Brian Bender

The meeting agenda included a pre-agenda meeting and the main session commencing at 6 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The board addressed the format for public hearings, noting that all matters are public hearings concerning Special Permits, Variances, and Interpretations. All new actions were determined to be Type II SEQR Actions with a negative declaration, unless advised otherwise by legal counsel. The Old Business section was noted as having no items. New Business focused on Case #1998, involving Michael J. Taylor, who requested Area Variances for a 12 x 24-foot addition to a residence at 8111 Maple Road, concerning setbacks in the Residential Agricultural Zoning District (RA-100). The agenda concluded with noting there were no Forthcoming Cases and a final adjournment.

The Planning Board addressed several key agenda items, including three referrals concerning The Summit FCU for a zone change, a special permit for a drive-thru, and a special permit for a bank/credit union at 4955 West Taft Road. The Chairwoman and another member recused themselves from discussions concerning battery energy storage systems (BESS) due to business relationships with Nexamp. The board reviewed three Nexamp cases regarding BESS installations (Wetzel Road Storage, Longbranch Road Storage, and Carson Power, LLC/Wetzel BESS A&B), discussing operations, safety features, noise levels, and compliance with fire codes. One case, Longbranch Storage, raised concerns due to its location in an RC-1 district. Several Old Business items were handled, including denying the Morgan Road Business Park site plan without prejudice, adjourning others, and one case being tabled by the Town Board. The Commissioner of Planning & Development noted the town is moving forward with specific ordinances to address BESS activities.

The agenda for the Town Board Meeting centers on several public hearings, many adjourned from the February 2, 2026 meeting. These hearings concern applications for Zone Change and Special Permits for Summit Federal Credit Union projects at 4955 West Taft Road, involving demolition and new construction, as well as applications for Utility Substation Special Permits for battery energy storage systems (BESS) proposed by Nexamp, Inc. (d/b/a Wetzel Storage, LLC and Long Branch Storage, LLC) and Carson Power, LLC. Additional items include resolutions for adopting a joint grant application with Onondaga County for the Oak Orchard Service Area Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrades, reauthorizing the Public Employer Mandatory Health Emergency Plan, purchasing three snowplows for the Highway Department, and scheduling future public hearings to consider proposed Local Laws regarding recreation department fees and amendments to noise and commercial district codes. The Board will also address resolutions for approving easement agreements with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Verizon New York, Inc., and Donald J. Gabor.

The key discussion items focused on Old Business cases requiring adjournment. Case #2025-054, related to Cheryl D. White's Equestrian Center Site Plan, was adjourned to February 25, 2026. Case #2025-056, concerning the Northside Baptist Church Amended Site Plan, was adjourned to February 11, 2026. No New Business items were addressed.

During the organizational meeting, the Board accepted the 2026 Scheduling Calendar, designating the second Monday of each month as the regular meeting time, and appointed Karen Liebi as Deputy Chairperson. A motion established that all new actions would be determined to be a Type II under the New York State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process, receiving a negative declaration unless otherwise advised by legal counsel. In new business, the Board unanimously approved Area Variances for Case #1995 (Veterans of Foreign Wars) concerning reductions in front yard setback and parking space requirements for the construction of an outdoor pavilion, subject to compliance with Exhibit "A". Additionally, Area Variances were unanimously approved for Case #1996 (William and Sahra Webb) to reduce the side yard setback for the replacement of an existing shed with a new 10x16 shed, also contingent upon substantial compliance with Exhibit "A".