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June
12, 2007
Planning Board Minutes
Oswego Town Hall |
Chair:
Jeffrey Boyer
Town Board Members: Judy Sabin-Watson, Francis
Dellamano,
Lee Phillips, Barry Pritchard, James Finn
Attorney To The Board: Stephen Greene, Jr. |
Call
to Order:
At approximately 7:10 PM, Chairman Jeffrey Boyer called the
meeting to order.
Attendance:
Those
in attendance were:
Jeffrey
Boyer
Judy Sabin-Watson
Francis Dellamano
Lee Phillips
Barry Pritchard
James Finn
Stephen Greene, Jr.
Marjorie Best |
Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Attorney
Secretary |
Those in Attendance involving United Development Group:
|
Jeffrey Smetana |
Executive
Vice President of United Group |
| Craig
Zogby |
Project
Manager of United Group |
| Gregg
Upsprung |
Principal
of United Group |
| Timothy
Faulkner |
Associate
Senior Engineer - Clough Harbour & Associates |
| John
Condino |
Sr.
Project Manager of Barton & Loguidice |
| Michael
Stanley |
Attorney |
| Kevin
Caraccioli |
Attorney
for Zoning Board |
Approval
of May 21, 2007 Minutes:
No comments or corrections, therefore Lee Phillips made a motion
that the May 21, 2007 Minutes be approved. Judy Watson seconded
the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.
Approval of May 30, 2007 Committee Minutes:
Since there were no comments or corrections, Fran Dellamano
made a motion that the May 30, 2007 Committee Minutes be approved.
Lee Phillips seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.
Application #2007-03- United Development Group - Oswego College
Suites - Site Plan Review:
Jeff asked Fran to give a brief summary of what they discussed
at the Committee Meeting. Fran said that on May 30th, we met
here, and discussed traffic. We brought in an Engineer. We discussed
what some of the problems were. We had a very good meeting.
We have a report of some of the things said at the meeting that
night.
Jeff said he would make sure that any reports will be available
at the Town Hall for public review.
Jeff said at the last regular meeting, we went through Part
II of the SEQRA. A copy of that section was sent to Barton &
Loguidice for review. He understands that they are not quite
through with the review process. They do have some questions
as to how we answered some of the sections in this, and what
I propose to get through this, is create another committee of
two individuals to work with Barton and Loguidice to go through
all the questions and make sure we have the proper answers to
make a decision on this project. Jeff asked for a motion to
identify two individuals for a committee to continue review
of the SEQRA with Barton & Loguidice. Barry Pritchard made
the motion, and Lee Phillips seconded it. All ayes. Motion carried.
Jeff then asked for two volunteers. Barry Pritchard and Jim
Finn volunteered. Jeff said in order to meet our time line,
the committee should meet as early as next week. It was decided
the committee will meet on Monday, June 18th at 7:00 PM. Fran
asked if it was possible that Barton & Loguidice could send
us the topics we have questions on? Marge said there is a gentlemen
from Barton and Loguidice here tonight. Jeff asked John Condino
if he could get the information to Marge so she can distribute
it to the board members? Mr. Condino said he would. Jeff said
when the SEQRA, it will be transmitted to the County and they
will have to do the review within 30 days. We would like to
get it to the County before the end of June.
Public Comment:
Don Fitch:
Don directed his comments to United Group. He said they are
planning on a two phase. They are doing one phase with some
200 units, now you are talking of changing it to a one phase.
And now someone is going to build on campus. He just wondered
how many buildings we need. If they are going to build 400 units
on campus, and you are going to build 400 or 800. Everything
we have been told is the population at the college is going
to dwindle.
Tom Dunsmoor:
Tom had a couple of questions for the developer. He asked how
much the project is going to cost. Jeff Smetana said they are
still in the early planning stages, so they don't have exact
figures as yet. Tom asked if they had done a cost analysis.
Jeff said it would be premature right now.
Tom had a question for the Board. He asked if the Board had
determined if this is a negative declaration or a positive declaration.
Jeff Boyer said we have done neither, as the SEQRA is incomplete.
We are getting a review from our engineering firm. They have
some questions as to some of our answers. That is why we formed
a committee to go over this. Tom asked when the Board will make
a decision. Is it done in private session? It would be done
after the committee meeting is finished, or it will be done
after the County reviews it. Jeff said the public will know
about it.
Tom then read a prepared statement:
"After the initial review at the last Planning Board Meeting,
it is obvious that this project is subject to change. Many of
them are negative impact. Because of this potential, we ask
that you issue a positive declaration. Of all the SEQRA rights,
it is the developer's option at their expense, as to who does
the study. It also states that the lead agency is the Planning
Board, and can hire experts to review the DEIS for accuracy,
scope, content and impact. It also states that this is at the
expense of the developer up to 2% of the total cost of the land
and improvements. In this case, you can spend $220,000 to $440,000
to $660,000 and the developer must pay for this"
Bill Dunsmoor:
He asked what the process is after tonight - is something going
to the County? Jeff said the SEQRA form goes to the county for
their review. Also, every document we have will go to them for
review. Bill said that no vote has been taken by this committee,
and Jeff said no. We will get a recommendation by the county,
and then we will vote on it here. It should be sometime in July.
Bill said someone could make a proposal this evening to vote
on a positive declaration. Jeff said other than the committee
that will meet next week, the next regular meeting is July 16th.
Fran said we can't vote on a positive declaration, as there
are still questions to be answered. We have to get it all straightened
out before we can vote.
Bill asked if there was a challenge on the Zoning Board's determination
of dormitory, or not a dormitory, would that prevent this from
carrying through with the county, or would it just continue
on? If there was an Article 78 in Supreme Court, and whether
or not it is or is not a dormitory. Jeff said we cannot make
a decision until the Zoning is resolved. Jeff said he was informed
that he made a bad statement. We don't need to wait for the
Zoning Board to make a decision. Our responsibility is the Site
Plan Review.
Ryan DeSantis:
Ryan said after what he read in the paper yesterday, I don't
think there is a necessity to have so many buildings. The first
college he went to had a complex, and it didn't work out. You
people think it would be cost effective. He said he didn't think
it would. From the article in the paper, the students want to
see what's going on, and there is no information out there at
present. Jeff Boyer said we are not in a position to answer
that now. Our responsibility is Site Plan Review. Fran said
he should ask the investors, who are putting the money up. Jeff
told Ryan that he is welcome to talk to the investors after
the meeting.
Bob Vaughn:
He understands they could be using the Ontario Heights Sewer
System. That system is designed for about 100 homes. Break this
down to 700 people.
John Condino:
At this point, there is some work to be done to see where the
best place to hook into the sewer system is. It's a little premature
right now.
Bill Dunsmoor:
Bill said he is on the Sewer District in Ontario Heights. As
he understands, they are talking stages of New Street. It was
either a 25 year note or 30 year bond. He said they pay $450
a year for the sewer, plus what it costs to send it to the city
and treat it. We paid for the infrastructure of that sewer,
and there are 86 homes. If you put 100 more homes on it, I would
think we wouldn't have to pay any more for my sewer, since the
developer would have to pay the balance of what the infrastructure
costs. If they don't use that sewer, the only other way is to
go through Sheldon Ave. The homeowners on Johnson Road are under
the inclination that they will get a sewer line in front of
their homes to hook into, can't happen. You can't hook into
a pressurized line. There are 125 signatures on a Petition who
are upset about this project being in the neighborhood. Jeff
Smetana said they are working internally on this, and there
are several options that will work well. He said he knows you
can't tie into a pressurized line, but there are lift stations.
Bill Dunsmoor said he would like to see something in black and
white, as to what the options are. Bill said there are a lot
of promises to be made. He told Jeff he isn't saying he isn't
a man of his word. Bill said he is a business man also, but
spends his money here in Oswego, and that the developer will
be taking their money back to Troy. He hopes the Board will
consider the feelings of the homeowners in the area, and the
traffic. Jeff Smetana said they will be like any other new business
- they will spend money here. We will be hiring all sorts of
services here.
Bill asked if any of their projects have been taken over by
the college. Jeff said none of them.
Randy Farnsworth:
He asked how much time they have spent with the Sheriff's Department,
talking about in the event of a disaster in the facility, such
as what happened at Virginia Tech. Those kids are not going
to be sitting there drinking soda pop, and playing cards. They
are college students. They will be sneaking beer, alcohol, drugs
- you name it - you are going to have it.
Jeff Boyer said when this packet is turned over to the County,
that is part of the review. They give this to the Sheriff's
Department for their review. Randy said the Sheriff's Department
usually has a car out East and one West, and they could be waiting
an hour for a sheriff. The Oswego Police Department isn't going
to respond, as it is out of their jurisdiction.
Randy also asked about the Code Enforcement Officer in our town.
He said he drove by the fraternity house on Johnson Road, and
the grass is 2 feet high.
Tom Dunsmoor:
He said he doesn't think they ever got an answer as to the Height
Variance, and Jeff Boyer said that is still under discussion.
Jack Tyrie:
Jack said one technical thing regarding the SEQRA review, when
the budget was discussed, he believes there will have to be
a sewer district. That means it would become part of the town
budget. He realizes it is not a cost to the town, it still will
be an increase in the town budget. One other thing - he doesn't
know if the traffic study is going to evaluate what Johnson
Road will be like when there is a sporting event at the college.
And anyone going down Johnson Road, even though it says no parking,
it is lined bumper to bumper with people parked on the sides
of the road. As to the sewer line, I assume they will have to
cross 104. If it is anything like the sewer project that was
done in Ontario Heights, 104 is going to have to be blocked
off. We will have to go through the State. He encouraged the
Board not to rush through anything. The traffic study in the
summer is not the same as when the college students are there.
They knew a traffic study would be requested when they put the
proposal in months ago.
Don Fitch:
He said in 2010, 104 is going to 4 lanes - was that factored
in the traffic study? Jeff Boyer said he had not gotten a response
from the DOT yet.
Doug Waterbury:
His understanding of the Planning Board's job is to assess the
negative impact. Fran said it is Site Plan Review. Doug thinks
there will be a negative impact, as several people have stated
tonight. Many people have spoken of how this would affect the
quality of life in Ontario Heights. A PILOT agreement would
generate $5M, and he doesn't know why they need a PILOT Agreement.
He doesn't think the school district or the county is going
to benefit from this. The developer may buy materials locally,
but they aren't going to buy a significant amount of materials.
They may create 4 or 5 jobs, but not hundreds. About 80% of
the developer's money will leave the community, where our money
stays in Oswego.
Jeff Boyer asked if there are any new items under Open Board
Discussion. Jeff repeated that on the 18th of June, we will
be having a Committee Meeting. Barry and Jim will meet with
Barton & Loguidice at 7:00 PM here. They will do a second
review of the SEQRA. Another date we talked about is the 21st
of June, which is the Zoning Board Meeting. July 16th is our
next Planning Board Meeting.
Lee asked if the Zoning Board has to okay the 4th story, and
Jeff said yes. Are we supposed to make a decision before the
Zoning Board makes theirs. Jeff said it is an independent decision.
Fran questioned the traffic study. They are going to get a right-of-way,
and they don't have that. He doesn't see how we can approve
a Site Plan without that definite. Jeff Smetana said it is not
on the Site Plan. We have a pedestrian access that we are proposing.
Fran said we need the width, lighting, etc. on the Site Plan.
Will there be a call box in case something happens?
Lee questioned - you are making a path on your property that
empties out on the college property? What gives you the right
to go across their property? Jeff Smetana said college students
walk across this all the time.
Tom Dunsmoor had questions on the right of way, and where it
is going to be. They looked at the drawings and maps and had
some discussion.
Jeff Boyer stated that we are in Open Board Discussion. We are
not getting back into Public Comment, as the public had their
opportunity to speak.
Fran stated there are a lot of steps, and a lot of things that
need to be submitted to us. Somehow, someone has to write all
these things down, and see which ones have been done, and the
ones that haven't been done. The Site Plan Review has a bunch
of rules and regulations. Jeff said we will work with Marge,
and get it all together.
Adjournment:
At approximately 8:15 PM, Lee Phillips made a motion to adjourn
the meeting. Barry Pritchard seconded the motion. All ayes.
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Best,
Secretary to Planning Board |
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