MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CORNWALL

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HELD ON DECEMBER 14, 2004.

 

A Regular Meeting of the Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission was held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, December 14, 2004, in the Cornwall Town Hall. Present were: Chairman Richard Lynn, presiding; members David Colbert, Patrick Hare, and Doc Simont; alternates Ian Elwell and Heidi Kearns. Karl Nilsen, Land Use Administrator was also present. Heidi and Ian were designated to vote for absent members.  It was announced that Emilie Pryor has been appointed to replace Karen Stevens as an alternate member of the Commission. Heidi has been selected to move up to a full member of the Commission, but has not yet been sworn in, therefore she voted as an alternate at this meeting.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

Subdivision                             NWI, LLC, Poughkeepsie Tpke.

                                                To divide 10.354 acres into two lots

 

Rick Lynn read a letter of withdrawal from Attorney Jerry Sanchey.

 

R E G U L A R     M E E T I N G

 

The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 9, 2004 and the Special Meeting of November 23, 2004 were approved as circulated.

 

APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS

 

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

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Subdivision                             NWI, LLC, Poughkeepsie Tpke.

                                                To divide 10.354 acres into two lots

 

The Commission no longer has an application pending. Karl reviewed the contents of a letter from Attorney Tom Byrne regarding discontinued roads.

 

 

Commission                            GIS Natural Resources Mapping

 

Rick reviewed a draft request for proposal as discussed at the November meeting. The request outlines seven natural resource maps that are to be prepared. The new maps would be the same size and scale as the current zoning map. There was discussion about the scenic ridgeline map. Someone would need to define high peaks and anyone could argue which are scenic and which are not. Rick has a map which was made for NWCCOG which shows scenic ridgelines and it could be used as a guideline and members could drive around town to see if they agree. There was discussion about whether or not to include a maximum budgeted amount in the request. Following additional discussion, and a couple of editorial changes to the request for proposal, the Commission unanimously voted to send the request to the HVA.  

 

 

NEW BUSINESS 

 

Approval of 2005 Meeting Schedule

 

The meeting schedule was accepted as presented.

 

 

 

Letter from Civil Liberties Union Foundation Election Posters

 

Rick explained that many towns received letters from the Civil Liberties Union stating that their regulations regarding political signs are illegal and should be removed. The Cornwall regulations allow the signs, but require their removal within ten days after the election. It was the consensus of the Commission that this zoning regulation should be changed to be more consistent with the requirements of the Civil Liberties Union. Commission members agreed to pursue these changes in the near future when another regulation change is also being considered

 

 

 

Commission                            Proposed Accessory Apartment regulation changes

 

There was discussion at a previous meeting about putting a cap on the size of accessory apartments. Karl stated that 40% of the main house is fairly standard. Doc stated that the intent of the regulation is for the apartment to provide affordable housing in the town. A regulation change will be drafted to include a limit of 40% of the primary residence and a cap of 1,500 square feet.

 

 

Commission                            Review of Town Engineer proposals

 

Karl stated that three applicants are being considered, and all three are well qualified to assist the Commission. Following discussion, it was unanimously voted to try Richard M. Caulkins, Northeast Consulting, as the consulting engineer to the Commission.  

 

 

 

CT Siting Council                   Proposed modifications to existing telecommunication facility

 

Karl explained that when he receives letters from the siting council in other towns, he sends the council a copy of the portion of the zoning regulating pertaining to towers, etc. to serve as the CommissionŐs comments. The proposed changes in the Mohawk State Forest do not include making the tower any higher. It was the consensus of the Commission to send the regulations to the siting council as suggested by Karl.  

           

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

Rick read a letter of resignation from Chris Hopkins. A thank you letter will be sent on behalf of the Commission to Chris for his service.

 

 

Letter and DEP forms from Dark Entry Forest, Inc.

 

Karl has determined that Cook Road is an abandoned town road which is now a driveway. Someone has purchased property on Cook Road and plans to construct a dwelling there. The town only has jurisdiction on the driveway which is on his property off Cook Road. It is an existing lot and the owner has a right of way on Cook Road. There is a vernal pool adjacent to Cook Road, which is a wetlands issue more than a zoning issue. Residents of the Dark Entry Forest Assoc. have submitted Special Animal Survey Forms to DEP reporting the spotting of an Eastern Ribbon Snake and an Eastern Box Turtle in that vernal pool. No action is necessary by the Commission; this item was presented for informational purposes only.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:48pm.

                       

                                                                        Vera Dinneen, Land Use Clerk