HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-25-SteeringCommittee-FINALTOWN OF ULYSSES
STEERING COMMITTEE FOR ZONING UPDATES
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, 05/25/2017
Approved: June 22, 2017
Call to Order: 7:00 p.m.
Present: Chair Liz Thomas, and Committee members Michael Boggs, Darby Kiley, Sue Ritter,
and George Tselekis.
Rod Hawkes was excused.
Public in Attendance: Roxanne Marino of the Sustainability Advisory Council.
Agenda Review; Minutes Review (05/04/2017)
Ms. Ritter MADE the MOTION to accept the May 4, 2017 meeting minutes, and Mr. Boggs
SECONDED the MOTION. The motion was unanimously carried.
Discussion of pre -draft Ag/Rural zoning document
The Committee began by discussing its process in reviewing the zoning document while
considering comments from each participating stakeholder group. Referring to stakeholder
comments, Ms. Kiley suggested making note of any areas that may need clarification and being
prepared to inquire with stakeholder liaisons at the Committee's next meeting on June 1. The
Committee opted to review both the zoning document by section and the Board of Zoning
Appeals' proposal on density averaging. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding how the BZA's
proposal — conserving 80 percent of a parent parcel at the time of subdivision on parcels of at
least 14 acres — would be applied to lots of various sizes. For a 15 -acre parcel, for instance, Mr.
Tselekis thought conserving 8.8 acres, thus stripping it of its economic viability, seemed too
much. Ms. Marino was asked how this plan originated and explained that Bob Howarth had
realized, based on comments from Chaw Chang of the Ag Committee, that lacking a maximum
lot size would essentially allow a property owner to subdivide multiple times. A formula -based
approach seemed like a better solution.
Ms. Kiley offered her comments on the BZA's approach, noting the added layer of process for
property owners looking to subdivide. For instance, if the owner of a 50 -acre parcel wanted to
subdivide off and sell just 2 acres, they would be subject to a deed restriction. That would be a
problem for some property owners, she said. Mr. Tselekis also raised a question: under the BZA
proposal, can the property owner build an ag-related structure, like a barn, on the preserved
parcel?
Ms. Thomas said she favored the BZA's approach because it requires property owners to think
ahead and consider how best to subdivide land. She referenced John Wertis's comments on how
Zoning update steering committee 2
May 25, 2017
some land may be considered farmland but in reality is not suitable for production and may be
best for a home. She said she is willing to proceed with the BZA's proposal.
The Committee then discussed minimum lot sizes of 1, 1.5 and 2 acres. In her previous role in
helping shape the current zoning, Ms. Marino explained a 1 -acre minimum created the potential
for issues concerning citing of water wells and septic systems, thus the reasoning behind the
current 2 -acre minimum. Road frontage is another concern, she added. Further discussion
ensued, with Ms. Thomas suggesting the Committee consider a 1.5 -acre minimum. Mr. Boggs
said he liked the 2 -acre minimum, given the Town's rural character and his preference for larger
parcel size. Ms. Kiley noted comments from some committees that pointed to the Town's
Comprehensive Plan, which discourages sequential housing development along a roadway. How
does the Town meet that goal if the minimum lot size is not reduced to encourage denser, more
compact housing development? She also noted current zoning allows for two houses on a single
2 -acre lot.
The Committee briefly discussed the process for its next meeting with all participating
stakeholders before proceeding with a review of Ag definitions, specifically Ag Buildings, Ag
Commerce, Ag Education, Brewery, Cidery and Distillery, and Lodges. Among the changes
discussed: Ms. Kiley said she would work through an edit of both Ag Commerce and Ag -related
Commerce definitions; seek guidance on Ag and Markets regarding the definition of Ag
Education, and accept suggested language from the Sustainability Advisory Committee on the
definition of Brewery, Cidery or Distillery entry.
In conclusion, Ms. Kiley reported the Town has received an extension from NYSERDA on the
zoning work. A zoning draft is due to the State by year's end; a final draft is due by the end of
March 2018, and the Town Board will need to consider the final document by June 2018.
Ms. Kiley MADE the MOTION to adjourn, and Mr. Boggs SECONDED the MOTION. The
motion was unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Louis A. DiPietro II on June 2, 2017.