MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN OF ELLICOTT PLANNING BOARD HELD AT THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 215 SOUTH WORK STREET, FALCONER, NY 14733 ON MARCH 8, 2006 AT 7:00 P.M.

 

PRESENT: Chairman Dan Evans, Ron Calanni, Dave Carlberg, Phyllis Belin, Paul Shanahan,

                     Attorney William Wright, Code Enforcement Office Randy Woodbury and

                     Secretary Valerie Pierce.

 

ABSENT:   Gary Swanson and Mike Mogenhan

 

Chairman Evans called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

Motion made by Dave Carlberg, seconded by Phyllis Belin to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2006 meeting.

 

Carried.                      Ayes –5                             Noes-0                     Absent- 2

 

Gary Swanson entered the meeting at 7:02 PM.

 

No one was present representing the owners for the continuance of the public hearing for Linda Freedland for the timber harvest on Southwestern Drive, Jamestown, NY. Attorney Wright had talked to Attorney Scolton and he thought the Board could proceed. 

 

Chairman Evans noted no neighbors present.  Mr. Wright said the timber company stated at the last meeting they would meet with the neighbors and identify trees they wanted taken down and then would work on an agreement that would allow the neighbors to go unto the property and cut down trees using their own people. Mr. Scolton had sent a license and “hold harmless” agreement, which basically if put into place would allow the neighbors at their own expense to cut trees that would be identified and marked by agreement between the parties. Mr. Wright said the agreement gives the neighbors only 90 days from the identification of the trees and signing of the agreement to go and cut the trees. He said that might be a little bit restrictive but the owners have done what the neighbors asked.

 

The neighbors also expressed a lot of concerns regarding water problems and the hours of operation. The Board has been very successful in having people commit to frozen and dry operation cuttings only. A sample timber sale agreement was provided. It did state that the purchaser shall perform during dry and frozen conditions and all work shall be preformed between the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM.  It talks about the marking scheme, the location of the property, what will happen with the tops of trees that are cut, and what would happen with certain trees that are marked to be removed but have no commercial value.  Mr. Wright said it covers all the things the Board discussed such as bonds, the use of roads where they exist and skid roads only where necessary.  Dan said the owners do have access onto Hunt Road but had stated they would take the timber all off Southwestern Drive.  Randy Woodbury said the Board could make that part of the condition for approval. 

The Board members reviewed the short form EAF provided by the applicant.  Attorney Wright stated this action does not exceed any type I threshold in 6 NYCRR, Part 617.4 and would not receive coordinated review. The Board continued with Part II C noting:

 

1)      this is a water sensitive area and under the conditions they will be required to restore water

courses

2)      this project will not have an impact on the environmental characteristics that will cause the  establishment of a critical environmental area

3)      there is no controversy related to the potential adverse environmental impacts

 

Motion made by Ron Calanni, seconded by Dave Carlberg making the determination that this proposed project will not have a significant adverse environmental impact and authorizing Chairman Evans to sign the EAF on behalf of the Planning Board.

 

Carried.                          Ayes-6                    Noes-0                     Absent-1

 

Motion made by Gary Swanson, seconded by Dave Carlberg to approve the application of Linda Freedland for selective timber harvest on Southwestern Drive with the following conditions:

 

1)      all timber will be removed onto Southwestern Drive with no access unto Hunt Road

2)      all timbering will be conducted in dry or frozen conditions

3)      all property and water courses will be restored subsequent to the cutting

4)      all cutting will take place between the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday

 

The neighbors seemed to be satisfied so the Board did not feel they had to impose the condition that the applicant would meet with neighbors and identify trees and enter into agreements. They agreed the neighbors would have been at this meeting if there were a problem. Attorney Wright said the applicant had made the offer on the record so it did not have to be imposed as a condition.

 

Carried.                            Ayes-6                       Noes-0                     Absent-1

 

Craig Hefright presented a sketch plan to the Board to construct a storage building on Second Ave., Falconer, NY. 

 

Mr. Hefright told the Board the property is between ½ and ¾ acre and he provided a survey map and a rendering of the proposed building.  He explained he wanted to build a 30’ by 70’ steel storage building for the purpose of self-storage. There would be gravel added and some topsoil removed.  They are planning just one building now but would have a circular driveway for possible future buildings.  His rendering shows a water collection area for the drainage but he did talk to Highway Superintendent Shellhouse. He told him it is on the agenda for the Town to put storm sewers in first thing in the spring. Mr. Shellhouse indicated he would make plans for Mr. Hefright’s drainage to go into that. This property is zoned industrial.

 

 

 

The Board discussed:

1)      drainage – the engineer can design the drainage to go into the Town system or design it to keep it on site

2)      outside storage and fencing – the Board could require a fence for the safety of the neighborhood

3)      paving of the driveways – the code requires bituminous surfaces but the Board can allow time for that to be done

 

Randy Woodbury said that Mr. Shelters has been very successful with his storage buildings just up the road and wants to construct another building.

 

Attorney Wright said the Board does allow a period of time, usually not more than a year, for the gravel to settle before the paving has to be done. Randy said his recollection was that Mr. Shelters was phased in and when they are fully built they would pave.  Mr. Hefright said he would not have a problem with the same type of commitment.

 

The Board discussed Mr. Shelters project and Gary Swanson read his notes that said it was contingent on a 4 foot fence being put around the pond and a 6 foot fence to be put on top of the swale.  The Highway Superintendent would approve the drainage and the driving areas would be paved before expansion beyond the first two buildings. Randy will check with Mr. Shelters.

 

Motion made by Dave Carlberg, seconded by Gary Swanson to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 PM

 

Carried.                           Ayes-6                       Noes-0                    Absent-1

 

 

________________________________

Valerie Pierce, Secretary