Planning Board Minutes: October 23, 2025
Town of Varick New York Regular Meeting at the Varick Town Hall
Board Members: Chair: Linda Mastellar- absent
Thomas Bjorkman – present
Seth Brandow – present
Ann Kaminski – present
Jeff Vest – present
Code Officer: Tim Dorn – present
Guest(s): Eric Heitz, Rick McCulloch – Town Board Liason
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Call to order: 7:04 pm.
Public Comment: None
Quorum: Verifiedto proceed with business on agenda.
T. Bjorkman is running the meeting in the absence of Chair, L. Mastellar
Lot Line Move Kaufman to Tiaskkun and Zona review of the map to be sure it accurate and approved for L. Mastellar signature. Signature will complete the action of the Planning Board.
Welcome to Town Board Liason Rick McCulloch
A. Kaminski on housing in Varick: Criteria to consider include: Talk to town members, review town comprehensive plans and update if needed, consider the 5 ‘L’s (Land, Labor, Lumber, Laws, Loans), audit the county codes, what are local barriers, SEQR, STR, 3-4 family homes, and to Define, Understand and Leverage. Barriers in Varick include travel, grocery, etc.
Map Updates: higher resolution that clearly define District areas. Some roads within the od Depot area have a couple of names depending on the map referenced. These are being settled. Amanda Forney at the County has assisted with this project.
STR: Additions to waitlist for east side. One application submitted. No clerk yet. No Action
Docks & Hoists: Feedback from Town Board include preference of Army Corps of Engineers standards. This does not accommodate the narrow lots. Issue mentioned of how to enforce if the property owners get permits from the Army Corp.
R. McCulloch reports the Town Board is willing for a new Comprehensive Plan, but there is no budget for it. They would welcome a probono offer.
Code Officer: Reports a possible Code issue. A current STR is considering a long term rental to a company to sublet as 3 day hunting & fishing trip location. Does this negate the STR permit and also be considered a business?
Board Member Selection Criteria: to represent the areas of the town, East side (Cayuga), West side (Seneca) and Center areas. Length of time in residence to be aware of the area. Have a relevant skill set to be an asset to the board.
One person has declined consideration for Planning Board. Three other names & their backgrounds discussed. All three live on Rte 89. One has been in the area about 6 years, the other 2 approx. a year each.
There are two seats to be filled. The geographic representation is limited.
Next meeting will be November 20, 2025.
Adjourned 8:24 pm with a motion by S. Brandow, 2nd – J. Vest
Respectfully submitted.
Carol J. Millis, Secretary