HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-06 - PB TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD
05/06/08
APPROVED 05/20/08
Present: Chairperson Ken Zeserson, Planning Board Members : Rod Hawkes,
David Means, Rod Porter, Rebecca Schneider, John Wertis, Town Supervisor
Doug Austic , Deputy Supervisor Dick Coogan, Town Board Member David Kerness,
Lucia Tyler, Liz Thomas .
Guest : Scott Doyle, Tompkins County Planning
Mr. Zeserson stated they had asked Mr. Doyle to come to the meeting. Seeing as their
sister community, Ithaca, had already enacted a conservation zone they were interested in
learning how they established their zone . The Planning Board for Ulysses will be
researching and hopefully prepare a recommendation to their Town Board. Seeing as they
are contiguous to Ithaca they felt this would be a good place to start.
Mr. Doyle introduced himself and asked if they other people could do the same. The
introductions were made . He stated Mr. Coogan had given him a briefing of what they
were interested in . He prepared a low tech presentation and thought they would keep it
general and if interested could go deeper and if he needs to research he could come back
out.
He grew up in upstate New York, he learned planning in Oregon and lived there for 7
years . He moved back to New York and has learned the various ways of planning for this
area.
Locally, he has seen the Unique Natural Areas used in a variety of ways. Currently, there
are 192 areas in Tompkins County. In the mid 70 ' s this document was created as the
result of a Master' s Thesis. It was initially about half of what they currently have listed.
It is an informational document for reviewing development around the county, especially
if they are not knowledgeable about the areas . It is not a regulatory tool, unless it is
adopted by the municipality. The UNA ' s do apply to private property.
In Ulysses, there are several notable UNA ' s . There are 11 total and some of these are
most notable for the county. It is a valuable resource for real estate information as well .
He wanted to note Critical Environmental Areas in that they are regulated under NYS
law. There is only one area in Tompkins that is listed under this criteria. This is regulated
by the DEC .
Ms . Schneider asked if they could apply and have an area categorized under this .
Mr. Doyle stated he understands it is a difficult process, however they could investigate •
the process . There is a lot of documentation required but not having seen this process go
through he does not personally know .
He stated there are National Heritage Sites, he believes Hart Woods is listed as a
DEC/Nature Conservancy, it is a database. There are not regulations however if property
is within this area it would have to be considered under SEQR. He stated he would
research where this is and get back to the board as to where this is located in. Ulyssess .
Municipalities use the National Heritage Sites as reference and tools for zoning and
overlay districts .
The Village of Lansing has adopted UNA ' s to exist as an overlay zone. They have used it
to tie in prompts that require another layer of review . It is used as a basic method to
prompt details .
Mr. Wertis asked in the case of a single family home, what would happen. Would it pull
this through an extra step to review environmental impact .
Planning Board 2
5/6/08
Mr. Doyle stated he would check into what the mechanism is he heard it was not labor
intensive but will research and followup .
Ms . Schneider noted they have limits of 25 %, and further setbacks thus they have
restrictions to prevent development activity.
Mr. Doyle stated he will look further as he noted interest, he had heard there were not
extra steps however upon review it appears there are additional restrictions. He cannot
give definitive answers but it is a different process from the Town of Ithaca.
He distributed zoning maps of the Town of Ithaca. He finds it interesting the conservation
zone does not follow line by line the UNA ' s but it does outline these areas with
additional areas added. They are more restrictive than Lansing, more steps, different
allowed uses, and more details needed. If you live on Burns Road you are in a
conservation zone, it has its own restrictions .
Mr. Doyle continued to present various methods of zoning. He discussed Cluster Zoning.
The project behind the hospital was presented and discussed at length. The history of how
the project started, part of the property being given to land trust for conservation area.
They condensed development to the front part of the property.
The members inquired as to the financial aspects of this type of transaction. They were
referred to Andy Zepp at Finger Lakes Land Trust.
They discussed Performance Zoning-these types are not proscripted. Minimum levels
maintained, sets standards, allows developers proscriptive setbacks . They noted Towns
without zoning use these, it allows creative zoning, but creates other problems.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding conservation zones, how they protect. What they •
want to protect and why, it was determined they need to establish areas with specific
criteria such as steep slopes .
Sue Ritter would be a good resource as she is a Planner with the Town of Ithaca but
resides in Ulysses and is on our Comp Plan Committee. Mr. Zeserson will contact her
regarding assisting us in this process.
They determined they would like followup on the following from Mr. Doyle :
1 . Details on Village of Lansing process
2 . Performance Standards/how measured
3 . Cluster effectiveness
4 . Financials regarding Route 96 project
•
The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 00pm .
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Carlisle Peck
Secretary
05/ 13/08