PLANNING BOARD MEETING
CANAAN, NY 12029

AUGUST 17, 2009


The meeting was called to order at 7:06pm. Ian Hooper was absent.

Boundary Line Adjustment for David Cooper and Mary Keegan at 402 Route 24

Dave Cooper and Matthew Bowe, surveyor, appeared for the application. The Boundary Line Adjustment will add to the original parcel where the current house is. The other parcel has an existing structure on it but Mr. Cooper said it is inhabitable, perhaps it could be redone as a house later. There is also a bridge over the creek on this parcel.
-Notarized letter from M. Keegan agreeing to the BLA okay
-Current map (as is) okay
-Pinning letter okay

MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT-Michael Belknap
Second-Pierre Gontier All in Favor

A fee of $50.00 was collected.

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

While Mr. Cooper was at the meeting, he had Matthew Bowe go over maps he had drawn as a suggestion to simplify the BLA process. His suggestion was instead of having 2 maps per parcel ( the as is map and the proposed BLA), there would only be one. Both parcels would be shown on one map with notes explaining the amount of acres to change due to the BLA. Mr. Bowe said all other Towns do it this way. The Board looked at the proposal but stated our current Zoning law dictates how the maps are to be drawn. The Board said they would discuss this in the future.

Informal appearance by Pete Lopez for a Commercial Site Plan Review for a Sports Fitness Facility (arena) on Route 22

This site is near Fontaine’s Auction House and the vacant land is for sale. Mr. Lopez explained it would be a year round facility for sports. He stated he has talked to Pat Pulver on this issue. There are 7 acres of which 4 are flat land. Mr. Lopez proposes a 60 yard by 30 yard facility to be built, probably divided in sections. It would be a steel structure and be multipurpose. He said he was also looking at an old GE site in Pittsfield, Ma to see which would be a better site. Ron told Mr. Lopez that our Zoning is limited
Planning Board Meeting August 17, 2009 Page 2


to a height of 35 feet without a variance. Pierre said there is nothing in our Zoning to allow a Sports Complex and therefore it would need a Special Permit from the ZBA. Ron said the curb cuts would have to come from the State but he did not think that it would be a problem. Mr. Lopez would have to address the septic, well and signs on his site plan. Jennifer said the Chatham Little League is proposing an indoor sports facility similar to this. She said they have received 30-50 % of the needed money already. She stated it is for the Little League but others will be able to use it. She stated Mr. Lopez should contact someone about this project and gave him contact information.

Mr. Lopez said he was interested in whether the Town would be interested in this proposal. Mr. Lopez presented several pages of information including graphs and information on how far the distance was from this facility to surrounding Towns to show how much it might be used. Ron felt it would be a better business proposition in Pittsfield. Michael thinks it would be very beneficial to Canaan by adding to the Commercial zone and in bringing in tax dollars. He feels Mr. Lopez should investigate it further. Michael said he was excited by the idea of bringing this facility to Canaan. Pierre thinks Mr. Lopez should talk to Economic Development in both Columbia County and Berkshire County.

Ron said to begin the process, Mr. Lopez needs to go back to Pat Pulver who would deny a permit, it then is referred to the ZBA and then the Planning Board would have to do a Site Plan. Michael also suggested looking at the unused Horse Farm Facility on Tunnel Hill Rd.

The Board will wait to hear back from Mr. Lopez.

Review and Approval of the June 15th minutes
MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED-Pierre Gontier
Second-Michael Belknap All in Favor
Roll call Chairman Davis-yes
Jennifer Mickle-yes
Pierre Gontier-yes adopted
Michael Belknap-yes

Review and Approval of the July 20th minutes
MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED-Jennifer Mickle
Second-Pierre Gontier All in Favor

Roll call Chairman Davis-yes
Jennifer Mickle-yes
Pierre Gontier-yes adopted
Michael Belknap-yes
Planning Board Meeting August 17, 2009 Page 3


Correspondence
1. Bill from Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna for $6772.56

Ron updated the Board by saying the removal bond is in from Berkshire Farm. Also, the legal bill has not been paid yet due to some questions from VP Vitale. Chris Ciolfi said he will put more money into escrow to cover the fees. Verizon still will not supply the correct wording on the insurance policy. There is no word yet on the GeoTech report from Linda Stancliffe.

2. July ZEO report.
3. June ZBA minutes.
4. Letter dated 7/31/09 from the ZBA to Mr. O’Brient re: file on hold.
5. Decision from Richmond, Ma ZBA re: B. Andrews Special Permit.
6. Letter dated 7/22/09 from County Planning to the ZBA re: O’Brient.
7. Request for comment from Richmond, Ma on a Special Permit.
8. 2 emails between S. Olsen and D. Everett re: Verizon insurance.
9. Letter from P. Pulver to the ZBA re: clarification of O’Brient file.
10. July/August Talk of the Towns.
11. Updates on removal bonds from T Mobile on existing towers.
12. Letter of interest from C. Lindberg to fill a vacancy on the Planning Board.
13. Notice from the Association of Towns with a request to do an online survey on state
Mandates.
14. Fall issue of Nibbles & Nuggets.



There was no more business before the Board.


MOTION TO ADJOURN-Michael Belknap Second-Pierre Gontier All in Favor

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25pm.





Respectfully submitted,


Tammy C. Flaherty
Planning Board Clerk

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