HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-15 Danby Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
November 15, 2011
Present:
Joel Gagnon
Robert Roe
Steve Selin
Naomi Strichartz
Excused:
Anne Klingensmith
Ted Melchen
Others Present:
Secretary Pamela Goddard
Code Officer Sue Beeners
Town Board Leslie Connors,Kathy Halton,Ric Dietrich
Public Ted Crane
Planning Board Chair, Robert Roe opened the Planning Board meeting at 7:05pm.
Broadband Pilot Program
Dietrich gave a presentation about a proposed project to bring wireless broadband internet con-
nection to one or two neighborhoods in Danby. He outlined the importance of this project to the
community. There is a major need for access to high-speed internet for students and from home busi-
nesses. Clarity Connect has proposed a test project involving two"telephone pole"towers. They
would be about 55 feet high. Research is being conducted to find one or more locations that would
serve about 120 households. This first stage would be run as a trial project for neighborhood feed-
back.
The PB asked general questions about the technology and the economic model for how this
would work. Dietrich and Crane answered to the best of their ability. Several aspects of the system are
still unknown, as this is in the research and development stages.
Target maps should be available by the end of November. The target basic fee for service is $30 a
month. Development funds may be available from transmittal fees collected in phone bills and/or
stimulus money from the state. Possible locations include upper Bald Hill or Comfort/Lieb Road and
Durfee Hill Road. There was a question as to the ultimate goal of the project and how this would be
accomplished. Dietrich stated that this first stage is a trial to discover how this technology will work
in Danby. The ultimate goal is to reach 98%of Danby households.
Dietrich asked the Planning Board for permission to move ahead with this exploring this pros-
pect. Beeners expressed the view that, should this become a reality, approval could be granted by spe-
cial permit following a public hearing before the Planning Board. The PB expressed preliminary ap-
proval for on-going research into this project.
Consider Recommendation for PB Vacancy
The PB discussed timing for making a recommendation. PB agreed to delay a decision until after
the December 5 Town Board meeting,when the final candidate for the vacancy will be interviewed.
Some members of the PB will attend that meeting.A recommendation will be sent to the TB shortly
afterwards.
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Consider Canceling December Meeting Date
There was a discussion about whether to meet in December and the date for the first meeting in
January 2012. There is no pressing business for a December meetings. Due to proximity of the holi-
days, it was agreed to cancel the December meeting. It was suggested that the PB do "homework"
with the Municipal Planning Tools document in place of a meeting.
RESOLUTION NO.31 OF 2011-CANCEL MEETING DATE
Resolved,that the Planning Board of the Town of Danby will not hold a December 2011 meeting.
Moved by Strichartz, Second by Selin.
In Favor: Gagnon, Selin, Strichartz, Roe
RESOLUTION NO.32 OF 2011-SET MEETING DATE
Resolved,that the Planning Board of the Town of Danby schedules its first 2012 meeting on January 19, 2012.
Moved by Gagnon, Second by Strichartz.
In Favor: Gagnon, Selin, Strichartz, Roe
Approval of Minutes
Gagnon suggested various amendments to the minutes. Minor corrections were made to clarify
some topics, including clarification of watersheds which drain into Cayuga Lake.
RESOLUTION NO.33 OF 2011-APPROVE MINUTES
Resolved,that the Planning Board of the Town of Danby approve the minutes of October 27, 2011, as amended.
Moved by Selin, Second by Strichartz.
In Favor: Gagnon, Selin, Strichartz, Roe
Planning Board SGEIS Response
Selin presented a draft statement for PB review. These comments were edited and refined by the
PB through an extensive discussion. The PB SGEIS comments focused particularly on the importance
of local zoning ordinances and aquifer protection.
The letter will be formatted for PB signatures. Copies will be sent to the same list as was used for
the Town Board SGEIS response.
RESOLUTION NO.34 OF 2011-APPROVE SGEIS LETTER
Resolved,that the Planning Board of the Town of Danby approves transmittal of a letter to the NYS DEC regard-
ing the revised draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement related to high volume horizontal
fracturing for natural gas.
Moved by Gagnon, Second by Selin.
In Favor: Gagnon, Selin, Strichartz, Roe
Roe needed to leave and, so, passed chair of meeting to Strichartz at 8:34pm.
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County"Municipal Tools" Document, "Round II" Zoning Updates, and Comprehensive
Plan Review
There was a discussion about a"Municipal Tools for Addressing Potential Gas Drilling Impacts"
document generated by Tompkins County Planning and the Gas Drilling Task Force of the Tompkins
County Council of Government. Halton spoke to the usefulness of this checklist. She suggested that
this would be a good tool for the next round of zoning related to high impact industrial activity and
future planning of a general nature. Connors reported that the Town Board is requesting a timeline for
when different aspects of Comprehensive Plan and Zoning review will be accomplished. This docu-
ment could be a helpful tool for organizing that process. Connors pointed out that the zoning prohibi-
tion and amendment to the Comprehensive Plan was only"step one."
Discussion and clarification of the next round of zoning amendments and the complete review of
the Comprehensive Plan was included in the discussion of the"Municipal Tools for Addressing Po-
tential Gas Drilling Impacts"document. There was clarification of what changes need to be addressed
in zoning. Some suggestions in the"Municipal Tools"document have already been accomplished in
Danby. There was clarification of the fact that other efforts are still to be done. The Planning Board
secretary will attempt to distribute this document in electronic form for the board's December
"homework."
Selin presented a list, informed by information from the Town Attorney, of initiatives which are
legally available to municipalities to protect themselves from negative impacts of industrial activity.
There was particular interest in Noise/Light/Air Quality standards and Pipeline/Gathering Station
regulations. These would be the most useful areas for immediate effort. Beeners volunteered to re-
quest quick references for sample ordinances from the town attorney. Once she has these citations she
will forward the information to the PB.
Adjournment
The Meeting was adjourned at 9:08pm.
Pamela S Goddard,Planning Board Secretary
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