HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-03-SteeringCommittee-FINALTOWN OF ULYSSES
STEERING COMMITTEE FOR ZONING UPDATES
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, 11/3/2016
Approved: 12/1/16
Call to Order: 7 p.m.
Present: Chair Nancy Zahler, committee members Rod Hawkes, Darby Kiley, Sue Ritter,
Liz Thomas, and George Tselekis, and CJ Randall of Randall + West.
Public in Attendance: Krys Cail of the Ag Committee, Andy Hillman of the Town
Board of Zoning Appeals, Benjamin LeWalter of the Planning Board, and Roxanne
Marino of the Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Agenda Review; Minutes Review (10/26/2016)
Ms. Zahler recognized the Committee liaisons in attendance and stated the evening would
be an internal, working session.
Mr. Tselekis MADE the MOTION to accept the October 26, 2016 meeting minutes, and
Mr. Hawkes SECONDED the MOTION. The minutes were unanimously accepted, 6-0.
Ms. Randall provided a detailed account of changes made to the zoning draft thus far,
outlining improvements made to definitions, the removal of language that contrasted with
State Ag and Markets law, and additional wording in the Ag Purpose section, among
other changes.
At this time, the Committee began its review of the zoning document, starting with Ag
Purpose (Section 212-23). Members generally agreed that the second, more detailed
Purpose was favorable. The Committee discussed several language edits and reached a
consensus to apply those edits to the document.
Next, the Committee moved on to Definitions (Section 212-22), beginning with
substantive discussion of the "Agricultural Educational and Recreational Events and
Institutions" section. Members deliberated on entertainment activities, like weddings, and
whether such activities on farms should be subject to Town oversight, either through site
plan review or special permit. Ultimately, Ms. Randall was directed to craft language in
the document that gives the Town ability to review larger -scale, formal events under site
plan review, but not so much oversight to encumber the activity.
Definitions of Animal Waste Storage, Cottage Industry and Hunting were deemed as
sufficient, needing few edits. For Lodges, Mr. Hawkes suggested, and the Committee
ultimately agreed, to simplify the language that Lodges are to be limited to "one guest per
5 acres of the parcel on which the lodge is located."
Zoning update steering committee 2
November 3, 2016
Following a brief discussion of solar, the Committee moved on to definitions of
Silviculture and Timber Harvest. Ms. Randall clarified that silviculture is drastically
difference from timber harvesting, which involves clear cutting trees for commercial
purposes. Ms. Kiley suggested adding Christmas tree harvesting under "Agriculture" in
the Permitted Uses section. The Committee reached a consensus to readdress timber
harvesting at a later time.
On-farm labor housing was discussed before moving on to Permitted Accessory Uses and
Elder Cottages. Ms. Thomas noted the zoning law currently requires elder cottages to be
deconstructed once the resident no longer lives on-site. That requirement is burdensome,
she said, and it seems more logical to simply have the elder cottage count as one of the
two residences permitted on individual lots. Ms. Kiley said she favored retaining Elder
Cottages as a temporary use. Ms. Zahler and Mr. Hawkes both agreed.
The Committee was in general agreement about the sections "Uses Allowed by Special
Permit" and "Lot Area and Lot Requirements", as written. Considerable time was then
given to the Number of Subdivisions section (212-29.1). Ms. Randall expressed concern
regarding the administrative challenge of tracking development rights among subdivided
properties. All property sales give buyers a bundle of rights, including development
rights, she said. It will be an administrative challenge to track subdivisions and
corresponding development rights, she said, and, further, there does not appear to be any
benefit to the Town. Ms. Kiley said tracking subdivisions would not be all that different
from what she does now.
Ms. Randall also dedicated time to addressing additional options, like Transfer of
Development Rights (TDRs) and Purchase of Development Rights (PDRs). She proposed
drafting an alternative to owner -assigned development rights, to be discussed at the
Committee's next meeting on November 14. An updated version of the zoning draft
would be forthcoming to the Committee by November 4, she said.
Ms. Zahler MADE the MOTION to adjourn the meeting, and Ms. Ritter SECONDED the
MOTION. The vote was unanimously carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Louis A. DiPietro II on November 16, 2016.