Shandaken Exploring Mountain Jam Festival, Town Zoning Permits and Procedures

SHANDAKEN — The Shandaken Town Board held a special meeting on March 13. Topics included zoning permit fees and procedures, the Mountain Jam festival, and other town matters.

The board considered adding a $40 fee to the current abutters fee to cover public hearing notice and legal advertising expenses for projects. Town officials noted that they want the language to be updated in the related code or related documentation to something along the lines of  “fees and related expenses incurred by the town” in order to avoid repetitive changes to the code language over time.

The board discussed the order of applying for permits, with the building permit typically coming first, followed by a floodplain permit if necessary, and then a zoning permit if the floodplain permit is issued.There is currently not a fee schedule for zoning permits.  

A proposal was made to bring in training for the building department, with a suggested budget of up to $1,000, to improve procedures and processes.

Part of the discussion revolved around permit fees for manufactured and modular housing, with concerns about the current fee structure and whether it's appropriate to charge the same fee for both types of housing. The issue of foundation costs was also raised, with questions about whether there should be a separate fee for foundation work and how it should be calculated for manufactured and modular housing.

The conversation touched on the process of issuing building permits, with some on the board suggesting that the current system is flawed and that permits could be issued on a per-contractor basis rather than a single permit for the entire project. Some in attendance suggested doing permits on a per-dollar basis.

The topic of verifying engineered blueprints and ensuring compliance with building codes was also discussed, with questions about who is responsible for verifying the plans and conducting inspections.

The need to review and revise the fee structure and permitting process was discussed, with some suggesting that it's premature to set fees without establishing a clear procedure for issuing permits. The conversation was tabled until the next meeting, with plans to review the proposed changes and hold a public hearing before making any decisions.

Representatives from the Mountain Jam festival attended the meeting to discuss their plans and request support from the town. The representatives noted that it has been difficult to find other agencies to step up as lead agency, which could include the town. This could involve designating a lead agency and completing an environmental review process. There are concerns from the town about the costs and responsibilities associated with being the lead agency, including the need for an escrow account to cover legal fees.

The town board discussed the need for public documentation and review of the project plans before making a decision, with some members expressing concerns about the lack of time to evaluate the documents. The town discussed whether the Mountain Jam event will require a permit, with some uncertainty about the specifics. Concerns were raised about safety and logistics for a potential event, including the number of attendees, traffic, and emergency services. The discussion was tabled.

A meeting is scheduled for April to provide more information and answer questions from the public, with the possibility of voting on the project at a later meeting. According to the Town of Shandaken website, there is a meeting scheduled for Monday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. that will address the Mountain Jam project.

The town is waiting for an appraisal report on the Phoenicia School, which is expected to take about 3 days to complete, and they also need clarification on a rental agreement and any limitations on said agreement.

A resolution was adopted for the construction of a natural playground through CREST funding at Glenbrook park.

A resolution was adopted for a policy to fund and facilitate local emergency medical services in the county.

A resolution was adopted to amend contract for Glenbrook Pavilion with Brian Hommel Home Improvement

The town has $50,000 from a NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) grant to purchase an electric vehicle, and they are exploring options such as a Rivian, with the goal of staying within the budget. The town has some extra funds available, including around $25,000 in ARPA funds, which could be used to cover any difference in cost if they choose a more expensive vehicle. The town has until the end of 2025 to complete the purchase of the electric vehicle in order to use the NYSERDA grant funds.