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Home My WebLink AboutPlanning Board Recommendations from Planning Board Committee Aug 10, 2009.PDFl. ") 5 k l:r'i,r l,i : "Diana Riesman" <driesman @earthlink. net> iir.rl:ii,,,:i: FW: Planning Board Recommendations from planning Board Committee !.!:r:rlr:; August 11,2009 6'.42.,2O AM EDT r',.r: "Jim Gilmore" <lgilmore@cayuga-heights.ny.us> i-;rr "Bea Szekely''iBeatrice@tuicnry.rr.coh>, "Kate Supron" <katesupron@gmail.com>, "Diana Riesman" <driesman@earthlink.neb, "Brent Cross" <bcross@cayuga-heights. ny, us> i ;,::1i1lq,'"i';1 I driesman@earthlink.nei August 10, 2009 To: Mayor Jim Gilmore From: Planning Board Committee : Diana Riesman, Kate Supron, Bea Szekely and Brent Cross Re Recommendations for new Village Planning Board Dear Mayor Gilmore, We are pleased to be sending you, for your consideration, our recommendations for the new Planning Board for the Village of Cayuga Heights. As you know, we had 12 candidates (one oI whom wilhdrew his application), and atter much thought and careful deliberation, we have come up with a roster of indiMduals who we strongly feel have a depth ol experience, a broad range of interests and ideas, and a willingness to serve their community. We believe this group will work well together. Our recommendations are as follows in alphabetical order. Fred Cowett Graham Gillespie Martin Harms Henry Richardson Janet Shure ;..i$*"-,'fryffi-t /\ ^ hl'xt' )l{rU Alternate: Mark Morris We asked the candidates about their willingness to serve as Chairperson and, after considering their responses, suggest Martin Harms as the Chair of the Planning Board because of his willingness to take on the added responsibility and his leadership skills. Here are summaries of why we selected the aforementioned indiMduals: Fred Cowett t;r. Cowett will bring singular expertise in landscape architecture and design to the board, it selecled; he has a deep knowledge of Village land use, soils, trees,and other plant material, the ecology of the Village, and the history of its development. He is articulate but reasoned, for example, in conversation about public and private interest. Mr. Cowett has shown his inierest and commitment to the Village in terms of his in\olvement with the ZBA, his work on walkability issues with Village resident Abby Cohen, and his street tree inventory work for the Village forester. In his work with other municipalities in the region, Fred is familiar with the collaborative process and working congenially and etlectively with groups of individuals on proiects. Graham Gillesoie hln Gillespie brings io the table the viewpoint of a practicing architect, which encompasses the nuts and bolts of the site plan review process, an important component of planning board responsibilities. He has managerial experience as a principal in a local architecture lirm where his duties include financi{ analysis and planning, proiect management and business development. He has definitely thought about the Village's luture and expressed his interest in looking at zoning and the mix of businesses in Community Corners. He cited his interest in giving back to the community as a reason for appllng for the board position. Martin Harms .S,&,t Mr. Harms is an architect and educator with long-standing knowledge of the Village and a keen interest in ii. He is well-informed on a number ol issues such as zoning, and articulated many inleresting ideas having to do with planning and a long-term Msion for the Village, including an interest in the revitalization of Community Corners. He spoke about the importance of sustainability and how zoning ordinances and a comprehensive plan can viork towards creating a sustainable environment. He has a strong academic background, but, more importantly, praciical experience with site plan review, town planning, and working in a collaborative environment. He seems amiable and very smart, was explicit and articulate in his answers about the challenges the Village laces and the needs of the community as we move forward. Henrv Richardson trrtr. RiCnarOson has a distingushed career in the field of architecture and planning with regional, nalional and international projects under his belt. His collaborative work with many neighboring municipal clients (e.g. Rochester, Horseheads, Radisson) to develop and hone a vision for their community intersects perfectly with the Village's future work on a comprehensive plan. Mr. Richardson has an endearing and self- effacing manner. He seems to be a very intelligent indivdual with a great deal ol interest in the Village and also a wide-breatdh ot experience. He mentioned the importance ot good signage in Community Corners as one important step towards its revitalization. Janet Shure Ms. Shure brings a strong background in historic preservation to the Board in addilion to her experience as an afchitectural historian, planning board member (and chair) in both chicago and stockbridge, MA, and her work as a developer and architect. she has a firm knowledge 01 and great interest in tne Viilage and lthada as a whole. n,ti. snure appears very reasoned and easy to talk wilh and used such words as ;n"g6ti"tion',, ,,consensus" an"d "public discussion" in her outline of gbbc procedures for the preparation of a comprehensive plan. She expressed an interest in seeing bommunity Corners revitalized andl at the same time stressed the importance of "open spaces". She intelligently articulated her ideas throughout the interview' Alternate: Mark Morris Mr. Morris takes his civic duty seriously. He has previous planning board experience in Corcord, North Caroline, a suburb of Charlotte and has worked on comprehensive plins. He ieels strongly about the need for a strong vision and mission for the Village as the basis ol a comprehensive plan. He spoke eloquently abouf the importance of balance between the built environment and the landscape. He articulated cleaily why he feels creating a rapport an d haMng a good relationship with Cornell is important. He is interested in revitalizing Community Corners. Mark had researJhed Cayuga Heights, knew quite a bit about it, and spoke about the importance of historic detail and a modern vtew. We propose that, given busy schedules, monthly meetings, and the considerable amount of work facing the Planning Board, a 2nd Alternate Oe dOO6O. ff so, G recommend Sean Cunningham as 2nd Alternate. Mr. Cunningham is the youngest of all the candidates and lhe most newly.arriv€d to the Villag€. He has a background in real estate ralher than academia which could provide a different point of view on issues. He wae president of hie homeowners' aseoclation in Washington State, eeemed very oongenial, and preeented himeelf well. He is a stay-at- home dad at present. Note: We recognize that Fred Cowett is married to Trustee Diana Riesman and some ques.tions have been raised about the propriety of his serving on the-Board. We strongly believe, however, that this is not the case and that he should be selected for ihe reasons articulated above. We strongly recommend his appointment. We would atso like you to consider appointing Bea Szelely as the Trustee Liason to the Planning Board at their monthly meetings. Bea has expressed a keen interest in filling that role. bhould Bea not be available for a meeting, another Trustee could fill in for her. The Liason position involves attending meetings and listening to the proceedinsg, but does not include taking part in discussions or voting. The Committee very much enjoyed the process of meeting all the candidates lor the Planning Board. Brent participaied in allthe interviews and in our deliberations, tor whbn the trustees on the conimittee are gratelul. We feel strongly that th€ recommendations we have made will benefit the Village and help it to move lorward. Many thanks, The Planning Board Committee - Bea, Diana, Kate and Brent