HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-06 PB Minutes FinalPage 1 of 3
TOWN OF CORTLANDVILLE PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting - Tuesday, 6 February 2024 – 6:30 PM
Town Hall Meeting Room – 3577 Terrace Road – Cortland, NY
Board Members (*absent) Others Present
Christopher Newell, Chairman Bruce Weber, Town Planning/Zoning Officer
Nicholas Renzi Abigail C. Albro, Board Secretary
Laird Updyke John DelVecchio, Town Attorney
Nasrin Parvizi
Ann Hotchkin
Applicants & Public Present
Erich Haesche, applicant for Cortland Christian Radio, Inc.; Sue Haesche; Ammar Obadi, applicant;
Joseph Mastroianni, Engineer; Maiwan Mehssen; Jack Eves, from X101 News.
REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Town of Cortlandville Planning Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
by Chairman Christopher Newell.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 28, 2023
A motion was made by Member Hotchkin to approve the Town Planning Board Minutes of 28 November
2023, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Renzi, with the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chair Newell Nays: None
Member Hotchkin
Member Parvizi
Member Renzi
Member Updyke
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #01 of 2024.
OLD BUSINESS
CORTLAND CHRISTIAN RADIO, INC. (ERIC HAESCHE), APPLICANT/REPUTED OWNER – 4310
FAIRGROUNDS DR. – TM #76.19-01-29.200 – Building Plans – The Application for – Constructing
a Building for a Radio Station
Chairman Newell recognized Erich Haesche, the applicant for Cortland Christian Radio, Inc., who was
seeking Building Plan approval for constructing a building for a radio station. Mr. Haesche was granted
Conditional Permit approval at the last Planning Board meeting and was asked to return when the
building plans were final for the board to review and approve. The Board and Mr. Haesche briefly
discussed the proposed building including the minimalist appearance of the building; the siding; the
skylight; heating; lighting; and parking. Chairman Newell asked how many hours a week would be spent
at the radio station. Mr. Haesche stated that most of the work running the radio station can be done
remotely and that about 5 hours per week would be spent at the radio station. Member Hotchkin asked
if code would require a second means of egress. Mr. Haesche answered no.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 6 February 2024
Page 2 of 3
Mr. Haesche apprised the Board that after speaking with PZO Weber, CEO McMahon, Superintendent of
Water & Sewer Brian Congdon, and the Cortland County Health Department he discovered it would be
extremely expensive to have a bathroom in the building. Mr. Haesche explained that they would have to
go uphill and require a lift station to tie into the Cortlandville sewer and that holding tanks are not
allowed without special consideration. Mr. Haesche stated that after a lot of research a porta potty
would be the best option. Mr. Haesche explained that he would like to build a cove at the end of the
building for the porta potty, so it is not visible. The Board requested that Mr. Haesche return with plans
for the porta potty.
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Renzi to approve the Building Plans for
constructing a building for a radio station. The motion was seconded by Member Hotchkin, with
the vote recorded as follows:
Ayes: Chair Newell Nays: None
Member Hotchkin
Member Parvizi
Member Renzi
Member Updyke
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #02 of 2024.
NEW BUSINESS
AMMAR OBADI, APPLICANT/REPUTED OWNER – 3505 ROUTE 281 – TM #95.16-01-24.100 – Site
Plan – The Application for – Shopping Plaza
Chairman Newell recognized Ammar Obadi, applicant and Joseph Mastroianni, engineer who were
seeking Site Plan approval for a shopping plaza. Mr. Mastroianni explained to the Board that the
applicant would like to convert the old Salvation Army building into a shopping plaza with up to thirteen
retail spaces. The Board, Mr. Obadi, and Mr. Mastroianni discussed the curb cuts; traffic; parking (28
spaces); landscaping; lighting; signage; and business hours. Mr. Mastroianni stated that the applicant
would like to extend the roof or overhang on the front of the building out further. Chairman Newell
asked if the front of the building would change. Mr. Mastroianni explained that it would depend on how
many tenants fill the retail spaces and that every tenant would have their own door and window. The
Board and Mr. Ammar discussed the business plan for the proposed project and what type of retail
tenants would be interested. Mr. Ammar provided examples such as nail salon, insurance company, and
grab and go restaurants. Mr. Ammar explained that any potential tenants would be quick in and out
businesses, no sit-down businesses.
The Board and Mr. Ammar discussed the requested thirteen retail spaces and the twenty-eight parking
spaces available. The Board felt that twenty-eight spaces would be enough to accommodate thirteen
retail spaces. Mr. Ammar reiterated that all the tenants would be quick in and out retail or food (grab
and go) customers would be parking for short periods of time. Mr. Ammar stated that he would be
willing to downsize from the requested thirteen retail spaces if the Board would approve the Site Plan.
Mr. Ammar stated that the purchase of the property was contingent on approval. PZO Weber explained
that the twenty-eight parking spaces would be in the front of the building and along the side of the
building on Lamont Circle and that the applicant could request more parking on the other side of the
building. The Board agreed that with the size of the building and the parking available there should not
be more than ten retail spaces.
(T) Cortlandville Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes 6 February 2024
Page 3 of 3
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Member Hotchkin to approve the Site Plan for
the shopping plaza, with the requirements that the shopping plaza have a maximum of ten
interior retail spaces, that the applicant provide a lighting plan, and that twenty-eight parking
spaces be available, with the understanding that the applicant can return to request more
parking spaces if needed. The motion was seconded by Member Updyke, with the vote recorded
as follows:
Ayes: Chair Newell Nays: None
Member Hotchkin
Member Parvizi
Member Renzi
Member Updyke
Motion carried.
This becomes Action #03 of 2024.
Other Discussion
• Chairman Newell asked PZO Weber if he reaches out to former applicants to follow-up on prior
major projects. PZO Weber stated that he does not, stating that some projects might move
forward, and others might die. Member Renzi asked PZO Weber if it would be appropriate to call,
to which PZO Weber replied no.
• Chairman Newell apprised the Board that the County is considering a solar project at the
Cortland County Airport after hearing a proposal from Abundant Solar Power Inc.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:29 p.m., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Chairman Hotchkin, seconded by Member
Updyke, with all members present voting in the affirmative.
Abigail C. Albro, Board Secretary E-mailed to Town Clerk, AR, Bd. Members, JD
County Planning, BW and KM & DC on 2/26/2024.