HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-17 - PB TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD
03/17/09
Approved 04/07/09
Present : Chairperson Ken Zeserson, Planning Board Members : Stan Beames,
Rod Hawkes, John Wertis, Deputy Supervisor Dick Coogan,
Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun
Excused : Rod Porter, Rebecca Schneider
Applicants : Jim Proctor, John Anderson, PE
Public : Scott Sherwood, Russ Henninger
Mr. Zeserson called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 pm. He stated this meeting was to have a
public hearing the Site Plan for Cayuga Compost on Agard Road. They are proposing an
expansion of operations from 1000 ton to 2000 ton. He stated they had heard extensive
presentations from the applicant as well as received detailed documentation thus asked
the applicant to provide a brief summary of the project for the record.
Mr. Anderson stated Cayuga Compost has been in operation since 2006 . They are
licensed under DEC and they have reached the limit of their license . They obtain food
waste from the area schools, Wegman' s, Ithaca College etc . The food waste is mixed
with wood chips, manure etc . No food waste is left on the site it is mixed as it is
delivered . The turning process continues with odors mitigated as well as rodents etc per
DEC guidelines . The final product is sold as mulch to landscaping companies in this area.
The DEC also requires mitigation for stormwater these are outlined in the documents
they prepared. They would be installing a canopy building with no sides as outlined in the
Site Plan .
The site is pretty well developed already there is a small paved area for trucks to turn
around . The concrete pad is already onsite for the compost.
Mr. Zeserson stated they have had extensive background however he has noted other
members of the public are in attendance, he asked if anyone had any questions or needed
further explanation.
The public stated they did not need any further information.
Mr. Zeserson stated this is a legal and conforming use according to the zoning
regulations . They are considering this a cottage industry per the definition of zoning. •
He asked the board members if they had any further questions or concerns . He stated they
have sent this to Commissioner Marx at Tompkins County for their consideration and/or
recommendations . They have not received a response as of this date.
He noted they had received correspondence from Richard Earnhardt, Chair of Tompkins
County Farmland and Protection Board that this provides an important nutrient input for
individuals who might have to purchase this product from outside of the county.
Mr. Zeserson stated they have to do a SEQR review, thus if there are no other comments
or questions they will close the public hearing.
The members and public stated there were no other questions or comments.
Mr. Zeserson closed the Public Hearing at 7 : 36 pm .
Mr. Zeserson asked the members to refer to the SEQR packet as provided by the
applicant. He asked the members if they would like to go line by line, the members
agreed this would be good to formally accept the application as completed by the
applicants.
Planning Board 2
03/ 17/2009
The members reviewed the SEQR application and determined it as a NEGATIVE
DECLARATION
Mr. Wertis made the MOTION to accept the NEGATIVE DECLARATION, Mr. Hawkes
SECONDED the MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR OF SEQR DETERMINATION.
Mr. Zeserson made the MOTION, Mr. Beames SECONDED the MOTION as follows :
TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD
Site Plan Review —Cayuga, Compost, Inc.
Jim Proctor, Owner and John Anderson , PE
Town of Ulysses, New York
Planning Board, March 17, 2009
MOTION made by Mr. Zeserson, seconded by Mr. Beames,
WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses adopted zoning regulations in Local Law No . 4 2007
that includes Section 3 . 4 establishing criteria for Site Plan Review,
WHEREAS Cayuga Compost, Inc . has participated in a Sketch Plan Conference and
relevant follow-up meetings, submitted the required documents and paid the fees for Site
Plan Review ,
WHEREAS the proposed project, a facility which will operate and increase a cottage
industry for compost of county wide food waste, of which the proposed use and lot
requirements for this project constitute a legal and conforming use as set forth in the
Zoning Law in addition to variances granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals,
WHEREAS other involved or interested agencies have been notified and been afforded
an opportunity to respond to this project and no objections have been registered,
WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses notified the Tompkins County Planning Department
about the proposed project pursuant to General Municipal Law 239 1, m and n.
Preliminary verbal report indicated no recommendations, this approval is contingent on
formal written notification from Tompkins County Planning.
WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses Planning Board made findings and a determination on
the environmental impact of the project under 6NYCRR Part 617 State Environmental
Quality Review (SEQR) and declared this to be Negative Declaration .
WHEREAS the proposed project complies with the Town of Ulysses Local Law 01 of
2007 Stormwater Management and Erosion & Sediment Control and all control measures
are in compliance with the NYS Stormwater Management Design manual , and
WHEREAS a Public Hearing was held on the project site plan on March 17 after due
Bulletin Board posting and publication in the official newspaper for the town ten days
prior to the public hearing„
WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses Planning Board has given due consideration to all
information and comments in conducting Site Plan Review, now
THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Planning Board of the Town of
Ulysses hereby approves the Site Plan proposed by Cayuga Landscaping, Inc .
The vote on the motion resulted as follows :
AYES : Mr. Beames, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Wertis, Mr. Zeserson
NAYS : NONE
ABSENT : Mr. Porter, Ms . Schneider,
J.. ,
3
Planning Board
03 / 17/2009
ABSTAINED : NONE
THE RESOLUTION WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Zeserson informed the applicant he should contact Mr. Rachun regarding permits etc .
Mr. Zeserson stated Mr. Scott Sherwood had spoken to him briefly and stated the Town
Board had referred him to tonight ' s meeting for presenting a project regarding his
business, Spruce Row on Kraft Road . He asked Mr. Sherwood to present his project.
Mr. Sherwood stated what he is requesting is changes to the zoning of his district.
He read from his letter regarding the state of the economy is such that increasing their
services would help them . They are seeing a larger trend in families driving cars to
rentals onsite in the campgrounds. While they provide some-they- do-not-have as many as -
they have requests for. They are also seeing more " snowbirds" people who. travel to
Florida and drive their cars back to New York to their summer rental. These are an
economic way to live on a fixed income . In the packets are the areas he would like to see
have changed in their district. He stated he has provided the definitions per the camping
guidelines they use . He is specifically looking for changes to the park model vehicles as
well as the cabins . The park trailer model would be no less than 400 square feet and the
cabins would be one room models that are moved on skids .
The second change deals with no commercial sales of recreational vehicles . He would
like to have this changed to allowing recreational vehicles and recreational park models .
This would allow him to get his dealer' s license. This change is crucial to their future.
Taughannock Falls has many cabins that are offered to rent, while he understands this
Board cannot regulate the park he is asking they allow him these cabins so he may stay
competitive. Pine Creek Campground offers nice rental cabins that he cannot compete
with due to zoning restrictions . He noted a picture of these cabins is shown in the
advertisement in the magazine he has provided each member with. These two proposals
are critical to the future of Spruce Row and he appreciates the time and consideration of
this board.
He provided revenue generators from the different campgrounds in the area. The cabins
are usually 12 feet wide. Hickory Hill was able to generate $ 81 ,000 . for the season with 9
units . They have a short season May to October but this would help their economy as
well as generate revenue for the Trumansburg area. Their campers often shop in
Trumansburg.
Mr. Hawkes noted there are specifications for the trailers what are the specifications for
the cabins .
Mr. Sherwood stated he referenced the guidelines provided by the Health Department.
He stated he had provided a survey done by the camping association regarding the
demographics of people who would purchase these units . He stated they do not like the
term mobile home park, they are not a mobile home park-they have a different type of
clientele and most people come for the type of environment a campground offers .
Mr. Zeserson stated he should understand they only make a recommendation final
approval is with the Town Board.
Mr. Wertis asked to clarify if this had been brought to the Town Board.
Mr. Sherwood stated it had been, the Town Board told me to present his project to the
Planning Board at tonight ' s meeting.
Mr. Zeserson stated he appreciated the Town Board doing this however with the short
amount of time he would like to have the members here as well as the other members not
present have ample time to review the material . He stated their next scheduled meeting is
April 7th . He asked the other members and Mr. Sherwood if this was a logical procedure .
Mr. Sherwood stated he understood and appreciated them looking at his project.
Planning Board 4
03/ 17/2009
Mr. Coogan asked Mr. Kerness if the Town Board wanted this Board to look at the
Development District or the specific changes requested.
Mr. Kerness stated he understood the Board would be looking at the changes .
Mr. Zeserson stated he would like to speak with Mr. Rachun to confirm this would be
acceptable however it made sense to him to just look at the changes requested.
Mr. Hawkes stated under allowable uses recreational vehicles are allowed uses .
Mr. Sherwood stated they do have some on site that can be taken on the road without a
special permit. They are requesting the allowance of trailers that require a permit. Some
people would like to have a larger unit to come back North to, this would allow Spruce
Row to have these people as customers .
Mr. Hawkes asked if the recreational vehicles are used primarily in the campground
currently.
Mr. Sherwood stated it is primarily RV ' s . But they do take everything, they have tents,
seasonal campers and nice motor homes . They have a mixture of seasonal people that
drive in and out ; they also have weekend people and those who stay a week or two .
Mr. Zeserson asked if they allowed sales how many would he consider having on the lot.
Mr. Sherwood stated he is considering two at a time . He does not have the cash to put out
to have these on display. There is a small parking area off to the side of the store which is
where these would go . There is not enough space for more than two . The orders would be
placed and delivered vs . having them in stock. He is not looking to build a sales lot. The
last time he proposed this project he had a survey done it is 40 feet by 75 feet . He could
not locate it but will try to have it for the next meeting.
Mr. Wertis asked for a quick definition of recreational park vehicle.
Mr. Sherwood stated recreational park vehicles are primarily designed and intended to
provide temporary living quarters for recreation camping or seasonal use. They are built
on single chassis mounted on wheels not exceeding 400 square feet when set up . They are
designed to comply with ANSA standards, it goes from there .
Mr. Wertis stated it does and it mentions 8 feet, he asked for clarification.
Mr. Sherwood stated there are different sizes, the 8 feet 6 inch units have slide outs that
expand when onsite. The wider is less mobile and usually reside in a park for several
years .
Mr. Hawkes stated a snowbird would leave one of these in a park for several years .
Mr. Sherwood stated they would, they have several of these in the park currently.
However, if they could offer the larger units he feels they could pull from that pool of
customers .
Mr. Zeserson asked what sewage system plans would be allowed to handle this .
Mr. Sherwood stated most of them have holding tanks that would be extracted from . The
Health Department does regulate all of this .
Mr. Zeserson stated he was concerned with leeching into streams etc .
Mr. Hawkes asked if he would be expanding the number of sites they offer with this
project .
Mr. Sherwood stated they would not . They would convert sites that are not used all that
much. They do offer some rentals it is their hope to replace those units .
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03/ 17/2009
Mr. Beames asked what the septic would be for the camping cabins.
Mr. Sherwood stated there would not be a bathroom in the cabins . They would use the
public facilities.
Mr. Wertis stated he was looking at the numbers and noted it could be up to 33 feet long
and still be under 400 square feet, he asked if they come that size.
Mr. Sherwood stated they do , they have seen some that are 44 feet long with the tongue.
Mr. Wertis asked if they would fit on the sites he currently has . Would these be scattered
through the park.
Mr. Sherwood stated they usually try to locate these together. One of the items they pride
themselves on are the size of their lots, they do not like to crowd people together.
Mr. Hawkes asked if they shut down October through May.
Mr. Sherwood stated per zoning they are allowed to use it after however the demand is
usually not sufficient to warrant remaining open. They generally have turned the power
off and shut the power off in October. That is not to say we would not stay open after
October in the future if the need demands this .
Mr. Zeserson asked if anyone had other comments or questions . The members stated they
did not. He informed Mr. Sherwood he appreciated the time and asked if the members
had questions could they contact him directly.
Mr. Sherwood stated that would be fine and if the members would like to take a look at
the facilities they would be welcome . He stated he would be at the meeting of April 7 ,
2009 .
Mr. Zeserson adjourned the meeting at 8 : 13pm.
Sincerely,
Robin Carlisle Peck
Secretary