TOWN OF BERNE

PLANNING BOARD

P.O. Box 57

Berne, New York 12023

REGULAR MEETING

Date: May 3, 2007

Present: Gerard Chartier (G.C.), Michael Vincent (M.V.), Timothy Lippert (T.L.), Alan Rockmore (A.R) Planning Board Members; Carol Crounse, Town Board Liaison

Guests:

The meeting was called to order by Gerard Chartier. Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm.

PUBLIC HEARING:

G. ANTHONY: East Hill Road

-Proposed septic lot # 2 – Albany County Health Department have no set plans that they can approve. The original septic was applied for as a barn; therefore the plans need to be re-submitted for a 2 bedroom house.

- Road to be abandoned and re-planted with some kind of trees. Per Wendy Anthony this will not be a problem at all.

-T.L. - The 25.7 acre lot has a lot of material stored on it.

-Wendy – the property has been cleaned up per DEC requirements

-M.V. - The taxes have not been paid, all taxes have to be paid before a subdivision map can be filed.

-Wendy- I am aware of that condition. When we close on the sale of one property we will pay all the taxes.

M.V. - Caretakers house- What about a deed restriction on lot #3? To prevent this house from being subdivided off If this property. (Just in case this lot is not longer used for agricultural status).

-Lot # 3 does not have a driveway.

G.C. - Power of attorney?

-Wendy – I have power of attorney for George.

Public Comment:

Mike Merwin:

o -Set back on Caretakers House.

If lots are subdivided this way there is a set back problem. Will a Variance be required?

Are there enough driveway frontages for all lots?

Steve Lamont:

o No objection to the subdivision in general. I object to the way this one has occurred. Applicants should have come before the board before they did anything on the property.

-DEC has an open case against the property.

-there is large manure area on property

-Caretaker house is this really a rental place.

-Against the subdivision as it is laid out currently.

William Winton:

o How can they build on property that wasn’t owned by George Anthony?

o The cabin that has been stated that would be for Mark Anthony currently has a for sale sign on it.

o The building permit was for a barn/garage area and now is a shell to a house.

o Possibility of obtaining a water well flow down test due to the increased number of lots?

Secretary read into record letters/reviews from:

- Conservation Board Town of Berne

- Town of Broome/Schoharie County

- Dennis & Kathleen Desmond

- Mr. Conway

Peter Schaming (Town of Berne Code Enforcement Officer)

o You can build multiply dwellings on your own property as long as you own them.

o All the dwellings/buildings have been issued building permits.

o Albany County Health Department needs to ok Lot #2 for a septic.

§ Building permit was for a barn not a two bedroom house.

§ New design standards need to be given to Albany County.

Further Information needed:

- Design of Septic Lot # 2

- Variance for Barn & Caretaker House Lot #3 based on current plat plan.

- NYS DEC letter stating satisfied with clean up for remaining lands.

- Tax issue- they are not currently paid.

- Easement on lot #3 for Electric/ Driveway

- Revised possible lot line as recommended in public comment.

o Ms. Anthony can check with Buckman & Whitbeck on this issue if she so wishes.

- Conservation board has recommended that a log plan be submitted for any logging on property and a forestry study be obtained.

T.L. made a motion to keep public hearing open until some further information can be obtained and reviewed.

M.V. seconded motion to keep public hearing.

G.C. all in favor – all yes.

REGULAR MEETING:

Minutes: Page # 3 Rufa Contd

Change window openings to same style and design.

Old metal fence removal- includes that fence borders next to Porter and Mann lots.

M.V. - motion to accept minutes as changed.

T.L. – seconded motion to accept minutes as changed

All in favor of minutes as changed.

SENIOR HOUSING:

Mr. Jeff Thomas, Dominick Ranieri, & Francis Bossolin

-Proposed project is on 13 acre lot.

- Up to 100 units (two phases)

- Currently looking into hooking to the proposed sewer system in Berne

- Potable water wells are played on site & looking into purchasing water from the School.

- Currently the property would need a zoning change in order to build the proposed Senior Housing

A.R. – Time Table for project.

- Sewer is still under discussion.

- Water flow for property?

Mr. Thomas – there is a need currently for senior housing. I would like to start as soon as possible, because there is a great deal of work that will need to be done.

A.R. – Will there be age requirements?

-Mr. Thomas – age requirement 55 years old, any other restrictions would legally need to be looked into.

- -Where will residents park?

-Parking will be on horse shoe area.

Site Plan concept.

Chevron design lay out.

Every unit will be handicap accessible.

Common space so that residents can enjoy each others company.

Flex room for resident activities.

Covered porch area off the back of the building

Community Gardens are planned for parking and landscaping areas.

Planning another Presentation of Senior housing project for Town of Berne, it will be held in Rensselaerville at ____________________________.

M.V. - Just so the public is aware that I have been involved with Mrs. Carmen in the preliminary and secondary development in this project as a volunteer.

G.C. – The planning board needs to make a written recommendation to the Town of Berne board on the proposed zoning change for this project.

G.C. – Does the planning board have any objections in reviewing a couple of other parcels in this area?

Set a site visit for 05/05/07 for 1pm meeting at the Fire House in Berne, a complete report will be done by 05/17/07 meeting.

- Check with Pat Favreau if the Conservation Board has been sent information in order to do a site review.

STEMPEL: Main Street, East Berne

Special use permits to operate a beauty salon.

- Read into record the Conservation Boards site review.

- Handed out a letter from Maver Becker in regards to the septic facilities on property.

o 3 Concrete tanks, one common leach field.

o Currently pumped out every year.

o Tank for beauty salon is on right hand side of building.

- Currently apartments- were once a nursing home facility at one time.

- Received written permission from owner to do site visits.

-Emergency Access only one Entrance

old door is not active.

- The hall way behind the salon area goes to another aparment area.

-Bathroom and vanity area will be handicap accessible.

-Need a sketch of the 9 units and the placement of salon in sketch.

-Need a sketch of the septic and where the lines go to and from.

Site visit planned for 05/05/07. at approx. 2pm

Dba given to planning board

Business Cards

Computer diagram of layout give to planning board

-After site visit the planning board will meet on 05/17/07 and send recommendations and file onto zoning board.

OTT/CONKLIN/RELYEA: TABOR ROAD SUBDIVISION

- 4 LOTS

- Under contract with Buckman & Whitbeck to do survey work.

- Application completed and given to planning board.

PARIS:

-Subdivision Minor (Glen Paris Subdivision)

No new information -

ESTATE OF EDWARD PITCHER: Pitcher Lane

No new information.

P. RUFA: Helderberg Trail

Application has been withdrawn. Letter in file.

ADDITIONAL TOPICS:

Regular Meeting, Thursday, May 17 at 7:30pm

No other business before the board at this time, motion for adjournment made by Michael Vincent and seconded by Tim Lippert all were in favor.

Submitted by:

Andrea G. Cornwell, Secretary