The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Darwin Snyder was absent.

PRESENT:

William Dugan III, Supervisor
Lynn Odell, Deputy Supervisor, Councilman
Mark Jordan, Councilman
Jim Frisch, Councilman
Ronald Buxenbaum, Chair of the Planning Board
Paul Simkin, Planning Board member
Ken Furness, Planning Board member
Ann Mendenhall, Planning Board member
Steve Kubarek, Planning Board member
Rose Marie Belforti, Town Clerk

OTHERS:

Bill Carpenter, Supervisor of Pittsford, Monroe County, N.Y.
Amy De Angelo, Cayuga County Planning Board
Ed Ide, Supervisor of Aurelius

PLEDGE:

CONVOCATION:

SUBDIVISION PRESENTATION: Amy De Angelo passed out handouts on subdivision concepts and subdivision laws. She proceeded to give a presentation on the topic of subdivision and described the steps involved in adopting a subdivision law. She discussed the situation that towns are currently in with no subdivision and defined the types of development plans used by developers. Amy said that the Town of Ledyard may want to create a new zone that would allow for subdivision clusters so that preservation of land and views is possible.
She discussed the method of adopting a subdivision law, which include:

-file certificate of reviewing body
-draw up law
-public hearing
-submit preliminaries
-final subdivision plan
-adopt and send off to state

Amy told the Town Board that the subdivision law has to be a separate law from the zoning law.
She took questions and a discussion followed concerning the implication of having no subdivision law and the authority of the Town of Ledyard Planning Board.

SUPERVISOR BILL CARPENTER'S PRESENTATION: Supervisor Bill Carpenter from Pittsford, New York explained to the town boards the battles of growth he has been through over his years as Supervisor for the Town of Pittsford. He told the Boards "it is essential to do town planning before it is needed". He said the town should know what it wants to regulate by first thinking about what it wants the town to look like, what is worth saving, and then writing up a plan (comprehensive plan) to protect the town from undesired development. He said zoning is the most important tool in the toolbox, specifically lot size. Amy said that Cayuga County suggests a one acre minimum lot size where there are private septic systems. Bill said "create a commercial zone and do not let it creep. If there is no land zoned for commercial development, then the developers will fight any denial of permit and be able to put it wherever they want to". The town should ask questions such as: what is important to the community to preserve? Bill said the Planning Board needs as much help as needed. There should be a committee formed to get started on the planning stage of a subdivision law. Bill is "a proponent of thinking first - seeing the end product before development comes in". He said if the town puts in sewerage the houses would quickly follow. He said that developers like to be in control and it is up to the town to be prepared so that the town will be the controlling agent.
A discussion followed concerning the vision process and what a comprehensive plan could look like including commercial, agricultural and residential space. Bill said "make a law that the citizens want and that will allow the town to control it's own destiny". Then he said the town should apply the law the same way each time it is challenged and there will be not problems in a court of law. He suggested the Planning Board set the conditions so that it is clear to developers what can and cannot be done in the town. He said "change will come, what we do is control that change." He said to keep the subdivision law simple so that developers will not pick away at it. He suggested making lot sizes small so "big box" stores or factories will not be attracted to the area. The Planning Board should get input and opinions from the public, by survey and public meetings. He suggested putting up a map of the town, getting out markers and look at what is important to preserve and where zoning spaces could be envisioned. Have meetings with agricultural residents, residential property owners, and historical minded individuals at different times and get a sense of what these groups would like to see for the growth of the town.
Amy De Angelo offered her services from Cayuga County Planning Board as she has helped the towns of Owasco, Sterling, Cato and Locke. She also said that maps are available from the county, and if the town wants to get something in place quickly and then follow up with planning later there is a subdivision law model on the books at the state level, which could be adopted. Bill Carpenter suggested not to hire consultants and that the town should do the planning for itself or could be in cooperation with other towns. He suggested taking the process in two steps:
1st: Comprehensive Plan (get out the crayons and maps)
2nd:Vision Process (with the map and public opinion).

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rose Marie Belforti, Town Clerk