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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-23 Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 1 of 13 Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Members Present: Joe Laquatra (Chair), Tom Hatfield, Marty Hatch, John Kiefer and Craig Schutt (Alternate) Liaisons Present: Joe Solomon at 7:45PM, Town Board Town Hall Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director Guests Present: John Carson and Dustin Bridges, 1808 Dryden Road, Stefan Lutter, applicant to the Planning Board Review and Approval of minutes from March 26: M. Hatch moved to accept the minutes with corrections, C. Schutt seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved. Comprehensive Plan Review: M. Hatch M. Hatch pointed out that the Town of Dryden has residential and commercial guidelines but not an energy source plan. M. Hatch and D. Weinstein asked how the comprehensive plan can reflect ways of using energy that will make the community thrive rather than decline. Please see attached documents. J. Laquatra suggested that the Planning Board consider doing an analysis of wind and solar in the Town to provide guidance in those directions. T. Hatfield added that providing incentives for development that uses reusable resources will help make those energy sources more viable. 1808 Hanshaw Road: John Carson Mr. Carson intends to move his rental business into the building: equipment rentals, selling coal and wood pellets, mulch and back-up generators for homes. He has a tenant that wishes to start a dog grooming business. Signs are going to be on the building and the lighting will stay the same. Mr. Carson made a point of stating that he does not own all the way to Route 13, he only owns .75 acre and has promised the DOT that he will not be on the grass. Accept Sketch Plan as the Site Plan and Waive Further SPR Resolution # 3 Marty Hatch offered the following resolution: Craig Schutt 2nd, unanimously approved. Whereas, John Carson has submitted a Sketch Plan Review application per Article XI of the Town of Dryden Zoning Ordinance, and Whereas, the Planning Board finds the project to be consistent with the zoning, design guidelines and comprehensive plan; and Whereas, the Tompkins County Planning Department has provided a review or not pursuant to General Municipal Law § 239-l and § 239-m; and Whereas, the Planning Board has reviewed the Sketch Plan and approves said Sketch Plan as the Site Plan, and hereby waives further Site Plan Review, and Therefore, be it resolved that the Town of Dryden Planning Board has reviewed the Sketch Plan and has recommended waiving further Site Plan Review for John Carson, 1808 Hanshaw Road. Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 2 of 13 Concerns regarding recent Town Board action: - The Town Board recently a waived site plan review - Should the Planning Board be aware of those kinds of actions and do they have a role? - The Planning Board does not have any input or responsibility in regard to SUPs. - A standard set of steps for both boards will alleviate the potential of errors. - The Town Board has also had significant discussion of land use. - The Planning Board created the Zoning Laws and they feel the Planning Board should have had an opportunity to provide feedback. - Supr. Sumner indicated to M. Hatch that the way the zoning was written; it required anyone hooking electricity to their homes will need a SUP which is why the amendments were offered. - T. Hatfield pointed out that if the Town Board wants the Planning Board to participate, they will have to send a charge to the Planning Board - M. Hatch and T. Hatfield agreed that they don’t want the Town Board to send the issue back to the Planning Board at this time but they highly recommend the Town Board hold a good public information session. - The Board agreed that they would like to be informed when the Town Board intends to waive a SUP and when they are considering zoning changes. - J. Kiefer read from the Zoning Ordinance article 11, section 1101B, which indicates that the construction next to Laser Brewer on Route 13/366 should have come to the Planning Board for site plan review. - Right now, the Planning Board is a bit confused on why certain projects are coming to them for SPR while others that appear to fall under their prevue are not. Resolution #4 J. Kiefer offered the following resolution: The Planning Board would like the opportunity to reflect on the implication of the Comprehensive Plan on proposed changes to the Zoning Law. T. Hatfield seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Resolution #5 T. Hatfield offered the following resolution: To ensure consistent, uniform methods are applied to Site Plan Review applications, the Planning Board recommends the creation of a checklist that can be utilized by both Boards. They further recommend that the Planning Board and the Town Board work together to develop the guiding document. M. Hatch seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Comprehensive Plan Review: - The Board is considering whether they have enough data yet to create changes to the plan – the housing data were 25 years old. - They have revised the Zoning to better reflect the Comprehensive Plan and they don’t know whether those revisions have been effective yet. Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 3 of 13 - Weaknesses in the plan include energy use and economic development - T. Hatfield recommended that instead of changing the Comp plan, the Planning Board should refine and add to the plan to fill the gaps that are becoming visible through time. - M. Hatch recommended the Planning Board look at potential sites for alternative energy. - Reactivate the IDA. - Budget considerations: wind and water engineering guidance and surveys Ag Advisory Committee: J. Kiefer - Surveys have come back and the Committee is reviewing the results - The Gowes and a representative from Beck Farms attended the meeting Conservation Board: C. Schutt - Design Connect representative Eileen Munsch updated the Board on the Freeville to Varna rail trail - The Gowes attended the meeting - The Board rescinded the resolution from January that encouraged the Town Board to move forward with the Game Trail section of trail. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM. Respectfully Submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 4 of 13 Analysis and Suggestions for Modification of the Dryden Comprehensive Plan to include Energy Sustainability Martin Hatch and David Weinstein Current Plan: In the Dryden 2005 Comprehensive Plan, the mention of energy considerations only occurs once. In the “GOALS” section, it states: “6. Open Space and Environmental Protection Objectives Encourage development that promotes conservation of energy and water resources and minimizes where possible adverse impacts such as loss of agricultural and forest lands, soil erosion and sedimentation, and storm water run-off. “ Proposal for modification of the Dryden Comprehensive Plan to include energy sustainability: The subcommittee on Energy Sustainability proposes that we add relevant sections to the Comprehensive Plan and Dryden Zoning Amendment that direct developers to follow the recommendations in a new Guidelines for Sustainable Energy Development and Usage, similar to our current Guidelines for Development. A proposal for these guidelines is included later in this document. Further, the following sections should be added to the Comprehensive Plan to outline the actions to be taken by the Town to further the goal of energy sustainability in Dryden: Potential Town Actions: 1. The Town should set support the development of local energy generation by providing information in the following steps: • Perform an analysis of the legal, physical (resources), social and economical barriers hindering local energy generation, and provide corrective actions (subsidies, regulation, campaigns…). • Identify public and private high thermal energy consuming buildings/facilities and produce recommendations for lower energy-use alternatives without loss of functionality. Typical highly energy consuming public facilities are: Swimming pools, sports facilities, office buildings, hospitals or retirement homes. • Consider and potentially introduce renewable energy installations’ requirements (such as space for alternative energy systems, such as solar PV or thermal, biomass, or geothermal, so that these systems would not be precluded in the future. Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 5 of 13 • Show publicly the successes of renewable energy measures, implemented in public buildings, such as the Town Hall’s geothermal system. • Identify the potential in each new development for the use of renewable energy sources (solar thermal, solar PV and biomass) or micro-cogeneration. Consider the potential for adapting the design of new developments to the requirement of these technologies. 2. Provide information and support to the stakeholders • Organize informative meetings with stakeholders to demonstrate the economic, social and environmental advantages of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Provide financial resources to consumer associations and NGOs to disseminate these benefits to final consumers. Consider promoting distributed energy generation as a marketing project. • Create agreements with other public entities or associations, providing training courses focused on technical, environmental and financial issues to installers, consulting and engineering companies. • Create an info-portal (for example, a section on the town’s web site) on the renewable energies and energy-efficiency sectors in your town, with practical and timely information for citizens (where to buy biomass, where are the best areas to install wind energy or solar thermal/photovoltaic collectors, list of installers and equipment…). Such database may include information on best practices in your town. 3. Set up regulations and actions that promote local energy generation projects • Modify planning regulation where necessary to consider accommodating the infrastructures required in alternative energy use. • Create incentives for energy-efficiency improvements or renewable energy sources included in proposals. 4. Ensure the availability of space to achieve projects • If needed, provide public space to install local distributed energy generation installations. Consider setting aside large unused spaces to promote renewable energies. Potential Town Actions by sector: 1. Residential Sector Objective: Promote, support, and enable increased energy efficiency and renewable energy systems in residential uses. Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 6 of 13 Potential Strategies: Energy Efficiency and Conservation  Encourage new residential construction projects to build beyond the minimum buildings standards by voluntarily participating in the Energy Star Qualified New Home Program. (Generally, Energy Star Qualified New Homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than buildings built to the 2004 International Residential Code.  Residential Energy Action Program (REAP): Encourage households to partake in subsidized home energy audits.  Insulate Program: Encourage residents to partake in the insulate programs, such as those which offer a rebate on the cost of upgrading insulation.  Promote Energy Sweep Programs which provide education to homeowners on ways to be more energy efficient, as well as distribute and installs low cost items such as carbon fluorescent light bulbs, low flow showerheads, clothes drying racks, and referrals for subsidized insulation services.  Energy Star Appliances and Computers: Encourage and provide educational materials on purchasing Energy Star certified household appliances and electronics.  Identify best practices from other communities that encourage more energy efficient and sustainably built homes.  Encourage and support the development of net zero energy homes. Clean Energy  WindSource: Encourage residents to voluntarily purchase cleaner electricity.  Solar Hot Water Systems: Encourage residents to take advantage of the rebates on solar hot water systems.  SolarRewards: Encourage residents to partake in solar rebate programs for installation of photovoltaic solar panel systems. 2. Commercial Sector Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 7 of 13 Objective: Promote, support, and enable increased energy efficiency and use of renewable energy generation in commercial and industrial. Potential Strategies: Energy Efficiency and Conservation  Encourage conforming to United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for New Construction  Develop a Green Business Advisory sub-Committee Clean Energy Technologies  WindSource: Encourage commercial businesses to choose cleaner energy sources. 3. Municipal Sector Objective: Increase energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in buildings and operations. Potential Strategies  Encourage LEED standards for new construction and renovations.  Establish energy reduction goals for each town building and facility.  Encourage the Town to purchase Energy Star computers and office equipment  Establish a desired average fuel efficiency goal for the town’s vehicle fleet. 4. Transportation Sector Objective: Reduce transportation energy consumption through a combination of increased vehicle mileage, reduced mileage traveled, increased transportation system efficiency and increased use of mass transit and non-polluting transportation options. . Potential Strategies: Encourage Mode-Shif ts and Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled  Encourage use of public transportation by encouraging Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 8 of 13 major employers to participate in the transit programs, and making bus stops more user friendly.  Enable and encourage biking by adding and extending bike paths, increasing bike path connections, and by improving bicycle safety and usability of city streets.  Encourage youth to use alternative modes of transportation, including programs through the high school level.  Encourage car-pooling.  Explore feasibility of installing electric recharging services and bio-fuel stations. Improve Vehicle Fuel Economy  Encourage residents and businesses to purchase fuel-efficient vehicles.  Provide education on ways to enhance the efficiency of vehicles, such as sufficient tire pressure and clean air filters. 5. Economic Development  Explore development of low-carbon, renewable, and non- traditional energy generation to stimulate economic development and job creation.  Support green development that promotes local economic growth through clean energy jobs and that demonstrates energy sustainability living and learning solutions on varying scales. 6. Land Use  Make recommendations to town board on ways to review and amend zoning regulations to meet accommodate energy efficiency. Use planning to produce a more walkable community, better bicycle access, and less car dependency.  Improve the carbon capturing capacity of the environment by promoting healthy trees, grasslands, farmland, and open space. 7. Cooperation and Collaboration with Other Energy Programs Objective: Coordinate with government and non-government Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 9 of 13 energy programs that affect the town and develop financial incentives for energy sustainability. Potential Strategies:  Continue involvement with efforts by other municipalities.  Take full advantage of energy and funding resources of regional, state, national energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.  Investigate new financial incentive programs.  Be supportive of the waste reduction projects in area, such as single-stream recycling and zero- waste events. ENERGY EFFICIENCY and SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Guidelines Applicatble developments are required to implement energy efficiency and production, energy conservation, and sustainable design principles as found in these guidelines. 22.1 Purpose: In accordance with the Town of Dryden’s policy on energy efficiency and conservation, this section is adopted as in the public interest to lessen the town's dependence upon energy sources which may, from time to time, be uncertain and result in increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It is also found to be in the public interest to encourage and support energy efficient practices that are likely to have beneficial impacts on the economy, the environment, and the public health. It is the intent of this ordinance to enhance and supplement existing fe deral and state incentives for tax treatment and other benefits related to alternative energy usage, energy efficiency and sustainable design. Interpretations by the Planning Board shall be made so far as possible to pre serve the intent of these guidelines and the developer and home owner’s ability to benefit from these programs as well. 22.2 Residential Development: recommendations for energy efficiency shall be adopted by the Planning Board. 22.3 Non-residential Development. 22.3.1 The Planning Board shall recommend that non-residential developments achieve industry energy efficiency benchmarks 22.3.2 Each development should consider the following subsections: Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 10 of 13 A) Renewable Energy Production . 1) Eligible generation installations shall be limited to wind, PV (photovoltaic) solar, biomass. 2) Innovative Technologies, such as fuel cell, co-generation, and small-scall biomass. B) Sustainable Design Requirements. 1) Building Site and Materials. a) Orientation  Buildings shall be oriented on the site to optimize passive solar heating and cooling opportunities.  Buildings shall be oriented so as to minimize wind loads on structures.  Windows shall be placed to maximize solar penetration during the winter months and minimize solar penetration during the summer months. Lot layout shall be shown on an approved plan to insure that structures can comply with this requirement. Directions and orientations shall be noted on the recorded plan for the lot to alert the builder/lot owner of the optimal orientation. b) Reuse of Existing Materials and Recycled Content  Demonstration that the applicant will use recycled content materials in the site development and construction.  The project must provide adequate storage and collection of re cyclables both during and post construction. Post construction re cyclable areas must be easily accessible to all building occupants/users and be sufficiently sized for storage and collection of non-hazardous materials including at a minimum paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals. c) Use of Local and Regional Materials  In order to reduce the environmental impact of materials shipping, the project should use building materials that provide long-term durability and decreased maintenance costs; are extracted, processed and manufactured within New York; and are made from renewable resources or materials wherever possible. Relative values of local materials Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 11 of 13 to overall materials cost shall also be considered for assignment of values with the range. d) Construction Waste Management. Promote efficient use of solid waste by diverting construction, demolition and land clearing debris from landfill disposal, and by re directing resources for re cycling and reuse.  Develop and implement a construction waste management plan as part of the Planning Board approval process that quantifies material diversion goals and the procedures for achieving them.  Recycle and/or salvage, demolition, and land clearing waste generated through site preparation. 2) Construction Envelope Energy Conservation. Increase the amount of energy saved through conservation programs to include but not limited to:  Any mechanism for insulation that exceeds the NY Energy Code. Successful completion of air leakage tested to comply with Best Practices of Technical Standard 1 of the Air Tightness Testing and Measure ment Association: Type Air Permeability m3/(h.m2) at 50 pascals Best Practice Normal Offices Naturally ventilated 3 7 Mixed mode 2.5 5 Air conditioned/low energy 2 5 Factories/warehouses 2 6 Superstores 1 5 Schools 3 9 Hospitals 5 9 Museums and archival stores 1 1.5 Cold Stores 0.2 0.35 Dwellings Naturally ventilated 3 9 Mechanically ventilated 3 5  Additional items may be considered provided they are also eligible for the federal tax credit for energy efficiency. 3) Potential for alternative systems of heating and Cooling. a) Installation of a solar water heating system Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Page 12 of 13 rated at 1000 watts of thermal power per 450 gallons per day of usage. b) Geothermal systems with a sufficient capacity and efficiency as projected by the manufacturer to save the average energy costs for conventional heating and cooling units by 30%. c) Wood-pellet and other biomass heating systems in sufficient output to provide over 50% of the base heating load for the entire structure. d) The installation of a hydronic radiant heating system for the structure. e) Reduce the building’s heat load by either using roofing materials with a minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 78 for roof slopes less than or equal to 2:12 or a minimum SRI of 29 for slopes greater than 2:12; or install a vegetated roof for at least 50 percent of the roof area. f) Ductwork insulated to a minimum of R-6 if located in an unconditioned space, including attics, basements, and exterior walls. Exceptions include insulation for exhaust air ducts or ducts within HVAC equipment. Dryden Planning Board April 23, 2015 Draft Page 13 of 13 g) HVAC piping in unconditioned spaces conveying fluids at temperatures above 120 degrees or chilled fluids at less than 55 degrees must be insulated to a minimum of R-5. 4) Innovative Technologies. a) The Planning Board may approve on a case-by-case basis the use of innovative building technologies and that there are sufficient environmental, economic, and experimental benefits to be gained from the installation. 5) Operational Requirements a) No idling policy b) Reduced lighting after hours using LED light fixtures. c) Smart Panels installed as a demand side management program.