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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1974-05-07 r TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD REGULAR MEETING MAY 7 , 1974 A regular meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board was held on Tuesday , May 7 , 19740 in the Town of Ithaca Offices , 108 East Green Street , Ithaca , Nein York , at 79. 30 p . m . PRESENT : Chairwoman Barbara Holcomb , Robert Scannell , Maurice Harris , Daniel Baker , Sam Slack , Robert Christianson , Jack Lowe , Ken Kroohs ( Planning Engineer ) , Reynolds Metz ( Zoning Officer ) , David Cowan ( Assistant to the Zoning Officer ) , ABSENT : Arnold Albrecht , ALSO PRESENT : Mrs , Kumiko Korf , Architect ; Mr , Lee Wilkinson , several townspeople from the Northeast area , The meeting was opened by the Chair at 7 : 30 p . m . APPROVAL OF MINUTES By Motion of Mr , Robert Christianson and second by Mr . Robert Scannell , it was RESOLVED , that the Planning Board Minutes of January 22 , 1974 , February 5 , 1974 , February 26 , 1974 , March 12 , 1974 , March 19 , 1974 , and March 26 , 1974 , be adopted as sumbitted , with the exception that the Minutes of March 19 , 1974 , be amended to read that Mr . John Piazza is with NCR Ithaca , not NCR Dayton , Ohio , There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote with all members present voting aye . The Motion was carried unanimous lyo APPOINTMENT OF MR . LAWRENCE FABBRONI AS TOWN PLANNING ENGINEER ° Mrs , Holcomb announced that Larry Fabbroni of Dayton , Ohio , has been named as the new Planning Engineer to begin June 19 , 1974 ° Mr , Kroohs will be leaving Ithaca for WinstonmSalem , North Carolina , on May 31 , 1974 , Mr , Christianson thereby invited the members of the Planning Board and their spouses to attend a farewell party for Mr . Kroohs at his home in the " Woodshed " on May 17 , 1974 , at 8 : 00 p . m . The invitation was cheerfully accepted , SANFORD REUNING ACCESSORY BUILDING FOR RECITAL HALL AND STUDIOS AT 112 WEST BUTTERMILK FALLS ROAD Mrs , Kumiko Korf , Associate Architect with the firm of O ' Brien and Taube , was present on behalf of Mr , and Mrs . Sanford Reuning , violinists at Ithaca College , who wish to construct an addition to their home so as to have a recital hall and studios for teaching . The Reuning land is comprised of 8 . 2 acres , They are presently using their home as a teaching area . The proposal is to build a building that is connected to but not really a part of the home to house more studios and a recital hall . The addition would be 2 , 500 sq ® fto , one story , Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 2 - May 7 , 1974 Mr . Scannell asked if this area were subject to flooding ? He was told that it was by Mrs . Korf . She noted , however , that the house • and the addition are on the high ground . The barn on the property in another area was under 2 - 1 / 21 of water during Hurricane Agnes . The floor level of the proposed addition will be 11 above a 100 -year storm flood level . Mr . Kroohs checked the U . S . Geological Survey Maps and the suggested U . S . Model Ordinance for flood plain construction . It was determined to the Board ' s satisfaction that the proposed addition exceeds the standards set for a 100 -year storm , Mrs . Holcomb noted that the problem is that the Reuning home is in an R- 30 zone and there is nothing in the present zoning ordinance that covers this kind of use . Mrs . Holcomb read from the existing zoning ordinance Section 18 re Use Regulations for R- 30o Section 19 Accessory Uses ; and Section 20 Accessory Buildings , Mr . Scannell stated that he felt that the Planning Board should recommend that the proposal go to the Zoning Board of Appeals and that the Planning Board should recommend to them the approval of the proposal Mr . Christianson stated that he was very much in favor of the proposal . Mr . Scannell stated also that as long as it is above the high water level , which it is , he is in complete favor of the proposal . Mr . Harris . agreed . Mr . Slack wondered about parking area and Mrs . Korf described the available parking . Mr . Slack said that it seemed to be adequate . • Mr . Kroohs asked what is the size of the recital hall and he was told 421 x 42 ' with a seating capacity of 200 . Mr . Christianson asked if the proposed addition will blend with the style of the house . Mrs . Mrs . Korf stated that it most definitely would - it will be sort of barn- like , different from Greek Revival . Mrs . Holcomb pointed out that the requirements for a rear yard in R- 30 are 50 ° . She referred the architect to Section 24 of the zoning ordinance in re rear yard requirements . MOTION by Mrs . Barbara Holcomb , seconded by Mr . Robert Chris - tiansone RESOLVED , that the Planning Board , after consideration of the plans presented by Mr . Sanford Reuning for a recital hall and music s .udios on his property at 112 West Buttermilk Falls Road , recommends to the Zoning Board of Appeals that they consider this use as covered by Article V , Sec . 18 , paragraph 4 , of the present Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance . We have found that the location of the proposed building meets all requirements of the zoning ordinance . The proposed building is in ® an area which is subject to flooding , but the plans indicate that the :floor level will be one ( 1 ) foot above the level of water estimated for 100 -year storm which meets the requirements of the model ordinance nor buildings in flood prone areas . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 3 - May 7 , 1974 Aye - Holcomb , Scannell , Harris , Baker , Slack , Christianson , Lowe . Nay a None . The Chair declared the Motion carried unanimously , DISCUSSION OF PARKING PROBLEMS ON CODDINGTON ROAD ADJACENT TO THE ITHACA COLLEGE ROAD ENTRANCE Mrs , Holcomb read a letter from Mr . Lee Wilkinson , 361 East King Road , Town of Ithaca , dated April 28 , 1974 , to the Town Board as follows * " On the Coddington Road ( 200 block ) at the intersection with lower entrance of Ithaca College , there is a very dangerous problem , This is due to the fact that Ithaca College was allowed to place road in a funnel effect ( high slopes on both sides ) that has 5 - 61 banks on both sides and that cars have to come directly out into the main stream of traffic for it is impossible to see down the road and can only see cars coming down the Coddington Road only when they are on the hill . The second problem and maybe the most important is the fact that cars are permitted to park on the west side of road and up to within a few feet on the entrance . That completely blocks the view of both the drivers from Coddington Rd ® and Ithaca College , There should be NO ® PARKING signs for at least 300 ° north of College Rd , on west side of Coddington Rd . This is a problem that needs and should have your upmost atten� tion before a tragic accident occurs , " Mrs . Holcomb stated that cars are parking there in order to . avoid paying the parking fee on the Campus . She pointed out that they are , in a sense , legally parked since they are off the shoulder , Mr . Christianson thought he recalled that the Planning Board had had a discussion with Ithaca College when they put in the married students housing that they would shave off the shoulders , Mr . Wilkinson , who was present , stated that it is in the Town Board Minutes that that road would be a service road ONLY , He stated emphatically that it is not used as a service road . Mr . Wilkinson said that according to the State Police and Sheriff that he had spoken to , people could park there on the ROAD legally . This prompted a lengthy discussion of whether parking is allowed on the road or off the pavement , It had been the Planning Board ' s understanding that parking could only be allowed off the pavement . Mrs . Holcomb stated that it is very clear that Ithaca College Road is no longer a service entrance to the College , It is an alter nate entrance , Mr . Scannell stated firmly that he would like to see a solution to this problem tied in with the other blind intersections in the Town such as Warren and Hanshaw Roads , Town of Ithaca Planning Board m4 � May 7 , 1974 Mrs . Holcomb felt that the Planning Board should recommend to the Town Board that they institute a NO PARKING area for 3001 on either side of the entrance . Mr . Kroohs stated that from a sight distance point of view , he would recommend 1101 of no parking on the gest side of Coddington Rd . North of the Ithaca College Rd . entrance . Mr . Slack wondered if there could be some shaving down of the sides of the entrance . Mr . Cowan stated that that would be very difficult since it is solid rock . Mr . Kroohs wondered if the Town could ask the Ithaca College Police to cooperate in ticketing these cars . He also said that he will double- check with the State Police and the Sheriff re parking on the road or off the road . We should get a letter from them with their policy stated . MOTION by Mrs . Barbara Holcomb , seconded by Mr . Jack Lowes RESOLVED , that the Planning Board recommends to the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca that said Town Board adopt , as an addition to the Town of Ithaca No Parking Ordinance , that no parking be allowed within 110 ' of the Coddington Road- Ithaca College Road intersection on the West side of Coddington Road North of the Ithaca College Road . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . • Aye - Holcomb , Scannell , Harris , Baker , Slack , Christianson , Lowe . Nay - None . The MOTION was carried unanimously . MOTION by Mr . Robert Scannell , seconded by Mr . Robert Christian® sons RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend to the Town Board consideration of the adoption of a Resolution requir - ing adequate sight distance , as spelled out in the proposed . zoning ordinance , at all road intersections within the Town of Ithaca to be adopted as soon as possible . There was no further discussion and the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Holcomb , Scannell. , Harris , Baker , Slack , Christianson , Lowe . Nays None , The MOTION was declared carried unanimously . REPORT ON PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TOWN OF LANSING AND THE VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS ON NORTHEAST AREA ROAD AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS . eMrs . Holcomb stated that at the last Planning Board Meeting (April 23 , 1974 ) we heard from people from the Burleigh Dr . , Sandra P1 . area . We decided that we should not decide on this matter alone and so it was decided to discuss the problem of roads and traffic in this area with other representatives of the County . On Friday , May 3 , 1974 , we Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 5 - May 7 , 1974 met with the Village of Cayuga Heights , the Lansing Planning Board and representatives of the County . Another meeting has been set at • which time each municipal group will report back on the following ° 1 . Lansing will look at problems with the intersection of Sheraton Drive and Triphammer Road , 2 . The Village of Cayuga Heights has approved a site plan for a subdivision on a proposed Cambridge Road which has three lots that come all the way to the Lansing line . These three lots include the proposed road right of way . Will check to see if the Village is will - ing to redesign this subdivision to leave the road right of way clear . 3 . The Town of Ithaca will write to Decahedron to determine who they are and if they are willing to cooperate in solving the road problem . The Town will also do a traffic count on Burleigh Drive ® Mrs . Holcomb said that as a result of this meeting it became apparent that there is a wider problem what is the proposed loop road going to do to the whole confused situation . Mr . Kroohs noted that the suggestion was made at this meeting that there be a Public Hearing with the Town of Ithaca , Village of Cayuga Heights , Town of Lansing and the County too if they are interes - ted . Mrs . Holcomb asked for comments from the people present from the Northeast area . • Mr . Merle Lalonde , 412 Winthrop Dr . , referred to the Highway Map . He noted that the existing map and the proposed map show Burleigh Drive and Sandra Place opened . He asked how do those residents who do not think that Sandra Place should be open go about making their views known to the Town Board ? Mrs . Holcomb said that there were two ways to go . ( 1 ) Before a Highway Map is established ( a good long while yet ) it must be adopted by the Town Board . They must have a legally advertised Public Hearing . The public can attend that public hearing and be heard at that time , ( 2 ) If before that they wish to write to the Town Board as a petition or individually their thoughts can be expressed prior to the public hearing . There was a question from the floor as to what is the speed limit on Burleigh Drive . Mrs . Holcomb stated that there is now in Albany a request for an area speed limit for 30 m . p . h . The area to be covered is bounded by Warren Road , Triphammer Road and Hanshaw Road . Mr . Howard Stevenson , County Highway Superintendent , expanded the request to include all the area of the Town east of Warren Road and north of Hanshaw Road . The DOT is considering it . Once we get their permission to lower the speed limit , there is a time lag before we get the signs . As for the present speed limit , if the road is not • posted it is 55 m . p . h . Mr . C . S . Burness , 129 Burleigh Dr . , said that he wanted to see something done about 60 ' of no man ' s land which is the right of way for the extended Sandra Place . He stated that water must be looped through Sandra Place . There is a need for ditches . He strongly urged a street light on the corner of Burleigh Dr . and proposed Sandra Pl . Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 6 - May 7 , 1974 because of the number of children . He felt also that there should be a walkway . Mrs . Holcomb noted that it is the Town policy to install street lights at intersections of Town roads and Town and County roads . The only way to get a light which is not at aforementioned intersections is to create a lighting district since the NYSE & G will not deal with a municipality or an individual . Mr . Richard Liboff , 414 Winthrop Dr . , said that there is a side ® walk for Northeast school , there should be a sidewalk for DeWitt Junior High . Mrs . Hannah Seaman , Winthrop Dr . , asked what prompted the Board to consider closing Burleigh Dr . She wondered if it were a petition . Mrs . Holcomb said that it originally had been a suggestion from several citizens . Mr . Roger Payne , 4 Sandra P1 . , stated that when the residents of Sandra Pl . purchased their property most of them understood that it was to be a permanent cul -de - sac . Later Mr . Schoenfeld developed his land and now Sandra Pl . is proposed to be opened up . He noted that the traffic on Winthrop is three to one that on Burleigh and the real problem is the speed on Burleigh . Mrs . Holcomb stated that the Planning Board is taking all of these needs into consideration . She wished to point out however , that if a person builds on a road that is designated at that time as a cul -de - sac , there is no guarantee that it will remain as a cul -de - sac . Mrs . Ellen Dykema , 5 Sandra Pl . , said that she had understood at the last Planning Board meeting that in order to change the highway map , petitions and suggestions should be made to the Planning Board . She stated that she had thought she had just heard that people should wait for a public hearing of the Town Board . Mrs . Holcomb restated her two suggestions - i . e . - send letters and petitions now or appear at the Town Board public hearing - - or both . Mr . Lalonde said that he is particularly interested in the play® ground and Northeast school . He noted that there have been two other roads opened up that dump into Winthrop Dr . m Christopher Lane which connects to Christopher Circle and St . Catherine Circle . He thought that something ought to be done with Winthrop Dr . - he wondered if widening it was the answer . or could the answer be to take whatever steps are necessary to hinder an increase in traffic . Mrs . Holcomb felt that if we can solve the problem of the traffic coming from the north , we are still left with the problem of the traffic generated from the school . The public informational meeting was closed at this point . ® NCR LANDSCAPING PLAN Mrs . Holcomb stated that NCR is not ready with their landscape plan for this meeting . They will meet with the Town Board on the 13th of May , 1974 . Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 7 - May 7 , 1974 REPORT OF ZONING OFFICER Mr . Metz presented a preliminary application for two signs for Bell ' s Convenience Food Store . He presented a drawing of a free stan ® ding sign prepared by Cayuga Signs , Mr . Metz indicated that the free standing sign is within the requirements for size according to the Sign Ordinance , Mrs . Holcomb read the Sign Ordinance in detail noting that the top of the proposed sign is 20 ' from ground level . She noted that the sign ordinance states that the smallest sign that is possible in the circumstances should be used . There followed a lengthy discussion of the size of the sign and the needs of the owner . Mrs . Holcomb pointed out that the Planning Board has 60 days to report on an application . Mr . Kroohs said that he will go out to the site and see where the sign will go exactly . In connection with the other proposed sign for the face of the store , Mrs . Holcomb again referred to the Sign Ordinance re signs on the face of buildings in an industrial area . It was determined that the proposed sign for the face of the building is too big , being 150 sq . ft . , whereas the ordinance requires no more than 60 sq . ft . It was determined that Mrs . Holcomb would write a letter to the Bells stating that the Planning Board is investigating the free standing sign because they feel it is too big , the intent of the sign ordinance being to use the smallest sign possible to achieve the pur - pose of the sign . It would also be stated that the Planning Board has ® determined that the sign on the face of the building is definitely too big . ST . CATHERINE SUBDIVISION - " DUTCH " PRINCE Mrs . Holcomb outlined the background of this area . She stated the problems as shown on the map . 1 . The water line on Siena Drive stops at Lot 2 Block 3 . This line should be looped to connect with the water line on Christopher Lane , 2 . Original Plans showed the water line extending all the way from Hanshaw Road to Christopher Lane on that road which is now named Blackstone . Mr . Prince ' s latest plan shows the water line running from Christopher Lane only to Lot 12 of Block 1 and not finishing the loop to Blackstone . 3 . The sewer line also stops at Lot 12 , Block 1 . Mrs . Holcomb read a letter dated May 6 , 1974 , which she wrote to Mr . John MacNeil on this matter . See copy attached to these Minutes . MOTION by Mrs . Barbara Holcomb , seconded by Mr . Jack Lowe . ® RESOLVED , that with reference to the St . Catherine Subdivision '3eing developed by Arthur " Dutch " Prince if action has been taken to comply with the requirements concerning water and sewer lines and if it appears that approval from the Health Department is forthcoming , the Planning Board will call a Public Hearing for May 21 , 1974 , to consider approval of the remainder of the St . Catherine Subdivision . Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 8 - May 7 , 1974 There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote , Aye - Holcomb , Scannell , Harris , Baker , Slack , Christianson , Lowe , Nay - None , The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously , DISCUSSION WITH DOT OF PROPOSED ROUTE 13 IN THE FIVE-MILE DRIVE AREA Mr , Kroohs pointed out that the Route 96 and the Route 13 improvements are linked together in that the DEC Environmental Impact Statement was prepared in tandem . This means that approval comes on both or neither , In order to avoid delaying the Route 96 reconstruction we sugges - ted that the future problem of access to our proposed park on the Inlet be considered to be a design problem and not a corridor problem , There are presently three access points to the proposed park area on established grade crossings , If Route 13 interdicts these DOT will have to provide us with alternate access . If they will so indicate in writing the Town will have no objections to the proposed corridor , The Planning Board was in general agreement with this method of procedure . ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 10 ° 35 p . m . Respectfully submitted Nancy Mo Fuller , Secretary r May 6 , 1974 To : John MacNeil Re : Dutch Prince Subdivision on Ste Catherine ' s Circle ( 1 ) Town ( and Health Department ) is requiring that water line shown as a dead end at Lot . 12 , Block One , be looped to connect with water line at entrance to Subdivision ( Blackstone Avenue ) ° ( 2 ) Sewer lineshouldbe extended across Lot 12 , Block One , so that the Troperty listed to Paul Petrella can • be served . ( 3 ) The original approval by the Planning Board and the Health Department for Lots 1 - 15 on Block Three shows the water line extending past Lots 1 and 2 to connect to Christopher Lane water line . The new plans do not indicate this ° If the water line was not constructed , it should be . Barbara Pe Holcomb Chairman Town of Ithaca Planning Board 1CP ��.