MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN OF ELLICOTT PLANNING BOARD HELD AT THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 215 SOUTH WORK ST., FALCONER, NY ON JUNE 1, 2005 AT 7:00 P.M.

 

PRESENT:  Chairman Dan Evans, Gary Swanson, Phyllis Belin, Paul Shanahan, Attorney William Wright, Code Enforcement Officer Randy Woodbury and Secretary Valerie Pierce. 

 

 ABSENT:   Ron Calanni, Mike Mogenhan and Dave Carlberg. 

 

Chairman Dan Evans called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

 

Motion made by Gary Swanson, seconded by Phyllis Belin to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2005 meeting.

 

Carried.                      Ayes-4                        Noes-0                   Absent-3

 

Edward Martiny presented a revised site plan for Green Acres Enterprises, LLC at 2930 North Main Street Ext., Jamestown, NY to hold flea markets on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months on the vacant acre of land until the property can be sold or leased.

 

Mr. Martiny presented the site plan that was approved on 3/12/03 for the travel plaza. He is asking permission to have the flea market so he can generate traffic.  There was nothing approved for this part of his site. 

 

Chairman Evans said he did not believe the Town has any provisions for a flea market.  Attorney Wright stated that he did not think flea markets were allowed in a mercantile zone or anywhere in the Town and it would be a zoning question.  He could get a permit for a tent but it would not be allowed every week. There was another flea market proposed on Fluvanna Avenue but Mr. Woodbury said they did not want to do a site plan. Attorney Wright said that the difference is that in a mercantile zone you are allowed stores and shops but not an open-air market. They noted that there were places on Fairmount Avenue that had to be stopped because of the zoning.

 

Paul Battaglia, architect for Greater Buffalo Savings Bank, presented plans for a branch office at 870 Fairmount Ave., W.E., Jamestown, NY. 

 

Mr. Battaglia told the Board that essentially this site plan is the same as the sketch plan he presented in February.  They have decided to maintain the existing building and the site as presented at the sketch plan conference.  They are reducing the amount of parking and shifting the drive within 10 feet of the existing parking for access and egress onto Jackson Avenue.  They are looking for egress onto Fairmount Avenue.  The drive thru would remain for an ATM and two drive-up teller stations.  The exterior will be red brick and would have metal panels on the canopy. 

 

 

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The Board reviewed the site plan checklist with Mr. Battaglia and discussed:

1)      drainage – because they are reducing the paved area the run off should be less – the   

               Board requires topals and drainage calculations

2)      parking and sidewalks – they will not change the elevation over by the carpet store

3)      setbacks – Attorney Wright  stated that because the building is under 7500 SF the setbacks are 20 feet

4)      building – they are not adding any additional square footage – the main entrance will be moved for secutity

5)      fences and dumpsters – a fence is not required and there will not be a dumpster

6)      fire hydrants

7)      lighting – there is a state law that requires they maintain 5-foot candles five feet above the ground within fifty feet of  an ATM - there will be no additional lights except on the canopy – Mr. Battaglia said one of the lights has already been removed – there is one light in the back he would like to remove - he feels it offends the neighbors because it is right up against the property line

8)      signs – the applicant will be back in for the signs- and will have to go to the Zoning Board if they are not compliant

9)      landscaping – they need to provide the landscaping plan

10)  construction schedule – they would like to start in late July

11)  curb cuts – they need to talk to Town Highway Superintendent Shellhouse about the curb cut on Jackson Avenue

12)   traffic patterns -  there will be no restrictions on turns going onto Fairmount Ave. – Mr. Battaglia said they will have the same traffic patterns both on Jackson and Fairmount,

13)   easements – they are maintaining the easement but will be redefining it – currently the easement does not line up with the driveway

14)  sales contract – the Town needs a copy of the sales contract in order for the applicant to have standing before this Board

 

Chairman Evans asked for comments from neighbors. There were no neighbors present.

 

The Board listed the items they need from the applicant:

1)      a lighting plan

2)      topals for the drainage

3)       landscaping plan

4)      copy of the easement if redefined

5)      copy of the sales contract

6)      drainage calculations

7)      signs need to be noted on the plans

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Mr. Battaglia will have the additional items for the July 13th meeting.

 

Peter Rudewicz , Mussachio Architects, and Donald Sennett, P.E., Abate Associates,  and Victor O’Brien, C & S, presented a site plan for Sandal Wood Hotels, L.L.C. for the construction of an access road beginning at a point along Route 60 to the hotel site. The work will also include a road drainage system. 

 

Mr. Rudewicz gave a brief overview of the site plan.  Because of the municipal boundaries they put together a site plan package that incorporated more information than the Town needed pertaining to the hotel.  They have met with NYS DOT and they are doing a review for the SEQR process.  They have lined up the driveway with the Comfort Inn and Bob Evans Restaurant. There have been agreements in place to exchange property so their client will have access to Route 60.  He told the Board that they have a site that is severely graded so they have approached the design such that they have accounted for the steep slopes and they brought the road in so they would slope back up to their site. They will take the hotel and road drainage to a common dry basin in the Town of Ellicott on the ten-acre parcel.  He had plans to show the Board members. 

 

Chairman Evans asked if they have the access permits for the driveway.  The NYS DOT said there was a permit provided to the previous owner of the frontage for access to his parcel.  There is an access there that is stoned not paved.  Dan asked what was the width of the access.  Mr. Sennett said he thought it is 78 feet wide and they are using 30 feet.  The actual roadway will depend on the final SEQR review.  They do not have a formal work permit to actually start the work but have submitted the traffic studies to the NYSDOT. 

 

Mr. O’Brien explained what they are doing in respect of drainage on the overall site. He provided the drainage plans for the Board members and explained the detention and discharge.  Mr. Woodbury asked if they had an easement for the discharge in the Federal highway right-of-way.

They will be discharging at the same point they are now. Randy said that as long as the pipe is not there now they would have to get a work permit for any work on I-86.

 

Chairman Evans asked if they legally own the driveway.  Mr. Rudewicz said he provided a copy of the agreement, which stipulates what has been exchanged.

 

Attorney Wright asked if they have abandoned the plan presented at the sketch plan conference over the 20-foot right-of-way across the Bogdan property. In the discussion with NYS DOT their concern was with lining up opposite drives. That presented a more difficult proposition because their client does not own those properties and the location of the road in that very restrictive right-of-way easement would have been too little.  There were also some utilities and some of the parking from the Mobile was encroaching into what was the easement.

 

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Attorney Wright asked what the status of the whole project and the status of the SEQR was.  Mr. Rudewicz said they have been in the SEQR process for four weeks. Mr. Wright asked if the City of Jamestown has accepted lead agency status and if the Town has received notice of Jamestown’s intention to declare lead agency status on this project.  Mr. Rudewicz said that Bill Rice said he was going to take care of that.  Mr. Woodbury said the Town has received verbal notice but nothing in writing. Randy said the City Planning Board is moving along as lead agency and he includes the Town as an involved agency with their findings.  At the next meeting on June 21st the City should have the DOT comments.  Attorney Wright said we should receive a copy of the long form EAF from the City. 

 

The Board members reviewed the checklist and discussed:

1)      the site survey that was provided

2)      Mr. Sennett did a partial storm water management report for the road but provided the Town with the storm water management report for the whole project

3)      pedestrian access to McDonalds – there is nothing proposed nor has there been any discussion

4)      retaining wall – there is one along the road (not retaining the road but McDonald’s property) – it will be keystone building block and 3 feet to 4 feet high

5)      utilities  - electric, water and sewer will come off West Oak Hill Rd – gas will have to come off Route 60 – they are still checking on pressure for the water

6)      fire hydrants – are on Route 60 –none on West Oak Hill Rd

7)      signs – no proposed signs for access road – there are building signs – no entrance signs

8)      buffer areas – they will leave existing buffers

9)      fence around detention pond – it is a dry pond – there is  no code requirement

10)  lighting – no proposed lighting at this time

11)  construction schedule – they want to start in July

12)  permits required – from NYS DOT, Chautauqua County and City of Jamestown – Mr. Sennett asked if the Board could approve contingent on the permits

13)  snow removal – it will be put on the 3 foot available on each side of the road with no other plan

14)  truck traffic – no heavy trucks – only delivery trucks – there will be no need for semi-trucks

The items the Board needs from the applicant are:

1)      they need to provide whatever they receive from DOT regarding the street cuts

2)      status of the SEQR

3)      storm water discharge information on I-86

4)      location of gas line

They immediately need to check on the status of the SEQR to see if the Town has been listed as an involved agency and if the Town of Ellicott has received the letter to begin the thirty-day period to accept or contest. That will give the Town an idea where they stand on the SEQR process.

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Matthew and Julie Harper presented a sketch plan to expand their current landscaping business, Four Seasons Landscaping, Snow Removal, Garden Center and Nursery, at 3181 North Main Street Ext., Jamestown, NY. 

 

The Harpers provided photos of the property. They told the Board they received permission from NYS DOT and constructed the access road per their recommendations. The buildings are temporary and all the work has been done in house.  Mr. Harper explained the irrigation system.

 

The main thing they are asking for at this meeting is the signage. The sign would be 13 feet back from the easement so it would be within the 10-foot setback.  The sign is approximately 32 square feet per side. It is a 4’ X 8’ sheet of plastic signage.  It will have 4’ x 6’ support posts. 

 

Mr. Woodbury asked the Board to scope full site plan review.  He feels this property has evolved into a mercantile use.  Its history is agricultural.  The greenhouses are unique in the State building code and also in the State taxation.  They are considered agricultural and the portable greenhouses are exempt from building permits and exempt from taxes. Mr. Harper said the new building would not be exempt because it will be permanent. 

 

The Harpers have 440 feet of road frontage and the business comprises about half of the road frontage.  The residence is completely separated from the business with a split rail fence. 

 

There is a height restriction of 30 feet for the sign.  Mr. Harper said they want it high enough so people can see but not so high it is obtrusive. Their fence is about 5 feet and they are looking to put the bottom of the sign even with that so it will extend above the fence. They will put some  lighting on the sign but the only time they will need that is from Thanksgiving to Christmas for evening sales of Christmas trees. During the summer they are closed before the daylight ends.  The sales will be seasonal except for deicer products sold from Christmas until April.

 

Attorney Wright asked if the equipment is stored on site and goes out from this property. Mr. Harper stated pickup trucks are stored on this site. Because the larger equipment is stored on the site where the service is preformed only vehicular traffic would be going in and out of this site.  The trucks are stored in a tent canopy or the greenhouse. 

 

Attorney Wright said the issue is that this has developed into a mercantile use without any process at all and now they are now requesting a sign. The Board needs to decide if they grant the sign permit when the Harpers would need to do site plan review.  Mr. Woodbury suggested they do a site plan as soon as they can and then if they need more time they can come in after a year to extend the time. Attorney Wright said the Town needs at least a survey, as it exists now for a baseline of what they want to do later.

 

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The Harpers have a separate survey for this parcel.  It was separated into two parcels when they bought the property.  Randy would like those two drawings on file with the sign application.  Mr. Harper asked if they need the surveyors drawing now.  They are not going to put up any new buildings for at least a year or two. Attorney Wright said they could do the sign and document with photographs what is on the site right now. That could not change without full site plan review.

 

The Board won’t require a full site plan review before the Harpers put up their sign but they cannot do anything else on the property prior to site plan review. They need to provide the surveys and photos and fill out the sign application.

 

John Jablonski, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, presented a plan for a park and boardwalk in the Fluvanna area. 

 

Mr. Jablonski said the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy purchased property in the Fluvanna area in 1999 and some in December 2004. They are trying to get permission from the State for an entrance and are negotiating with another owner to purchase property for the entrance and parking. The parking would be on property that was previously filled. They would like to see this area cleaned up and work with the Town on this project.

 

The conservancy is looking to put in a driveway and boardwalk with parking to access a walkway to the railroad bed.  The boardwalk will be 5 feet wide that will be floating on 6’ x 6’ treated lumber boards on 4’ x 4’ boards that would float it.  They would like to have another section going down to the riverfront.  They have used this in Asbury Woods in Erie in a similar wetland area that seems to be working just fine.  Randy asked if the DEC has any problem with this project.  Mr. Jablonski said he had not been able to get hold of anyone at DEC. Mr. Jablonski has been to the Town Board with this project.

 

This is in a mercantile zone. This is a park and would be allowed under a special use permit. Attorney Wright asked if the access is unlimited.  Mr. Jablonski said they would have signage indicating it is open from sunrise to sunset.  They need to go to the ZBA for a special use permit.  There is designated Town park property in Fluvanna and Dan wondered if they could link the two together.  Randy suggested that the special use permit could be for a longer period or even permanent.

 

The Conservancy should first apply to the ZBA for a special use permit and then will have to come in for site plan review.  The Planning Board needs to see lighting, signage, parking lot, handicapped accessibility, wetlands delineated and the drawings of the bridge.  The Board asked Randy to provide contour maps for the Conservancy.  They would like the Town to consider a gravel entrance.  The Board could waive the requirement for the bituminous driveway and parking lot. Mr. Jablonski asked what the storm water management requirements were for a parking lot

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with 10 parking spaces. Randy said the engineer for the bridge might also do the parking lot.  Mr. Jablonski will coordinate through Mr. Woodbury.

 

Mr. Ostrom, Ostrom Company, had some questions for the Board. He wants to acquire land and build a truck maintenance facility on the south side of East Main Street at the west side of Water Street. 

 

Mr. Ostrom said he wants to put a garage in the middle with a driveway in one way and out the other way.  It will be a steel building that is 100’ x 120’.  He provided a sketch of the building.   Mr. Ostrom said he was concerned with the waterway.  There is no sewer there and they will need floor drain separators. If you dig down about four feet on the property there is concrete and fill from Barnes Construction. 

 

The property is zoned mercantile and Attorney Wright said he did not think this is allowed in a mercantile zone. 

 

The Board told Mr. Ostrom that he should make the sale contingent on the site plan.  He should get advise from his engineer.

 

Rob Schultz, Westwood Summit Corporation, and Don Sennett, Abate Engineering, presented preliminary plans for a used vehicle sales lot at 2494 Peck-Settlement Road., Jamestown, NY.  The Town received application for a site plan review for the July 13, 2005 meeting. 

 

Mr. Sennett said the pavement would cover about .85 acre to park approximately 59 vehicles.  There is a two-story building that is being renovated into an office but most of that is in the Town of Poland. They are looking at minor landscaping in front. There will be three floodlights on all night for security.  There is an apartment upstairs. 

 

Phyllis Belin asked about the grading that had already been done and the pond. Mr. Sennett said the pond was already there.  They would be looking at using the pond for storm water.  Because of the landscaping with topsoil and grass they will be reducing the amount of runoff on the site. All the runoff will be collected in a stone lined open trench and they will have a stone lined swale going down the side of the hill to the pond.

 

This property is zoned industrial.  There will be no additional signage except on the building.

 

There was a lot of fill put on this site by Kingsview Paving before Rob Schultz bought the property.  They were also dumping on New England Motor Freight property for years.  New England Freight sold Rob a piece of property to let him finish and clean up. 

 

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Mr. Woodbury told the Board the Town of Poland does not have a site plan process.  A portion of the building is in the Town of Ellicott and the sign will be on that portion of the building. Mr. Woodbury needs a copy of the occupancy permit from the Town of Poland.

 

The County Planning Board has been sent a copy of these plans but Mr. Sennett said he had not heard from them. 

 

Attorney Wright asked if there were any concerns from the Board.  There is a concern about the paving.  Mr. Schultz said he might need more time for the final paving. 

 

Mr. Schultz will be in for the July meeting for the full site plan.

 

Bart Scheer, 3572 Ross Mills Road, Falconer, NY, is requesting approval for a Frisbee golf course on his property. 

 

The property is zoned residential-agricultural.  Attorney Wright said under the zoning in a residential-agricultural district you are allowed to have a golf course by special permit.  First the Code enforcement officer would have to make a determination if this would apply and then it would defer to the Zoning Board to determine if the proposed use was a golf course under the permitted uses and therefore allow him to come in under a special use permit. 

 

Mr. Scheer told the Board he has 18 acres.  He will have to apply for a special use permit.  He asked the Board if he could have someone put up a billboard on his corner as a sponsor. Attorney Wright said there is no off site advertising in the Town of Ellicott. He could put up his own sign, which can be 16 SF.

 

Attorney Wright said that if he wanted to put in a pro-shop it might be a problem.  In a residential-agricultural district there is no mercantile use until you get into a neighborhood business district. It should be addressed in case he cannot do it without the pro-shop.  He could have a place where he could rent discs as part of the pay-for-play.

 

Mr. Scheer will have to apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 

Mr. Woodbury said that Highway Superintendent Shellhouse would like to recommend to the Town Board that Diane Stelmack, 50 Jackson Ave., W.E., Jamestown, NY be allowed to acquire title or rights to construct a new garage in unopened Third Street north of her residence. Mr. Shellhouse would like the Planning Board’s opinion. 

 

The Board discussed this and decided that the Town of Ellicott does not give up the rights to the paper streets and that if anyone wants to improve a paper street they do it at their own peril.  There

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are detailed written agreements signed and approve by a resolution of the Town Board and recorded in the County Clerk’s office that indemnify the Town for any liability on there and also state the people have paved them at their own risk. They continue to belong to the Town and if the Town

wants to open them as a street they can.  Mr. Woodbury and the Board agreed that the Board should not allow her to build the garage. Randy asked the Board to look at the property and give him a call.

 

Randy Woodbury said the Tom Shelters has requested a building permit for an additional storage building on South Work Street Ext. Randy asked the Board if he was allowed outdoor storage of vehicles.  The Board agreed that outside storage was not in the scope of what the Board approved.  Randy is holding the building permit and asked the Board to drive by and give him a call.  Gary Swanson said that he checked his notes from 2002 and he did not see there was any discussion on the outdoor storage. 

 

Motion made by Phyllis Belin, seconded by Paul Shanahan to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 P.M.

 

Carried.                         Ayes-4                   Noes-0                 Absent-3

 

 

_______________________________________

Valerie Pierce, Secretary