Loading...
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)