MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CORNWALL                    

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HELD ON APRIL 12, 2005.

 

A Regular Meeting of the Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission was held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, in the Cornwall Town Hall.   Present were: Chairman Richard Lynn, presiding; members David Colbert, Patrick Hare, Heidi Kearns, Anne Kosciusko and Doc Simont; alternates James LaPorta and Emilie Pryor. Jim LaPorta was designated to vote for an absent member at the outset of the meeting. Land Use Clerk Vera Dinneen was also present. The Meeting adjourned to the Public Hearing at 7:34 and reconvened at 7:38.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

Proposed Accessory Apartment regulation changes

 

Rick Lynn stated that the purpose of the regulation change is to foster the intention of the original accessory apartment regulations, to provide more affordable housing. The proposed regulation was forwarded to the two regional planning agencies. Rick read comments submitted by NWCCOG and LHCEO. Doc Simont said that there is a weakness in the current regulation and the amendment will close that loophole. No one spoke against the application and the hearing on it was closed at 7:38pm.  A tape recording was made and is a part of these Minutes.

 

R E G U L A R     M E E T I N G

 

The Minutes of the Special Meeting of March 29, 2005 were unanimously approved with the following amendment: change ÒHVA already has about ¾ of the TownÕs parcels digitized.Ó to ÒHVA already has most of the TownÕs parcels digitized.Ó

 

APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS

 

The monthly report of zoning permit activity by staff was briefly reviewed.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Proposed Accessory Apartment regulation change

 

There was much discussion about how to word the regulation to make the intention clear and lowering the maximum size of the accessory apartment from 1500 to 1200 square feet. Members agreed that the final wording should state ÒThe total livable floor area of the apartment shall be no less than 350 square feet and no greater than 1200 square feet. Upon completion of the accessory apartment, the total livable floor area of the apartment shall be no greater than 40 percent of the total floor area of the primary residence.Ó It was unanimously voted to adopt the regulation. The effective date will be April 30, 2005.

 

Commission                            Planning issues and priorities

 

Rick distributed a list of ÒOptional Planning PrioritiesÓ based on the proposed zoning amendments submitted by Pat Hare and other considerations. Emilie Pryor clarified that the items on the list

 

 

 

are for action in the near future and not necessarily for the Town Plan update. Members briefly reviewed each item on the list.

1.     Mandatory Affordable Housing for future subdivisions

Pat Hare explained that most of the formerly affordable housing is now priced beyond the reach of people in lower economic groups. Requiring 20% of subdivision lots to be for affordable housing would prevent the separation of economic groups. Providing a house for a family member would be exempt from the regulation. Rick inquired about restricting the regulation to only large subdivisions with a certain number of lots. Pat said that he didnÕt feel strongly about it either way, the Commission could consider it and reword it. Dan McGuinness has strong concerns about the legality of the proposed regulation. Doc suggested that the Commission check with the Cornwall Housing Corporation about the need for it before pursuing adopting a regulation. He feels that the regulation should not be mandatory and should have more flexibility.

 

2.     Revised Golf Course Regulations

Golf courses are now allowed in residential zones by special permit. There are no specific standards listed in the regulations and members agreed that it may be desirable to consider adopting specific standards for golf courses. Pat Hare stated that golf courses could radically change a neighborhood. Emilie suggested looking at maps to see if there are any locations in town where someone might consider a golf course.

 

3.     Revised Farm Regulations

Pat stated that he has already received some objection to the concept of strengthening farm regulations in town. It was suggested that he consult with the Agricultural Advisory Committee and also consider the State Farm Regulations.  

 

4.     Streetscape Buffer Regulations

Rick explained that by adding this regulation to the subdivision regulations, the rural character of the roadway network can be maintained.

             

5.  Existing Resources and Site Analysis Map and Concept Development Sketch Plan for Subdivisions

This would be another addition to the subdivision regulations, and require applicants to provide more detailed information on proposed development sites such as stonewalls, trees, trails, etc.

 

6.     Mandatory Conservation Development Zones

Members agreed that the Commission will need significant community input regarding this regulation and agreed to wait until work on the Town Plan update begins. Pat stated that it should be a high priority to look at existing residential zoning issues and this could be done separate from the Town Plan update.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission members were reminded that there are still three subcommittees that were formed to address:

 

7.     Revised Parking Regulations

8.     ÒAs of RightÓ Uses in Business Zones

9.     Cornwall Bridge Traffic Flow Pattern

 

Since minimal progress has been made on these three issues, Commission members agreed to re-consider the planning priorities at the May meeting.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS      

(None)

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

Rick thanked members for their comments on the draft letters regarding HVA.

 

Cheryl Evans has asked Rick to draft an article for the Chronicle about the new open space fund for Cornwall. He distributed the draft to members and asked for comments. General discussion followed.

 

Two letters were received from Natasha Eilenberg regarding concerns about her water being drawn down by a new well on the Busby property. The first letter came two days after the public hearing for the Busby Accessory Apartment. According to Karl Nilsen, these issues are civil matters and are not regulated by town commissions. Commission members agreed to ask Karl to respond to the letters and advise where Ms. Eilenberg can go for advice.

 

Rick attended a meeting of the Associated Businesses of Cornwall to discuss sign regulations and home based businesses. There was no consensus among the members as to how the sign regulations should be changed.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:34pm.  

                                                                        Vera Dinneen, Land Use Clerk

 

 

 

NOTE – THESE MINUTES ARE A DRAFT.  THEY WILL BE NOTED AS FINAL ONLY AFTER THEY ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED AS DRAFTED OR AS MODIFIED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING OF THE CORNWALL P&Z COMMISSION.