Present: David Cooper, John Stelling, Ann Pearce, Bill Wallace

Chairman Cooper called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. with two people in the audience.

Motion by Ann Pearce with 2nd by Bill Wallace to approve the January 27, 2009 minutes as amended. All in favor.

David Cooper spoke to Supervisor Keaveney. The town board will draft and act on a local law at the March meeting to appoint our alternate member.

We have three files to review:
1) 2009-1 Mark Stephenson. David read the file and read the potion of the zoning law applicable to signage. Missing: a better narrative or more information giving the board a better understanding of what he wants to do. Where is he in the process? Has the planning board approved modification of the site plan? We want a list of the square footage of the signage, a better description of how this operation ties into the other. Motion by David Cooper with 2nd by Ann Pearce not to accept the file until the applicant can come and explain the file or p provide us with a more complete file. We want to understand the signage and how the coffee shop ties into the rest of the operation and understand what he is asking us to interpret. Description of the present signage and what the change is from the present. We need a better description of the allowed signage. What is the status of the two apartments now and in the future? Will they ever be rented? Has he gone to the planning board and has the planning board approved the site plan modifications? All in favor.
2) 2009-2 Crist Byler. David read the file. We can accept conditionally. Discussion of whether this is a change of use. We need a basic plot plan. We need to refer to town and county planning boards. We want a better description of his business and how and if the businesses overlap. Is there any change in signage? The site plan is being modified so he needs to take it to the planning board. Motion by David Cooper to accept the file conditionally if the appellant complies with the above items within 15 days of the hearing, or March 11th. Hearing would be March 26th. 2nd by Ann Pearce. All in favor.
3) 2009-3 Robert Bemiss. David read the file. Activity will be inside the building, an artisan fabrication business. We need a more detailed summary of what he is doing, the reasons why the use makes sense to him, reasons why it should stay as a commercial use, whether there will be signs. We can waive the CSX railroad as an abutter. Discussion of how to determine abutters: 500’ N,S,E, and W. We will refer to Columbia County and Canaan planning boards. Needs a site plan review by the planning board. Tell us if he’ll have any employees, hours of operation, size of the building in square feet; draw a rough floor plan of the actual building with dimensions. He is applying for a variance to operate a business, which is a special permit. Motion by David Cooper to accept the file conditionally if Mr. Bemiss provides the board the above mentioned items within 15 days of the date of hearing, or March 11th. 2nd by John Stelling. All in favor.

Discussion of new zoning law package but no workshop tonight. Discussion of frontage in new zoning laws, lot width, page 10, how frontage is measured. Workshop set up for April 7th at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by John Stelling with 2nd by Ann Pearce to adjourn. All in favor. Adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

For the board,


Julie Alexander, Clerk

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