HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-03-PB-FINALTOWN OF ULYSSES
PLANNING BOARD
3/3/2015
Minutes
Approved: 03/17/2015
Present: Chairperson John Wertis, David Blake, Andy Rice, David Diaz, and Craig Salino.
Mr. Salino was named an alternate member in place of Sarah Adams, who was excused.
Members of the public present: Cheryl E. Fletcher and Marcie Finlay
Excused: Sarah Adams
Call to Order at: 7:00 p.m.
Privilege of the Floor: There were no public comments.
Consideration of SEQR and Simple/Minor Subdivision (2 -lot) approval for 1400 and 1404
Taughannock Blvd; Tax Map Number 18.4-12.2 and 3054 Garrett Rd; Tax Map Number 18.-
4-13, Conservation District. The proposal includes the consolidation of two existing parcels and
subsequent two -lot subdivision. The existing two lots include 32.34+ acres and the resulting two
lots will include 14.65+ acres and 17.69+ acres. Cheryl Fletcher, Owner; Marcie Finlay, Agent.
Mr. Wertis said he was not completely clear with the property outlines as presented on survey
maps for the Taughannock Boulevard property. He circulated additional survey maps of the
property, one with pre-existing boundary lines and another that reflects the requested
subdivision. Mr. Wertis said the Town's Environmental Planner Darby Kiley had worked with
Ms. Fletcher to ensure that, if there were to be any future home construction on one of the
subdivided parcels — referred to as Parcel C in the maps distributed by Mr. Wertis — it would
meet the Town's minimum 5 -acre lot requirement. Ms. Fletcher has a buyer for Parcel C, which
is a wooded area with a pond. The would-be owner does not have intentions to build on the
property. If subdivided, Parcel C would be considered a flag lot under the Town's Zoning law,
Mr. Wertis noted. Responding to a question from Mr. Wertis about access, Mrs. Fletcher said yes
and there is a pre-existing driveway is located on Parcel C.
SEQR Resolution
Planning Board members reached a consensus that they were comfortable with both parts 1 and 2
of the SEQR.
Mr. Blake MADE THE MOTION to approve the SEQR, and Mr. Diaz SECONDED the
MOTION as follows:
WHEREAS:
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March 3, 2015
1. This is consideration of Simple Subdivision Approval following Minor Subdivision
procedures for the proposed two -lot subdivision located at 1400 and 1404 Taughannock
Blvd and 3054 Garrett Rd, Tax Parcel Numbers 18.4-12.2 and 18.4-13, CD -
Conservation District; Cheryl Fletcher, Owner; Marcie Finlay, Agent; and
2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ulysses Planning Board is acting in
this uncoordinated environmental review with respect to Subdivision Approval; and
3. The Planning Board, on March 3, 2015, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short
Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3,
prepared by Town staff, and other application materials; and
4. The Town Zoning Officer has recommended a negative determination of environmental
significance with respect to the proposed Subdivision Approval;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ulysses Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of
environmental significance for the reasons set forth in the Environmental Assessment Form
Parts 2 and 3 referenced above, in accordance with the New York State Environmental
Quality Review Act for the above referenced action as proposed, and, therefore, an
Environmental Impact Statement will not be required.
The vote was as follows:
Mr. Wertis AYE
Mr. Diaz AYE
Mr. Rice AYE
Mr. Blake AYE
Mr. Salino AYE
Result: SEQR Resolution passed
Resolution for Simple/Minor Subdivision
Mr. Wertis noted that the resolution, if approved, would waive the public hearing for
subdivision.
Mr. Rice MADE the MOTION to approve the subdivision, and Mr. Blake SECONDED the
MOTION as follows:
1. The Town of Ulysses adopted subdivision regulations in the Zoning Law, most recently
amended by Local Law No. 3 of 2014, which includes Article XXI — Land Subdivision
Regulations, Section 21.3 establishing Subdivision Procedures; and
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March 3, 2015
2. The Owner, Cheryl Fletcher, and Agent for the Owner, Marcie Finlay, submitted the
required documents, and paid the fees for a Simple Subdivision on Taughannock Blvd; and
3. The proposed Subdivision is located at 1400 and 1404 Taughannock Blvd and 3054
Garrett Rd, Tax Parcel Numbers 18.4-12.2 and 18.4-13, CD -Conservation District and
the lots created by the proposed Subdivision meet the zoning requirements; and
4. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ulysses Planning Board, on March 3,
2015, has made a negative determination of environmental significance with respect to this
project, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment
Form Parts 1, 2 and 3; and
5. The Planning Board, at a Public meeting on March 3, 2015, has reviewed and accepted
as adequate the map entitled, "Survey Map Showing Lands of Cheryl Fletcher, Located at
No. 3054 Garrett Road, Town of Ulysses, Tompkins County, New York," dated 12/5/2014
and revised most recently on 2/05/2015, by T.G. Miller P.C. Engineers and Surveyors, and
other application materials; and
6. The Town of Ulysses Planning Board has given due consideration to all information and
comments in conducting the Subdivision Review; and
7. The Planning Board hereby waives the public hearing;
THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED,
1. That the Town of Ulysses Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for
Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval, as shown on the Subdivision Checklist,
having determined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in neither a
significant alteration of the purpose of subdivision control nor the policies enunciated or
implied by the Town Board; and
2. That the Planning Board of the Town of Ulysses hereby approves the Simple
Subdivision, as shown on the map entitled, "Survey Map Showing Lands of Cheryl
Fletcher, Located at No. 3054 Garrett Road, Town of Ulysses, Tompkins County, New
York," dated 12/5/2014 and revised most recently on 2/05/2015 by T.G. Miller P.C.
Engineers and Surveyors.
The vote was as follows:
Mr. Wertis AYE
Mr. Diaz AYE
Mr. Rice AYE
Mr. Blake AYE
Mr. Salino AYE
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March 3, 2015
Result: Subdivision approved
Ms. Fletcher and Ms. Finlay left the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Mr. Wertis provided the Planning Board with a brief update on recommended Zoning changes,
saying the Town Board approved all of the requested changes with one exception in regard to
excavation in the Lakeshore District. The Town Supervisor requested and the Town Board
approved a procedural change that any excavation at or above 10 cubic yards of fill within the
Lakeshore District would require an excavation permit from the Town and, further, that property
visits to review requested excavation would be left to the discretion of the Town's
Environmental Planner. Planning Board members could have the option to attend the property
visits.
Minutes Review (2/17/15; 6/17/14)
In regard to the 6/17/14 and the 07/15/2014 meeting minutes, Mr. Rice said he was not
comfortable voting on the minutes since he had yet to review them and does not fully recall the
actions of meetings held last June and July.
The Planning Board came to a consensus to table approval of past meeting minutes.
Mr. Wertis MADE the MOTION to postpone action on the 06/17/14 and 07/15/2014 meeting
minutes, and Mr. Blake SECONDED the MOTION. Mr. Diaz and Mr. Salino abstained from the
vote since they were not Planning Board members at the time of the said meetings.
The vote was as follows:
Mr. Wertis AYE
Mr. Rice AYE
Mr. Blake AYE
Mr. Diaz ABSTAINED
Mr. Salino ABSTAINED
Result: Voting on Meeting minutes for June 17, 2014 and July 15, 2014 postponed.
A discussion ensued about zoning revisions brought to the Town Board at its meeting of
February 24, 2015. Mr. Rice had questions concerning language within the draft minutes from
the February 17, 2015 meeting. Having reviewed the updated Zoning language for Standards for
Animals in Residential Areas, Mr. Rice said there was nothing in the language that prevents
sheds or buildings from being located on the edge of neighboring properties. Specifically, he said
the language fails to prevent a property owner from parking a trailer against a property line and
housing animals in the trailer. Mr. Diaz seemed to recall language in the rewrites that included
required distance from residences. He was surprised there were no established setbacks from
neighboring properties. Mr. Wertis said the Zoning update, as written, does not speak to setbacks
from neighboring residences. In the near future, the Town Board should begin reviewing the Al,
R1 and R2 zones and rewrite language to shore up Zoning.
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March 3, 2015
Mr. Rice also asked whether or not the Town Board approved the 10 cubic yardage threshold for
excavation in the Lakeshore District, a threshold previously approved by the Planning Board. He
said it was a question of process if Mr. Wertis attended the Town Board meeting to make a case
for a 5 cubic yardage threshold instead of 10. The Planning Board voted and approved the 10
cubic yard threshold.
Mr. Wertis said he had attended that meeting and indeed they had. He said that he had provided
the same "model" material the Planning Board had examined for the Town Board's use. He
added that he commented to the Town Board that he had some personal second thoughts about
the 10 cubic -yard figure and would have been more comfortable with some smaller number,
maybe 5 cubic yards.
Mr. Wertis said Ms. Kiley presented the Planning Board's approved Zoning changes to the Town
Board, approval of the process whereby the proposed "changes by resolution" were shared back
and forth between the Town Board, Planning Board and Planner/Zoning Officer. He attended the
Town Board meeting to convey the Planning Board's process in requesting the changes. He told
the Town Board he personally had reservations that the 10 cubic yard threshold was too high. He
also expressed to the Town Board that the Planning Board was pleased with the sharing of
Zoning materials among the Town Board, Planning Board and Ms. Kiley.
Mr. Blake MADE the MOTION to approve the February 17, 2015 meeting minutes, and Mr.
Salino SECONDED the MOTION.
The vote was as follows:
Mr. Wertis AYE
Mr. Rice AYE
Mr. Blake AYE
Mr. Diaz ABSTAINED
Mr. Salino AYE
Result: February 17, 2015 minutes approved
Mr. Wertis said he keeps seeing notices of Planning Board conventions in New York City and
Lake George. He does not see the value in attending the conventions. He sat in on a training
session last fall and felt the Planning Board had implemented much of what was being addressed.
Mr. Blake felt the Planning Board seems to get more value out of meeting with local people.
Plus, the conventions are expensive.
Mr. Rice MADE the MOTION to adjourn the meeting, and Mr. Blake SECONDED the
MOTION. The vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Louis A. DiPietro on March 9, 2015.