HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-18
TGPB
OWN OF ROTON LANNING OARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 18 August 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 Glenn Morey, Town Supervisor
*Brad Albro Rick Gamel, Town Councilman
Mary K. Gloster
Janice Haines
Applicants & Public in Attendance
Keith Degear, Applicant; Patrick Jones, Lee Shurtleff; Ed Neuhauser, Planning Board Member
Candidate
(It is noted for the record that there was no tape available, so the meeting was not recorded.
Supervisor Morey made photocopies of the Degear application for the Board Secretary.)
Chairperson Monica Carey opened the Regular Meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board at
7:30 p.m.
NB
EW USINESS
Keith Degear, Applicant/RO – 15 Smith Road – TM #32.-1-29.42 – Boundary Line Change
Chair Carey recognized Keith Degear, the applicant/seller, and Patrick Jones, the proposed buyer of
what was shown on the accompanying map as the “pole” of a flag lot, Lot 1 off Pleasant Valley Road.
Mr. Jones owns the adjacent parcel, TM #32.-1-29.41 and would add this 107’ by 303’± parcel to this
tax map. The boundary line would change by eliminating the line between Jones and Degear and
extending the Jones line 108± feet to meet the boundary line for what is indicated on the map as Lot
#2. The “pole” would not land lock Lot #1 as there was access off Smith Road. The parcel indicated
as Lot #4 on the map was previously purchased by Mr. Jones.
Chair Carey advised the applicant that any map(s) reflecting this boundary line change should be
brought in to the Code Enforcement Officer prior to filing. CEO Coats also advised Mr. Jones that he
would have to do the same thing eliminate his west property line and move it over 107± feet. Chair
Carey stated that she usually had a folder containing approval slips for submitting to the County
Clerk’s Office, but there was none provided. Therefore, she authorized CEO Coats to sign the paper
for her.
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Barbara Clark to approve the Boundary
Line Change, as requested. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Haines, with the vote
recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chair Carey Nays: None
Member Baxendell
Member Clark Absent: Member Albro
Member Gloster
Member Haines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #34 of 2005.
AM
PPROVAL OF INUTES
It was noted by Chair Carey that the Planning Board members had not received a copy of the 21 July
2005 Minutes which were hand delivered to the Town by the Board Secretary on 2 August 2005.
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(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 August 2005
Therefore, the Board stated they would wait until the next Planning Board meeting to take any action
on approving them.
OB
THER USINESS
Informational Presentation by Lee Shurtleff – Proposed Height Increase of Existing
Communications Tower on Sincebaugh Road
Chair Carey recognized Lee Shurtleff, County Fire Coordinator, who made a presentation to the
Board regarding existing communications problems between emergency services (fire, law
enforcement) in the County, and how these problems were going to be solved by utilizing 6 existing
towers and a few new towers. He stated he was seeking any input from the Board Members.
Radio communications in Tompkins County are “spotty” with some areas lying in blank coverage
zones, as shown on the maps he displayed for the Board. The fire departments’ radios do not work
in these areas. Mr. Shurtleff explained the coverage on an SSI Propagation Model. The subject tower
site on Sincebaugh Road (Huston Farm) has been there since about 1985 and serves numerous
emergency entities and the school district. He explained the technology for re-furbishing this 136-
foot tower, with the goal of designing a system which would give everyone comprehensive County
coverage (about 95%). The topography of the area, as shown on a relief map, indicated the necessity
to increase the height of this tower to 184 feet. The existing tower was originally constructed so that
it could go higher. The structural analysis has been completed and the tower will support the new
load that is proposed. A larger building would be constructed at the base of the tower to house
equipment and a generator to be used in case of a power failure. There is no roadway into the
subject tower, but they will just use the field. The tower is secure with the family living close by.
The proposed dishes for the tower would be smaller and there would be additional small antennas.
Mr. Shurtleff stated that a Draft EIS will be ready in October, there would be informational meetings,
and a Public Hearing would be scheduled. Construction is planned for the spring of 2006. Existing
sites would be completed first. Other users could also be accommodated, he stated.
Co-location was discussed, and Mr. Shurtleff stated this had been considered from the beginning,
but cellular towers constructed theirs to meet their needs and quickly leased out space to other
carriers. County Planning thought that the County should take charge of the project, with all the
municipalities having input.
In closing, the Planning Board asked Mr. Shurtleff to keep them informed as to the progress in
updating/increasing the height of the Sincebaugh Road tower. There was no objection or problems
anticipated because the tower is existing.
No Action Required.
Recommendation to Town Board – New Planning Board Member
Chair Carey introduced everyone to Edward F. Neuhauser of 434 West Groton Road who was
interested in filling the vacancy on the Town of Groton Planning Board.
A motion was made by Member Mark Baxendell to recommend to the Town Board that they appoint
Edward F. Neuhauser to fill the vacant position on the Planning Board. The motion was seconded by
Member Barbara Clark, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chair Carey Nays: None
Member Baxendell
Member Clark Absent: Member Albro
Member Gloster
Member Haines
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #35 of 2005.
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(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 August 2005
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(T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 August 2005
A
DJOURNMENT
At 8:31 p.m., a motion was made by Member Clark to adjourn the meeting. The motion was
seconded by Member Gloster, with all members present voting in favor.
Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary
Emailed to Town Clerk, Chair Carey &
Board Member Gloster on 8/30/05.
Originals mailed. No tape.
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