Developer presents plan for 40‑acre subdivision south of Cortland; trustees raise sewer and annexation concerns

Developer Tim Gergen on March 11 presented a preliminary concept to the Village of Cortland Board of Trustees for developing 40 acres south of the village along Ash Road, including a mapped road accessing 13 commercial lots and three lots accessed off Ash Road.

Board members questioned how the proposed subdivision would access water and sewer, noting concerns that the village lagoon may be near capacity and that drainage from adjacent agricultural land could affect the site. Attorney Ann Post (identified in the minutes as Gergen’s attorney) was named as the developer’s counsel. The board expressed interest in possible annexation but raised questions about costs and how to apportion them to new lots.

The board’s consensus was that Gergen should meet with the village engineer, Miller & Associates, before filing preliminary and final plat applications. Clerk Donelle Moormeier was asked to contact Reed Miller at Miller & Associates to arrange a pre‑application meeting. The minutes also state the attorney and clerk will investigate fees listed in code 154.03 (Zoning Regulations: Fees). The minutes note that a pre‑application meeting may be held with two Planning & Zoning members via Zoom and clarified that such a pre‑application meeting does not require a hearing, though formal applications do require public hearing notice.

No formal motion to approve or deny the subdivision was taken at the March 11 meeting; the board recorded consensus to pursue technical review and fee clarification before a formal application process. Next procedural steps recorded in the minutes are the developer’s meeting with the village engineer and follow‑up work on fee and annexation implications.