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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlansCornell Childcare Center Geothermal System Project Village of Cayuga Heights Planning Board Preliminary Site Plan Approval December 19, 2022 1 Purpose and Need •Cornell Childcare Center’s chiller system that provides air conditioning has reached end of life •The University’s sustainability goals incentivize exploration of renewable energy alternative to new chillers •The Childcare Center is not in close proximity to other University structures served by lake source cooling •The Childcare Center is on an ample site that can support a geothermal field large enough to provide all heating/cooling needs for the childcare center more reliably and sustainably •This new geothermal system is expected to provide greatly improved comfort for the children and staff in the center 3 Childcare Center Geothermal System Scope The 17,079 Childcare Center built in 2008 will be served by: •A 0.1 acre geothermal system with 21 wells to be located due east of the Center •The geothermal system will be supported by a small 700 GSF (35’ x 20’) mechanical building to be constructed adjacent to the SE corner of the Center and connected underground. This mechanical building will be largely buried. Project Location Thurston Hall Geothermal System location Project Location Thurston Hall Geothermal System location Project Location –Tax Parcel 14.-4-2.2 Cascadia Creek Hoy Baseball Field Project Location Site Plan Childcare Center: Existing Conditions Northbound on Pleasant Grove Childcare Center: Existing Conditions Southbound on Pleasant Grove Site Survey •Project complies with the Multi -housing Residential zone in the Village of Cayuga Heights •49.77-acre tax parcel on northern extent of Cornell’s North Campus District includes: Jessup soccer fields; N. Cross Rd; frisbee disc golf course; Palmer Woods •The project site is between a multiuse pedestrian trail and the Childcare Center, setback from the County’s ROW for Pleasant Grove Dr •Project site and all adjacent lands are Cornell -owned •Total Project footprint: 0.3 acre Zoning and Site Considerations •No encroachment into any existing wetland or waterbody •No unique geological features on site •No significant natural community on site •No designated public resource on or near project site •No visual impacts Additional Site Considerations •Approximate 0.3 acre disturbance •Stormwater and erosion control protocols to be implemented in compliance with all NYS requirements, including filing an Erosion Control Plan with Village prior to construction •Stormwater runoff from the 700 sq ft roof of the proposed new mechanical facility will not concentrate the flow or significantly change the hydrology from the previously approved and closed Childcare Center SWPPP and can be managed by the existing practices of that project Stormwater Existing Conditions and Demo Plan Cascadia Creek Hoy Baseball Field Project Location Landscape Plantings •5 trees are proposed for removal (4 apple and 1 oak) •To be replaced with flowering deciduous trees: 2 serviceberry, 2 crabapples, and 1 swamp white oak •To be planted as a tree allée between the pedestrian path and the Childcare Center Proposed Elevation from Pleasant Grove Dr •New Geothermal System is projected to save energy for the Childcare Center, eliminate natural gas for heating, and provide renewable source for heating/cooling •Improved comfort for children and staff with new system is expected to greatly enhance childcare experience •This site in the Village of Cayuga Heights will be Cornell’s first installation of a geothermal well system to support a University facility on the Ithaca campus Energy and Sustainability 18 Project Timeline Geothermal Well Test (success!)Summer 2022 Geothermal System design and site layout Fall 2022 Preliminary Site Plan Approval December 2022 & SEQR Determination Final Site Plan Approval January 2023 Bids & Contracting Feb-March 2023 Construction Begins June 2023