add to existing opportunities, or create new opportunities? How will people get to the property? What parking or bicycle facility needs will there be on the property? Is development of a town facility for recreation or otherwise feasible. Will the property draw people from outside of town? ü Trail corridors: Includes land which would guarantee long term access to trails, extend or link existing trails, provide for new trail networks, or buffer trails from conflicting land use. Is there opportunity for people to use trails as a means for getting to work, or shopping? Geologic and Other Scientific Resources: Contains unique or outstanding examples of geological features or processes, or contains significant paleontological sites, or lands which offer educational or research opportunities of particular value to the scientific community. ü Gateway: Is located in an important transition area between rural and developed areas or along a significant transportation corridor entrance to a town, village or city. Historic or Archaeological Areas: The Finger Lakes region has a rich history, being a focal point of Native American activities prior to the arrival of Europeans. Areas of interest include those which would contribute to the preservation of important cultural resources. Precedent: Sets an important precedent for resource or open space protection in a targeted area.