PB minutes 2/27/14

Draft Copy PB Minutes 2/27/14

Meeting opened at 7 pm, all members present.

Previous minutes were read. Tom mentioned one sentence needed to be changed. The following sentence in the PUD paragraph - Residential is allowed in this area but we believe it is inappropriate for PUD development – should read – This area is inappropriate for PUD development. Tom moved to approve minutes with this change, Hershey seconded, all approved.

Todd shared changes that were made to the Depot Zoning map that extends some of the AR areas. This was accomplished in the ad hoc committee meeting just prior to our PB meeting.

We put off work on PUD’s to work more on the depot rezoning project. Information from the ad hoc committee was forwarded to us via email. We are to review this info and be ready to finish up our input at the next PB meeting.

We were presented with the Town of Romulus application for special use permits. We read through the document and made appropriate changes to adopt for the Town of Varick. Todd wrote down revisions that were made and Linda will work on rewriting them for Varick’s special use permit. We also used Addendum A and the Agricultural Data Statement. Only minor changes are needed in these documents.

Our homework for next meeting is to thoroughly review the documents received from Barbara Johnson and the ad hoc zoning committee. We especially need to focus on the definitions section and special use criteria. Our next meeting will be held 3/13/14 at 6:00 pm to finalize language on these issues.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm, motion made by Linda, seconded by Tom.

Respectfully submitted,

Barry Somerville, secretary

PB minutes 1/30/14

Draft Copy PB Meeting 1/30/14

Meeting opened at 7:15 pm. All present except Todd and Linda. Tom acted as temporary chair in Todd’s absence.

Hershey made a motion to accept the minutes from last month, Dave seconded, motion passed.

We reviewed the informational meeting about the proposed rezoning of the depot area. All seemed happy with the positive feedback from the meeting. The proposal had general public approval, especially the possibility of a county road cutting through the depot from Rt. 96 to Rt. 96a.

One question that was brought up at the meeting concerned who is responsible if land is purchased and later found to have hazardous waste or some other clean up issue. Tom informed us that it would go back to the Army as the responsible party for dealing with such problems.

We also discussed the conservation area and the white deer population.

Bill brought up the need to give more details for the process of obtaining a zoning compliance permit. This was duly noted by Tom and will be adapted at some future date to make online applications easier.

Discussion turned back to PUD’s and if they should be allowed in the WITE (warehouse, industrial, transportation, energy) area of the depot rezoning. Residential is allowed in this area but we believe it is inappropriate for PUD development. This will be added to the use table section 308.

We talked about possibilities of expanding AG area farther east or Conservation farther south in the Varick zone.

We reviewed our thoughts on density issues for PUD’s to bring Dave up to speed.

Hershey and Dave needed to leave early so we dismissed at 8:28. Motion for adjournment was made by Bill, seconded by Dave.

Respectfully submitted,

Barry Somerville, secretary

PB minutes 11/21/13

Draft Copy PB Minutes 11/21/13

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm, all members present.

Previous meeting minutes approved – motion made by Dave, second by Tom.

Old business – Todd updated us about last meeting for depot rezoning. He forwarded to PB an email from Barbara Johnston containing aerial view photos, a revised map of proposed zoning districts, and a list of proposed zoning districts and outline of proposed uses. Barbara also included her next steps for the project.

Tom suggested contacting Derek Simmonds (economic developer with Seneca county, 539-9251, dcs285@cornell.edu) to give us a land use perspective.

A question was raised concerning the maps of the area in Steve Absalom’s office. The town might like to claim ownership. What would be the procedure for acquiring them?

We then returned to work on PUD language for our zoning code. We discussed adding a sentence concerning how a PUD will contribute to the aesthetic profile of the community. We want to be sure that such developments enhance the appearance of the area. This will be included as item 8 under section 311.18 part E.

A question was also raised about height restrictions. This is likely covered under the current code.

We returned to section 404.2 and worked on Special Use Permit language. We are forwarding to Harriet some questions about the possibility of the PB having sole authority to handle area variances with the special use permit for PUD’s.

 The requirement in this section for a public hearing within 30 days of receiving a special permit was discussed. This led to a consideration of having a pre-application meeting to help applicants be sure they have all necessary information to submit a special use application that will not be rejected. It seems we should devise a step by step procedure that will be mandatory for special use applications. We will ask Harriet for information on what these steps should be as well as check other town codes. Bill read part of the procedure used by the town of Windsor.

We worked on language for section 311.18, D. Elements of Approval, part 3. We discussed the approval process for PUD’s that contain phases of development; the possibility of deadlines and transferability. We agreed that such plans be approved for a five year period. If significant progress is being made the permit will be extended for another five years. We also discussed what should happen if the original contractor is unable to complete the plan – can the permit be transferred to a new contractor. We agreed this was allowable because it is the plan being approved rather than the contractor. However, it will be necessary to review paperwork and be sure that the original special use be complied with. Any significant changes would require a new special use permit.

We left off working on this section. We also agreed to reconsider terminology in section E, number 8 that we added in the meeting.

Next meeting will be Dec. 19. Adjournment moved by Hershey, seconded by Linda.

Respectfully submitted,

Barry Somerville, secretary