Date of meeting: December 27, 2007
Meeting called to order: 7:00pm
Attendees: Bob Kayser (acting chairman), Annie Bachman, Bill Larzelere, Frankie Long, Larry Peterson, Kevin Swartley
Absent: Thomas Bjorkman (Chairman)
o Guests at meeting: Four members of the public
Acting Chairman Bob Kayser called the meeting to order at 7:00pm describing the meeting as a “special” meeting to discuss 1 agenda item. The Town of Varick Planning Boards possible acceptance of Lead Agency status in the SEQR process for the proposed “Sessler Depot Development Project”. He stated there would be no discussion of the merits or lack thereof for the project itself.
- Seneca County has deemed the project requires a type 1 SEQR evaluation.
- Because of the project submittal date, January 10th 2008, is the final date for a Lead Agency to be declared for the SEQR process.
- The two “involved” agencies have been identified as the Seneca County IDA and the Town of Varick Planning Board. The Planning Board is “involved” because of the recently passed Zoning Code amendments that require a Special Use Permit for the Conservation and Green Energy Zone on the former Seneca Army Depot that Sessler Co. proposes to use for their project.
Discussion followed about the reasons for or against being the Lead Agency and the workload involved.
- Bob Kayser said that if our Board is the Lead Agency, we will be able to hire experts to clarify any issues or perform studies required to be able to properly evaluate the project. The costs for the experts would be borne by the project applicant. There are limits to these costs which will be determined.
- Carol Richardson (guest) stated that she was at the County Supervisors Committee meeting chaired by Dave Kaiser and they did not act on Sessler’s request for a 90 day extension of the project evaluation phase to allow time for public input at several proposed meetings to resolve many publicized objections to the project.
- Bob Kayser said that our Planning Board SEQR evaluation would begin when the final project was presented to us with any changes after any proposed extension period.
- Kevin Swartley stated that our Board members should not actively participate in any of the public meetings because of a conflict of interest and the need for us to be objective in the SEQR evaluation. All agreed.
- Bill Larzelere stated that in his opinion, the public input meetings and extension period was a good idea and would probably make the Boards SEQR evaluation job easier because the plan would come to the Board in a more complete and widely accepted form.
- Annie Bachman informed the Board that she will be leaving the board because of time constraints with business and family. She may continue community service on the Zoning Board of Appeals. She stated her Planning experience will be an asset to this job and she will be able to schedule the fewer meetings. All agreed she will be missed and thanked her for her service.
- Frankie Long made a motion that the Town of Varick Planning Board accept the Lead Agency role in the SEQR evaluation for the upcoming Sessler Depot Development Project. Bill Larzelere seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 in the affirmative and 1 abstention.
Motion to close meeting from Larry Peterson,
Seconded Frankie Long
Motion passed and meeting was closed at 7:40pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted,
Bill Larzelere- Secretary