HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1974-09-24 ' TOT47N OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
ADJOURNED MEETING
SEPTEMBER 24 , 1974
An adjourned meeting of a regular meeting of the Planning Board
held on September 17 , 1974 , was held on Tuesday , September 24 , 19740
in the Town of Ithaca Offices , 108 East Green Street , Ithaca , New York ,
at 7 : 30 p . m .
PRESENT : Chairwoman Barbara Holcomb , Robert Scannell , Maurice
Harris , Sam Slack , Jack Lowe , Daniel Baker , Robert Christianson ,
Lawrence Fabbroni ( Planning Engineer/ Zoning Officer ) , Reynolds Metz
(Assistant Zoning Officer ) .
ALSO PRESENT : Mr . Otto Schoenfeld , Mr . Alan Goodman of the
Ithaca Journal , Rober Payne , 2 Sandra Place , and 4 citizens .
The Chair called the adjourned meeting to order at 7 : 45 p . m .
DISCUSSION OF MR . OTTO SCHOENFELD ° S SUBDIVISION PROPOSALS - NORTHEAST
AREA OFF BURLEIGH DRIVE
Mrs . Holcomb declared that this is an adjourned meeting from
September 17 , 1974 , at which Mr . Schoenfeld agreed to wait until this
meeting to discuss his proposal further . Mrs . Holcomb pointed out that
Plans "A " and " B " are before the Planning Board now , but that Mr .
Schoenfeld has still another alternate plan that he would like to dis -
cuss at this meeting tonight .
Mr . Schoenfeld thought that we could call this third proposal
Plan " Ctt . He stated that he has a new plan because of reaction to
Plans "A " and " B " . Mr . Schoenfeld recalled that " A " and " B " were mo-
tivated because of the official Town map . Regional Planning wanted
Uptown Drive to go through , so he developed Plan " A " . The we had
reaction and we got " B " . Now Mr . Schoenfeld would like to have the
Planning Board look at Plan " C " which goes back somewhat to the original
plans . Plan " C " will bring the traffic in and loop it within the area
proposed to be developed and then brings it back out . It keeps all the
traffic within the Town of Ithaca . Mr . Schoenfeld felt that Plan " C "
has physical merits to it - - you can loop the water line and not dead-
end any water as the others require . Plan " C °1 calls for a cul-de- sac .
The other plans put some utilities in the back of the lots , but " C "
puts them in the street right of way . Mr . Schoenfeld stated that since
the Planning Board has not had an opportunity to study this new
approach , and since things have been delayed so long now , he would
suggest that the Planning Board members study Plan " C " and come back to
another meeting with him , Mr . Schoenfeld made brief reference to the
depth of the cul -de- sac . It could be measured at 4751 or it might be
575 ' if you include the circle . If it is determined to be 5751 a
variance might be requested for the 75 ® . However , Mr . Schoenfeld noted
that in his research he could not find the ruling for the depth of a
cul de sac .
Mr . Harris asked if the lots remain the same with Plan " C " . Mr .
Schoenfeld said they are the same number of lots . He further stated
that if Uptown Drive were ever put through , it would not affect this
Plan " C " .
Mr . Slack expressed concern that the proposed lots would have a
road at their back ( Uptown ) and a road on the front ( proposed ) .
Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 2 - September 24 , 1974
Mr . Scannell asked if there were any understanding or agreement
with the Mormon Church on these lots or roads being dead-ended . Mr .
Schoenfeld stated that there was not . He said that he told them that
the matter of streets was to be dependent upon the final decision of the
Planning Board . The streets he showed the representatives of the Church
were tentative streets . Mr . Schoenfeld stated that if the Planning
Board wants to take these three plans and include them in the decision
as to which one they like better , it might be well to do that .
Mr . Harris asked if we have given up hope that Uptown Road will
ever go through . Mrs . Holcomb said No , we have not .
Mr . Schoenfeld pointed out that with this plan we are getting back
to the original plan where the whole project was in the Town of Ithaca .
He outlined a brief background to the project .
Mr . Harris asked if the new County Graham Road proposal does not
take care of the problem of the Lansing Apartment area traffic by
channeling it thru the new signal lights onto Triphammer . Mr . Fabbroni
stated that that proposal does not seem to be feasible at this time .
The DOT has not accepted it .
Mr . Scannell stated that is is very clear in his mind what we
should do . He asked if a motion would be proper at this time or a
comment . Mrs . Holcomb asked him to comment . Mr . Scannell commented
that Plan " C " is so much more like the original plan that it is in
his mind to go back to it and further that he likes it much better than
" A " or " Bn
® Mr . Lowe stated that he agreed completely . It is very appealing
in view of the traffic , even if Uptown Road does go . He said he liked
it much better ,
Mr . Scannell stated that for a very long time the Planning Board
has tried very hard to help with problems in Lansing and Cayuga Heights
and has received very little cooperation .
Mr . Merle Lalonde from the floor requested that Mr . Fabbroni come
up to Winthrop Drive right now , at this moment , and look at the traffic .
He noted that he was late because he counted cars . There are 58 cars
parked there right now . There are four people on Sandra Place that live
on a cul de sac . The traffic on Winthrop Drive which houses many people
is hazardous .
Mrs . Holcomb noted at this point that this meeting is not a dis-
cussion of the opening or closing of Sandra Place . This portion of the
Subdivision stands on its own merits no matter what we do with Sandra
Place on the other side .
Mr . Roger Payne requested further clarification of this adjourned
meeting . He was informed that the future of Sandra Place will be dis -
cussed on October 1 , 1974 , by the Planning Board .
Mr . Lalonde stated then that this Plan " C " does not give a direct
access to the shopping centre . The other two plans do .
Mrs . Holcomb stated that it was clear that a consensus of the
Planning Board was in favor of Plan " C " . We will now consider Plan " C " .
Mrs . Holcomb noted that there is one technical question . The Planning
Board had a Public Hearing at which we saw Plans " A " and " B " . The
Town of Ithaca Planning Board 00300 September 24 , 1974
question is - - is this Plan " C " substantially different ?
It was asked if another public hearing is needed now 0000 one on
final approval .
Mr . Scannell stated that he did not see Plan " C " as a substantial
change .
Mr . Harris commented that in fairness to the public in the area ,
it should be presented since it is not " A " or " B " .
Mr . Scannell asked Mr . Schoenfeld what his time schedule is . Mr .
Schoenfeld said that he did have some committments , but that he would
give the Planning Board the time that they need . He stated further
that he felt that Plan " C °' is less offensive to anyone but still allows
for the opening of Uptown Drive . He felt that this should pacify some
people . Mr . Scannell stated that the reason for his question was that
Mr . Schoenfeld would have to prepare plans for public hearing at the
preliminary level .
Mr . Slack said he favored public hearing on the preliminary level .
There followed a further discussion of Plan " C " .
Mr . Slack presented the question of a walkway through this new
development to Sandra Place . Mrs . Holcomb thought that a discussion of
walkways , parks , etc . , would be prudent at this point . Mr . Slack said
that he did not think that Mr . Schoenfeld has given any park land . Mrs .
Holcomb pointed out that he had never been requested to do so . There
followed a discussion of a possible area for a recreation area since
his previous subdivision approvals were discussed at a time when the
Town Board was unwilling to accept park land .
Mr . Scannell said that he liked Mr . Slack ' s suggestion of a
walkway . There followed a discussion of a possible walkway through
Sandra Place to get to school . Mr . Slack noted that these types of
areas become a problem as to maintenance . Mrs . Holcomb asked if there
were a consensus of the Board as to whether we should continue discus -
sion for a walkway . Mr . Scannell stated that it was his opinion that
this discussion should come up at a public hearing . This point was
agreed upon by the Board .
MOTION by Mr . Maurice Harris , seconded by Mr . Robert Scannell :
RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca will hold
a Public Hearing at the Town Offices , 108 East Green Street , Ithaca ,
New York , for the purpose of considering preliminary approval of a
third alternate plan , known as " C " , for the development of the remain-
ing land of Otto Schoenfeld , north of Burleigh Drive in the Town of
Ithaca , at 7 : 30 p . m . on Tuesday , October 15 , 1974 -
There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote .
Aye - Holcomb , Scannell , Harris , Slack , Lowe , Baker , Christianson .
Nay v None .
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously .
ADJOURNMENT
The Meeting was adjourned upon Motion at 8 : 30 p . m .
A
Town of Ithaca Planning Board September 24 , 1974
NEXT MEETINGS
The Planning Board will meet on October 1st , 1974 , to discuss
the proposed Chapel on the Ithaca College Campus and to discuss the
Planning Board recommendation to the Town Board on the opening or
closing of Sandra Place ,
The Planning Board will then meet on October 15th for the
Shcoenfeld Public Hearing and to work on the proposed zoning ordinance .
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Planning Board retired into Executive Session until 10 : 00 p . m .
Respectfully submitted ,
Nancy Me Fuller , Secretary ,