C.B. Mtg. #3 Reg. Mtg. #3 March 2, 2004 Page 1 7:00 PM
Minutes of the March 2, 2004 meeting of the CONSERVATION BOARD of the TOWN OF ORCHARD PARK, Municipal Center, Second Floor Conference Room, 4295 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, New York at 7:00 PM, present were the following:
MEMBERS PRESENT: James Loesch, Chairman
Ann Bergantz
Thomas Jaeger
Frank Newton
David Ward
George Schichtel
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Richard Schechter
OTHERS PRESENT: Rob Pidanick, Greenman-Pederson, Inc.
Leanne Johnston, Greenman-Pederson, Inc.
Michael Borowiak, Nussbaumer & Clarke, Inc.
Andy Romanowski
Nan Ackerman, Councilwoman
Sarah des Jardins, Planning Coordinator
John Hakes, “Southtown’s Citizen”
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. by stating that any person before this Board who is a relative of, or who has a financial or business relationship with any officer or employee of the Town of Orchard park must disclose the nature and extent of such relationship in accordance with the provisions of the Ethics Law of the Town of Orchard Park.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A motion was made by Mr. Ward, seconded by Mr. Jaeger, to accept the minutes of the February 3, 2004 meeting.
THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
1. C.B. File #6-04, proposed subdivision on vacant land, northwest corner of Armor Duells Road and Duerr Road (part of the Printy estate), Zoned R-2. Requesting Pre-Application Findings of a 12-lot subdivision.
Project Engineer: Michael Borowiak
Date of Plan: January 28, 2004
Date Plan Received: January 28, 2004
Michael Borowiak, from Nussbaumer & Clarke, Inc., and Andy Romanowski submitted concept review plans for an 18-acre parcel of land
C.B. Mtg. #3 Reg. Mtg. #3 March 2, 2004 Page 2 7:00 PM
to be subdivided into 12 residential estate-size lots. There are no State or Federal wetlands located on the property. Mrs. Bergantz stated that the Trails Task Force is interested in obtaining land in lieu of fees for trails to link to neighboring properties and to the park. Mr. Borowiak pointed out to the Board that there is access in and off of the property without approaching the neighboring Murphy farm.
There was some confusion on the petitioner’s part as to obtaining the 9% land required by the Town for open space and Mr. Borowiak asked for a definition of usable and non-usable land.
The Board explained to Mr. Borowiak to take the total acreage and subtract the 100-year flood plain, the 100-foot buffer, the detention area, and road, to calculate 9% of usable land – land that can be developed – for open space.
If Mr. Borowiak is ready, he may appear before this board again at next month’s meeting with new plans.
2. C.B. Sub. File #3-03, proposed Barrington Heights Subdivision Part Two, Vacant land, west side of Graystone Lane, as an extension of Highcrofte Lane, Zoned R-1. Requesting Pre-Application Findings Review of an 11-lot subdivision.
Project Engineer: Rob Pidanick
Date of Plan: January 5, 2004
Date Plan Received: January 23, 2004
Rob Pidanick from Greenman-Pederson, Inc. presented the second phase of a two-phase project outlining 11 proposed lots situated on 21-acres of land (including wetland). In phase one, 90 lots were completed. Mr. Pidanick stated that all utilities are in except for sewer and there will be no encroachment on the buffer area. Mr. Pidanick also stated that fees coupled with the conservation easement were used in phase one of this project.
Mrs. Bergantz noted the lack of recreation land in such a large development. Mr. Pidanick pointed out that the Forest Creek development will eventually connect into this development and Chairman Loesch suggested that the Conservation Board could possibly achieve recreation land in that development.
Mr. Jaeger moved to recommend that the Town take fees in lieu of land and one street tree per lot is required. Monuments will be installed to delineate wetland boundaries for each lot. Seconded by Mr. Newton.
THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APROVED.
C.B. Mtg. #3 Reg. Mtg. #3 March 2, 2004 Page 3 7:00 PM
3. C.B. File #5-04, Dan DeMarco, 4270 Abbott Road, Zoned B-2. Requesting a Change in Use from residential to commercial in order to install a beauty shop. Town Board referred to Planning Board on 2/4/04.
Mr. DeMarco did not appear before the Board.
Mrs. desJardins asked the Board to review the petitioner’s submittal and provide comments.
The Board asked Mrs. desJardins to convey to Mr. DeMarco their suggestion of planting deciduous trees along Abbott Road and to submit a landscape plan prepared by a registered landscape architect.
4. C.B. File #4-04, proposed Fox Run of Orchard Park, Vacant land, southeast corner of Big Tree Road and California Road, Zoned B-2. Requesting a Building Permit to construct a continuing care retirement community. Town Board referred to Planning Board on 2/4/04.
The attorney for this project was out of town and was unable to attend this evening’s meeting. Mrs. desJardins asked that the Board review the landscaping plans and informed the Board that this project is a commercial site so there will be no land in lieu of fees. The Board is being asked to approve landscaping plans for the project.
The Conservation Board recommends that the petitioners incorporate multi-use paved trails in the site plans before presenting to the Board in April.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Chairman Loesch asked members of the Board to consider the pros and cons of cash vs. bonding and bring their ideas back at next month’s meeting.
Ms. des Jardins informed the Board of approximately $20,000 that was obtained from Orchard Glen for defaulting on completion of the site landscaping. Mrs. Ackerman suggested that Mrs. desJardins obtain written confirmation from the petitioner regarding the default and transfer the money into the Land Acquisition Fund.
Chairman Loesch also handed out to the members an article from American Farmland Trust – “Erie County: Farming on the Urban Edge.”
C.B. Mtg. #3 Reg. Mtg. #3 March 2, 2004 Page 4 7:00 PM
With no other business to be presented to the Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM by UNANIMOUS APPROVAL.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Ulrich, Secretary
James E. Loesch
Chairman
JEL:lku