HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-10 - PB TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES
September 10 , 2003
Members Present: Richard Coogan (Chair), Lorren Hammond, Rose Hilbert, George
Kennedy, Mark Ochs, Rodney Porter, David Tyler. Also, Alex Rachun, Code
Enforcement Officer; Eileen Jacobs , Planning Board Clerk; Tim Maguire, and members
of the public.
- Chair Coogan called the meeting to order at 7 : 38 p . m .
Site Plan Application for Route 96 Self-Storage
An application for site plan review from Maguire Family Limited Partnership was
presented by Mr. Timothy J . Maguire . The project calls for 86 mini- storage units to be
built on less than 2 acres within a 10- acre parcel adjacent to the former Spike ' s BBQ site
at 1658 Trumansburg Road in the Town of Ulysses . The proposed project consists of a
20- foot wide driveway on Route 96 set back approximately 200 feet to an area where two
storage buildings are to be built, one 150 by 30 ft . , and one 200 by 30 ft . Mr. Maguire
has selected a brown/slate gray color for the building with a dark green roof and door
color that he felt would be aesthetically pleasing .
The only utility to be provided is security lighting from dusk to dawn to allow 24-hour
access . The proposed lighting for the buildings are 50-watt sodium fixtures directed
down and outward . There will be a total of 23 light fixtures at an 8 -ft high level . The
project requires a permit that was filed with NYS Dept of Transportation for the driveway
entrance on August 14, 2003 . One non-illuminated sign is planned . No alarm system or
landscaping is planned . Mr. Maguire indicated that he may consider installation of
fencing in the future .
Mr. Maguire indicated that he has no current plans for developing the rear portion of the
lot which is mostly scrub and brush , but did not dismiss the possibility of future
development .
There was discussion regarding zoning of the parcel . Code Enforcement Officer Alex
Rachun said that he believed the proposed use is not disallowed under the current zoning
ordinance . This project is on a parcel that is zoned commercial, by virtue of a
subdivision, which borders a residential zone . It was noted that the subdivision occurred
in February of 2003 . Board members requested that Mr. Rachun verify the zoning for
that area, and he agreed to discuss it with the Town Attorney.
Area residents who attended the meeting voiced concerns regarding the visibility of the
buildings from the road and choice of colors for the units , but thought that the proposed
color scheme would not be offensive to the neighboring area. It was suggested that some
landscaping in front of the buildings would also help with buffering the project from the
nearby residences . Concern was raised about the impact of the proposed lighting on the
neighbors, and there was further discussion regarding amount of illumination, with a
suggestion that a lower wattage bulb (35W) be used , as well as other mitigating
measures . There was some discussion regarding the direction of light . It was suggested
that the lighting be cast in a more downward manner so that the bulb itself is not visible,
and the light is washing the building . The possibility of using motion detection lighting
was discussed, but it was generally thought that lights going on and off would be more
distracting to neighbors than having the lighting constant . There was also concerns raised
about noise impact on the adjacent neighbors .
There was discussion regarding use of the storage units . A concern was raised that the
storage units could be used for activities other than storage (i . e . rock band practice, drop
shipment business, etc . ) . Mr. Maguire stated that it was not his intention for the units to
be used for activities other than self- storage .
Planning Board Minutes of 9/ 10/03 -2 -
The Board requested that Mr. Maguire submit a lighting plan that incorporates some of
the suggestions offered at this meeting. They also asked that he provide landscaping
plans for a vegetative buffer along the north edge of the property along the Oprey
property line, and a planting of shrubs in front to act as a visual screen from Route 96 . In
addition, the Board asked Mr. Maguire to furnish a draft of the lease/rental agreement for
prospective tenants .
It was determined that this project is a Type 2 action under SEQR. The Board reviewed
the environmental assessment form that was prepared for the p:ioject .
Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Hammond, moved to schedule a public hearing for this
project to take place on September 25th at 7 : 30 p .m . The motion passed unanimously.
The 9/25 meeting will start at 7 : 00 p . m. to review any additional materials submitted by
Mr. Maguire for the project .
Other Business
The Planning Board agreed to meet on September 18 at 7 : 00 p . m . to work on the Site
Plan Review and Design Standards portions of the proposed zoning ordinance .
Meeting was adjourned at 9 : 30 p . m .
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Jacobs '\\
Planning Board Clerk