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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-7Page 1 of 3 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Public Hearing & Special Meeting - Thursday, 7 July 2022 - 7:30 PM Town Hall Court Room – 101 Conger Boulevard – Groton, NY Members, Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present *Mark Baxendell, Chairman Brian Klumpp, Town Councilman Leon Brockway, Jr., Vice-Chairman Joan Fitch, Board Secretary Monica Carey Don Scheffler, Town Supervisor Dan Cerretani Edward Neuhauser Lisa Maloney Hahn Sam Rose Public Present Alan Wilkinson for Route 34B Self Storage, LLC, Applicant; Andrea & Colin Wilkinson. PUBLIC HEARING Route 34B Self Storage, Applicant/Reputed Owner – 974 Peruville Road – TM #35.-1-25.2 –Site Plan Review – Alteration of Previously Approved Site Plan The Public Hearing was opened at 7:30 p.m. by Vice-Chairman Leon Brockway, Jr. The Board Secretary read aloud the Legal Notice as duly published in the Cortland Standard on 28 June 2022. Proof of Publication has been placed on file for the record. Vice-Chairman Brockway recognized Alan Wilkinson, who explained to those present that he was returning to the originally approved Site Plan of 15 February 18, with modifications. He stated that two buildings would be better than what was originally planned. He explained the proposed layout as was contained in his letter to the Planning Board dated 29 June 2022, a copy of which has been placed on file for the record. The third building, he explained, was in a slightly different location, as placed in error by the contractor. This, he said was determined by a surveyor he hired. Mr. Wilkinson advised that he had contacted the same engineer, Tim Buhl, who came up with this current Site Plan. The square footage remains the same, but the size of the buildings have changed, i. e., taking two SF from one building and adding it to another. Vice-Chairman Brockway asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to comment on this matter; there was no one. With everyone being heard who wished to be heard, Vice-Chairman Brockway closed the Public Hearing at 7:35 p.m. SPECIAL MEETING The Special Meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board was then called to order by Vice-Chairman Brockway. Vice-Chairman Brockway acknowledged receipt of the Tompkins County Department of Planning & Sustainability’s letter of 15 June 2022 in which they stated that they had reviewed the Route 34B Self Storage proposal and had no recommendations or comments. He also acknowledged receipt of Mr. Wilkinson’s letter to the Board dated 29 June 2022; both letters have been placed on file for the record. (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Special Meeting 7 July 2022 18 August 2016 Page 2 of 3 Vice-Chair Brockway then commented that he had not received a Final Site Plan Application from Mr. Wilkinson; he was provided with one and completed it. Board members discussed comments made by a neighbor, Ms. Ferris, to Town Clerk Robin Cargian who relayed them to Vice-Chair Brockway. It was noted that the Board did not approve the Preliminary Site Plan at its last meeting. A motion was then made by Member Sam Rose to approve the Preliminary Site Plan for the proposed alteration to the previously approved Route 34B Self Storage Site Plan, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Monica Carey, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Member Brockway Nays: None Member Carey Member Neuhauser Absent: Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Rose Member Cerretani Motion carried. This becomes Action #18 of 2022. Member Ed Neuhauser remarked to Mr. Wilkinson that he did not do what was on his permit, and this needed to be done, i. e., conditioned upon (1) Norway Spruce trees are to be used as a buffer zone (Planning Board Minutes of 2/15/18). Photos submitted by Mr. Wilkinson were reviewed and discussed. Member Rose asked whose trees were shown in one of the photos, and Mr. Wilkinson answered the neighbor’s, Ms. Ferris. The photos have been placed on file for the record. Mr. Wilkinson commented that it didn’t make sense to install the required spruce trees when the neighbor’s “tangle of stuff” all but block the view of his property, and he would also have to do work on his retention pond. Member Neuhauser told Mr. Wilkinson that he was making excuses for not doing what was approved in 2018. Vice-Chair Brockway thought that Board members should make a visit to the site. Member Neuhauser added that nothing should be approved until a fence is up and the approval condition(s) were met. Mr. Wilkinson asked why he had to get permission to do something on his own property. Member Neuhauser repeated that the Board should do nothing until the previous condition (the trees) was met. Mr. Wilkinson responded that if the Board made him plant trees on his eastern boundary to shield his business from his neighbors, he would just cut them down after getting the permit. Member Rose asked why the retention pond was so close to the neighbor’s, and Mr. Wilkinson responded that his engineer designed it that way. Mr. Wilkinson stated he did not understand this, and that other same area properties are much worse. Board members discussed the next meeting date, which would normally be July 21st; however, Mr. Wilkinson advised that he would not be available on that date, so the Board decided to postpone their decision on this application until 18 August 2022 in order to allow Mr. Wilkinson to be present, and give them time to visit the site. A motion was then made by Member Neuhauser to postpone the Site Plan review for the proposed alteration to the previously approved Route 34B Self Storage Site Plan, until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, 18 August 2022 at 7:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Member Dan Cerretani, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Member Brockway Nays: None Member Carey Member Neuhauser Absent: Member Baxendell Member Maloney Hahn Member Rose Member Cerretani Motion carried. This becomes Action #19 of 2022. (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Special Meeting 7 July 2022 18 August 2016 Page 3 of 3 ADJOURNMENT At 8 p.m., a motion was made by Member Carey to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Lisa Maloney Hahn, with all members present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Supv., Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Fritz, Attorney Casullo & Board Members on 7/13//22.