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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1974-06-04 li TOTRNT OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD REGULAR MEETING JUNE 4 , 1974 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca was held on Tuesday , June 4 , 1974 , in the Town of Ithaca Offices at . 108 East Green Street , Ithaca , New York , at 7 : 30 p . m . PRESENT : Chairwoman Barbara Holcomb , Jack Lowe , Robert Scannell, Daniel Baker , Arnold Albrecht , Sam Slack , Robert Christianson , Reynolds Metz ( Zoning Officer ) , ABSENT : Maurice Harris , ALSO PRESENT : Prof . Richard Fischer , Mrs . Beverly Livesay , Mrs . Carol Sisler , Mr . Greenspan of Open House , other citizens of the Town and members of the press and radio . The Meeting was opened by the Chair at 7 : 35 p . m . REPORT OF ZONING OFFICER 1 . Mr . Metz presented for the Board ' s opinion a proposal by Mr . Carl Root of 336 Forest Home Drive , Parcel # 66 - 3 ® 4 , a lot with 3421 frontage on Forest Home Drive with a depth of 1121 at its deepest point narrowing down to 501 depth . There exists on this lot a house which is toward the West and rental building which lies towards the east or pointed part of this triangular shaped lot . Mr . Root would like to divide the lot and sell the house and move himself into the rental building . The area is zoned R® 30 . Mr . Scannell , Mr . Christianson and Mr . Slack voiced the opinion that there is no possible way that this lot could be divided legally . The consensus of the Board , which was transmitted to Mr . Metz , is that because the lot is only approximately 18 , 000 sq . ft . and the present zoning requires 30 , 000 sq . ft . for a legal lot , there is no way this lot can be divided into two . 2 . With reference to a lot owned by Mr . Frederick Crass , 646 Coddington Road , Mr . Metz stated that there had been an error on the tax map # 49 which was made in 1960 in that the lot owned by Mr . Crass and one other lot were shown as part of the larger parcel # 49 - 126 . Lots 49 - 1 - 12 . 2 and 49 - 1 - 12 . 3 are the two lots not shown on the map . The lots are 2 . 4 acres and 1 . 5 acres respectively with 801 and 501 frontage on Coddington Road , i . e . , they both have access to Coddington Road , Mr . Crass is requesting a building . permit for a house on his lot . The Planning Board noted that there must be Health Department approval for the septic system and also as long as they meet side yard requirements , rear lot line requirements , etc . , there is , in their opinion , no problem in Mr . Metz granting the building permit . t 3 . Re Mr . Louis Webster , 1039 Taughannock Blvd . This parcel has 751 Lake frontage and 1401 on Route 89 , Mr . Webster wants to remodel a barn which exists on the property close to Taughannock Blvd . and make it suitable for living quarters . There also exists on the property the original house nearer the lake front which has four Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 2 - June 4 , 1974 students living in it . There are approximately 37 , 000 sq . ft . in the parcel . The parcel is in an R- 15 zone . Mrs . Holcomb read from Section 68 of the Zoning Ordinance refer - ring to buildings on a lot which seems to be unclear as to number of residences on one lot . Mrs . Holcomb suggested that Mr . Metz contact the Health Department and ask them if they would approve two resi - dences on that particular lot . It was the general consensus that a decision in this matter is not the province of the Planning Board . REVISED LANDSCAPING PLAN FOR ELLIS HOLLOW ELDERLY HOUSING Mrs . Holcomb presented a letter dated May 23 , 1974 , from Mr . Carl Wren of Empire Pipeline Corp . ( See copy attached to the Official Minutes of this Meeting ) . The members of the Planning Board looked at the new landscape plan and the one submitted to the Board on September 25 , 1973 . The original plan called for barberry at the entrance way and Mr . Scannell did not approve of the use of this sharp thorned bush adjacent to an entrance . Mr . Scannell felt that they could use Vibernum along the entrance way . Mr . Scannell also noted a misnomer for vinca minor ( periwinkle ) - the plan calls it vinca major . He noted that they have chosen to use Norway maples along Ellis Hollow Road and felt that there could be a much better choice . Norway maples are very dense and will cause large bare spots underneath them . He noted that the silver maples are still in and he had suggested red oaks since silver maples are brittle . They could use pin oaks but they are very difficult to grow in this area because of the type of root . Sugar maples would be okay in Mr . Scannell ' s opinion instead of silver maple . However , Mr . Scannell did say that they had added the shrubbery he suggested and the maples even though they used Norway maples . Mrs . Holcomb said that she will write a letter to Mr . Carl Wren incorporating the comments of Mr . Scannell , EAST ITHACA PLAZA PLANTING STRIP Mrs . Holcomb asked Mr . Scannell if it would be possible to put in the Judd Falls planting strip now or should the Board wait until the fall . Mr . Scannell stated that it is possible to plant now - Cornell is planting through July , but the ideal time is next spring . Mr . Scannell firmly recommended that if the Planning Board contracts for planting now , we require that the firm maintain the plantings for one year from installation date . DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SIGHT DISTANCE REGULATIONS AT INTERSECTIONS Mrs . Holcomb said that Mr . Robert Scannell had made a suggestion that it would be well at this time to extract that part of the proposed zoning ordinance referring to sight distance regulations and enact it as a local law . She noted that the Town Board is holding a Public Hearing on Monday , June 10 , 1974 , to discuss this proposed local law . Mrs . Holcomb presented the proposed ordinance establishing sight distance regulations which has been lifted in essence totally from the Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 3 - June 4 , 1974 proposed zoning ordinance beginning on page 93 of that ordinance . The proposal before the Board has been prepared by Mr . Buyoucos . ( See copy ® attached to the Minutes of this Meeting . ) After some discussion of this proposed local law and the noting of an apparent omission of a few words in the typing of it , it was determined that the Planning Board would urge the Town Board enact this proposed ordinance as a local law immediately . MOTION by Mr . Robert Christianson , seconded by Mr . Sam Slack : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca strongly recommends that the Town Board adopt as a Local Law , the ordinance as prepared by Mr . James Buyoucos entitled , "An Ordinance Establishing Sight Distance Regulations at Intersections of Streets in the Town of Ithaca " , as presented to the Planning Board on June 4 , 1974 , except that the wording from " in excess of 36 inches . . . . " in the first paragraph must be clarified to read essentially as it appears in the proposed zoning ordinance . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Holcomb , Lowe , Scannell , Baker , Albrecht , Slack , Christianson . Nay - None . The Motion was declared to be carried unanimously . DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED REVISION OF NO PARKING ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE NO PARKING ON SHOULDERS OF THE ROAD IN DESIGNATED AREAS , Mrs . Holcomb reported to the Board that the existing No Parking Ordinance of the Town of Ithaca refers only to parking on the pavement but at this point in time the Planning Board sees the need in certain designated areas for no parking regulations directly referring to shoulders of road also . e . g . , Snyder Hill Road , Buttermilk Falls Road , parts of Coddington Road , etc . The Planning Board approved in concept this change in the " No Parking Ordinance " and Mrs . Holcomb will so report to the Town Board , on Monday , June 10 , 1974 . CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF TOWN PRIORITIES AS RELATED TO REVENUE SHARING AND SURPLUS MONEY . The results of this discussion will be presented to the Town Board on June 10 , 1974 . Mrs . Holcomb said that it had been determined by the Planning Board that surplus money or revenue sharing money should be used for purposes which are not recurring , i . e . , it should be used for certain one time expenses such as acquisition of land , acquisition of a build- ing , equipment , etc . The members of the Planning Board have had time to think about this question of which expenses should be given priority in order to make a proposal to the Town Board , Mr . Slack stated that the East Ithaca Town Association had met last week and discussed priorities . Mr . Richard Fischer was present at that meeting and is present tonight . Mr . Slack would like to hear from Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 4 - June 4 , 1974 Prof . Fischer , Prof . Fischer stated that there were 20 people present at the East Ithaca Town Assoc . meeting , Only one person present was in favor , however , ranking it as # 3 choice , of the building of a new Town Hall . However , everyone present felt that renting a part of Clinton House was a very good idea since it is a public , historical building and should be supported . The strongest support , however , was for the money to be spent for parks and recreation . This was followed closely by support for the area of human services , e . g . , rehabilitative services . There was some support for mass transit , There was weak support for police protection or highway improvement . There was no support for a Town fire department . Mr . Scannell asked in what sense was there strong support for parks and recreation and Mr . Fischer stated that it was in the area of park acquisition . He noted that there is still a need for the develop - ment of the Eastern Heights Park and a real need for a baseball field in that area . Mrs . Holcomb wondered if there existed an area of land flat enough in the proposed Eastern Heights Park on the North side of Snyder Hill Road for a baseball field . Mr . Fischer stated that there was and Mr . Lowe agreed that there are approximately 22 acres there back from the road . Mrs . Livesay referred to the 5 acre parcel which had been discussed at the time of the approval of Phase II of Eastern Heights Subdivision . This is along the west boundary of the 22 acre parcel mentioned above and adjacent to an existing hedgerow - the boundary of this 22 acre parcel and Cornell Unviersity land to the west . She felt this is flat enough for a baseball park . She noted that Eastern Heights has not dedicated all the parkland they should have anyway . Mr . Lowe noted that the drainage there is not good . Mrs . Holcomb asked Mr . Fischer about the reaction to the proposal for a Town Hall , Mr . Fischer stated that there had been no support for building a new town hall . Mrs . Holcomb asked if it were pointed out that if the Town rents space the citizens would have a tax charge but if the Town builds and owns their own building it is tax exempt and it is a one time expense . Mr . Fischer said that this had not been discussed . It was felt , however , that it would be a good use of public money to support a concept like the Clinton House . It was very strongly felt that a central location is the very best place for the Town Hall , It was suggested at this meeting that the Town buy Boardman House , Mrs . Sisler commented that parking there for staff would be a problem . Referring to parking , Prof . Fischer said that parking had been discussed at their meeting with the following two con- clusions 1 . When is parking a problem for Town Board meetings since they are late in the day or in the evening ? 2 . There was concern about paving over more area when we might not need to do so , Mr . Fischer noted that two quite elderly couples attending this Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 5 - June 4 , 1974 meeting had stated that they could see no problem in parking so as to do business at the Clinton House since the parking ramp is so close by . . Mrs . Holcomb asked that there be a clarification of what the townspeople meant by applying surplus money or revenue sharing money to human services since there are some things that Towns cannot do in 0. this area . Mrs . Livesay replied that some specific areas wereo 1 . Youth services , e . g . , a ball field or community area where children of working parents who come home and no one is there could go . A sort of neighborhood place where they could go with a youth worker in attendance . 2 . No interest really ( 4th place vote by 3 people ) in police protec - tion . If money were spent in this area it should be in cooperation with the County , i . e . , an additional sheriff or two , 3 . No support whatever for a separate fire department - should be in cooperation with the City Fire Department , Mrs . Holcomb asked if it would be fair to say that if a proposal were made to increase fire protection in the Town by establishing a volunteer fire department for the Town , this would not be a prime con- cern ? Would there be anybody who would want to increase the payments to the City ? Mrs . Livesay said yes to both questions . It was dis - cussed and it was agreed that the Town would need at least three fire stations , one for each hill so further support of the City would be a better deal . Mrs . Holcomb commented that it might be true that if the Town used the revenue sharing money the Town might be able to go the route of having 3 stations built and equipped and run a volunteer unit and not spend as much money as supporting the City fire department . Mr . Greenspan who was present at this Planning Board meeting as a representative of " Open House " located on East Buffalo Street , stated that Open House had heard about the Town ' s surplus money and their interest in areas of Human Services , Open House represents about 50 persons and has been funded by the State under the drug abuse program . He stated that they would like to prepare a proposal for the Town Board for support money since their funds had been cut back and would appreciate direction and recommendations from the Planning Board , Mrs . Holcomb said that it was assumed on her part that human services of this sort were on the County level . She stated that she would re -read the revenue sharing data and see what is allowed on the Town level . It had been her understanding that the Yough Bureau is the only human service which the Town contributes to . The Yough Bureau is run by the City of Ithaca and the Town contributes $ 16 , 000 . 00 to their budget . Mr . Greenspan stated that Open House makes their proposals to the County and then they approve it and then it goes to the State . The County gives Open House the money allocated to them and then is reimbursed by the State . Mr . Scannell asked Mr . Greenspan what they had in mind for any money allocated . Mr . Greenspan stated that they did not have a pro posal ready at this time but could prepare one . He suggested some Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 6 - June 4 , 1974 operating expenses might be sought . Mr . Scannell stated that operating expenses probably would not be considered . Mr . Christianson said that the only kind of proposals that should be considered are capital ex- penditures of some kind - e . g . , a building . Mrs . Holcomb was firm in her opinion that human services of the above kind are done on the County level since they represent the entire County , not just the citizens of a particular town . Mr . Scannell stated that the Planning Board should check with the Town Attorney for his professional opinion as to whether the Town can support a project such as Open House , Mrs . Livesay was of the opinion that part of revenue sharing money can be used for human services which is the reason why the State funds have been cut in this area . She commented , however , that things have tended to be different here in Tompkins County because the County does so much . Mr . Lowe asked what Trumansburg does for police protection . Mrs . Holcomb said that the Village of Trumansburg has a contract with the Sheriff . Two men are delegated to the Village who pays their salary and provides a car on a day to day basis but they can be called in by the Sheriff if he needs them . Trumansburg does not use revenue sharing money for this service , it comes out of the tax dollar . Mr . Scannell felt that if the Town used a similar approach it should come out of tax money too . Mrs . Livesay could see no objection to using revenue sharing money on a project that is ongoing as long as people understand that that is the way it is . Mr . Lowe asked if there were a fire station built on West Hill , would that reduce the fire insurance rate . ( No answer was given ) . Mr . Baker stated that he knows there is a group of West Hill people looking into a volunteer fire department for that area . Mr . Lowe stated that he felt very strongly that there are some items such as fire protection , police protection or town hall that we are just going to have to face up to . Mr . Scannell agreed completely , except that he keeps hoping that we will eventually combine services with the City and other municipalities . It is ridiculous to duplicate services , in his opinion . He felt also that building a new town hall is ridiculous and that we would ultimately end up with a white elephant in 15 to 20 years . He felt that Clinton House would be very expensive . He felt strongly that the majority of the money should go to recreation . Mr . Christianson noted that with a 10 -year lease at Clinton House it would cost about $ 140 , 000 . 00 plus any increases . It might be $ 150 , 000 . 00 at the end of the 10 years without anything to show for it . Mrs . Livesay pointed out that out and out consolidation might not be the way to go either because as two separate entities the City and Town get more funding from the State and Federal governments . Mrs . Sisler stated that the rental figure previously quoted for Clinton House is $ 10 , 000 . 00 per year and not $ 14 , 000 . 00 and is still negotiable . On that note , the meeting was adjourned . Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 7 ® June 4 , 1974 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was declared adjourned at 10 : 20 p . m . Respectfully submitted , Nancy Mm Fuller , Secretary , TOWN OF ITHACA AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SIGHT DISTANCE REGULATIONS AT INTERSECTIONS OF STREETS IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA 1 . Intersection sight distance . To prevent any obstruc - tion of the sight of a motorist which would create a dangerous situation , no plant , tree , hedges , shrubbery , earthwork , build - ing or other structure or object , except as otherwise provided herein , may be planted , maintained , erected , or placed within the Sight Distance Triangle described below if said object is , or is expected to be , in excess of 36 inches in height above the center line at which the elevation is determined will be at the j intersection of the center line with aline which is perpendicular to the center line and which intersects the proposed object . A . Major and minor street definition . For the purposes of this ordinance only , the major street . . shall be that street with the highest speed limit . Where both streets have equal speed limits , the major street shall be that street which , when so designated , will be subject to the greatest requirements for sight distance as determined by the Town Board . The minor street shall be any street not designated a major street . The major street and minor street designations shall be determined independ - ently for each sight distance triangle calculated . B . Sight Distance Triangle description . Beginning at Point A , as found in the table set forth below , at the inter - section of the center line of the major street and the center line of the minor street , proceeding along the center line of the major street a distance Y , as found in Table A , below , to Point B ; then ® proceeding in a straight line to Point C on the center line of the minor street 60 feet from Point A measured along the center line of the minor street ; and then proceeding along the center line of the minor street to the point of beginning ( Point A ) . 1 r 2 C . In the case where the minor street is controlled by a stop sign or traffic signal , the 60 foot distance may be reduced to 50 feet . D . Tables . Table A Major Street Speed Limit Distance Y Less than 30 MPH 175 ' 30 - 39 MPH 265 ' 40 - 49 MPH 370 ' More than 49 MPH 400 ' i Table B This procedure shall be followed for all corners of - each intersection . Center Line I I I Pavement i Edge i 60 ' Minor Street I . Y ! Major Street 2 . This ordinance shall take effect immediately . - May 23 , 1974 Town of Ithaca Planning Board 108 East Green Street Ithaca , New York Attention : Ms . Barbara Holcomb Dear Barbara : I am enclosing herewith a copy of S / A drawing #A-02 revised October 19 , 1973 . This drawing reflects a considerable amount of positive changes from that submitted to the Board on September 25 , 1973 . For the record , it emphasizes ( to the best of my knowledge ) the suggestions of Robert Scannell , vis -a -vis the segmentation of the intercourt area into three subcourts with separate emphasis to each of the areas . There is one section which , at this time , is in the state of flux , and that encompasses the utilization of code items 1 and 2 . This results from the installation of a 3 - foot wide area of stone at these points to facilitate roof drainage and additionally to eliminate back splash on the siding . Quite conceivably , we will add some segments of items 4 and 15 to relieve these areas , With sincere good wishes , I remain ver7tru , arl Louis Wren CLW : mfh Encl .