PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
January 8, 2001
Posted 01/15/2001
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting held in the Town Hall basement meeting room, 11 South Main Street, Pittsford, on
January 8, 2001, and filed in the Town Clerk's Office
PRESENT
Bill Brizee, David Wigg, David Jefferson, Richard Palumbo
ABSENT
Nancy Sprenkle, Dan Mossien, Cary Smith
ALSO PRESENT
Richard Williams, Town Attorney, Martin Brewster, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, Douglas DeRue, Planning Assistant, Karen Green, Town Board Liaison, Robyn Marsee, Planning Secretary
Chairman, Bill Brizee, called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board to order at 7:35 p.m.
Settlers Green (Mascetti Property) - Spall Entities
Calkins Road
Preliminary Subdivision
Peter Vars, of Boncke, Mueller, and Eldred Associates, agent for Spall Entities, has submitted the written responses to the DRC Report and has nothing else to add at this time.
Bill Brizee said that a copy of a letter from Doug Morganfeld of the Parks Department will be sent to Mr. Vars regarding a difference of opinion having to do with the responsibility of the park lands on the property.
Marty Brewster stated that he is waiting for a response from Bill Carpenter, Town Supervisor, regarding the hamlet design guidelines. He is also waiting to speak with Cary Smith, who is the point person for this project.
Bill Brizee stated that the Hearing remains open.
D'Agostino Office and Warehouse Building
803 Linden Avenue
Subdivision Site Plan
Neither the applicant nor a representative was present. Bill Brizee stated that a meeting would be held on Wednesday or Thursday of this week with Monroe County Planning and the project engineer regarding access to Linden Avenue. The applicant has not submitted a response to the DRC as of yet.
Spall Entities
Clover Street
Revised Concept
Peter Vars, of Boncke, Mueller and Eldred Associates, agent for Spall Entities, stated that the DRC response was submitted. A letter was sent to the Planning Board discussing Town Law 278, the home clustering concept and the additional five acres in question.
Rich Williams and Peter Vars discussed open space requirements regarding this application.
Bill Brizee stated that the hearing was closed. No decision was made.
Kensington Park - Phase 1
Clover Street
Preliminary/Final Subdivision
Bill Brizee opened the Public Hearing and no comments were given. The hearing was closed. He read the resolution for the renewal of preliminary/final subdivision approval of Phase I. It was seconded by Rich Palumbo, all ayes, none opposed. A copy is attached.
Kunisch-Hanson Property
West Bloomfield Road
Concept Subdivision
Brian Powers, of the Sear-Brown Group, agent for Masi Enterprises, explained the background for the denial of Masi Enterprises' previous application for a Greenprint property. He gave the presentation, outlining the details of the 69½ acre, 82 lot subdivision, two phase development, including wetland information, lot size, sanitary sewer connection, etc. Mr. Powers also inquired about banking 8 lots that the developer would not be using for this concept.
David Jefferson, point person, asked about lot size clarification and setbacks. He would like to set up a site walk with Mr. Powers, Planning Board members and/or the Department of Public Works in the near future.
A discussion regarding the grading and sloping of the subdivision ensued. Retention ponds and drainage were also discussed. At full capacity, the three existing retention ponds will eventually flow into the Mill Creek tributary.
Mr. Powers was asked if this will be a one or two phase project. He responded that it would likely be in two phases.
Bill Brizee asked if there was adequate water pressure. Mr. Powers said that Monroe County Water Authority had improved water pressures and they should be acceptable.
Mr. Brizee stated that the Town has no current mechanism for banking or saving the unused 8 lots for future use. This has not been done previously, and will probably not be done in the future. The Planning Board will do some research into this situation. He also explained the DRC procedure and availability of the DRC report.
Robert Blake, 211 West Bloomfield Road, inquired that if sewers were not installed at the development north of the area, would septic service be applicable. Mr. Powers explained that sanitary sewers are the only option for this concept subdivision.
- Femi Olowosoyo, P.O. Box 93195, Rochester, whose residence abutts the proposed development, feels that the ponds are not sufficient to handle the water runoff problem in this area. He is concerned with the wild turkey population and other wildlife in the area. He questions the possibility of adjacent properties connecting to the proposed sanitary sewer. The existing properties, which surround the area, are much larger than the proposed lots. Mr. Olowosoyo would like to inquire about the designs and prices of the new homes. He also does not agree with the idea of a clustered subdivision in this undeveloped area, and feels it is in bad taste. There is a problem with getting in and out of his driveway, because of the steep slope and poor sight distance, especially in winter.
- Kevin Farrell, 209 West Bloomfield Road, is concerned with water issues and drainage. He explained that his house has flooded twice. He spoke with the DEC representative who said that the area is a productive wetland. Mr. Farrell feels that this plan represents a very aggressive development strategy and is not in favor of it, largely because of the environmental impact.
The concern with property values was raised.
- Richard Jamison, 651 Pittsford Mendon Road, wondered if the proposed 2½ acre lot would be able to connect to the proposed sewer or if it would be on a septic system.
- Mary Lou Stotz, 707 Pittsford Mendon Road, is concerned with the density of this project, although is pleased with the greenspace aspect of it. She questioned who maintains the sewer system.
Marty Brewster explained the public sanitary sewer district operation, including funding, easements and maintenance by the Town of Pittsford.
Bill Brizee discussed the Greenprint policy and said that a copy is available at the library or at the Department of Public Works office for anyone who is interested.
Femi Olowosoyo, a builder and construction company owner, stated that he is obviously not against development, but feels there will be "major destruction" to the land in question. He said that he had previously tried to purchase the land from the owner unsuccessfully. Another option could be that all the owners surrounding the proposed development could possibly join together to purchase it.
Robert Blake, 211 West Bloomfield Road, questioned how close to his property would the potential neighbors be.
Dean Bonner, stated that he is not against development per se, but he is objecting to this proposed subdivision. He is concerned about fire safety and the availability of sanitary sewer.
Bill Brizee explained that this is a fact-finding mission. He also stated that the goal of the Town is to have every home on sanitary sewer.
Marty Brewster stated that the 2½ acre parcel may possibly be on a septic system.
Louis Peck, East Avenue, asked who the DRC board is, when does it meet, and is the public invited. Bill Brizee detailed the DRC process and explained its procedures.
Brian Powers, Sear-Brown, explained the cluster effect and, after a major study was completed, the reason this design was chosen for the proposed development. Existing and potential drainage issues were discussed. Also, the wildlife habitat areas, which will remain after the proposed development is completed, were pointed out.
Bill Brizee detailed the Town's Greenprint and how it was developed.
Lou Masi, Masi Enterprises, gave background on his company, stating his family has been in business for 45 years. He explained that they would like to be "good neighbors" to the surrounding homes. Mr. Masi stated that he would meet with any of the abutting homeowners to clear up any issues and discuss potential problems, etc. He went into detail regarding the styles, prices, square footage, exteriors and interiors of the new homes.
A discussion ensued regarding traffic, road and grading issues. The subject of property values of the existing homes was also discussed.
Zoning issues were also raised. Marty Brewster explained the Site Capacity Calculation Worksheet, which is how the density of lots in subdivisions is calculated. This was discussed at great length.
Bill Brizee stated that the applicant must respond to the DRC report. The Public Hearing will remain open.
Informal discussion of forthcoming Planning Board Applications took place off the record.
The hearing was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robyn Marsee
Planning Secretary
THE OFFICIAL BOARD MINUTES ALONG WITH ATTACHMENTS, IF ANY, ARE ON FILE IN THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE, LOCATED IN THE PITTSFORD TOWN HALL, 11 S. MAIN STREET, AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS OF 9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. WEEKDAYS.