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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1973-06-19 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD JUNE 192 1973 A regular meeting, of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board and . a Public Hearing were held on Tuesday , June 19 , 1973 , in the Town Offices at 108 East Green Street , Ithaca , New York , at 7 : 30 p . m . PRESENT : Chairwoman Barbara Holcomb Arnold Albrecht , Robert Scannell , Maurice Harris , Jack Lowe , San Slack, Daniel Baker , Peter Francese ( Planning Consultant ) , Kenneth Kroohs ( Planning Engineer ) . ABSENT : Robert Christianson , ALSO PRESENT : Mr , Arthur "Dutch "' Prince , Supervisor Schwan , approximately eight interested citizens , and members of the Press and Radio , 0141 Chairwoman Holcomb opened the meeting at 7 : 30 p . o . PUBLIC HEARING : ARTHUR "DUTCH" PRINCE SUBDIVISION ON ST . CATHERINE CIRCLE , Mrs . Holcomb declared the Public Hearin; begun for the purpose of considering prelinanaiey sate plan approval for Arthur Dutch" Prince Subdivision on St . Catherine Circle , She stated that this is a legal public hearing , properly posted and published . She had in hand the Affidavit of the Town Clerk as to Posting and Publication of sane .. eMr . Francese began the discussion by stating that Mr . Prince would lake to sell lots 1 through. 15 of Block 3 , on the left hand side of the West branch of the subdivision to Lagrand Chase , and that he would like to get finalsubdivision approval . Mr . Prince had sub- division approval on a portion of the land at an earlier point in time , but did -not file the plans with the County Clerk' s Office within the required ninety days , Also , there had been some question as to the installation of water and sewer lines and hydrants . Mr . Prince is , in addition to the above section , requesting final approval on lots that would face Christopher Lane . These lots are Lots 1 and 2 of Block 2 , which would become one lot and Lot 1 of Block 1 , Mr . Francese stated that he has talked with Mr . Chase and the Attorneys have completed a contract to purchase when the approvals are in , and also when the road has been approved by the Town of Ithaca, St Catherine Circle does belong to the Town . Mr . Scannell stated that he did not see any problems , but wondered of anyone an the audience saw any problems . None were voiced ,. Mrs . Holcomb noted that there needs to be a connection for the water mains to Christopher Lane . The sewer line is already in , but oust be approved by the Village of Cayuga. Heights . She noted further that a 201 sewer easement to the Town is needed where it cuts across two properties Lots 2 and 3 of Block 3 , Mr „ Francese prepared a list of requirements for Mr . Prince :, as follows : Town of Ithaca Planning Board .. 2® June 19y 1973 • 1 , Install two ( 2) hydrants on St . Catherine Circle ® 2 . Extend water line to meet Christopher Lane (water to connect from Hanshaw Road) , 3 . Inspection and approval of water and sewer by Health Department , Village and City . 40 Notify Town at times of inspection . 5 . Have Attorney ( Prince ' s ) draw up a 201 sewer easement to the Town across lots 2 and 3 of Block 3 . Mrs , Holcomb instructed Mr . Prince as to filing and also as to digging in the Town Road ® ® (he should contact Mr . Morey) ® Mr . Yroohs informed Mr , Prince that he could not find the sanitary sewer manholes on St . Catherine Circle and if they are buried he wants to know where they are , MOTION by Mr . Daniel Baker , seconded by Mr . Robert Scannell : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board grant and hereby does grant conditional final approval to Mg ` Arthur 0 °Dutch " Prince for Lots 1 through 15 of Block 39 Lots 1 and 2 of Block 2 which are to become one lot * and Lot 1 in Bloch 19 all as shown on Site Plan dated 4/ 23 / 73 of the Prince Subdivision on St . Catherine Circle , Town of Ithaca Map File No . 374 . The official stamp of approval will be placed on said • site plan when the following conditions have been mete 1 . Installation of two ( 2) hydrants on St . Catherine Circle . 2 . Water line is extended to meet Christopher Circle Ext . , connection being made from Hanshaw Road. 3 . Inspection and Approval of water and sewer plans and lines by Tompkins County Health Department , the Village of Cayuga Heights and the City of Ithaca . 4 . The Town of Ithaca is notified of the times of inspection and results . 5 . A 20 ' sewer easement is granted to the Town of Ithaca across Lots 2 and 3 of Block 3 . There was no further discussion and a vote was called for by the Chair . All members present voted aye and the Motion was carried, Mrs . Holcomb told Mr ® Prince that as soon as he is ready to move on the remainder of St . Catherine Circle to notify the Planning Department to discuss the requirements . Among other things , five foot contour lines must be established and all water lines have to be looped . Mr . Prince stated that he would like to talk about the looping of the water lines at a later date since this is presenting a problem because of quicksand . FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE PLANNING BOARD ° ® There was a discussion of the next meeting of the Planning Board and it was determined that the proposed meeting for June 20th has to be cancelled . July 10th and July 11th were scheduled for the next meetings . July 11th will be at the Marine Midland Bank Office . Tmim of Ithaca Planning Board M3 ® June 19 , 1973 CAYUGA LAVE BASIN BOARD WATEP, SHED , Mrs . Holcomb announced a meeting of interest to the members of the Planning Board sponsored by the Co- Operative Extension on Cayuga Lake Basin Board Water Shed. It will be held on Tuesday , June 26 , 1973 , in Kulp Auditorium at the High School , Mr . Francese and Mr . Slack will attend and perhaps Ms . Sandra McCullough , student planner . DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT OF THE PLANNING BOARD ' S COMMENTS ON THE PRELIMINARY IMPACT STATEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE RELOCATION OF ROUTES 13 AND 960 Mrs . Holcomb stated that this is not a Public Hearing in any , formal sense , but is for information and input in an informal manner . She stated that in order to proceed in an orderly manner the Planning Board would start with Route 96 . There is no ` physieal contact between the proposed Route 96 and the proposed Route 13 . After 96 , the Planning Board will turn to 13 within the Town of Ithaca and then 13 within the City of Ithaca , although the latter is not really the . business of the Town . However the Planning Board has talked with 'the City of Ithaca and we would like to make complementary suggestions . Referring to Route 96 , it was stated that starting from the City the proposal is to o along the old railroad right of way , but • it is the Planning Board s understanding that the proposed route is above the railroad. Then the new highway will curve in below the hospital , up through the bottom of Indian Creek road to DuBois Road , There is no access listed for Indian Creek Road, There is no inter-- change shown at the hospital road intersection , Attached to the official copy of the Minutes of this meeting and filed in the Town Office is a list of questions submitted by the Planning Board on the proposed relocations , A . Tompkins County Hospital , There was a question from the floor as to the grade of a ramp or overpass . It was stated that it would be about 7/4 Slack questioned the entrance to the hospital and wondered if there could be two , Mr . Harris asked if it were not a fact that when they build a new hospital it will be on a new site . Mrs . Holcomb said no , that is not a fact . Mr . Slack was of the opinion that it is necessary to have an interchange there . Mr . Francese recalled that this very same sort of discussion took place in 1968 when he worked for the City and at that time there was no question that there should be an interchange there , Mr . Scannell. did not think that there had been a decision not to have an interchange . B . Land Use Existing . Mr . Francese commented that the embankment near DuBois Road might take three more houses . Mr . Philip Berean from • the floor asked if there were not more homes and farms up there than shown . He noted that a survey of land use should be given. E . Miscellaneous . Mr . Francese stated that with a relatively slight relocation of the right of way to the North they could avoid all those homes . It requires a very small addition of roadway but the impact on the neighborhood would be lessened . Mrs . Holcomb felt that there are q Town of Ithaca Planning Board w4m June 19 , 1973 a variety of considerations because of the grade of Indian Creek Road. There was a question from the floor in re the steepness of the grade so that it was questionable whether this is developable land . Mrs . Holcomb asked if anybody had any general comments about the concept of the relocation of Route 96 . Mr . Slack asked what about the Cass Park playground development? Mrs . Holcomb pointed out that the road is back behind that and just at the base of Cliff St . She noted also that the City of Ithaca has filed a Disclaimer stating that this park land can be taken for the highway . Mrs . Holcomb also pointed out that there are four creeks which come down . off West Hill and which this road will have to bridge . The Planning Board is investigating any potential damage to these creeks . Ms . Barbara Geehan , of the Ithaca Journal asked the Planning Board what advantages they saw in the proposed relocation. Mrs . Holcomb stated that one important advantage would be that there will be a way of getting to the hospital and on north , other than via Cliff Street ; The Chair asked if there were anyone present who had any strong objections to the proposed relocation , or any objections of any sort . Mri Kroohs expressed concern over the fact that there has been no provision made for a pedestrian passage across the proposed bridge nor were bicycle paths provided from the City to Cass Park , Mr . Kroohs felt that mass transit should be considered and that perhaps there could be a lane for a bus on the proposed bridge and/ or parking within the right of way . At this juncture , Mrs . Holcomb stated that the Impact State- ment makes reference to the fact that there is very little traffic coming in from the Northeast . The Planning Board is particularly concerned about this . She further stated that this is why the DOT Impact Statement indicates no physical connection between Routes 96 and 13 . The Planning Board now turned to the discussion of the proposed Route 13 in the City of Ithaca between Fulton Street and Dey Street . Supervisor Schwan pointed out that the Planning Board is at this point in time dealing with an environmental impact statement and not a road design . Mrs . Holcomb noted that the statement discusses a proposed corridor .. Mr . Schwan indicated that the corridor is 500 ' wide and the road is 200 ' . Mrs . Holcomb was of the opinion that now is the time to put in the constructive comments before design. Mr . Schwan felt that the Board was acting a couple of years ahead of time . Mr . Scannell stated that he agreed with the idea of having the input at this point , expecially in view of the " Octopus " . Mr. Schwan pointed out that the " Octopus" was built by the Army Corps of Engineers and not the DOT . Mr . Scannell stated that the DOT designers were there and were in agreement . Mr . Schwan wondered just how much 0nput the State has with the Federal Government . Town of Ithaca Planning Board � 5 ® June 19 , 1973 The Planning Board now turned to a discussion of the proposed Route 13 within the Town of Ithaca ® There was a lengthy discussion of the Alternates with Superm . visor Schwan raising questions of right of . ways which `involve Motels ; homes , etc . The discussion also centered on the proposed road as it goes through the City of Ithaca in terms of how it affects the Town of Ithaca since people come from the Town into the City and back out ® Many different views were expressed as to what was good for the Town. Mrs . Holcomb pointed out that in discussion with the City and the County there has been general agreement on the elimination of the B and D options . Mr . Larry Hamilton , who assisted in the design of Alternate E . stated that he agreed with the elimination of B and D . Mrs . Holcomb asked if there were any comments on Alternate E . Mr . Hamilton stated that Alternate E as here presented seems to have been cast in the role of the villain , but that he felt that it has some real advantages . Mro Baker commented that a lot of very good farm land will be taken over by Seven Mile Drive under Alternate E . Mrs .. Holcomb stated that , the DOT said that Alternate E comes too close to many houses and buil ings but when she and Mr . Kroohs walked it they could not see the ' manyy ' houses they refer to . Mrs . Holcomb commented that the City of Ithaca will have a great deal of input on this proposal on the A and C Alternates $ since it applies directly to them . Mrs . Holcomb summarized by stating that it was the general feeling expressed at meetings with City and County representatives that she has talked to that A C , and E , could be left as the option ' and the present Route 13 as tie alternates in the Town. These are the routes the Planning Board would prefer to take at this time . Mr . Slack stated that he could see very little reason for having an Expressway in that area ; Bostwick Road to 13A seems okay . and with road improvements up the Newfield Hill could be okay. The critical area is from Zikakis Chevrolet into the City . There is congestion as soon as you go under the railroad bridge . Mr . Francese commented that a considerable cost saving could be achieved by always staying to . the East of the railroad tracks even though it would involve crossing the Inlet at two places . When ever you have to cross a railroad you have to be 2A feet up to the bottom of the steel .. Mr . Slack stated that the Planning Board ' s greatest concern is Route 96 and not really Route 13 . Mrs . Holcomb stated that she had questioned why both of these Routes were presented in the same Impact Statement and learned that . Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 6 - June 19 , 1973 it was because the DOT had both of the corridor hearings at the same time and there is a three time limit , Mrs . Holcomb announced that if there were no further questions she would like to meet with the Planning Board for a few minutes at. the close of this public discussion. Mr . Hamilton closed his comments by stating that should the Board be so moved he would like to see them ask the DOT not to close their minds to Alternate E and further , that he was pleased by the elimination of Alternates 3 and D . The public discussion of the environmental impact statement of the DOT on the proposed relocation of Routes 96 and 13 was closed at 10 : ??0 p . m . There followed a discussion among the members of the Planning Board as to the formulation of a document for presentation to the DOT by the deadline of July 10th , 1973 . Supervisor Schwan discussed the feelings of the Town Board " and stated that they are in general agreement with the concept of Route 96 and the alignment . As far as Route 13 goes , Supervisor Schwan felt that the Planning Board should be very careful not to express a non-need for Route 13 because that would certainly not be expressive of the feelings of the Town Board. However Mr, Schwan stated that • he basically had no quarrel with what the Panning Board has presenter) at tonight ' s meeting . ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10 : 50 p1m # Respectfully submitted , Nancy M. Fuller , Secretary. AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING TOWN CLMK ' S OFFICE ITHACA , Na Ye I , Edward L . Bergen , being duly sworn , say that I am the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , that the following notice has been duly posted on the sign board of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca and that the notice has been duly published in the local newspaper ; ( The Ithaca Journal ) Notice f Public Hearing before the Ithaca Planning Board at 7 : .30 p th #wn Offices , 108 E . Green Street , Ithaca , New York to consider preliminary site plan approval for Arthur Prince Subdivision on St . Catherine Circle . • Location of sign board used for posting : Entrance to Town Offices x_ 108 E . Green Street ( third floor ) , Ithaca , New York e Date of Posting ; June 15 , 16 , 18 , 1973 Date of Publication ; June 15 , 16 , 18 , 1973 -Grp. Edward L . Bergen Town Clerk Town of Ithaca State of New York County of Tompkins SS . Town of Ithaca Sworn to before me this 1 h day of June , 19 732 0 NOTARY w w b Notery Public" State of yew or Nu. 55.66664$5 uatified in Tompkins Co `4 erm F,sniree .Marc;b . 19 18 ITHACA. JOURNAL.. i'' ridav ,June 1571973 DEADLINE FOR LEGAL ADVERTISING TUESDAY thm FRIDAY 12 NOON, 2 days BEFORE publication Saturday and Monday 10:00 A.M. 2 days\BEFOR E Publication Legal Notice • OF ym N'oTlci-:OF\?( 'BI IH HIF.`1R1\"1 : .. . . . lic dircc•Iiuo t f�ihr (hrimaniof III, Pl:o Rairman oard notice' is. hereby given Ihal uting a `I'oblic • n oIlr;lrinIlh g will bo held be the Planning Board of the * Tutcf ac ;i on the 1511) dac of Juno. I9�:;. :n ';;P, P: m in the Tue'n,( flices : In8 }„til Grceti (u' e1 . Ithaca . .\'ew York . (ur -du' hurpu.�, of runsidoci ng Proliminarc i (:1Irincp ile ii;m irck” vmon 011tit . appi; AGENDA ® TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD JUNE 19s 1973 7 : 30 P . M. PUBLIC HEARING for the purpose of considering prelioinary site plan approval for Arthur " Dutch " Prince subdivision on St . Catherine Circle . 8 : 00 P. M. Public Information Meeting and Discussion of the draft of the preliminary impact statement by the Department of Transportation for Route 13 fron Newfield Hill to Dey Street and Route 96 from the City of Ithaca to Truoansburg . 100000 P. M. Adjournment o NOTE : IF MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING BOARD CANNOT ATTEND , PLEASE CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT 273 - 1721 . Nancy M. Fuller Secretary ROUTE 96 RELOCATED Am � Tompkins County Hospitalo to Expansion or relocation of the Hospital must be considered by the DOT , Most likel location for any neva construction would be . on the existing site . 2 ® Interchange with hospital needed to allow high speed left turns ® Underpass . appears to be best solution . Land Use Existing ® 1 . The recommended corridor will probabl require the taking of 10 homes , not the 7 listed y the DOT , This number will change depending on the design of the intersection of the existing Rte . 96 and the proposed Rte . 96 . 2, , Besides the 10 homes directly taken , another 6 housing units plus many acres of developable land will be denied . access ® A possible solution to the vacant land would be .to utilize the underpass discussed in A ( 2) above to serve that land . 30 DuBois Road provides the only access to large areas of land North of the proposed Rte , 96 . The crossing of DuBois Road ,) therefore , must not cut off this access . i CO • Future Land Use . 1 . The completions of the proposed Rte .. � 96 will probably coincide with Increased availability o£ public wager . . ._ ... ,.._ . _ ..._.'.... .�.... - .. ,.— _� i :l`.3, ' . •. yhL%+ i,.tiy;. •:. ' i':'t7i 'it„.' a'+1: . %' . . ® 20 Route , 96 Relocated and sewer threby making this section prime residential land . Therefore , access to the acreage discussed in 3 ( 2) above becomes even more impgrtanto 2 . With increased value of the land for developsaato the intersection of DuBois Road with Ste . 9 . ( existing) becomes important . It is suggested that this intersection be rebuilt prior to the opening of proposed Rte ® 96 . D . Area . ha- 1 . A . pedestrian and bicycle walkway is needed on the proposed bridge across the inlet . Since this bridge is closer to the park area than the State Street one , children would more likely use it . 2 . Preliminary design comments in this area would include = . will Rte ® 89 (existing) be open to traffic ; where will park entrance from City be? E . Miscellaneous . 1 . It appears that the corridor is above the Railroad ROW . Is this correct ? 2 . The interchange between the existing Rte . 96 and the . .proposed Rte . 96 is not detailed . Town of Ithaca would like to see preliminary design of this area ® 3 . The existing conditions in this area create a situation requiring the earliest possible completion of this project . 00 Route 96 Relocated m3 © 4 . The project as planned will funnel a large per cent of the traffic from the North past a single point ( the new bridge) . This would see® to be an ideal place to consider combining mass transit with the new highway ® Discussions relating to this should continue during the preliminary design phase . .• to w . June 19 , 1973 ROM 13 GENERAL. .�s 1 . After discussions with the City and County , we recommend that alternates R and D be eliminated, The iemaini alternates , A . C . and E , should remain open for further discussion , as should a corridor covering the existing highway. It is felt that the environmental questions with the existing hisay are discussed in sufficient detail in the Environmental Impact Statement * - 20 The City , Town , and County in conjunction with students from Cornell University will undertake a study of the various Rte , 13 corridors in the near future . This study will attempt to determine the best corridor and route for the highway . ALTERNATES WITHIN THE TOWN 1 , The basic question is the need for a new highway , If , a new interchange were built at the base of Newfield Hill , the section between that interchange and the proposed interchange near Seven Mile Drive becomes questionable . In that section therelis little to attract or generate traffic . The next section , Seven Mile Drive to the City line , is also questionable , but this is highly dependent on the final solution within the City , 2 . If alternate A or C is built , is a full . interchange needed between Seven Mile Drive and Rte . 13A7 3 . If alternate E isbuilt , where will interchange go? Is it needed? 4 . Alternates A and C intersect land East of Rte ® 13A owned by the Catholic Cemetery . This land is not in use . 5 . Alternates A . C and E bisect approved and soon to be built multifamily project ,West of Rte . 13A. Y Route 13 0 2� 60 Alternates A and C bisect only vacant light industrial zone in Town of Ithaca . 70 Alternates A , C and E create a problem of access to the Plod Plain recreational area ® 80 Alternates A , C and E take land with some value for farming , 90 If reconstruction of the existing Rte ® 13 is chosen , the Planning Board and the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca could make it a policy to limit access on Rte . 13 and encourage alternate roads for local access . o