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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1972-05-09 / y 1 i TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD May 9 ; 1972 This is a Working Meeting of the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca held on Tuesday , May 9th , 1972 , at 7 : 30 p . me in the Town of Ithaca Offices , 108 East Green Street , Ithaca , New York , PRESENT ; Chairman Barbara Holcomb , Daniel Baker , Sam Slack , Maurice Harris , Robert Christianson , Peter Francese4 ( Planning Consultant ) . ABSENT : Arnold Albrecht , Frederick Scott , Robert Scannell . Since this was a Working Meeting , no Minutes were read . GENERAL DISCUSSION OF PARK LAND ACQUISITION . Mrs . Holcomb opened the meeting by stating that this will be a discussion of the proposals to the Federal Government for acquiring park land . Suitable sites are sought . The flood plain between the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Cayuga Inlet above the fish weir was named as a possibility . There are approximately 25 acres . The possible acquisition of Coy Glen was discussed . The Planning Board is interested in making application to the Federal Government to help fund the purchase of land for park land . The Air Map of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca Map #31 were examined by the Planning Board members . Mrs . Holcomb asked if this was a reasonably good idea to try to act now ? Funding can be up to 871 It is not clear if the funding is for forever wild land or for park land . Mr . Sam Slack stated that he is in favor of going for Federal . money . Mrs . Holcomb said that this is not a new idea . A booklet outlining five areas proposed to be preserved , prepared around 1964 , was passed among the members of the Planning Board . Of the five areas proposed , only two are in the Town of Ithaca , i . e . , Coy Glen and Lick Brook , COY GLEN PARK SITE . There was considerable discussion at this point in trying to establish who owns the land bordering Coy Glen . It appeared that John Babcock and Mr . Treman own the land . Mr . Francese suggested upper and lower entrances . He said that there is a lower entrance which could be used . He also suggested the possibility of doing the work in three phases . The total acreage could run from 90 to 150 acres . I/ f 2 - Town of Ithaca Planning Board May 9 , 1972 Mr . Francese led the discussion . He stated that this is a very rough area and the Town would probably have to spend some money to improve it , such as steps . He said that if you apply for money , you must apply for x number of dollars to purchase it and y number of dollars to improve it . The area at the bottom would be Phase 1 . It could be a recreation parl:� with a ball field perhaps . This is in the flood plain area . Phase 2 could be a hiking area , walking and maybe picnicing . The upper part , Phase 3 , should be left in its natural state and be developed for hiking with railings . Mrs . Holcomb now summarized the discussion about the Coy Glen area as a possible park . It would be a three - stage area , with State 1 being the flood plain . This would be a recreational park with ball fields , etc . There would be two connecting roads to Route 13A , also known as Five Mile Drive , one of which is now owned by the Town of Ithaca . The other would have to be acquired but it was an old road bed . The northernmost access to Phase 1 would connect Phase 1 and Phase 3 . Phase 2 is the upper part of Coy Glen which will be developed and improved for hiking trails but otherwise left to its natural state . The upper reaches will end at Elm Street Extension and there will be access from this road also . Phase: 3 will cover the lower part of Coy Glen which includes the Gravel operation . Long range plans will be for development of picnic area as well as hiking trails . The size of this proposed park area in Coy Glen was suggested as 600 feet wide , i . e . , 300 feet on each side of the Creek , more or less . Mr . Sam Slack wished it noted that we ( the Planning Board ) are considering a lot of park area in one section of the Town . Mrs . Holcomb agreed that this was a valid point and we ( the Planning Board ) should look at the other areas of the Town and plan for the acquisi - tion of land there also . LICK BROOK PARK SITE . The next area for discussion of a possible park area was Lick Brook . It is the understanding of the Planning Board that there are three property owners involved here . The upper reaches of this area are in Danby . Mr . Francese said that he might talk to the Town of ° Danby . It would appear after discussion and scrutiny of maps that the owners involved here are Mancini , Ashland Oil , and Gravelding . Town of Ithaca Planning Board May 9 , 1972 The Planning Board viewed the aerial map on the wall in the Town Office and discussed the various sizes and shapes such a park could take . There seems to be a bridge at one point owned by Ashland Oil . It was noted that access to the Lick Brook area is a problem . Is there one ? Treyall does have an easement behind Turback ' s : A piece of property might be needed for parking area . There was a discussion of the new Route 13 and the old Route 13 and the old roads through Newfield and where they connect with Route 13 down by Treman Park . One solution could be the purchase of 14 acres ( Babcock land ) for access , parking , etc . , with a foot bridge across the creek and railroad to a picnic area and then hiking trails . Mr . Francese said he would get the forms needed and will also determine the acreage . He suggested hiring a draftsman for $ 100 or so to draw the proposed park area . Mrs . :Holcomb asked Mr . Francese to propose the two applica- tions to the Town Board at their special meeting next Monday , May 15 , . 1972 . SIGN ORDINANCE . At this point in the working meeting Mrs . Holcomb gave a resume of the Town Board meeting of May 8th , 1972 . The Sign Ordinance is now in effect as of 7 ; 30 p . m . that night . She stated that there are a couple of amendments needed immediately . Places like Walter Wiggins ' restaurant and Guidi ' s Contracting Service are legal non -conforming uses in residential areas . We have made no provision in the Sign Ordinance to cover such situations . Places such as homes wherein a job is carried out are also not provided for . There is not any kind of provision or any allowance for a sign such as Eastern Heights has at the entrance to their subdivision . SPEED LIMITS . As for the request for speed limits , the Town Board is going to forward it as proposed . The Town Board wants Howard Stevenson to send us a copy of his recommendation to the State Department of Transportation . Mrs . Holcomb stated that the problem of the Stop Sign on Ellis Hollow Road is not that easy . The County does not want it , it would appear . COGGSHALL PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE SCHICKEL PROPOSAL , Mrs . Holcomb said that she had had a call from Mr . Coggshall Jr . The land which is adjacent to the Schickel proposal is owned by his father . The Coggshalls have invested about $ 15 , 000 . 00 in a culvert . Mr . Coggshall would be glad to take any one on a walking tour of the property . He has an access to Slaterville Road . i - 4 Town of Ithaca Planning Board May 9 , 1972 ZONING ORDINANCE . Mr . Francese wished to outline to the Planning Board the various districts which .will be named in the new Ordinance .. The areas to be named R - 15 are the basic districts plus the usual single - f=ily based on 15 , 000 sqa ft , , cluster or Planned Unit Development , multi - family , mobile homes , parks , accessory uses . Mr . Sam Slack proposed a road down through the corr' dior from Cornell University and headed towards Burns Road, Mr . Francese talked about P . U . D . and what it means . He said that perhaps 20 - 25 acres might be considered a small P . U . D . It was the opinion of the Planning Board that there were no objections to a P . U . D . Development , Mr . Francese stated that the Planning Board has to make a clear deerminlition whether or not to eliminate such uses as tourist homes , rooming houses , etc . Otherwise they will become non-conforming uses . Mrs . Holcomb asked if the Ordinance should really eliminate the R -30 Zone ? Mro Francese remained positive that it was an unnecessary burden to retain the R - 30 Zone . He felt that it might mean that you can have too many zones in the Town of Ithaca . Mr . :Francese also spoke of access to major highways and impact on neighborhood . Ey t Mr . Robert Christianson asked if it will be clear in the new Ordinance that some of these uses will have to come before the Planning Board and Town Board for permits ? Mr . Francese said Yes - otherwise you could put in a golf course anywhere : Mr . Francese returned to the R - 10 Zone . He felt that there should be criteria for multi - family residence . The Ordinance must clear up the two - family dwelling unit . Does it mean 3 or 6 or 129, He stated that the present Ordinance permits 18 under multiple , Mr . Francese went on to say that the R - 5 Zone for mobile homes seems to be okay . As for the _Agriculture Land Use , it is necessary to change the boundaries of % the Agricultural Zone to conform with a proposed Agriculture District on West Hill of which Mr . Daniel Baker is one of O the organizers . Mrs . Holcomb outlined some of the issues to be discussed with Mr . Don Franklin of the-, County Assessment Department . _ 5 Town of Ithaca :Planning Board May 9 , 1972 • a . Assessment of Moble Homes , b . Condominiums , c , Agricultural Zone . d , Would the protection desired for the Agricultural Zone have an impact on the assessment ? Mr . Francese continued. by stating that the Light Industrial Zone remains basically the same , Heavy Indust rialremains 'b`asically the same , Public Land Use is a new district , He stated that Business is another thing and it deserves some consideration . Mrs . Holcomb said she could foresee. another possible pro - blem : If there were another Hospital built, what would you do with the existing buildings ? One possibility is a health vocation training program in conjunction with the Hospital , Another is the development of a pharmaceutical producing plant ,: The Planning Board has not stated what can be in a P- 1 Zone , Mr . Francese stated that in- the words of Mr . Buyoucous , Town Attorney , " we can make reasonable demands on them " . They can show us plans and we can offer suggestions -; At this point there was ,a ' engthy discussion begun by Mr . Sam Slack on industry and its locations . Should there be a large industrial area along Route 13 ( Elmira Road past Buttermilk Falls ) , Mr . Slack was concerned with zoning on a spot basis Just because some industry is going to possibly employ 200 people , Mrs . Holcomb wished the members of the Planning Board to make a note that 'there will be no more gas for heating purposes for anything other than single - family dwellings . That means no apartments can be heated by gas , RE- ZONING QUES'T'IONS . Mrs . Holcomb now asked the members of the Planning Board to reply to some specific questions . 1 . Walter Wiggins ' request that his Danby Road property be re - zoned , as follows : the restaurant area to commercial and the remainder to Mobile Home Park , It was her opinion that the R - 5 request be dismissed , since it was proposed only if the adjacent property was zoned R - 5 , Mrs . Holcomb stated that she was opposed to re - zoning the restaurant areli to commercial on a permanent basis . The members of the Planning Beard were in complete agreement with this stand , They recommend that the restaurant remain a legal non - conforming use . 2 . Mr . Richard Berggren s request that his land on the corner of Danby Road and Coddington Road be re - zoned to light indus - trial . Everyone present agreed " NO " . Toian of :lthad`aP1 ann ngr Boar"d`: May 9 , 1972 h 34, Alrg Leonar ` ' ,: . dos request :f.®r the re�s©nng° of ,hiss ;p,roperty on Danby .Road ,dust beyond -King Road to multiple , 'The p}larirY ng `Board was not in favor , 4 . Mr 6 Vasse ' s request for a connectMgt road from West, Haven Road Extension to Bundy Road , I"t was asked. i'f tY a %Fins a topographical problem ., After discussion , the Planning ,Board reeoiftow mended that a connecting °road be added: to h0l� of,.fxc`al. �iriap designed td connect West Haven Road and .Hoek ng Road . 5 . F;xpanding; commercial area near the Hospital..,:, It agreed that this would be discussed at the lhdkc meti�rig PLANNING BOARD WALK-. OVER THE . COGGSHALL` PR0'PERTY .. As a final 'note , Mrs . Holcomb requeste'd that tht' ;members of the :Planning Board meet at Mr .. Coggsha1il i s property Ir�ea r Hof ness Lane; off the erid. of, (Eastwood Avenue; ion May 22nd, 1972,, Jonday,, at 5 : 00 p . m . This `"was agreed; upon . The Meeting was adjourned at 10 : 45 p . m ; ;Respectfully aubMitted , Nancy Mv Fuyller� ,Acting-Secretary; y