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HomeMy WebLinkAboutB - 04 Planning Board Minutes 02/28/2023Page 1 of 3 TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting - Tuesday, 28 February 2023 – 6:30 PM Town Meeting Room – 3577 Terrace Road – Cortland, NY Board Members (*absent) Others Present Christopher Newell, Chairman Bruce Weber, Town Planning/Zoning Officer Nicholas Renzi Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary (Zoom) Laird Updyke John DelVecchio, Town Attorney Nasrin Parvizi Ann Hotchkin (Zoom) Applicants & Public Present Marc Kenward from Erdman & Anthony, representing Carson Power Renewable Energy & Andrew Gordon from Carson Power Renewable Energy; Representing the Cortlandville Fire District, Kevin Whitney, Courtney Metcalf, Gere Henry, Mike Biviano, & Larry Biviano; James Easton for Regan Development; Joseph Cavender, QPK Design for 8961 Route 11 Properties, LLC, Robert Geiger, Applicant & Andy Wright, Architect; Engineer, Rebecca Minas from Barton & Loguidice; Residents, Jim Nichols & Pam Jenkins; Jack Eves from X101; Town Clerk Kristin Rocco-Petrella & Deputy Town Clerk, Abigail Albro. REGULAR MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Town of Cortlandville Planning Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Christopher Newell. NEW BUSINESS CARSON POWER RENEWABLE ENERGY, APPLICANT - Blue Creek Road Area - Sketch Plan Conference held for proposed solar project Chairman Newell recognized Marc Kenward from Erdman & Anthony, representing Carson Power Renewable Energy and Andrew Gordon from Carson Power Renewable Energy. Mr. Kenward and Mr. Gordon presented the sketch plan to the Board hoping to obtain the Boards feed back and return with a completed application. The Board, Mr. Kenward and Mr. Gordon discussed 2 different scenarios/sketch plans for the proposed solar project, focusing on prime farmland, viewshed and the length of the proposed solar project (25 years). Member Parvizi asked Mr. Kenward if the parcel of land had any slopes greater than 15%, mentioning the risk of surface water, runoff, and flooding. Mr. Kenward stated that he believed there were no slopes greater than 15% and that he would look into it. Mr. Gordon stated that there may be very limited areas of 15% slopes, stating that the code says construction on 15% slope or greater would be tolerated if the engineering shows no adverse effect on runoff. Mr. Gordon stated that the main thing they were looking for from the Board was discussing the possibility of a waiver regarding the prime farmland zoning law, which would allow the possibility of shifting the location of the panels to the southwest corner causing less viewshed. Member Parvizi mentioned that it was hard to read the visual impact analysis, which is very concerning and that the proposed solar project contradicts the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, stating this proposed solar project would be in a conservation residential district. Member Parvizi also stated that the proposed solar project would not make it through the SEQRA long form. Member Renzi asked Mr. Gordon if he was familiar with the previously proposed solar project for this location that was not approved and asked what would be different for this proposed solar project. Mr. Gordon stated that they would be willing to be flexible. The Board reviewed everything discussed, the waiver on the prime farmland zoning law, the viewshed for the homes in Cortlandville and the City of Cortland and the Town’ s Comprehensive Plan. Chairman Newell concluded by stating to Mr. Kenward and Mr. Gordon that they should have a fairly good idea of how (T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 28 February 2023 Page 2 of 3 the Board feels about the proposed solar project and that if they wanted to continue to pursue this project the Board would be happy to look at it. No Action Taken. CORTLANDVILLE FIRE DISTRICT, APPLICANT/REPUTED OWNER - 999 NYS ROUTE 13 - TM #96.09-02-05.000 – Conditional Permit – The Application for – Proposed Food Truck Chairman Newell recognized Kevin Whitney representing the applicant, Cortlandville Fire District. Mr. Whitney stated that the Cortlandville Fire District had a Firehouse Subs food truck at the fire station as a fundraiser for the Cortlandville Fire District and that the fundraiser was very successful. Mr. Whitney stated that the Cortlandville Fire District would like to continue having the food truck fundraiser a few times a year and that it was brought to their attention that they would need to obtain a Conditional Permit to do so. The Board discussed the food truck sink and running water, parking & lighting, how many times a year the fundraiser would occur, and signage. With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to approve the Conditional Permit for the proposed food truck, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Updyke, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Newell Nays: None Member Hotchkin Member Parvizi Member Renzi Member Updyke Motion carried. This becomes Action #7 of 2023. 8961 ROUTE 11 PROPERTIES, LLC - 3878 NYS Route 281 - TM # 86.17-01-08.210 - Sketch Plan Conference held for proposed redevelopment of Automotive Dealership & Parking Lot Chairman Newell recognized Joseph Cavender from QPK Design representing 8961 Route 11 Properties, LLC. Mr. Cavender stated that due to a fire the existing automotive dealership is a total loss and would be demolished. Mr. Cavender explained that the owner planned to redevelop the automotive dealership and reviewed the sketch plan for the proposed redevelopment of the automotive dealership with the Board. Member Renzi asked Mr. Cavender if they planned to use the existing curb cuts. Mr. Cavender said yes, they would be using the existing curb cuts. The Board and Mr. Cavender discussed parking, energy efficiency, down spouts, landscaping, design and development guidelines within the code, the size of the existing building compared to the new building, and drainage. Planning/Zoning Officer Bruce Weber stated that the applicant would need an area variance for the lot coverage. Member Renzi asked Mr. Geiger if he was still open for business or if he was temporarily closed. Mr. Geiger stated that he is open for business, operating car sales out of a temporary trailer on site. Mr. Cavender stated that given the loss of business they would be expediting construction, hoping to be completed by April of 2024. At the end of discussion Chairman Newell thanked Mr. Cavender and stated, see you next month. No Action Taken. (T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 28 February 2023 Page 3 of 3 OLD BUSINESS REGAN DEVELOPMENT, APPLICANT/JOSEPH & DANTE ARMIDEO, REPUTED OWNERS - 978 NYS ROUTE 13 - TM #96.13-01-02.119 - Applications for Conditional and Aquifer Protection District Special Permits for proposed development discussed; LEAF reviewed w/B&L Chairman Newell recognized James Easton for Regan Development. Mr. Easton explained that since they made application to the Board in December, they have provided the Board and Barton & Loguidice (B&L) with a Site Plan, Full Long Form EAF, Project Narrative, Environmental Report, Wetland Report, Water & Sewer Report, Cortlandville Fire District Review of the Site Plan, Flood Plain Hazard Study, Traffic Report Letter and Soils Report. Mr. Easton discussed the Cortland County Planning Department’s Analysis of a triangular-shaped strip of land between NYS Route 13, Otter Creek, and United Auto Supply that could be considered “dead space” or too small to development, wondering what the Boards plan might be for this. Mr. Easton discussed the Wetland Non-Permit Determination of the Army Corp. of Engineers. Mr. Easton stated that one of the main issues regarding this project was traffic. Mr. Easton stated that B&L suggested a left-hand turn lane and that he was still waiting for the NYSDOT determination. Mr. Easton suggested the Board w rite the NYSDOT a letter stating their concerns. The Board and Mr. Easton discussed the letter of suggestion from B&L. Chairman Newell stated that the Board was not ready to complete Part 2 of the SEQR at this meeting, but suggested Engineer Rebecca Minas from B&L review their determination/findings on Part 2 of the SEQR form with the Board and Mr. Easton. At the end of the discussion Mr. Easton thanked the Board and Ms. Minas for their time, stated that he knew what he needed to work on over the next month. Chai rman Newell stated that the Board should be ready to compl ete part 2 of the SEQR next month. No Action Taken. NEW BUSINESS AMENDMENT TO CONDITIONAL PERMIT REQUIREMENTS - Proposed Zoning Text Amendment - Chapter 178-76 - Comments made by Town Attorney - Pending Action Town Attorney DelVecchio addressed the Board regarding the proposed amendment of Chapter 178-76 of the Town Code. Attorney DelVecchio stated that the Board was provided the Cortland County Planning Department recommendations on the proposed Local Law regarding the amendment to the Town Code and it stated the Cortland County Planning Department recommended denial of this application. Attorney DelVecchio explained the reason for the denial and the way the amendment would affect the Town Code. Attorney DelVecchio stated that he was going to ask the Town Board to rev ise the proposed Local Law to reflect the changes needed, send it back to the Cortland County Planning Department and it should be back in front of this Board next month. No Action Taken. ADJOURNMENT At 8:36 p.m., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Chairman Newell, seconded by Member Updyke, with all members present voting in the affirmative. Abigail C. Albro, Board Secretary E-mailed to Town Clerk, AR, Bd. Members, JD County Planning, BW and KM & DC on 6/30/23.