Members Present: Laura Silva, Chair, Sandra Scott, Martin White, Mark DeLeva, Walt Miller, Sherrie Wages, Kathy Jo Gallo, Secretary

Meeting Opened 6pm

Sandra Scott presented Board members with notes and handouts she had received at a workshop she attended presented by the Capital District Planning Commission entitled Planning Board Overview. The workshop presented information on the powers and duties of the Planning Board including comprehensive planning, site plan review, special use permits and subdivision review.

Moratorium on new major subdivisions issue was discussed. The purpose of the request for a moratorium would be to give the new ad hoc committee that is working on the zoning ordinances and comprehensive plan a chance to review and update the impact of growth on the Town’s resources.

Board discussed the need for more information on larger projects and the need to utilize outside professional help to determine the real impact of projects. There are provisions to utilize the services of a Licensed Professional Engineer in the ordinances. The Board discussed the merits of requiring applicants for large projects to have their plans reviewed as standard procedure.

Board also discussed the need for a standard checklist on large subdivisions to make sure that all areas of impact have been addressed prior to approval. Areas of concern at this point include but are not limited to: storm water regulations, well and septic placement diagrams for larger projects, road construction review, drainage issues, fire pond and green space requirements and test well standards as this is an issue in the area.

Board discussed the importance of making sure an application is complete prior to being placed on the meeting agenda. Some applicants are being seen before the application has all the required materials and are then being sent away and need to return the following month.

The Board discussed the merits of a Planner to help with recommendations for items to be reviewed on projects. If the town has not engaged the services of a Planner this should also be part of any recommendation to the Town Board.

Board members will review the ordinances and provide questions or suggestions for how to facilitate the process for large projects at future meetings. Board members will check some other localities for their lists of Planning Board policies and procedures.

Meeting adjourned 7:40pm

Meeting notes submitted by Kathy Jo Gallo, Secretary