On the agenda: Elmira Sept 1 2026 DRAFT — data center (Sep 1)

TOWN OF SOUTHPORT
1139 Pennsylvania Avenue ● Elmira New York 14904

PLANNING BOARD
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
7:00 pm
Board Members Present:

Jackie French
John Hastings
Penny Page
Chris Parsons
Trish Peterson, Chairperson
Richard Petzke
Tracy Warner, Vice Chairperson

Others Present:

Peter Rocchi, Code Enforcement Officer;
Megan Dorrite, Esq. Harter Secrest & Emery
LLP, Attorney for the Planning Board; Kent Collier,
Alternate; Marianne Schrom, Deputy Town Clerk;
Kaylee Semski, Acting Planning Board Secretary

Chairperson Peterson called the meeting to order at or about 7:05 p.m. She
asked if the board members had any comments, questions, concerns, or
corrections about the July 6, 2026 meeting minutes. Hearing no comments,
board member French made a motion to accept the minutes of July 6, 2026, as
presented; board member warner seconded the motion. All were in favor. The
board accepted the minutes as presented.
AYES:
French, Hastings, Page, Parsons, Peterson, Petzke, Warner
NOES:
None
MOTION CARRIED
Next on the agenda was a referral from the Town Board to review the
Comprehensive Plan update.
After lengthy review and discussion of the Comprehensive Plan, the Planning
Board concluded there was potential need for the Town board to add
standards for the siting of data centers within the Comprehensive plan. When

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 –PAGE 2 – PLANNING BOARD DRAFT

reviewing applications, it would give the Planning board appropriate directions
to follow.
The Town Planning board members examined the section of the Comprehensive
Plan mentioning the revision of the Town’s solar and battery energy storage
system regulations. The Board had in-depth discussions about ensuring these
standards coincide with current legal landscape and resident concerns.
In reviewing the Comprehensive Plan, it was conveyed by the board members
the potential to streamline the site plan application process regarding small
businesses moving into existing retail/ commercial spaces. The board members
concluded the streamlining of these plans would potentially give businesses
incentive to locate within town limits, by eliminating several lengthy approval
processes.
The Planning board members reviewed the section about Complete Streets
within the Comprehensive plan. There was recommendation to communicate
to the Town Board the potential for revisions to the Complete Street section.
Ensuring adequate direction for the Planning Board during the approval process
of such.
After the Planning boards review of the Comprehensive Plan as referred by the
Town Board, the following motion to submit a letter of endorsement, with
comments, to the Town Board was presented by Board member French. Which
was seconded by board member Parsons.
AYES:
French, Hastings, Page, Parsons, Peterson, Petzke, Warner
NOES:
None
MOTION CARRIED
No other business to come before the board. Board member Page made a
motion to adjourn the meeting; board member Petzke seconded the motion.
All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kaylee Semski
Planning Board Secretary
Original on file with Town Clerk
cc:

Planning Board
Town Board
Town Clerk
Town Attorney