Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutB - 03 Planning Board Minutes 12/27/2022Page 1 of 5 TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting - Tuesday, 27 December 2022 – 6:30 PM Town Hall Meeting Room – 3577 Terrace Road – Cortland, NY Board Members (*absent) Others Present Christopher Newell, Chairman Bruce Weber, Town Planning/Zoning Officer Nicholas Renzi (Zoom) Kristin Rocco-Petrella, Town Clerk *Laird Updyke John A. DelVecchio, Town Attorney Nasrin Parvizi *Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Ann Hotchkin Applicants & Public Present: Tim Alger and Tim Buhl, P.E. for CP Read Realty, LLC; Theresa Ryan for Forest Learning Collective; Joseph Perrone for Suit-Kote Corporation. 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 25, 2022 A motion was made by Member Nick Renzi to approve the Town Planning Board Minutes of 25 October 2022, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Nasrin Parvizi, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None Member Renzi Member Parvizi Member Hotchkin Motion carried. This becomes Action #56 of 2022. OLD BUSINESS Forest Learning Collective, Applicant/Chris Henry Holdings, Reputed Owners – Lime Hollow Road – TM #95.00-06-10.000 – Conditional Permit for Proposed Informal Outdoor Nature Center Chairman Newell stated that he wanted to talk briefly about the application of Forest Learning Collective. PZO Weber mentioned that he spoke with Town CEO, Kevin M cMahon regarding the building permit for the property. CEO McMahon was in communication with Julie Kiffin regarding the building permit. Theresa Ryan, who was present on behalf of the applicant, explained that only one building permit was required for the wooden lodge; the geodesic dome did not require a building permit. Chairman Newell asked if a permit was needed from the Cortland County Health Department (CCHD). While she did not have anything in writing from the CCHD, Ms. Ryan indicated that the Forest Learning Collective was not required to have a permit from the CCHD due to the number of children in the program. Ms. Kiffin attempted to contact the CCHD to ask for a letter indicating such but did not receive a response. Chairman Newell requested Ms. Ryan get something in writing fro m the CCHD; PZO Weber suggested that an email from the CCHD or a phone call to him directly would be acceptable. Ms. Ryan explained that the Forest Learning Collective runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday and follows the school calendar. During the winter months, the program is canceled when there is inclement weather. The program is run primarily “back in the woods”. (T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 27 December 2022 Page 2 of 5 Member Renzi asked about the geodesic domes and their purpose. Ms. Ryan explained that the domes were warming shelters and that the majority of the time is spent in the forest hiking, shooting archery and crafting in the words. Chairman Newell asked if the Board was prepared to move forward with the conditional permit. PZO Weber stated that the one thing lacking is communication from th e CCHD. The conditional permit could be approved contingent upon the letter from CCHD being supplied. Chairman Newell asked if there were any further questions. Member Renzi asked about the building permit from CEO McMahon. PZO Weber explained the building permit process and that CEO McMahon would not issue a permit unless he had everything that was required. Ms. Ryan mentioned that a single port -a-john was on site and that drinking water is brought to the site in jugs. With no further discussion, Member Renzi made a motion to approve the Conditional Permit as requested contingent upon receipt of a letter or communication from the Cortland County Health Department that Health Department approval is not required . The motion was seconded by Member Hotchkin, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None Member Renzi Member Parvizi Member Hotchkin Motion carried. This becomes Action #57 of 2022. CP Realty, LLC, Applicant/Reputed Owner – 3975 NYS Route 281 – TN #86.13-01-32.000 – Site Plan Approval & Aquifer Protection Permit for Proposed New Retail Store (Meldrim’s Paint Store) Chairman Newell recognized Tim Alger and Tim Buhl, P.E., representing the applicant who was seeking approval to construct a new 6,000 SF retail store and associated parking on an existing partially developed 1.75≠ acre commercial property, zoned B-2 Highway Commercial. Approximately 32,000 SF of open space and new stormwater management practices will remain. Tim Buhl, P.E. explained that he has been working on with SWPPP and Kathy Barber at CCSWCD, who wanted him to change 3 small things with the plan: not use infiltration as a sediment trap; use the floor bays instead; plants to be more wildlife friendly. It would not be hard for the requests to be met. PZO Weber mentioned that he was in receipt of an email from Ms. Barber. Mr. Buhl stated that they would also have no problems meeting the County Planning Board’s recommendations. Member Hotchkin mentioned Part 1 of the SEQR form and her concerns regarding the property b eing an archaeological site. Mr. Buhl mentioned that he made initial contact with SHPO and was waiting to receive a letter from them. The Planning Board’s approval would be contingent on the approval from SHPO. Member Hotchkin also asked about the design of the building, mentioning that the first picture the applicant provided was of the store in Utica. She asked if the Planning Board was going to a ccept that photo or if they wanted to see a rendering of what the Cortlandville store would look like. Member Renzi and Member Parvizi agreed they would like to see the rendering. Tim Alger mentioned that the plans have not been finalized with the owner. Mr. Buhl explained that he was not involved in the design of the building, but rather was only doing the site plan, stormwater, parking and lighting. Mr. Alger, the project manager for CCC, was involved with the design of the building. Member Renzi suggested Mr. Alger look at the Town’s Design Guidelines for businesses. Mr. Alger explained what the proposed building could look like, mentioning that it could be a split-faced block, with a bank of windows, 6 -foot door, 10-foot windows on either side. Member Renzi agreed that the Planning Board should see what the actual building would look like before movi ng forward, as well as the landscaping and lighting plan. He also asked about snow storage on site. Mr. Buhl indicated (T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 27 December 2022 Page 3 of 5 that there was plenty of room for snow storage. The Board reviewed the site plan of the proposed store and discussed the parking on the site. Chairman Newell stated that in order to “wrap this up for next month we want to see a sketch of the building.” Mr. Buhl talked about what he has to finish with Kathy Barber, and SHPO. No action was taken. The application would be moved to th e January 2023 agenda. With no further discussion, Member Parvizi made a motion to postpone the application until January 2023. The motion was seconded by Member Hotchkin, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None Member Renzi Member Parvizi Member Hotchkin Motion carried. This becomes Action #58 of 2022. NEW BUSINESS Michael Grossi, Reputed Owner/RIC New York, LLC, Applicant – 3023 Route 215 – TM #106.00- 03-13.100 – Subdivision of Land Chairman Newell recognized that property owner Michael Grossi was not in attendance to discuss his application for a subdivision of land. PZO Weber explained that the subdivision was in conjunction with the solar farm being proposed for that area. The subdivision of land would sepa rate the house from the rest of the parcel. Chairman Newell asked if there were any questions from the Board. Member Parvizi asked for clarification of the subdivision map. PZO Weber and Chairman Newell gave further explanation of the proposed 3.77-acre subdivision and what the remaining land would be. With no further discussion, Member Hotchkin made a motion to approve the subdivision as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Parvizi, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None Member Renzi Member Parvizi Member Hotchkin Motion carried. This becomes Action #59 of 2022. Suit-Kote Corporation, Applicant/Reputed Owner – 3911 Route 11 – TM #87.00-03-16.122 – Conditional Permit and Aquifer Protection Permit Applications for Asphalt Storage Lands Chairman Newell recognized Joe Perrone representing Suit-Kote Corporation, for the proposed Conditional Permit and Aquifer Protection Permit applications for the construction of new asphalt storage tanks. Joe Perrone provided the Board with renderings and a letter dated December 22, 2022 from Timothy Buhl, P.E. regarding his inspection of the proposed containment site for the new 80,000 BBL Asphalt Tanks for the Polkville Facility, and his certification that the “existing o il/water separator” at the Suit-Kote Polkville site “will perform satisfactorily for both the existing and new contai nment basins at no risk if the releases are properly scheduled, controlled, and monitored ”. Mr. Perrone explained that the application was for two additional storage tanks at the Polkville facility, for an estimated cost of $2.1 million. Chairman Newell asked Mr. Perrone what happens to the tanks in the winter months when Suit-Kote is not operating at full capacity. Mr. Perrone explained that the temperature of the asphalt is kept at 200 degrees; the flowing temperature of asphalt is over 350 (T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 27 December 2022 Page 4 of 5 degrees. He explained that most of the inventory is gone during the winter and that a lot of the tanks are currently empty. The tanks are cleaned and maintained in the off season. Chairman Newell asked what would happen to the asphalt if there was an electrical pr oblem and the tank was 25% full. Mr. Perrone explained that if the temperature drops below 160 degrees it starts to get hard; at 70 degrees the asphalt solidifies. Once the product cools it is “pretty solid”. In the spring, the temperature of the asphalt is slowly heated back up. Member Hotchkin asked if the site was in the same location as the recent fire and asked if there were sufficient water/fire hydrants available. Mr. Perrone explained that it is the same property, but the site of the proposed new tanks would be on the other side of the road. Mr. Perrone briefly discussed the recent fire and the new protections and steps taken to ensure that the situation will not be repeated in the future. He explained that the asphalt was never a part of the fire and was never in danger of catching fire. Asphalt must be over 500 degrees before it catches fire. Two things burned in the fire, one of which was polymerized rubber that is added to the asphalt. That material is stored separately in a sprinkler protected area. Steps were taken to make sure that what happened with the fire never happens again. Member Renzi asked what would happen if there was a tank failure in the future and the asphalt solidifies. Mr. Perrone, who mentioned he was “the environmental health and safety guy”, explained there are several different alarm systems in place if there is a problem and that monitoring of the tanks is done from the office as well as on site. It would be extremely hard for there to be a tank that was leaking without Suit-Kote knowing. Member Renzi asked what material the tanks were made from, which Mr. Perrone explained. He also explained that there are annual inspections of the tanks and that every 10 years a lifespan test of the tanks is completed. Every 10 years the tanks are required by standards to have a depth check done by sonogram; they base the t ank on the new thickness and extrapolate out what the remaining life of the tank is. Some of the tanks are old, but still have 15-20 years of life left. Member Hotchkin asked what the lifespan of a tank was. Mr. Perrone stated that Suit - Kote has some tanks from the 1960s that are still in good shape and are used. He explained that asphalt is still an oil, so it does not “chew up the tank”. Member Hotchkin asked if the old tanks have to meet the newest specifications. Mr. Perrone stated that the old tanks can remain at a different standard. The oldest tank at the Polkville location is from approximately 1990. However, he mentioned that the NYS DEC and the EPA require the plans of the tanks before they can be filled. Member Renzi asked who designed the pads that the tanks sit on. Mr. Perrone stated that UNI Engineering designed the concrete pads for the new tanks. The formal drawings for the new tanks were yet to be finalized. With no further discussion, Member Renzi made a motion to forward the Conditional Permit and Aquifer Protection Permit applications to the Cortland County Planning Board for review as required. The motion was seconded by Member Parvizi, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Newell Nays: None Member Renzi Member Parvizi Member Hotchkin Motion carried. This becomes Action #60 of 2022. Other Discussion Member Hotchkin informed the Planning Board she recently read that the City of Cortland is hiring an engineering firm to study Tompkins Street. She suggested it may be a good idea for the Town of Cortlandville to piggyback on the design to see if there are actions that can be taken to make Tompkins Street/Route 13 safer, such as the addition of sidewalks. Member Renzi suggested it was a matter for the Cortlandville Town Board to address to which Attorney DelVecchio agreed. Member Hotchkin suggested that if the Town joins the City in the study that it may make a stronger application for a (T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 27 December 2022 Page 5 of 5 future grant application if cost estimates were known etcetera. Chairman Newell asked if the best way to handle the matter was to ask Supervisor Williams to contact Mayor Scott Steve. Attorney DelVecchio would discuss the matter with Supervisor Williams. There was a brief discussion regarding the Regan Development application. Member Hotchkin mentioned she drove by the site to look at the 1-acre parcel of land mentioned by Jamie Easton at the last meeting. She suggested that as long as the Sheriff’s Department does not need to see the site, that evergreen trees be planted on the parcel as they may absorb some of the noise [from the highway]. She also suggested that picnic tables be added, noting that the 1-acre parcel be “low maintenance”. Chairman Newell stated that the Planning Board will have an opportunity to discuss the 1 -acre parcel after they go through the SEQR process. Member Parvizi mentioned that she visited the site as well. She suggested that if evergreen trees are planted that they be short so that the area is visible for the Sheriff and so that people do not hide behind the trees. She suggested the area be cleaned up with grass and nice landscaping. Member Renzi mentioned the online training opportunities that are available to fulfill the required 4 hours of training per year. Member Renzi and Chairman Newell both attended recent onl ine trainings. Member Renzi mentioned that the County had a replacement for the vacant County Planning Director position, however it was then turned down. Chairman Newell mentioned that it would have been a “major move” for the candidate to take the po sition. Member Hotchkin mentioned a recent article in the Cortland Standard concerning the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee and the lack of progress made by the Town in implementing the new Comprehensive Plan. She disagreed with the article. Chairman Newell stated that the Comprehensive Plan is still a guideline whether it is in the Code or not. Discussion was had about the critical environmental areas and the recommended maps in the Comprehensive Plan . ADJOURNMENT At 7:23 p.m., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Member Renzi, seconded by Member Hotchkin, with all members present voting in the affirmative. Kristin E. Rocco-Petrella, Town Clerk acting for Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary E-mailed to Town Clerk, AR, Bd. Members, JD County Planning, BW and KM & DC on 7/12/23.