DRAFT
Town of Essex Planning Board
MINUTES
Public Hearing Meeting
April 17, 2014
Essex Town Hall
7:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Chairman Van Hoven called the Public Hearing Meeting of the Planning Board to order at 7:05 p.m. and led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Attendance
Present: Thomas Stransky, Chairman James Van Hoven, Derrick Wrisley, Janellen Fortune, Olive Alexander Catherine DeWolff, Planning Board Secretary
Absent: H. Nicholas Muller, III, Nancy Dougal, David Hislop and Mark Walker
Also present: Sharon Boisen, Gert Thorn, Emily Phillips, Joe DiNapoli, Gary Heurich and Lauren Murphy, the Town Code Enforcement Officer
Chairman Van Hoven asked if anyone was recording our meeting tonight. Sharon Boisen responded that she was recording the meeting. The Chairman advised Mrs. Boisen that we digitally record our meetings and the recordings are available to the public. Mrs. Boisen responded that she is aware of the FOIA process but her FOIA requests to the town has not yet been met so she will be recording the meeting.
Chairman Van Hoven advised the attendees of the Public Hearing that we have four hearings scheduled tonight. Because Sean Kullman is not here to represent the Schmitt-s we cannot hold that hearing. Further, if Sean Kullman does show up prior to the end of the Regular Meeting, we will reconvene the public hearing.
Public Hearings
Tax Map #49.7-4-4.000 Thorn – 87 Wildacres, Essex NY 12936
Site Plan Review – Deck renovation
The Chairman asked if there was any comment from the Public. With no response, the Chairman asked for a motion to close the Thorn Public Hearing. On a motion by Mr. Wrisley to close the public hearing, seconded by Mrs. Alexander, the Thorn Public Hearing is closed by majority vote: Aye-5 No-0
Tax Map #49.4-1-2.130 Heurich – Silver Birch, Albee Lane at Lighthouse Way, Essex, NY 12936
Site Plan Review – 36- x 54- Barn on 23.7 acres to be used for storage.
The Chairman asked if there was any comment from the Public. With no response, the Chairman asked for a motion to close the Heurich Public Hearing. On a motion by Mrs. Alexander to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Wrisley, the Heurich Public Hearing is closed by majority vote: Aye-5 No-0
Tax Map #40.65-3-3.000 (owner is Halpin) Adirondack Art Association, Lessee, 2754 Essex Road, Essex, NY 12936
Special Use Permit
Chairman Van Hoven advised that since this is a change of use from residential to commercial, a Special Use Permit is required by the Planning Board. The Chairman asked that the record show that Joe DiNapoli appeared as representative for the Art Association at the request of Janice Koenig.
There was a discussion by a Board Member of the parking situation in front of the building. The Chairman reminded the Board that this is the Public Hearing . A member of the public spoke in favor of the action. The Chairman asked for a motion to close the Art Association Public Hearing. On a motion by Mr. Wrisley to close the public hearing, seconded by Mrs. Fortune, the vote to close the public hearing is unanimous: Aye-5 No-0
Adjournment
With all of the Hearings closed by motion, The Public Hearings meeting is adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Catherine DeWolff, Secretary
DRAFT
Town of Essex Planning Board
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
April 17, 2014
Essex Town Hall
7:00 p.m.
Call to Order
Chairman Van Hoven called the Regular Meeting of the Town of Essex Planning Board to Order.
Attendance
Present: Thomas Stransky, Chairman James Van Hoven, Derrick Wrisley, Janellen Fortune, Olive Alexander, Catherine DeWolff, Planning Board Secretary
Absent: H. Nicholas Muller, III, Nancy Dougal, David Hislop and Mark Walker
Also present: Sharon Boisen, Gert Thorn, Emily Phillips, Joe DiNapoli, Gary Heurich and Lauren Murphy, the Town Code Enforcement Officer
Approval of minutes of March 20, 2014
On a motion to accept the minutes of March 20, 2014 by Mr. Stransky, seconded by Mrs. Alexander, the minutes of March 20, 2014, are approved by vote: Aye-4 No-0 Abstain-1, Chairman Van Hoven abstained from the vote as he was not present for the March 20th meeting.
Old Business – Approval of Draft Permits
2014-4: Tax Map #40.73-3-7.000 Schmitt – 22 Beggs Park Street, Essex, NY 12936 – No action taken.
2014-5: Tax Map #49.7-4-4.000 Thorn – 87 Wildacres, Essex NY 12936
Site Plan Review – Deck renovation
The SEQRA review was conducted by the Planning Board. On a motion to deem the application a negative declaration by Mrs. Alexander, seconded by Mrs. Fortune, the motion carried by unanimous vote: Aye-5 No-0
The draft permit was discussed and the Board agreed to condition the permit that the project will begin this summer and will have 18 months to complete. On a motion to accept the draft permit as amended by Mr. Stransky, seconded by Mr. Wrisley, the motion carried by unanimous vote: Aye-5 No-0 Tax
2014-6: Tax Map #49.4-1-2.130 Heurich – Silver Birch, Albee Lane at Lighthouse Way, Essex, NY 12936
Site Plan Review – 36- x 54- Barn on 23.7 acres to be used for storage.
The SEQRA review was conducted by the Planning Board. On a motion to deem the application a negative declaration by Mr. Stransky, seconded by Mrs. Alexander, the motion carried by unanimous vote: Aye-5 No-0
On a motion to approve the draft permit by Mrs. Alexander, seconded by Mrs. Fortune, the motion to approve the draft permit as written carried: Aye-5 No-0
2014-7: Tax Map #49.4-1-2.160 Split Rock Farm to Tax Map #49.4-1-2.130 Silver Birch West, Albee Lane, Essex, NY 12936 Both lots owned by Gary F. Heurich
Minor Subdivision/Boundary Line Adjustment of 9 acres including Barn site and buffer between Split Rock Farm and Grog Harbor Way.
The SEQRA review was conducted by the Planning Board with the Chairman reading the long form EAF submitted by the applicant. On a motion to deem the application a negative declaration by Mr. Wrisley, seconded by Mr. Stransky, the motion carried by unanimous vote: Aye-5 No-0
On a motion to approve the draft permit as written by Mrs. Alexander, seconded by Mrs. Fortune, the motion to approve the draft permit carried: Aye-5 No-0
2014-8: Tax Map #49.4-1-9.110/49.4-1-9.120 Overlook Farm/NYS Gift to Tax Map #49.4-1-2.160 Split Rock Farm on Albee Lane, Essex, NY 12936 Both Lots owned by Gary F. Heurich
Minor Subdivision/Boundary Line Adjustment of 1 acre to move the balance of a farm road mostly on Split Rock Farm to be completely on Split Rock Farm.
Mr. Stransky asked Mr. Heurich about a wash out on the property and wondered if it was caused by the boundary line adjustments, or did it always wash out. Mr. Heurich responded he is putting in a culvert, however, he has never seen this before, and that the boundary adjustment makes it easier to maintain the ditch.
The SEQRA review was conducted by the Planning Board. On a motion to deem the application a negative declaration by Mrs. Alexander, seconded by Mr. Stransky, the motion carried: Aye-5 No-0
On a motion to approve the draft permit by Mr. Stransky, seconded by Mrs. Alexander, the motion carries by unanimous vote: Aye-5 No-0
2014-9: Tax Map #40.65-3-3.000 (owner is Halpin) Adirondack Art Association, Lessee 2754 Essex Road, Essex, NY 12936
Special Use Permit – Joe DiNapoli appeared as the representative of the Adirondack Art Association in place of Janice Koenig and at her request. The Chairman advised that this is a change of use and there is no direct impact on the property.
The SEQRA review was conducted by the Planning Board. On a motion to deem the application a negative declaration by Mr. Stransky, seconded by Mrs. Alexander, the motion carried by unanimous vote: Aye-5 No-0
The draft permit was considered. The Chairman advised that we have talked about the parking issue and there is always a parking problem in Essex. On a motion to approve the draft permit by Mrs. Fortune, seconded by Mr. Wrisley, the motion carried by unanimous vote: Aye-5 No-0
New Business
None
Report of the Chairman
Chairman Van Hoven addressed the Board regarding the new By-laws. He advised that he is having Attorney Bill Kissel review them before we adopt them and we will look at them again in May.
The Chairman went on to speak about getting the Zoning Revision worked on by him and others approved at the request of Supervisor Gardner. He further advised that the original SEQRA may have to be amended and then go to the Town Board for approval, and public hearings will need to be re-held. We will try to get that finished by September and hold the public hearings in the summer months.
There was a discussion of the Zoning Revision and if fines were in the ordinance for prosecuting code violations. The Chairman advised that we have always had fines in the zoning law and that has not changed.
Mrs. Alexander asked about the Hamlet and the Historic Districts and the expansion of same. If the Hamlet expands, does the Historic District automatically expand with it? Chairman Van Hoven responded that the revised law will combine the Hamlet and Historic Districts.
Report of the Zoning Officer
Lauren Murphy-s report was distributed to the Planning Board prior to the meeting. She advised that the Mastrovich application will come to Planning next month and possibly one other. Mr. Stransky asked Ms. Murphy if when she finds out pertinent information on a project whether or not she is required to report that information to the Planning Board. There was a discussion of whether there is any confidentiality with regard to the applications and information that Planning would need to know.
Public Comment
Adjourn
On a motion to adjourn the meeting by Mr. Stransky, seconded by Mrs. Alexander, the motion carried by unanimous vote: Aye-5 No-0
The meeting is adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine DeWolff, Secretary
