Town of Varick New York Regular Meeting at the Varick Town Hall
Board Members: Chair: Linda Mastellar- present
Thomas Bjorkman – present
Seth Brandow – present
Ann Kaminski – present
Tanner Leto – present
Eileen Percevault – present
Jeff Vest – resignation accepted with thanks
Zoning Code Enforcment Officer: Tim Dorn – present
Guest(s): Andrew Herkovic, Kathy Hudson, Tom Murray, Erik Heitz, Susan Ottenweller, Jodi Brown, Kate Sinicropi, Town of Romulus Planning Board
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Call to order: 7:03 pm.
Public Comment: Varick ZBA members attending with interest in upcoming Code update changes.
Quorum: Verifiedto proceed with business on agenda.
April Minutes review: Motion to accept as presented by T. Leto, 2nd – A. Kaminski. Motion passed.
Public Hearing:
Motion to open at 7:12 by S. Brandow, 2nd T. Leto
Minor Subdivision application: Amama Farm minor subdivision application for parcel 10-4-09 at 767 Kennedy Rd. The creation of two land locked parcels in Varick, each adjoined to parcels in Romulus. The two adjoined parcels will each stay in the Varick and Romulus tax rolls, meaning property owners will receive tax bills from both towns. Access to the Varick parcels will be through the adjoined Romulus portion.
Comments: Neighbors ask if the use of the parcels will change, if so, to what purpose. The provided information is for no change from current agriculture use. Comment that water will be an issue if the property is developed.
Motion to close the public hearing at 7:23: 1st – S. Brandow, 2nd – E. Percevault
Resolution
The Varick Planning Board issues final approval of a minor subdivision of parcel 10-4-9 of Amama Farms.
This action divides the parcel into two lots consisting of 14.7 and 36.7ac. The parcels have no road frontage in the Town of Varick, but are accessed through contiguous parcels on Kennedy Road in the Town of Romulus.
The board received the signed application, the fee, a survey map, an agricultural data statement, and the Environmental Assessment Form from the applicant.
The Varick Planning Board declared itself lead agency for SEQR and classified this as an unlisted action on March 26, 2026. It now makes a negative declaration of environmental impact.
The Board submitted the application to the Seneca County Planning Board for review. The County Planning Board recommended approval contingent on each parcel remaining a single property with the adjacent parcel in Romulus to ensure deeded access across the municipal boundary.
The Board held a public hearing on May 28, 2026. Public comment concerned potential future uses such as multiple housing unit development, solar farms and groundwater depletion.
The approval is contingent on the parcels being a jointly owned property with adjoining parcels to the south to provide deeded access to Kennedy Road across the municipal boundary.
Motion T. Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow. Motion carried.
Reports:
CEO: Property renting without a STR permit stopped – permit had not been renewed. A complaint of property with demolition debris left covering the lot. STR application coming with a hearing for next meeting.
- Facebook: Information given. No action.
- Website: Minor corrections made. No action.
- Town Board Meeting: Code changes to be submitted for discussion.
- Chair Update: Reminder to do training. Recommend changes to meeting sign-in sheets to include address. If a STR clerk is also PB member – conflict of interests? If/ when to abstain from voting. STR clerk is needed.
Sharing information of recent ZBA Public Hearing of a side line setback variance application for a non-conforming lot of less than 100ft wide. Many lots do not meet current (15ft) setback or even the previous 10ft setbacks.
Question raised about the previously discussed Public Hearing yard signs. Process procedure needs to be created including fees, etc. before moving forward.
Code Update Discussion:
T. Bjorkman used projector to show the final changes being submitted to the Town Board review.
Next meeting discussions:
Renewable Energy Systems: Solar and Wind- Private and Commercial
Data Center requests/ restrictions
Adjourned 9:22pm with a motion by A. Kaminski, 2nd – S. Brandow
Next meeting will be June 25, 2026.
Respectfully submitted.
Carol J. Millis, Secretary