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Home My WebLink AboutLP-10/26/2021 LAND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes & Discussion Notes from Meeting held Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. This Regular Meeting was held via the Zoom online platform. The public had access to view and listen to the meeting as it was happening via Zoom. If no access to a computer or smartphone, there was an option to listen in via telephone. Comments from the public may not be solicited nor received without an appointment. It is expected that the Committee will enter into Executive Session* at some point after opening the Regular Meeting for the purpose of discussing applications regarding proposed acquisitions of real property where publicity would substantially affect the value thereof. The public is not allowed to attend, view, or listen to Executive Session. Options for public attendance:  To join via computer: Click Here https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85440973270?pwd=UEl0SUc5MmpxQWU0bGx1cTZLTVJxUT09 Passcode: 437745 *A note that “This meeting has been locked by Host” indicates that the Committee has entered into Executive Session. Or Online at the website zoom.us, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the Webinar ID: 854 4097 3270 Passcode: 437745  Or One tap mobile : US: +16465588656,,85440973270#,,,,*437745# or +13017158592,,85440973270#,,,,*437745#  Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 720 707 2699 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 Webinar ID: 854 4097 3270 Passcode: 437745 ALL ATTENDING VIA ZOOM Members Present: Sam McCullough, Chairperson Doris McGreevy Eric Keil Kimberly Krupski Anne Murray Will Lee Members Absent: John Simicich Also present: Melissa Spiro, Land Preservation Coordinator Melanie Doroski, Land Preservation Secretary Bob Ghosio, Town Board Liaison Damon Hagan, Assistant Town Attorney Stephen Kiely, Esq. (representing Polar Tree Farm, LLC) Jamie Wilsberg Adrienne Fuchs Joe Fuchs Veronica Stelzer Commencement  All “Attendees” will be dismissed from this meeting upon the Committee’s Motion to enter into Executive Session.  This meeting being held via the Zoom online platform.  The meeting began at 7:04 p.m. with six LPC members present. Committee Minutes and Administration  Acceptance of LPC meeting minutes from September 28, 2021 MOTION made by Sam McCullough, seconded by Anne Murray, to accept the 9/28/2021 LPC meeting minutes. Motion carried: 6/0  Next Regular LPC Meeting Date The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 9, 2021 and will be held via the Zoom online platform. Inquiries for Uses or Structures on Preserved Property  SCTM #1000-102.-2-16.3 Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm (Polar Tree Farm, LLC) Request for parking within TPDR Land Preservation Coordinator Melissa Spiro gave background information on Town’s purchase of a development rights easement on the former Edson property. A written request letter dated 10/19/2021 from Stephen Kiely, Esq., representing the landowner, Polar Tree Farm, LLC, was sent to the LPC prior to the meeting. As stated in the letter, the landowner was making a more stable parking area to accommodate all parking on the site. The intention was to relocate topsoil from the proposed parking area and place it in another area of the farm. The parking area was then to be stabilized with permeable material, with runoff control measures implemented, and screening provided by planting Green Giants. The letter was presented to the LPC after work (within the area subject to the Town’s development rights easement) was started at the site. Topsoil had already been removed and relocated to another location within the easement area. The Town’s Code Enforcer had given the landowner a verbal communication to stop work on the parking area within the area subject to the Town’s development rights easement. Stephen Kiely, Esq. gave presentation on his landowners’ request and need to supply a parking area for customers to a U-Pick Christmas Tree farm operation. Kiely noted that:  mud created parking problem and they needed to stabilize the ground for parking;  parking was a critical facet of the u-pick operation;  the parking area would be used for 8-13 days out of the year;  the parking area would hold 80-150 cars during the Christmas tree season only;  in addition, the parking area would be used for equipment storage. At the meeting Kiely said that the landowner was no longer proposing to use RCA, but would use mulch and loam to stabilize the parking area and temporary dry wells as needed. The LPC asked questions pertaining to:  If the parking area would be used for other uses on the property, for example the skating rink; Kiely said that people would be directed to the appropriate parking areas.  Questions pertaining to the number of days Kiely said the parking area would be used. Kiely said the 8-13 days represented the number of weekend days when the u-pick business was busy.  Whether the parking could be accommodated within the 5± acre area not subject to the Town’s development rights easement; Kiely said that area was used for other aspects of the farm, and that parking within the excluded area would impact the traffic flow.  If the area proposed for the parking area would be used for agricultural production when not used for parking. Kiely said that the intention was to take it out of production now, and to put it back into production in the future.  How many trees were grown and available for the u-pick operation? Kiely said that there are trees available for u-pick and that this is a working tree farm.  Whether or not the soil was compromised by the installation of the parking area. The LPC allowed a neighbor (Jamie Wilsberg) to speak at the meeting. He expressed that the parking proposed is not temporary; that there are only about 150 marketable trees on site at this time; and that he believed that the parking area would accommodate other uses, not just the u-pick use. Kiely asked for a response from the LPC ASAP due to the need to complete the improvements in time for the season. General Land Preservation None Land Preservation Applications & Potential Applications  EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTION made by Eric Keil, seconded by Anne Murray, to enter into EXECUTIVE SESSION – to obtain Legal Advice from Town Counsel; Proposed Acquisitions of Real Property Where Publicity Would Substantially Affect the Value Thereof Motion carried: 6/0 The LPC members entered into EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:51 p.m. Attendees dismissed. Meeting locked.  Legal Advice from Town Counsel  Land Preservation Coordinator Melissa Spiro gave updates on inquiries, new applications, appraisals and current applications. MOTION made by Sam McCullough, seconded by Anne Murray, to end Executive Session. Motion carried: 6/0 EXECUTIVE SESSION ENDED at 8:48 p.m. Adjournment: MOTION made by Eric Keil, seconded by Anne Murray, to adjourn this meeting. Motion carried: 6/0  The meeting ended at 8:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Melanie Doroski, Land Preservation Secretary