We have a nice official domain now varickny.gov. The planning board activities and minutes are there.
February 04, 2026
December 17, 2023
Website has moved to varicknewyork.com
The planning board minutes are now consolidated with the rest of the Varick website.
They can be found at varicknewyork.com. Select Governance/Planning Board and scroll down.
October 26, 2023
Varick Planning Board July 27, 2023
Present: Linda Mastellar (Chair), Cindy Lont, Seth Brandow (late), Frankie Long, Thomas Björkman (Secretary). Absent: Lauren Burling. One vacancy.
Staff: Julia Stanley (Clerk)
Guest: Ann Kaminski, Heather & Tom Willower, Robbie Lerch
Called to order at 7:00 pm
Approval of Minutes
for June 22, 2023
Moved by Lont, Second by Long. Approved 4-0.
General public comment.
None
Potential Subdivision
Residents Willower and Lerch presented a preliminary plat for a lot line move among adjoining properties. Since the proposal did not present obvious issues, they submitted the application.
Resolution
The Varick Planning Board accepts a preliminary plat of the Serfass subdivision. This action is a lot line move from lot 01-04-19 at the corner of East Lake Rd. and Yale Farm Rd consisting of 3.88 acres. The proposed action transfers 0.43ac to parcel 01-04-16 of Willower (currently 50x175 ft) and 2.28 ac to parcel 01-04-24.1 of Lerch (currently 188 ac). No change in use is anticipated. Pending receipt of the fee, Environmental Assessment Form and Agricultural Data Statement, the planning board will forward the application to the county planning board for review.
Clerk Stanley will advertise the public hearing.
Move Björkman, second Brandow approved 5-0.
Short Term Rentals
Waiting-list procedures were distributed to area realtors and real-estate attorneys. Our code-enforcement officer reports that a realtor has been giving prospective buyers false information about the requirements. Such misinformation is bound to happen, but it is the buyers’ and their attorneys’ responsibility to confirm the laws before making a binding offer.
Administration
Ann Kaminski expressed interest in joining the Planning Board.
Town Website
Clerk Stanley is working on a new website. The Facebook page is happening even faster.
It has many pictures and is very easy to develop.
The main website in WordPress still needs more media to finish the theme. Clerk Stanley and Secretary Björkman met to advance the website template.
Adjourn Moved Lont, Second Brandow. Approved 5-0.
Adjourned at 8:32 pm.
Notify Donna Add Ann Kaminski to board.
Varick Planning Board June 22, 2023
Present: Linda Mastellar (Chair), Cindy Lont, Seth Brandow, Frankie Long, Thomas Björkman (Secretary). Absent: Lauren Burling. One vacancy.
Staff: Julia Stanley (Clerk)
Guest: Alan Bishop
Called to order at 7:00 pm
Approval of Minutes
for May 25, 2023
Moved by Lont, Second by Brandow. Approved 5-0.
General public comment.
None
Potential Subdivision
Alan Bishop. Inquired about splitting a lot with telecommunication towers. Does not appear possible given the required setbacks.
Administration
SEQR. Reminded ourselves to do this review thoroughly on each action to avoid Seneca Fall’s reversal.
Short Term Rentals
Eliminated duplications in 315.3 and 315.4 and will forward to the Town Board as a technical correction at their July meeting.
Waiting list. Clerk Stanley will maintain the waiting lists for the two lake districts. People who want to be on a waiting list for a permit will have to provide a form, and then will get a letter saying that they are on the list and what the expectation are.
Town Website
Clerk Stanley is working on a new website. The Facebook page is happening even faster.
It has many pictures and is very easy to develop.
The main website in WordPress still needs more media to finish the theme. Clerk Stanley and Secretary Björkman will meet to advance the website template.
Notes for next Zoning Code revision
· Send Section 315 revisions to Town Clerk now.
Adjourn Moved Björkman, Second Lont. Approved 5-0.
Adjourned at 8:45 pm.
June 26, 2023
Varick Planning Board May 25, 2023
Present: Linda Mastellar (Chair), Cindy Lont, Seth Brandow, Frankie Long, Thomas Björkman (Secretary). Absent: Lauren Burling. One vacancy.
Staff: Julia Stanley (Clerk)
Called to order at 7:01 pm
Approval of Minutes for April 27, 2023
Moved by Lont, Second by Brandow. Approved 5-0.
General public comment.
Jim Foggo, via email. The Lin project is very large, what is the protection for the Town and residents if the project fails partway? Can a bond be required, to make sure the site can be restored.
Town Website
Clerk Stanley presented to the Town Board, and was approved to go ahead building a new website for the town.
The Town already has a domain name and hosting paid for through 2026. The new website can be run through existing host. Stanley determined that she can create a WordPress site on that basis. A quote from FingerLakes1 received today was very high, and did not include the necessary features.
Each Town department should have a liaison to make sure website manager Stanley puts the necessary information on the site.
Administration
Mastellar will order a smaller official stamp to approve subdivision maps, so that it fits the space on survey maps better.
The planning board needs to have an attorney on retainer for upcoming complex land use issues. Mastellar is making contact to make sure the attorney is free to represent us.
The board should not accept anything of monetary value from people or companies that have, or anticipate having, business before the board. What should be the threshold for our work? The State law (Gen. Mun. Law 805-a(2)) has a limit of $75 in value or an intent to influence the performance of official duties.
Short Term Rentals
Waiting list. Transparency is needed so the list cannot be manipulated, but also privacy needs to be considered. It would be good to have the STR Clerk maintain it.
Concerns that have come up. One property had an issue regarding a fire pit and a raft that infringed on the neighbors that needed to be changed as part of the permit. The raft was replaced with a dock, which may be there. The fire pit is still there and the neighbors are concerned. The issue will be referred to Code Enforcement to verify that the requirements of the permit were met. Complaints should go to Code Enforcement, as the neighbors did.
Complaint documentation. The Planning Board will keep records of complaints so that the number of recorded complaints is clearly know if a permit is at risk of non-renewal. The procedure will be sent to residents in a mailing.
Sale of property with future reservations. When an STR is sold that has rental contracts in place what happens to the reservations? The permits are not transferrable. If the buyer cannot obtain a permit immediately, they cannot take over the rental contracts. The seller can’t honor the rental contracts they made. The solution for the property owners is to close the sale at the end of the rental season and not to make new reservations later than the closing date.
Notes for next Zoning Code revision
· Completion bonds need to be required for large projects.
Adjourn Moved Long, Second Brandow. Approved 5-0.
Adjourned at 8:26 pm.
June 04, 2023
Varick Planning Board April 27, 2023
Present: Linda Mastellar (Chair), Cindy Lont, Seth Brandow, Lauren Burling , Thomas Björkman (Secretary). Absent: Frankie Long. One vacancy.
Staff: Julia Stanley (Clerk), Tim Dorn (Code Enforcement Officer)
Guests: Jim Foggo. Steve Marsh, Susan Ottenweller, Bob Hayssen. Lin Rep. Robert Harner, engineer for Lin subdivision.
Called to order at 7:01 pm
Approval of Minutes for March 24, 2023
Moved by Lont, Second by Brandow. Approved 5-0.
General public comment.
Jim Foggo. Thanks for the work to better assure sustainable development of our community.
Public hearing for Hayssen lot line move
Opened 7:03
Chair Mastellar described the action and status of application
Closed 7:06
Moved Björkman, Second Lont. Approved 5-0.
Hayssen Lot line move
The county planning board recommended approval contingent on one of several options. The applicants chose the option to merge the two Hayssen parcels to maintain access.
Resolution
The Varick Planning Board approves a lot line move between parcel 05-1-62.21 of Susan Ottenweller and the merged parcels of 5-1-62.21 and 9-1-7.11 Robert Hayssen
The applicants supplied an Agricultural data statement. The board finds that there will be no impact on adjoining agricultural uses because the land use will remain agriculture and the residential expansion is nominal and not in the agricultural district.
The board received the Short Environmental Assessment Form and declared itself the lead agency for State Environmental Quality Review. Upon review of the EAF, the board found no impact because the action will lead to no change in land use, nor creates a condition that would encourage one. The board makes a negative declaration of environmental impact.
The application was reviewed by the county planning board, which recommended approval with the proviso that the two Hayssen parcels be merged and they have been.
Moved Björkman, Second Brandow Approved 5-0
The Planning Board will get the parcel number for the merged lots from the County and enter that information in our database with records of all subdivision actions.
Lin Subdivision.
Robert Harner of Lakeside Engineering, Seneca Falls, presented a new concept plan for the Lin property on Rt. 89. The 42-acre site is proposed for subdivision into 30 lots with a seven-acre recreational reserve. He will be back with more specifics as they develop. The road access is anticipated to be a significant issue.
Because of the complexity of this major subdivision, the planning board anticipated requiring a consulting attorney.
We should ask the town board to retain a consulting attorney for this job, preferably Wendy Marsh.
Public input.
Jim Foggo, a neighbor of Lin project site speaking for himself and people close by. The subdivision raises grave concerns. It would irrevocably impact the character of that area.
Flooding is a significant concern. Creek has been flooding much wider (30 ft) and faster Environmental impact is the big issue. Water, and land alteration are top concerns.
On Wednesday of Easter week, a quarter of that property was under water. Any clearing and land alteration can greatly exacerbate already significant flooding risk.
The light impact will be substantial, which would also change the nature of the dark-night neighborhood.
Short Term Rentals
Notice went out to owners to let neighbors have their 24-hr contact number last Thursday, April 20.
Lont proposed contacting Real Estate agents so they are aware that commercial STR use is restricted and that buyers may not be able to get an STR permit. A current STR was listed for sale with the ad including STR as a potential use. Lont contacted the owner and real estate agent to advise them that the permit is not transferrable and new non-resident permits are not available.
The town will keep a record of complaints to support a revocation or non-renewal of a permit.
Each rental has a 24-hour contact number, which has been provided to the neighbors. Our procedures should have an explicit criterion for responsiveness to calls to that number. The Towns of Canadice and Geneva have good procedures to use as templates. When someone calls the 24-hour contact about an active problem, the contact needs to respond within two hours.
Code Enforcement Officer Tim Dorn recommended three notices of violation in a year being the criterion for revoking a permit. In additions revocation can also be made for chronic violation, which is six notices of violation in previous three years. The Code Enforcement Officer will determine whether a neighbor complaint warrants a notice of violation. The CEO can also provide recommendations, advisories and warnings that do not count toward revocation.
Communication to the public in Varick should indicate that complaints about active concerns should go to the 24-hour contact first. If they are unresponsive, they should contact the Varick Code Enforcement. We would like this information to be mailed to residents with the annual notice about the town cleanup.
The board discussed several additional questions on STRs that came up.
How should the Town manage a waiting list for STRs?
To be determined.
How does the Town handle complaints?
If the owner is unresponsive, the complaint goes to the town (Code Enforcement Officer or str@varicknewyork.com) who can ask for remedy and issue a violation notice.
If the owner is persistently unresponsive, an appearance ticket can be issued and the court can demand correction the condition and impose penalties if the condition is uncorrected.
What is the procedure for addressing unpermitted operating STRs?
They are treated as any other violation of the code.
Flood Plain
Mastellar and Lont attended land use on April 24 and Lont attended flood training April 3. It is unclear who is the Flood Plain Manager for the town. The DEC will visit the Town on May 5 to review procedures for development in the flood plain. Björkman will attend in case there are issues related to the Planning Board’s responsibilities.
Notes for next Zoning Code revision
· The new impervious surface coverage limitation will be easier to enforce if driveways and patios require a permit.
· Define impervious surface with reference to NYCRR.
Adjourn Moved Björkman, Second Brandow. Approved 5-0.
Adjourned at 8:51 pm.
Varick Planning Board March 23, 2023
Present: Linda Mastellar (Chair), Cindy Lont, Seth Brandow, Thomas Björkman (Secretary). Absent: Lauren Burling, Frankie Long. One vacancy.
Staff: Julia Stanley (Clerk), Tim Dorn (Code Enforcement Officer)
Guests: Jim Foggo. Steve Marsh, Susan Ottenweller, Bob Hayssen.
Called to order at 7:01 pm
Minutes for March 2, 2023
Accept minutes. Moved by Lont, Second by Brandow. Approve 4-0.
General public comment.
Jim Foggo. Thanks for the work to better assure sustainable development of our community.
Public hearing for STR
Application of Shelley and Dan Pletcher, 5244 East Lake Road
Opened 7:04
No Comments
Closed 7:04 Moved Long, Second Brandow Approved 4-0.
Resolution. The Varick Planning Board approves issuing a Short Term Rental License to Sharon and Dan Pletcher to operate a short-term at 5244 East Lake Road until January 30, 2024.
Moved by Björkman, second by Lont, approved 4-0.
County Agriculture District
Harriet Haynes, Seneca County Planning Department
Seneca County Agricultural District 8 is up for its 8-year renewal. Parcels in the County Agricultural District are eligible for agricultural assessment and are in an agricultural protection district, under State Right-to-Farm laws.
Land can be added by the owner on annual basis. But parcels can only be removed at the 8-year review.
We will communicate to the Seneca Planning Department that it would desirable not to include the Conservation District in the Agricultural District. When the parcel that includes the Conservation is subdivided, new parcels outside the Conservation Zoning District can be added to the County Agricultural District. The other additions are appropriate.
Hayssen Lot line move
The proposed action is a lot line move between parcel 05-1-62.21 and parcel 05-1-74. It moves the north line about 22 feet, moving 0.131 acres from parcel 05-1-74 to parcel 05-1-62.21. The board reviewed the County Planning Board recommendation for addressing a non-conforming aspect of the proposed action.
.
The Seneca County Planning Board recommended that the Varick Planning Board takes one of three actions: 1) refer the proposal to the ZBA for an area variance; 2) combine parcels 5-1-62.21 and 9-1-7.11 to create 70 additional feet of frontage, or 3) create an easement across 05-1-74 instead of moving the line.
After discussion, the second option was preferred by the applicants.
We will schedule a public hearing for next month’s meeting and anticipate final action them.
Short Term Rental update.
The board discussed several questions on STRs that came up.
How should the town manage a waiting list for STRs?
To be determined
How does the town handle complaints?
If the owner is unresponsive, the complaint goes to the town (Code Enforcement or str@varicknewyork.com) which can ask for remedy and issue a violation notice.
If the owner persists is unresponsive, an appearance ticket can be issued and the court can demand correction the condition and impose penalties if the condition is uncorrected.
Do neighbors have the phone number of the 24hr contact?
Consider listing the contact telephone number for each STR address on the Varick website. Check with the Town Attorney whether that is appropriate.
How do we handle the unpermitted operating STRs?
They would be treated as any other violation of the code.
Notes for next Zoning Code revision
· There is a design requirement for driveway spacing, but that is hard to enforce because no permit is required.
· Clarify in the STR application (Section 315) that the site plan is intended for the guests.
Adjourn Moved Björkman, Second Brandow. Approved 4-0.
Adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)