HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURAED-2010-05-11Approved 6-8-10 Ithaca
Urban
Renewal
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Ithaca, New York 14850
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MINUTES
IURA Economic Development Committee
3:30 PM, Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Present: Doug Dylla, Martha Armstrong, Jennifer Tegan
Staff: Nels Bohn, Alice Vargo
I. Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 3:31 P.M. by Chairperson Dylla.
II. Additions to or deletions from the agenda - None
III. Public comment (3 minute maximum per person) - None
IV. Review of appropriateness of existing zoning in City to meet anticipated future demand for
light industry, manufacturing and high-tech business activity.
Bohn distributed zoning maps for the City. He noted that the “I” (Industrial) district allows all types
of businesses and manufacturing uses, the “B4” district allows heavy commercial and light
fabrication uses and the “CBD” (Central Business District) districts allow businesses that
incorporate hand fabrication but not manufacturing. Office uses are allowed in most non-
residential districts. He noted that the City is largely built out requiring rehabilitation of existing
buildings and redevelopment to accommodate new business expansion.
The Committee reviewed the “I” Districts in the City and concluded that the former Carpenter
Business Park located off of Third Street, the soon-to-be closed Emerson Factory site on South
Hill, and the Cherry Street Industrial Park extension are the primary areas of the City zoned for
industrial uses that are potentially available for new development. Of these, Carpenter and
Emerson are being marketed by their owners for mixed-use development including residential uses
and are further seeking master developers, so individual businesses are not likely to address their
space needs in timely manner. Bohn reported that the Cherry Street Industrial Park extension area
is owned by the City, who has authorized transfer to the IURA of the non-waterfront portion of the
site to the IURA for future expansion of the business park. He noted that due to the presence of
wetlands on the southern portion of the parcel, an extension of Cherry Street could provide
approximately 5 – 6 acres of new business park development area. Use of CDBG funds to extend
Cherry Street requires permanent job creation for low/mod persons as a result of the investment to
IURA EDC Minutes
May 11, 2010
Page 2 of 3
be an eligible use of CDBG funds, so the road extension would need to be constructed in
conjunction with a new or expanding relocating anchor business, Bohn stated.
Bohn noted that the Cherry St. Extension area was considered as a potential site for a dog park
recently and has been mentioned as a potential location for waterfront housing as a highest and
best use of the site. He queried whether the Committee had a recommendation on the
recommended use and zoning of this parcel. Committee members noted the extremely limited
amount of land zoned for manufacturing uses in the City. The Economic Development Committee
agreed by consensus to recommend to preserve the existing “I” zoning designation of the Cherry
Street Extension parcel and encouraged future expansion of the business park upon identification
of an appropriate business end user that will create jobs.
Members discussed areas of the City that allow office and knowledge-based & technology
business uses. It was noted that almost all non-residential districts permit office uses and most
knowledge-based businesses, including traditional commercial districts such as the Downtown, the
W. State Street corridor, the West End and Collegetown.
V. Summer Youth Employment, shortfall in Federal and State funding
Bohn recounted that the Mayor is concerned over the extreme shortage of state and federal funds
for youth employment this summer. He noted that with the NYS budget unresolved, there is no
State of Federal funding for summer youth employment at this point in time. Meanwhile
unemployment continues to remain extremely high, especially for youth of color between the ages
of 18-24. Bohn reported that 400 youth in Tompkins County received employment assistance last
year.
The Mayor is presently working with youths of color (18-22) trying to identify funds and resources
and looking for forms of other help. Bohn reported that the costs of running youth employment
programming for 6-8 weeks of work at minimum wage ($7.25/hour) is approximately $1,600 per
participant. The Youth Bureau has enough local funds for employment assistance for 60 children,
but they target the age 14-16 group, according to Bohn. One issue is whether the IURA can
identify significant funding resources to support summer youth employment programming for City
residents this year to make up the lack of State or Federal resources. Another issue is how the
IURA can best address the persistent community development need for youth employment
opportunities, especially for youth of color, in a meaningful way.
Members considered potential CDBG funding available, but recognized strict limitations on funding
further public service category uses and that the vast majority of CDBG funding is already
programmed for other uses. Following discussion, members recommended that the IURA focus its
efforts and resources on initiatives that build specialized skills of unemployed youth; induce
employers to expand hiring of youth on a long-term basis, or fill gaps in the employment training
“system.” It was noted that the summer youth employment program typically provides 120 hours of
paid work to each youth participant over only a six-week time period, which doesn’t address the
needs of youth who are no longer enrolled in school. Members indicated support for some limited
IURA funding for summer youth employment (not to exceed $20,000) in the event no State or
Federal funding was made available this year.
IURA EDC Minutes
May 11, 2010
Page 3 of 3
VI. Underwriting guidelines for technology-based start-up firms
Dylla outlined draft guidelines followed by committee discussion. Bohn agreed to make changes
as discussed and bring the draft back for the June meeting.
VII. Strategic planning/goal setting session – continuation of discussion
Members reviewed draft IURA economic development goals prepared by Dylla and some possible
performance measures. Dylla noted that goal #5 “Promote better public use of waterfront areas of
the city” should be amended to include privately-owned land along the waterfront too. Committee
members expressed general agreement with the goals. Dylla suggested that members review the
document and send him comments and suggestions for improvement and further review at the next
meeting.
In relation to the discussion on goal #6 seeking to increase entrepreneurial opportunities, it was
suggested to invite the Deputy Director of Economic Development to attend EDC meetings
periodically as she works closely with Cornell officials on technology transfer & commercialization
initiatives, implements a business visitation program and is active in business retention and
recruitment efforts.
Tegan left at 4:45 P.M. resulting in the loss of the quorum.
IX. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 P.M.
END
Minutes prepared by A. Vargo, edited by N. Bohn