PLANNING BOARD

TOWN OF BERNE

P.O. Box 57

Berne, NY 12023

Date: January 6, 2011

Present: Gerard Chartier, Chairman; Tim Lippert; Alan Rockmore; Katherine Hill-Brown; Mike Vincent; Wayne Emory, Town Board Liaison.

Guests: James Snyder; Steven Tedder; Dorothy Fisher; Hali Clayton

Mr. Chartier called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. He introduced Hali Clayton who was attending the meeting as a requirement for her Participation in Government class.

The minutes of 12/2/10 were reviewed. Mr. Rockmore requested that wording be changed regarding the Open Government Law. There being no other changes Mr. Rockmore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Vincent, to approve the minutes. All were in favor and the minutes were approved.

The Biodiversity Study under the Hudsonia Grant was added to the agenda.

OLD BUSINESS

Arigiris Variance – Attorney Conboy advised that the variance process must be followed regardless of the length of time the fence has been up without a permit. Mr. Chartier performed a site visit at 18 Lakeview Road, and provided photos. He stated that the fence is in fairly decent shape but needs some repair. The fence is a stockade style and is 6 feet high. It extends past the building line approximately 25 feet and there is a power pole positioned right on the property line on the shoulder of the street. After discussion regarding moving the application to the ZBA, Mr. Rockmore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Vincent, to forward the application to the Zoning Board with a favorable recommendation to approve a two (2’) foot height variance for the existing fence and further that one westerly section of the fence be removed to keep in conformity with the recently approved fence variance at 25 Lakeview Road. All were in favor and the motion was approved.

Mr. Emory stated he will discuss the Planning Board’s proposal for an amended zoning law for fences with the Town Board.

NEW BUSINESS

Stempel-Fisher-Tedder Lot Line Adjustment – Mr. James Snyder, LS, was representing the applicants. Maps were presented to the board showing the proposed lot line adjustments. The parcels are located in a RAF zone. Mr. Snyder explained that the Tedder parcel came out of the middle of the Stempel-Fisher farm and building lots to the North and South were not established. The Tedder’s would like to incorporate the 5.10 acre parcel to the south and the 7.35 acre parcel to north to their present parcel making it a 17.87 acre parcel. The parcels will be incorporated into one deed. Mr. Chartier stated there would be no environmental impact as no new construction will be done. Mr. Rockmore stated that no new building lots will be created and the board should move forward with a public hearing. Mr. Lippert stated that they are increasing the size of the original lot. Ms. Hill- Brown made a motion, seconded by Mr. Vincent, to schedule a public hearing for February 3, 2011. All were in favor and the motion was approved. Site visits will be performed individually.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Lippert stated that the Comprehensive Plan Committee went through the draft word by word and they have now completed that process. They are negotiating the matrix for the implementation chart and that should be done by 1/17/11. Draft #2 will be produced this week and the committee hopes to have a final draft for a public hearing in late February.

Biodiversity study – Mr. Lippert stated that the final report and map were sent to Hudsonia and edits were made and returned for the Team’s review. He contacted Hudsonia and they will digitize the maps at no charge. Mr. Lippert made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rockmore, to accept the edited final report from Hudsonia with the digitized map, and make a recommendation to the Town Board to send the unexpended grant money back to Hudsonia. All were in favor and the motion was approved.

The Building Department’s Annual Report was reviewed.

Budget – Mr. Chartier asked Mr. Emory for clarity on what is included in the 2011 budget. The issue of having maps printed was discussed again.

Mr. Chartier requested that the secretary produce an annual calendar for planning board meetings and distribute it to the members.

Mr. Lippert suggested that a cooperative meeting with all the boards be scheduled at the February meeting.

There being no further business before the board, Mr. Rockmore made a motion; seconded my Ms. Hill-Brown to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor and the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Anita C. Clayton

Secretary

Final

Approved 2/3/11