HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1981-04-28 TOWN OF ITHACA
ADJOURNED BOARD . MEETING
April 28 , 1981
At a Adjourned Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York , held at the Town Offices at 126 East
Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , at . 7 : 00 P . M . , on the 28th day
of April , 1981 there were
PRESENT : Noel Desch , Supervisor
George Kugler , Councilman
Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman
Marc Cramer , Councilman
Henry McPeak , Councilman
Dooley Kiefer , Councilwoman
ABSENT : Victor Del Rosso , Councilman
ALSO PRESENT : Herbert Monkemeyer , 1058 Danby Road
E . L . Rose Gastanian , 1058 Danby. Road
David L . ' Klein , 131 West Haven Road
Lorraine McCue , 101 Regency Lane
Jeanne Salino , 459 Troy Road
Joseph L . Salino , 459 Troy Road
Lillian Rowe , Wonderland Lodge,
Lawrence Mark , Wonderland Lodge.
Jewel Gray , Grayhaven Motel
R . Curtis Gray , Grayhaven hotel
Domenic R . Urciuoli , 7145 Henry Clay
Boulevard , Liverpool , New . York
Representatives . of the Media :
Bruce Ryan , WTKO
David O ' Flaherty , WHCU
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Supervisor led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance : .
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION
OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING LAW
Proof of „ posting and publication notice of a Public Hearing to
consider the adoption of proposed amendments to the Zoning Law
having been presented by the Town - Clerk , the Supervisor opened the
Public Hearing ,
The Supervisor stated that the Town Board would be discussing
three basic elements of the proposed amendments to the Zoning
Law at this evenings meeting . The three being , Zoning Revisions ,
Conservation Districts ( pinning down direction of unique areas )
and response to imput from the last meeting regarding subdivisions
in Agricultural Zones .
Reversion of property back to residential zones if there is no
development activity at the time of the adoption - of the new Zoning
Law . Multipl-e zones , Business Zones and combination zones need
to be discussed , however , the time should not be taken tonight
to discuss these questions .
Multiple housing and business zones should be left as determined
by the Town Board , even though the specific properties may not
have been developed . Deliberations were done and sound rational '
for the variance was determined at that time . Examples are the
Lieberman property , the intersection of King Road , West and Danby
Town Board Minutes - 2 - April 28 , 1981
Road , the Monkemeyer property , Salino property and Matt Associates . .
He noted that motels were a separate issue .
Councilwoman. Raffensperger stated that in the case of a rezoning of
a parcel of property , this was done because of a plan presented to
the Board . The neighbors attended a public hearing and voiced
their opinions . The zoning was then changed because of a particular
plan . If , after a period of time , a building has not been erected ,
then the parcel should revert back to the . original zoning . If a
rezoning is then needed , another proposal should be presented to
the Board and they would be required to go through the same process
again .
Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that if a 25 unit multiple resident
was granted , but was not built , then anyone coming in to build
150 units ., must go to the Planning Board ,
Supervisor Desch noted that a developer of a site plan . . and rezoning
would be required to start over on a . specific proposal . He stated
that a time limit could be set after the adoption of the law to . .
allow the parcels to remain as non conforming .
Town Engineer Fabbroni noted that when . the southwest ::corxier .of King
and Danby Roads was zoned commercial , more than the corner was
re ." oned .
Councilwoman Raffensperger stated - that when a parcel is rezoned
for a specific use and then the Town allows other uses , this re
sults in inadequate protection for the Town . The two business
zones that were rezoned are now worse than was anticipated .
Supervisor Desch noted that multi residence was different in
density allowed .
Town Engineer Fabbroni noted that there was currently no density
figures for business zones . Multi residence zones have a
performance standard with upper unit limits .
Councilman Cramer asked if the maximum for the new . zoning ordinance
was 12 ?
Town Engineer stated the figure was 10 to 140
Supervisor Desch stated by maintaining a designation in a development ,
a change in density is unlikely .
Supervisor Desch stated , then it will be necessary to go through
each situation .
Councilwoman Raffensperger asked how many multi family units are
there ?
Engineer Fabbroni stated two : Monkemeyer and Herman Eta1 . .
Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that Matt Associates was rezoned
before she was on the Board . She asked if it . were not a mixed
zone proposal ?
Supervisor Desch stated , as close as you can get to a mixed
proposal .
Mr . Domenic R . Urciuoli of Matt Associates stated that the property
was purchased last year by him . He stated that the land in front
was zoned for commercial use . He noted that a year was spent with
the Town Board trying to find a practical solution to the topography
problem . He further noted that he had encountered problems with
Town Board Minutes - 3 - April 28 , 1981
the City on obtaining water . Therefore , he had been unable to do
any planning . Historically the property has been zones as
commercial for twenty - five years . Twenty - seven building lots,
multi - family and commercial . Since he purchased the property he
has been working on multiple housing , however , it needs to be
carefully designed because of the sewage system . All of the
problems and complications were recognized by past boards and he
felt it was not practical ' : to : go - through -. the process again with
another board . He further stated that it takes a year to get a
tenant and that he could not go to the board and say I think I
have a tenant , please work with me .
Mr . Evan Monkemeyer asked why had the Town decided to rezone hid R- 9
and Commercial property to R- 159 He further noted that the
property on the corner is now zoned commercial and that he had -
several companies that were intersted in building . He questioned
any person wanting to build a house on a busy corner .
The Town Engineer responded to Mr . Monkemeyer stating that R- 9 ' s
were changed to R- 15 ' s as R- 9 ' s had outdated themselves by time .
R- 9 zones not served by utilities are white elephants . .
Mr . Monkemeyer asked why was the corner changed to . R- 15 when . it
IS zoned commercial now ?
Mr . Fabbroni responded , saying by looking . at what is there . Your
house is partically used for commercial and would not be effected .
Salino ' s property , where the gas station was would not be effected
but the rezoning would effect the side lot .
Evan Monkemeyer asked , what . do you do with that space ? Would you
buy a house there ?
Larry Fabbroni stated that four or five people plan to build a
house there :
Mr . Monkemeyer noted that they would not be built on the corner .
Mr . Monkemeyer further stated that the Town should have a
comprehensive plan stating that all corners would be commercial
zones .
Councilwoman Raffensperger asked how long had the property been
zoned commercial ?
Town Engineer Fabbroni noted the land was rezoned in 1954 :
Herbert Monkemeyer asked if the land were to remain in a commercial -
zone , would it be zoned B1 or B2 ?
Town Engineer Fabbroni stated that he felt it would make more sense .
to make the area a Bl zone .
Town Engineer Fabbroni read a letter from Richard Berggren ( copy
attached to official minutes ) concerning his property on the
corner of 96B and the Coddington Road and the proposed rezoning ,
from BI to R15 . Also , a letter regarding the zoning change from
Business C to R15 of the property owned by Mr . & Mrs . Joseph
Salino ,
Supervisor Desch suggested that a committee of three people , namely
Councilwoman Raffensperger , Councilman Kugler and himself ; be
appointed to evaluate the reversion problems and come back to the
Town Board with some concrete proposals .
Town . Engineer Fabbroni stated that now too much consideration was
given to motels on the Elmira Road . They will be fit into B1 zones
or if included in B2 zones , the Board will have to accept the fact
that the buildings . could be used for other businesses if no longer
used as a motel .
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Town Board Minutes - 4 - April 28 , 1981
Supervisor Desch stated that he could forsee problems with the
B2 zone , however , Mr . Fabbroni ' s point will be considered .
Lawrence Mark , Wonderland Lodge , stated that they do not plan to
run a small motel . They have plans that include bulldozing and
starting again . The Hilton Corporation has already been contacted .
Mr . Mark questioned the possibility of rezoning the area to
Industrial .
Mr . Alfred Eddy asked why some of his property was changed from
Ag Zone to R- 30 ?
Th.e Town . Engineer noted that the parcels on the north side of
the Mecklenburg Road were in an Ag Zone . The R- 30 zone was
developed to control uses more closely , in an Ag Zone . The
possibility of a manure pile close to 'a resident would be avoided
by the R 730 zone . This will not effect the ability of . a property
owner to subdivide .
Mr . Eddy asked why the north side of the ,Mecklenburg Road had been
rezoned as it had the best view and the best drainage . You are
taking one chunk and saying it is farming land and the other side
you are calling residential . I can not see any, advantages . ' Mr .
Eddy stated that he would like . to have the Board Members . . look over
his property .
T'ne Supervisor suggested that the . Town Engineer and Mr . Eddy should
get together and further discuss ag / residential . split .
The Town Engineer noted that the rezoning has not changed , ;that .much ,
what is allowed .
Councilwoman Raffensperger felt there was confusion about the Ag
District and our Ag Zones ,
Town Attorney Buyoucos asked Mr . Eddy what bothered him about the
change ?
Mr . Eddy stated that he owned 300 acres and the Town is proposing
that one chunk be split off .
Mrs . Pat Brazo stated that the proposed change from R30 . to Ag Zone
might put a pig farm in their backyard .
Mr . Fabbroni responded to Mrs . Brazo saying land in back was farmed
by Mr . Eddy . The land east of the line could have utilities in the
future . However , beyond to the west , installation of utilities were
at least 10 years off , therefore , this land should be considered in
an Ag Zone . The frontage on the Mecklenburg Road is difficult to
place in a zone , the R- 30 zone could be extended to cover this area .
Supervisor Desch noted that two aspects need to be identified , they
being Ag Zones and the boundaries of the Ag Zones . and the words '
`. -except==sub - division " should be removed .
Councilwoman Kiefer noted if the words " except sub - division " were
not- taken out , this would mean that the people would need to apply
to the Board . She wondered what the Town Attorney' s opinion was
in regard to this 'matter .
Town Attorney Buyoucos stated that if people wished to sell one of
two lots they should be required to come in and ask for a sub -
division . The ' idea of rezoning , in the past , was that people were
required to obtain rezoning .
RE30LUTION N0 , 62
Motion by Councilman McPeak ; seconded by Supervisor Desch ,
Town Board Minutes - 5 - April 28 , 1981
. RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
authorizes the following : " except residential sub - divisions
which are not permitted " to be inserted in the proposed Zoning
Law .
. ( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer and McPeak voting Aye .
Nays - Kiefer ) .
Supervisor Desch stated that the newly appointed Committee ,
namely Councilwoman Raffensperger , Councilman Kugler and himself ,
will consider Conservation Districts and report to the Town Board
with their recommendations .
Mrs . Pat Brazo asked the Board to reconsider moving the proposed
line back to include their property in the R- 30 zone .
Supervisor Desch stated that the Committee would try to make
provisions for Conservation Areas . without identifying Critical
Areas . Unique natural areas will ; b.e , designated .on the map .
Town Attorney Buyoucos stated that he was consulting with Paul
Finger in the preparation of developing the language for the
Conservation Areas .
Mr . Buyoucos continued saying , from time to time Critical Area
regulations , as to the use of them , will be undesignated . Adoption
will take place after a public hearing , as someone asks for these
areas . Each critical area should be designated as requested . An
index system should be kept so that there will be notification to
property owners every two years saying their property is in a
critical or unique area . The file should be kept in the Town
Clerks office .
Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that she agreeded with the Town
Attorney . However , she stated that she did not understand where
Coy Glen comes in .
Mr . Buyoucos stated that Coy Glen had already been designated ,
therefore , it would be included as such , in the proposed Zoning _
Law .
Councilwoman Kiefer question why the purchase options on property
in critical and unique areas was taken out of the proposed Zoning .
Law .
Supervisor Desch answered that it was the Board concensus that
this phrase not be included in the law .
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was duly adjourned .
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