HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BZA-1990-02-05 BZA MINUTES - FEBRUARY 5, 1990
Chairman Tomlan called the February 5, 1990 meeting of the Board of
Zoning Appeals to order at 7:00 P.M. The Board operates under the
provisions of the Ithaca City Charter, the Ithaca Zoning Ordinance,
the Ithaca Sign Ordinance, and the Board's own Rules and
Regulations. Members of the Board who are present tonight are:
MICHAEL TOMLAN, CHAIR
BEATRICE MACLEOD
HERMAN SIEVERDING
JACK PECK
JANIS COCHRAN
ERIC DATZ, SECRETARY TO THE BOARD,
ZONING OFFICER AND BUILDING
COMMISSIONER
CAROL SHIPE, RECORDING SECRETARY
Chairman Tomlan read the Rules and Regulations of the City Board of
Zoning Appeals.
APPEAL NO. 1948 Appeal of Cornell University for a Special Permit
under Section 30.26-C (1) (g) of the Zoning Ordinance. The property
at 640 Stewart Avenue, located in a P-1 (Public and Institutional)
Use District within 200 feet of a residential district, is currently
occupied by the Cornell Communication Arts Graduate Center and soon
to be assigned to the Southeast Asia Program. The property contains
offices for these uses which requires a Special Permit from the
Board of Zoning Appeals for any use other than public recreation,
classrooms, or living accommodations within 200 feet of a
residential district.
Appellant Priscilla Noetzel-Wilson, 861 White Church Road,
Brooktondale, New York, project manager/architect, representing
Cornell University requesting a special permit for the property at
640 Stewart Avenue for the use by the Southeast Asia Group. She
indicated the location of the property on two maps - a campus map
and the City zoning map. She presented the past history of the
building and stated that it is proposed by Cornell University to
assign this building to the Southeast Asia Group for use as their
-BZA MINUTES - FEBRUARY 5, 1990
research center, which would be similar to the use by the
Communication Arts Graduate Center. There would be four offices for
four project directors, and office and working spaces to SEAP's
publications editor and staff. There will be an estimated 15-30
persons per day using this building between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. ,
except during special events, when there may be up to 75 persons.
She also stated that, based on the office space, there would be 9
parking spaces required and there are 9 off-street parking spaces
provided on the property at this time. The appellant explained that
the proposed use of the building would create the lowest impact on
the residential neighborhood. Ms. Noetzel-Wilson stated that she
had received all the mailing cards back, but that she had not
received any written or verbal response to her notice. Chairman
Tomlan asked if the Board members had any questions. Mr. Sieverding
asked if the remaining square footage (12,156 sq. ft. ) was allowed
as of right. Secretary Datz explained that the use is allowable,
but with a change in occupancy, not in use, there was no way to
assign parking requirements for study space. There were no further
questions from members of the Board. Chairman Tomlan asked if there
was anyone else who wished to speak in favor.
Martin Hatch, 696 Snyder Hill Road, who works at Cornell University
as a professor of music and Southeast Asian studies. He stated that
he is the chair of the subcommittee for building and wanted to speak
in favor of the proposal, which is very low key and quieter than
residential. There were no questions from members of the Board.
For the record, there was no one else in the audience to speak
either for or in opposition to the appeal.
Herman Sieverding made a motion to grant the special permit.
Proposed Findings of Fact:
1. The appellant has met all of the requirements of Section 30.26-
C-3.
2 . A relatively small portion of the building is devoted to an
activity that requires a special permit.
3. This proposed use is compatible with the surrounding residential
neighborhoods and will not adversely effect them.
Motion was seconded by Beatrice MacLeod. There was no further
discussion and a vote was taken: 5 Yes; 0 No Granted.
BZA MINUTES - FEBRUARY 5, 1990
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Shipe
Recording Secretary