The regular meeting of the Town of Maine Planning Board was held on Monday, December 1, 2008 at the Town of Maine Town Hall.
Members Present: Acting Chairman Bruce Pomeroy Pete Supa Liz Coyne John Zunic Elena Steele David Albright
AD HOC Jeremy Davey
Acting Chairman Pomeroy called the Planning Board meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the pledge to the flag.
Open Floor on items on agenda
A gentleman wanted to know what the purpose of the planning board was. He also wanted to know why the Pizza Business has opened? Why does anyone need to come before the Planning Board since this business has opened. The gentleman also questioned the proposed parking law. It sounded like the proposals makes the required parking places less. It is a parking nightmare at the Pizza Business. Why did he have to go through the Planning Board and ZBA process. Acting Chairman Pomeroy stated that the Planning board's purpose is to approve site plans. A site plan approval hasn't been given for this piece of property. The second part of this gentleman's question of why this business is open and doing business should be directed to the Town Supervisor and Town Attorney. Boardmember Zunic stated that the proposed parking law was not made specifically for this person.
Supervisor Ludington arrived.
The gentleman asked the Supervisor Ludington his questions. Supervisor Ludington stated that the Proposed parking law would be heard at the Town Board meeting December 9th. The gentleman wanted to know how the proposed parking law would affect retail business. Parking hasn't been an issue before this proposed law.
The Planning Board's recommendation to the Town Board with regard for the proposed parking law included that the Town Board review the data collected by the Code Enforcer before they approved the proposed law. This law is designed for future development/business that would come into the town, especially in the Main Street area.
The Planning Board can only approve Site plans. Enforcing any violations are up to the Town Board and Code Enforcer.
Discussion followed as to what effect the Proposed Parking law would have on current businesses in town. It is up to the Town Board to review the parking law with the recommendations from the Planning Board. The gentleman again stated that this law didn't need to be changed. This law would legitimize anyone who is not in compliance.
The code enforcer needs more teeth with enforcing violations and needs guidelines to follow with regard to Site plans.
Closed Floor on items on agenda
OLD BUSINESS
•a. Review and approval of the November 3, 2008 minutes.
Boardmember Steele would like to correct the spelling of Attorney Insignia to Insinga. There is additional wording on page 4 that needs to be deleted under section d. Boardmember Steele would like to add correct punctuation on page 2, second to last paragraph, "general use law". Boardmember Zunic stated on page 3, 5th paragraph, first sentence, delete the word how. Also, change the word that to and in the last sentence. Boardmember Steele would like to delete was in the 2nd paragraph, first sentence. Boardmember Pomeroy would like to change on page 4, 3rd paragraph the wording cite violation to citation of violation.
Chairman Pomeroy asked for a motion to accept the November 3, 2008 minutes with corrections. Boardmember Zunic made a motion to accept the November 3, 2008 minutes with corrections. Boardmember Coyne seconded.
Roll call: Supa - aye Zunic - aye Coyne - aye
Albright - abstain Davey - abstain Steele - aye
Pomeroy - aye
•b. Site Plan review - Lopiccolo no additional information
•c. 5+ acre land developments
•d. Enhancements to the town - special events, street lamps, sidewalks.
Boardmember Albright made a motion to hold over items d & e until next month's meeting. Seconded by Boardmember Supa.
Roll call - Pomeroy - aye Zunic - aye Supa - aye Steele - aye Davey - aye Albright - aye
Coyne - aye
Motion passed unanimously.
The discussion of whether a municipal lot could be developed in the town for parking issues continued. Possibilities include the Town park behind the Catholic church and the Davey property.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Zoning Text Change Recommendation - The basis for this proposed law is the Broome County wants to build up at the Airport. They want to start putting in hotel, business and the County would assume responsibility of water and sewer. They want to encourage growth in this area. This proposed law would allow, under certain circumstances, B-1 and B-2 uses in an Industrial District. The Planning board felt that the stricter B-1 and B-2 requirements should apply. Will there be any benefit to the town by doing this? Would there be any taxes to the town or concessions to the Town of Maine. The town would benefit indirectly by the additional people coming to the area or, additional businesses to the town to support development at the airport. This allows flexibility under the ID category.
A motion was made by Boardmember Albright to recommend that the Town Board approve the proposed zoning text change to amend the Zoning Law to allow, under certain circumstances, B-1 and B-2 uses in an Industrial District. Seconded by Boardmember Davey.
Roll Call: Pomeroy - aye Albright - aye Supa - aye
Zunic - aye Davey - aye Coyne - aye
Steele - aye
B. Rezone one parcel from R-R to Industrial recommendation
There is the potential for further development in the Airport. There could be immediate and long term benefits to the town. It would be nice if the Town helped the County that the County would help the town. Is there any bargaining chip to run the water district up the Airport Corridor? Has the range of benefits that the Town could reap been addressed? The Planning Board reviewed the tax map to see where exactly this piece of property was located. The board asked Supervisor Ludington to make sure that the Town gets the best deal or perks that may be included in future developments.
A motion was made by Boardmember Coyne to recommend to the Town Board to approve the proposed rezoning one parcel from R-R to Industrial. Seconded by Boardmember Albright.
Roll Call: Pomeroy - aye Albright - aye Supa - aye
Zunic - aye Davey - aye Coyne - aye
Steele - aye
Discussion followed for clarification of what requirements would be used in the B1, B2 or ID districts as it pertains to the Zone Text Change proposal. The board agreed that the stricter requirements would apply.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Education Seminars -
Coughlin & Gerhardt- November 15, 2008 - Boardmember Pomeroy brought 3 items to the boards' attention that was emphasized at this workshop.
•1. To put teeth into laws - The Town Board can choose to do an injunction.
•2. Board, individually or collectively, can be sued. It was suggested that a Personal liability riders might be bought by the boardmembers.
•3. Public Forum - the board doesn't have the right to ask people to identify themselves, nor do they have to identify themselves.
Upcoming events
January 5, 2009 meeting
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Pomeroy asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Boardmember Coyne made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Boardmember Davey seconded.
Roll Call: Pomeroy -aye Supa - aye Zunic - aye
Coyne - aye Davey - aye Steele - aye Albright - aye
Motion passed unanimously.
The Planning Board meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Date Approved:
Diana Lenzo - Planning Secretary
