Planning Board Minutes: July 24, 2025

Town of Varick New York Regular Meeting at the Varick Town Hall

Board Members: Chair: Linda Mastellar- present

Thomas Bjorkman – present

Seth Brandow – absent

Ann Kaminski – present

Cindy Lont – present

Jeff Vest – absent

Code Officer: Tim Dorn – present

Guest(s): Nathan Ernest, Kerry Dorn, Val Dorn, Jason Martin, Bob Hayssen

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Call to order: 7:00 pm.

Public Comment: None

Quorum: Verifiedto proceed with business on agenda.

June Minutes Review: Guest Ann Raffetto at the June meeting – spelling correction of name.

Motion to accept the minutes. 1 – C. Lont, 2 – T. Bjorkman Opposed – 0 Approved.

Public Hearing: Martin Minor Subdivision

Comments: Can you clarify where the subdivision is? See Resolution.

Resolution

The Varick Planning Board issues a final approval of a minor subdivision of parcel 15-1-46.1at 5578 St Rt 89 of Jason and Delphine Martin.

This action divides a parcel of 17.235 acres to two lots of 16.053 acres and 1.182 acre, having minimum widths of 486 and 176 ft, respectively.

The board received the application, a survey map, an agricultural data statement, the environmental assessment form, and the fee from the applicant. Varick Planning Board declared itself lead agency for SEQR, classified this as an unlisted action and made a negative declaration of environmental impact on June 26, 2025. The Board submitted the application to the county planning board for review The County Planning Board raised no concerns. The board held a public hearing on July 24, 2025.

Motion by T. Bjorkman, 2 – C. Lont, 4 in favor, Opposed – 0. Motion approved.

Motion to close Public Hearing

1st T. Bjorkman, 2- C. Lont, 4 in favor, Opposed – 0. Approved

Lot Line Move Kaufman to Tiaskkun and Zona – pending map, no action

Monthly Reports:

Code Officer: No Report

Facebook: Community News Update, NAB/HAB Comparison, and July Video Reel shared. 

STR: Current Status: 15 permits within Lakeshore Residential Cayuga Lake

19 permits within Lakeshore Residential Seneca Lake

Website: 275 visitors in the last month. Performing as expected. Main search term is Town of Varick. Request to make the minutes more visible. This has been addressed by

C. Millis to update minutes, post agendas, and public hearing information on Town of Varick website.

Minor Subdivision letters to neighbors: This will be included in the procedure & included in the application.

STR Procedure: The STR committee met and sent out information for review. The definition of STR remained the same while removing any reference to residency. No new permits allocated.

Regarding parking: Current minimum parking size 8 x 18. Application should mirror the code.

Resolution to change dimensions of parking space in (314.4C) from 8 x18 to 10 x 20 feet to be consistent with the dimensions elsewhere in the code. (There needs to be room for egress and unloading)

Moved T. Bjorkman, 2nd- A. Kaminski, 4 in favor, 0 Opposed, Approved

Resolution to change title of Code Enforcement Officer’s title to Zoning Code Enforcement Officer

Moved C. Lont, 2nd – T. Bjorkman, 4 in favor, 0- Opposed. Approved

Discussed Short-term Rental permit process (315.1). Removed Special Use Permit process from this section.

Any application that is incomplete or inaccurate is unacceptable. Completed applications are sent to the Code Enforcement Officer for inspection. 

The Planning Board can recommend adding this addition to the prepared amendments. Send to Town Board for approval.

T. Bjorkman Motion to move the new definition and STR to the draft updates to the Zoning Code to share with the Town Board. 1st -T. Bjorkman, 2nd -C. Lont, 0- Opposed. Approved

Discussion for signage needed for Variances, Public Hearings. Will submit suggestions/templates to Town Board for approval. 

Policy and instruction created for yard signs posted for public hearings (fees, schedules, etc.) See Town Board discussion.

New Business:

 Reminder that 8/30 Lake Living supplement to FLX Times will publish the Varick Mural photos and interview with John and Nikki Hrustich.

Motion by T. Bjorkman to adjourn at 9:00 pm. 1st -T. Bjorkman, 2nd –C. Lont, 4 in favor, 0- Opposed, Approved.

Next meeting is scheduled for August 28, 2025.

Respectfully submitted. 

Ann Kaminski, Substitute Recording Secretary