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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1973-08-14 r TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD • AUGUST leo- , 1973 A regular meeting of the Town of Ithaca PlanningBoard was held on Tuesday , August 14 , 1973 , in the Town Offices at 10East Green St . , Ithaca , New York , PRESENT : Chairwoman Barbara Holcomb Robert Scannell Maurice Harris , Daniel Baker , Jack Lowe , Robert Christianson , Kenneth Kroohs ( Planning Engineer) , Reynolds Metz (Assistant Zoning Officer) , ABSENT : Sam Slack , Arnold Albrecht . ALSO PRESENT > Mrs , Charles Firenze , Mrs , Anthony Leonardo , members of the press and radio . The meeting was opened at 7 * 40 p . m . by the Chair . REESERVATION OF SCENIC AREAS IN COUNTY , Mrs . Holcomb stated that she had received a letter from Allen Treman of the Environmental Management Council indicating that the County is undertaking an inventory and identification of areas in the County that should be reserved for unique natural areas and open space . There is a form in connection with this project for listing these areas . The Tmm Board has stated that we should submit Coy Glen and Lick Brook as unique natural areas to be preserved . She asked for suggestions for any other sites , Mr . Kroohs suggested the Flood Plain , Mr . Scannell suggested that the Planning Board contact Mr . Larry Hamilton at Cornell University who has had graduate students working on similar projects . Mr . Christianson agreed and stated that he had seen some of their work . Mr . Christianson stated further that Cathy Valentino , Chairman of the Park Council , might have a copy of these projects . Mr . Scannell mentioned the Cornell Bog . Mrs . Holcomb stated that this had already been set aside since it is a Cornell natural area . REZONING OF LANDS ALONG THE DANBY ROAD FROM Ra30 TO R- 15 (LEONARDO) , Mrs . Holcomb stated that the Planning Board should only be considering those lands that are served by water and sewer . The land on the West side of Danby Road as you come out from Zing Road has been rezoned commercial . Mr . Leonardo ' s land has also been served by water and sewer . A Public Hearing on the Planning Board level is not needed for recommending rezoning from R- 30 to R- 15 . Mr , Robert Scannell presented the following Motion for considerate tiono I move that we make a recommendation to the Town Board that all of the land along the Danby Road presently zoned R- 30 that is served Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 2- August 14 , 1973 by both water and sewer be rezoned to R- 15 . This Motion was seconded by Mr . Robert Christianson . The Chair asked for further discussion , if any . Mrs . Holcomb noted that the property that is beyond Mr . Leonardo ' s is only partially served , Mr . Scannell was of the opinion that that land should not be rezoned . There followed a discussion with Mr . Kroohs about defining the area on a topo map . Mrs . Holcomb noted that this rezoning is really a temporary measure because the new zoning ordinance will automatically rezone this area . Mr . Scannell felt that we should amend the Motion taking into account the Health Department , the new zoning ordinance , etc . MOTION by Robert Scannell , seconded by Robert Christianson ° RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca that the lands along the Danby Road in tax parcels 36ml � 20 , 36 - 2- 2 , and 36 � 2p10 be rezoned from R® 30 - to R® 15 , unless the Tompkins County Health Department shall determine that a lot larger than 15 , 000 sq , ft . is required , There was no further discussion and the Chair called for a vote . ® Ayes ® Holcomb , Scannell , Harris , Baker , Lowe , Christianson . Nays a None . The Motion was carried unanimously . DISCUSSION OF PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR SUBDIVISION ON LANDS OF ANTHONY LEONARDO , Mr . Anthony Leonardo presented a preliminary map of proposed residential subdivision at 1132 Danby Road dated August S , 1973 . There are name ( 9 ) lots involved . Mr . Kroohs asked Mr . Leonardo if he were seeking approval on all nine lots at this time . Mr . Leonardo stated that he would like the first three ( 3 ) lots to be approved , at least , at this time , i . e . , lots 1 , 2 , and 3 , on the Map . This approval would involve a proposed road and a turn- around . Mr . Kroohs stated that the Post Office Department will not deliver to a "T" which is the way this proposed road looks at the moment . He suggested that it would be an easy matter to change it to a circle . Mrs . Holcomb asked if the proposed houses could be served by the existing sewer . They can be . Mr . Francese noted that the sewer is in the right of way . Mr . .Kroohs pointed out that if one reroutes the stream through lot # 9 , a Class AA stream , a permit from the Department of Town of Ithaca Planning Board � 3 ® August 14 , 1973 Environmental Conservation is required . This should be kept in mind . • Mr . Scannell strongly suggested that Lots 1 , 2 , and 3 should be laid out perpendicular to the proposed road . Mr . Leonardo agreed . Mrs . Holcomb had a question about a culvert on the proposed road to take care of natural drainage . Mr . Leonardo stated that this culvert is shown . Mrs . Holcomb also requested that each lot on the map should show the square footage of that lot . Mr . Francese stated that the streets should be named . Mr . Leonardo thought that Allison Circle will probably be the name . Mr . Kroohs stated that the sanitary sewer main line has to be 8 " . Mr . Passi stated that he had talked with Mr . Pat Hannan in the City of Ithaca DeRartment of Public Works , and he stated that 6 " is ®K because it is 6o along the Danby Road . Mr . Kroohs suggested that the plan should still show 8 " since this is the Town ' s standard . Mr . Kroohs suggested further that each of the lots for which approval is being requested should be shown by parcel number , and lot number . It was noted that the assessment numbers are on the plan . He fti.rther noted that Department of Environmental Conservation approval must be acquired for anything they do on the stream that runs through Lot # 9 . Mr . Kroohs stated that when Mr . Leonardo comes before the Planning Board , they will make a request for park land . Mr . Leonardo • stated that he is planning to give the Town three ( 3 ) acres at the back of his entire property . Mr . Kroohs noted that Mr . Leonardo ' s land borders on Matt Associates land which is zoned for multiple . residence . Mr . Christianson noted that the Planning Board could waive the requirement of a public hearing for a final site plan if the preliminary plan is satisfactory . Mrs . Holcomb stated that the Planning Board could waive a public hearing on the final site plan , but they do have to have a public hearing on the preliminary plan . Mr . Scannell stated that he thought the Planning Board should ask for a schematic plan of the whole development , Mr . Francese agreed stating that the Planning Board should have such a plan . He further stated that a public hearing date should be set . The Planning Board needs a total plan showing the portion of land set aside for park land . Mrs . Holcomb noted that the Health Department will not approve the water and sewer plan for a subdivision without Planning Board approval of the preliminary site plan . Mr . Kroohs noted that it is necessary for Mr . Leonardo to ® provide sanitary sewer easements of 10 ' on each side for that portion of the sewer not included in the road right of way . Mrs . Charles Firenze spoke from the floor in support of Mr . Leonardo ' s development . She stated that she and her husband were J C r Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 4 _ August 14 , 1973 hoping that Mr . Leonardo could get approval tonight so that he could • commence building the house that they wish to purchase . Mrs . Holcomb stated that approval could not be given to Mr . Leonardo ' s subdivision at this meeting because the Town Board has not rezoned the property yet . Mr . Kroohs presented the following summary of items yet to be done by Mr . Leonardo prior to preliminary approval consideration . 1 . Require keeping the sanitary sewer at 8 " . 2 . Note which lots approval is being asked for . (Assessment numbers are on the plan . ) 3 . Department of Environmental Conservation approval on anything they do to stream that runs through Lot # 9 . 4 . When Mr . Leonardo comes before the Planning Board they will make a request for park land . 5 . The Post Office will not deliver to a " T " . 6 . Lots number 1 , 2 , and 3 should be perpendicular to the proposed road . 7 . Streets should be named . 8 . Present a schematic drawing for the entire development (what was seen tonight is only for about half . ) 9 . Need additional easements for sanitary sewer . 10 . Hydrant 11 . Culvert under new road . • MOTION by Mr . Robert Christianson , seconded by Daniel Baker : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca set a Public Hearing for the 28th day of August , 1973 , at 7e45 p . m . for the purpose of considering preliminary approval of the Plot Plan for a Residential Subdivision proposed by Anthony Leonardo , at 1132 Danby Road . There was no further discussion and the Chair called for a vote . All members present voted aye . The Motion was carried unanimously . PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE PRESENT ZONING ORDINANCE IN RE BASEMENT APARTMENTS , Mrs . Holcomb spoke about some problems that had come up at the Town Board meeting the previous evening , August 13 , 1973 , regar - ding basement apartments , basements , apartments , etc . Mr . Buyoucos , the Town Attorney , suggested that the Planning Board should consider an amendment to the present zoning ordinance right now rather than wait for the adoption of the proposed zoning ordinance . Mr . Buyoucos gave Mr . Kroohs a form to follow . Mr . Kroohs stated that an amendment at this time could prove to be very helpful in giving the Town some experience with the wording that will be used in the new ordinances There was a discussion of the wording of the amendment . Mrs Kroohs stated that he had talked with Mr . Cowan and he commented that if someone should come in with a two- story house and an unfinished basement , the question would be , is the basement included in the total square foot area of the house ? Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 5 - August 14 , 1973 MOTION by Robert Christianson , seconded by Maurice Harris . RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca that the following Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Ithaca be considered . "A two- family dwelling , provided that the second dwelling unit shall not exceed 50% of the floor area of the primary dwelling unit . " This sentence will replace Paragraph 2 , Section 4 , Article III ; Paragraph 2 , Section 11 , Article IV ; and Paragraph 2 , Section 18 , Article V . There was no further discussion and the Chair called for a vote . All members present voted aye . The Motion carried unanimously . PAMPHLET ENTITLED ° `HANG�U PS OF THE CONDO BUYER" . . Mr . Christianson presented to the Board a paper entitled P °Han -ups of the Condo Buyer" which outlined some of the major prob ems that owners of condominiums discovered upon purchasing same . They were , among others , • 1 . Too Crowded , 2 . Too Dense - 10 per acre is too much . 3 . Pets , 4 . Children . 5 . Rentals within the purchased ones . 6 . Parking Space - 12 to 2 is not enough . 7 . Trailers , campers . 8 . Associations poorly run . 9 . Construction terrible . Mr . Francese took the paper for future reference . KENNILWORTH PLANTING STRIP , Mr . Kroohs reported as follows . 1 . He has been trying to get estimates on the planting that will come within $ 3 , 000 . 00 . 2 . He would like to see some curbing put in between the lot and the plantings . 3 . He is looking for permission from Kennilworth to do the job . With reference to the above , Mr . Kroohs stated that he is in the process of getting formal estimates . He is asking Mr . Buyoucos to send a letter to Kennilworth advising them of the status and informing them that they must put in the plantings or the Town will do it and charge them for the work . Mr . Kroohs suggested having 5004 of rolled curbing at $ 2 . 00 per foot . Warren White Nursery has suggested that arrow wood plants four to five feet high be used . Mr . Kroohs asked Mr . Scannell if we could go with 54 spacing . Mr . Scannell said we could . Mr . Kroohs suggested this tall hedge of arrow wood at 54 high should cost $ 11 . 25 Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 6 � August 14 , 1973 each , installed , at 22 ' spacing — $ 1 , 575 . 00 . Norway Maple trees at 2 " diameter are $ 130 . 00 each . Mr . White will go in with a back hoe and dig down and replace the dirt with good soil for a width of 31 . Mr . Scannell suggested that there should be a smooth edge after digging . Mr . Kroohs quoted from an estimate of arrow wood four to five feet high installed at $ 12 . 75 . Mr . Scannell said it should be much less than that . Mr . Scannell also noted that arrow wood grows to be very tall - m about 12 ' to 15 ' high . Mr . Scannell suggested that Mr . Kroohs ask about gray twi dogwood which only grows to about 5 feet high . They could be at 3 to 4 ' spacings and should cost around $ 8 . 00 each . That plus the trees at around $ 80 . 00 each . Mr . Kroohs was instructed to follow up on 150 gray twig dogwood and 9 Norway Maple Columnair trees . Mr . Kroohs also stated that he will inform the NYSEG when this project takes place � - they would like to be aware of the date . PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE , The remainder of the meeting was devoted to the discussion of the proposed zoning ordinance , AWOURNlKENT . The meeting was adjourned at 10 : 15 by the Chair . Respectfully submitted , Nancy M. Fuller , Secretary .