Planning Board Minutes: December 18, 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
Tanner Leto – present
Jeff Vest – present
Zoning Code Enforcment Officer: Tim Dorn – present
Guest(s): Jo Abbie, Mel Reynolds, Val Dorn
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Call to order: 6:59 pm.
Public Comment: None
Quorum: Verifiedto proceed with business on agenda.
November Minutes review: Motion to accept as presented.
Motion by J. Vest 2nd – A. Kaminski Motion passed.
Welcome to Tanner Leto as new Planning Board member. The Planning Board has one more empty seat.
Lot Line Move Jo Abbie to Mel & Eric Reynolds.
Public Hearing opened with a motion by T. Bjorkman, 2nd – J. Vest
Hearing no comments, public hearing closed with a motion by T. Bjorkman, 2nd – J. Vest
Resolution
The Varick Planning Board issued final approval of a lot line move transferring 0.102 acres from parcel 14-1-48 of Jo Abbie at 5581 St Rt 96 to parcel 14-1-47 of Eric and Mel Reynolds.
This action straightens the property line between the two parcels and extends it to the utility right of way.
The lot line move reduces lot 14-1-48 from 0.424 acres to 0.321 acres. The piece that will be transferred is 68 feet wide, which is more than the than the minimum of 50 feet. The remaining parcel is over 52 feet. While both are less than the Hamlet District minimum of 0.5 acres, the lay of properties between St. Rt 96 and the utility right of way makes this alignment the most desirable division.
The board received the application signed by both parties, a survey map, an agricultural data statement and the fee from the applicant.
The Varick Planning Board categorized this action on November 20, 2025 as Type II under State Environmental Quality review, requiring no review.
The Board submitted the complete application to the county planning board for review because the lot sizes are below the size of conforming lots. The County Planning Board reviewed the application and recommended that this request be approved.
The board finds that there will be no impact on nearby agricultural uses because the land use will remain compatible with agriculture and does not create potential for development that would limit adjoining agricultural uses.
The Board held a public hearing on December 18, 2025, during which no concerns were raised.
Motion by T. Bjorkman, 2nd – A. Kaminski, Opposed – 0. Motion Approved.
Added Agenda item: Informal information presented for a lot line move.
Board members are reminded to turn in training certificates.
Monthly Reports:
- Zoning Code Enforcement Officer: Reports on the 2 permits issued after they received area variances. No Action
- Facebook: General report of activity. No Action
- STR: Two applications ready for public hearings in January. Renewal applications are being received with Donna processing the paperwork.
- Website: Varick.gov domain name obtained. No Action.
- Town Board Meeting:None.
Code Update Discussion:
a. Define a timeline to review/amend codes. The Solar panel information needs updating. Working group will meet again on Docks/Hoists with feedback given from Town Board.
b. Owner Occ./ Owner Supervised changes on the STR application.
c. general grammar changes done. Additional changes from T. Bjorkman’s work on the district definitions that will clarify properties split between districts. This will include better definition of use on these split properties. Also the Barge Canal Corp datum will be updated.
8:22 Entered Executive Session for legal discussion
8:28 Ended Executive Session
Adjourned 8:30 pm with a motion by J. Vest, 2nd – A. Kaminski
Next meeting will be January 22, 2026.
Respectfully submitted.
Carol J. Millis, Secretary