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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: