Village of Aurora Planning Board
Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 9, 2011
Held at the Aurora Firehouse Meeting room

Present: Nancy Gil (Chair), Pat Bianconi, Alan Connors, and Frank Zimdahl 

Others Present: Village Clerk Ann Balloni, Mayor Bonnie Bennett, Thomas Blair, ESQ, Peggy Dupee’, Ann Tobey, Geoff Milz, Samantha House, Sue Edinger, Greg Rhoad, Isabelle Ramos, Becky Garbinsky, Ted Garbinsky, Marsha Echelbarger, Melissa Miller, Cindy Patella, William Dugan III, David A. Brooks, Deputy Clerk Deborah M. Brooks, Jeff Blum, Grace W. Bates, Fire Chief Sarah Homick, Phil Dann  

Call to Order: Chair Nancy Gil called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

Approval of Minutes: Chair Gil provided board members a copy of several corrections to the October 12, 2011 Draft Minutes (see attached). On motion by Pat Bianconi, seconded by Alan Connors, the board voted to table the approval of the minutes until the December meeting to allow time for editing. 
AYE: Bianconi, Connors, Gil, Zimdahl 
NAY: None 
Motion carried unanimously 

Announcements: 
Ethics training November 16, 2011 at BOCES in Auburn, NY.  All Planning Board members  attending. 

Old Business: 
Application 11-15, Tax Map # 181.08-1-26.1 , Lake Front Lot across from St. Patrick’s cemetery, Cynthia Patella  
Discussion ensued between board members and applicants, Cynthia Patella and Melissa Miller, which resulted in several questions.  Applicants and Board members agreed to table consideration of the application until December meeting due to lack of Flood Plain and Zoning Maps. Chair Gil and applicants will meet with Code Enforcement Officer on Monday, November 14, 2011. 

Application 11-05,  Tax Map # 181.12-1-8 Abbott House Project Site Plan Review ,  453 Main St., Pleasant Rowland, LLC
Chair Gil read letters (see attached) from Cayuga County Planning Chair Geoff Milz, Wells College President Lisa Ryerson and Village of Aurora residents, Charles and Marsha Echelbarger regarding potential parking sites under consideration for the expected increase in traffic associated with the proposed project. Many in attendance also expressed opinions on the 
parking issue. Mr. Zimdahl stated that he had requested an Environmental Impact Study due to the chronic parking problems in the village. Sue Edinger of Aurora Inns, Inc. stated, after conferring with a group of concerned citizens and Wells College; Aurora Inns, with the consent of Wells College, decided  to use Wells College parking facilities with a shuttle service for 18-24 months until a full traffic and parking study is completed. Fire Chief Sarah Homick reported that the fire department recommended 17 foot spaces for diagonal parking on Lafayette St. with 15 feet recommended for the through lane. Mr. Zimdahl questioned Ms. Edinger and Mr. Rhoad if parking for the Inns of Aurora would exclude the village from using their proposed parking lot. Ms. Edinger and Mr. Rhoad responded that the lot would not be open lot parking, but could be used for village events if needed. Concerns were voiced by Mr. Zimdahl, Mayor Bennett and several citizens that addressing parking issues for the Inns of Aurora didn’t necessarily solve the village parking problems. Mr. Zimdahl also requested assurance that the Abbott House project be completed in a timely fashion.   Sue Edinger stated Pleasant’s goal, from first shovel, is for project to be completed within a 12 month period and there would be a 5 year contract between Aurora Inns, Inc. and Pleasant T. Rowland to manage the Abbott House. 

At 8:35 p.m., Thomas Blair, ESQ requested a break in order to confer with Ms. Edinger and Mr. Rhoad. Mr. Zimdahl joined them. 

8:35 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. – Break 

Planning Board questioned if applicants still wanted renovation of boathouse included in the application.  Ms. Edinger stated no, it is no longer part of the project.  Chair Gil advised  Ms. Edinger to initial the deletion from the application.  Ms. Edinger complied.

Chairman Gil called for a vote on application # 11-05, but questioned the legality due to page 20 missing from the original SEQR Environmental Assessment Form. Mayor Bennett instructed the Board that they can amend the EAF. Motion by Mr. Zimdahl, seconded by Ms. Bianconi, to amend the SEQR to include page 20 of EAF and answer yes to question # 20 regarding public controversy. Amendment to include Echelbarger letter and positive public comments in favor of project with expressed concern regarding parking attached to EAF.

AYE:  Gil, Bianconi, Connors, Zimdahl
Nay:  None
Carried Unanimously

Chair Gil recommended voting on special permit contingent of the parking. Motion by Mr. Zimdahl, seconded by Ms. Bianconi, to approve the Site Plan and Special Permit for the Application # 11-05 to operate as an Inn or Hotel, section 404 #21, with the condition that the final additional event parking solution be decided in 18 months or less after the completion of a traffic and parking impact study, said study to be conducted by a firm to be hired by the Village of Aurora and paid for by the applicant. Applicant should adhere to the reasonable recommendations of the Planning Board upon consultation with the Village 
Board of Trustees, in light of the study. 

AYE: Gil, Bianconi, Connors, Zimdahl 
NAY: None 
Carried Unanimously 

New Business: Application #11-17 , Tax Map #182.13-1-24.21, 342 Main St., Pleasant T. Rowland, LLC -  for private, whole-house rentals, private parties, and recreational cooking classes as managed by Aurora Inn, Inc.

Ms. Edinger consulted with Code Enforcement Officer Piechuta and sited section 404 #23 Table of Uses to change use to Residential/commercial

Public Hearing required for December 14, 2011 to fill out EAF.  Ms. Edinger invited members of the Planning Board to unofficially tour Leffingwell House on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.  Chair Gil emphasized that a majority of the Board may be present, but no official action would be taken.

On motion by Mr. Connors, seconded by Mr. Zimdahl, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Balloni

Village Clerk