Town of Varick New York Regular Meeting at the Varick Town Hall
Board Members: Chair: Linda Mastellar- present
Thomas Bjorkman – absent
Seth Brandow – present
Ann Kaminski – present
Tanner Leto – absent
Eileen Percevault – present
Jeff Vest – absent
Zoning Code Enforcment Officer: Tim Dorn – absent
Guest(s): Kathy Larsen, Steve Wadhams, Jim & Barb Kavanah, Jeff Dutton, Mike Karlsen
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Call to order: 7:05 pm.
Public Comment: None
Quorum: Verifiedto proceed with business on agenda.
February Minutes review: Motion to accept as presented by A. Kaminski, 2nd – E. Percevault. Motion passed.
Public Hearings: (2)
Minor Subdivision/ Lot Line Move: Kathy & Eldon Larsen to Debra Larsen. No change to the use of the property.
Motion to open public comment 1st – T Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow
Hearing no comment motion to close 1st – T. Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow
Resolution:
The Varick Planning Board issued Final Approval of a minor subdivision of parcel 2-1-04 at 1128 Rte 336 of Eldon and Kathryn Larsen.
This action divides the parcel into two lots consisting of 2.733 ac and approximately 94 acres. The smaller parcel will have 289.28 ft road frontage.
The board received the application, a survey map, an agricultural data statement, the Environmental Assessment Form and the fee from the applicant.
Varick Zoning Board declared itself lead agency for State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) and classified this as an unlisted action on February 26, 2026.
The board notified the Town of Fayette. The Board submitted the complete application to the county planning board for review.
Because of the presence of wetlands on both parcels, they recommend that approval be conditional upon the applicants obtaining a wetland delineation assessment for the two proposed parcels by a qualified wetland consultant, and supplying the Town with proof of the appropriate permitting and approvals prior to any future development in or near jurisdictional wetlands.
They also noted that this subdivision can promote the undesirable fragmentation of farmland in the part of the county with the most contiguous farmland.
Both parcels contain wetlands that can potentially be impacted. Therefore, the approval is conditional on receiving a wetland delineation assessment by a qualified wetland consultant to determine the exact area subject to wetland regulation. Future permits will need to meet the wetland regulations for the delineated areas.
The SEQR principally concerned impact on wetlands. Negative environmental impact can be acceptably limited by knowing the exact extent of regulated wetlands and limiting development to what is permitted in such wetlands. There will be no impact on the cemetery across the street. The board hereby makes a negative declaration of environmental impact for SEQR.
The board finds that there will be no substantive impact on agricultural uses because the farmland will remain in agriculture and a potential additional residence on Rt. 336 will have acceptably low impact on adjoining agricultural uses. The Varick Planning board held a Public Hearing on March 26, 2026. There were no comments.
Motion by T. Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow, Opposed – 0. Motion approved.
Minor Subdivision/ Lot Line Move: Ryan Green, parcel division at 5412 E. Lake Rd. in the Lakeshore Residential District. The land will not be farmed as previously done.
Motion to open public comment 1st – T Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow
Hearing no comment motion to close 1st – T. Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow
Resolution:
The Varick Planning Board issued Final Approval of the minor subdivision of parcel 10-2-17.112 at 5412 East Lake Rd. of Ryan Green.
This action divides the parcel of 14.284 acres into two lots of 2.1 and 12.184 acres. The narrowest part is 251 feet.
The board received the application, a survey map, an agricultural data statement, the Environmental Assessment Form and the fee from the applicant.
Varick Zoning Board declared itself lead agency for State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) and classified this as an unlisted action on March 26, 2026, and makes a negative declaration of environmental impact.
The Board submitted the complete application to the county planning board for review.
The County Planning Board recommended approval based on local determination. They expressed concern regarding fragmentation of high priority agricultural land.
The Varick Planning board finds that there will be no substantive impact on agricultural uses because the farmland is as likely to remain in agriculture after subdivision.
The Varick Planning board held a Public Hearing on March 26, 2026. There were no comments
Motion by T. Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow, Motion approved.
Application Presentation: (2)
Minor Subdivision application: Steven Wadhams dividing one parcel into three. No change in use expected.
Resolution
The Varick Planning Board accepted a preliminary plat for a minor subdivision of parcel 10-2-17.122 of Steve and Linda Wadhams.
This action divides the parcel into three lots consisting of 1.758, 6.112 and 1.678 ac. The parcel will have 100.7, 337 and 173 feet road frontage respectively.
The board received the application, a survey map, an agricultural data statement, the Environmental Assessment Form and the fee from the applicant.
Varick Zoning Board declared itself lead agency for SEQR and classified this as an unlisted action.
The Board will submit the complete application to the county planning board for review and schedule a public hearing on April 23, 2026.
Motion T. Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow. Motion carried.
Potential Minor Subdivision: Amana Farms represented by Mike Karlsen. Two areas to be divided with each area having parcels in both Romulus and Varick. The Varick portions are landlocked.
Resolution
The Varick Planning Board accepted a preliminary plat for a minor subdivision of parcel 10-4-9 of Amama Farms.
This action divides the parcel into two lots consisting of 26.4 and 36.7ac. The parcels have no road frontage in Varick, but is accessed through contiguous parcels in Romulus.
The board received the application, a survey map, an agricultural data statement, and the Environmental Assessment Form from the applicant. The application still requires a fee and owner signatures on the forms.
Varick Zoning Board declared itself lead agency for SEQR and classified this as an unlisted action.
The Board anticipates coordinating further action with the Town of Romulus.
The Board will submit the application, when complete, to the county planning board for review and tentatively schedule a public hearing on April 23, 2026.
Motion T. Bjorkman, 2nd – S. Brandow, Motion carried.
Monthly Reports:
- Zoning Code Enforcement Officer: No information available. No Action.
- Facebook: General report of activity. No Action
- Website: General report of activity. No action.
- Town Board Meeting:General report. No action.
- Chair Update:
- Upcoming zoning retreat reminder
- L. Mastellar will be away in April – T. Bjorkman to chair meeting.
- L. Mastellar and T. Bjorkman met with Seneca County Planning Board members to clarify code details.
Adjourned 9:06 pm with a motion by A. Kaminski, 2nd – S. Brandow
Next meeting will be April 23, 2026.
Respectfully submitted.
Carol J. Millis, Secretary