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Home My WebLink AboutLP-02/10/2009LAND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes of Meeting held Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Town Hall Annex – Executive Board Room Members Present: John Sepenoski, Chairman Monica Harbes Lillian Ball Ray Huntington Maureen Cullinane Eric Keil (7:20 p.m.) Members Absent: Chris Baiz Also present: Melissa Spiro, Land Preservation Coordinator Melanie Doroski, Land Preservation Secretary Stephen Searl, Peconic Land Trust (8:27 p.m.) Joint Mtg Attendees: Laura Bavaro, The Nature Conservancy (Stewardship Group) Frank Wills (Stewardship Group) Jack McGreevy (Stewardship Group) Jim McMahon, Director of Public Works Scott Hilary, Planning Department Commencement: ?? The joint meeting began at 7:01 p.m. with five LPC members present. Joint LPC/STEWARDSHIP meeting from 7:00-8:00 p.m. (7:01 p.m. to 8:08 p.m.) ?? Community Preservation Fund Management and Stewardship Plan for 2009 Melissa gave a brief introduction to the reason and necessity for the 2009 CPF Management and Stewardship Plan. Scott Hilary was introduced to the joint committee members and Melissa explained that she, Jim McMahon and Scott Hilary worked together in their capacities as Land Preservation Coordinator, Director of Public Works, and Stewardship Coordinator, put together the 2009 Community Preservation Fund Management and Stewardship Plan. Melissa went over the structure of the CPF Stewardship Plan and comments were requested. Laura Bavaro noted that NYS awarded grant funding that the Town may be relying on for revenue may be significantly delayed due to economic crisis that we are facing. John Sepenoski suggested the addition of the word “volunteer” within section describing particular work to be performed by “volunteer” Land Preservation Committee members and noted that Plan called for Cornell to do trail mapping but perhaps some of this work could be done in-house. Ray Huntington noted three points – 1) Stewardship project budgets should be prepared prior to Town Board preparing their budget for the following year. 2) He believes that costs for projects mentioned in the 2009 Management and Stewardship Plan are under-budgeted and suggested that around 2% of CPF tax be used for stewardship and 3) that Town Board should be advised that they are under-funding stewardship. Scott Hilary spoke about his role in creating Management Plans for Town-owned properties that he is working on format for Plans and Policies and that he hopes to have something drafted for review by the Land Preservation Committee within the next three months. John Sepenoski suggested that there be a general management plan for all Town-owned properties until such time as a specific management plan for a property is defined. He suggested a review of East Hampton Town Law for management of their Town-owned parcels. There should also be a formal official process to name preserves. Melissa noted that CPF Stewardship Plan would be brought to the Town Board of Tuesday, February 24, 2009 with recommendation that Town Board schedule a hearing to adopt said Plan. Adoption of LPC Meeting Minutes: ?? Acceptance of Land Preservation Committee meeting minutes from January 20, 2009 MOTION made by John Sepenoski, seconded by Lillian Ball, to adopt the January 20, 2009 LPC meeting minutes as were amended prior to this meeting. Motion carried: 6/0 Applications and Inquiries: ?? HARBES TRUST PROPERTY (Ed Harbes) SCTM #: 1000-120-1-3 PDR Acreage: ±8.9 acres Location: 555 Sound Ave, Mattituck Zoned: A-C Total Acreage: ±13.3 acres tax book (13.51 RPS) Subdividable: Yes CPF: Yes FWet: 0.46 acres Status of offer [executive session] Monica Harbes was not present for discussion on this project due to a family relationship. Eric Keil was not present for discussion on this project due to nature of discussion and his personal involvement in a pending LPC application. The members entered into EXECUTIVE SESSION. Melissa Spiro gave update to last five offers made by LPC to landowners. None of these offers have been officially accepted. Melissa met with Ed Harbes and his son to review the appraisal on the Harbes Trust property. Ed Harbes didn’t feel that the cell tower should diminish the value of his property. The Land Preservation Committee members reviewed the appraisal and decided that there would not be a change in their offer price for the Harbes Truest property; however, landowner can authorize his own appraisal of the property at his own cost and expense and present same to LPC for review. ?? DAMIANOS (PINDAR) PROPERTY SCTM #: 1000-108-4-1.1 Zoned: A-C, R-40 Location: 18625 Rt 25, Mattituck CPF: Yes Total Acreage: 23.8 acres (GIS 23.8 acres) Subdividable: Yes Inquiry re: LPC’s 2008 offer [executive session] Melissa Spiro received a phone call from Dr. Damianos on 1/22/09 at which time landowner agreed to accept LPC’s formal offer made on 9/18/08. It was explained to Dr. Damianos that LPC offer had expired within thirty (30) days of formal offer letter and that the LPC offer was no longer valid. LPC members directed Melissa Spiro to invite, and schedule Dr. Damianos with an appointment to meet with the LPC members at their next meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2009. ?? B&J REALTY/OSPREY’S DOMINION (Koehler) PROPERTY SCTM #: 1000-115-7-13.2 Zoned: A-C Location: 19500 Route 25, Mattituck CPF: Yes Total Acreage: 16.78 acres (GIS 16.55 acres) Subdividable: Yes Inquiry re: LPC’s 2007 offer [executive session]. Melissa Spiro received phone calls from both owners of the property to inquire about the LPC’s formal offer letter dated 9/7/07, and their request for a higher purchase price. Melissa explained that LPC offer had long since expired, prices were coming down, and that even though the Town would be interested in purchasing the development rights on the B&J Realty/Osprey’s Dominion parcel, it was likely that a new appraisal would reflect a reduced offer. Several days later, the Land Preservation Department received a signed offer acceptance letter executed by both property owners for the sale of the development rights on this parcel if the Town would agree to a considerable increase in the price per acre. LPC members directed Melissa Spiro to draft a letter to the landowners explaining current economic situation and downward trend in sales offers at this time. LPC supports preservation of this property and would support purchase at current appraised value. END OF EXECUTIVE SESSION ?? N&J MANAGEMENT CO. PROPERTY SCTM #: 1000-113-13-1.2 PDR Acreage: ±15-16ac Total Acreage: ±17.32 acres CPF: Yes Location: 4735 Westphalia Rd, Mattituck Zoned: R-80 Request for deer fencing (Town PDR) Eric Keil was not involved in this discussion due to family relationship to property owner. Norman Keil has requested the LPC consider and approve the construction of a deer fence around the remaining unfenced perimeter of his property. This property was purchased using State grant funding and State easement language allows for deer fencing without the need for LPC approval. LPC members understand need for fencing, and approved request in accordance with Town Code Chapter 70. One section of proposed fence goes within wetland area. Mr. Keil was referred to Trustees to see if any permit is required. MOTION made by John Sepenoski, seconded by Lillian Ball, to grant Land Preservation Committee approval for the construction of a deer fence around the remaining unfenced portion of the perimeter of the N&J Management Co. property. Motion carried: 5/0/1 (Eric Keil abstained from vote due to family relationship to property owner) ?? CALABRESE PROPERTY SCTM #: 1000-97-1-12.8 CPF: Yes Location: 34615 Rt 25, Cutchogue Zoned: A/C Total Acreage: ±19.03 RPS (GPS 20.04 acres) Subdividable: Yes FWet: 4.45 acres Reviewed PDR inquiry. Barry Novick, a local real estate agent, was instrumental in bringing the Calabrese property before the Committee for the sale of development rights. A formal LPC application was received. Melissa Spiro met with Mr. & Mrs. Calabrese prior to the committee meeting and at that time, the landowners withdrew their application as their expectations for a sales price were higher than any potential LPC offer that would be made to them based upon recent appraisal values. They do not wish to proceed at this time. ?? CHARNEWS PROPERTY (n/k/a Peconic Land Trust, Incorporated) SCTM #: 1000-63-1-25 Zoned: R-80 Location: 3005 Young Ave, Southold CPF: Yes Total Acreage: 23.5 acres (23.27 GIS) Subdividable: Yes Review sign request. Sign plan presented by Stephen Searl of Peconic Land Trust was reviewed by committee. LPC formal approval not necessary as sign will be located within the Reserve Area. LPC in favor of sign, subject to Town Code sign regulations. General Items: ?? AMENDMENTS TO SUFFOLK COUNTY LOCAL LAW CHAPTER 8 Melissa Spiro and Stephen Searl attended the last Suffolk County Farmland Committee meeting at which time the Draft of County Chapter 8 was distributed and discussed amongst the members. Tom Isles of Suffolk County Planning Department asked for comments. LPC will review draft for discussion at next LPC meeting. Melissa was requested to invite Joe Krukowski, our Town representative on the Suffolk County Farmland Committee, to the next LPC meeting for discussing further details of Suffolk County Chapter 8. ?? FUNDING (per Ray Huntington) Melissa noted that Town Board is proceeding with process for issuance of $5 million in serial bonds (part of the $22.5 million authorized). Town Board is holding a special meeting (for a different purpose) on February 12, 2009, and a resolution will be on that meeting agenda in regard to bond issuance. Ray Huntington gave background on how much potential funding is available and distributed a SNAPSHOT hand-out for conceptual briefing. He presented theoretic borrowing power of CPF. ?? MELISSA SPIRO’S CONFIDENTIAL STATUS REPORT [executive session – status of offers] Status sheet distributed. ?? FRED LEE PROPOSAL Fred Lee’s proposal for affordable farming was distributed to LPC members for review. LPC will extend invitation to former committee member Fred Lee to attend a future LPC meeting, possibly March 3, 2009. Next Regular Meeting: ?? The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., in the Town Hall Conference Room. Monica Harbes made note that she will be unable to attend this meeting. Adjournment: ?? The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. by the six attending members. Respectfully submitted by Melanie Doroski, Land Preservation Secretary