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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-21 TGPB OWN OF ROTON LANNING OARD Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting - Thursday, 21 July 2005 7:30 PM – Town Hall Members, Groton Planning BoardOthers Present (*Absent) Monica Carey, Chair Joan Fitch, Recording Secretary *Barbara Clark Gary Coats, Town CEO Mark Baxendell Vicki Monty, Town Attorney Brad Albro Mary K. Gloster Janice Haines Applicants & Public in Attendance Kim & Linda Armstrong, Applicants; Paul Speight, Applicant; Fran Speight, Jim Bucko, Barry Francis, Ronald Dean, Patty & Neal Tvaroha, Doris, Jody & Roger Short, Melissa Reed, Denise & Ray Brown, Loren & Geraldine Aiken, Russell Barber, Ann Whalen, Russell DeMond, Lisa Butter(?), Suzanne Hulrad(?), Rod Lambert; Don Scheffler, Town Councilman; Lyle Raymond, ZBA Chairman. PH UBLIC EARING Paul Speight, Applicant/RO – 481 LaFayette Road – TM #28.-1-16.2 – Site Plan Review – Proposed Agri-Tourism Destination Project The Public Hearing was opened at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Monica Carey. Board Secretary Fitch read aloud the Public Hearing Notice, as published. Proof of Publication has been placed on file for the record. Chair Monica Carey acknowledged receipt of the following items (as so marked and placed on file): 1. Undated letter to “Dear Town of Groton Representative” from neighbors expressing their concerns/questions. 2. Letter dated 7/21/05 from James and Christina Bucko and Sam Bucko to the Town Planning Board in support of application. Chair Carey recognized the applicant, Paul Speight, who made a presentation on the planned expansion of his business, Turtle Dreams, an agri-tourism project. Reference is made to the Minutes of the June 16, 2005 Planning Board for details of his proposal. Fran Speight submitted Item #3 (so marked and placed on file) addressing the neighbors’ questions and concerns contained in Item #1 above. She reviewed each concern with those in attendance, and Chair Carey informed the audience that they were welcome to make any comments or ask any questions, received as follows:  Melissa Reed – 460 LaFayette Road – Asked for answers to list of questions presented.  Denise Brown – 449 LaFayette Road – She and Melissa will represent the neighbors who were present, and asked to review the questions contained in Item #1, with the Speights providing the answers. Wanted to make sure they were protected by insurance coverage. Fran Speight responded that if a student was injured at Turtle Dreams, the prime insurance carrier (the school) would be the first carrier to handle any claim, followed by the insurance carrier for the applicants. Home- schooled children would be covered by the individual family’s homeowners policy. Other issues/concerns reviewed were Insurance Coverage & Fire Safety, Traffic Page 1 of 4 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 21 July 2005 and Parking, Noise & Business Plan, Guest Activities, Existing Spring, and Fall Creek Usage.  Barry Francis – 405 LaFayette Road – Asked about parking area; applicant explained. Adding too many liabilities to Groton. Town needs copy of their insurance policy (not required). Applicant volunteered to provide same to the Town. State and County already have copies. Has no problem with Ag-tourism, but how do weddings relate to that? Against weddings, etc., and use on weekends. Doesn’t like what comes with agri-tourism business. Chair Carey suggested that those with questions should obtain and review a copy of the Town Code so that they understand what is required of applicants.  Doris Short – 470 LaFayette Road – Someone parked on her lawn (turned out to be a Board member visiting the applicants’ site).  Ann Whalen – 477 LaFayette Road – Applicants make everyone feel welcome. They reinforce the concept of making children better people through education, preserving the environment, and want to work with the community. They are about family, and they are about community. Supports the project. Never had problems with music/noise from subject property. They do everything based on how they will affect neighborhood. They want to preserve the land.  Loren Aiken – 1350 Elm St. Ext. – Very dangerous area for speeding vehicles.Thinks proposed business should be in unpopulated area where it won’t bother anyone. Heard drums beating at one o’clock in the morning (didn’t know where it came from).  Jim Bucko – 525 LaFayette Road – Applicants have gone overboard to answer all questions and have done a great job. Pleased with the type of business they are proposing as it enhances the community and insures the education of children with regard to caring for the earth. In response to Ms. Reed’s question, tipis are about 24 ft. high, 26 ft. in diameter.  Patty Tvaaroha – 535 LaFayette Road – Never been disturbed by any drumming classes. Spoke in favor of ag-tourism project proposed. Not everyone in community is against this project. Good opportunity for children and families; teaches good values.  Russ DeMond – 908 Old State Road – Road is dangerous. CEO Coats explained parking issue will be addressed; size will be determined by Code.  Denise Brown – 449 LaFayette Road – What happens if this is approved and the use changes? CEO Coats explains the inspection process he performs at site visits. Would notice any change in use. Chair Carey asked if there were any more comments or questions from the public. With everyone having been heard who wished to be heard, Chair Carey closed the Public Hearing at 8:40 p.m. RM EGULAR EETING Chair Carey received permission from the Speights to proceed with the new business on the Agenda before the Board considered their application. NB EW USINESS Page 2 of 4 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 21 July 2005 Kim & Linda Armstrong, Applicants/Reputed Owners – 351 LaFayette Road – TM #28.-1-59.12 – Boundary Line Change Chair Carey recognized Lyle Raymond, Chairman of the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals. He explained that the applicants had appealed for a variance to site an accessory building for storage on their separate lot which is adjacent to their primary residence. After some discussion by the ZBA members, the Armstrongs had agreed that a solution to their problem would best be served by seeking approval for a boundary line change to simply combine their two parcels which would then make the placement of the accessory building a moot point as long as it conformed to the required setback distances. After review the application and its attachments, and with no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Mark Baranello to approve the boundary line change, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Brad Albro, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Carey Nays: None Member Albro Member Baxendell Member Gloster Absent: Member Clark Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #31 of 2005. Chair Carey stated she had no forms to complete regarding this approval, so she authorized CEO Gary Coats to complete the required documents for her. AM–16J2005 PPROVAL OF INUTES UNE A motion was made by Member Mary Gloster to approve the Minutes of the 16 June 2005 Planning Board meeting, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Carey Nays: None Member Albro Member Baxendell Member Gloster Absent: Member Clark Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #32 of 2005. OB LD USINESS Paul Speight, Applicant/RO – 481 LaFayette Road – TM #28.-1-16.2 – Site Plan Review – Proposed Agri-Tourism Destination Project The Planning Board commenced discussion/review of the Turtle Dreams agri-tourism project. Member Baxendell commented that the applicants had addressed all issues “above and beyond” what was required for Site Plan Review. Chair Carey acknowledged receipt of a 14 July 2005 letter from the Tompkins County Department of Planning which stated the proposed project had no negative inter-community or County-wide impacts, and offered a suggestion that the Town require the applicant to develop a parking layout plan. The applicants had received a copy of the County’s letter and did provide the plan that was suggested. The Speights were advised that their driveway entrance needed to be a minimum of 40 feet wide. Town Councilman Don Scheffler suggested that the applicants should retain an attorney and go over their deed regarding water rights. Page 3 of 4 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 21 July 2005 Chair Carey stated the applicants had covered the hours of operation, parking, and the NYSDEC permit for Fall Creek usage which they will obtain as covered in their Item #3 submitted. Member Albro commented that the applicants had done a great job and were well prepared. He suggested that they should clear brush along the roadway to provide a greater line of sight from their driveway. Chair Carey advised that they may wish to contact the County and ask them to trim trees, etc., to improve the line of sight. At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Member Janice Haines to approve the Site Plan for the Turtle Dreams Agri-Tourism Project, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Albro, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Carey Nays: None Member Albro Member Baxendell Member Gloster Absent: Member Clark Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #33 of 2005. CEO Coats reported that weddings are an allowable use for a bed and breakfast. Tom Guihan Chair Carey informed those present that Board Member Tom Guihan’s family had sent a thank-you card to the Board acknowledging the flowers they had sent to the funeral home in memory of Tom. Tom was a dedicated servant of the Groton community and was a member of the Town Planning Board and the Village Planning Board at the time of his death. He will be sorely missed. A DJOURNMENT At 9:11 p.m., a motion was made by Member Albro to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Baxendell, with all members present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Town Clerk, Chair Carey & Board Member Gloster on 8/2/05. Originals hand del’d. on 8/2. Tape ret’d under separate cover. Page 4 of 4