Town of Huron Planning Board Minutes - subject to approval.
Regular meeting - May 3, 2010
Call to Order: Larry Lockwood called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members present: Larry Lockwood, Chris Kenyon, Jack McGuire, Joe Snyder and Charles Boogaard.
Other Officials present: Dave Buisch - Town Council member and Roger Gallant.
Correspondence
Larry had received an invitation for a Gas Safety Seminar that they are holding at the Holiday Inn in Waterloo on May 13th. Larry will be attending with the Fire Company.
Chris had sent Mr. Frantz information from the Tourism Office of Wayne County showing the impact that tourism has on the economy. The study was from 2007. (Copies were provided to board members)
Chris noted that the study showed that the number one issue in the county seemed to be the lack of accommodations.
Approval of Minutes: Joe Snyder moved, seconded by Charles Boogaard to accept the minutes of April 5, 2010 as submitted.
Old Business
1. Master Plan - Revised Outline
Board members thought that the revised outline from Mr. Frantz was acceptable. Mr. Frantz stated at the last meeting that he would have more information for the board by the end of May which could be discussed at the June meeting.
2. Recreational Trails- Chris Kenyon
Chris reported that he had met with DEC Senior Biologist Jim Eckler on April 13th. They spent 5 hours walking the trail at the old Girl Scout Camp at the end of Dutch Street Road. The trail is located on the East Side of Dutch Street Rd. There is an old road which goes up the drumlin. The trail then goes down the drumlin and to the Lake. They used a GPS to map the trail. Chris said that someone is taking care of parts of the trail. Chris estimated that about 85% of the trail is usable now. The trail is wide and has been used. They found a drainage problem in one area and multiflora rose growing on the bottom trail. In the area with the drainage problem, a culvert and small bridge might be needed. Mr. Eckler said that there are some funds which could be used for this and they would be able to bring some equipment in to clear the multiflora rose. If the trail is going to be multi-use, there are some fairly steep areas which possibly could be tiered. Chris said they were both impressed with the condition of the trail. Chris also talked to Trail Works and they said that they use it and are interested in it also. Chris was going to talk to whoever is maintaining it. Chris said that there is a Kiosk on Clapper Rd. which he thought could be moved to that area. It would make it inviting to tourists and provide information about any restrictions. Chris said that their next step will be to use the GPS information and map out the trail. Mr. Eckler said that the DEC will help with the initial work but then someone else must maintain it. Charles said that when he was there it looked like the trail had probably been used by dirt bikes and ATVs. Chris said that the trail would restrict motorized vehicles from using it. Another issue would be parking for anyone using the trail. They thought they would have to park along Dutch St. which shouldn't be a problem since it's a dead end road. Jack asked if it could be put on the Wegman's Trail. Chris thought that would be a good idea and provide good advertisement. There was further discussion about extending the trail. Dave Buisch said that the trails continue on the other side of the bar which is also DEC property. Dave Buisch added that the bluff area on the other side of Blind Creek is becoming another Chimney Bluffs. Joe asked if it would ultimately be the Town's responsibility to maintain it. Chris said that possibly Trail Works would find partners (volunteers) to maintain it.
New Business
1. County Planning Board Monthly Report
Larry was unable to attend the last meeting so there was no report.
2. Changes in Zoning Law
The board members were provided with an excerpt from the minutes of the Zoning Board's last meeting concerning some recommended changes in the Zoning Law that were presented at that meeting by Dave Scudder. These changes were also supported by Rusty Dean. Jack said that he had heard that there was a resident on Dogwood Lane who could possibly extend his porch and obscure the view of the next-door neighbor. Currently, the language in our Zoning Law allows that to happen and they want that changed. Dave Buisch suggested that Roger Gallant give the board some input and Roger cautioned the board to be careful when looking at these changes because it could hurt as many people as it could help. He stated that there are many problem lots in the town that make building to today's standards difficult. There are issues today with septic systems that didn't exist before. He understands the issues with blocking someone's view but all issues must be considered. Joe wanted to clarify that the law currently allows the property owner to elect which is the front or rear yard. He thought that what is being recommended is to let the town fix what will be the front and back yard; this would benefit some and those that it didn't would have to seek a variance. The Town would then control the situation as opposed to the individual property owners.
The other change being recommended was in Section 46.90. Joe wondered what the reason was behind recommending the change in this part of the law. Roger explained that in the case referred to by Jack, it may have allowed the resident to build up over the pre-existing basement which would have extended past the building line and obscured the neighbor's view.
The actual changes would be made by the Town Board but Dave Buisch said that they wanted the Planning Board's input.
Joe was concerned that people were trying to fix zoning based on a specific case. Dave Buisch said that it was his recommendation that the Planning Board look at this because he felt that they needed to look at it in light of the law and what the law intends to do; not based on an individual case but based on the law and the effectiveness of the law and the effect of the law on property owners in general, not just one case. Joe said that he really doesn't understand what they are trying to accomplish with their changes. Dave Buisch said that one of the things they really want to do is eliminate the choice of which is the front and back yard. Jack wondered if there was a definition of front yard and back yard in the Zoning Law. Joe explained that there is but for waterfront property, it is up to the property owner. Joe thought that the Town should be the one to decide and people would need to get a variance if it was a problem. After further discussion, Joe said that he wanted to do some research on it because he thought that work had been done previously on this issue. Joe also said that he would email Rusty and Dave Scudder regarding the issues.
Other
1. There was discussion about the Outdoor Woodburning Furnace Law. Roger stated that he had sent around the link to the DEC proposal for Outdoor Furnaces. Alan Knauf was going to compare that with what was being proposed by the Town.
2. Joe Snyder, Jack McGuire, Tom Hamilton and Dave Scudder are attending the workshop at the Burgundy Basin Inn on May 14th.
Adjournment: Jack McGuire moved, seconded by Charles Boogaard to adjourn the meeting at 8:27PM
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Grandjean, clerk
Email communications
During the month of April, the following emails were received:
4/12/10 - from Mr. Frantz containing the revised Outline of the Master Plan
4/24/10 - from Chris Kenyon containing the Wayne County Tourism Survey
