Minutes of the March 4, 2008 meeting of the CONSERVATION BOARD of the TOWN OF ORCHARD PARK, Municipal Center, Basement Meeting Room 4295 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, New York at 7:00 PM.  Present were the following:

MEMBERS PRESENT:     Richard Schechter, Chairman

                                      Ann Bergantz

                                      Thomas Jaeger

                                      James Loesch

                                      Frank Newton

George Schichtel

David Ward                          

OTHERS PRESENT:        Councilwoman Nan Ackerman

                                      Remy C. Orffeo, Planning Coordinator

Rose Seivert, Conservation Board Secretary                          _________________________________________________________________________________________

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. by stating that in accordance with the provisions of the Ethics Law of the Town of Orchard Park it is incumbent upon any Conservation Board member with a financial or business relationship with any petitioner coming before this Board to disclose this relationship and, if warranted, to recuse him or herself from any matter involving the petitioner. Any petitioner coming before this Board who is a relative of, or 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:

Chairman Schechter noted that the January and February meeting minutes are not available for approval and that they will be voted on at the April meeting, which will be held on April 1, 2008.

1.  Conservation Easement request – Mrs. Joyce Rettig, 5259 Bussendorfer Road.     Requesting a 15-year Conservation Easement on 22.99 acres.  Board member Anne Bergantz to report on property.

     Mrs. Bergantz reported that the property is adjacent to the proposed “Traditional Neighborhood” subdivision, that the site has no wetlands and it could be developed;  she recommends to the Board that this property be accepted.

     The Chairman made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Loesch to ACCEPT this property for a Conservation Easement and direct the Town Assessor to evaluate this Conservation Easement to determine the appropriate assessment reduction.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

2. C.B File #05-08, Bryant & Stratton College, 200 Red Tail, located on the south west portion of the Sterling Park Complex, adjacent to the Route 219 on-ramp and Milestrip Road, Zoned I-1.  Applicant is seeking a Building Permit and     

     Site Plan approval for the construction of a 6,364 sq. ft. addition. Town Board referred to Conservation Board on 2/6/08.

APPEARANCE: Mr. Chris Wood, Carmina & Wood Architects

     Mr. Wood presented and explained the proposed landscaping plan to the Board. He told the Board that an area of black top is being removed and that

     the green space will be increased slightly at the site.

     Mr. Schichtel stated that he feels that the over-all landscaping plan is good. 

     Chairman Richard Schechter requests that Mr. Wood submit a plan stamped by a NYS licensed architect.

Mr. Schichtel made a MOTION, seconded by Mrs. Bergantz, to ACCEPT the plan as presented, subject to receiving a stamped plan by a R/A.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

The Chairman noted that a two-year Landscape Completion Bond (performance bond) in the full amount of the landscaping cost $7,700.00     or a certified check in the amount of $3,850.00 is to be presented to the Town Clerk prior to receipt of a building permit. All lighting is to be directed downward and toward the site and any dumpsters are to be screened. Approval is contingent upon acceptance by the Town Engineering Department.

Other Business:

Planning Coordinator Orffeo discussed the Conservation Easement renewal request of Mr. Roberts, 6350 Cole Road, Orchard Park, New York and the Town Assessor’s correspondence dated 2/27/08 to Mr. Roberts. Mr. Orffeo stated that he feels the Conservation Easement policy is good and beneficial to the Town; if the Assessor issues a response such as this to everyone that wishes to renew their easements we will no longer have an easement policy. 

The Board discussed the Conservation Easement program further. Planning Coordinator Orffeo informed the Board of the efforts of Diane Rohl who resides in the Town of Elma.

The Chairman asked the Planning Coordinator to issue a voucher/payment to join the Western N.Y. Land Conservancy.    

With no other business to be presented to the Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 P.M. by UNANIMOUS APPROVAL.

     DATED:           March 26, 2008                                          Respectfully submitted,

     REVIEWED:    April 1, 2008                                                  Rosemary M. Seivert

                                                                                      Conservation Board Secretary

     Richard Schechter, Conservation Board Chairman