HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-19TB 5-19-22
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TOWN OF DRYDEN
TOWN BOARD MEETING
May 19, 2022
Zoom Hybrid
Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl James Skaley,
Cl Loren Sparling, Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez
Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk
Rick Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent
Other Town Staff: Ray Burger, Planning Director
Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to Supervisor
Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Board members and audience participated
in the pledge of allegiance.
Cl Sparling shared some edits to the minutes of April 14 and 21.
RESOLUTION #91 (2022) – APPROVE MINUTES
Cl Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the minutes of April 14 and 21,
2022.
2nd Cl Sparling
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
PUBLIC HEARING
366 VIRGIL ROAD
ANTIQUES & PHOTOGRAPHY
SITE PLAN & SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. Applicant Shana Karn is present via
zoom. R Burger explained that she presently has a business at 129 North Street that she
wants to move to a building at the back of her home at 366 Virgil Road. This requires a Special
Use Permit for a home occupation level two, an allowed use in this rural residential district. It
is exempt from the County 239 review process. A letter in support of the application was
received from a neighbor.
Shana Karn explained that she is taking the Second Knob business completely online.
They do high bid auctions off site or online. Most auction buys are shipped, not picked up
locally. The business fronts on McClintock Road. The photography studio does not have a lot
of traffic at any given time, 2 to 3 people on a good day.
Questions/comments after reviewing application:
Will there be an addition to the garage? Not now, time will determine whether it is needed.
Applauds using this section of the zoning for home business.
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Will there be signage? They would like to have a sign and place it on the building instead of at
the road. They don’t need a lot of signage because they are not a store and people mak e
appointments.
There being no further questions, the board reviewed the short form SEQR.
Supv Leifer closed the public hearing at 6:18 p.m.
RESOLUTION #92 (2022) - NEG SEQR DEC - APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT
AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR AN ANTIQUE SALES AND PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS
LOCATED AT 366 VIRGIL ROAD, TOWN OF DRYDEN TAX PARCEL 48.-1-70.2
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution:
WHEREAS,
A. The proposed action involves consideration of the application of Shana Karn for Special Use
Permit and Site Plan Approval for an antique sales and photography business, a Level 2 Home
Occupation, located at 366 Virgil Road, tax parcel 48.-1-70.2; and
B. The proposed action is an Unlisted Action for which the Town Board of the Town of Dryden
is the lead agency for the purposes of uncoordinated environmental review in connection with
approval by the Town; and
C. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, in pe rforming the lead agency function for its
independent and uncoordinated environmental review in accordance with Article 8 of SEQRA,
(i) thoroughly reviewed the Short Environmental Assessment Form (“EAF”), Part I and any and
all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to this proposed action and its
environmental review, (ii) thoroughly analyzed the potential relevant areas of environmental
concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse impact on the
environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and (iii) completed the
EAF, Part 2.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board of the Town of Dryden, based upon (i) its thorough review of the EAF, Part I
and any and all other documents prepared and submitted with respect to this proposed action
and its environmental review, (ii) its thorough review of the potential relevant areas of
environmental concern to determine if the proposed action may have a significant adverse
impact on the environment, including the criteria identified in 6 NYCRR §617.7(c), and (iii) its
completion of the EAF, Part 2, including the reasons noted thereon (which reasons are
incorporated herein as if set forth at length), hereby makes a negative determin ation of
environmental significance (“Negative Declaration”) in accordance with SEQR for the above
referenced proposed action, and determines that an Environmental Impact Statement will not
be required; and
2. The Responsible Officer of the Town Board of the Town of Dryden is hereby authorized and
directed to complete and sign as required the determination of significance, confirming the
foregoing Negative Declaration, which fully completed and signed EAF and determination of
significance shall be incorporated by reference in this Resolution.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
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Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #93 (2022) - Approving Site Plan and Granting Special Use Permit for an
Antique Sales and Photography Business at 366 Virgil Road, Tax Parcel 48.-1-70.2
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
WHEREAS,
A. Shana Karn has applied for a Special Use Permit (SUP) to operate an antique sales and
photography business, a Level 2 Home Occupation, at 366 Virgil Road, Tax Parcel 48.-1-
70.2; and
B. The proposed business will be mostly online sales and operate out of a 1520 sq ft
building located behind the residence at 366 Virgil Road, this building to be assigned a new
address of 375 McClintock Road, and
C. An application, sketch plan, short EAF, and Agricultural Data Statement have been
submitted, and
D. The Town Planning Department considers the application complete and in conformance
with the requirements of the Code of the Town of Dryden (Code) for review under §270 -11
and §270-12, and
E. A public hearing was held on May 19, 2022 with public comments registered in the
meeting minutes and considered by this board, and
F. The proposal is exempt from Tompkins County Planning Department GML §239 –l, -m,
and n review, and
G. Pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its
implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden
has, on May 19, 2022, made a negative determination of environmental significance, after
having reviewed and accepted as adequate the Short Environmental Assessment Form
Parts 1, 2, and 3, and
H. The Town Board has reviewed this application relative to the considerations and
standards found in Code §270-11 for site plan review and §270-12 for Special Use Permit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board approves the sketch plan documents, submitted with the application
dated March 26, 2022 as site plan for 366 Virgil Road, conditioned on the following:
a. Any outdoor storage or display of antiques will be limited to an area of 1000 sq ft located
to the north or west of the existing building.
b. If employees or the public are to enter the building it will need to comply with building
codes and receive a Certificate of Occupancy.
c. Any lighting installed shall be night-sky compliant.
2. The Town Board hereby finds that the considerations for approval of the requested
Special Use Permit listed in Code §270-12 have been met, specifically that:
a. The proposed use is compatible with the other permitted uses in the Rural Residential
district and compatible with the purpose of this district as Level 2 Home Occupations
are an allowed use in this district and there is an active farm business in the vicinity.
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b. The proposed use is compatible with adjoining properties and with the natural and
manmade environment, as this proposal is for an antique sales business operated out
of an existing 1520 sq ft accessory structure already located on the property. The
property is adjacent to agricultural fields to the west and south, and single -family
dwellings to the east and north.
c. Parking, vehicular circulation, and infrastructure for the proposed use is adequate. The
business having pick-ups and deliveries off of McClintock Road is much safer than
using Virgil Road for deliveries.
d. The overall impact on the site and its surroundings considering the environmental,
social and economic impacts of traffic, noise, dust, odors, release of harmful
substances, solid waste disposal, glare, or any other nuisances has been considered
and found to be negligible, based on the information an d reasons in the Short
Environmental Assessment Form.
e. Restrictions and/or conditions on design of structures or operation of the use necessary
to ensure compatibility with the surrounding uses or to protect the natural or scenic
resources of the Town have been incorporated into the site plan.
f. The project complies with the requirements for site plan review and conforms to the
Town’s Commercial Design Guidelines to the maximum extent. This is a reuse of an
existing building.
3. The Town Board, finding that the applicant is in compliance with all other provisions of
the Town Zoning Law and other applicable ordinances, approves a Special Use Permit for
the antique sales and photography business at 366 Virgil Road with the Town of Dryden
Standard Conditions of Approval as amended August 14, 2008.
2nd Cl Skaley
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
PUBLIC HEARING
AMENDMENT TO 1061 DRYDEN ROAD
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
Supv Leifer opened the public hearing at 6:22 p.m. Gary Sloan, property owner, and
Steve Hugo, of HOLT Architects, presented the proposed amended drawings.
S Hugo said these are minor amendments for the development plan for 1061 Dryden.
After further market analysis and the owner working with potential partners in the
development, they believe they have right-sized the townhouse units. It resulted in the
buildings being smaller overall. Each of the 6 buildings will contain 7 units now instead of the
6 units originally planned. The smaller footprint results in buildings being pulled away from
the property line that previously presented a concern to 17 feet. An updated letter on the
traffic study was submitted, indicating that the slight increase in number of units is fairly
inconsequential.
G Sloan explained the reason they are requesting this change is because they are trying
to get it built and with cost of building up 30% in a short period of time , they could not build it
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as it was configured. They reworked the project and came up with this increase to 42 units
they think they can move forward and get it built.
Questions/Comments during discussion:
• Who are you marketing to? The property is convenient to the rail trail and is 1.2 miles to
the vet school. They expect some vet students there and possibly some locals. They are
not targeting students, but expecting faculty or grad students. They are not targeting any
one demographic.
• There are already a substantial number of students in the Varna area; they ar e looking for
different types of folks coming to Varna.
• There are three-bedroom units that can accommodate families.
• There are bike racks, play structures, picnic tables adjacent to the trail, places to grill.
• If they were building student housing, they would not have garages.
• They do not anticipate the sale of units individually.
• They will be market rate rentals.
• The town has a housing shortage.
• The town’s housing committee is looking for particular populations and this does not
respond to that.
• A lot of time and energy went into modifying this plan so they have a project that they can
afford to build.
• The housing committee is looking for more affordable housing for the workforce.
Public comment:
Carol Whitlow said her son lives right next to that property and she lives around the
corner on Turkey Hill Road. She had always dreamed there would be houses for families on
that property. For years she fought against this project because she cannot see that density of
population on that ground. That road is a hill with a blind spot at the top. Wet and cold
weather comes up the hill and visibility of traffic is questionable. That kind of traffic on that
steep hill is dangerous. When people wait too long, they start taking risks to get out into
traffic. It is not a good situation or place for this kind of density. Density is better suited on
flatter land. It is not safe for this many cars. She pleaded with everyone on the board to come
to the property and no one ever visited the property until one former board member finally did
and agreed it was unsafe.
Mr Sloan did not respond to many of the requests of the board for many years. L
Lavine ran up one side and the other of him, calling him a liar. She knew that he was not
meeting the needs of the community in good faith.
C Whitlow is sad to see this. Change is not inconsequential. It is disrespectful to now
change this to worse than it was before.
Laurie Snyder said she thinks that Carol is correct that entering 366 at that location
will bring significant traffic risk. She sat in on the meetings years ago and was concerned that
this was geared for students and glad to see there are still playgrounds and picnic tables in the
plan. But she doesn’t think access to 366 is safe.
The landscape plan (already approved) was reviewed briefly.
County requested a crosswalk be indicated at that area because there is a bus stop
across the way. Applicant will request pavement markings and/or signage from DOT and will
work with DOT to try to achieve that.
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• They are reducing the number of bedrooms, so there will be less people.
• Shrinking the size of buildings addresses concern about buildings being so close to the
property line.
• Board members have visited the property.
• Pedestrians have options via the rail trail to reach a bus stop.
• Outdoor lighting will be dark sky compliant.
Supv Leifer closed the public hearing at 6:58 p.m. and the board reviewed the proposed
resolution.
RESOLUTION #94 (2022) - DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVISIONS
1061 DRYDEN ROAD PUD on Tax parcel 55.-1-16 -
EVERGREEN TOWNHOMES
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, the Town Board approved the development plan and the site plan for the Planned
Unit Development (PUD) on Tax parcel 55.-1-16 located at 1061 Dryden Road by Resolution #
81 (2017) on May 30, 2017; and
Whereas, the applicant, Gary Sloan/ M&R Entities, LLC, after doing more design work
proposes to add one more dwelling unit to each of six buildings but at the same time reduce
the footprint of each building and has submitted a revised site plan dated April 28, 2022; and
Whereas, these changes enlarge the yard setbacks for the six townhome buildings; and
Whereas, these changes increase the number of dwelling units but reduce the number of beds
in this development; and
Whereas, SRF Associates updated their traffic assessment on March 31, 2022 and reaffirm
their original “…professional opinion that the proposed townhome project will not result in any
potentially significant traffic impacts…” ; and
Whereas, the Planning Board reviewed the revised site plan on April 28, 2022 and the Town
Board considered their recommendations; and
Whereas, Tompkins County Planning Department has reviewed this project as required by NYS
Municipal Law §239 –l, -m, and –n and determined that this project may have negative inter-
community, or county-wide impacts (letter dated May 12, 2022). The Town Board has
considered Tompkins County Planning’s recommended modifications.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Town Board finds that the proposed changes are minor and
have negligible effect on the environmental impact of the townhome project, and the Town
Board hereby reaffirms its negative determination of environmental significance in Resolution #
152 (2016) dated October 5, 2016, in accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review
Act; and
Be it further resolved that the Town Board finds that the revised site plan dated April 28,
2022 is a negligible revision in the project design and approves the site plan revisions
conditioned on the following:
1. That the applicant is to work with NYSDOT to develop appropriate signage and
pavement markings to allow safe crossing of the road and have them installed.
2. Standard Conditions of Approval as amended August 14, 2008.
2nd Cl Lamb
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Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
J Skaley would like G Sloan to work with the town on a traffic calming study and try to
get some crosswalks. Supv Leifer suggested that he be invited to a meeting of the Affordable
Housing Committee. S Hugo indicated a willingness to meet with that committee.
HIGHWAY/DPW DEPARTMENT
Highway Superintendent Rick Young said he will be needing to replace the sign truck
and asked for a resolution to purchase a new truck, not to exceed $70,000 to replace it. They
haven’t completely given up on it, but the motor may be junk. He would also like to purchase a
new John Deere roadside mower. They would both come from the same budget code,
DA5130.2. The current mower is getting old, and while they probably won’t get the new one for
quite a while, he’d like to get it ordered.
RESOLUTION #95 (2022) – AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF TRUCK
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and ask ed for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase of a truck to replace
the current sign truck at a cost not to exceed $70,000 using funds from budget code
DA5130.2.
2nd Cl Sparling
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
RESOLUTION #96 (2022) – AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF ROADSIDE MOWER
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase of a New John Deere
5100E Cab Roadside Mower Utility tractor, per SourceWell contract Ag Tractors 110719 -JDC
(PG1PCG70) in the amount of $90,138.64 with funds from budget code DA-5130.2.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
The Highway/DPW Department has been doing a lot of ditching, putting driveway pipes
in, most plow damage is cleaned up, and they have been doing a lot of pothole patching. They
will be starting some paving and will do a lot of oil and stone treatment.
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PLANNING DEPARTMENT
The department update is on the town website. There will be a hearing next month for
used car sales. Donlick Auto sales wants to move one lot to the north, to the space vacated by
Second Knob. The hearing was set for June 16 at 6:10 p.m.
Regarding the comp plan update, the May 2 draft is out for public hearing. Cl Skaley
would like any suggested board changes posted prior to the public hearing. Board comments
can be posted in advance along with any public comment received.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
Municipal Solutions CDBG application - The town wants to apply a $300,000 grant to
help with broadband construction in the Varna area. Supv Leifer asked for permission from
the board to sign the document.
RESOLUTION #97 (2022) – AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT WITH MUNICIPAL SOLUTIONS
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves an agreement dated May 11, 2022,
with Municipal Solutions to prepare a CDBG application for assistance with the broadband
project and authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute the same.
2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Hunt Design Phase 2 proposal – Hunt Engineers have submitted a contract for
consulting and design services associated with Phase 2 of the fiber project at a total cost
$175,993.13. Board members have reviewed the contract.
RESOLUTION #98 (2022) – AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT WITH HUNT ENGINEERS
Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves an agreement dated May 18, 2022,
with Hunt Engineers for consulting and design services for Phase 2 of the Town’s Fiber to the
Home deployment, and authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute the same.
2nd Cl Lamb
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Appoint Members to Climate Smart Community Task Force – The proposed new
members each attended two meetings of the Task Force and decided to become involved as
members.
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RESOLUTION #99 (2022) – APPOINT M CROCKER & K LEE TO THE
CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES TASK FORCE
Cl Sparling offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption:
Whereas, both Mckenna Crocker and Katherine Lee currently are students at Dryden
High School, and
Whereas, both Mckenna and Katherine are two of many student voices who feel
passionate about protecting the environment and mitigating (and ultimately reversing) the
effects of climate change, and
Whereas, both Mckenna and Katherine have already proven themselves capable and
effective student leaders and changemakers at their school, especially through their work with
the Dryden High School Sustainability Club, and
Whereas, the Climate Smart Communities Task Force would significantly benefit from
the insights of Dryden’s young adults, as they will more directly feel the effects of the decisions
we make today,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of Dryden approves membership
of Mckenna Crocker and Katherine Lee to the Climate Smart Communities Task Force.
2nd Cl Skaley
Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes
Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes
Cl Skaley Yes
Cl Lamb Yes
Supv Leifer Yes
Cl Sparling: About two years ago, Dryden High School implemented a new elective
course that dealt with climate change … and I hear it’s been quite popular. Students currently
in the class were recently tasked with creating a community education project on any facet of
climate change.
One group created an informational poster.
Another initiated a social media campaign, which provided sound bites that could be
posted that detailed what the Town is doing to address climate change and what residents can
do.
I met another group this past Saturday (14 May) at Southworth where they put on a
climate change program called Love the Earth. Geared towards the elementary school set,
attendees found out about local efforts for Climate Change and how to love the earth with an
interactive presentation, information tables from local organizations (Cornell), and seed
planting. Of course, it wouldn’t have been a Southworth program without a book giveaway and
storytime, too!
The last group, to my knowledge, has made a video tribute to our Climate Smart
Communities Task Force. And I believe the team leader is in our audience … So if you want to
introduce yourself and your project, please come up to the podium and the floor is yours.
Parker Barrow, student at Dryden High School and part of the Climate Change course
said Alice Green came to class to introduce the project and told them about what Dryden is
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doing. It was great to write the video and make it. He hopes it will reach a lot of people and
spread awareness about something that he thinks is really important. He thinks Dryden is
really ahead of the game in battling the climate crisis. It is exciting to see the progress being
made. It was exciting to make the video and it is exciting to present it to the board. The video
was shared with the board.
Alice Green thanked the climate change class taught by Travis Crocker for the work
they are doing and being excited about the work the town is doing.
The town has a new clean energy planning intern. Ella Bormet, a sophomore at Cornell
studying environmental sustainability introduced herself. A Green displayed a poster board of
work collaborated on by Ella and the high school students. It also outlines what the Climate
Smart Community Task Force is doing.
The town has received notice that it has now qualified for another $10,000 in grants.
They would like to put that toward getting an audit of energy impro vements that could be made
at the DPW buildings. As soon as the LED street light project is complete, we are in line for
another $20,000 in grant money. This a proud moment for the CSCTF and they are excited to
have young people involved in what they are doing.
ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES
Planning Board – The comp plan update has been discussed.
Conservation Board – Did not meet.
Ag Advisory Committee – Did not meet.
DRYC – The Commission still has vacancies. Recreation needs an assistant director in
Freeville for summer camp, a director in Dryden, and camp counselors. Guidelines for summer
camps are up in the air, as it seems that masking will return. What will be hard is that
masking is currently optional in schools. Most of their meeting was spent on crafting their
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion statement. Dryden Rec receives funding from United Way for its
summer camp programs and United Way has added a requirement that we have that statement
in places that addresses staff, participants, and other stakeholders along with a specific anti -
racism statement. DRYC’s approved statement must be in place by June 1 in order to receive
funding for the summer camps.
Rail Trail Task Force – They had a presentation about developing rail trails and the
challenges elsewhere. They learned the challenges faced here are not uncommon. Resistance
is pretty common, but success is pretty established in terms of improving property values,
reducing crime, improving quality of life and exercise. Other communities that hosted rail
trails are seeing a rejuvenation of communities. They reflected on the announcement of
$750,000 in gap funding secured by Kirsten Gillibrand for bridge over Route 13. The project is
now fully funded by grant money and not local property tax money.
Safety & Preparedness Committee – Debra Walsh reported there has been a
leadership change. Sarah resigned and Nicky Koekebacker has been appointed.
Broadband Committee – Last week the board passed the RAN resolutions and those
will be delivered to bond counsel tomorrow. This is based on ARC award reimbursement and
we’ll have $640,000 to use. Construction is proceeding along the railbed for the fiber project.
Letters are going to property owners explaining this work is for the fiber project, not rail trail
work. Next there will be a BAN resolution for a larger amount so we that we have revolving
cash flow to continue with customer installation. There is more pending state legislation with
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bonding of these municipal projects across the state. Marketing materials for the pilot area
should be going out. Some customers, including Knickerbocker, will be going live soon. Dryden
will be the first live project for fiber in the state.
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE
Laurie Snyder (Chair of the Varna Community Association) said the VCA has sent a
letter to the Town Board advocating for crosswalks at the bus stops along Route 366 in Varna.
Many people who live in Varna are unable to attend board meetings for various reasons, and it
is important to have crosswalks to those bus stops. She is pleased to hear that there will now
be a flashing traffic light at the Freese Rd/Mt Pleasant/Route 366 intersection. It is very
important to have those crosswalks to make a safer way for people crossing the highway to
stand at a bus stop.
Jan Morgan said the letter received by the board came from the VCA board, but there
are more people in Varna who support the idea of crosswalks. A petition showing that support
is widespread was submitted to the board. No one who was asked to sign it refused to do so.
There is a lot of support in the hamlet.
Board Comments:
• F de Aragon is supportive of the crosswalks and traffic calming measures.
• Some measures may be made at the expense of the town.
• The town would need to apply for a highway work permit.
• Mr. Rugg of DOT has presented results of a traffic study.
• There will be a flashing light at the Freese Road intersection.
• There doesn’t seem to be a lot of law enforcement patrols in Varna.
Housing Committee Update
They have had several meetings and meet every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. They
started with a realtor update. There is low inventory, more demand than supply, no single-
family housing except a few custom-built homes. They would prefer to see 60-70 single family
units per year. Good credit is required for a mortgage and municipal services are critical.
Those with private water/sewer are not as desirable. Current building costs are around $300
per square foot. One-fourth of purchases now are cash transactions, and many are bid over
asking price.
The committee is working to identify locations in the villages and Varna where there are
municipal services, and they will see what they can do to attract developers. They have looked
at affordable manufactured housing in Geneva where they have produced some single-family
units that sold for $150,000 to $200,000, but are finding that it was hard for a small firm to
sustain, so they are now only doing multi-units. They’ve had discussions with INHS and are
learning what they can and can’t do, and what they have to do to get funding to make projects
work. Heather McDaniel of IDA has said they support inclusive zoning and mixed income
neighborhoods. They prefer to see that; however, they can’t support small projects. The
smallest they have done is twelve units. INHS also has single family repair programs for
seniors and low-income folks.
They will compile a narrative of what they are talking about for the board. It has been a
lot of effort and participation and they are hoping with the comp plan update, they can weave
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some of this in so they can make a good case for developers to consider affordable workforce
housing in town.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bambi L. Avery
Town Clerk