DRAFT FILED: 12/14/00
FINAL APPROVAL: 1/17/01
VILLAGE OF CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK
WATER CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 2000
A meeting of the Water Control Commission of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. was held on Wednesday, December 13, 2000.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sally Odland, Chairman
Stuart Greenbaum
Mark Goldfarb
Charles Kane
ALSO PRESENT: Doug Garbarini, Former Chairman of the WCC
The meeting came to order at 7:30 P.M.
Approval of Minutes:
Greenbaum - Made Motion to accept the minutes as corrected
Kane - Second the Motion
Vote: 4-0
HEARINGS:
No hearings were scheduled
DISCUSSIONS/REPORTS:
Odland - The Board had requested follow-up inspections be conducted of all properties that received a Wetlands Activity Permit within the past year. The purpose of the Inspections were to insure the Water Control Commission that the applicants are in compliance with their Wetland Activity Permits.
Joseph Sperber, Asst. Bldg. Inspector, conducted the inspections and reported his findings to the Water Control Commission (see attached report dated 12/12/00).
Odland - The report indicates that they are all in compliance. The property at 6 Hixon Road has not started construction yet.
Greenbaum - To Sally Odland - But I thought you had visited the site and were concerned about disturbance.
Odland - Yes. In the area of the empty lot on the left side of the property. There is a shed and stone wall. In back of a rock crop, down hill to the left, there seemed to be clearing and grading, which Doug Garbarini and I observed from the Hudson National Golf Course recently.
Greenbaum - Should we request that Mr. Sperber, Asst. Bldg. Inspector, take another look at this property?
The Board agreed
DUCK POND SITE VISIT:
Odland - I met with John Goplerud from the Waterfront Advisory Committee and he talked about the dredging and stabilizing the embankment along Riverside Avenue. Richard Herbek asked if we (WCC) had any recommendations.
Greenbaum - I suggest a walkway all around the Duck Pond starting from Riverside Ave., since they will be doing remediation in that area anyway. It should connect along Riverside Ave. where they have the weir. It should connect to Bungalow Road. There should be a path so people can walk all around the Duck Pond. While it is flat near the far side, I think it should be developed as a walkway not just a dirt path.
Odland - Charles Kane (WCC Member) suggested that a small swale or ditch be cut into the base of the bank to catch the run off and it will be able to be fed by a simple small pipe. It can feed into the same outlet.
The Board agreed.
Greenbaum - Referring to a play area near the Duck Pond where there are tall rock formations cut into the side of a building. Mr. Greenbaum stated he was concerned that it may crumble and if children were playing in that area they could be injured. Mr. Greenbaum stated that the Engineer for this project should be looking at this from a liability standpoint.
The Water Control Commission suggested the Village Engineer look at it.
Odland - There are two proposals from Ocean & Coastal Consultants. One on soil testing and the second looks like a reduced study on hydrology. We want to know who is testing the soil,
Garbarini - The County has its own laboratories. We may want to check with them.
Odland - ...or Cornell, whichever is cheaper.
The Board stated that they would like to see the plans for dredging and drainage and suggested a memo be sent to Rick Herbek and John Goplerud stating that the Board wants to remain actively involved with the plans.
Goldfarb - Is there a timetable for this?
Odland - They hoped to complete it by this winter. We may need to do a quick review.
Goldfarb - Who is the ultimate authority? Who is the lead agency?
The Board again suggested a memo to Rick Herbek requesting answers to these questions and concerns and assuring him that the Board will expedite their reviews in order that they may stay on schedule.
Waterfront Advisory Plans of March 2000 for Waterfront Property:
Greenbaum - It is my understanding that there are four options for development. My last conversation with Rick Herbek, they were revisiting this because they had sent it to the State for review and they returned it. My questions is what is the status of this draft and what was resubmitted to the state?
It is my understanding that they are planning passive recreation use such as, a boat launch, park, restaurant, etc., there is also plan "C" that states permanent residence, arts center, and also storm water management. This will be a busy place. There will be lots of cars and parking, etc., that is the most invasive development proposed.
The Board requested to be informed of any future meetings to discuss this.
Greenbaum - Croton is one of the sleepier towns and other towns along the Hudson River are trying to provide access to the waterfront and I believe we should too.
Greenbaum agreed to be the Water Control Commission representative for this project.
Kane - I have a question about the boat ramp down by the bridge. What is the status? Will there be a rubber ramp?
Greenbaum - There were a couple of proposals. We wanted a floating dock and no jet skis and the salt area was to be cleaned up.
Odland - I didn't realize the salt was still there.
Kane - I believe the salt did get moved into the shed.
Garbarini - With respect to the boat launch. I believe they decided on a more permanent structure which was against what we wanted. We thought that would make it too accessible.
The Board requested an inquiry into what the plans are for the boat ramp.
Discussion/Improving Public awareness:
Odland - I suggest the Board come up with ideas on how to help explain to the public why the WCC is concerned with wetlands and to create some sort of guidelines or principles that will help the public understand what the Board is looking for when inspecting a site or how the Board reaches their decisions with respect to wetland issues. We need to help the public understand the principles of our decision making such as, issues that may be grandfathered and other issues relating to new construction, etc.
Greenbaum - Stated that although there are guidelines and principles there are always exceptions that need to take place and an encroachment would be allowed. In years past people were rigid with this, but I do not think that serves the community well. I think there are times when compromises need to be made as long as it is not a detriment to the environment.
Garbarini - Suggested giving the applicant a copy of the Wetland Ordinance.
Goldfarb - Suggested giving the applicant the portions of the Ordinance that pertain to their application.
Greenbaum - I like Mr. Goldfarb's idea of giving the applicant the portion of the Code that pertains to their application.
Greenbaum - One concern I have is the consistency in what the Village can do and can't do. For example the storm run-offs. Some are allowed to run into the Hudson, while others are not. While there have been instances where a person is not allowed to build a driveway because of run off into a wetland. How do we justify these situations when the Village does not set an example?
Garbarini - Some counties are reviewing their management practices.
Odland - We can only approach it as advocates.
Odland - Suggested the Board consider discussing this at a work session and then review it again.
The Board agreed.
A date for the work session was not determined.
WCC Membership:
Odland - Stated that the Board was still looking for new members and she had been informed of a few interested persons and planned on contacting them.
The meeting was closed.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Fuentes
WCC Secretary
12/13/00
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