From: "Lynne Eckardt" <midfarm@b...>
Date: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:30 pm
Subject: Southeast Planning Board Meeting 1/12/04

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Hello All,

Below is a much-too-long recap of last night's long, long Planning Board
Meeting. Official minutes will be available within 2 weeks at the Planning
Board.

Comments follow.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For 2004 the Planning Board (with the approval of the Town
Board) had doubled its copy fees to .50 per page. A quick check with the NYS
Committee for Open Government determined that fees can not exceed .25 per page
without an act of the State Legislature. This will apply to all town agencies.

PUBLIC HEARING:
1. BARNES OFFICE/WAREHOUSE, 87 Fields Lane. This 10,000 sq. ft.
office/warehouse is on 3 acres with 25 Parking spaces.There will be a pump-up
septic. Questions centered on steep slopes (driveway on at least 15% grade) and
incursion of driveway into wetland buffer area. The applicant is working with
the DEP on wetland mitigation. There is a 10 day comment period.

2. OMNIPOINT COMMUNICATIONS (CELL TOWER), 87 Hillside Park- Neighbors had
numerous questions concerning the 120' cell tower. Their concerns ranged from
increased traffic on Hillside to the tower's proximity to homes (600 feet from
nearest house.) There is already a water tower and NYSEG facility on Hillside.
Residents asked what other sites had been considered and why they hadn't heard
anything about this project prior to the notices received. No other specific
sites were mentioned although Chairman Rohrman said the applicant had to sign an
affidavit stating that there were no other comparable sites available. The
applicant will look into locating the tower further back on the property. There
is a 20 day comment period.

REGULAR SESSION:
1. TONETTA LAKE PARK IN-LINE SKATING RINK: The Board voted 7-0 declaring
themselves lead agency and set the Public Hearing for 2/9/04.

2. ISLANDIA FARMS EQUESTRIAN CENTER:Hickory Ridge Road- This 50 horse facility
on 35 acres will house 1 manager, 5 grooms, 1 groundskeeper, the owner and their
families. There will be 17 bedrooms on site. This project will need a special
permit from the Town Board. Richard O'Rourke is the attorney for this project.

3.NORTHWATER GROUP, Fields Lane: The Board declared themselves lead agency (7-0)
and set the Public Hearing for 2/9/04.

4.THE MEADOWS AT DEANS CORNER- Route 124:This project still needs 'easement
crossing' permits from Algonquin Gas. The applicant continues to work with the
DEP. The town has decided that they would like a Drainage District rather than a
Homeowner's Association. The surrounding 'green space' will be managed by a
Homeowner's Association and as it is a conservation easement can not be built
on. DEC permits have been issued.

5. DURKIN WATER COMPANY, Fields Lane. Removed from agenda as there are
outstanding code violation(s).

6. WATERVIEW ESTATES: Allview Avenue. This 5 lot subdivision is on 40 acres.
This project is represented by Richard O'Rourke whose opening was, 'New plans,
new engineer, new attorney.' to which someone on the Board responded 'old
problems'.
There are sightline problems with an extremely severe curb cut needed. There are
already drainage problems on Allview. The proposed mitigation is to install
catch basins near roadside which will then 'pipe water uphill'. This
development consist of private roads and will need a 280a. The Board declared
themselves lead agency by a vote of 7-0. The applicant asked for referrals to
the Conservation Commission (wetlands) and the Town Board (280a) . These
requests were denied as current policy is to refer after the SEQR process is
complete.

7. SUBURBAN PROPANE: Route 6 Deferred due to code violations.

COMMENTS:
OMNIPOINT:The proposed Omnipoint Cell Tower engendered the most discussion.
Neighbors were disgruntled that they were unaware of this project until recently
sent notices. Excellent questions were raised. Thank you to Ann Fanizzi for
asking that the 10 day comment period be extended.
If the town website had been updated and/or had become more user friendly over
the past year and a half it is conceivable that neighbors would have attended
the two prior meetings re. Omnipoint and thus had earlier input.
I am told that the new and improved website will probably be up within a couple
of months.

ISLANDIA FARM: Planning Board members did not seem happy with the permitted
housing on the Islandia Farm project. There was some talk about a 3 to 5 year
'renewable' special permit to be issued by the Town Board. It would make sense
for the town to reconsider current zoning regulations re. Equestrian Centers as
the allowable housing problem will undoubtedly come up again.

WATERVIEW ESTATES: Waterview Estates sits on a 'challenging site. Just driving
by the subdivision sign on Allview (close to the proposed curb cut) is an
eye-opener. Although the project engineer referred to 'clearing' along Allview
for sight line improvements and curb cut this is obvious 'engineer speak' for
the extensive excavation work that will be needed to access the development. As
for the catch basins that will 'pipe water uphill'- well, go figure. The
engineer said that this technology is already in use in the Crosby Hill
Subdivision. As there have been some drainage problems in Crosby Hill this
aspect is worth watching.

DRAINAGE DISTRICTS: Drainage Districts came up twice last night. The problem
with these districts is that they are, for the most part, implemented but then
forgotten. I believe that Indian Wells, off Gage Road, is the only one actually
taxing its residents and operating in Southeast. Although information regarding
the number and identification of these districts has been FOILed this
information has not been forthcoming. More importantly, if the approved
subdivisions with Drainage Districts weren't on steep slopes and/or wetlands
these districts probably wouldn't be necessary.

As always please feel free to e-mail me with any questions that you may have.

With best regards,
Lynne Eckardt

From: "Lynne Eckardt" <midfarm@bestweb.net>
Date: Tue Dec 23, 2003 1:18 pm
Subject: Planning Board Recap 12/22

Hello All,

Below is a brief recap of the Southeast Planning Board meeting held last night. Some brief comments follow.

Official minutes can be found at the planning Board.

1. BREWSTER TRANSIT MIX, Fields lane- PDP & SEQR :
Finally, excellent progress has been made. Drainage issues will be addressed in Spring. The hours of operation are better starting at 6:00 AM. The lights have been angled to minimize brightness. Neighbors and the Planning Board are pleased.
Brewster Transit will still need at least 5 variances.

REGULAR SESSION:
1. POWERS FASTENERS, Mt. Ebo Road South- Determination of Significance: This application involves 6400 square feet of 'outside storage' in 'international containers'. These containers are the same used for international shipping. The board voted 5-0 (with Mr. Armstrong abstaining and Mr. Wissel absent) issuing a negative declaration.

2. HEWITT SUBDIVISION, Joe's Hill Road. There are still major concerns with this two lot subdivision. In one survey used the topography is not accurate so that submitted plans are inconsistent. The applicant wants to be referred to the ZBA for two setback variances. The Board declined to forward this to the ZBA as a presently non-conforming lot will be made even more non-conforming if variances are issued.
There is currently no compliance with the Recourse Protection Plan. The Board declined to vote on this project until the items above are addressed. Peder Scott is the engineer.

3. ARBORSCAPE, Fields Lane: The Board declined to vote on final approval until the applicant submits new plans for an eight foot boulder retention wall. Plans must be certified by a civil engineer. The applicant again promised to try to stay out of the 'controlled area.

4. VALUE VILLAGE at TOWN CENTRE: All concerns here centered around traffic safety issues. The Board felt that a traffic engineer should look resubmitted plans over. Terry Hahn is the engineer.

COMMENTS:
Again the Board asked some very good questions.

CRSE is concerned with the storage containers to be used at Powers Fasteners. These containers set a bad precedent as they are an inexpensive way to circumvent additional building thus avoiding any payment of property taxes. Mr. Armstrong seems particularly unhappy with this project.

The Hewitt Subdivision. Well, where to begin... The proposed septic fields are on greater than 15% slopes. The DEP has a letter on file stating that this will not be permitted. The inconsistencies go on and on with nothing done from meeting to meeting to alleviate problems. The Board is on top of this project especially with regards to the variances needed. CRSE appreciates the sensible stand taken by the Board.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and peaceful new year! Thanks for all your help and support throughout '03. It's been a pleasure working with all our members who continue to make a real difference in Southeast.

With highest Regards,
Lynne Eckardt