MINUTES FO THE STAFFORD PLANNING BOARD
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025 DRAFT
PRESENT:
William VanAlst Chairman
Sharon Valyear-Gray Board Member
Carol Queal Board Member
Lindsay Yoder Board Member
Anita Taylor Board Member
Richard Squires Board Member
Lucas Torrey Acting Board Member
ABSENT:
Paul Tenney Board Member
OTHERS PRESENT:
Gary Clark, Doug and Jackie Ehrhart, Tony and Lori Prinz, Sandra Swanson, Terry Young, Cathy Worthington, Andrew Darling, Donna Voorhees, and Ian Shavitz.
Chairman VanAlst called the regular meeting of the Town of Stafford Planning Board to order at 7:01 p.m.
Public Hearing
Chairman VanAlst mentioned that the Continuation of the Public Hearing for the Application by C.E. Crocker for Site Plan Approval for a storage barn to be constructed on their property at 8610 Route 237, TMP 6.1-1-42.211, has been postponed at the request of the applicant until the March 26, 2025 Planning Board meeting.
Regular Meeting
Chairman VanAlst mentioned that Board Member Paul Tenney was not present, and Lucas Torrey will be a Full Board Member tonight.
Lindsay Yoder made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of January 22, 2025, second by Richard Squires and approved on a 5-0 vote with Sharon Valyear-Gray and Carol Queal abstaining due to their absence of that meeting.
Old Business
Doug and Jackie Ehrhart were present, and their Land Separation was discussed. Last month there were concerns over the property line; this has been rectified with new copies of the mylar drawings. The property line has been moved 100 feet to the west of the pond on Parcel 2.
Lucas Torrey made a motion to accept as a Land Separation, second by Richard Squires and approved on a 7-0 vote.
Sharon Valyear-Gray made a motion to approve the Land Separation, second by Carol Queal and approved on a 7-0 vote.
The application of C.E. Crocker for Site Approval of the Storage Barn was discussed. There is now a Zoning Violation complaint filed. The Zoning and Code Office and Town Board member conducted an inspection of the property for the complaint notice and it appears that some of the violations have been verified; some violations were not, noted due to winter conditions and not in full operation.
The Zoning Officer has since resigned, it was hoped that the Officer would manage any site violations. It is not this board’s responsibility to oversee these concerns, but it is related.
There is no decision on a new officer at this time.
The firm of Lippes Mathias has issued a letter for clarification of the Zoning/Code Officer’s report of Inspection and with suggestions for moving ahead with resolution of the complaints.
Our attorney is working closely on this matter with the applicants’ and complainants’ attorneys.
Ian Shavitz, the Prinz’s attorney, stated that the complaint is separate from the new application and that Prinz’s have offered the Town access to view the operations from Prinz’s property.
The solar project, Genesee 5 and Genesee 6 project update; a report from Lane Appraisals has been received for a Real Property Impact Study; the Town has not discussed this yet. There will be a conference call tomorrow to discuss the Socio-Economic Impact Study with Camoin Associates.
Nothing has been received from CPL for the site plan review comments.
New Business
No New Business.
Correspondence
There was an email from Financial Clerk, Christin Seaver. The pay from the first of the year was incorrect and since been corrected.
The Right to Farm Law was briefly discussed. There were three Towns Local Laws considered. Lucas Torrey spoke of the differences between all of them. York and Covington fit Stafford better; Elba was not the right fit. Chairman VanAlst will report to the Town Board what the Planning Board has discussed.
Cathy Worthington asked if all reports given to the Board are available; yes, they may be FOILED.
Sandy Swanson asked about the Fire Department information, how detailed was it?
The letter was very short, only two to three sentences and they were satisfied with the site plan.
Sharon Valyear-Gray made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m., second by Lucas Torrey and approved on a 7-0 vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Radley
Secretary