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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-15 TGPB OWN OF ROTON LANNING OARD Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 15 September 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 Edward Neuhauser Applicants & Public in Attendance David Reniff, representing Agnes Reniff, Applicant; Erik Hewitt, Applicant; Karen Hewitt, Dan Roy. Chairperson Monica Carey opened the Regular Meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board at 7:30 p.m. NB EW USINESS Agnes R. Reniff, Applicant/RO – 88 Stevens Road – TM #38.-1-6 – Boundary Line Change Chair Carey recognized David Reniff, representing the applicant who was purchasing approximately one acre of land from her neighbor, Richard Hayes (TM #38.-1-4) in order to extend her property line to Cemetery Road, as shown on the map accompanying the application. The Hayes property contains approximately 5.10 acres and thus would be reduced to approximately 4.1 acres. Mr. Reniff explained that the owner proposes to eliminate the south boundary line of her property thereby making her existing parcel larger. Chair Carey acknowledged that “under 6 NYCRR Part 617.5(c)(10), (12) or (13) of the State Environmental Quality Review Law, the proposed action is a Type II action and is determined not to have a significant impact on the environment, or is otherwise precluded from environmental review under the Environmental Conservation Law, Article 8.” With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Janice Haines 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 Clark Member Gloster Member Haines Member Neuhauser Motion carried. This becomes Action #36 of 2005. CEO Gary Coats advised Mr. Reniff that the new map of the property would have to be submitted to the Town to have the approval applied to it, and then the map must be filed with Tompkins County, as required. Mr. Reniff responded that he did not plan to have it surveyed. CEO Coats advised him to get back to him within a week or so because the CEO will check with the County to see what they will accept in this situation. Page 1 of 3 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 15 September 2005 Erik Hewitt, Applicant/RO – 146 Bird Cemetery Road – TM #14.-1-9.2 – Site Plan Review/Special Permit for Wind Generator Chair Carey recognized Mr. Hewitt who explained that he wanted to construct a 120-foot tower with a wind generator for his own electricity. CEO Coats advised that the fall zone and setback requirements are all satisfactory. He stated that he was all ready to issue a Building Permit because, as he determined from talking with other CEOs, it was considered an accessory structure. Then, the applicant told the CEO that NYSERDA requires a SEQRA review which was the purview of the Town Planning Board, so the item was placed on this agenda. Karen Hewitt introduced Dan Roy, the contractor for the proposed wind generator. Mr. Roy explained that the tower would be 120 feet high, with the turbine on top; ground to wing tips would be 131.5 feet, 10 KW output, which would make approximately 85% of the applicant’s annual usage. He stated that it was standard practice for NYSERDA to require a SEQR review. CEO Coats asked how someone gets a SEQR review for something that’s allowed in the Code? Town Attorney Vicki Monty asked the applicant/contractor if it wasn’t an Environmental Audit that was being requested. Chair Monica Carey added that for a Site Plan Review, a public hearing should be held, and that the Town Attorney was present to assist the Planning Board in determining how to handle the application. Ms. Monty stated she had not had enough time to determine how the request fit in with the requirements of NYSERDA, as she just received the application the day before. Member Mark Baxendell stated that this type of request did not fall in any classification in the Town Code, so the Board was caught between “a rock and a hard place.” Member Gloster commented that this was something that should be incorporated in the Land Use Plan. CEO Coats suggested the applicant/contractor ask NYSERDA who they would accept an Environmental Impact Statement from. In conclusion, the Board felt that the Town Attorney should ascertain the SEQRA request by NYSERDA and determine how the Planning Board should proceed. Ms. Monty stated she would make a determination and follow up with the Board. A motion was then made by Member Baxendell to postpone any action on the proposed wind turbine until the 20 October 2005 Planning Board meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Albro, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chair Carey Nays: None Member Albro Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Gloster Member Haines Member Neuhauser Motion carried. This becomes Action #37 of 2005. AM PPROVAL OF INUTES A motion was made by Member Albro to approve the 21 July and 18 August 2005 Minutes, 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 Clark Member Gloster Member Haines Member Neuhauser Page 2 of 3 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 15 September 2005 Motion carried. This becomes Action #38 of 2005. OB THER USINESS CEO Coats advised the Planning Board that there will be an application for next month’s o meeting requesting a boundary line change for a non-contiguous lot. CEO Coats reported that Mr. DeGear will be back with another application. o CEO Coats reported that the number of houses under construction in the Town, based on o Building Permits issued, is ten. Chair Carey stated she had received a call from Cornell Real Estate wanting to purchase land o in Groton. CEO Coats reported that there was a non-contiguous lot, about 20 A., that he wanted to sell to Cornell. This, too, may be on next month’s agenda. Chair Carey acknowledged that Ed Neuhauser was unanimously approved by the Town Board o as the newest member of the Town Planning Board. Member Janice Haines asked about the junkyard on LaFayette Road; CEO Coats stated he o had forgotten about her previous request and would check on it. A DJOURNMENT At 8:30 p.m., a motion was made by Member Clark to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Neuhauser, with all members present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Town Clerk, Chair Carey & Board Members Gloster, Clark, & Neuhauser on 9/30/05. Originals mailed. Tape mailed separately. Page 3 of 3