Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee

December 7, 2006 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Members:                   Danny Ross, Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, Vice Chairman; John Steger, John Troy and Carol Tytler

Others Present:         Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Richard C. Van Donsel, County Attorney; Dan Dineen, Director of Planning Department; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard  

Absent:                       Kay Breed and Tom Hartnett

Mr. Ross turned the meeting over to Mr. Armstrong due to a conflict on interest.

Mr. Armstrong called the meeting to order at 7:38 a.m.

Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the November 16, 2006 meeting; seconded by Ms. Tytler. All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.

RESOLUTIONS:

 

1.         Inclusion of Viable Agricultural Land with the Cortland County Consolidated Agricultural District – Mr. Steger moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Mr. Ross explained that this resolution involves 10 acres of his land that he and his wife are interested in using to start a business.  He added that there are benefits to include this land as viable agricultural land.  Mr. Dineen explained State Agriculture laws and that there is a 30-day window to include viable agriculture land in the Agriculture District.  He added that there are two individuals asking to include their land in the Agriculture District, one being the Ross’s.  Mr. Ross expanded and stated that he and his wife plan to grow mushrooms on the land and that there are few mushroom growers.  Mr. Van Donsel explained that a public hearing is required.  Ms. Tytler asked what the other individuals plan to do with their property.  Mr. Dineen explained that it would be utilized for farming.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; Mr. Ross abstained from voting; resolution approved.

 

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

 

1.         Subcommittee Report, Carol Tytler – Ms. Tytler explained that at the last meeting of the Subcommittee Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Steger were in attendance.  Ms. Tytler explained that C & S Engineering completed a study in 2000 regarding Otter Creek and they have a good historical perspective on the creek.  Ms. Tytler has asked them to attend the next meeting of the Subcommittee on January 3, 2006.  She further discussed a RFP from C & S Engineering for them to develop a plan for the Otter Creek creek bed and to include it in the work with the Department of Transportation regarding a detention plan.  Mr. Tytler reported that she would work with Amanda Barber of Cortland County Soil & Water Conservation regarding any risk factors.  She further discussed having Ms. Barber help eliminate or even just point out issues related to this creek bed.  Ms. Tytler discussed the 2000 analysis regarding the Otter Creek capacity completed by C & S Engineering.  Mr. Dineen discussed briefly the water detention for the Bennie Road area.  Ms. Tytler further discussed the Walmart project water detention plan.  She further discussed having a plan to work with developers to improve the situation.  Mr. Steger discussed Barden Homes having a detention pond and McNerney Chevrolet having detention ditches.  Mr. Ross discussed the Town of Cortlandville having detention ponds in new subdivisions.  Mr. Steger expanded on the discussion and feels that it is a good idea to have detention areas in place and added that in Florida detention basins are used.  Ms. Tytler discussed having an elected official from the Town of Cortlandville and a representative from the City Water Board be involved in Subcommittee work.  The Committee discussed this and Mr. Ross and Mr. Dineen expressed that the Town of Cortlandville in interested in water detention.  The consensus was to have Ms. Tytler contact a representative from the City Water Board to and Mr. Ross and Mr. Dineen contact an elected official from Cortlandville to attend the next meeting of the Subcommittee.  Ms. Tytler expressed that she would contact Mr. Chambers regarding the DOT funds and their availability and advantages.  Ms. Tytler further reported that Ms. Barber is working with Thoma regarding the Community Block Grant and it is still moving ahead.          

 

 2.        Linear Park – Ms. Tytler explained that she had received an e-mail from Steve Broyles, Biology Instructor from SUNY Cortland, regarding Linear Park.  She has asked that Mr. Dineen and Mr. Ross contact him regarding his involvement in the Linear Park trail clean up.  Mr. Dineen and Mr. Ross agreed to do so.  Mr. Van Donsel discussed the Rotary Club being involved in the Linear Park clean up.  Mr. Ross informed the Committee that he has been contact by three individuals who would also like to be involved in the project.  Ms. Tytler also informed the committee that in addition to Mr. Broyles, she is aware of other people at the college that are interested in helping with the project as well.  Mr. Dineen suggested that Lime Hollow be involved.  Mr. Armstrong discussed the trails being handicapped accessible.  Committee members discussed the small bridges on the trail. 

Mr. Troy made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. Tytler.  Mr. Armstrong adjourned the meeting at 7:55 am.

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