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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1974-05-21 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD REGULAR MEETING MAY 21 , 1974 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca was held in the Town Offices , 108 East Green Street , Ithaca , N . Y . , at 700 p . m . , on Tuesday , May 21 , 1974 . PRESENT : Chairwoman Barbara Holcomb , Robert Scannell , Daniel Baker , Robert Christianson , Sam Slack , Reynolds Metz ( Zoning Officer ) , David Cowan ( Assistant to the Zoning Officer ) , Ken Kroohs ( Planning Engineer ) . ABSENT : Arnold Albrecht , Jack Lowe , Maurice Harris , ALSO PRESENT : Mrs . Ellen Dykema , Mrs , Carol Sisler , Mr . Herbert Mahr , Mr . Montgomery May , Mr . Arthur " Dutch " Prince , Mr . John Piazza , Mr . and Mrs , Thomas Bell , Mr . Rudy Christopher of Cayuga Signs , members of the press and radio . The meeting was opened by the Chair at 7 : 40 p . m . REVIEW OF NCR LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR PROPOSED ADDITION Mrs , Holcomb stated that this is the one outstanding item left in the approval of the NCR addition . The landscaping plan was brought to the Town Board last Monday , May 13 , 1974 , and they approved it in . concept , but asked that the Planning Board with their expertise (Mr . Scannell ) review the proposal . Mr . Piazza said that White Nurseries is doing the job . ( 1 ) Salvage all existing shrubs , trees , etc . ( 2 ) New items as building progresses . Mr . Piazza read from the proposal made by Mr . White , There will be columnar maples , red maples , dwarf blue juniper and some existing plants about 200 v that may be salvaged . Mr . Scannell commented that the selection is excellent . He did suggest , however , that they are going to get a lot of snow pile up along the driveway and that it may be a good idea to take out about 2 trees ( Norway Maples ) from each of the rows . Other than that suggestion , Mr . Scannell said that he really had no objections to any- thing on the plan . Mr . Christianson said that he liked it too . Mrs , Holcomb noted that the Planning Board ' s only restriction had been the use of low plants by the entrance way . That has been done . MOTION by Mr . Robert Scannell , seconded by Mr . Robert Christian- son : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board agrees with the Town Board approval of the landscaping plan for NCR . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . r Aye _ Holcomb , Scannell , Baker , Christianson , Slack . Nay a None . The Chairwoman declared the Motion to be carried unanimously . Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 2 - May 21 , 1974 PUBLIC HEARING : 8000 P . M . , ST . CATHERINE SUBDIVISION ARTHUR " DUTCH " PRINCE Mrs . Holcomb declared the Public Hearing open at 8000 p . m . and read the Notice of Public Hearing and presented the Affidavit of Post ing and Publication sworn to by the Town Clerk . ( See attachments to the Official Minutes of this Meeting ) , Mr . Prince presented a set of plans and stated that he now has all of the approvals required , but not all of the signatures . He did have the signed approval of the N . Y . S . Department of Health Regional Office in Syracuse . He further stated that , as requested , the water line coming South of Blackstone Avenue has been brought down to join with the branch going up Siena Drive so that the water line is now looped . The sewer line has been extended so that Lot 12 of Block 1 and the two lots labelled Paul Petrella and St . Catherine of Siena Church can be served . The plans show the water line extending North on Siena Drive to connect with the water line on Christopher Lane which also completes a loop . Five hydrants are shown , It should be clearly noted that a brook runs across the front of the property on Lots 7 -A through 13 . The Zoning Enforcement Officer must be aware that when issuing a building permit for these lots the house locations must be inboard of the creek so that the creek is not diverted . The persons building the house must install a culvert under their driveway and the culvert must be checked by the Town Engineer to be sure that it has a large enough capacity ® • Mr . Kroohs stated to the Zoning Officer that Lots 2 through 7 -A of Block 2 shall be checked by the Town Engineer to ascertain if there is to be fill and if so , that said filling will be done properly so that drainage problems for other properties are not created . MOTION by Daniel Baker , seconded by Robert Scannell : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board give final approval for Lots 2 through 14 , Block 2 , and Lots 2 through 12 , Block 1 , in the Arthur " Dutch " Prince St . Catherine Subdiv ,. sion . These Lots constitute the remaining portions of said subdivision . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote , Aye - Holcomb , Scannell , Baker , Christianson , Slack . Nay - None . The Chair declared the Motion carried unanimously ® PROPOSED SIGNS FOR BELL ' s GROCERY STORE ON THE ELMIRA ROAD Mrs . Holcomb outlined the background on this matter . She said that the plan here presented is the plan that was presented at the last • Planning Board Meeting , May 7 , 1974 . There were some questions raised that required- a field report . Mr . Larry Fabbroni has written a report on the two proposed signs . At the last meeting , it was decided : 1 . Re the sign for the face of the building : The limitation in this case is k2.s . f The sign requested was too big . • e Town of Ithaca Planning Board 3 ® May 21 , 1974 2 . Re the free standing signs It falls within the requirements of the Sign Ordinance , but it is the intent of the Ordinance to use the small - est -- sign possible to fit the needs of the particular location and use ; , ® Mrs , Holcomb read the report on the two signs from Mr . Fabbroni . Referring to the free standing sign , Mrs . Holcomb stated at this point that it would seem to be indicated by Mr , Fabbroni ' s report that because of the site limitations 12 " letters could be seen . She noted that the Millbrdok sign is 24 ' to the top . There followed a lengthy discussion of 12 " letters as opposed to 18 " letters . Mr . Christopher felt very strongly that 18 " letters are absolutely necessary as a minimum and pointed out that the proposed free standing sign is 48q, ft , which is well below the 100 sq . £ t . maximum allowed by the Sign Ordinance , Mr , Christianson stated that he felt that the Elmira Road area where the grocery store is to be located will continue to grow and there will be strip development . Eventually there will be one sign after another trying to outdo each other , The basic intent of the Sign Ordinance was to . keep a little sense of conformity and thereby produce less visual clutter , Mr . Bell wondered if he had come in with a request for a sign of say 80 sq . ft , which would be 8Q % of the maximum allowable would the Board have reduced it to 48 % . Mrs . Bell was concerned with the calculations of sight distance since it was not know at that time where they were going to put the sign . She , felt that discussion of the sign placement should be had before a decision is made as to letter size . f • Mrs . Holcomb stated that the placement of the sign would be discussed later in this meeting , Mr . Scannell said that he had no objection to the overall size of the sign . MOTION by Robert Scannell , seconded by Robert Christianson : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board recommend to the Town Board that the free- standing sign as presented , be approved with the provi - sion that the letter size be reduced to 12 " . The sign as presented is 6 ! x $ ' and stands 20 ' from the ground to the top , There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Holcomb , Scannell , Baker , Christianson , Slack , Nay - None . The Chair declared the Motion carried unanimously . REPORT ON ROAD AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN NORTHEAST Mrs . Holcomb reported on a meeting this morning with the Town of 46 Ithaca , Village of Cayuga Heights , the Town of Lansing and the County . Each group had gone to their respective boards to discuss opening the road proposed between Warren and Triphammer along the Town of Ithaca- Town of Lansing line . Each municipality sees this as a much larger problem than this road alone . No one is ready to make a determination Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 4 - May 21 , 1974 on this particular road at this time , since it is such a part of the larger problem . She referred to pieces of road belonging to Mr . Richard Friedbauer . It was agreed by the group meeting that our best Oapproach would be to keep out options open so that if such a decision were made in the future to open this road along the Ithaca-Lansing line that it would still be physically possible to do so . The problem is that the Village of Cayuga Heights has approved a subdivision for Otto Schoenfeld (Cambridge Drive ) which closes off this possibility . We must talk to Mr . Otto Schoenfeld and see if he will redesign his subdivision and though he may lose one lot in the Village he might pick up one in his development in the Town . This also involves per® mission from the Village to change his subdivision ® The Village might then act to gain title to the road right of way to hold until a decision in re opening the road is made ® Mrs . Dykema asked what the results of the traffic count were . Mr . Kroohs said that it was not in presentable form yet . He had spent four hours at Burleigh-Uptown Rd . making hand counts ® Mr . Kroohs also noted that the speed limit request for the Northeast area is being actively pursued by the DOT . Mrs . Holcomb stated that there will be no decision on the open® ing or closing of Sandra Place or Burleigh Drive until at least June 21st , 1974 , DISCUSSION OF PRIORITIES FOR REVENUE SHARING MONIES , SURPLUS FUNDS , ETC . Mrs . Holcomb stated that this discussion is a result of a Town Board meeting at which they decided to call a public informational meeting on the 10th of June , 1974 , for input on , priorities . Mrs . Carol Sisler is present this evening as a representative of Historic Ithaca and will present a proposal which was received in the Town Office today . Mrs . Holcomb outlined the proposal by stating that the second floor of the Clinton House can be altered to meet the needs of the Town of Ithaca at an annual rental cost of approximately $ 3 . 50 per sq . ft . with a ten-year lease with the option to renew . She also pointed out that the lease would have a clause in it whereby at the end of three years there may be a cost of living increase . The quarters can be designed and renovated at Historic Ithaca ° s expense exactly as the Town would want them , with the exception of the installation of the vault and air conditioning . At this point , Mrs . Sisler made a formal presentation to the Planning Board with plans and ideas for implemen- tation . At the end of the presentation , Mrs . Holcomb pointed out that this is a new approach to the Town Hall question . We have not con- sidered renting on a long term basis because of the taxes involved , but there would be no taxes involved in this particular building . Mr . Slack wondered how much space we have in the present office as opposed to the approximately 4 , 500 sq . ft . proposed in the Clinton House . He was told approximately 1 , 850 sq . ft . Continuing on with the discussion of priorities , Mrs . Holcomb pointed out that the list is not limited to those on the Agenda , i . e . , town hall , parks and recreation , fire protection , police protection , mass transit and highways . She noted that there will be approximately $ 280 , 000 . 00 of revenue sharing money coming in over the next three years . The first two years of revenue sharing money has gone to Bolton Point . There is also a small surplus from mortgage tax payments . 0 - Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 5 ® May 21 , 1974 Mr . Herbert Mahr stated that he had not had time to prepare a presentation like Historic Ithaca has done tonight . . Mr . Christianson went over the list of priorities as noted on the agenda . 1 . Highways - in his opinion do not deserve a place in this type of discussion . To do what is needed requires much more money than what we have . 2 . Police protection Q should be something permanent and as part of taxes . You can equip and start it with this kind of money . 3 . Fire protection e would be impractical on a Town basis because of the type of Town we have with all the hills , Would have to have three fire stations , 4 . Parks and recreation represent a good possibility for the amount of money we have and yet , Mr . Christianson felt that we are well endowed with parks and recreation facilities , 5 . Town Hall - not having to live in it , but by being at meetings , he felt that the Town Hall concept or relocation of headquarters is a one- shot deal and deserves some very serious consideration . 6 . Mass transit � it would seem to him that the Town would be getting involved in what is almost a superhuman project . There are so many miles to cover . There is no real centre of the Town , Mrs . Holcomb said that she felt that this kind of money -- revenue sharing , mortgage money , Bolton Point refunds -- should not be used for on-going costs , but for one time costs such as acquisition of land for parks . As far as police goes , cars could be purchased and equipment from surplus monies , but operation is an on-going cost . Mr . Scannell stated that he agreed with Mr . Christianson and further stated that he feels that the time has to come when the Town gets smart and starts combining facilities with the City of Ithaca . It was his opinion that a separate fire service would be a waste of funds . Building a new Town Hall is again throwing money away . Mr . Scannell said he would rather see a new Town Barn . Equipment for police pro- tection would be great . Mr . Scannell said that he would like to see the money used for recreation . He disagreed that we have enough parks . He felt that the Town should obtain new lands . He felt that mass transit is something that we have to come to , but the money we have is not enough . Mr . Kroohs said that he felt that there would probably be money coming from Washington for mass transit in the future , Mrs . Holcomb felt that it was an accepted fact that mass transit does not support itself . The discussion was ended at this point by the Chairwoman , ' ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared that the meeting was adjourned at 10 : 10 p . m . and stated that the next Planning Board meeting will be June 4 , 1974 . Priorities will be on the Agenda for that meeting also . Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 6 � May 21 , 1974 • Mr . Cowan asked that the Planning Board members remain for an Executive Session . Respectfully submitted , Nancy M . Fuller , Secretary , • ��`OWN OF IWACA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the. 1 Planting Board of the Town 6f Ithaca will hold a Public„ Hearing at the Town Offices, 108 East Green Street (third floor), Ithaca, New York, on Tuesday, May 21, 1974, at 8: 00 p.m. for the j purpose of considering final approval on Lots 2 thru 14, Block 2, and, Lots 2 thru 12, Block 1, which lots constitute the remaining portions of the St. Catherine Subdivision, and to hear all pers� —` or against such approval. By Order of the Chairwoman of the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca Edward L. Bergen Dated : May 15, 1974 Town Clerk Publish: May 17 , l8, 20, 1974 t I .w AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING TOWN CLERK ' S OFFICE ITHACA , N . Yo I , Edward L . Bergen being duly 9 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 , ( Ithaca Journal ) Notice of Public Hearing by the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca on May 21 , 1974 at 8 : 00 p . m . for the purpose of considering final approval on Lots 2 thru 14 , Block 2 , and Lots 2 thru 12 , Block 1 , which lots constitute the remaining portions of the St . Catherine Subdivision , and to hear all persons for or against such La( atoivon 'of sign board used for postingo Entrance to Town Offices at 108 E . Green Street ( third floor ) , Ithaca , New York Date of Posting ; May 17 , 18 , 20 , 1974 Date of Publication ; May 17 , 18 , 20 , 1974 Edward L . Bergen Town Clerk Town of Ithaca State of New York County of Tompkins SS ® Town of Ithaca Sworn to before me this 17th day of May , 19 74 0 NOTARY JOISU l A . RUN, B L E Nct r} Public, Sa c of Ncw York i�n111PI, i ! l Conr. ty TOWN OF ITHACA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca will hold - a Public Hearing at the Town Offices , 108 East Green Street ( third floor ) , Ithaca , New York , on Tuesday , May 21 , 1974 , at 8 : 00 p . m . for the purpose of considering final approval on Lots 2 thru 14 , Block 2 , and , Lots 2 thru 12 , Block 1 , which lots constitute the remaining portions of the St . Catherine Subdivision , and to hear all persons for or against such approval . By Order of the Chairwoman of • the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca Edward L . Bergen Town Clerk Dated . May 15 , 1974 Publish : May 17 , 18 , 20 , 1974 . :l