HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC Minutes - 04_09_19Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 1 of 9
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council
Minutes of monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Danby, New York
Council Members present: Matt Ulinski (chair), Joel Gagnon, Clare
Fewtrell, Don Schaufler
Council Members absent: Bill Evans, Ruth Sherman
Others present: Elizabeth Keokosky (secretary), Ronda Roaring
(Danby resident), C.J. Randall (exiting Town Planner), John Czamanske
(new Town Planner), Ric Dietrich (Town Supervisor), Bill Keokosky
(Danby resident), Scott Davis (Planning Board – came in half way
through meeting)
.Meeting opened at 7:02 pm
Agenda Review (Additions or Deletions)
Public Comments/Privilege of the Floor (later referred to as PoF)
• Bill Keokosky brought up a problem with a building permit for Jed
Jordan’s Tasting Room on 96B (Danby Road) that wasn’t renewed
recently because he had been told that the town had made an
error in zoning when he was issued the first permit a year ago.
Ulinski told him that zoning was not a problem CAC could resolve.
He referred him to Town Board.
Approve Minutes MOTION for Draft January, February and
March 2019 minutes
Gagnon moved to approve,
Schaufler Seconded
Unanimous approval
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 2 of 9
Action Items
1. Presentation by Randall on final finished version of
Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) - (General
congratulations were given all around to Randall)
She said this will become a foundational document for CAC
to become Conservation Board – if they choose to.
o In a review of the process of putting together the NRI,
Randall described it as the pinnacle of robust data gathering
and analysis. She had incorporated feedback from the
October (check) showing of maps at the Gathery. She said
she was guided by the Scope of Work, which kept the
document in workable boundaries with explicit goals. CAC
members protested that Randall didn’t give herself enough
credit. Acknowledgement page did not sufficiently
acknowledge her work.
o Going over the document, Randall said it is based on the
Tompkins County habitat connectivity model. Appendix
A describes the data Inventory and data layers. Appendix B
explains the habitat connectivity model which she thinks
should be a major priority for easements since the town is
in danger of fragmentation by highways and increasing
development and population, which is already starting to
happen in north end of town. Appendix C gives the options
of 3 versions of conservation priorities – one for forest, one
for water, one for agricultural land for setting priorities for
pursuing Conservation Easements, farm land protection
o The NRI has a flexible approach. Cover will be changed and
new maps can be swapped in and out, other photos can be
added. Uses mainly county GIS data that is easily amendable
o She recommended working with Finger Lakes Land Trust –
Director Andy Zepp - overlapping with Land Trust concept
of emerald necklace. The NRI explains methodology and
rationale for selecting parcels so they should be open to
this.
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 3 of 9
o Next step, in Randall’s opinion, is to pursue – in addition to
conservation easements - the NY Greenprint Model (which
“preserves and protects ecologically significant landscapes,
valuable agricultural, resources, aesthetic beauty and the
rural character of the town while maintaining a stable tax
base and managing growth.” See
http://www.nypf.org/editable/documents/ClarenceGreenp
rintPresentation.pdf and other references online.
Pennsylvania also has a similar model). This model does
analysis of how values of properties around conserved
property will increase in value, increasing the amount of
taxes paid. It involves the purchase of development rights
by the municipality with money raised by issue of bonds..
o She remarked that it is hard to keep an eye on Danby’s 53
sq. miles. Need to review new subdivision applications; we
are getting a new census tract because of increasing
population. Zoning is based on the availability of water
(piped or well)
o Main point raised by CAC members was how to access
the data
o NRI is ArcGIS software driven and the town has a
copy of ArcGIS program, but it is difficult for
individuals to come into planner’s office and use it
without town planner help. Need a more user-
friendly interface. Czamanske suggested making it
accessible through a browser. He and Randall
thought this could be accomplished by Sharon Heller -
- the Geographic Information Systems Analyst, who
handles all mapping activities in the TC Planning
Department: perhaps it could be put online in
Tompkins County Image Mate (hosting on the TC
server). The information is public and most of data
layers are static (such as soil and slope) though some,
such as water layer, are changing with more exact
studies by FEMA, and others.
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 4 of 9
o Randall was also enthusiastic about the option of
ArcGIS Story Maps (See
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/ ) which moves an
audience through maps with explanatory text in a
dynamic way.
o One problem mentioned was slowness for data to
load. Especially since most people in Danby don’t
have cable Internet.
CAC needs to send a resolution to town board to put a local
law in place to adopt NRI (Randall has included model) –
first run by Guy Krogh for legalese. The law would become
part of the Environmental Review Law, General Municipal
Law, 239, X and Y (See https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/general-
municipal-law/gmu-sect-239-x.html - Creation of a Conservation
Advisory Council)
o CAC would become part of the Environmental Quality
Review Package and review development proposals
§ Dietrich noted that CAC would become the
environmental police - big responsibility – especially
if there is disagreement – and another set of eyes
before Planning Board makes decisions
§ Schaufler observed that CAC would be inserted in the
SEQR process. (See
https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/357.html on New
State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR)
Regulations now in effect as of January 1st, 2019
§ Fewtrell – should we make plans to address local law
needed to adopt NRI. Ulinski assigned that to April
CAC meeting ---(Randall included a model of this law
as a handout: APPENDIX G: MODEL LOCAL LAW TO
ADOPT THE NRI). This model local law for adopting
a municipal Natural Resources Inventory was written
by Ted Fink, AICP, of GREENPLAN, Inc. The template
provides a starting point for integrating an NRI into
municipal decision-making and can be customized to
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 5 of 9
reflect the interests and needs of the community.
Gagnon commented length of model law seemed like
overkill. Fewtrell – Need to understand what we are
getting ourselves into.
o Ulinski listed the “Next Steps” as:
§ Developing a user interface to NRI (priority is to make
this happen quickly – Czamanske said he could check
with Heller if this is an option before up coming
Planning Board Meeting; or at least get answer as to
which kind of user-interface we will be using)
§ CAC (Ulinski) will present NRI to Planning Board
§ Presenting NRI and resolution to Town Board
§ Having Dryden’s Bob Beck speak to CAC about
becoming a Conservation Board – only Town of Ithaca
and Town of Dryden have Conservation Boards
§ Edit “Acknowledgement Page” since Randall, who did
the most work, completely left herself out of the
credits. Matt said he would work on this and run the
result by the other members for feedback.
Randall left to an applause-filled room.
PoF: Scott Davis brought question to the group about the
advantages of creating a conservation easement for his land,
which is 14 acres total, 9 acres woods. Remaining 5 back acres
are multiflora rose and hawthorn. Wanted to see if conservation
easement might put pond in and eradicate multiflora rose. He
learned that the easement would not change what was there.
Gagnon noted that the Danby Conservation Easement is minimally
restrictive and only removes development rights. There is less
landowner up-front investment required than for Finger Lakes
Land Trust. It is less expensive but offers less protection; it does
not affect recreational or agricultural activity. But the town
would probably be less interested in easements for areas targeted
for growth. Still, Ulinski – not to be discouraging - suggested that
CAC members could be invited for a beer and a walk on the
property.
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 6 of 9
2. Report by Matt Ulinski (Chair)
• Remaining resolution from February CAC meeting was
addressed by last Town Board meeting and maximum CAC
total membership limit was increased from 7 to 9 (after
changing wording) – George Adams needs application.
Lance Ebel still interested.
• Management Plans for two town parcels (18.-1-17.2 -25
plus acres – the West Danby Water District connected by
Sylvan Lane to Spencer Rd. and 12.-1-16 - 10 minus acres
on Deputron Hollow Road) are in draft form on Google
Docs. They still need to be fleshed out. Questions on how
to proceed? CAC members are going to take a trip to see
West Danby property – Ulinski asked Schaufler to organize
it. . Ulinski thinks we have a good working framework
(Management Plan Template) – introduction, history, site
description, soils management, public road maintenance,
etc. Good starting point for CAC members is put their
comments in appropriate section.
Updates
1. Update from Schaufler on presentations CAC has been
presenting on alternative ways to make money from the land.
Schaufler’s suggestions for future presentations included the
topics of free range chickens, standard timber growing,
biomass growing/carbon storage, maple syrup, etc - Brett
Chedzoy to present in May. Advertisement important. Then
no more presentations till Fall. Gagnon suggested description
of events be “more enticing” - he offered to edit.
2. PoF: Bill Keokosky – CAC need more members – suggested
some. Continued group discussion on how to reach out to
find interested people. Article suggested in Danby Newsletter
to announce NRI and let people know when we are thinking of
converting from a CAC to CB. Is it a better story to announce
NRI availability or final acceptance of NRI by Town Board?
Fewtrell asked if the NRI document (that was passed out to
members today) is accessible to everyone. Good to have
online. Public event? PoF: Roaring brought up management
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 7 of 9
of other town lands such as Town hall and town highway
department. But general consensus was to deal with the town
conservation properties first, before expanding to other
properties.
3. Update from Ulinski on non-chemical alternatives
strategies on pipeline corridors. He spoke to people at
Tompkins County Soil and Water but they had no useful
information – have not done it before. Ulinski thought the best
thing was to contact Buckeye and NYSEG , who now send
letters to neighbors around pesticides-applied site but do not
notify town, which needs to know as well.
4. Update on Partnership for Regional Invasive Species
Management (PRISM ) ( See:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/47433.html ) and Highway
Department classes on Exotic Species Management from
Ulinski. Ulinski said that Soil and Water people
acknowledged that PRISM is ahead of them on their exotic
species management.. Ruth has organized an educational
session for Highway Department. CAC members want to stay
apprised
5. Update on Mary Wimsatt Property – 40 acres south of
South Danby Rd intersection of Rt 96B – from Gagnon.
Looked at Life Estate planning as a solution but too many
difficulties. There has been a continued, but still unresolved,
discussion on the intricacies of trying to accomplish Ms
Wimsatt’s goals of no taxation and living in her house till she
dies. Sister’s needs complicate issue as well. Her siblings
also own property on Deputron Hollow Rd that has been
discussed for an easement. Gagnon is optimistic that decision
will eventually be made.
Miscellaneous
Other interested people; Going over easement templates .
Ulinski was approached by someone else in his neighborhood
interested in an easement. Bruce Richards in W. Danby on
Valley View Road may be interested. There are 3 conservation
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 8 of 9
easement related documents on CAC area of Danby town
website. Gagnon will be working on updating templates while
he is working with Mary Wimsatt. Gagnon and Fewtrell will
look at templates and go over them at some upcoming CAC
meeting. Gagnon intends to look at history of each document,
and what and why the rationale was, and see if it needs to be
updated. Also questions were raised over what property is too
small for an easement. Gagnon said that a property, which
cannot be subdivided, is a lesser candidate. Properties can’t be
subdivided unless divided lots are buildable, the limitation
being that a buildable lot needs 200 feet of road frontage.
Ulinski said that most likely they would decide everything on a
case-by-case basis. PoF: Roaring said that she had submitted
a list of interested people – most of whose property borders on
Danby State Forest. Gagnon said that adjacency to already-
protected-land is a strong asset. This list will be revisited.
.
Reminder on DEC timber training, which is recommended as
a good background for CAC discussions. From 3/12/19 CAC
minutes: DEC and Chemung County Highway Department are
sponsoring a DEC presentation on logging May 10, 2019 from
9-12:00 on “Timber Harvest Training for Municipalities.” At
Tompkins County Highway department building on Bostwick
Rd. Ulinski planning to attend. Others interested.) Afterward
Note: See also “A Municipal Official’s Guide to Forestry in New
York State” at
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/guidetoforestry.
pdf
Questions raised about using Danby email. Required: for
town of Danby business use town of Danby Matt needs to
help with linking Danby email to Exchange email for those who
are having difficulties.
Next Meeting is on May 14 at 7p.m.
Adjournment
The meeting ended at 9:08 p.m.
Town of Danby Conservation Advisory Council Minutes Page 9 of 9
_____________________________________________
Submitted by Elizabeth Keokosky (Secretary)