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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURACDC-1980-09-15 IURA/CDA September 15, 1980 7:30 p.m. Common Council Chambers PRESENT: Jim Dennis, IURA/CDA Anne Jones, IURA/CDA Mayor Bordoni , Chairman, IURA/CDA Stuart Stein, IURA/CDA Clarence Reed, IURA/CDA H.M. Van Cort, Director, Planning & Development Kathe Evans, Housing Specialist, C.D. Jasmine Lim, C.D. Coordinator Press The Mayor convened the meeting at 7:45 1 . Minutes Stein MOVED to approve the Minutes of the September 8 meeting, Dennis SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. Jones said she wanted to review the August 26th Minutes before voting on their approval . It was noted that the August 4th Minutes also had yet to be approved. 2. Ithaca Center Facade - Discussion Architect Seligman once again reviewed the design of the Ithaca Center facade. He noted that the model gave a distorted image and stressed that the model had been constructed as a study for the architects con- cerned and had not been meant for public consumption. He said that the effect in real-life would be entirely different and that his main con- cern had been for the integration of the building onto the site. He added that a lot of thought had gone into the design and said that though many people have criticized his suggestion of synthetic stone for the facade, the ersatz material is just as good as real stone. Stein asked for an example of the square foot cost comparisons between this material and real stone or brick and Seligman said that the syn- thetic material was more costly. He said that money had not influenced his choice but that brick was out of the question because of its weight. Stein asked about thin sheets of stone and Seligman said that this was being investigated. Joe Morrow asked about the stains that had occurred on the facade of the Olean Fire Station which had used the same material and Seligman answered that the material had not been properly sealed after construction. He said that there is now a special sealer that covers the pores and results in an attractive patina. Stein asked if there were any ways in which the Agency could affect the design or if the Agency were required to vote on whether they approved or disapproved of the design as it now stands. He said if the latter were IURA/CDA September 15, 1980 Page 2 true he would have to vote no, that he does not approve of the building's design. He added that he would prefer to enter into a productive relation- ship with the architects and developers and asked if there was any "give" to the plans. Developer McRobb responded that there was "give" but said that they were now in the 19th month of the project and that though there were still options it was important to get going as all contracts have to be signed by the second of October in order to get a start on construction before the winter. He said that he had repeatedly asked for suggestions on changes at the September 8th meeting but that none had been made at that time. He asked for specific suggestions and said that he would attempt to tell the agency if these sugges- tions were feasible. Joe Morrow of the Design Review Board commented that this Board had not been asked to review the facade. The Mayor said that ample opportunity had been available for that Board to speak out if it had been truly interested in so doing. Clinton Smith said that he felt that the proposed building belonged in a sub- urban mall area and that it did not blend in with the Commons. Another member of the public, Dennis Winters also expressed his dismay at the design and read a letter that he had written to the Mayor and which had appeared in the evening's Ithaca Journal . Agency members and council members also expressed their concern over the many negative comments they had heard from the public regarding the design. McRobb said that many people he had spoken with were enthusiastic about the building plan but said that in any case the public would not come because of the architecture but because of the merchandise available. He stated that he and developer Stan Goldberg had invested a great amount of money in the project and that they would not proceed unless they were sure of success. Council member Elva Holman expressed her concern that the Downtown Ithaca Business Association had not been informed of this evening's meeting. The Mayor said that the DIBA had been notified but Holman said that at noon that day they had not yet received notice of the meeting. Discussion next focused on the individual elements of the facade. A sample of the triple glaze windows was shown as were samples of the proposed buff and grey synthetic bricks. Council member Nancy Schuler stated that a vertical division of material might be more appropriate as the building was short and squat. Alderman Gutenberger said that as it appeared now, the building looked like a battle ship. IURA/CDA September 15, 1980 Page 3 Seligman said he would welcome the vertical divisions and said that this design change would cause no problem. Discussion about the alignment followed and the Mayor asked the Agency to take a vote on the design. Stein said he could not vote in favor of the proposed building as it stood now. Jones asked what it would take to get the suggested design changed back to the Agency before they made their recommendation to Council . McRobb asked for an item by item list of the changes required. Reed said he had no trouble with the design in general and said that he was prepared to vote at this meeting. Stein said that he would have to vote no unless some provision for changes were made in the motion. After further discussion along these lines, Stein MOVED that it be: RESOLVED that the IURA/CDA recommend to' Common Council that, should Council approve the facade design of the Ithaca Center as presented to the - IURA this evening, Council should take into consideration some of the concerns expressed tonight. More specifically, the following: 1 ) material to be used; 2) color; 3) treatment of the three towers; 4) that the windows more accurately pick up on design elements already existing on the Commons . Dennis SECONDED the Motion but Reed said he felt that the motion was not a recommendation at all and that the Agency would not be fulfilling its obligation to advise Council . He MOVED to amend the Resolution to resolve that the IURA approves the design in general and then add the clause contained in Stein's motion regarding consideration of the IURA's concerns. Bordoni SECONDED the amendment but this motion failed to pass as it had three "no" votes. The Agency returned to the original motion and Reed commented that it was a "cop out". Alderman Gutenberger agreed and said it neither approved nor disapproved the design. Stein said that this was his intention and that he did not want to express a final opinion. He added that if he were to vote on an "approve or disapprove" motion he would have to vote "no" because he did not like the design. Architect Seligman apologized for the model that was used and repeated that it did not give an accurate idea of the proposed building. Council person Holman said that the architects should have been prepared to make a presentation with an appropriate model as they knew in advance that the design had to be reviewed by two public bodies in whom the community had placed their trust. Mayor Bordoni called for a vote and MOTION PASSED. IURA/CDA September 15, 1980 Page 4 3. 312 Program - Approval of INHS Contract Lim said that this was the standard CD contract with an Appendix attached that includes a Program Description and a Program Budget. She said that the budget was based on funds remaining in the 312 lines and that the Program Description outlined general C.D. goals. She said that a consultant had been in to train INHS staff in 312 programming but that the person who would have been in charge of the program was leaving INHS. As a result, implementation of the program will be-delayed but she said that pending applications would be reviewed in October. Jones asked about item "B" in the budget and Lim said that that portion of the Appendix is no longer necessary as funds have been received. (Lim noted that there were 20 units to rehabilitate and not 30 units as stated in the Appendix) • ' Reed MOVED that it be RESOLVED that it be: RESOLVED, that the Mayor as Chairman of the IURA/CDA be authorized to execute an contract with Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services for the 312. Administration Program for $80,803.61 from lines 403 ($18,249.09) , 5104 (55,905.00) , S204 ($26,649.52) and S304 ($30,000). Dennis SECONDED. Jones asked if there was enough room in the INHS building for staff and equipment. Lim said that the consultant had recommended using existing staff and that there was space. MOTION PASSED. 4. Strand Theater Lim said that the City Attorney had recommended not authorizing the contracts until the question of matching funds has been resolved. Discussion was therefore tabled. Jones asked if the appraisal was going to be done and Lim said yes. 5. Administration Lim passed out a schedule of proposed staff work and asked the Agency for their opinions on the priorities as set out on the work sheet. She said that the Preapplication was the most important item in her view and said that a student intern had been hired to work 10 hours/week as well as a part time consultant. IURA/CDA September 15, 1980 Page 5 The consultant was Bickley Townsend who has previously worked in the Planning Department. She will be hired at an upset fee of $1000. For the project implementation, she said that ILPC Coordinator Penny Dolan would be helping out with the Strand monitoring and the AME Zion Church project. City planner Herman Sieverding would work on the West State Street program. Dennis asked how long funds would last from the present grant and Lim said through i 1l';', 1982.. The new application could take the Agency through another three years if the CAC decided on that as opposed to a one year grant. Stein asked if the grant award was competitive and Evans said yes. She explained that three years ago only 30 towns in the Buffalo region had applied. At this time 250-300 towns are applying and only 10 comprehensive and 10 single purpose grants will be awarded. She brought attention to the calendar of actions to be taken in order to make the application and noted that three public hearings were scheduled in the near future. She said that the schedule was very compressed but that HUD had jumped the schedule by six months. The preapplication is due on the first of December and must therefore be ready by the end of November. Reed asked if the new CAC members had been appointed and Evans said that there were still representatives missing from the target area, the Planning Board; members with historic preservation expertise; members from poverty organizations and agencies. The Mayor said that three more appointments would be made on the following night. No action was necessary but Evans asked Agency members to note the dates on the calendar and to try to avoid conflicts at those times. 6. Tioga Street - Proposed Rezoning Stein said he had asked that this item be added to the agenda because he felt that it might be appropriate for the IURA to discuss the proposed rezoning in that it affects the target area and the downtown business district. He said that as he understands it, the proposal is being made because Dr. Baker is unable to rent his upstairs space. As a public hearing is scheduled to discuss this matter, Stein said that it might be useful if the IURA could make a recommendation with regards to the rezoning. Reed said he was adamantly opposed to any new office space downtown except for where the city has been making plans for this use such as in the new Ithaca Center building and on West State Street. Jones said that the Ithaca Center developers were not opposed to the proposed zoning change and the Mayor noted that the change would only affect three houses in a one block area. He encouraged agency members to become familiar with all the facts of the proposal before making a final judgement. IURA/CDA September 15, 1980 Page 6 Dennis said he had already stated in a C&O meeting that he would oppose the resolution. He said that the City was being asked to do something for one person hnd that this was the first step towards spot zoning. Stein said that a number of groups have taken positions against the rezoning proposal but the Mayor said that one Civic Association of which he was a member had voted without knowing all the facts. He added that he didn't think it was appropriate to make a recommendation tonight. Stein asked if there would be time to make an Agency recommendation before the public hearing? Lim said she didn't think there would be occasion for another meeting. Dennis said that the IURA has no obligation to support or disagree with the plan but the Agency is involved with downtown which is an area of their concern. Stein agreed and said that the IURA was investing money in the downtown area and he would like the Agency to take a stand on the issue. Jones said she was sympathetic and agreed it was of concern but that she was not prepared to make a decision at that time. 7. Status of AME Zion Church A memo to the Agency from Jon Meigs was referred to. Evans said that more information would be forthcoming. 8. Executive Session Evans asked that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss prices involved in the possible purchase of GIAC. Reed MOVED and Jones SECONDED that the Agency to into Executive Session, MOTION PASSED. When the meeting reconvened, Dennis MOVED that the Agency recommend to the City that it reopen negotiations with the Ithaca School District to purchase the GIAC building with Community Development funds. Jones SECONDED and MOTION PASSED. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 11 :15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, /1-#\--Ca" - o Jasmine Lim Natalie de Combray