Town of Hartwick Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
October 7, 2008
Meeting called to order at 7p.m.
Attendance: P. Ingalls, F. Thering, V. Rozella, G. Horth, A. Thomas, Z. Hart and N. McManus.
Chair, Greg Horth stated that the Town Board addressed the PB member vacancy and the two alternate member vacancies at the recent TB meeting. If anyone has suggestions of candidates please forward names to the Town Board Members.
Minutes of the Last Meeting
Alex Thomas made a motion to approve the minutes as written with changes. F. Thering seconded. Vote: ayes 6, nays 0, abstain 0. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Letter from Donald Elliott regarding building a second seasonal cabin. Planning Board Members ask that he come to the next meeting to discuss sketch plan.
Public Comment - there being none.
Local Laws Enforcement Officer Report
N. McManus stated The Pit Stop owners would like to replace the sign on their building with the same size sign. They are asking if they need to submit an application to the Planning Board. A. Thomas stated that if the sign is the same size there is no need to resubmit an application. If the sign is different in size or type, they will need to submit a sign application. P. Ingalls and V. Rozella agreed.
Sign Applications
Realty USA - The sign application has been modified to be an overall height of 6 feet. V. Rozella made a motion to accept and approve the modified Realty USA sign application as presented. A. Thomas seconded. Vote: Ingalls -aye, Thering - aye, Rozella - aye, Horth - aye, Thomas - aye. Motion carried.
Sketch Plan Review
Templeton Foundation - Dave Karl presented changes to the sketch plan for the use of the Greystone Building. The changes include the clinics will now be the pain management clinics and not dialysis and a reduction in utilized space. The generator will now be only required for lights. Discussion of traffic and driveway curves. D. Karl shares the Board's concern and in the future may incorporate widening of the driveway. Addressing the Board's concern for the short term use of the Greystone Building parking lot as a commuter lot, explained the Village of Cooperstown declared an emergency use of the blue lot for the Hall of Fame game. A. Thomas stated it would be good to have all parties sit down to discuss the plan prior to executing again. V. Rozella commented that the building has an ice build up problem and the porch increases safety. P. Ingalls asked about the amount of traffic to be generated from the 80 parking spots. He questioned if the 80 spots will be enough when all of the building space is utilized. D. Karl stated the front lawn will be the septic area and with a reduced need for water there will be no need for a second well.
Sign application for this project will request a variance for the 68 square foot sign. D. Karl stated they would like to wrap an anticipation opening date banner over the bottom half of the sign. A. Thomas stated that he could claim a hardship to replace the entire existing sign structure to bring it into compliance. P. Ingalls stated he does not see a problem with the size. A. Thomas commented it may appear odd if the size of the sign is reduced. P. Ingalls asked if there will be any evening clinics. D. Karl answered no, the building will close around five p.m. N. McManus stated that according to the sign ordinance lighted signs are to be turned off at close of business hours or at 9 p.m. which ever is later. G. Horth questioned the size of the fuel tank. D. Karl answered enough to run 8 hours.
A. Thomas made a motion that the amended sketch plan does not appear to be a change of use and does not require site plan review. V. Rozella seconded. Vote: Ingalls -aye, Thering - aye, Rozella - aye, Horth - aye, Thomas - aye. Motion carried.
Development Projects
Brockman Rental Units - Dennis Brockman stated he will submit a sign application later. His current sign will be up for three more weeks. He will probably add a 4 ft by 4 ft sign on the face of the building and two signs for the two businesses out at the street. The street signs may be 3 ft by 4 ft each and then 2 ft by 2 ft seasonal signs for the six month businesses. D. Brockman will take the signs down at the end of the six months. G. Horth summarized the sign ordinance allows one sign on the building, one free standing sign and one off site sign. P. Ingalls suggested placing both signs on the same sign board for less clutter. V. Rozella stated that D. Brockman needs to figure out what he is going to do and then submit a sign application for the Board to review and discuss.
Dennis Brockman stated he is planning to add an ice cream business with specific space in his barn dedicated to the business. He has submitted a request to a company for the layout. He will need an additional 500 sq ft inside the barn for the ice cream shop. The plan requires fire walls installed. The porch already exits. D. Brockman will remove the foundation structure on the side of the barn and then rebuild to within one foot of the original foundation foot print. V. Rozella made a motion to accept change to the site plan as presented provided that the Dennis Brockman seeks approval of Otsego County Codes and the NYS Department of Health and all necessary permits required by all agencies. F. Thering seconded. Vote: Ingalls -aye, Thering - aye, Rozella - aye, Horth - aye, Thomas - aye. Motion carried.
National Softball Diamonds
Apell & Osborne representing the Cooperstown Property Group have asked to be rescheduled for the November meeting.
Dreams Park Baseball Camp
G. Horth stated he had been contacted by Otsego County Codes Officer regarding a current request for building permit. The Officer would like to know if the Planning Board considers this a change of use. Discussion of what constitutes change of use. A. Thomas made a motion that the Planning Board does not need to review the site plan as this is not a change of use for the storage facility, the G1 and G buildings. P. Ingalls seconded. Vote: Ingalls -aye, Thering - aye, Rozella - aye, Horth - aye, Thomas - aye. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Liz Fury updated the Board on her current student project.
Workshop Meeting
Reminder that there will be a workshop meeting on Tuesday October 14th to work on the sign ordinance.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
