Special PB meeting

Special PB Meeting  6/4/2013

Meeting opened at 5:05 pm. Members present: Linda M, Hershey S, Todd H, and Barry S.

Todd expressed the need of the Romulus and Varick Planning Boards to request extra help in regard to rezoning areas of the old Seneca Army Depot. We need more expertise in the zoning and planning of said area to make sure we have an unbiased source of aid in doing a proper job of any rezoning of the depot. However, we want to make sure that this remains under the jurisdiction of both Planning Boards and is not a plan that we are required to adopt. We will have the final authority in any plans to rezone areas of the depot. It will be our plan, not that of an outside agency.

The following resolution was proposed by Barry Somerville, seconded by Hershey Sensinig and approved: We request that the Varick Planning Board be authorized to pursue any necessary support from an outside consultant with expertise in zoning and planning to help develop a plan for rezoning the depot area. This proposal will allow Varick Planning Board and said consultant to work jointly with Romulus Planning Board in the same activity.

Two such consultants were set forward (Stuart & Brown and Peter  J. Smith) but others may be considered.

The PB would also like as much funding as possible through grants or other sources (federal, army, etc.) to offset costs for consulting fees.

Motion for adjournment made by Hershey at 5:45, seconded by Todd.

Sincerely submitted,

Barry Somerville, secretary

PB minutes 5/23/13

Draft Copy PB Minutes 5/23/13

Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm. All present except Linda M and Bill S. A motion to approve the 4/25/13 minutes was made by Hersey S, seconded by Tom B and approved.

Todd mentioned being contacted by Marianne (sp) Kawolski about any records we might have concerning NE Freight. She was concerned about their piece in a local paper concerning the type of business they are trying to attract in the area which seemed like advertising to her. However, we do not have any documentation that would be helpful to her.

Todd discussed a meeting he had with Steve Absalom that brought another perspective to the table concerning rezoning of the Depot. He feels that we may be making a decision that may be perceived as  biased toward NE Freight and the railroad. This led Todd to believe we might be wiser to rezone the whole depot area at one time and be sure we stay in the parameter of supporting conservation. The rest of our meeting was basically submitting ideas of what we need to do with this new approach to zoning the area.

Hershey suggested that we open up the depot to hunting through regular permits and let the DEC oversee the fenced areas of the depot. But it is unlikely that they have the funds or staff to undertake such an operation.

Mr. Absalom informed Todd that the entire depot was under a superfund with some areas that could be released from the fund. A section in the NW corner where ammo was exploded may never be released or available for any kind of zoning. Another area in the SE corner is under dispute. It was agreed that Steve’s knowledge of the depot area would be a big help to us in trying to rezone it. We are going to invite him to a PB meeting in the near future.

A map produced by Seneca White Deer showed how the depot might be used for totally conservation uses. Some suggested activity areas included a hotel and conference center, camping facilities, horse trail, etc. If money was no object, something like this might be feasible. Some of the projected ideas could fit into a comprehensive plan of management.

Mr. Abraham also mentioned professional reports have been devised that offer a business master plan for the depot. Todd is going to email these to PB members.

In order to help us revise our strategy we are going to contact Bruce Habberfield again and try to take a rail ride around the depot. We also will contact Dennis Money with Seneca White Deer to talk more about their ideas.

Larry Colton stopped in to ask information about dock zoning on the lake. We confirmed that Varick has zoning jurisdiction over the lake as well as the land. Larry said that some dock contractors were not aware of that. He does have authority to issue stop work orders if an unpermitted dock is being built.

A motion to adjourn was made by Tom and seconded by Dave. Meeting adjourned at 8:35. Our next meeting will be June 27

Respectfully submitted,

Barry Somerville, secretary

Draft Copy Minutes 4/25/13

Draft Copy PB Minutes 4-25-13

Meeting called to order at 7:04 pm – all members present except Bill Squires.

A motion was made by Tom B to accept minutes from 3-28-13 meeting, seconded by Linda M and approved.

Visitor – Bob Kayser from Seneca Lake Pure Waters. Mr. Kayser addressed concerns from his group concerning rezoning of Varick army depot area. They are concerned about the conversion of conservation land to other uses and being sure that the code reflects the interests of Varick’s rural status. The idea of converting already designated green space was an issue. He also wanted reassurances that no trash be allowed in the area being considered for NE Freight. He also was concerned about the effects upon the white deer population. The board assured him that we had already made considerations in all these areas and we have the town’s interest in mind. He stayed for about an hour and listened to discussion and seemed pleased with the way the issue was being handled.

Guest Speaker – Bob Aronson was also present to answer questions concerning zoning of the former depot area. He met with the Romulus zoning committee and helped them formulate a map of possible considerations for zoning similar to the one drawn up for Varick. The PB asked about any areas that may not be released for use by the EPA. There are a couple of spots that this might be the case. One area is under dispute as to whether old ammunition was burned there or not. Two other areas, one on each side of the depot (east-west) do not appear to be cleared either.

There was lengthy discussion concerning fencing off the Romulus area for white deer population. Also about maintenance of the herd – culling, feeding, protecting etc. How costly would this project be and who would manage it? Repair and maintenance of the fence is another issue to be considered.

It was brought to our attention that some funds may be available to repair and pave old County Rd 135. This would be of great benefit to the town and county as a short cut between Rts 96 and 96a.

Bob was also asked his opinion on the possibility of the depot land reverting to town ownership and what the process would be. He was in favor of the suggestion and thought the IDA would be favorable as well. It is uncertain what the process would be.

After Bob left we continued laying out our plan for rezoning a small area where NE Freight operates. We considered a possible name for this zone as a transportation and logistics area. It was suggested that we ask the company and the railroad how much area they need or would require for their operations. We will also ask if they know of any places that have a similar operation that would help us understand the logistics of their needs.

Before our next meeting Todd will contact NE Freight and Finger Lakes Rail with the above questions. We will also try to visit the area to be rezoned as well.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:03 pm. Motion made by Hershey S, seconded by Tom B. Our next meeting will be on May 23. A joint committee meeting with Romulus will be on May 30.

Respectfully submitted,

Barry Somerville, secretary

Approved PB Minutes 3/28/13

Approved Copy PB Minutes 3/28/13

Meeting opened at 7:08, all members were present.

Previous minutes were approved – motion by Linda M, second by Dave K, motion carried.

We first met with family members concerned with the sale of property adjacent to them on Seneca Lake. It is listed as a buildable lot which was questioned by the family. They were also concerned about how any building would affect an underground drainage pipe that borders the properties. The PB related zoning info pertinent to the lot. It seems it is not actually large enough to build a permanent structure. The issue will be referred to the code enforcement officer and town attorney.

Todd informed the board about our committee meeting with the Romulus PB committee concerning zoning issues in the Seneca Army Depot. They have similar thoughts about the possibilities of development on this land and how it may impact new tax revenues. Todd produced a map of the depot with current and possible uses for certain areas. Opening County Rd 135 and fencing one or both sides was discussed. Mr. Aronson is going to meet with the Romulus committee to devise a usage map for them. A couple more committee meetings are scheduled.

We then discussed our priorities for zoning needs over the next six months. The consensus of the board is to work immediately on designating and defining a small portion of the depot in the SE corner that NE Freight is currently using. It is our goal to geographically map this area, designate allowed uses, define what is not allowed and protect the values important to the community. Our goal is to have this accomplished by the June meeting and move it forward for a public hearing.

When this goal is accomplished we will turn our attention to completing the section on PUD’s. This should not take more than three meetings. From that point we will move on to reconsider zoning in regard to the old army depot.

For homework board members are to research zoning information that would be comparable to the depot area we would like to rezone. Some suggested towns were Geneva, Windsor, and the Corning area. Our goal is to integrate light industry, transportation, and rail enterprises without adversely impacting the conservation area of the depot.

Todd also informed the board of an upcoming educational course in May. Four members will attend.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 – motion made by Linda, seconded by Bill.

Respectfully submitted,

Barry Somerville, secretary

Approved Minutes PB 2/28/13

Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm. Members present: Hershey S, Todd H, David K, Barry S, Linda M.

Motion was received by Dave K to accept the previous meeting minutes, second by Hershey S, approved by all.

Guest speaker – Bruce Habberfield from Finger Lakes Railway. Bob Hayssen was also present to meet with Mr. Habberfield and our board.

Todd H informed the board of meetings he held with Bob Aronson, Tom Bouchard and Bill Karlsen. He and Bob discussed possible development for the Depot area of Varick and drew up some of these ideas on an area map. These will be copied and distributed to board members at the next meeting.

Todd met with Tom and Bill to discuss possible zoning changes for the depot. Later we proposed a joint committee to exchange ideas about this issue. Two PB members and the chair from each board would meet on March 21. Linda M and Hershey S volunteered from our board. Todd will contact Tom to confirm a meeting.

Bruce Habberfield informed us where FL Railway would build a possible spur to come into the Romulus side of the depot. This would cut off about 4 miles of travel for trains. Rail business would open up the SW and SE sections of the depot in Varick on either side of the rail loop which needs to be considered for zoning. He gave us a brief history of the FLR and how it strategically connects to other rail systems in the state. The depot is strategically located as a hub for the transfer of numerous goods such as agriculture, lumber, plastic resins, sand and pipe for shale drilling. It would have a low impact on the community since this part of the depot is largely out of sight. Bruce is going to work up a site map to give us an idea of how the current facilities could be used and accommodate certain businesses.

The board discussed the need of solving the issue of zoning for NE Freight. It seems we will need to do this in two stages. First, address the needs of this company and zone a commercial area that will allow them to continue business in the town. Second, address the need to rezone sections of the depot other than conservation. This stage will take longer because there are numerous issues to consider.

In regard to the first stage we need to specify a name for a zoning area that will accommodate NE Freight as well as other appropriate businesses. We then need to define the permissible uses for this area and fully map it out. Then the normal procedures for approval will be followed.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 – motion made by Linda, second by Barry, approved by all.

Next meeting is scheduled for March 28.

Respectfully submitted,

Barry Somerville, secretary