HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-03 joint Joint Meeting of Master Plan Committee
and Chairpersons of Citizen Advisory Committees
of the Lansing 2010 Project
November 3 , 1993
Harold VanEs welcomed everyone and asked that each person introduce themselves and
identify the committee that they are working with. Mr. VanEs pointed out that Joanne
Callahan is a masters student in City and Regional Planning who has adopted this project as
part of her degree requirement. She will be working closely with the Town Center
Committee and the Economic Development Committee. The Lansing 2010 project is also
getting a lot of professional help from Tom Neiderkorn, who has been able to give the
committees more guidance. The purpose of this meeting is to start to bring all the energy and
excitement together into what will ultimately be the master plan. This is a time to start
developing those strategies and timelines towards that goal. Initially the plan for completion
was for October/November, which is now nearly past and it is time to begin.
Gay Nicholson began discussing Crooked Hill Road, which is the road between Ludlowville
and the school district, and has been closed for nearly a year. There was a meeting last
Wednesday with the Town Board on what to do with that road. The town lawyer lead most
of the discussion and basically indicated that the town will either abandon the road or redo a
section of the road, working with the school district and volunteers to take out a 30-year
bond. The town has bids of between $300,000 to $ 1 ,800,000 to repair this road. Gay was
concerned that if the road was abandoned it would affect the social pattern of Lansing. If this
situation is ignored, Gay was concerned about what would happen in the future if there was a
problem in another neighborhood. There is going to be a community meeting at the Rod and
Gun Club on November 4 to give the public an opportunity to discuss how they feel about it.
She was concerned the precedent that this action may take. Harold didn't feel that there was
going to be enough time at this meeting to discuss reactions but encouraged everyone to
attend the meeting tomorrow night to share their concerns.
Cheryl Nickel stated that she attended the New York State Planning Federation Meetings on
October 17 and gave a progress report of what has been going on in Lansing. She felt that
people are really interested in this approach to planning and that the "eyes of New York are
on us" . George Totman, Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of Lansing, received a
special award for his years of service. The town center design meeting was videotaped on
September 30, which was where local artists came to sketch ideas from the public. There
were ten artists that met with approximately 80 people in small groups. A collage came from
this meeting that will be displayed in the Middle School, at least. The videotape, which is
currently being edited, will be shown on local television. They are also starting a project in
the schools: "Lansing Past, Present, and Future " . The first piece of it will be in the sixth
grade with the interdisciplinary team and the kids. Using planning and architecture, they are
going to study history, science, math, and are going to take field trips out to see local
architecture in Lansing. Then they are going to talk about what Lansing is now and what it
can be in the future and what they would like to see. Cheryl feels that this is a really good
way to get families involved and this can be the pilot project. This will be starting in
January/February. She would like to see this project spread to other grades, and thought
® perhaps they could talk to the school board about using this as focus for projects and learning.
On another issue Cheryl stated that she met with Michael Stain , who is the head of Tompkins
County Area Development, and explained the Lansing 2010 project to him . She told him that
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November 3, 1993
the town center would be a great place for businesses to begin, especially businesses that need
to be close to the airport but want something more than an industrial park as a part of their
atmosphere (e.g., restaurants, cafes) . He is really excited about the idea and would like to put
together a focus group of some of the businesses that we think would be interested in this
type of location.
Report from Tom Neiderkorn
Harold VanEs stated that all the chairpersons of the committees and subcommittees should
have received a packet of materials which included a memo from Harold and Cheryl,
comments from Tom Neiderkorn on the reports of the . September 15 meeting, and a copy of
an extension publication from Oregon State about setting strategies.
Tom stated that this proJect has now reached a point where it needs to stop what it has been
doing, and start something else. In order to do that, he wanted to take the work that has been
done and come to a concluding point which was done primarily after the September 15
meeting. At that meeting all 11 committees made specific recommendations or a report with
recommendations or conclusions to the group as a whole. He tried to pick out the
recommendations and the conclusions as he read them, and prepared a summary of
recommendations and conclusions for each one of the committees. His intentions for tonight's
meeting is to develop a "homework package" that each committee can take back and begin to
review it. He suggested that his summary be reviewed. Preceding that in the report are his
specific comments on the reports of each committee and the words he heard that night when
he was taking notes. In some instances he has asked questions, suggested that additional data
would be appropriate if they can get it, and suggested areas that could possible be drawn on
maps. He felt that what the committees can start doing now, and what will be a large portion
of their homework will be to begin charting their recommendations onto the map he provided.
He wants them to begin putting down on paper in graphic form some of the things they are
concerned about and are recommending for the town. The reason for that is that the master
plait has to have some sort of graphic representation of what it is that is being proposed in
terms of future land use . One of the things that this project is dealing with is future land use.
Another thing being dealt with is the road system so that the traffic people will have to begin
looking beyond the corner at Rogues Harbor and look at other areas and identify other kinds
of problems and opportunities. Then when all this is down on maps, we can look at them and
put them together to see what kind of long-range plan we are actually coming up with.
He explained that he is trying to get a synthesis of what each committee has accomplished so
far. One way of getting that is for each committee to brainstorm as follows: ( 1) listing five
of the most important opportunities and threats for the Town of Lansing in terms of the work
in each committee. Tom stated that the committees should look at these issues and discuss
them to determine if there will be any threats or opportunities within the next 10 - 15 years
relative to the work of their committee. (2) each committee needs to develop a short list of
the goals of that committee. He feels that the bulk of the planning report that he will be
doing will be policy statements which will be made up of goals, objectives (short-term items
that will be targeted to achieving the goals) , and some specific actions that would have to be40
taken by someone to achieve the objectives that have been outlined. The actions can be
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November 3 , 1993
considered critical success indicators, and if those are written and agreed upon, then they can
measure whether or not they are making any progress. He feels this is important to be
considered with whether or not the town is making any progress toward the objectives and
goals that have been established.
Tom began explaining the difference between a goal and an objective. A goal is a statement.
How are the goals related to the mission statements that each committee developed? Tom
stated that some of the mission statements might be right on target and could be extracted for
use in the goal. Tom stated that he rewrote a section and provided copies of some goals and
specific objectives for some of the committees .
* For the Agriculture Resources Committee , a goal might be to "maintain and preserve
adequate amounts of high quality land for continued production of livestock, field crops, and
other agriculture products. " •
* For the Economic Development Committee, a goal might be "the retention of existing
jobs and creation of new job opportunities for residents of Lansing and surrounding
communities? Another goal might be to "expand the town's industrial and commercial tax
base ."
* For the Housing Committee , a goal might be to provide "opportunities for a variety of
housing types to meet the needs of different age groups and income levels."
* For the Traffic Committee, a goal might be "a road system that facilitates new traffic
movement and discourages excessive traffic in residential areas."
* For the Public Services Committee, a goal might be to provide " adequate water and sewer
services for growth areas established in the master plan." Then Tom went on and developed
a couple of objectives for the Public Services Committee, for example : ( 1 ) to develop a
sewer system to serve the town center site; and (2) to actively explore alternatives to
conventional sewage disposal technology. The third step of this process is specific action
programs that are very short term; for example, one to four years, with some kind of an
assignment of responsibility .
Tom suggested that as these committees go back and work on their goals and objectives that
they be aware of some of the implications of the recommendations they are making. If they
are recommending, for example, the construction of a bypass of the Rogues Harbor area, think
about what that might mean in terms of implications for other committees. If the housing
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people are talking about reserving agriculture land for future use , think at least initially of
how that might be accomplished.
Gay raised the concern that the ideas and suggestions from the committees should be put on
the official town maps. For example, if the proposed bike paths were placed on the maps and
a developer purchased a portion of the land with the bike path on it, that developer would be
responsible for providing space for that bike path. Tom stated that an official map to him
means something that has been surveyed. He felt that the map developed by the Master Plan
Committee would be in lieu of an official map. If the land use map showed a recreational
® area or a bike path in a developing neighborhood, then it would become the responsibility of
the Planning Board to ensure that when subdivision occurred in that neighborhood some
provision has been made. The maps from the committees would be guidelines that the #.
Joint Meeting of the Master Plan Committee and the CACs Page 4
November 3 , 1993
Planning Board could use in reviewing and approving subdivisions. What makes a map an
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official map ? Tom responded that in the State of New York, an official map is just what the
state recognizes. Adopting a land use map would also make it official.
Committee Assignments
Tom stated that these are some very fundamental issues that this group needs to come grips
with and has to be addressed in whatever type of written document that is developed. It deals
with things like growth. Growth is implied in the report from the Economic Development
Committee, as something that will be good for the Town of Lansing.
Tom explained that he has formulated six questions to which he needs a committee response
to each one of the questions. In order to do that appropriately, he established an assumption
that over the next 20 years the economy and population of Tompkins County will grow
steadily but not dramatically. There will be a moderate expansion of employment opportunity
and the commensurate demand of housing and services. He stated that they should keep in
mind some population figures including projections, which are based upon population growth
and change in the Town of Lansing over the past 50 years, and 20 years. While there have
been times in the past that the Town of Lansing has grown dramatically, it is not growing so
fast that you won't recognize the place if you come back after a year's absence. The total
population that you might expect here is relatively small, and while this population is going to
distribute itself over the whole area, it is probably going to tend to concentrate in certain
areas. When answering the questions, Tom encouraged the committees to understand that 411
while the population will continue to grow it will not be at a great amount each year. Where
do you get that information about the indicators for the population growth ? Tom responded
that he got all the information from the census about growth and change of growth and age
distribution, and then he just projected the rest himself.
The six questions are as follows:
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1 . In general, the town should to what is necessary to encourage growth and
development. The implications of this are to provide utilities, housing, modified
zoning if necessary, and to have a generally positive attitude towards growth.
The possible responses to this question are: ( 1) The committee agrees with this or
has a qualified agreement to this; (2) The committee disagrees with this; or (3) The
committee is unsure and needs more information.
If the committee agrees with the qualifications, then he needs to know what those
qualifications are.
2. While some growth cannot be avoided, the town should attempt to discourage this to
the extent possible. This might be achieved by stopping utility expansion, by .
tightening zoning regulations, by requiring extensive SEQR reviews, and creating the
general State Environmental Quality Review Act. •
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November 3 , 1993
Cheryl explained that there may be part of the implications that are not be clear to everyone.
For example, some towns go to the extent of encouraging development in that they will pay
for the utilities. Those towns are really anxious to draw development in either commercial or
housing. There are other communities who do not want growth and by stopping utilities and
by tightening zoning regulations and requiring extensive SEQR reviews, making lot sizes
larger, a very tight market is created that will either drive developers away or drive the cost
of housing or development way up. These are implications that need to be considered when
talking about these options. Tom agreed that a community can be developer friendly or not
depending on the general attitude. These attitudes change depending on the governing body
and who is in office. Tom offered the Village of Lansing as a developer unfriendly area.
They have made it not easy for a developer to come in.
3 . Growth in general is welcome in Lansing but future development areas should be
identified and described in the long-range plan. This implies that development will
not be encouraged in some areas. The areas where development should be located are
on the map.
4. Lansing is an ideal bedroom community (that means a place where people live and
sleep but don' t necessarily work) and should encourage residential development
rather than increased job opportunities. This might be accomplished by site
modification of the zoning and omitting such things as industrial areas from the
® zoning map.
5. The town center concept represents a unique opportunity to create an identity and
focus development. Implementation through zoning changes and capital investments
(public utilities, roads, public buildings, etc.) should have a high priority.
6. These are questions that this committee should not be considering.
Tom stated that the responses to these questions should be ready for the next meeting which
will be in early December.
Tom distributed to each committee chairperson a map to take back to their committees to
begin to draw on. Cheryl stated that by looking at the schedule, the project is getting close to
completion. Tom began by reviewing the important areas on the map. He stated, for
example, that unique natural areas need to be identified and located on the map.
Cheryl stated that there are other options for dealing with growth that can be agreeable to
both developers and to someone who is concerned about open space. There is a procedure
called transfer development where the developer has a large piece of land that is zoned for
one-house per acre. There can be ways that he/she can leave a lot of the land open and
concentrate a lot of the development in one area. This would reduce the cost of the road,
sewage treatment, and water that the developer has to pay. It is an advantage to the
developers, and in turn they agree to leave open land.
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November 3 , 1993
Tom stated that all the committees, but most specifically the Housing Committee, should S
look at areas in terms of housing, and determine what kind of development they think is
appropriate for those particular area. The Public Services Committee should try to map
areas that they think should be provided with sewer, since most of them already have water.
Another area that Tom would like to see mapped is the best and most productive agricultural
land. He offered this suggestion to all the committees. Cheryl confirmed that each of the
committees should be focusing on their own work, but not to loose site of the work of the
other committees. Dee Barber expressed her concern about beginning to make specific
recommendations of locations without knowing the implications of those recommendations.
Cheryl replied that this is just a draft, and before anything is finalized it will be reviewed by
Cheryl, Tom, and Harold to assist the committees with any questions they may have. The
Parks and Recreation Committee should identify all the current parks. If there are certain
areas that are considered recreation as opposed to natural features, put that down on the map.
Even if it is just a small piece of land that they are aware of, it should be included on the
map. The Economic Development Committee has already recommended a couple of sites
for a commercial strip and should be charted on the map. The other committees need to
understand the implications of that potential development. The Town Center Committee
will be looking at the kernel of that town center which will probably be a square with at least
a community building and town hall. They should be identifying three sites and the
advantages and disadvantages of each site. A goal of the Street Trees Committee might be .
the natural enhancement of the approach routes to the town center. This committee has
identified streets where they think trees should be planted on account of official business, and
even have identified ways that that might happen. There might be other places where they •
think that street trees might be appropriate. The Natural Resources Committee has already
identified a lot of the existing features. Tom commented that sewer and water are going to
have to be available in the town center area if it is going to be able to accommodate the types
of business that would be most ideal in that setting. One of the issues that needs to be
addressed is that of package sewer treatment plants and whether that would work in the town
center area.
Arlene Donde raised a question to the Town Center Committee about the newly purchased
land and whether it is designated as their first choice but can only be used as municipal land
and not-for-profit agencies. This means that the Economic Development Committee cannot
plan commercial growth in that area, which is why they haven't planned anything for that
area. Cindy Lyon stated that that was one of the criteria that the Town Center Committee is
using to determine the location. Cindy indicated that George Totman was looking into the
legal restraints of the land. Arlene felt that this is a good example of how the work of the '
committees overlaps. Dee Barber added that that area has been identified as a historical
district and for recreational purposes. Cheryl commented that at some point in the future the
restrictions on that land may be removed, but at the present that need to be considered.
Arlene was concerned that if the restrictions couldn't be lifted, why that land was still being
considered as a potential site. Cheryl stated thatall the areas would be considered and
reviewed, because you can learn from each one.
Tom indicated that another area that all the committees should be considering is •
transportation. The traffic component is difficult because traffic is going to go in the
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November 3, 1993
direction of the housing, simply because Ithaca is the destination of a lot of people who don't
live in the area. That is going to increase as the Economic Development Committee starts
recommending research or industrial parks somewhere else or as the Town Center Committee
starts recommending higher density development and commercial development. The
Transportation Committee has already looked at these issues and is recommending a bypass •
of the Rogues Harbor area. Tom suggested that this committee be looking at the roads
particularly in the southern area, except that there has been some discussion of connecting
Route 34 with the NYSEG driveway and swinging around the airport and connecting back
with Route 13 near Route 366. The routes that people take to get around the southern part of
Lansing are going to be critical. If this committee suggests that Hillcrest is now a logical
connection between destinations near the industrial park and the airport, the people living in
that area aren't going to be in agreement. The question is whether this will happen naturally
whether it is planned for or not, and will it become much more difficult to plan ten years
down the road. A comment was made that there have already been some restrictions put on
the road as far as weight limit and speed limit. Another area of concern is about people
winding their way down Benson Road to connect with Warren Road and whether a
straight-line connection should be made from Warren Road to Peruville Road. Cheryl
commented that one of the implications of moving traffic is that you move customers away
from businesses. A question was raised as to whether the Metropolitan Planning Organization
would have any of the road/traffic counts. The chairperson of this committee responded that
he had spoken with James Boyd who informed him that eventually this organization wouldIt
have the information, but currently is still in the gathering process.
Cheryl recommended that when plotting the maps, the committees should color code the
existing features and proposed areas. A suggestion was made that the existing features be
charted on one map that all the committees can use, and the proposed areas could be charted
and used as overlays on the main map. Tom stated that he suggested this at the onset of this
project, but the student working with the project realized that it would be an enormous project
to identify all existing features. Tom recommended that the committees don't spend too much
time mapping the existing features, but instead concentrate on their recommendations and
suggestions.
Tom is requesting that as each committee is addressing each one of the questions and
thinking about their goals, also think about the things they could put on the map. Areas of
particularly of interest to each committee should be mapped first, except where there is
interest into other committees' affairs. After the maps have been completed and collected,
Tom, Cheryl, Harold, and others will begin pulling the information together. `'
Timeframes/Schedule
E
Cheryl stated that the schedule is subject to revision but is based on the meeting conducted in
September. Tonight's meeting was to go over the objectives and to give out homework
4.
assignments. Within the next month each committee will be working on their homework z ,
IP assignments, and each committee may have two more meetings to complete their homework ; a
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assignments. The maps and information should be submitted to Cheryl by the first week in
December. From the beginning of December to the end of January, Tom, Harold, Cheryl, and
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November 3 , 1993
others will be working on this draft report and putting the maps together and determining •
where the problems, overlaps, and conflicts are. At the end of January, another meeting will
be called to present all the committees with the draft report, the map, discuss the areas of
conflict, and discuss the ways and means of carrying out the recommendations. By the end of
February/early March, following getting revised comments from the committees, there will be
another meeting to produce a final draft report to present to the Planning Board by the end of
March.
It was agreed that each committee would work with the deadline of the week of December 10
to turn their materials in to Cheryl, and not to have another joint meeting in December.
Submitted by Michelle Eastman