HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.05.14 PAB Final Minutes1
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Old Jail Conference Room, 125 E. Court Street, Ithaca NY 14850
FINAL MEETING MINUTES
Members Attending:
Guests: Anne Koreman
Call to Order: Vice Chair Rod Howe convened the meeting at 4:00pm.
Agenda Review/Changes: None
Draft Minutes Approval: Monika Roth moved approval of the April 9, 2019, minutes. C.J. Randall seconded
the motion, which was approved with one minor edit [spelling of the name Mattoon was corrected] by the
members present. Leslie Schill, Yamila Fournier, Gay Nicolson, and Kathy Schlather arrived after the vote.
Discussion: Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan Review – Joan Jurkowich
Joan Jurkowich summarized progress made on proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan. She asked PAB
members to consider whether the principles and policies were still relevant to the County today and which of
the proposed action items should be added to the plan. She emphasized that these actions must be directly
tied to a principle or policy. Moreover, the County must be able to implement them.
Principles and Policies
Under the “Overarching Principles” section, members suggested “improving” be added to Sustainability and
“programs,” “infrastructure,” and “facilities” be included in language for Fiscal Responsibility.
Comments on Proposed Action Items
There was a common thread of “cross-cutting principles,” as many of the action items could apply to more
than one topic area, suggesting a hierarchical approach to organization might be more effective. A
recommendation was also made to note where the different areas interlock.
The Economy
• #2 – Consider flipping sentence structure to place more emphasize on the County Economic Development
Strategy. (The current focus is on supporting energy infrastructure.)
Representation Name Representation
Martha Armstrong P Economic Development Marcus Riehl E Natural Environment
Joe Bowes P Housing Monika Roth P Agriculture
Tim Carey P Education #1 Leslie Schill P Education #2
John Czamanske P At-Large Kathy Schlather P Human Services
Fernando de Aragón P Transportation Andy Zepp A Land Preservation/Public Land Mgmt.
Yamila Fournier P Built Environment Deborah Dawson A Associate Member
David Herrick E Facilities/Infrastructure Dooley Kiefer E Associate Member
Rod Howe P Historical/Cultural Resources Others Present
David Kay E Local Planning (urban) Katie Borgella P Commissioner
Anna Kelles P HED/PEEQ Joan Jurkowich P Planning Administrator
G. Lincoln Morse P Business Kristin McCarthy P Administrative Assistant
Gay Nicholson P At-Large Megan McDonald P Deputy Commissioner
C.J. Randall P Local Planning (non-urban)
2
• A comment was made that the Economic Development Strategy calls for increasing housing and economic
development without increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Housing
• Combine #3 and #6.
• Outreach essential to improving public perception of infill development and smart growth (combat NIMBY
phenomenon). Citizens Planning Alliance (1990s) given as example of successful education campaign.
• Are universal design principles part of the equation?
• Place #2 (The Economy) with housing and move action to the Energy and GHG Emissions section.
• Encourage the City and municipalities to better incorporate energy efficiency into their zoning.
• Adopt County-level tiered parking guidelines.
Transportation
• Text (#7) should read “Encourage County employees to participate in a Travel Demand (TMD) Program.”
• Include water transportation and issues such as navigability and dredging of waterways.
• Members discussed the long-term viability of rail transit. A new company, WATCO, has assumed
ownership of rail line but there could be mention of transitioning the right of way if operations cease.
Natural Resources
• Are toxins, in terms of their impact on the environment and human and animal health, addressed in
existing County policies? (Joan said they are implied but not directly listed.)
• Update Natural Resources and Wetlands Mapping Inventories and repackage online.
Water Resources
• Prioritize assessment of toxins in waterways.
• Encourage County Highway Department to develop policies that assist with HABs mitigation and
prevention. (Katie noted that the Highway Department is already innovating on several fronts.)
• Could Capital Reserve Fund be used to purchase permanent easements at HABs hot spots?
Climate Adaptation
Under #20, consider role-playing scenarios to train key people in advance of climate emergencies. (Leslie
relayed that Cornell has conducted such exercises and might have feedback to share.)
Public Outreach
Joan reviewed the time-line for presenting proposed revisions to County stakeholders (PAB, Planning & Energy,
and Environmental Quality Committee, and full Legislature) and the public. Input will be evaluated and
incorporated as appropriate. Members suggested that when presenting the plan for feedback, staff prioritize
one broader all-encompassing theme, such as “climate resiliency and recovery,” and fold the other cross-
cutting items beneath it. Joan will return to PAB to give another presentation in July.
Member Reports
PAB will be meeting at the Human Services Building for the remainder of the year. Meeting day and time will
remain the second Tuesday of the month, 4:00-5:30pm.
Adjournment: Vice Chair Rod Howe adjourned the meeting at 5:30pm