HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-2012-05-14May 14, 2012
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Members present: Robert Wesley, Dan Hoffman, Ron Herring, Aaron Donato, Joe
McMahon, Jon Meigs, Anna Stalter (note taker)
Members absent: Sarah Steuteville
The April minutes were read and approved with minor corrections.
Reports and Announcements
(Joe) Robert's plant walk went well, there was a good turnout. Dan Karig's geology walk
was less well attended, but he didn't seem to mind.
Rangers jobs are posted - they will work from Memorial day to Labor day.
Stream bank work can't be done until July, because of some DEC regulations.
Van Natta is seeing a lot of activity, and the recycling bin filling quickly. The trail is
eroding, particularly where it had been bulldozed for emergency access.
BPW is meeting this week exclusively about the water plant.
There has been no final decision on the proposed trail work. Joe will check with Bill
Gray and Jeanne Grace. The work is scheduled is scheduled to begin on Friday, May
18, at 9 am.
Robert mentioned that he has a colleague who wants to do some research at Burns Rd.
with Japanese knotweed, and wants to know how she should proceed. She will e -mail
a proposal to NAC, being sure to copy Chuck Baker.
DEC Deer Management Plan
Robert circulated a map of Tompkins County Deer Management Focus Area and
shared a letter he has written in support of the DEC's proposal for consideration by the
NAC. Comments that explicitly address the proposal are due by May 21. Although there
is no hunting allowed in the City, the natural areas will likely benefit from this
management approach. The impacts of high deer population are many and apparent
even in the natural areas. Robert contends that deer are responsible for the decline /loss
of some plant species: showy orchis, lady's slippers, green violet. His letter of support
was edited, and will be sent to the DEC. Six members were in favor of sending the
letter, and there was one abstention.
Cherry St. Site Visit
A site visit to the Cherry St. property earlier today went well. NAC members Joe, Dan,
Aaron, and Jon, and Tom Whitlow met with with Joann Cornish and Tom West. Ways
to reduce impacts were discussed, e.g., to create easement areas on at least three
sides of the property to help maintain buffers and allow access for trails, city utilities.
Proposed parcel boundary is right to edge of wetland, but the buffer ends midway up
the embankment. The buffer along flood control channel, which can't be developed,
goes to top of embankment. Joann Cornish wants to hear comments from NAC in
support of the subdivision if adjustments are made to maintain amenities.
Dan's concern is that the city has segmented the environmental review. Segmentation
avoids, or dilutes "hard look" as is intended by environmental review.
Transfer to IURA means city no longer has control. Once the property has been sold,
the only constraints on development will be those agreed upon in the sale and zoning
control. Easements have to be agreed upon before sale is complete. Decision will
probably be made by Common Council in June unless CC challenges environmental
review, which is unlikely. Joe commented that having expressed concern at this point in
the process, as well as the positive interaction today, may bode well in the future.
More comment is needed, especially with regard to environmental review.
It was proposed that the NAC express appreciation for opportunity, but voice concern
that environmental review not sufficient. Six members were in favor and one opposed.
Dan will draft a letter and circulate in advance of CC meeting.
Columbia St. pedestrian bridge mural proposal. Joe proposed that a mural be
installed on the new bridge to pre -empt graffiti, and because it faces the natural area,
NAC should participate in the process and have some say in design. Perhaps a public
art commission is possible. The immediate neighborhood would have to be supportive.
Concrete abutments in SMC are graffitied so maybe NAC could take a more
comprehensive approach to curb graffiti.
Meeting adjourned at 7 pm.