Professional Documents
Culture Documents
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
Petitioner-Plaintiff, AFFIDAVIT OF
THOMAS K. RIENBECK
- against -
Respondents-Defendants, and
Respondent-Defendant.
1. Between January 2000 and December 2009, I was the Supervisor of the Town of
2. In these roles, I actively participated in the review of the St. Lawrence wind farm
project (the "Project") pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act ("SEQRA"). As
such, I am fully familiar with the facts and circumstances surrounding the above captioned
proceeding.
Verified Answer. More specifically, this affidavit is submitted in response to Petitioner's claim
that the Planning Board's September 15, 2010 vote to accept a statement of SEQRA findings
regarding the Project should be set aside due to the existence or appearance of a conflict of
Background
4. The Project will occupy a significant portion of the Town (approximately 7,900
acres).
5. As a result, the Project has been the subject of intense scrutiny by Town residents,
neighboring and seasonal residents, governmental agencies, citizen groups and the like over the
past four years. Likewise, the Project has also been the subject of extensive formal review and
consideration by the Cape Vincent Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
6. Throughout the Town's review, Petitioner has been a vocal critic of the Project
alleging, among other things, that the review process employed by the Tovvn was tainted because
various Town officers and employees had prohibited conflicts of interest regarding the Project.
challenges against a determination of the Town pursuant to which the Project was classified as a
8. As part of its challenge, Petitioner specifically alleged that the classification of the
Project as a "utility" should have been set aside because various Planning Board members and
the Town Code Enforcement Officer had prohibited conflicts of interest in the Project. (See
Exhibit "A," December 6, 2006 Letter from Petitioner to the Town Zoning Board of Appeals).
9. The Town's Zoning Board of Appeals, Jefferson County Supreme Court and the
Appellate Division, Fourth Department each affirmed the Town's classification of the Project as
a "utility," and none of these entities found fault with the conduct of the Town's officers or
employees. (See Exhibits "B," "C" and "D," copies, respectively, of the Cape Vincent Zoning
10. As Supervisor, I was similarly of the opinion that all of the Town's officers and
employees were acting appropriately. In fact, so as to comply with the mandate of Article 18 of
the General Municipal Law as well as the Town's Ethics Code (see Exhibit "E"), the Tovvn's
officers and employees, including members of the Planning Board, disclosed at the outset of St.
Lawrence's application for site plan approval whatever direct or indirect connection they might
have had with the wind companies that were obtaining leases in the Town.
11. The intent was to ensure compliance with the law, rendering our Town's
government open and ensuring that the affiliations, if any, of our officers and employees with
wind companies were known not only by other officers and employees of the Town, but by the
general public.
12. Nevertheless, facing continued criticism and the possibility of further litigation by
Petitioner, in 2008, the Town's special counsel provided additional assistance regarding the
disclosure and recusal requirements set forth at Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.
13. Following receipt of counsel's advice, the Town's officers and employees again
formally disclosed any direct or indirect relationship they had with the wind and land companies
14. The disclosures were presented in writing at a publicly noticed Town Board
Planning Board member) identified no interest prohibited under either the General Municipal
Law or the Town's Ethics Code relating to the St. Lawrence Project and, therefore, they were not
16. Planning Board member Bourcy disclosed that her adult son had a lease with St.
Lawrence. While I am advised that this would not create an impermissible conflict of interest,
Ms. Bourcy nevertheless determined it best to recuse herself from participating in the review of
the Project.
17. The Verified Petition merely states that because of an appearance of conflict, the
September 15, 2010 vote of the Planning Board accepting a statement of SEQRA findings for the
18. Petitioner has totally failed, however, to explain why there is an appearance of a
conflict, or even if there were such an appearance, why either the General Municipal Law or
Town's Ethics Code would require that the work product of years of open, thoughtful and
19. The vote to accept the September 15, 2010 statement of SEQRA findings was
moved by me, seconded by George Mingle and received a third aye from Chairman Edsall.
20. George Mingle and I have no interest with any wind company whatsoever, and
Chairman Edsall has previously disclosed his lease interest with BP Wind Energy. BP Wind
Energy is, however, in no way affiliated with St. Lawrence. Accordingly, there was no
••••■ oaa,
prohibited conflict of interest amongst the members of the Planning Board that voted to accept
21. Indeed, Petitioner's suggestion that because there is a possibility that St.
Lawrence and BP Wind Energy may share a transmission line at some future point, Chairman
Edsall has a conflict of interest regarding the St. Lawrence Project, is totally misplaced.
22. The Planning Board did not require that St. Lawrence make its proposed
transmission line available to BP Wind Energy. Rather, St. Lawrence and BP Wind Energy have
coordinated their efforts to ensure that the infrastructure constructed along a primary
transmission route within Cape Vincent and the Tovvn of Lyme is capable of supporting multiple
electrical transmission lines, including BP Wind Energy's if that project ever progresses.
23. St. Lawrence committed to this proposal itself, as indicated in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement ("FEIS") for the Project, as a means of mitigating cumulative
visual impacts of this and any future projects in the vicinity. Indeed, since the transmission line
cannot be masked or camouflaged in any way, St. Lawrence was constrained to propose "offset"
mitigation, including the possible future co-location of transmission lines along its transmission
infrastructure, in order to meet SEQRA's mandate — that impacts be mitigated to the maximum
extent practicable.
entitle BP Wind Energy and, by implication, Chairman Edsall, to some form of economic benefit
or entitlement, given the fact that St. Lawrence's mitigation proposal certainly does not equate to
any form of contractual obligation to allow BP Wind Energy to co-locate along its transmission
infrastructure or to any assurance of future approval by the Planning Board. Rather, as the
Planning Board has not and does not intend to play any role in the private negotiations which
may occur between two utilities regarding the potential future sharing of a transmission line, it
will presumably be incumbent upon St. Lawrence and BP Wind Energy to work out the details of
whether and under what circumstances they are willing and able to share the infrastructure.
25. In sum, the Town's officers and employees, including all of the past and present
Planning Board members, have fully disclosed whatever direct or indirect interests they might
have with wind companies that have obtained leases in the Town, including St. Lawrence.
26. None of the Planning Board members have a prohibited interest in the Project.
Only out of an abundance of caution did Karen Bourcy recuse herself from deliberating and
Conclusion
28. Such a misplaced and belated attempt to attack a substantive, open and deliberate
decision of the Planning Board should be roundly dismissed by the Court. Otherwise, years of
effort by dedicated, competent and ethical public servants will be overshadowed by Petitioner's
tactical delay.
For the reasons set forth above, the Verified Petition should be dismissed and the
Planning Board's September 15, 2010 acceptance of a statement of SEQFtA findings for the St.
Lawrence Project should be affirmed,
OT • PUBLIC
. L TiTUS
Notory $,:! of New 'York
/75
0—.:r ..; • - • ctunty
71, 20
TO 39Vd IN3ONIA 3cIVO JO NMOl 99EEPS9STE p6Tzi
judy Drabicki, Esq.
25723 NYS Route 180
/COPY
Dexter, New York 13634
phone: 315-639-4949
fax: 315-639-5073
e-mail: drabicki@gisco.net
December 8, 2006
Pursuant to Section 267-a of New YorIc State TOWII Law, this letter and encloshres
constitute an appeal to the Cape Vincent Zoning Board of Appeals ("ZBA") of the apparent
determination by the Town of Cape Vincent Pluming Board ("Planning Board") that a large scale
wind power project (97 425' tall wind turbines covering a developed and undeveloped area of
more than 600 acres, extended over thirty five miles) is allowed as a "site plan use" under the
Town of Cape Vincent Zoning Law. This appeal is made by the Wind Power Ethics Group
("WPEG"), Sarah Boss, Rollin Hanson, and Charleg Harwood, from the determination by the
Town of Cape Vincent Planning Board at its November 8, 2006 meeting regarding the eligibility
for site plan review of a large scale commercial wind power project in the Town (St. Lawrence
Windpower, LLC).
SpeciBcally, the Planning Board's unapproved minutes filed on November 22, 2006
(attached) indicate that "[tjhe Chairman asked for a motion to determine if a wind
turbine farm is an acceptable site plan use in. the agricultural, residential district. T.
Ingersoll made a motion to the above site plan use and was seconded by A_ Binsley.
All in fa.vor. Vote:. 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent. Therefore the motion was
carried." The remainder of the "New Business" section of the 'fleeting was devoted
to discussion of the St. Lawrence Wmdpower, LLC wind project application
process.
The individuals named herein and the members of WPEG live within the
zone of interest surrounding the proposed wind power project. Unfortunately,
an environmental law practice
I ,Cll
fra•
neither the Planning Board nor the applicant has thus far provided the actual map indicating where
the towers are proposed. However, the named parties all live within visual distance of area shown
on the Environmental Assessment Form prepared by the applicant which is depicted as the project
area.
These residents will be affected by this project, and as such by the determination made by
the Pluming Board to allow this application to proceed under site plan review. They therefore
have standing to file this appeal.
A. The Planning Board failed to identify the authorized site plan use applicable here
Section 315 of Cape Vincent's Zoning Law provides for allowable uses in the Agricultural
Residential District, to which the Platming Board's challenged action relates. This section of the
law provides eight (8) specific permitted uses in this district, and twelve (12) specific uses which
are permitted by site plan review. While the Plarming Board determined that the project was
subject to site plan review, it did not identify which of the 12 authorized site plan uses a large,
commercial wind power project fits into, nor did it provide the basis for that determination.
In some cases, this would be a mere administrative error. For example, if the proposal
were for a mobile home park, which is clearly identified as a site plan use in the zoning law, and
the Planning Board failed to indicate that the mobile home park was a permitted use under site
plan review, it would still be clear from looking at the law that site plan review was applicable. In
this case, though, the project being proposed is not identifiable as any of the 12 authorized uses_
The Planning Board's failure to properly identify which use it believes authorizes a large
commercial wind project and its failure to explain that decision make it impossible to assess the
legality of its actions.
B. A Large-Scale Commercial Wind Project is not eligible for site plan review under
Cape Vincent's Zoning Law
The fact that the Planning Board made no determination as to which of thel2 site plan
review uses were applicable is understandable, since none are.
Assertions by Town of Cape Vincent officials have been made in various settings as to
which site plan use would be applicable to a conunercial wind project. Additional assertions have
been made that even without a change to the law, an application for site plan review would "have
to be granted." However, a careful review of every one of the Zoning Law's 12 authorized site
plan uses, and their related definitions in the law, reveals that a c,orrunercial wind power project
like the one proposed fits none of the permitted site plan uses, and is therefore a prohibited use in
Cape Vincent Zoning Board of Appeals - page 3
December 8, 2006
the Town of Cape Vincent. New York Law requires that the specific mention of one or more
things in a law creates an irrefutable inference that other things not included were intended to be
omitted (See McKinney's Statutes §240). Such an interpretation is applicable to a local law as
well.
This would appear to be the very reAson the Town began efforts to amend its zoning law
to authorize wind power projects in the first instance.
The determination that wind power projects are prohibited by Cape Vincent's Zoning Law
is also clear from the plain reading of the entire zoning law, which New York Statutes §92
mandates - "The primary consideration of the courts (here, the ZBA acts as a quasi-judicial body)
in the construction of statutes is to ascertain and give effect to the intention of the legislature."
Here, that intention is made dear by the Town's Comprehensive Plan, as well as by the
Zoning Law itself.
The Comprehensive Plan provides that for the area of the Town where the project is
proposed, the uses to be discouraged are "location of towers, prisons or utility facilities where
there [sic] impact would have a negative impact on scenic vistas and -tourism assets" while at the
same time, the uses to be encouraged are "Agriculture. Development that has minimum impact on
important resources such as scenic natural vistas, working landscapes and tourism assets."
This dovetaiLs with the law itselt whose stated purpose is, among other things, to
"encourage the development of land for fts most appropriate use within the town, and to conserve
and protect the niral, agricultural, and scenic resources of the Town; ..." a.nd, specifically the
intent of the Agricultural Residential District is to "promote all types of development in the
interior portions of the Town in a mcrnner that preseives the rural character and promotes active
farming operations." (Emphasis added) Cominercial wind tower operations do neither and .
therefore the interpretation that they are prohibited is the only legally defensible position.
2. Even if the proposed use -was eligible for site plan review, it is not permittable without
an area variance.
All permittable uses in the Town have a height restriction according to the Zoning Law.
Even if the project were an approved site plan use, the height restriction of 35 feet would apply.
Since the height restriction is consistently applied across all districts and all uses, whether
permitted or by site plan use, it is without question that the Town Board intended that no
Wucturesi of any lind should be more than thirty-five fmt high in Cape Vurcent.
Unfortunately, the residents of the Town of Cape Vmcent have been denied the right to
even see the application submitted by Saint Lawrence Wmdpower, LLC, despite repeated
other than non-agricultural "buildings", a term defmed in the law as a shelter with a roof supported by
columns or walls. "Buildings" can be taller with setbarks. Wind towers are not buildings in Cape Vmcent's law.
Cape Vincent Zoning Board of Appeals - page 4
December 8, 2006
requests. It is therefore unknown whether a request for a variance has been submitted to allow
dozens of structures of more than thirty-flve feet. Such a variance would be subject to close
scrutiny, since the proposed structures would be More than ten times the authorized height of
thirty-five feet.
C. The Planning Board acted beyond its jurisdiction when it made a determination
concerning project eligibility for site plan review
As indicated above, the Planning Board of Cape Vincent unanimously decided that this
project was eligible to proceed under site plan review. HoweVer, as stated by the Court in Jamil
et al v Village of Scarsdale Planning Board, 24 AD3d 552 (2' Dept 2005), "[Ole Planning
Board is without power to interpret the provisions of the local zoning law, a power which is
vested exclusively in the building inspector and the Zoning Board of Appeals (see Village Law
§§7-12-a(4), 7-712-b(1))" The language of 'Village Law mirrors exactly the relevant language of
Town Law in this area, making this case directly applicable.
The Planning Board, several of whose members reportedly have direct familial
relationships with those with contracts with one of the developers proposing a wind power
project in the Town, appear to be arDdous to accelerate the permitting process. Instead, their role
should have been to wait and see if the zoning enforcement officer made a determination that the
project was eligible for site plan review. By failing to do so, they usurped the enforcement
officer's authority, and caused the necessity for an appeal and associated delay that will have to be
resolved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Unfortunately, upon information and belief, the Cape Vmcent zoning enforcement officer,
Mr. Alan Wood, apparently also has a contract with the developer. As such, he is precluded from
making any kind of determination as to the applicability of the Zoning Law to this project. -
However, there is no indication in the minutes, nor would it be appropriate, for the Planning
Board to make this determination due to Mr. Wood's conflict. -
III. ANY FUR' HEX ACTIONS BY THE PLANNING BOARD ARE STAYED
Pursuant to NYS Town Law Section 267-a(6) all proceedings on this matter.must now be
stayed nntil this appeal is resolved, and therefore the Planning Board is barred from acting on this
application.
Thus, despite the Planning Board's scheduling of meetings every other week until this
application is finally ruled on, by copy of this letter, the Plarming Board is on notice that all
activities, including those undertaken outside public view, must be suspended for the duration of
this proceeding, including any necessary judicial review of this proceeding. Any further actions by
the Planning Board may result in litigation caused by the Town, and possibly liability pursuant to
General Municipal Law Section 51 for individual members for wasting the Town's money by
causing it to unnecessarily incur legal fees for failing to stay this proceeding,
Cape Vincent Zoning Board of Appeals - page 5
December 8, 2006
IV. NUMEROUS ACTIONS OF THE PLANNING BO ARD HAVE BEEN
QUESTIONABLE
1. The Planning Board attempted, after rec,ornmendation by the Town Board, to adopt
"guidelines" for proceeding with a review of proposed wind power projects. (See
attached minutes of Planning Board meeting of September 13, 2006) Specifically, it
attempted to adopt amendments to the Zoning Law which the Town apparently
abandoned. This was an illegal act, as explained in :the letter from this office to Mark
Gebo, dated November 1, 2006, (attached) and unfortunately provides further evidence of
the Planning Board's eagerness to move this application along too quickly.
2. The Planning Board has failed to make available to the public the application submitted by
St. Lawrence Windpower, LLC in this matter. This is not only illegal, since the minutes
from the meeting are by law required to be available within ten days of the me,eting, it is
also an act of bad faith and appears to represent an attempt to hide the Board's actions
from the Town's residents. This serves no purpose other than to further delay the public
invOlvement and is unfortunate. It is my understanding recently that the Planning Board
intends to make the application available December 18 meeting,, more than a month after it
received the application at its November 8 meeting.
3. Upon information and belief, the Chair of the Planning Board had recused himself from
participating in earlier discussions about windpower because he had a contract with one of
the companies interested in siting a facility here. (see enclosed article) Unless the
contract has been terminated, he should not be participating in this proc,ess. It is my
understanding that three of the five Planning Board members are also closely tied by
family to others with contracts with one of the proposed companies. This combined with
the secrecy and non-jurisdictional actions by this Board should make the ZBA and all •
residents of the town concerned about whether this Board is acting on behalf of all of the
Town's residents.
WPEG and the named parties ask that this Zoning Board of Appeals provide a hearing as
required by law so that the decision of the Planning Board may be properly assessed, and that this
application be properly handled in the open by public officials who do not have private interests at
heart, but the best interests of the entire community.
I will await your scheduling of a hearing and thank you for your attention to this important
matter that will affect the future of Cape Vincent for years to come.
Sincerely,
Also Present David Shod:sleeve, Donnie Mason, Bob Gauthier, Margaret Pond, Roger
Toombs, Jean Toombs, Lawrence Hickey, Celine Nebbia, Marty Mason- COB,
Schnieder-MB, Franlc Giaquinto, Nell Mason, Mickey Orvis-CVTI3, Brooks Bragdon,
Jarvis RadJey, Cindy Edon, Charlie Moehs, Tom Reinbeck-Town Supervisor, Alan Wood-
ZEO, Harvey VVhite.
OLD BUSINESS: A public hearing in the matter of Mrs. Celine Nebbia was opened at
7:05 p.m. She is requesting a Major Subdivision of land located on Llsa Drive, Cape
Vincent. The total acreage is 4.63 (+/-) acres and will be subdivided into lots being 1.6
(44-) acres, L2 (+/-) acres and 1.8 (+/-) acres. The Board completed the SEQR
Prooass and dedared a Negative Declaration to the environment; T. Ingersoll made
the motion and was seconded by G. Mingle, all in favor. There were no public
comments. Thus, the hearin ' g was dosed. A motion was made by T. Ingersoll to
approve the subdivision and was seconded by A. Binsley. All in favor. Vote: 5-in favor,
0- .opposed, 0-absent Therefore the subdivision was approved
NEW BUSINESS: Mr. David Shortsleeve is requesting a 3-lot major subdivision for
property located 011 Huff Road, Cape Vincent All lots will be over one 6cre. The Board
will not accept his subdivision, pending the approval of Town of Cape Vincent
Highway Superintendent .
The Board received a $45.00 fee for this subdivision application. A public hearing in
this matter will be scheduled for December L3, 2006 at 7:05 p.m.
The Chairman asked for a motion to deterrnine if a wind turbine farm is an acceptable
site plan use In the agricultural, residential district. TAngersoll made a motion to the
above site plan use and was seconded by A. Binsley. All in favor. Vote: 5 in favor, 0
opposed, 0 absent. Therefore the motion was carried.
Effective January 1, 2007, the Town of Cape Vincent Planning Board will meet the
second and forth Wednesday of each month.
Town of Cape Vincent Planning Board
page 2
Per Tod , the wind turbine project will comprise of 197 suitable vvind turbine
locations with an approximate capacity of 1_30 megawatts. In addition to wind turbines,
the project will require the installation of supporting infrastructure including an
underground electrical collection system, substation, access roads, meteorologil
bowers, and an operations and maintenance building. The project will interconnect to
the bulk transmission grid by way of an apprcocimate 9 mile long transmission line
having a capadty Of up b3 115 kilovolts. This transmission line will extend from the
project substation to the Lyme substation, located in the town of Lyme, where it will
connect to an editing 115 kilovolt electric transnission line.
Construction is expected to begin in May 2008 and be cornpleted in December 2008,
During construction, SLW will create temporary woric areas throughout the project site
for storage and staging of consb-udion equipment and materials.
Chairman responded that should the Planning Board proceed with this, SLVV will be
responsible to establish an esaow account with the Town Supervisor. These funds will
be used to professional servk:es for the Planning Board, such as secretarial expenses,
legal and engineering cosis. The chainnans asked St. Lawrence Wind Power (SLW) if
they were in agreement with this arid the response was, "yes."
The Chainnan advised SLW that we will be following the existing Zoning Laws, which
requires a $150.00 fee, plus they will pay all expenses. They will submit an application
and it will be deemed incomplete. This is because you will need to go through several
environmental issues to get to the other end of the process. In addition you will be
required to submit a list of articles that you will need to supply to the Board before we
get to the process of voting on this matter. Going through this process, our dock will
not begin until the Planning Board accepts the application as complete. We have a
limitation of 62 days to act. This being said, are you in agreenent that the process
will not begin until we accept the application as complete. SLW agreed to this
statement. Obviously, the Planning Board will need to review this and determine what
other liens we will require from you. At this point we will require a map of the entire
town with an overlay district of the wind turbine area. Right now you have told us a
general area of plans. SLW stated that a map is included in the documentation
provided to the Planning Board. The Chaim:tan has asked the Planning Board to deem
the application as Incomplete to begin the process. A. Binsley made the motion, K.
Bourcy seconded the motion. All in favor. Vote: 0 opposed, 0 absent Therefore the
motion was carried.
'The next item is If the Town of Cape Vincent Planning Board will be the lead agency.
T. Ingersoll made tie motion and G, Mingle seconded the motion. All in favOr. Vote: 5
in favor , 0 opposed, 0 absent Therefore the motion was carried. The Chairman
directed his comments to SLW instructing them that they are responsible for providing
letters and documents to send out to the necessary agencies. The Chairman will sign
Por
them and SLW will provide copies they need to be sent certified, return receipt We
will require 7 moles of everything that comes through. Two copies will be maintained.
Tracy will retain a file as well as the Town Clerk. Our minutes are not approved until
the following meeting. Tracy will need to have copies of the receipts and letiLors.
Please provide us a copy of all of the letters being issued. SLW responded with the .
notifications thus far: Town of Cape Vincent, Town Board of Cape Vincent, Town of
Cape Vincent Highway Department, Village of Cape Vincent, Town of Lyme, Village of
Chaumont, Town of Lyme Highway Departrient, Jefferson County Planning Board,
Jefferson County Higinvay Department, Jefferson County Industrial Agency, WS
Department of Environmental C.onservation, Jefferson County Industrial Agency, NYS
Department of Agricultural Markets, NYS Historic Preservation Office, US Army Corps of
Engineers, NYS Public Service Commission, NYS Statz Energy Research and Energy
Authority, US Ash and Wildlife, Federal Aviation Administration. The Chairrnan has also
requested that letters be generated and sent to the following areas: The Commander of
Fort Drum, NYS Department of Health, Coast Guard, NYS Department of
Transportation, The Chairman has requested that all correspondence be sent to him as
soon as possible, as he would like to have it go out in Saturday's mail.
The Chairman stated that the process going forward will be either we will hear from the
agendes by the 2^1 Wednesday of December, or we will not It is the Planning Board 's
disaetion to make a determination after reading the responses if we still want to
remain the lead agency in this project. If we do, we will recertify. then. The next step
' e or positive declaration on the SEQR Process. Mbar we make
will be to make a negativ
that statement, you will be given until the next meeting to submit the scoping
document and then we have to respond on the scoping document wthin 30 days. This
will now be sent out for a professional review. We are currently utilizing Mark Gebo
and Bernier and Carr as our professional review sources. As a reminder, on the 2nd
Wednesday, you will need to provide 3 packets for the Board.
CORRESPONDENCE: Mr. Patrick Wilder is requesting notification for any permits for
improvement Because of the lad( of darity for this request, the Board will send out a
le'tter asking Mr. Wilder to be more specific regarding this request.
A. Blnsley made a motion to adjourn the meeting and was seconded by G. Mingle.
The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 7:00
P-m.
Absent: A. Binsley
Also Presert: Frank Giaquinto, Tom )oliff, Brooks Bragdon, Cindy Eds.;II, Ms.
Pond, Matt Morgla, Harvey White, Mr. & Mrs. Roger Toombs, off Schneider-
CVTB.
The minutes from the August 09, 2006 meeting were acrepted by a motion from
T. Ingersoll and seconded by G. Mingle. Ail in favor.
OLD BUSINESS: The public hearing in the matter of Tom Adams was opened at
7:05 p.m. lbere were no public comments. Thus, the hearing was closed. T.
Ingersoll made a motion to approve the subdivision and was seconded by G.
Mingle. All In favor. Vote: 4 - in favor, 0 - opposed, I - absent Therefore the
sulxlivision was approved.
Matt Margie was present to add additional comments on the proposed 26-lot
subdhesion. The Chairman reported that the NYS DEC did not respond to our
correspondence asking them to act as lead agency for this project, so the
Planning Board will be acting as mich.
Mr. Morgia said that the owner wants the road to remain private arid not become
public. There Is currently a SO' ROW, the Board is asidng for a 751 eminent.
The owner will not provide an easement It was suggesbed that there be a 50'
ROW with restricted easement in deed. AKA- a public good,. that would be an
allowable condition.
The Chairman was concerned about &Charge from 26 lots. How will it be
handled? The Board said that there must be acceptable sewage and drainage if
the Board is to agree to pre-approve this pmject He also reiterated that the
Highway Supervisor and /or Jefferson County mu-4 appnwe the toway.
R. Toombs aslced M. Morgia, "where will the sewage go, exactly'?" M. Morgia
told him that it would follow the prevailing winds. Both men disagreed which
direction the prevailing winds came from. Mr. Toombs also wanted to know how
the neighboring homes will be affected by when It comes to taxation. M. Margie
suggested that he check with the Town Asse.ssor, as he would have no way of
knowing.
There were no additional comments from the attendees.
The Board agreed thafthe road for WS project must meet Town specifications
and final approval will be directly linked to the DOT andior DEC, arid SEQR
approval. In addition they require that all buiklings rust meet current Zoning
Laws.
The ChaInnan asked for a motiOn a grant preliminarjr approval for this
subdivision. T. Ingersoll made the motion and G. Wangle seconded the motion.
Alf in favor. Vote: 4 in favor, 0 - oPP09Bd , 1 absent lhereftre the preliminary
approval was granted.
piny BUSINESS: The Board agreed to a lot-line shift Oft the property locabed on
Rte. 12E, .99 acres and vvIll be purchasing 1.53 acres from Roberty Wiley.
The Planning Board will adopt the Town guidelines for wind turbim;. Town Levi
prohibits wind turbines in the River or Lake Districts. A developer will have to set
up an escrow amount. The guidelines wM apply to both private and-commercial
towers. Private towers are meant tor personal use and the resulting power can't
be soki to neighbors or other individuals.
The Chairman asked for a molion to accept these guidehnes. T. Ingersoll made
the motion and was seconded by G. Mingle. All In favor. Vote: 4 In favor, 0 —
The Board will be utilizing Town of Cape Vincent Local Law to amend the Town
of Cape Vincent Zoning Law.
IC Bourcy made a motion. to adjourn the meeting and was seconded by R. Edsall.
The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2006.
Tracy Wood
Secretary
Name of App/Icant: Wind Power Ethics Group, Sarah and Mark Boss,
Rollin Hanson and Charles Harwood.
Address: cio Judy DrabickLEsq., 25723 NYS Route 180, De>cter, New York 13634
Issues:
Decision –
Respondents.
Municipal Law §239-m is not applicable where a Zoning Board of Appeals is asked to
interpret its ordinance. The only proposed actions which are expressly subject to the referral
requirements are those outlined in Subdivision 3 of §239-m. We respectfully refer the
Petitioners to these specific instances set forth in the statute. More particularly if the process
continues, the request for approval of SLW's site plan is subject to the referral requirement of
the statute.
With regard to the formal reporting concerning arguments made before the
Board, we do find it significant that the vote was 3 to 2 that the proposed wind farm is a utility
under the ordinance. In other words, we must give deference to the two members who were in
the minority that their vote was based upon sound reasoning and their analysis of the issues.
This Court is further persuaded by counsel for the Town that the Board followed the proper
procedures, had significant information and arguments before it and it is not the role of this
Court to decipher whether the majority vote was a correct one. Further, as noted by counsel
for SLW, the Appellate Division decision in Matter of Ohrenstein v. ZBA of the Town of
Canaan, 39 A D 3d 1041 (2007) contains strong language relating to the procedural issues
raised by Petitioners. More specifically, the Court held that a determination need not be set
aside even if it lacks specific findings, where, as here, a review of the record as a whole
We concur with counsel for the ZBA that the issue before this Court is very
• The Court compliments all three attorneys on their inciteful presentations but
must find that the ZBA's determination was both rational and supported by substantial
evidence. Therefore, it is
2
ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the petition is respectfiffly
HUGH A. GILBERT
Supreme Court Justice
3
Westlaw
Page I
60 A.D.3d 1282, 875 N.Y.S.2d 359, 2009 N.Y. Slip Op. 02016
(Cite as: 60 A.D.3d 1282,875 N.Y.S.2d 359)
Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Depart- 414 Zoning and Planning
ment, New York. 414VlIl Permits, Certificates, and Approvals
In the Matter of WIND POWER ETHICS 414V111(A) In General
GROUP (WPEG) and Sarah Boss, Petitioners-Ap- 414kI379 Maps, Plats, and Plans; Subdi-
pellants, visions
v. 414k1383 Grounds for Grant or Deni-
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OF TOWN OF al; Conformity to Regulations
CAPE VINCENT, St. Lawrence Windpower. LLC, 414k1383(4) k. Public utilities; wa-
Respondents-Respondents, et al., Respondents. ter and sewage considerations. Most Cited Cases
(Appeal No. 1.) (Formerly 414k381.5)
March 20, 2009. Determination of town zoning board of appeals that
series of wind-powered generators qualified as util-
Background: Organization of property owners in ity and that project was permitted site plan use in
town initiated Article 78 proceeding, seeking to an- agricultural residential district was not arbitrary, ca-
nul determination of town zoning board of appeals pricious, illegal, ultra vires or void; classification
that series of wind-powered generators qualified as by board of series of wind-powered generators as
utility and that project was permitted site plan use utility within meaning of zoning law was neither ir-
in agricultural residential district. The Supreme rational nor unreasonable, and determination was
Court, Jefferson County, Hugh A. Gilbert, J., dis- supported by substantial evidence.
missed petition. Organization appealed.
131 Statutes 361 (C=.219(1)
Holding: The Supreme Court, Appellate Division,
held that determination was not arbitrary, capri- 361 Statutes
cious, illegal, ultra vires or void. 36IVI Construction and Operation
361V1(A) General Rules of Construction
Affirmed. 361k213 Extrinsic Aids to Construction
361k219 Executive Construction
West Headnotes
361k219(1) k. In general. Most
ilj Zoning and Planning 414 €=:>1742 Cited Cases
When applying its special expertise in a particular
414 Zoning and Planning field to interpret statutory language, an agency's ra-
414X Judicial Review or Relief tional construction is entitled to deference.
414X(E) Further Review
414k1742 k. Record, assignment of errors 141 Zoning and Planning 414 €=)1745
and briefs. Most Cited Cases
414 Zoning and Planning
(Formerly 414k744)
414X Judicial Review or Relief
Contention that town zoning board of appeals failed
414X(E) Further Review
to refer application for wind-powered generators
414k1744 Scope and Extent of Review
project to appropriate county planning agency was
414k1745 k. In general. Most Cited
raised for first time in organization's reply papers
Cases
and thus was court would not consider issue on ap-
(Formerly 414k745.I )
peal. McKinney's General Municipal Law 239-m.
Documents concerning comprehensive plan for [1] *1282 Respondent St. Lawrence Windpower,
town were not before court when it dismissed peti- LLC (St. Lawrence) applied to the Town of Cape
tion for review of determination of town zoning Vincent Planning Board for, inter alia, site plan ap-
board of appeals that series of wind-powered gener- proval for its proposed construction of a series of
ators qualified as utility and that project was per- wind-powered generators (project) on property des-
mitted site plan use in agricultural residential dis- ignated as an "Agricultural Residential District."
trict, and thus documents were properly excluded Petitioners commenced this CPLR article 78 pro-
on appeal. ceeding seeking to annul the determination of re-
spondent Zoning Board of Appeals of Town of
15i Zoning and Planning 414 C=.1745 Cape Vincent (ZBA) that the series of wind-
powered generators qualified as a utility and that
414 Zoning and Planning
the project therefore was a permitted**361 site plan
414X Judicial Review or Relief
use in that district. With respect to the judgment in
414X(E) Further Review
appeal No. 1, we conclude that Supreme Court
414k1744 Scope and Extent of Review
properly dismissed the petition. Petitioners' conten-
414k1745 k. In general. Most Cited
tion that the ZBA failed to refer St. Lawrence's ap-
Cases
plication to the *1283 appropriate county planning
(Formerly 414k745.1)
agency pursuant to General Municipal La‘v §
Comprehensive plan for town was not relevant to
239-m is raised for the first time in petitioners'
issues raised on appeal of dismissal of Article 78
reply papers and thus is not properly before us (see
proceeding seeking to annul determination of town
Matter of Ball v. New York Slate Dept. of Envtl.
zoning board of appeals that series of wind-
Conservation, 35 A.D.3d 732, 733-734, 826
powered generators qualified as utility and that
N.Y.S.2d 698; Matter of Falk v. Village of
project was permitted site plan use in agricultural
Scarsdale Zoning Bd. of Appeals, 254 A.D.2d 358,
residential district, and thus court would not take
678 N.Y.S.2d 299; Alcatel. of Hill v. New York City
judicial notice of plan. McKinney's CPLR 7801 et
Tr. Audi., 222 A.D.2d 506, 635 N.Y.S.2d 540, Iv.
seq.
denied 88 N.Y.2d 815, 651 N.Y.S.2d 17, 673
**360 Menter, Rudin & Trivelpiece, P.C., Syracuse
N.E.2d 1244).
(Julian B. Modesti of Counsel), for Petitioners-Ap-
pellants. [21[3] We reject petitioners' further contention that
the ZBA's determination was "arbitrary, capricious,
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, Albany (Mi-
illegal, ultra vires and void." Pursuant to section
chael G. Sterthous of Counsel), for Respondent-Re-
315 of the Town of Cape Vincent Zoning Law, util-
spondent Zoning Board of Appeals of Town of
ities are defined as "telephone dial equipment cen-
Cape Vincent.
ters, electrical or gas substations, water treatment or
Nixon Peabody LLP, Albany (Jena R. Rotheim of storage facilities, pumping stations and similar fa-
Counsel), for Respondent-Respondent St. Lawrence cilities" that have been, inter alia, constructed or
Windpower, LLC. maintained by municipal agencies or public utilit-
ies. It is well settled that, "when applying its special
expertise in a particular field to interpret statutory
PRESENT: HURLBUTT, .1.P., SMITH, FAHEY, language, an agency's rational construction is en-
PERADOTTO, AND PINE, JJ. titled to deference" ( Matter of Raritan Dev. Coip.
v. Silva, 91 N.Y.2d 98, 102, 667 N.Y.S.2d 327, 689
MEMORANDUM: N.E.2d 1373), and we conclude that the classifica-
tion by the ZBA of the series of wind-powered gen-
N.Y.A.D. 4 Dept.,2009.
Wind Power Ethics Group (WPEG) v. Zoning Bd.
of Appeals of Town of Cape Vincent
60 A.D.3d 1282, 875 N.Y.S.2d 359, 2009 N.Y. Slip
Op. 02016
END OF DOCUMENT
Code of Ethics
The rules of ethical conduct of this Resolution as adopted, shall not con-
flict with, but shall be in addition to any prohibition of article eighteen
of the general municipal law or any other general or special law relating
to ethical conduct and interest in contracts of municipal officers and em-
ployees.
(a) Gifts. He shall not directly or indirectly, solicit any gift; or accept
or receive any gift having a value of twenty-five dollars or more, whether in
the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing
or promise, or any other form under circumstances in which it could reasonably
be inferred that the gift was intended to influence him, or could reasonably be
expected to influence him, in the performance of his official duties or was
intended as a reward for any official action on his part.
(b) Confidential information. He shall not disclose confidential informa-
tion acquired by him in the course of his official duties or use such
information to further his personal interest.
(c) Representation before one's own agency. He shall not receive, or enter
into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation for services to be
rendered in relation to any matter before any municipal agency of which he is
an officer, member or employee or of any municipal agency over which he has
jurisdiction or to which he has the power to appoint any member, officer or
employee.
12/07/2010 12:25 3156543366 TOWN OF CAPE VINCENT PAGE 03
(d) Representation before any agency for a contingent fee. He shall not
receive, or enter into any agreement, express or implied for compensation
for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any agency of
his municipality, whereby his compensation is to be dependent or contingent
upon any action by such agency with respect to such matter, provided that
this paragraph shall not prohibit the fixing at any time of fees based upon
the reasonable value of the services rendered.
(g) Private employment. He shall not engage in, solicit, negotiate for or
promise to accept private employment or render services for private interests
when such employment or service creates a conflict with or impairs the proper
discharge of his official duties.
Section 4. Nothing herein shall be deemed to bar or prevent the timely filing
by a present or former municipal officer or employee of any claim, account,
demand or suit against the Town of daps , or any agency
thereof on behalf of himself or any member o ls family arising out of any
personal injury or property damage or for any lawful benefit authOrized or
permitted by law.
Section 7. Effective date. This Resolution shall take effect thirty days
after it is filed as provided in section twenty-seven of the Municipal Home
Rules Law.
BY: ;%/
ATTEST*
Town or the Town
of Cope VinGent, N.Y.
Andrew Binsley
Planning Board Member
27698 Fox Creek Rd.
Cape Vincent, NY, 13618
Respectfully,
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter to state that the only issue that might
come up as a conflict with my being a Planning Board
member regarding windmills is the following: I am related to
the five owners of Wood Farm LLC who have been
approached for windmills by St Lawrence Windfarms. They
are my son, two brothers, and a nephew.
Karen Bourcy
fX11LeksLA,-..„
My wife, Virginia Worner Edsall, and I, Richard James Edsall, my wife's parents,
Frank A. Womer, Jr. and Virginia Forquer Womer, and my wife's brother, Frank
A. Womer,111, all own property which lies within the boundaries of the BP wind
project in Cape Vincent. We ail have contracts to lease our wind rights to BP.
My wife and additionally own property in the village of Cape Vincent at 119
South Real Street, on the Valley Road near the village limits, and on the Stoney
Point Road. None of the additional property is under contract to anyone.
May 15,2008
/•■■
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June 9, 2008
George Mingle
Supervisor Assessor
THOMAS K. RIENBECK TOWN OF CAPE VINCENT
JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK 13618
ROBERT V.R. BARNARD
Sincerely,
1.4
Thomas K Rienbeck