West
Carthage Planning Board
Regular Meeting
May
12, 2010
Board Members Present: Ronald Blinebry, Chairperson
David Rohr, Paul Pierce, Tom
Valentine.
Joe Onyon, absent
Recording Secretary: Lou Ann Smith
Others Present: Brian Drake, GYMO representing Northern
Federal Credit Union (NFCU).
Chairman Blinebry called the
meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Minutes
for the joint Planning Board and Village Board meeting held on March 3, 2010 were
reviewed. On motion by T. Valentine and seconded by D. Rohr minutes were
approved and carried unanimously.
Brian
Drake presents the previous site plan approved by the Planning Board and the
new revised site plan. The new plan building has been increased to 1200 sq. ft.
extending approximately 10 feet towards the creek. Alternative energy has been added, with the
addition of two solar panels to be installed, geothermal wells placed in the
back of the building and the use of some green and recycled materials used in
the construction of the building. B. Drake explains where the solar panels are
to be placed, on the creek side of the building. The panels will be 13’ x 11’
on a 4’ stand at an angle. All of the board members object to the placement,
the members would like to see them moved to the back of the building or even
consider placing them on the roof. The Board members are not objecting to the
use of solar panels, they welcome the introduction into the village, just the
placement because of aesthetic reasons. B. Drake explains he doesn’t know too much
about the panels because a different engineer designed that part of the plan
and all he is aware of is that the current placement is to be able to gain the
most from the sun. He will take the members concerns back to NFCU and the other
engineer and see if there are other alternatives to the placement of the
panels. He will contact R. Blinebry with the answer.
R.
Blinebry asks if any of the board members have any comments or concerns other
than the solar panel placements. No comments.
R.
Blinebry asks for a motion to accept the new site plan with the minor changes
to include the increase in square footage, but with the exception of the solar
panel placements to be answered after further review and investigation into the
possibility of the panels being placed elsewhere on the property. Motion by D.
Rohr, seconded by P. Pierce, carried.
D.
Rohr comments that since there are no written village codes regarding
alternative energy will the planning
board have a leg to stand on if NFCU insists on leaving the solar panels where placed
on the plans. R. Blinebry believes they do, but it is important that the
planning board, as well as the village board needs to look into getting this
issue on the books now that alternative energy has been introduced into the
village.
R.
Blinebry comments on the fact that during the week P. Pierce was out driving
and noticed on Bridge St
a resident had removed part of the sidewalk and was removing the driveway
entrance. Upon further investigation R. Blinebry found that by the time he was
able to view the property the driveway and sidewalk had been replaced with new
concrete. The sidewalk has now been angled to create an even flow for cars to
enter and exit the driveway without bottoming out. The result has created a
very hazardous situation for pedestrians in the event of slippery conditions as
well as being non-conforming. R.
Blinebry contacted the owner and informed him that a Zoning Permit needed to be
issued and the sidewalk needs to meet code. The owner has completed a Zoning
Permit application and R. Blinebry plans on meeting with the owner on Friday
and will inform him and his contractor they will need to remove the sidewalk
concrete and replace it to bring it into compliance with the Village code. R.
Blinebry asks the board members that at any time they notice anything unusual or
projects they feel may be in non-conformance with village code to please
contact him so he can address them.
No other
comments from the board members.
Next
regular meeting will be held Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
R.
Blinebry asks for a motion to adjourn, motion by T. Valentine, second by D.
Rohr. The meeting is closed at 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Lou
Ann Smith
Recording
Secretary
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
