HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2005-07-07 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
July 7, 2005
Final Meeting Minutes
PRESENT: Lenore Durkee, Diane Conneman, James Hamilton, Jon Meigs, Larry Sallinger, Barney
Unsworth.
STAFF: Susan Ritter
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM.
Persons to be Heard: None.
Member Concerns: Barney asked about the Town's transportation plan. The Town's Planning
Board is anticipated to be lead agency for a traffic study initiated by Cornell University. CU has a
significant impact on traffic in the Town as its many employees travel through the Town in route to
work, and so the study will look at ways to mitigate this impact. It may suggest additional bus
service, park-and-ride options, and even extend to a consideration of housing opportunities in the
Town. Jon suggested that Ithaca College should be included in the discussions and will pursue this
matter further.
Chair/Coordinator Report: Lenore had no report. Sue reported that the e-mail aliases are complete
and can be found on the Towns' website. She called attention to an article on the proposal for a real
estate transfer tax. The revenue would be used to purchase open-space, marshes, wildlife refuges,
aquifer areas, unique or threatened areas and any other areas deemed by the community to be of
exceptional value and in need of protection. The Ithaca Town Board has passed a supporting
resolution.
Sue described the situation of about 100 acres between Trumansburg Road and Taughannock Blvd.
within the Indian Creek Gorge and Steep Slopes Unique Natural Area that has been purchased by a
private citizen with the intention of developing a large subdivision. She asked if the CB would be
interested in resuming their work to develop a Conservation Zone for this area and adjacent sites.
Reason are abundant for doing so, including its status as UNA and its function as an important
biological corridor. The CB will discuss this further at its next meeting and Sue will provide more
information. Another subdivision on the Perry Farm, of+/- 70 acres will come up for review.
Minutes: The minutes of June 2, 2005 were approved.
Tompkins County EMC: Lenore pointed out the need for a CB representative on the County EMC
and asked the members to consider volunteering for this position. Meanwhile, Barney has reported
that the County Board of Health will consider formal approval of the open burning ordinance and
hold two public hearings on the topic.
Stream Setback Law: Some minor corrections having been made by the CB, the Stream Setback
Law will now go to the Town Board, the Planning Board, the Tompkins County Water Resources
Council and then be presented in the fall at a public information meeting.
Reports and Up-Dates:
a) The Fischer Award--The ceremony will be held in the fall, possibly sometime in October. The
pictures taken at the presentation ceremony are on the Town website.
b) ERC--The South Hill Business Campus proposal entailed only interior work on the Axiohm
building and poses no environmental problems. The Babcock 8-lot Subdivision on Hayts Road met
with no objections, but a suggestion was made to reconsider the driveway arrangements for these
lots. Still outstanding are the Friends Meeting house and the Judd Falls proposals. The Remington
plans have been withdrawn.
c) Scenic Resources--The photo inventories are coming together as more pictures are taken. The
Committee would like to post the grid map and the photographs on the Town website for public
access. The Committee invites the CB members to check out the similar "Parks" map located on
the town website and give their impressions of the posting.
d) Six-Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring program--Larry and James reported that the last meeting
was June 27th and that the number of participants seems to be holding steady. Two storm event
samples have been analyzed and showed a fairly high E. coli count at some spots. BMI sampling is
scheduled for July 9-16.
A CU GIS expert, Art Lembo,presented his work on developing a Microsoft-compatible GIS-based
software tool that should be able to integrate data from the Six-Mile Creek Water Quality Monitor
Volunteer program with a variety of web-based map information (geologic history, historic
development, land use, tax parcels, aerial photographs, etc.) available to the public online.
e) City Of Ithaca NAC: No report.
Future CB Project Ideas: Some suggestions were offered and discussed as future projects for the
CB. They include some research into 1)treatment of ditches in the Town 2) regulation of tree
cutting 3) salinity studies of streams and the lake 4) concentrated animal confinement operations in
the Town 5) small wetland protection 6) a revisit of the deer issue in the Town 7)newsletter
contributions.
At least one CB member has mentioned preparing a regular column for the media describing issues
of environmental concern to the community. Sue also suggested that we re-examine the Natural
History Preservation Program, making some suggestions on modifying the criteria used for ranking
properties for development concerns.
Other Business: Jon noticed that the city of Woodstock, NY was recognized for its use of
photovoltaic energy sources (solar panels). He wondered if there were any installations in Ithaca?
He also suggested that we find a way to involve students in the work of the Conservation Board--
perhaps as associates. The residence requirement might be a problem. Jon will check the interest
level.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Submitted by Lenore Durkee and Larry Sallinger
TOWNOFITHACA\4215NTiogaStreet,Ithaca,NY14850TOWNCLERK273-1721HIGHWAY273-1656PARKS273-8035ENGINEERING273-1747PLANNING273-1747ZONING273-1783FAX(607)273-1704TOWNOFITHACAPLANNINGDEPARTMENTMEMORANDUMTO:CONSERVATIONBOARDMEMBERSFROM:SUSANRIflER.ASSISTANTDIRECTOROFPLANNING.ZDATE:JUNE30,2005RE:JULY7,2005MEETINCOFTHECONSERVATIONBOARDThisistoconfirmthatthenextmeetingoftheConservationBoard(CB)isThursday,July7that7:30p.m.Theagendaforthismeetingisenclosed(seethebackofthismemo),asaretheminutesfromtheJunemeeting,foryourreview.AlsoenclosedisthereviseddraftStreamSetbackLawthatincorporatescommentsreceivedfromboththeConservationBoardandtheCodesandOrdinanceCommitteesincetheirrespectiveJunemeetings.PleaselookoverthedraftandletmeknowifIhavemissedanycomments.Alsoenclosed,foryourinformation,isanarticlefromtheDanbyAreaNewsconcerningtheproposedrealestatetransfertaxcurrentlybeingconsideredbytheNYSlegislature.SeeyouonThursday.Enc.
TOWNOFITHACACONSERVATIONBOARD7:30p.m.,Thursday,July7,2005AuroraStreetConferenceRoom215N.TiogaStreetIthaca.NewYork14850(Therearentranceishandicappedaccessible)(607)273-1747AGENDA7:30pm1.Identifyvolunteerforminutes7:31pm2.Personstobeheard7:35pm3.Membersconcerns7:45pm4.ChairandCoordinatorreports8:00pm5.RegularBusiness:Approvalofminutesfrom6/2/058:05pm6.DiscussneedforrepresentativeontheTompkinsCountyEnvironmentalManagementCouncil8:15pm7.ConsiderreviseddrafiStreamSetbackLaw8:35pm8.Regularreportsandupdates•R.FischerAwardCommittee•EnvironmentalReviewCommittee•ScenicResourcesCommittee•SixMileCreekVolunteerMonitoringProam(Lany)•CityofIthacaNaturalAreasCormission(Jon)9:00pm9.DiscussfutureCRprojectideas9:20pm10.OtherBusiness9:30pm11.AdjournmentCBMembersand*AssociatesLenoreDurkee,ChairEvaHoffirannLarrySallingerMelissaAnthonyBrentKatzrnannBarneyUnsworthDianeConnemanSusanMcCutcheonElissaWolfson*JamesHamiltonJonMeigs*
TownofIthacaConservationBoardJune9,2005DraftMinutesPresent:BrentKatzmann,JamesHamilton,DianeConneman,MelissaAnthony,LarrySallinger,EvaHofftnann,LenoreDurkee,SusanMcCutcheon.Staff:SusanRitterMeetingcalledtoorderat7:35PM.Chair/CoordinatorReport:Lenorehadnoreport.SuedistributedcopiesoftheNYSAssociationofConservationCommissionnewsletter.ShediscussedtheideaofCBmembersbeingassignedTownemailaddressaliases,similartowhattheTownBoarduses.Thiswouldallowpersonalemailaddressestostayprivate,butthealiasescouldbeusedonmorepubliclyavailabledocuments,suchastheCRlistprovidedtotheTownClerk’sofficeandtheCBwebsite.Allmembersexpressedsupportforobtainingtownassignedemailaddresses,andfavoredtheideaofpostingtheseaddressesonthetown’swebsite,butpreferedinclusionoftheaddressesonotherboarddocumentstobedeterminedonacasebycasebasis.SeveralmembershadjustattendedthepublicmeetingconcerningtheTown’sprogressindraftingaTransportationplan,andthiswasbrieflydiscussed.SuedescribedtherecentmeetingconcerningWatershedAssessmentsforFallCreek,SalmonCreek,andCayugaInlet,sponsoredbyTompkinsCounty.Theconsultants,MiloneandMacBroom,hadpreviouslystudiedtheerosioninSixMileCreek,andwerenowhiredtoexaminetheseothercreeks.Thestudyconcludedthatthesecreeksarestillintheprocessofnaturalerosionandhavenotyetreachedequilibriumsincetheperiodofglaciation.ThewetlandsthathadnaturallyexistedatCayugaLake’ssouthendwouldhavecollectedthesesediments.Toinsurethatongoingdevelopmentdoesnotexacerbatethisproblem,measuressuchasstreambuffersshouldbeemployed.Minutes:Approvedunanimously.TheFischerAward:Thepresentationceremonywillfollowlastyear’sformat.Lenorereviewedheroutlineforthepresentation.AcopperbeechtreewillbeplantedintheEasternHeightsParkinthefalltohonortheawardee.StreamSetbackLaw:Useofgraphicsintheordinancediscussed.219-A-2languagewaschangedtoreduceredundancy.Languagediscussingtheharmthatinvasiveexoticspeciescauseshouldbeincorporatedinto219-A-2.Jamesrequestedchangesthroughoutthedrafttocorrectgrammaticalerrors.Melissarecommendedclarificationofthedefinitionsofdrainageareasusedinchart6.Fa.Brentaskedaboutthecalculationofthesetbackwithslopeversushowthemeasurementistaken(horizontallyoralongtheslope)andthisisansweredinParagraphF,Page5.Morediscussionofslopes,percentagesandsetbacksfollowed.SueRitterwillconsiderusinggraphicstoillustrate
how219-A-6works.Suedigressedintoabriefdiscussionoftreeordinancestoaddresspreservationofforestedland.Dianeexpressedinterestinexpandingprohibitedactivitiestoincludedisposalofhazardousmaterials,AmendedParagraph6,Page8.OursuggestedchangeswillgotoCodesandOrdinancesforadditionalinputandthentootherTownboards(Planning,Town)forconsideration,thenwillbedistributedtootherwaterresourceprofessionalsforcomments(ie.TompkinsCountyWaterResourcesCouncil)priortothegeneralpublic.Reports:EnvironmentalManagementCouncil:LenorereceivedinformationfromHerbthattheEMCiscontinuingdiscussionofbumbarrels,windpower,andthegreengrocerybasketstouseinplaceofplastic/paper.ERC:SomemembersofthecommitteehavereviewedtheRiteAidsketchplanproposalfortheJuddFallsPlaza.ThereisnoupdateontheFriendsMeetinghouseproposal.ScenicResourcesCommittee:TheCommitteemetonJune8thPhotoswerereviewedandwillbematchedtogridmaps.Workontheinventorywillcontinuethissummer,aswellasworkonapolicytoprecedeactualordinance.SixMileCreek:JamesreportedthatthelastmeetingconcernedgatheringofBMI(BenthicMarineInvertebrates)datainthenearfuture.Currentdataisbeingputintoameaningfulformat.SuerecommendsdevelopingabudgetforecastfortheTown’sbudgetingprocess.NAC:Noreport.SueRitterdiscussedtheoptionsthattheCityisconsideringforthewaterfiltrationplantandthattheNACwillbefollowingtheprogressofthisproject.OtherBusiness:Theawardcertificatesweredisplayedandmembersvotedonthemostpleasingformat.Themeetingadjournedat9:15PM.SubmittedbyLarrySallinger/LenoreDurkee
06/16/05DRAFTTOWNOFITHACALOCALLAWNO.OFTHEYEAR2005ALOCALLAWAMENDINGCHAPTER270OFTHETOWNOFITHACACODE,TITLED“ZONING.”BeitenactedbytheTownBoardoftheTownofIthacaasfollows:Section1.Chapter270oftheTownofIthacaCode,entitled“Zoning,”isherebyamendedbyaddingSection270-219-Aasfollows:“219-A-i.Title.ThissectionshallbeknownastheStreamSetbackLaw.§219-A-2.Findings.TheTownBoardoftheTownofIthacafindsthatsteadypopulationgrowthandlanddisturbanceintheTownhaveresultedinthecontinuallossofmuchofitsnaturalriparian(streamside)vegetation.Properlyvegetatedriparianareasprovidenumerousbenefitsincluding:A.Riparianvegetationlessenstheseverityofstreambankerosionbecausethedeepandextensiverootsystemsofthevegetationholdsoilinplace.B.Thesoil-rootcomplexofthevegetationfiltersandabsorbsvariouschemicalsandparticulates,keepingthemoutofstreams.C.Attimesofheavyrainorflooding,vegetationslowswaterrunoffvelocitytomaintainthestreambedandstreambankandlessenstheeffectsofflooding.D.Byslowingrunoffvelocity,riparianvegetationallowsrechargingofthegroundwater.E.ByreducingtheamountofparticulatesandchemicalsinstreamsthatenterCayugaLake,vegetatedriparianareasareacost-effectivewaytomaintainthequalityofthisimportantdrinkingwatersourcefortheTown.F.Undisturbedriparianareasprovidethespaceneededtoaccommodatethenaturalmeanderingofstreamchannels.G.Vegetatedriparianareasprovideimportanthabitatforbirdsandotherwildlifeandtheyimprovetheenvironmentforaquaticspeciesbystabilizingwatertemperaturesandreducinglevelsofsedimentandpollutants.1
06/16/05DRAV[H.Vegetatedriparianareasenhancethenaturalbeautyofstreamsandpreservescenicvaluesandrecreationalopportunities.I.Vegetatedriparianareascomposedlargelyofnativeplantspeciesfunctionbetterandprovidemorebenefitsthanthosecomposedofinvasiveexoticspecies.Invasiveexoticspeciestendtomultiplyquickly,formingdensesingle-speciesstandsthatdiminishspeciesdiversity,eliminatenativespecies,anddegraderiparianhabitat.§219-A-3.PurposeandObjectives.ThepurposeofthisLawistopromotethepublichealth,safetyandgeneralwelfarebyestablishingrequirementsforstreamset-backstoprotectstreams,otherwaterresources,property,andriparianecosystemswithinthejurisdictionoftheTownofIthaca.TheobjectivesofthisLawareto:A.Regulateactivitiesthatnegativelyimpactstreamsandnativeriparianvegetation,sothatthebenefitsprovidedbysuchvegetationarenotlost;B.Reducetheamountofsediment,organicmatter,pesticides,andpollutantsenteringstreams;C.Protectpublicandprivatepropertyfromlossesduetoflooddamageanderosion;D.Ensurelanduseproposalsarecompatiblewiththeabovepurposesandspecifylanduseinareaswherestandardzoningpracticesarenotadequate;E.Allowreasonableuseoflandthatisconsistentwithresponsiblelandmanagementandthatwillconserveandprotectstreams,riparianvegetation,andstreamsidewetlandstotheextentpracticable;F.Recognizethelegitimateinterestsoflandownerstomakereasonableuseofwaterresources,andotherwiseengageintheuseoflandforagriculturalpractices;G.Minimizeexpenditureofpublicmoneytoreducestreamerosionandsiltation;andH.ProtecttherightofthepublictofillenjoymentoftherecreationalopportunitiesofferedbytheTown’sstreamsandbyCayugaLake.§219-A-4.Definitions.Asusedinthissection,thefollowingtermsshallhavethemeaningsindicated:BANKFULL-Theconditionwherestreamfiowjustfillsastreamchanneluptothetopofthebankandatapointwherethewaterbeginstoflowoveritsbank.(seeGraphicIinAppendix)2
06/16/05DRAFTDEVELOPMENTACTIVITY—Anyhuman-madechangetoimprovedorunimprovedrealestate,includingbutnotlimitedtotheerection,construction,orenlargementofbuildingsorotherstructures,mining,dredging,filling,paving,excavationordrillingoperations.EROSION-Anyprocesswherebysoilsaremovedbywater.EXISTINGLANDUSE-Alandusewhich,priortotheeffectivedateofthisLaw,is:completed;ongoing(asinthecaseofagriculturalactivity);underconstruction;fullyapprovedbythegoverningauthority;orthesubjectofafullycompletedapplicationthathasbeensubmittedforapprovaltothegoverningauthorityortheappropriategovernmentofficial,foranyconstruction-relatedpermit.NON-NATIVEINVASIVESPECIES—Aslistedonthe“InvasivePlantsofTompkinsCounty,NY”listingproducedbytheTompkinsCountyEnvironmentalManagementCouncil(preparedbyF.R.Wesley,April1998)thesearealienorexoticplantspeciesthatspreadandcompetewithnativespecies,ofteneliminatingthelatter.IMPERVIOUSSURFACE-Anypaved,hardenedorstructuralsurfacewhichdoesnotallowinfiltrationofwater.Suchsurfacesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,streets,driveways,parkinglots,tenniscourts,buildings,andswimmingpools.RIPARIANAREA—Anareaadjacenttoastreamthattypicallycontainstrees,shrubs,andothergroundcovers.SELECTIONTREECUTTING-Aforestrypracticeusedtocreateormaintainuneven-agedstandsoftreesbyperiodicremovalofindividualtrees.SLOPE-Theincreaseinelevationperunitofdistance,expressedasapercent.STREAM-Awatercourseoranysurfacedepressionwherewaterflowsperenniallyorintermittently.STREAMSETBACK—Anareathatextendshorizontallylandwardaspecifieddistancefromeachsideofastreambank.STREAMBANK—Thesidesoftheactivestreamchannel,usuallymarkedbyabreakinslope.STREAMSIDEWETLAND-Theareaimmediatelyadjacenttoastreamthatisinundatedorsaturatedbysurfacewaterorgroundwateratafrequencyanddurationsufficienttosupport,andthatundernormalcircumstancesdoessupport,aprevalenceofvegetationtypicallyadaptedforlifeinsaturatedsoilconditions(Seegraphic4inAppendix).3
06/16/05DRAFT§219-A-5.Applicability.A.Exceptasspecifiedbelow,thisLawshallapplytoallparcelscontainingthosestreamsdescribedinsubsection219-A-6below,forwhichdevelopmentactivitiesareproposedorundertaken.B.Exclusions.ThisLawshallnotapplytothefollowing:(1)Parcelswithexistinglanduses,asthattermisdefinedinsubsection219-A-4above.Notwithstandingtheforegoing,thisexclusionshallnotapplytodevelopmentactivitiesthatareproposedorundertakenaflertheeffectivedateofthisLawonparcelswithexistinglanduses.(2)ParcelsthatarelessthanIacreinsizeandinexistenceasoftheeffectivedateofthisLaw.§219-A-a.Streamsetbackstandards.A.Streamsetbacksarerequiredforthoseportionsofstreamsthathaveupstreamdrainageareasequalto.orgreaterthan,50acres.ThesizeofstreamdrainageareasaredeterminedbytheTownofIthaca’sGeologicalInformationSystem(GIS)(SeeMap1inAppendix).B.Therequiredsetbackwidthatanypointalongastreamisdeterminedbythesizeoftheupstreamdrainagearea,theslopeofthelandadjacenttothestream,andtheexistenceofanystreamsidewetland.C.Thesetbackshallbecomposedoftwodistinctzones.Specifiedactivitiesconsistentwiththeobjectivesdescribedinsubsection219-A-3areallowedineachzone.D.Streamscoveredbythislaw,withtheircorrespondingsetbackwidths,arefoundonthemapinAppendixA.F.DefinitionsandpurposesofStreamSetbackZonesIand2(seeGraphic2inAppendix).(I)StreamSetbackZoneIisthestreamsidezone.(a)Thestreamsidezoneisintendedtoprotectthephysicalandecologicalintegrityofthestream.(h)Vegetationmustremainundisturbedtothemaximumpracticalextentinthiszonetoassureproperfunctioningofthiszone.However,certainactivitiesarepermittedasdescribedinsubsectionfl9-A-7.(c)Thiszonewillbeginattheedgeofadefinedwatercourseatthebankflillfloworlevelmark.Itwillbemeasuredhorizontallylandward,alongalineperpendicular4
06/16/05DRAFTfromthispoint,therequireddistanceasdeterminedbydrainagearea,presenceofstreamsidewetlands,andslope,tothebeginningofStreamSetbackZone2.(2)StreamSetbackZone2istheoutersetbackzone.(a)Theouterzoneisintendedtopreventencroachmentintothestreamsidezone,andtoprovidedistancebetweendevelopmentactivityandthestreamsidezone.(b)Vegetationinthiszonemayvary,butplantingofnon-nativeinvasivespeciesisnotattowed(c)TheouterzonewillbemeasuredperpendicularlyfromtheouteredgeofStreamSetbackZoneIandextendhorizontallytheremainingdistanceofthesetbackasrequiredbydrainagearea,presenceofstreamsidewetlands,andslope.F.RequiredminimumstreamsetbackwidthsbasedondrainageareaareshowninChart6.Fa.Thesetbackmeasurementwillbeginattheedgeofadefinedwatercourseatthebankfullfloworlevelmark.Itwillbemeasuredhorizontallylandward,alongalineperpendicularfromthispoint,thespecifieddistancerequiredbythedrainagearea.Chart6.FaMinimumStreamSetbackWidths(Feet)DrainageArea(Acres)SetbackZone1SetbackZone2TotalSetbackWidth>50acresandlessthan200acres201535>200acresandlessthan1500acres302050>1500acres5050100G.Iftherearenoslopesof25percentorgreaterandnostreamsidewetlandspresentwithinthesetbacksrequiredbyChart6.Fa.thenthetotalsetbackwidthwillbedeterminedonthebasisofdrainageareaaloneasindicatedonChart6.FaH.Setbackwidthadjustmentsforsteepslopesof25percentorgreater.(I)Wheresteepslopes(25%orgreater)arelocatedwithinSetbackZone1,asspecifiedonChart6.Fa,thewidthofSetbackZone1willextendtheentiredistanceofthesteepslope,butinnoeventshallitexceedtheTotalSetbackWidthrequiredinChart6.Fa.IfthedistanceofSetbackZoneIequalstheTotalSetbackWidth,asspecifiedonChart6.Fa,therewillhenorequirementforestablishmentofSetbackZone2.IfthedistanceislessthantheTotalSetbackWidth,thewidthofZone2shallbeadjustedsothattheTotalSetbackWidthisachieved.TheadjustmentinwidthoftheStreamSetbackshallapplyonlytotheareasontheparcelwherestcepslopesarelocated(SeeGraphic3and3-ainAppendix).(2)Steepslopesof25percentorgreatershallbedeterminedbyoneofthefollowingmethods:5
06/16/05DRAFT(a)On-sitemeasurementofslopesbyregisteredprofessionalengineers,surveyors,orlandscapearchitects,usingacceptedengineeringpractices.(b)UseofmapspreparedbytheSoilConservationService,UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture,foundinSoilSurveyTompkinsCounty,NewYork,1965.(c)UseofUnitedStatesGeologicalSurvey7.5MinuteQuadrangles(3)Slopeistobemeasuredalongalineperpendiculartothestreamchanneltothelocationwherestructuresorusesareproposed.I.Setbackwidthadjustmentwhenstreamsidewetlandsexist:(I)‘Wherestreamsidewetlandsprotectedunderfederalorstatelawareidentifiedwithinastreamsetback,thatportionofthestreamsidewetlandisnotcountedtowardstherequiredsetbackwidth.Inthesecases,itwillbenecessarytoextendthesetbackwidthbeyondthatrequiredbysubsections219-A-6GandHtomakeupfortheamountoflandexcludedduetotheexistenceofstreamsidewetlands(seeappendixforillustration).TheadjustmentinwidthoftheStreamSetbackshallapplyonlytotheareasontheparcelwherestreamsidewetlandsarelocated(SeeGraphic4inAppendix).(2)WetlandsshallbedelineatedbyaqualifiedprofessionalunderguidelinesestablishedbytheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersandNYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation.J.Theapplicantwillberesponsiblefordelineatingandidentifiingthestreamsetbackzoneonallsubdivision,siteplans,andbuildingpermitapplications.Thisdelineationshallbedoneatthetimeofsubmissionofanyapplication.Thisdelineationshallbesubjecttoreviewandapprovalbytheappropriateboardorofficer.K.Priortoanysoil-disturbingactivity,thestreamsetbackzoneshallbeclearlydelineatedwithconstructionfencing,staking,orothersuitablematerialbytheapplicantonsite,andsuchdelineationshallbemaintainedinanundisturbedstate,untilthedevelopmentprojectiscompleted§219-A-7.Permissibleactivitiesinstreamsetbackzones.A.Thefollowingstructuresandusesareallowedinthestreamsetbackzones,providedthatmeasuresaretakentoprotecttheoveralleffectivenessofthestreamriparianareaandachievetheobjectivesinsubsection219-A-3.:(1)STREAMSETBACKZONE1-Permittedusesandstructuresarerestrictedtothefollowing:6
jfrçTfl’06/16/05DRAFT(a)Installationofutilityserviceandmunicipalwaterandsewerconnectionsforone-andtwo-familyresidences,providedthattheydisturbonlytheminimalarearequiredforinstallation;(b)Emergencyrepairofpublicutilities;(c)Selectiontreecuttingwithinthestreamsetbackzoneaslongastheprotectivefunctionofthesetbackareaisnotcompromised;(d)MaintenanceofimpervioussurfacesifinexistencepriortotheeffectivedateofthisLaw(e)Themaintenance,repair,replacementandreconstructionofexistinghighwaysandbridges,electricaltransmissionandcommunicationlinesandpoles;(0Constructionofcrossings:(i)onedrivewaycrossingperstreampertaxparcelwillbeallowedforanindividuallandowner;(ii)limitedcrossingsofstreamsthroughtheripariansetbackbyvehicles,stormsewers,sewerand/orwaterlines,andpublicutilitylinesaspartoftheregularsubdivisionandsiteplanreviewprocess.(g)Streambankstabilization;(h)Restorationofnativevegetation;(i)Developmentofanarrowpermeable(non-paved)footpathwithintheripariansetback;(I)Pruningoftreesandvegetation;(k)Placementofbenchesorseating.(2)STREAMSETBACKZONE2-Permittedusesandstructuresarerestrictedtothefollowing:(a)Allactivitiesdescribedinsubsection219-A-7A.l;(b)Landscaping,toincludemowinganddecorativeplantings,providedthatexoticinvasivespeciesarenotusedandthatactivitiesinthiszonedonotharmtheriparianarea.§219-A-8.Prohibitedactivitiesinstreamsandstreamsetbackzones.A.ThefollowingprohibitedactivitiesinbothSETBACKZONES1and2:7
06/16/05DRAFT(1)Constructionofnewbuildingsorstructures;(2)Miningorremovalofsoil,sandandgravel,andquarryingofrawmaterials(exceptwhereAIYSDECexpresslyallowssuchactivityviaanissuedpernnt....speci/Iclanguageyettobedetermined,;(3)Wastestorageordepositionofwaste,includingbutnotlimitedtogarbage,refuse,recyclablematerials,yardwastes,tires,rubble,discardedmotorvehicles,discardedappliancesandotherbulkitems;(4)Installationofseptictanksorsepticdrainfields;(5)Storageordisposalofmanure;(6)Storageordisposalofhazardousornoxiousmaterials;(7)Developmentofparkinglotsorotherimpervioussurfaces;(8)Dredging,deepening,widening,straighteningoranysuchalterationofthebedsandbanksofnaturalstreams(exceptwhereNYSDECexpresslyallowssuchactivityviaanissuedpermit...speci/iclanguageyettobedetermined);(9)Dumpingordisposalofsnoworicecollectedfromroadwaysorparkinglots;(10)Applicationofherbicide,pesticides,fertilizers,orotherchemicals,inconcentrationsorfrequenciesthatexceedtheguidelinesprintedonthemanufacturer’slabel;(11)Motororwheeledvehicletrafficinanyareanotdesignedtoaccommodateadequatelythetypeandvolume.B.ThefollowingactivitiesareprohibitedinSETBACKZONE1only:(1)Disturbanceormowingofexistingvegetationexcepttomaintaintheagediversitybyselectioncutting(seesubsection219-A-7A.Ic)ortoremovediseasedtreesorshrubsornon-nativeinvasivevegetation,orifthevegetationpresentssafetyorhealthhazards.§219-A-9.Nonconformingstructuresorusesinthestreamsetbackzone.A.TheprovisionsofArticleXXVofthischaptershallapplytononconformingusesandstructures,exceptnonconforn-iingresidentialstructuresorresidentialuseslocatedwithinthestreamsetbackzoneandexistingasoftheeffectivedateofthisLawmaybeexpandedsubjecttothefollowing:(1)Theexpansionmustnotimpactthestreamchannel.8
06/16/05DRAFT(2)Theexpansionmustnotexceedanareaof15%ofthefootprintoftheexistingstructureorusethatlieswithintheStreamSetbackZone.§219-A-b.Variances.TheZoningBoardofAppealsmaygrantvariancesfromtherequirementsofthissectionpursuanttosection235ofthischapter.InadditiontotheitemsrequiredbytheTownforallvarianceapplications,theapplicantshallprovideaproposedmitigationplanthatoffsetstheeffectsoftheproposedencroachmentintothestreamsetback,ifsuchaplanispossiblefortheparcelthatisthesubjectofthevarianceapplication.Section2.Ifanyprovisionofthislocallawisfoundinvalidbyanycourtofcompetentjurisdiction,suchinvalidityshallnotaffectanyotherprovisionsofthislocallaw,whichshallremaininfullforceandeffect.Section3.ThislocallawshalltakeeffectuponpublicationofthelocallaworanabstractofsameintheofficialnewspaperoftheTown,oruponitsfilingwiththeNewYorkSecretaryofState,whicheveristhelasttooccur.9
APPENDIXAStreamSetbackL2awPereaüalVegetationF1ooci1thnAna&Vegetation/Eai*fdlDepth4BattfttGraphic1—BanifullDepthIStreamSetlakZoF2SfreaiiSetackZme1StreamSetIckThne1Granhic2—StreamSetbackZonesI&2amWidthZoneIMthimumVidthZone2Graphic3Adjustmentforslope
Graphic4—Adjustmentforsireamsidewetland‘1Zom1iginshetheedofthestream5ideIaid.<FaLJiraiflhiorZonel>tctrdbitter
.rentlypendinginAlbanywouldenabletownsacrossthestatetousethatsametool.TheboardwouldliketoheabletoproposeitsuseinDanby,hencetheresolutions.SubmittedbyJoelGagnon:WHATISAREAl.ES1ATE•TRANSFERTAXANDHOWCANITAFFECTDANBY?Arealestatetransfertaxisataxpaidbythebuyer•whenrealpropertyistransferredfromoneownertoanother,in1996thestatelegislaturegaveEastHampton,•Riverhead,ShelterIsland,SouthamptonandSoutholdonLongIslandpermissiontoinstitutea2%transfer•taxwhichwastobeusedfor“communitypreservation.”Communitypresen’ationisdefinedinthelaw•as“a)establishmentofparks,naturepreserves,orrec:reationsareas;h)preservationofopenspace,including•agriculturallands;c)preservationoflandsofexception:alscenicvalue;d)preservationoffreshandsaltwater•marshesorotherwetlands;e)preservationofaquifer:rechargeareas;f)preservationofundevelopedbeach-•landsorshoreline;g)establishmentofwildliferefuges:forthepurposeofmaintainingnativeanimalspecies•diversity,includingtheprotectionofhabitatessentialtotherecoveryofrare,threatenedorendangeredspe•cies;h)preservationofpinebarrensconsistingofsuch:bioraaspitchpineandscruboak;i)preservationof•uniqueorthreatenedecologicalateas;5)preservationof:riversandriverareasinanatural,free-flowingcondi•tion;k)preservationofForestedland;I)preservationof:publicaccesstolandsforpublicuseincludingstream•rightsandwaterways;m)preservationofhistoricplaces:andpropertieslistedontheNewYorkstateregisterof•historicpreservationordinanceorlaw;andn)under-•takinganyoftheaforementionedinfurtheranceoftheestablishmentofagreenbelt.”Sincethelawwaspassed,thesecommunitieshaveusedthismoneytopreserveover2,500acres.Becausethisexperimentwassosuccessful,manycommunitieshavepetitionedtheirlegislatorstobeallowedtoassessatransfertaxofupto2%intheircommunities.Consequently,abill,commonlycalledtheCommunityPreservationAct(A.6450/5.3153),isnowbeingconsideredbybothchambersofthestatelegislature.Itisco-sponsoredbymanylegislators,includingBarbaraLifton.Howwouldthistaxbeassessed?HousingsoldForlessthanthemedianpricewouldbeexemptfromthetaxinordertominimizetheeffectonaffordability;housingsoldformorethanthemedianwouldbetaxedononlythevalueexceedingthemedian.Whatarethepositivesofthistax?Thepositivesofthe2%transfertaxarethatitaffectsonlythebuyerofrealproperty,itisassessedonlyonrealpropertythatistransferred,thebuyerisallowedacreditagainstthetax,thetaxprovidestownswithmoneytopreserveopenspaces(individualswhowanttopreservetheirlandbutcan’taffordtodonateitcanbefinanciallycompensatedforeithersellingtheirlandoutrightorsellingitsdevelopmentrights).Whatarethenegativesofthistax?Themajornegativeisthatthetransfertaxbecomesasiotheroneofmanytaxesandfeesabuyermustpaywhentheybuyrealproperty.Itwouldincreasethecostofhigher-endhousing.(Thisislikelytobeoffsetbythecreditbuyerswouldreceiveontheirtaxes,though.)Inaddition,manylanddevelopersobjecttothetaxbecauseitdecreasestheavailabilityofland.Unlessothermeasuresaretakentomakemorelandavailable,thereducedavailabilitywouldresultinincreasedlandpricesandaddtothecostofconstructingnewhouses.‘Whatisthepublicparticipationcomponentofthislaw?Thetownspeoplemustvotebyreferendumtoadopttheassessingofthetransfertaxintheirtown.Ifthemajorityofvoterswanttoestablishthetax,thetownmustthenestablishadedicatedfundforthemoney.SubmittedbyRondaRoaringReferences:Foracopyofthis13-pagebillgoto<hap://assembkcstate.nyus/leg/?bn=A06450&sh=t>.TheAmericanFarmlandTrusthasasummaryofthisbillat<http://www.farmland.org/northeast/ny..policy_04I905.htm>••••••