HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2018-01-30BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS SPECIAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 5:15 p.m. January 30, 2018
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Commissioners (3) – McCormick, Greene, Jenkins
OTHERS PRESENT:
Information Management Specialist - Myers
Supt. of Public Works - Thorne
EXCUSED:
Commissioners Warden, Morache
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
A Resolution to Create a Loading Zone at 210 Linden Avenue
By Commissioner McCormick: Seconded by Commissioner Greene
WHEREAS, the owners/developers of 210 Linden Avenue received site plan approval
for redevelopment of the site and made financial decisions based on this site plan
approval, and further received a demolition permit and demolished the exi sting income
producing building on the site prior to notification by the City that new State Fire Code
restrictions would prohibit the issuance of a building permit due to insufficient road
widths required for aerial fire apparatus access; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Fire Chief has proposed that the removal of existing
parking in front of 210 Linden Avenue through either a fire lane or loading zone would
help support, but not guarantee, a variance for aerial fire apparatus access required by
the State Fire Code for this particular project; and
WHEREAS, the owners of 210 Linden Avenue have requested that a loading zone be
created along their street frontage to support the State Fire Code variance request ; and
WHEREAS, Planning and Building Division staff, and the Fire Chief have agreed that
removal of parking is the best way to accommodate this redevelopment project and
support this specific State Fire Code variance request; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works is concerned with the piecemeal removal
of parking to accommodate redevelopment projects in Collegetown, but recognizes that
this and one other project on Linden Avenue are unique given the timing on which they
were informed of the aerial access requirements, and further recommends that a 5 foot
sidewalk easement be created along the frontage of 210 Linden for future public benefit ;
and
WHEREAS, City staff are aware of only one other similar case along Linden Avenue in
which the same solution may be proposed, which should limit the potential for setting a
precedent across the City; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is concerned about the precedent that would be
set by granting this request, but understands that future development projects will be
notified about the new State Fire Code requirements prior to site plan approval and
issuance of demolition permits, and that State Fire Code requirements will need to be
met without modifying existing uses in the street right-of-way; and
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Board of Public Works Special Meeting Minutes January 30, 2018
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works understands from staff that there is growing
interest statewide to modify the aerial fire apparatus access code requirement, and that
staff is working toward a broader variance to the State Fire Code, and that if this
variance is granted by the State, the parking along all of Linden Avenue (including in
front of 210 Linden Avenue) may be reconfigured in a comprehensive way to
accommodate future redevelopment projects; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works is authorized by Section 346-4 of the City Code
to adopt and to amend a system of Schedules in order to administer the Vehicle and
Traffic Law; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby establishes a loading zone in front
of 210 Linden Avenue; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the frontage of 210 Linden Avenue hereby be added to the Vehicle
and Traffic Schedule XXII, Loading Zones for the west side of Linden Avenue in front of
210 Linden Avenue; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That effectiveness of the preceding two Resolved clauses be contingent
upon the execution by the owners of 210 Linden Avenue of a permanent easement
satisfactory to Superintendent of Public Works, on the advice of the City Attorney,
providing to the City no less than a 5 foot sidewalk easement for future public benefit;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the BPW hereby requests the Planning & Development Board, as
well as city staff from the Planning, Building, Fire, and Public Works departments and
divisions, to develop alternatives for Linden Avenue and for other city blocks that may
present similar challenges to allow for the types of development for which Common
Council has zoned, but may not be buildable due to fire code requirements ; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That if the State denies the variance for aerial fire apparatus access, and
the removal of parking is no longer a component of any future alternative variance
requests for the project at 210 Linden Avenue, that staff bring a vote back to the Board
of Public Works to reestablish parking in front of 210 Linden Avenue.
Carried Unanimously
Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
__________________________________ ________________________________
Sarah L. Myers, Svante L. Myrick,
Information Management Specialist Mayor