Town of Hartwick Planning Board
August 5, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Call to order 7 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance.
Attendance:
Board Members: F. Thering, T. Schlesier, V. Rozella, G. Horth, P. Ingalls, A. Thomas. Others: N. McManus, Z. Hart.
Minutes of Last Meeting:
A. Thomas made a motion to approve the minutes as written. V. Rozella seconded. Vote - all ayes. Motion carried.
Correspondence:
Letter received from Terry Bliss announcing Public Information Presentation - Governmental Regulation of Gas Drilling Operations to be held at Oneonta High School on Wed. August 6th. A few members of the Board plan to attend the meeting, and will report to the Board.
Letters received from Gloria Waro and Alex Thomas regarding Greystone Building use of parking lot for commuters to Bassett Hospital. A. Thomas stated that he had not intended his email correspondence to be a part of the agenda, but that he is concerned the change in use causes a large impact. V. Rozella - suggested sending a letter to Bassett asking them to attend a PB meeting if they plan to utilize the property as a commuter lot in the future. A. Thomas said this is the second time the PB has had concern regarding the commuters from the Town of Hartwick to Cooperstown. There needs to be some coordination between Cooperstown and Hartwick in the planning of trolley stops and commuter lots. He suggested sending a letter to the Village of Cooperstown as well stating that the Town of Hartwick Planning Board should be a part of the planning. T. Schlesier made a motion to send letters to James Seward, Village of Cooperstown, NYSDOT and Bassett Hospital outlining the PB concerns. A. Thomas seconded. Vote - all ayes. Motion carried. A. Thomas will write the letters.
Public Comment:
Anita Briggs thinks Hartwick should charge. She received a $35. ticket for parking in Doubleday Parking Lot and couldn't find the box to pay. She feels they should build a parking garage.
Orin Higgins stated that any subdivision of any size where a road is created becomes a major subdivision. T. Schlesier questioned definition of road and reason. O. Higgins read the full definition of a major subdivision from the subdivision regulations.
Enforcement Officer Report:
N. McManus met with L. Green, Town Council, regarding the Beaver Valley signs. He will send a letter to Beaver Valley regarding the two small signs to be corrected. V. Rozella questions sign on County Route 11. A. Briggs asked v. Rozella to recuse himself. V. Rozella stated he was referring to the sign law only. G. Horth stated off site signs are to be half the size of onsite signs. Discussion of whether L. Green has reported to the Town Board and has the TB made a decision.
Real Property Changes:
Carius - Hal Carius submitted an application for a major subdivision in 2007 that he rescinded in March 2008 and replaced with an application for a simple split of his property on County Route 11 and Persons Road. The March minutes read:
Hal Carius is withdrawing his previous site plan application. Z. Hart returned check. H. Carius explained the new line for a simple split. New lots to be 25 +/- and 200 +/- acres. A. Ford asked if the new line has been surveyed. Carius answered no. PB Members discussed the road to be on one or the other parcel. The road is not to be a separate parcel. V. Rozella made a motion to approve the simple split application as submitted pending survey, to split parcel Tax Map # 129.00-1-39.241 into one parcel of approximately 25 +/- acres and one parcel approximately 200 +/- acres. A. Thomas seconded. H. Carius and his wife return to the PB with mylar of survey in hand. The mylar was given to the Planning Board Chair G. Horth mid-month, who discussed the survey with Town Council. The survey is only of the 43.442 +/- acres and has been amended to contain specific stipulations suggested by L. Green, Town of Hartwick Council. Those specifications include:
‘Road Notes:
1. There will be no further curb cuts to service either the 170 +/- acres or the 42 +/- acre parcel.
2. New Roadway shown on survey map from County Route 11 shall be sole service road to 170 +/- acre parcel.
3. New roadway shall be 20 feet in width.
4. New roadway shall not be a cul-de-sac.'
V. Rozella made a motion to accept the simple split application as presented; to split parcel Tax Map#129.00-1-39.241 into one parcel of approximately 43.442 +/- acres containing the road and one parcel of approximately 170 +/- acres containing stipulations for deed restrictions. Discussion of road and whether it meets Thering Road. Hal Carius is building the road and will retain ownership of the road with his 43 +/- acres. H. Carius stated the larger lot will be sold off and the owner can utilize the road or build their own. He is building the road to be 20 feet wide and it will not meet Thering Road.
Signs:
V. Rozella questioned whether the nonconforming signs on Route 28 have been resolved since the July 15, 2008 special meeting of the Town Board and Planning Board. N. McManus stated he was not aware and had not been contacted. It was the understanding of those present at the meeting that the Town Board would follow-up with the Code Enforcement Officer. The Members of the Planning Board asked N. McManus to write a letter to Fly Creek Cider Mill regarding their nonconforming sign. P. Ingalls suggested writing a letter to Brockman regarding several small signs including Jackie's Restaurant. G. Horth to give N. McManus the list of signs discussed at the meeting and found to be in noncompliance during his survey on July 4, 2008. A. Thomas suggested that a letter to businesses and or article in the newspaper be written next spring before or as the new sign law goes into effect to inform of the changes.
Site Plan Review
Carentz - Willam Carentz Jr. has asked the Planning Board to evaluate his plan to operate a part-time auto repair businesses out of his home garage on County Route 11. W. Carentz is requesting a letter from the PB of its decision to be forwarded to the DMV, so that he may obtain licensing. The Board discussed definition of change of use, the driveway that appears to be on his father's property, the disposal of waste and whether the business will require a sign and to be located on his father's parcel. V. Rozella made a motion to have this project go through site plan review. Discussion. V. Rozella rescinded the motion and made a motion asking Wm. Carentz to meet the Planning Board at the September meeting to discuss his plans.
Sign Law:
Members discussed the need to address a sunset clause to address signs that existed legally before and will not after the new sign law is in place. Discussion of the State regulating variances and the variances go with the property. P. Ingalls would like a legal adviser at the meetings when discussing the changes to the sign law. A. Thomas suggested that as the TB looks for individuals to fill the alternate member positions they look for those with legal expertise. P. Ingalls suggested the flags be described as two governmental flags and one business flag so as not to have three business flags or discriminate.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
