HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-07 - PB Planning Board 1
09/07/2007
TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD
09/07/07
APPROVED 11/13/07
Present : Chairperson Ken Zeserson, Planning Board Members : David Kerness,
David Means, Rod Porter, Rebecca Schneider, John Wertis, Deputy Supervisor
Richard Coogan
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Excused : Darien Simon
Notes taken by Rebecca Schneider due to absence of Secretary.
Mr. Zeserson stated the application had been revoked . He stated he would like to review
the process for questions, concerns . A discussion led to the key points being :
a. There were questionable violations currently happening within the
Development district, i . e. cabins, selling of used camper ' s onsite. Mr. Sherwood admitted
they do sell privately owned campers onsite currently, but do not do commercial sales .
b . Mr. Sherwood wanted permission to get a dealer ' s license, he cannot do this
without proper town codes in place .
c . An apparently innocuous request became a lot more complicated, applicant was
violating current requirements .
d. The signage on the bank was questionable, signage vs . landscaping.
e. The members expressed concern they did not have time to prepare for the
application. Mr. Wertis and Mr. Kerness were able to do a site visit, but more time would
have been beneficial .
f. They need clarification of the zoning law they were operating under.
g. The Spruce Row request was received in late spring, The attorney reviewed
and determined there was no change provision in the development district. The changes
would have to be treated as a new development district . The Town Board reviews the
passes onto the Planning Board. The decision would be made working with Mr. Rachun
to make sure everything needed was received. Clarification still needs to be determined
regarding development districts-grandfathering, stream buffers, etc .
h. Similar project may be coming in on the Kline Development District. This is
going to the Town Board on September 11th . If they choose to accept, it will be a
subdivision within a development district .
Mr. Wertis presented a model of he would like to see the Town Board present to the
Town Planning Board-this would be a use variance, variance to zoning law, what was
Doug Austic asked for-area variance vs . use variance-allowing sales vs . area variance
where setbacks, lot coverage would be discussed.
Do use and area variances apply to development districts, whereas the applicant is asking
for a completely different use-according to attorney-it would be a new development
district-any legal conforming use prior to the change in the zone becomes legal non-
conforming use and is grandfathered.
Since, the applicants use was totally different how do they proceed. They feel a public
hearing is necessary. The members agreed better guidance is needed about what they
need to cover regarding these topics . They discussed and agreed to send a member to
each Town Board meeting, they would combine email and use the boxes as forms of
communication.
Planning Board 2
09/07/2007
A discussion was held regarding the development district, how they have evolved,
i . e . Judy Cohn, FLO Tech, and the time limits . There are no time limits on development
districts, thus can be quite lengthy in completing. They understand the rational a project
like Judy Cohn ' s home business renovated to expand a farmhouse is rural character yet
economic development .
These are things they need to embrace, some cluster and target areas where to go and
target infrastructure, give incentive to develop there. They agreed the Comp Plan
Committee and Planning Board should be meeting on a regular basis to maintain
communication as well.
Rebecca agreed to attend the September 11th Town Board meeting to facilitate Planning
Board member attendance.
Mr. Coogan discussed the Ag. District review, this is being done by the County not the
Town. They can actually phrase some questions with Monica Roth ' s survey. They are
applying for an Ag. District grant for Comp Plan.
An issue regarding farm worker housing came up . The planned changes stated single
wide mobile homes could not be used, the Ag. and Market Division does not like this .
Ag. and markets replied they cannot tell what to put in the zoning, but is someone is
aggrieved by the zoning they can sue. Ithaca did end up with a lawsuit. He stated the
Stevenson ' s farm is the only one he knows that may have an issue.
The other issues the Ag. survey will review are why people want out of farming, what
incentives would entice people to stay in farming, they would also like to look at the
bordering counties-Schuyler and Seneca, taking a broader look at farming trends . The
Board would like to work with the Comp . Plan, village etc . to get their input on this as
well.
Mr. Coogan presented the Corridor Access plan, it will come back to the Town Board. It
is an intermunicipal project-Town and City of Ithaca, Tompkins County and Town of
Ulysses to a review Route 96 transportation issues . Combining the resources they could
hire a consultant together and get more "bang for the buck" They are designing this so the
Comp . Plan Committee can use the information regarding transportation issues . The
downside is the Cliff Street portion will not be happen until December 2008 . They are set
to start in Spring or early summer.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Carlisle Peck
Secretary
11 /07/07
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