PLANNING BOARD MEETING
CANAAN, NY 12029


APRIL 20, 2009



The meeting was called to order at 7:03pm and all Board members were present.

Site Plan Review for Creative Crossings LLC for a retail store to build bicycle frames and create/design art (jewelry, sculpture etc.)

Mr. Bemiss appeared with new maps. These maps reflect the required parking slots to include the handicap spot. He also provided the square footage of the sign on the front door. Ron asked the Board if they had any comments on the sign on the door and there were none.

MOTION TO APPROVE THE SITE PLAN-Pierre Gontier Second-Ian Hooper
All in Favor

Roll call Chairman Davis-yes
Ian Hooper-yes
Jennifer Mickle-yes
Pierre Gontier-yes adopted
Joe Davis-yes
Michael Belknap-yes

A fee of $50.00 was collected.

Correspondence
1. Whiteman, Osterman, Hanna bill thru 3/6/09.
2. Seminar on land use on May 14 & 15 in West Harrison, NY.
3. Smart Growth training in Albany on April 23rd.
4. Letter to D. Cooper from R. Davis dated 3/17/09 re: approval of the Canaan General Store.
5. ZEO report-March 2009.
6. Letter from the ZBA to M. Stephenson re: incomplete application.
7. Letter from the ZBA to P. Pulver dated 3/26/09 re: M. Stephenson’s coffee shop.
8. Letter to the ZBA from Columbia County Planning Bd. Re: recommendation for C. Bylar.
9. Letter from the ZEO to the Town Board re: proposed increased fee schedule.

The Board decided to discuss this proposal. The Board completely disagreed with fees for door and window and siding replacements. They felt roof replacement should only
Planning Board Meeting April 20, 2009 Page 2



have a fee if the old roof is left on the building and a new roof will add weight to the roof.
The item listed as telecommunication tower modification should be renamed to co-location. This list of changes will be given to Pat Pulver.

10. Notice from the Town of Richmond ZBA for a Special Permit.
11. Notice for training from the Dept. of Health on water supply, septic systems and realty subdivisions on May 14th in Cairo, NY.
12. March/April issue of Town Topics.
13. Backyard Conservation.
14. DEC guide sent by Columbia Land Conservancy re: land planning.

Ron spoke about a class on land planning that the County Board of Supervisors was holding. Ron did not go and Pierre went in his place. Pierre said it was well attended and the gist of the meeting was to see what each Town would accept to have in their Town commercially for new business. Pierre felt a warehouse transfer facility at B3 would fit. Ian said more farms and felt there is opportunity for more small businesses and home occupations. Ron agreed that the only thing compatible at B3 would be a warehouse facility. Pierre said he would rather see 1 distribution warehouse than several restaurants at B3 and felt that would be better environmentally . Pierre said there would be more of these meetings in the future.

Review & Approval of the March 16th minutes

MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED-Michael Belknap Second-Joe Davis

Roll call Chairman Davis-yes
Ian Hooper-abstain
Jennifer Mickle-yes
Pierre Gontier-yes adopted
Joe Davis-yes
Michael Belknap-yes

Additional business
1. Board discussion on the letter to the Town Board re: windmills. Michael had rewritten the draft and Ron read the letter aloud. Pierre said he had a problem with it. He felt the letter should ask the Town Board if they want to look at this issue. Ian said the main idea of the letter is to ask the Town Board to take it on as an issue since they should be the ones to decide the issue or not. Ron does not feel the Planning Board can just draft a regulation on this. Ian feels the Town Board will refer it to the Planning Board anyway. Pierre thinks it is all unnecessary and feels a phone call would suffice and a letter is not needed.
Planning Board Meeting April 20, 2009 Page 3



Ian said this is a formal request. The rest of the Board felt the letter should be sent.

MOTION TO SEND THE LETTER AS WRITTEN-Ian Hooper
Second-Jennifer Mickle

Roll call Chairman Davis-yes
Ian Hooper-yes
Jennifer Mickle-yes
Pierre Gontier-no
Joe Davis-yes adopted
Michael Belknap-yes


2. Pierre presented a copy of an email he had sent to NYSERDA with questions regarding windmills and tax credits and the responses from NYSERDA. Pierre said windmills are not allowed at all. Michael feels if someone came in with a proposal and the Planning Board said no, there would be a lawsuit.


There was no more business before the Board.


MOTION TO ADJOURN-Joe Davis Second-Ian Hooper All in Favor


The meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm.






Respectfully submitted,



Tammy C. Flaherty
Planning Board Clerk

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