CPP Minutes
Joint Public Hearing
September 14, 2011

Present:  Community Preservation Panel (CPP) - Avery Ayers, Chair; Derwood Crocker, Christopher MacCormick, Claire Morehouse and Todd Zwigard.

	   Planning Board (PB) - Nancy Gil, Chair; Patricia Bianconi, Ann Balloni 
				and Alan Connors.  
	   
Also Present:  Village Residents:  David Brooks, Peggy Dupee, Laurie and Bill Roberts.
		Deborah Brooks, Deputy Village Clerk
		Sue Edinger and C. Greg Rhoad, from the Aurora Inn, Inc. 
		Bruce King and Aino Parlo from Holmes & Kallquist
		Ann Rollo from Wells College

Absent:  Planning Board Member Frank Zimdahl (deployed to do flood recovery in Binghamton, NY by NYSEG). 

  	PB Chairwoman Gil opened the Public Hearing at 7:03 PM with Application 
#11-05 Pleasant Rowland and the Aurora Inn, Inc. to hear and discuss changes to the property called Abbott House located at 453 Main Street.
	Holmes & Kallquist Architect representative, Aino Parlo, presented the various changes to the exterior of the Abbott House.  Ms. Parlo noted there would be ten (10) rooms and separate quarters for the housekeeper which will utilize all three (3) floors of the building.
	PB Chairwoman Gil questioned Ms. Edinger as to why the property was still being advertised for sale.  Ms. Edinger responded that the home owner, Pleasant Rowland, was keeping the property on the market until she was sure that the proposed application was given the Special Permit needed to do the renovations required to open as an extension of the Aurora Inn.
	Ms. Parlo gave a general descriptive view of the various changes to be done beginning on the north and proceeding to the south of the house.  
	Items discussed included changes to:  entrances with or without placement of stairs; railings on the porch areas; window replacements; removal of the central chimney and the installation of the elevator in that shaft area; installation of a hydraulic lift at the north side entrance (like E. B. Morgan); gas operated fireplaces; window with air louver for ventilation; installing bilco door with wall or plants to camouflage.  It was noted by Mr. Rhoad that the kitchen area would be used for preparation of trays for events and minor warming, but not used in the fashion of a regular kitchen facility.
	Ms. Edinger informed the Boards about the construction of a blue stone terrace and the use of a 40’x 60’ tent in the rear yard for receptions. This area would be the same size as is currently used at the Aurora Inn on the north side of that facility.  PB member Bianconi questioned Ms. Edinger about the continuance of music at events.  Ms. Edinger informed the Boards that any bands would end by 10:00 PM, as they do at the Aurora Inn & E.B. Morgan House.
	Many questions came from both Boards regarding the parking for this facility.  Ms. Parlo presented the plans for the removal of the existing garage to accommodate a row of parking spaces totaling ten spots, along the north driveway.  PB Chairwoman Gil noted that there appeared to be enough space for twelve (12) vehicles and that they should consider adding two (2) more to the plans.  
	Ms. Edinger explained that Wells College is willing to allow for the use of a field on Sherwood Road near the intersection to Court Street to accommodate 200 spaces. Use of shuttle buses was highly recommended to transport guests to the various buildings holding events.  Discussion also included using mesh and grass to camouflage the parking areas, such as was done next to the bank.  Mr. Rhoad also noted that a curb cut already existed at that location.
	PB Chairwoman Gil offered that the PB work as Lead Agency on this project and to conduct a Long Form SEQR Review because the property is located in the Historical District.  Chairman Avery asked the CPP Board to allow the PB to act as Lead Agency.   Mr. Zwigard moved to allow the PB to be Lead Agency with Ms. Morehouse seconding the motion.  Vote:  Crocker, MacCormick, Morehouse, Zwigard & Ayers all ayes. CPP Motion Carried 5:0.
	PB Ms. Bianconi moved that the Planning Board act as Lead Agency on Application # 11-05 Abbott House Guest House conversion to become a Hotel.  Motion was seconded by Ms. Balloni.  Vote:  Gil, Connors, Bianconi & Balloni all ayes with Zimdahl absent.  PB Motion Carried 4:0:1.
	Chairwoman Gil asked the two Boards if there were any concerns to be addressed.  Hearing none, she asked the Boards for a straw vote to see if they were willing to move forward with this project to give the applicant support to move ahead with further plans needed for the code officer. Both Boards agreed this project was worthy of development.
	Several items were set into motion for their next meeting: 
1] PB asked if a sign was to be erected and to include those plans with the full application; 
2] Both Boards agreed to meet on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7 PM to hold Public Hearings on a) the demolition of the garage and the excavation of land for parking areas; b) Special Permit for the change of use from residential to commercial.
3] PB would do the Long Form SEQR review.
4] Ms. Brooks was asked to see to it that a sign was erected on the property notifying the public of the hearing for demolition and to place a legal notice in the official newspaper.
	Chairwoman Gil and Chairman Ayers declared the Public Hearing was completed at 8:53 PM.

Respectively Submitted,

Deborah M. Brooks
Deputy Village Clerk