COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING

STEERING COMMITTEE

 

MINUTES

MAY 1, 2006

 

 

Present: Comprehensive Planning Steering Committee: Rick Smith, Dave Wood, Al LaRue, Gary Vanderhorst, Dawn Szurek, Dave Adams, Sally Ellms, Christy Schrader, Maria McCulloch, Lynda Battenhausen, Marv Schorr, Dot Mitchell.  Town Board: Alan Grattidge, Bruce Gardner, Sandy Verola, Bob Lippiello, Doug Salisbury.  Planning Board:  Mark Hodgkins, Jay Wilkinson, Susan York, Secretary.  Citizens:  Jeff Gregg, Jerry Belisle and Mary Kadlechek.

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Dave Wood. 

 

The first order of business was to approve the minutes of last months meeting.  Marv Schorr made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Gary Vanderhorst seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Dave Wood condensed the Goals and Objectives into a document that was user friendly and tried to eliminate duplication.  He went through the recommendations and after each topic there would be discussion.  The first topic Dave read through was Agriculture and Farmland.   Christy Schrader suggested adding a tax advantage to landowners for preserving open space, and not just landowners who rent their land for farm use.  Al LaRue suggested putting a minimum lot size on this tax advantage.  After discussion it was suggested using a 25 acre minimum lot size for this tax advantage.  All agreed this should be included, and that the more appropriate section to include this would be under Open Space/Environmental Resources. 

 

The next topic was Open Space/Environmental Resources.   It was recommended by Dave Adams that the first item under Open Space - (Place more emphasis on building sites to include…), be moved to the last item under Zoning Ordinance and subdivision regulations.   It was also suggested that this item remain with a notation that it is also repeated under Zoning Ordinance and subdivision regulations.   

 

Under “assure storm water discharges comply with DEC regulations”, it was agreed upon to add “comply with all local and DEC regulations.  Regarding “ask for oil/water separators from parking lots in areas using well water”, it was agreed to delete this item because it will fall under complying with DEC regulations. 

 

Dave Adams recommended that under “ask for conservation and cluster designs…” that cluster be removed.  All agreed.  Dave also suggested putting in a statement at the end which states submittals need to be in accordance with PUD requirements.  All agreed. 

 

It was suggested by Dave Adams to include the non-farm tax advantage incentive for preserving open space in this section, and wording to include the 25 acre minimum requirement. 

 

The item that states “consider the use of large diameter cul-de-sacs to minimize road cuts...” should also include guidelines on the length of the road into the cul-de-sac.  It was suggested this item be moved into either Roads and Pathways or Zoning Ordinance and subdivisions regulations. 

 

Dave Adams had a few items he wanted the committee to consider adding to the Plan.  One is to amend zoning to require developers to submit information on how they will ensure the availability of sufficient water and water quality on property to be developed and on surrounding occupied properties.  He suggested this item go under Zoning Ordinance and subdivision regulations.  Another suggestion Dave had was that the town water district commissioners should determine if the modification of the water district regulations is necessary to restrict usage of public water supplies during water emergencies local to the Town of Charlton.  Currently the water supply comes from Glenville and if they have a water emergency and they put restrictions on water use, those same restrictions apply to Charlton.  He suggests Charlton have their own emergency restrictions.  After discussion with the committee, it was decided that this suggestion should be brought up to the water district and not be a separate item in this document.  Another item that Dave suggested go under Open Space/Environmental Resources or under Zoning Ordinance and subdivision regulations is to amend the zoning to include the latest minimum separation distances for wells as required by NYS regulation.  The current zoning is out of date. 

 

Jeff Gregg asked if consideration has been given to mapping important town areas such as ecological, environmental, wildlife corridors, ground water, wetlands, etc.  Dave said locating and mapping desirable areas in town with more water, less water, scenic views, etc., has been debated.  The general consensus is to not get site specific for the fear that landowners rights may be infringed upon.  Marv told Jeff there are overlay maps that show natural characteristics on wetlands, streams, etc.

 

Dave Adams suggested setting up an open space acquisition fund in the Town budget that wouldn’t result in any new town taxes unless the voters approved them.  He feels this should be in the Plan so the Town Board can give consideration to this when budgeting funds.  Alan Grattidge believes this makes sense and that the Board can consider making it a budget item in the future if necessary. 

 

The next category was Historic buildings and Landmarks.  Under the first paragraph which reads “Form an advisory committee…” the third line down should be changed to add, …”study other sites worth of preservation including, but not limited to, the former hamlets…”.  Everyone agreed.  Dot Mitchell suggested instead of forming an advisory committee, add people to the existing historic committee who have expertise in certain fields.  They wouldn’t have to attend every meeting; just be called upon when their expertise is needed.   Dave Wood asked Dot and Sandy Verola to work on rewording this. 

 

Under “Provide information and assistance”… it was agreed to add wording so that it reads, “Provide information and assistance for application to local, state, and the national historic register for historic buildings and sites.”

 

Community Pride and Citizen Involvement was the next topic.  The committee had no changes.

 

Roads and Pathways followed.  Under the third paragraph, “Assure adequate dimensions of cul-de-sacs…”, it was suggested including an asterisk (*) to note that this item or concept could be in more than one location, stating this particular topic could be appropriate in another section, so that those reading the Plan know that this topic is repeated.  Everyone agreed.  There were no other comments for this topic.

 

The next topic was Zoning Ordinance and subdivision regulations.  Under the first paragraph, first sentence, remove the words clustering for so the sentence reads, “Allow the use of Planned Unit Developments (PUD) to provide for conservation subdivisions designed to protect farmland, environmental resources and open spaces.”    

 

On the second page of this topic, the 5^th paragraph, 3^rd line in, the word stands should be included so the sentence reads,…”stands and whether major farm stands should contain…”. 

 

Alan Grattidge asked if the idea of the PUD was to have another mechanism for the Town Board to review a project when it comes in, and then pass it on to the Planning board for review.  Dave Adams said that the PUD would initially come before the Town Board and if they think it’s a good idea, they would pass it on to the Planning Board for their review and a recommendation back to the Town Board for approval or disapproval.   The idea behind the PUD is to allow flexibility to what is in the zoning ordinance for developments.  The developer would have to show that there is enough water supply and that the septic systems would function properly.  Dave said an incentive bonus could be given to the developer to do these things and he also said that the overall density could not be greater than what is presently allowed by the zoning ordinance.  Alan stated the Planning Board attorney said you can tailor fit how you want them to be on an individual basis.  It was suggested to put wording in the zoning ordinance that states allowing a specific PUD does not set a precedent for the future.  

 

Dave Adams said he would be willing to further organize this section of Zoning Ordinance and subdivision regulations.

 

Dave Wood read a letter from Ray Black, Chairman of the Planning Board.  The recommendations from the Planning Board were read to the committee.  There were many good suggestions from the Planning Board, and after discussion, the committee feels they have covered and/or included most of the suggestions into the goals. 

 

There was a discussion about walking trails in Charlton and the possibility of linking land together so people have places to walk.  It was believed that residents would use walking trails as opposed to another park.  Charlton doesn’t have any abandoned railroad rights-of-way that would make logical paths or walking trails.  There are no obvious places in the town to put walking trails. 

 

Dave Wood said he and Dave Adams, and any one else who would like to, will summarize the comments from tonight’s meeting and they will have it ready for the June meeting.  If anyone else has any more comments, they should get them to Dave Wood by May 15^th.   If the committee is satisfied with the revisions at the June 1^st meeting, it was suggested that the next logical step would be to have Nan put the information together so the committee can review it at the July 1^st meeting.  If the document Nan gives the committee is suitable, then a public hearing can be set.  Everyone agreed to keep the same format that was used at tonight’s meeting.  It was felt that it was more user-friendly. 

 

Dave Adams reminded the group that even though some items that were discussed previously by the committee are not included in the comprehensive plan, the items that were felt to be important are in a category for future consideration and should be at the end of the comprehensive plan. 

 

Alan Grattidge said that after the Plan moves into the adoption phase, the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee will need to begin their work on reviewing/revising the Zoning Ordinance. 

 

A motion was made by Al LaRue to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Marv Schorr.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.