HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CAC-2014-02-14City of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council Minutes
February 10, 2014
7:30 – 9pm, Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall, 108 East Green Street
Present: chair; Jesse Hill, vice chair Tom Shelley; C.J. Randall, Noah Demarest, Matt Yarrow, Maureen
Bolton, Michael Culotta, George McGonigal
Absent: Augusta Christensen
Meeting was called to order at 7:30
Peter Trowbridge presented TWMLA’s site plan for development of 55 Ridgewood Road. The property
was an early century estate and the proposal is to build three fraternity residences on the area that had
been a garden with a pool and pool house. The presentation demonstrated how consideration has been
given to the removal of existing trees on the building site and the preservation of the mature trees
remaining on the non-developed section. Trees to be removed are mainly invasive and/or volunteer
species and mitigation will involve plantings around each of the buildings. Also, unwanted invasive
undergrowth will be removed from the remaining mature trees. A detailed vegetative survey will be
completed by Robert Wesley before construction begins to determine if any trees or shrubs of
considerable note are present. Reports from a detailed visual survey and geotech will be available. The
three buildings have green roofs, internal parking and the paved areas will have extensive rain water
retention systems beneath them. A parcel on the SE corner of the property contains what as formerly the
grounds keepers’ cottage. This is of historic interest and will be sold separately.
Minutes: from December and January were approved with two corrections to the January minutes.
Handbook Revisions: Demarest reported that he closely examined all of Shamieh’s edits and felt that
there was not much to discuss other than the suggested term limits. Other members have also read the
changes and agreed. Shamieh suggested terms for chair and vice chair be limited to two years. Discussion
followed and consensus was that consistency in a chair can be beneficial and strict term limits were
unnecessary as long as a vote was held each year for the positions of chair and vice chair. Culotta
proposed that term limits be five consecutive years, with the option to be voted back in after at least one
year of absence. Shelley seconded the motion. Demarest will write up this amendment for presentation
and a final vote at the next meeting.
C.J. Randall report- Planning Board: The sub division at 128 West Fall Street was the main topic of
discussion, particularly in regards to parking. The Green Street Garage Trash and Recycling plan and a
sketch plan for the Gannet expansion on Cornell campus were discussed along with other proposals.
Discussion followed on the Collegetown Area Form Districts. Culotta stated that CAC should make a
comment on the CAFD before the vote Wednesday, February 12, 2014 to the effect that CAC supports
protecting the character of the neighborhoods, and solid planning for 20 to 50 years in the future. The
suggested incentive for lot consolidation, however, does not always seem to be in the best interest. CAC
supports any promotion of energy efficiency, water conservation, pedestrian and commuter connections,
and any of the other components of LEED ND. CAC would like to see incentives for any creative
sustainability solutions, including those that may not conform to the zoning ordinances.
Site Plan Review: Randall presented the alternative site plan for the Holiday Inn at 371 Elmira Road
which now includes parking that is composed completely of permeable pavement. It was noted that this
parking lot may comply with future regulations. An ADA compliant sidewalk replaced the terraced
plantings on the Spencer Road side and the rain gardens were deleted. It was agreed that the sidewalk was
not necessary to access a hotel from Spencer Road, as pedestrian access was available within one block to
the NE. The terraced planting was more serviceable in that it provided visual screening and control of rain
water run off. A set of stairs could be included if pedestrian access was deemed necessary. The rain
gardens should be reinstated. The parking lot had only Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) specified,
more species variety is needed. It was agreed that Plan C 4.0 is preferable to the alternative plan.
Lighting Regulations: McGonigal reported he was doing some research to see if the city of Ithaca has a
Dark Sky Ordinance. Randall commented on how LED lighting for urban areas is not only extremely
economical, but can also be very versatile in color and intensity. The city of Ithaca could benefit by
switching to LED.
Storm Water: Culotta has been following the dredging developments and commented on how interesting
the research was that Yarrow circulated to the committee members.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:07