HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-03 - PB TOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD
11 /03/09
APPROVED
Present : Chairperson Ken Zeserson, Board Members : Stan Beames, Rod Hawkes,
Rick Rainey , Rebecca Schneider, John Wertis, Deputy Supervisor Dick Coogan, Code
Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun, Town Board Member David Kerness, Liz Thomas,
Town Attorney Mariette Geldenhuys,
Excused : Rod Porter
Public (Leadership Tompkins Group) : Amy Panek, Laura Bellis, Alta Logan,
Danielle Conte, Claudia Ayers .
Mr. Zeserson called the meeting to order at 7 : 00 he stated this Board had been looking at
the Conservation Zone and they have run into difficulties, going back and forth in their
meetings . They request Ms . Geldenhuys to attend the meeting to ask the question "in a
town like this, is it worth their while to go through the process of identifying CEA ' s and
sending that information to DEC to offer protection either gas drilling, etc . in these areas .
Ms . Geldenhuys stated she handed out the DEC definitions of CEA ' s . They said they
have already looked into these areas . The DEC has the authority to designate areas in a
town as a CEA, the criteria is in the handout. She reviewed the criteria and stated it could
be any of these areas .
Mr. Zeserson stated he would like to ask questions as they go along. The fourth criteria
seems so broad, what structure would not qualify as being adversely affected.
Ms . Geldenhuys stated they are broad, however they would have to go through a public
hearing. It is purposely broad as there are so many areas to consider. Under this almost
the whole town could be qualified . They have to review is this worth doing, and if so
what areas are they most interested in protecting. The elephant in the room is gas drilling
which is raising a lot of concerns. She has studied this, researched this, she has been in
touch with attorneys statewide as there is a lot of questions about these issues . Once a
designation is made within a CEA it heightens the level of scrutiny, a positive or negative
declaration will be made . What happens is an applicant is put on notice using the EAF,
there is a question that addresses a CEA. Prior to 1976 an area was put into a Type 1 , this
was changed and CEA ' s have become a less valuable tool . It does not give any permitting
authority to the town. The meeting continued with members asking Ms . Geldenhuys
questions, discussing options, areas to pursue .
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Carlisle Peck