CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD
JULY 8, 2015
The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Chairman Laurence Saulpaugh, Thomas Jantzen, Clayton Andrus, Jennifer Phillips and Ron Miller. Mary Howard and Nathan Hempel were absent. Others present were Ray Tousey, Ripley Hathaway, Hart and Dana Perry, Kenneth Dow, Attorney for Ripley Hathaway, Robert Desmond, Tom and Lucy Henry, Barbara Turczyn, Jessica Vigars for Verizon, George Schmitt, Town Engineer and Matthew Griesemer, Attorney for the Town.
Chairman Laurence Saulpaugh opened the meeting. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the June meeting by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Clayton Andrus. All in favor. So carried.
RAY TOUSEY: 1783 Route 9 – Tax Map ID#181.3-1-6.110
Mr. Tousey brought in new maps showing an addition of a shed on the back of the barn and an agreement with the neighbor on the fence installed on the property line. The addition of the shed does not meet the setback requirements so it may be necessary to go to the ZBA. Our attorney feels that it is a new addition and must meet the code for the setback. Mr. Tousey questioned this, as the barn is an existing structure. The fence issue has been resolved with the neighbor. It was recommended going to the ZBA for an area variance and the planning board holding a combined public hearing on the addition of the shed and the site plan. Adding the fence notation does not require a public hearing.
RIPLEY HATHAWAY: 930 Woods Road – Tax Map ID#168-1-1
Ms. Hathaway and Kenneth Dow addressed the board and showed a new map, which showed handicap parking spaces, additional parking spaces at a ratio of 3.5 to 1 and relocation of the tent. Specifications for lighting are shown and conditions of the events are listed on the map as follows:
Events are held from April to November.
Events are limited to a maximum of 325 people, which includes all persons on site, including staff, etc.
Events are scheduled no earlier than 12 noon and amplified sound shall cease no later than 10:30 P.M., events ending no later than 11:30 P.M.
Operations are subject to sufficient sewage facilities as approved by the Columbia County Health Department.
Ms. Hathaway has tried to contact the Columbia County Health Department but will be installing one pump chamber for the existing sewage disposal system and the installation of an Ultra-Violet disinfection system for the domestic water. She has had no response from the Health Department.
John Fieser, Building Inspector, did an inspection on July 5 and had no issues with anything. A public hearing will be scheduled for August 12th at 7:30 P.M. Lead Agency notices have been sent out with the Planning Board taking lead agency status. Also, these plans will be sent to the Columbia County Planning Department for their review.
HART PERRY: 726 Woods Road – Tax Map ID#179-1-33
Mr. Perry brought in a new map showing handicapped parking and added 23 additional spaces, which can be used for handicap parking. The map shows the tent areas, portable toilets and additional alternate parking for overflow. The following is shown on the map:
Expected number of events per season to be eight
Months of operation from May through October
Number of persons attending from 20 – 150
Hours of operation from 2:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.
Lead Agency notices will be sent out with the Planning Board taking lead agency status. These plans will be sent to the Columbia County Planning Department for their review. A public hearing will be scheduled for August 12th at 7:30 P.M.
TOM & LUCY HENRY: The Henry’s are seeking to purchase 2.79 acres on Route 6 and are inquiring about putting a mobile home on the property for Mrs. Henry’s mother. They have sold her home and are in the process of selling theirs. Eventually, they said that they would be building a home on the property also. The board explained that the zoning does not allow for new mobile home sites. Those that are grandfathered or in a mobile home park are the only allowable mobile homes. The board suggested to them putting up a garage with an apartment for her mother. When they build, the garage would become an accessory use. They would have to get a building permit for a garage with an accessory apartment.
VERIZON WIRELESS/ALFRED JANTZEN: 137 Pleasantvale Road – Tax Map #192-1-29.1 and 201-1-01
Jessica Vigars representing Verizon Wireless came before the board. The cell tower will be a 120’ monopole. At the Planning Boards request, they will be enclosing the access road with four-foot wire fence, posts twelve feet apart with a double gate. When asked why this site was chosen over three possible sites on the property, they were looking at the amount of clearing that had to be done and the coverage area. They are also looking at the impact on the public and resources. Ms. Vigars identified the historic properties and sensitive areas in the area. A neighbor, Mr. Arpoleo has questioned the distance of the tower from his property line, and Ms Vigars has had the consultants check the distance and it is correct. He has also offered that his property could be used for the access to the property, but they feel that this access road is a logical decision and knows nothing about Mr. Arpoleo’s property and they are perfectly happy with Mr. Jantzen’s property.
Ms. Vigars would like to confirm the dates for the balloon test. It is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st or Wednesday, July 22nd between the hours of 8AM and 4 PM depending on the weather. It is most likely that it will be in the morning hours because atmospheric conditions are better. The balloon tests will be done by outside consultants. They will also be taking photographs on the test date. She anticipates having the SWEPP plan and balloon test results in August. Lead agency notices will be sent out with the Planning Board taking lead agency.
A motion was made to hold the balloon test and to post a notice in the newspaper by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Clayton Andrus. All in favor. So carried.
It is expected that when all reports are in, a public hearing can be scheduled for September to be held with the Zoning Board of Appeals.
A motion was made to adjourn at 9:20 P.M. by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Ron Miller.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon
Secretary