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TOWN OF STERLING PLANNING BOARD MEETING April 6, 2017 A regular meeting of the Town of Sterling Planning Board was held on Thursday April 6, 2017 at the Sterling Town Hall at 7:00 pm with the following members present: • June Ouellette ~ Chairman • Sue Allen ~ Member • Vernon Bishop ~ Member • Scott Crawford ~ Member • Paul Kelley ~ Member Also Present: Noah Richardson, Irene Grandazzo, Judy Woodworth and Joan Kelley. Chairman Ouellette called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. BUSINESS Noah Richardson – Sketch Plan Conference Noah Richardson approached the Board with a power point presentation for direction on how he should proceed to obtain approval to operate a ‘mobile processing unit’ or slaughterhouse on his father’s property which has been a farm for many years. The property is on State Route 3 near Onionville Road and is comprised of 75 acres. The process is for chickens and turkeys with possible expansion into waterfowl and rabbits. He explained that he has been conducting this business for several years, which is considered a normal farm activity if the number of birds a year is less than 1,000, but that now he would like to receive a state certification which would allow him to expand his market. The state certification would allow him to process up to 20,000 chickens a year but he doesn’t expect to increase his production more than 2,000 because of the limited market. He currently sells directly to consumers but would like to create himself a niche market by selling to local restaurants and grocery stores. He grows his own chickens (pasture raised but not technically organic) for processing and only receives a small number from local farmers which he also does not expect to change. Chairman Ouellette asked what the process entailed. The process starts with a live bird that is gutted, washed, butchered, cooled and bagged to be oven ready and is fresh or frozen. He delivers his product himself and doesn’t foresee an increase in traffic at the property where he lives – the business to be mainly wholesale. Member Kelley asked what he did with the waste. The applicant replied that he has a DEC composting permit and that he has an area on the property that he has used for the past two years. Member Allen asked how you compost animal remains. Mr. Richardson explained that the liquid waste is collected and taken to a wastewater treatment plant for processing and the remaining waste is spread in a thin layer on the compost pile and covered with a 6” layer of wood chips. Members Kelley and Crawford commented that wood chips are commonly used to cover deer carcasses in our area as well as other states. Noah Richardson also stated that the process has little noise and no odor associated with it. Member Crawford asked where else he would be working since the processor is mobile. Noah Richardson replied that he wouldn’t be traveling unless a customer’s property was certified in the same manner that his would be. He stated that there are only two other mobile processing units in NYS and they are each located far enough away not to affect each other’s markets – approximately a two hour maximum. He reiterated that he isn’t looking to change the business size from what is has been but rather to increase the kinds of establishments that he can sell to, restaurants and grocery stores, because of the state certification. The inspection and authorizing ---PAGE BREAK--- entity is DOS through the Ag&Markets Law with inspection by County Health and some involvement from the USDA for scales. The seal and label he receives by being certified is what his intended market requires. The approval that he is seeking from the Planning Board is for the land only and not the mobile unit. The 30’x8’ renovated camper to be the processing unit would be located on two 10’x10’ gravel pads which is approximately 1,500’ from any neighboring residence and has a tree line to shield it from view. The Board members were unsure of how to classify the proposed land use on the usage chart of the LUR and directed the clerk to contact the attorney for an opinion. Mr. Richardson further stated that he would be working the chicken processing business on weekends mostly because he works a different job during the week, and that volume would be sporadic because of supply and market demand. His capacity could be 300 a day but he does not currently have a market to supply that kind of a demand. Chairman Ouellette asked about his background and why he began this business. Noah Richardson stated that he grew up on a farm and has ample acreage to conduct the business. He received a degree from Morrisville State in Environmental Science and Agricultural Science and has always planned on pursuing a career involving farming. The Board will contact the applicant with what process he is to follow after discussion with attorney. Judy Woodworth – Sketch Plan Conference – Minor Subdivision Mrs. Woodworth approached the Board to commence subdividing her property on Laxton Road. She stated that the acreage on the east side of Laxton Road would become a new parcel, and the property on the west side of the road would become two new parcels – the larger she plans to keep and the smaller containing a pole barn would be sold. The property is 47 acres and has more than enough frontage to create the new lots she is requesting. The Board supplied her with an application and an EAF SEQR form to complete and advised her to find a surveyor to draw the property to the required specifications contained in her application package. She was told to return for a preliminary review of the subdivision request with a single paper copy of the survey map. Erie Enterprises LLC – Case Marshall – Special Use Permit Request The previous meeting in March had ended with scheduling a public hearing for the project but upon further review it was decided to postpone the Hearing and send the project to the ZBA for area variances concerning the setback dimensions for the above ground tanks and setback dimension for a relocated on-premises sign. Land Use Regulations Zoning Commissioner Lezli Parsons was unable to attend tonight’s meeting but Member Allen had spoken to her and relayed an issue of concern regarding Minor Subdivision - Lot Line Adjustment map requirements. The cost of a survey that includes the entire property boundary with adjacent parcels noted can be excessively expensive when the intention is only to modify a small portion of the property. The resultant piece would be merged with an adjacent parcel as is specified in the LUR and would involve only altering the existing lots. A possible solution would be to enact a waiver of requirements in accordance with each application as presented. Comprehensive Plan Member Sue Allen updated the Board regarding the review of the Goals & Strategies section which has been under process by the Sterling Planning Board and Town Board. Member Allen ---PAGE BREAK--- had spoken with Darrell Uetz of the Village of Fair Haven Planning Board and he will be taking the lead on their review in an effort to coordinate a scheduled review of the complete Comprehensive Plan together. MINUTES A motion to approve meeting minutes for March 2, 2017 was moved by Member Kelley and seconded by Member Crawford. All were in favor without further discussion and the motion passed. ADJOURN On a motion by Member Allen and seconded by Member Bishop, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm. Approved Minutes, Respectfully submitted, Lisa Somers, Planning Board Clerk