HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/04/2018 Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of April 4, 2018
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:05 pm on April 4, 2018
in Southold Town Hall conference room.
Present:
Members Present Members absent Guests
Chris Baiz Karen Rivara Supervisor Scott Russell
Louis Caracciolo John B. Sepenoski Jr. Steve Bates
Douglas Cooper John Sepenoski Greg Fisher
Jim Glover Matt Ketchum
Tom Stevenson Karl Novak
Mark Van Bourgondien Katie Sepenoski
Councilman Bill Ruland Adam Suprenant
Bob Van Bourgondien
Approval of Agenda:
Agenda distributed and next meeting will be Wednesday April 18"'at 7:OOpm in the Southold Town Hall
Conference room.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of the February 7"'2018 were included in the agenda packet for approval by committee members.
Supervisor Russell:
Supervisor Russell addressed the committee regarding communication in relation to the cancellation of the
Special Events legislation amendments and public hearing.
Supervisor Russell stated that The Town Board completed a draft of the special events legislation which was
available on the Town website with the work sessions and committee meetings giving all interested parties
ample opportunity to contact the Town Board. There was disagreement about the amount of time the
information was available for review and whether the legislation was only an administrative measure.
Discussion of the process presently in place for special event applications was reviewed. It was noted the
ZBA chair has over 400 applications to review regarding special events which may or may not be complete
applications. Time is spent following up and assisting in completing applications in order for events to be
approved before they take place.
Suggestions included having a designated Town clerical worker review the applications. This solution was
deemed not feasible because of Civil Service rules governing the work of a clerical employee. Subsequent
suggestions included reducing the number of applications by excluding applicants not requiring Town of
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of April 4, 2018
Southold services,possibly handling these with the Town Clerks office collecting fees and issuing permits.
This suggestion would violate the Town code which has designated the ZBA or Town Board approving all
applications. The excessive amount of resulting Town Board resolutions invalidated this solution.
Additionally, it was suggested to have the Town Special Projects coordinator review the applications.
Supervisor Russell brought up the issue involving 1 permit for 6 events. He indicated this results in an
ambiguity where people get one permit with 6 future dates indicated. Possible solution is to have every
event permitted however all events are different and the distinction between a special event and a private
event needs to be clarified especially with regard to Town services that may be necessary from a public
health and safety standpoint.
Supervisor Russell exited the meeting a 7:45pm.
Open Issues:
Discussion of Special events, including Town liability, laws that Riverhead and Southampton Towns have
regarding special events. Example given that Southampton Town exempts all"Private Events"that are not
open to the public or charge fees. Dialogue continued about the code changes being administrative or
legislative. Site plan approvals from the Town Planning board are required for special events. Out of 419
parcels in the Agricultural districts about 30 have site plan approvals. In amending the Town code, formal
site plans for large events should be required while smaller events could be exempted. The Planning Dept.
has indicated that they can forgo formalities if there is no negative impact on Town economics. There are
some businesses that abuse the "Special Events". They violate permits by exceeding capacity and advertise
their"Special Event"in other counties in order to draw tourists from other areas. The Agricultural
community is engaged in the processes involved and the Business community appears to be less engaged and
offer less communication on this topic.
Main issue needed to move forward on Special Event permit approvals is obtaining assistance for the current
ZBA person or an individual appointed to review the applications. The process needs to be streamlined so
there is a level of confidence in the process.
Discussed Town liability with regard to issuing permits to those businesses that circumvent the permit
process.Noted that permits can be denied or withdrawn.
Old Business:
Agenda packet handed out contained a follow up letter from Attorney Patricia Moore on behalf of client
Tenedios. The Town Planning Board gave Tenedios a list of businesses that completed a visual impact
Study. Letter from Attorney Moore states that a visual impact analysis on a barn which is an expressly
permitted structure under the development rights deed and zoning code is without legal basis.
Farms already qualify as scenic vistas and the Agricultural Advisory Committee will add proposed scenic
vista definition. "Standard easement"needs to be defined. And this committee should review easements
regularly for the Town code.
Town of Southold
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of April 4, 2018
New Business:
There is a code committee meeting for the rental permits law. There are no permits required at this time.
The Town Attorney will come up with revised language based on this committee representation on the
Agricultural Advisory Committee code.
This committee should review each new transaction,purchase of development rights, easements and
appraisals. There should be a push for standardized easements. The term"advanced" development rights are
misnamed and offer severe additional restrictions on such land as to the function of agriculture. Sellers
should be encouraged to attend the Agricultural Advisory committee meetings to gain knowledge. All farms
by their existence define "scenic vistas".
Codification items:
• Ability to review easements.
• Definition of"Scenic vistas" suitable to farm operations.
• Composition of proposed committee.
Winery definitions are still a work in progress.
Other Business:
Reminder was given that the Town website has email sign up for notifications of Town Board meetings and
committee meetings. The Supervisor and entire Town Board are available by email which then becomes part
of the public written record.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Bill Ruland, Seconded by Chris Baiz. Meeting adjourned 9:05pm.
Minutes submitted by: Cheryl Kaswell
Approved by: