The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2012-10-18 TOWN OF GROTON PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 18 October 2012 - 7:30 PM Town Hall Court Room - 101 Conger Boulevard - Groton, NY Members, Groton Planning Board (*Absent) Others Present Edward Neuhauser, Chairperson Victoria Monty, Town Attorney Monica Carey, Vice Chair Joan Fitch, Recording Secretary Barbara Clark Glenn Morey, Town Supervisor Mark Baxendell John Morey Bret Wyllie Vacancy Applicants & Public in Attendance Laura Mainville, Applicant; Mitch Metzgar, Applicant; Robert Walpole for Walpole Real Estate, Applicant; Jennifer Metzgar, Jeff Hoyt, Dan Cerretani, Town Councilman Sheldon Clark; Donna Cook, Norene Turcsik, Carolann Darling. REGULAR MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Town of Groton Planning Board was called to order by Chairman Edward Neuhauser at 7:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 20 SEPTEMBER 2012 A motion was made by Member Monica Carey to approve the Minutes of the 20 September 2012 Planning Board meeting, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member John Morey, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Motion carried. This becomes Action #64 of 2012. OLD BUSINESS Laura Mainville, Applicant/Reputed Owner - 380 Cobb Street - TM #24.-1-3.9 - Continued Site Plan Review for Proposed Home/Garage Business (Psychic Tyme) (Note: Reference is made to this Board's Minutes of 19 July, 16 August and 20 September 2012 for details on this application.) This application, having been laid on the table at last month's meeting, was taken from the table at this time on a motion by Member Mark Baxendell, seconded by Member Bret Wyllie, with all members present voting in the affirmative. Chairman Neuhauser stated that the Board had received the applicant's additional information, and asked the Board if they had any questions for the applicant. Member John Morey asked the applicant if her hours were going to be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. She responded "not really" as it was the time she would be available, but any readings would be done by appointment, as needed. Page 1 of 4 (T)Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 October 2012 Chair Neuhauser commented that he was concerned that the application had been "changed a great deal" since it was originally submitted. Therefore, the Board could not act on the original application. He asked the applicant to submit a new application and another Public Hearing would be required. He asked Mrs. Mainville to work with Town CEO Gary Coats to prepare a "clearly definied" application that would advise the Planning Board exactly what she planned to do, e.g., hours, parking spaces, etc. Chair Neuhauser assured Mrs. Mainville that the Town would waive the application fee, but there would be a charge for advertising cost. Mrs. Mainville stated she had paid twice for the Public Hearing Notice, and should have a credit; she would check this with the Town Clerk. Mrs. Mainville commented that she did not want to upset anyone or start any trouble; she liked a "nice, peaceful, quiet life." She stated she would like the Board to be aware that what she was requesting was her "livelihood." She felt as though she'd been "pulled around enough." When she asked what was the problem, Chair Neuhauser responded that the Board needed to know exactly what she was planning. With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Barbara Clark to recommend to the Town Board that they waive the fee for a new application to be submitted by the applicant. The motion was seconded by Member Wyllie, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Motion carried. This becomes Action #65 of 2012. Town Attorney Victoria Monty advised the Planning Board that effectively, the applicant has now withdrawn the original application. Member Carey suggested that the Planning Board hold a special meeting for the Public Hearing; this would be discussed at the next regular meeting. NEW BUSINESS Mitch Metzgar, Applicant/Reputed Owner (dba Peg Mill Bed & Breakfast) - 470 Locke Road - TM #16.-1-4.813 - Preliminary Site Plan Review for Proposed New Detached Building Chairman Neuhauser recognized Mitch Metzgar who explained that he was proposing an expansion of his business. He stated he would like to add a detached building containing a commercial kitchen and small dining area, as explained in his narrative accompanying the application. He plans to remove the garage and replace it with the new building. No building size was provided, other than the floor plan which indicated a width of from 30 to 32 feet, with the length of the building as 28 ft. for one portion of it; the other portion had no measurement provided. Exterior would be knotty pine to match the house. He advised that he had retained an architect to prepare the plans, and John Andersson to design the septic and water system. Mr. Metzgar stated that he would have to widen the driveway. He also commented that plans for the proposed expansion would be available in time for the November meeting. The proposed kitchen would be used to cater onsite and offsite on a demand basis. The dining area shown would be on the west end and would accommodate 30 to 50 persons. If larger groups were to hold weddings, etc., he would rent tents for this; maybe in the future he would construct a pavilion. The bed and breakfast is located 700± feet off the road on a 22±-acre site which has plenty of room for parking. Mr. Metzgar stated they would also like to do some barbecuing "down by the road" which, he stated, was an allowed use. He does not want to have a"full-time job" as he is semi-retired. Page 2 of 4 (T)Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 October 2012 Chair Neuhauser noted that the facility is located on a State road, and that the applicant needed to talk with the NYSDOT regarding his plans. At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Member Carey to approve the Preliminary Site Plan for the proposed new detached building to accommodate a kitchen/dining expansion, with a Public Hearing to be held 15 November at 7:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Motion carried. This becomes Action #66 of 2012. Walpole Real Estate, Applicant/Joseph W. Hora, Reputed Owner - 431 Cobb Street - TM #33.-1- 3.6 - Minor Subdivision Chair Neuhauser recognized Bob Walpole who explained that the owner was selling off 1.1 A. from his 12.4± A. parcel, as shown on portions of the tax map accompanying the application. The survey is being completed today, he said, and the map will be ready in a couple of weeks. With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Baxendell to waive the Public Hearing for the proposed Minor Subdivision. The motion was seconded by Member Wyllie, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Motion carried. This becomes Action #67 of 2012. A motion was then made by Member Morey that for the purpose of the State Environmental Quality Review concerning this application, the Town of Groton Planning Board hereby declares itself as Lead Agency. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Motion carried. This becomes Action #68 of 2012. Chairman Neuhauser read aloud Part II of the Short Environmental Assessment Form. Negative responses were obtained to all questions in Part II. A motion was then made by Member Clark that, based on the information and analysis of the SEQR concerning this application, the Town of Groton Planning Board has determined that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact, resulting in a Negative Declaration. The motion was seconded by Member Wyllie, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Page 3 of 4 (T)Groton Planning Board Minutes of Regular Meeting 18 October 2012 Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Motion carried. This becomes Action #69 of 2012. With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Carey to approve the Minor Subdivision of Land, as requested, contingent upon submittal of a certified survey map. The motion was seconded by Member Baxendell, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Chairman Neuhauser Nays: None Member Carey Member Clark Member Baxendell Member Morey Member Wyllie Motion carried. This becomes Action #70 of 2012. OTHER BUSINESS • Planning Board Member Vacancy - Chair Neuhauser reported that applications had been received for a Planning Board Member to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mary Gloster. Interviews will be scheduled for the November Planning Board meeting. • Training Course - Chair Neuhauser reminded Planning Board members of the upcoming October 25th training session at TC3. • Pay Increase - Town Supervisor Glenn Morey advised Planning Board members that an increase in their pay had been approved by the Town Board. • Property Line/Boundary Change - Supervisor Morey commented on the "restrictive issues/rules" in the Town's code regarding this matter, and the Town Board realized changes had to be made every so often; he asked that the Planning Board keep the Town Board informed of any issues. ADJOURNMENT At 8:10 p.m., a motion was made by Member Clark to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Morey, with all members present voting in favor. _ obi E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Town/Deputy Clerks, CEO Coats, Chair Neuhauser& Board Members on 11/7/12. Page 4 of 4