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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1975-02-18 TOTQ7N OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD FEBRUARY 18 , 1975 The Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca met on Tuesday , February 18 , 1975 , at 7 : 30 p . m . in the Town of Ithaca Office , 108 East Green Street , Ithaca , New York , PRESENT : Chairwoman Barbara P . Holcomb , Robert Scannell , Liese Bronfenbrenner , Sam Slack , Robert Christianson , Richard Black , Lawrence Fabbroni ( Planning Engineer/Building Inspector ) ® ABSENT and EXCUSED : Maurice Harris , Daniel Baker , ALSO PRESENT : David Cassel , J . Brinkerhoff , G . Kirchgessner , H . Mahr , Mr . and Mrs . J . Novak , Roger Battistella , Nancy Krook , Richard Fischer , E . Phillips , Mr . and Mrs . J . Sullivan , Kenneth Strike , Beverly Livesay , Lorraine McCue , Eva Hoffmann , Paul Hartman , Brad Kalbfeld ( WTKO ) . APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Mrs , Barbara Holcomb , seconded by Mr . Sam Slack : RESOLVED , that Planning Board Minutes of November 5 , 1974 , November 19 , 1974 , and December 3 , 1974 , be approved as submitted . Aye - Holcomb , Slack , Christianson . Abstain - Scannell , Bronfenbrenner , Black , OCarried . REPORT OF PLANNING ENGINEER Mr . Fabbroni reported that he is making progress on the zoning ordinance . He also reported that there are several problem areas apart from the zoning ordinance that he is working on . TRAFFIC HAZARD NOTED Mr . Slack reported that he had been down by the Millbrook Bakery where the site of the grocery store is that the Planning Board approved ( Bell ' s ) , He stated that he felt there was a very bad traffic hazard there . WALKERS FROM ELLIS HOLLOW ELDERLY HOUSING PROJECT Mrs . Holcomb wished to discuss the problem of people in Ellis Hollow Elderly Housing. walking along the side of the road ( Ellis Hollow Road ) in order to get to the shopping center . There followed a discussion of the possibility of a walkway over to the shopping center . Mr . Fabbroni thought that there could be a culvert pipe in- stalled over the drainage stream between the apartments and the shop ping center or a bridge- like structure over it , Mr . Black thought that a light-weight bridge might be as cheap as a culvert pipe . Mr . Scannell asked who is going to do it and whose responsibility for maintenance is it ? Mrs . Holcomb stated that she would think that it might be the Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 2 - February 18 , 1975 Town ' s responsibility , She further stated that she had talked to Ben Boynton and he thought they might give us a temporary easement . Mr . . Black added that it would be simple to bridge across from the parking lot of the shopping center over to the parking lot of the Elderly Housing where it is high and dry . Mr . Christianson asked if the Planning Board said at the time of the approval by the Planning Board that the access should be put in by the developer , Mr . Slack said there is no problem once you get the people to the parking lot . There is also a big dirt pile there that could be used to make a walkway , Mrs . Holcomb stated that the Planning Board has a meeting on March 4th before the next Town Board meeting which is March 10th , Mrs . Holcomb will check on whose responsibility it is for the walkway . Mr . Slack stated that he did not think he will be able to attend the Plan- ning Board meeting on March 4 , 1975 . REPORT OF COUNTY PLANNING BOARD Mrs . Holcomb reported that the Department of Environmental Con ® servation will have in effect on April 1 , 1975 , a new land mining ordinance which requires State permits for extraction of sand , gravel , ore , etc . , for companies that move more than 1 , 000 tons in 12 consecu- tive months , It is the Planning Board ' s thinking that we will incor porate this State control as the main part of our Environmental Protec� tion Ordinance but will enlarge ours to cover also those of less than ' 1 , 000 tons a year . The problem of oil and gas drilling is not covered . This is a problem that we cannot ignore . Under our zoning ordinance we do not mention oil and gas drilling at all as a permitted use . If it is not specifically named it is not allowed , so at least we do have some protection , REQUEST OF ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BURY A FUEL TANK ON SCHOOL BUS DEPOT PROPERTY Mr . Ruggles did not appear as scheduled , PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION WITH MR , STEIN ® STEIN BUILDERS , RE EASTERN HEIGHTS 'PARK The Secretary reported that Mr . Stein ° s office had called to report that Mr . Stein was ill and would not be present . OPEN DISCUSSION WITH EAST ITHACA TOWN ASSOCIATION RE PRESENT PROBLEMS AND FUTURE NEEDS OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD . Mr . David Cassel , President , East Ithaca Town Association and several citizens from that area were present . Mrs . Holcomb stated that the Planning Board would like to hear about any problems in East Ithaca and any solutions that they might have . She noted that the dis� cussion is not limited to roads and traffic . ® Mr . Cassel then passed out sheets of questions and problems and solutions as had been compiled by the East Ithaca Town Assoc . The papers were read by the people in attendance and the members of the Planning Board . ( See attachment to the Official Minutes ) . Town of Ithaca Planning Board - - • q 3 February 18 , 1975 Mrs . Holcomb said that she had some questions . She referred to Page 21 paragraph 2 and asked Mr . Fabbroni to reply to the following .& ® " We support the efforts to improve the safety of children who go from the Maple Avenue Apartments to Belle Sherman School . If pedestrian lanes are gained by covering drainage ditches in that area , they might serve as a model for other parts of our area . Perhaps the roads leading into the East Hill Plaza could be the next step . Here the interference with residences would be minimal and pedestrian traffic to the shopping center would be safer . After some experience in this area the idea could be extended to residential areas , if there is widespread agreement on its utility and feasibility . Certainly if past experience is to be our guide , residents living along a road ti that is to be improved in this manner must be involved in early stages of the planning . " Mr . Fabbroni outlined the steps under way for solution of the Mitchell Street walk problem . He stated that he has done a mini- study and has come up with four alternatives . One of these alternatives appeared as the most feasible way to go . Place pipe in a ditch on the north side of Ellis Hollow Road and bring it to the City line . This ditch would then be covered to provide a walkway from the north side to the south side of Ellis Hollow Road where there is already a sidewalk in the City . This recommendation was passed along by the Town Board to Mr . Howard Stevenson , Highway Commissioner . Also an area-wide speed limit should be installed in the area bounded by Route 79 , Route 366 , City line and Town of Dryden line . The requested speed limit would be 35 m . p . h . for all those roads in the area such ® as Pine Tree , Snyder Hill , Maple Avenue , etc , A person suggested that Route 79 be a 35 m . p . h . zone , Mrs . Holcomb noted that it is very difficult to get a State route to be 35 m . p . h . We hope that the area speed limit itself works . There is certainly no guarantee . Mr . Fabbroni said that what has happened now is to sit down with Howard Stevenson and Bill Mobbs and work out the details of constructing the walkway . Several suggestions have been made as to shared responsibility . There would be a wide shoulder to enable plowing , Mrs . Holcomb also noted that it has been recommended that the Town establish a no parking zone from the City line to the Judd Falls Road and Pine Tree Road intersections on both sides of the road , in order to keep cars off the area that one might walk on , particularly in the area around Koppers . This will be added to our no parking ordinance in the Town . However , it will not be effective until the signs are installed which may be some time yet . Mrs . Holcomb questioned page 3 , paragraph 5 which reads .& " There are several particularly dangerous intersections in our area , the corners of Honness Lane - Route 79 , the corners at the East Hill Plaza , and the Judd Falls - Route 79 intersection . what can we do to improve them? Can we start with stop signs or traffic lights , or must our only solution begin with cutting down trees and digging into yards ? " With reference to the dangerous intersection at Honness Lane and Route 79 , Mrs . Holcomb noted that the approval for Eastwood Commons involved a drainage ditch to the Route 79 intersection . The agreement was that the Town would put in the ditch pipe underground and widen the ditch . That was supposed to be done last summer but the Bolton Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 4 - February 18 , 1975 Point water line was supposed to go in there so the project was de- layed . The Bolton Point line has been moved and this project will be on the agenda for next summer . We wanted the State to continue under ® grounding the ditch along Slaterville Road to the City line but they are opposed to undergrounding ditches . Mr . Cassel stated that you simply cannot see when you are coming down Honness Lane on to Slaterville Road . Mr . Fabbroni asked if it is high weeds or the bank that causes the problem , Mr . Cassel said that it is the high bank . Mr . Cassel said that one thing that might help is trying to do something about traffic control , such as a 35 m . p . h . speed limit on that part of Route 79 near Honness Lane , He pointed out that the people in the East Ithaca area would like to find " non- construction " solutions to traffic problems . Mr . Fabbroni pointed out the East Hill Plaza corner as being a " non- construction " type of improvement where the County work on the corner has been helpful . Mrs . Holcomb commented on the suggestion that perhaps developers complete environmental parts of agreements before occupancy . One can require people to post a bond so that items not done can be done by the Town . Mrs . Holcomb also commented on the suggestion that the Town should be very conservative in rezoning or granting variances in the direction of higher density residential or commercial development . We are developing a concept of density zoning by neighborhood for the new zoning ordinance . The area represented by the people present here is the East Ithaca neighborhood , Within that neighborhood the Planning Board intent is a mixture of dwellings with a limit to the number of " high density " to a proportion of low density . The intent is to have also a commercial center for each neighborhood - East Ithaca has theirs already in place . Mr . Fabbroni wished to comment on item 1 on page 4 which reads : " Drainage from Eastern Heights seems to be a perennial problem . " He said that he has been looking at Eastern Heights Subdivision on lower Tudor Road as far as flooding , He has been looking at that for six months . Check dams have been put in and seem to be functioning well , Mr . Cassel stated that these comments came from people not in Eastern Heights . They are from people on Slaterville Road and the up-hill side of Pine Tree Road . They have water in their basements and general run-off increase since Eastern Heights has been built . Mr . Cassel reported that it has been suggested that no more units should go in there until this situation is cleared up . Mr . Fabbroni said that one of the problems that exists is how you quantify it . The water that they get in their basements is coming along the top layer of the rock and is under the ground and not identifiab le on top of the ground . The Marion ditch seems to be functioning well . He has a ditch which carries a lot of water from Eastern Heights Subdivision Section 1 and down Mr . Marion ' s property . The people ' s problem on Pine Tree Road is probably coming from the Marion property . For the remainder of Eastern Heights , whoever develops it , the Town Board has taken a hard line . They have never resolved the question of draining the remainder of their upper subdivision . Stein Builders may back off because they ® are inheriting a problem that the developer never took care of . Mr . Ken Strike who lives on lower Tudor Road asked what is the status of Circle Lane development . He pointed out that a Swale was cut along behind two properties and then does a gradual turn to go over to the drainage course through Marion ' s property . The way the Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 5 - February 18 , 1975 lots are divided on the plot plan it would be very difficult to build there . He noted that he would be the prime recipient of the • water . He asked Mr . Fabbroni if he were aware of the swale . Mr . Fabbroni said that he was aware of the swale . Mr . Fabbroni said that he understood that the swale was deepened after the flood in 1972 ® Mr . Strike said that there was not anything to deepen out . They came in with a bulldozer and cut a Swale . If one built a house on it one would have to interdict the Swale . Mr . Elmer Phillips said that he has pictures of the rain falling there . The whole hillside is very peculiar as to its water content and release . Mrs . Livesay also pointed out that she had provided pictures of springs popping up out of the ice sheets . Mrs . Holcomb wished to comment on Item 2 on page 4 which reads . " The road lighting at the entrance to Eastwood Commons is apparently excessive and disturbing to neighbors on Honness Lane . " She asked if it is the one within Eastwood Commons ? It is . Mr . Cassel said that this kind of problem seems to be capable of a technical solution . Mrs . Livesay said that also the light on Honness Lane is a problem - - so there are two lights . Mr . Fabbroni discussed a shielding arrangement . Mrs . Livesay stated that what really hurts is that there is another light on Honness Lane that is not lighting an intersection yet , Mrs . Holcomb commented on Item 3 , page 4 which reads : " The second entrance road for Eastwood Commons is left in an unfinished state . " She stated that that is intentional - - it will be the second intersection . Mr . Cassel was hoping that a way could be found to finish it a little more for the people who live next to it . Mrs . Holcomb commented on Item 4 , page 4 which reads : " Street lighting at the entrance to the Mahle Avenue Apartments is apparently inadequate . " She noted that no lighting exists . The Town places lights at intersections of public roads . If additional lighting is needed such as the intersection of Coddington Road and the entrance to Ithaca College , street lights were put in there and paid for by Ithaca College . Also lights were put in at Pleasant Grove Apartments and Hasbrouck at Cornell ° s expense . Eastwood Commons lighting is paid for by Eastwood Commons . Maple Avenue Apartments road is a private road . Mrs , Holcomb suggested that Maple Avenue Apartments could be asked to form a lighting district . The Civic Association should approach Maple Avenue Apartments owners and then they come to the Town Board to set up a lighting district . With reference to Item 5 , page 4 which reads < " The Maple Avenue residents feel that the snow removal is not adequate . Have the snow removal and other road maintenance routines reflected the increased use of Maple Avenue ? " Mr . Fabbroni stated that he will mention the Maple Avenue snow plowing to Mr . Parkin , the Town Highway Superinten- dent . Mr . Elmer Phillips said that he thought that Maple Avenue is a school bus route and should be plowed early , Mr . Fabbroni commented on Item 6 , page 4 which reads ° " Nearly two years after the FBC went out of business we still have their sign , which was never considered an asset to the community . " He stated that letters have , gone out from the Zoning Officer to FBC which is Kennilworth and Kennilworth is in financial difficulty . The letters keep coming back undelivered . We just cannot get to the right person . F Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 6 ® February 18 , 1975 We threatened to just take it down . Mr . Gallagher of Gallagher Real Estate is helping out now and he will attempt to take care of it . We hope to do something in the next month , Mrs . Krrok stated that the parking lot at the Plaza has not been cleaned of accumulated trash since the Family Bargain Center went out of business . The fields grow wild and uncut . It is an aesthetic wasteland . No bus has been provided for the elderly either . At the time of approval for the elderly apartments it was very clear that a bus was going to be provided . How do you enforce your zoning regula® tions ? Mrs . Krook referred to the Pichel residence on the corner of Pine Tree Road and Slaterville Road which she called a disaster area covered with garbage and junk including a coffee table on the roof . Mr . Fabbroni said that one of the purposes of this meeting is to find out things like Mrs . Krook referred to . As far as the parking lot and surrounding lands at the Plaza go , Mr . Fabbroni said that he has been on the Barnes ' property and was not aware of the huge piles of garbage referred to . Mr . Fabbroni said that he has also been checking on Pichel and from the cars that he has seen there he has no substantiation of excessive occupants . The problem of dogs and gar - bage which existed last year was understood to have ceased with the new tenants in the Fall . He also noted that he is somewhat hampered by the present zoning ordinance since the Pichel property cannot be established as a junk yard . Mr . Fabbroni suggested that Mrs . Krook call the Health Department , Mr . Cassel noted that the push that generated this approach to the East Ithaca Town Association by the Planning Board was originally road and traffic problems . Traffic is considered to be a serious issue in the East Ithaca area . The main traffic problem that the people see is the traffic of people , trucks and gravel trucks going through the area , i . e . , the thru traffic problem . He outlined some of the solution : that have been talked about . The by-pass road was proposed . Some people on Pine Tree Road thought that this would be a good idea also . But they now seek an alternative solution to construction . There is a strong feeling that solutions should not be found by making new roads , but by finding other ways . Mr . Cassel said that he had mixed feelings himself but that he is trying to represent the feelings of his neighborhood . In the meeting with Mr . Liguori there were 50 people , none of whom voted for any kind of road construction . They wanted other routes to be taken such as making traffic safe and acceptable . The East Ithaca Town Association would like to suggest that the Town care - fully investigate alternate means of reducing traffic problems . If it is proven that alternate means do not work , we might consider this approach . 1 . Bus transportation . People claim that they would like to see bus transit to the City and/or Cornell . They claim they would use it . 2 . Pedestrian traffic and bicycle use has increased a great deal . If we make it safe we could increase it even more . Speed limits are a problem . T%Te have addressed that already . We approve of and encourage the 35 m . p . h . area speed limit - - however , we must realize that traffic regulations are not enforced in that area , particularly on Pine Tree Road . The Sheriff is very rarely there . Mrs . Holcomb said that consideration has been given to improving the intersection of Pine Tree Road and Ellis Hollow Road . Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 7 - February 18 , 1975 There were two suggestions made in discussion stage . Cornell ® owns land on both sides of Pine Tree Road. They might be willing to cooperate in allowing a re- alignment of Pine Tree Road to intersect Ellis Hollow Road at Judd Falls Road - - making a four - legged inter - section . The other possibility is to go in the other direction and align Pine Tree Road to intersect Ellis Hollow Road where the pro- posed loop road right of way is designated . Mr . Cassel stated that his personal reaction is that of those two solutions the more sensible one would be the one to make a four- corner arrangement . You would really have to include more traffic Xa control such as a traffic light or a four -way stop . Mr . Elmer Phillips asked if there has been any discussion with Howard Stevenson , County Highway Commissioner , as to his plans . Mr . Phillips felt that Mr . Stevenson is thinking very seriously about this problem and he thought that the Planning Board should talk to Stevenson soon . Mrs . Livesay preferred the four -corner concept , which she thought was abandoned from the County plans due to the proposed by- pass . Mrs . Holcomb asked if there are pulses of traffic on Pine Tree Road , Mr . Cassel said yes -- coming and going from work . ® A lady from the floor mentioned the children in the area of the shopping center and urged the lowering of the speed limit on Mitchell Street . She also noted the problem of Mitchell Street intersecting State Street in the City . Another lady from the floor stated that everybody keeps talking about long range solutions - - what about stop lights now . Mrs . Holcomb noted that this requires State permission . Mr . Cassel urged the Town to keep going with their attempts to get controls on State roads . A gentleman from the floor stated that he is opposed to any road such as Mr . Mahr suggests which will make it easier to get to Cornell . He stated that he is really tired of traffic . He also noted that a lot of traffic goes down Mitchell Street to State Street . Another gentleman urged the inauguration of a traffic patrolman in the Town of Ithaca . Mrs . Novak stated that Slaterville Road is very bad and does a child have to get killed to have anything done ? Mr . Fischer asked where do the people come from who cross Pine Tree Road ? He wondered if there was not some way to get the traffic ® to Cornell or downtown if that is where it is going . He noted that this discussion at the East Ithaca Town Association meeting led to bus service . Mass transit . The Association remembered a request that came from the Town Board and the Planning Board about how revenue sharing money should be used . Plass transit was one of the points made . Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 8 - February 18 , 1975 Mrs . Holcomb noted that Prof . Meyburg is conducting a two-year study of mass transit being funded by the Federal government . Tomp- ® kips County is the pilot for this model . This study is in its second year . A lot of data is specifically applied to Tompkins County even though it is for a wide application . The Town Board has asked Larry Fabbroni and Mrs . Holcomb to talk to the City about expanding their system . The City cannot give $ and answers to just expanding systems . They need to know what area might be expanded . The City bus system does not have any excess capacity in terms of being able to extend existing routes and put in new ones , Turn around time on the run to Dryden Road- Ithaca Road intersection is too short to allow this run to be extended without shortening the run on the other end . We are beginning to try to develop a possibility of a pilot project maybe on the basis of a leased bus that might come out to East Ithaca , East Ithaca seems to be a good place to try because of the Ellis Hollow Elderly Housing . This pilot project would be paid for by the Town using City system and City bookkeeping and management . Mrs . Holcomb asked for comments . Mr . Fischer said that it would be good if we had a bus that started at the Ithaca-Dryden Town line and made stops of the sort that school busses make going downtown and to Cornell . Mr . Scannell asked how often should busses run to take people into Cornell ? Cornell professors come and go at all sorts of weird times . This problem has been seen by Prof . Meyburg . ® Mrs . Bronfenbrenner noted that the bus in the Northeast area has worked out . Mr . Scannell suggested a mini -bus system . Mr . Phillips was of the opinion that the road proposed by Mr . Mahr will dump more traffic on Pine Tree Road . He remembered two other plans from the Town to by®pass Pine Tree Road , We assume that the computer could come out with mass transit - - but if it does not - - what about widening Pine Tree Road , bikes , tricycles , horses - - I am saying that we must have alternatives should mass transit not operate . A gentleman suggested that the Red Cross has applied for two vans with lift capacity for the Elderly Housing transportation . Mr . Fabbroni pointed out that that was a private grant that the Red Cross applied for and was for elderly and people associated with Red Cross services and handicapped . The meeting that we had indicated that there was little chance for everybody to use this service . Mrs . May asked for clarification of what she had thought had been the case . She stated that she had attended lots of meetings on the Elderly Housing and she thought they were going to provide trans - portation . She asked if we do not have any clout to make them meet the terms of the contract ? Mr . Fabbroni stated that it is very clear in the contract that they were to provide transportation if public transportation were not available . A gentleman said from the floor that he had an E . O . C . volunteer ' bus to go out to the elderly housing . He talked to the management and asked for a lease . He received no response . The times would have L .714 been 11 : 00 a . m . departure and return at 1 : 00 p . m . Mrs . Novak stated that she is in the real estate business and is seeing more and more that people are asking if there is bus ser® ® vice available before they purchase a home . Mrs . Holcomb asked if a bus went downtown and to the Ellis Hollow Elderly Housing , would your children use it ? The response from the audience was " yes °' . Mr . Fabbroni spoke on the funding of mass transit . It is a serious responsibility in that the decision-makers have to look at the continuing effect of their decisions for years to come . Most of our funding comes from the State . We are too small to be able to draw from the large Federal appropriations such as the approximate 11 billion just passed in the fall for transportation . Initial equipment is almost paid for 100 % . It is very important to see what happens with the operating subsidy legislation . This operating sub sidy is a temporary thing in a transition time and once they are off the ground we will see most future bills go to equipment or replace- ment , less go to operating . He was saying that we might right now be able to get equipment to set up bus lines and have nobody riding them and then one day the floor drops out and we have this huge deficit to add to the taxes to keep it operating . The Federal Govt . is really hot to do dial -a -bus systems . Many are failing . There is potential shown on the West Coast for service through taxi companies on a contract basis to pick up three or four riders . A lot has to be done in New York with unions . Mr . Cassel said that " we are not communicating " . We have been 0 told that nothing is going to work . You still hear us saying , which we are not saying , that the only way to solve traffic problems is by building more roads . Mr . Fabbroni said that all he was saying is that you have to be very careful so as not to get into a huge cost problem . Mr . Cassel said - ® let ' s see more action on the busses and less on the road . Mr . Fabbroni said that he thought that the people are communica- ting . He noted that they certainly did on the loop road . He said that he was trying to match the hopes and dreams on mass transit with more of the realities . Mrs . Holcomb stated that the planning board is not saying that these things will not work . They are saying that they are trying these things . The Planning Board did not want to leave the impression that there is lots of money and we can get in on the ground floor . A gentleman from the floor asked about Sarlene Drive paving situation . Mr . Fabbroni said that there are going to be problems with that road for the next three years . Utilities were put in after the road was in . The developers will be meeting with the highway superintendent . The Town is well aware of that problem . The gentle- man asked if the highway department can put in some patches ? Mr . Fabbroni said that the Town can cold patch . He further said that the developer fixed it up in September but by the very nature of the road Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 10 - February 18 , 1975 and because of the unusual winter the pot holes keep cropping up ® At this point , Mrs . Holcomb stated that she would like to have the citizens present come back , if they would like , to discuss parks and developments . Mr . Fischer said that at 10 ° 00 o ' clock he had a really good feeling . This is great - - we are being listened to . At 5 minutes after 109. 00 I had just been told that you " kiddies " want to have a picnic and you buy the things and it may rain and you may not be able to have the picnic . But , why do you not say " let ' s try it " ? Mr . Fabbroni said that he thinks that we need to try something but it may be somewhat short of what you want to happen . He was suggesting staging into any project . Mr . Scannell said that he is a firm believer in people power . He thought that if the people want mass transit it will happen . He thought the process goes from the people to the Town , Mr . Cassel said that he thought that the idea of inviting the East Ithaca Town Association was a good idea . He thought that there are a lot of technical problems that need to be discussed , and we should talk with you and set up an avenue for attacking these problems , He suggested that small workable groups should be set up . Mrs . Livesay said that she thought that the idea of parks is very important to people in our section of the Town ( East Ithaca ) and was not meant to be overlooked in the papers presented . Also recrea- tion programs not only in cooperation with the City but also as a separate program . Mrs . Holcomb noted in closing that a bikeway study at Cornell ( Department of Landscape Architecture ) funded by the Town and City is underway . ADJOURNMENT Upon Motion the Meeting was adjourned at 109. 40 p . m . Respectfully submitted , Nancy M . Fuller , Secretary . February i8 , j915 To : The Ithaca Town Planning Board rFrom : The Board of Directors of the East Ithaca Town Association We appreciate thin invitation to discuss planning problems that .particularly af ' ect our area at this meeting . Traffic and control of development appear to be the main concerns of residents in our area . This neighborhood includes a variety of roads that are residential streets , as well as routes connecting different kinds of sources and goals of traffic . Therefore , we have a variety of problems which do not always lend themselves to the same kind of solution . Nevertheless , we have tried to distill a few comments on planning in our area that we feel are consistent with the views of the majority of our constituents . TRAFFIC PROBLEMS : Several roads in our neighborhood , Route 79 , Pine Tree Road , Honness Lane , and Ellis Hollow Road carry heavy traffic between Cornell or downtown Ithaca and area- s in or beyond our neighborhood . In the last few years traffic on these roads has increased substantially . Furthermore , pedestrian and bicycle traffic along these roads has swelled , especially with the construction of the Maple Avenue and Ellis Hollow Road apartment Projects . The somewhat rural appearance of the arra , the patchwork quilt of speed limits and the haphazard enforcement of traffic regulations seem to conspire to make the traffic fast as well as heavy . Since their is generally no space other than the road surface for bicycle and pedestrian traffic , the roads are very hazardous . Several types of solutions for these problemB have been widely discusse3 : 1 • Introduction of Extensive Bus Service . 2 • Construction of Pedestrian - Bicycle Lanes . 3 • Rationalization of the Pattern of Speed Limits . 4 . Stricter Enforcement of Traffic Regulations . 5 • Improving Safety at Dangerous Intersections . 6 • Construction of Bypass Roads . 7 • Rebuilding Existing Roads to Make Driving on Them Easier . ® Although 6 and 7 seem to be the traditional approaches to traffic problems like ours , they apparently meet with little enthusiasm in our neighborhood . Residents seem to prefer to try to decrease motor traffic and increase the safety of pedestrian and bicycle traffic . If these goals are kroven to be unattainable , the enthusiasm for 6 and 7 might increase . Our more extensive comments on these suggestions include a number of questions for the Town Planning Board and the Town Board . 1 . We strongly endorse proposals to extend bus service into our area . The minimal service that should be considered is frequent service from downtown Ithaca to the Ellis Hollow Apartments , which would include a stop at the Maple Avenue Apartments and at the East Hill Plaza . Extending this service to a loop thru Honness Lane on the return trip would substantially increase the value of the service . However this plan leaves out Cornell , which is the goal of much of our purely local traffic . Could this ® bus somehow skirt the edge of the Cornell Campus , maybe reversing its direction between early morning and late afternoon ? How could Snyder Hill Road be included in bus plans ? Is it possible to reduce thru traffic by introducing bus service to outlying areas ? We understand that the answers to these problems are not easy to find . Perhaps we should have extensive feasibility study followed by an experiment . 2 . We support the efforts to improve the safety of children who go from the Maple Avenue Apartments to Belle Sherman School . If Pedestrian lanes are gained by covering drainage ditches in that area , they might serve as a model for other parts of our area . Perhaps the roads leading into the East Hill Plaza could be the next step . Here the interference with residences would be minimal and pedestrian traffic to the shopping center would be safer . After some experience in this area the idea could be extended to residential areas , if there is widespread agreement on its utility and feasibility . Certainly if past experience is to be our guide , residents living along a road that is to be improved in this manner must be involved in early stages of the planning . , . . 3 . Reduction of the speed limits on the four roads radiating from the East Hill Plaza would be very helpful in increasing safety . We endorse the proposal described in the December Memorandum to the Town Board concerning the Maple Avenue children , for an area - wide 35 MPH speed limit . ~ 4 . It is our experience that lower speed limits will not be j effective without better law enforcement . Could we have a radar car in the area as often as one - half day per week , at a different time each week ? It is obvious that there needs to be a strong I' j Judge backing up the police work . 5 . There are several particularly dangerous intersections in our area , the corners of Honness Lane - Route 79 , the corner at the i East Hill Plaza , and the Judd Falls - Route 79 intersection . What can we do to improve them ? Can we start with stop signs or E. traffic lights , or must our only solution begin with cutting down trees and digging into yards ? 6 . As mentioned above , the majority view in our neighborhood ® seems to be that the first five approaches should be tried first , and bypass roads should be built as a last resort , if at all . Perhaps the attitude that new roads are the only viable solution for reducing thru traffic on residential streets is outmoded . 7 . Proposals which include reconstruction of existing roads to handle more traffic are the proposals that meet the strongest resistance from residents in our area . Plans to construct roads to bypass other areas that include roads that feed into existing roads in this area are in the same category . DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS : Our experience with commercial development , and extensive residential development in our area has not always been pleasant . We feel that development must be kept on a tighter leash than previously . For example , perhaps developers should be required to complete the environmental parts of the agreements before occupancy is allowed . Furthermore , we feel that the Town should be very conservative in rezoning or granting variances in the direction of higher density residental or commercial development . i l - 4 We would like to draw attention to a few outstanding specific problems from .previous recent development . 1 . Drainage from .Eastern Heights seems to be a perennial problem . t 2 . The road lighting at. the entrance to Eastwood Commons is apparently excessive and disturbing to neighbors on Honness Lane . I ^' 3 . The second entrance road for Eastwood Commons is left in an unfinished state . 4 . Street lighting at the entrance to the Maple Avenue Apartments is apparently inadequate . 5 . The Maple Avenue residents feel that the snow removal is not adequate . Have the snow removal and other road maintenance routines reflected the increased use of Maple Avenue ? Nearly two years after the FBC went out of business we still b have their sign , which was never considered an asset to the i community . CONCLUSIONS : We recognize that the issues raised in this report will require careful thought and hard choices . The Board of Directors of the East Ithaca Town Association would like to express its willingness to work with the Town in finding equitable solutions to our problems . For the Board of Directors , David G . Cassel i r I i Members of our Board : i I . Mrs . Archibald 114 Honness Lane 272 - 8595 ! : Mr . Cassel 152 Pine Tree Road 273 - 1708 Mr . Fischer 135 Pine Tree Road 273 - 2077 j Mrs . Jones 150 Honness Lane 273 - 2538 4 Mr . Livesay 147 Snyder Hill Road 272 - 2776 Mrs , May 1360 Slaterville Road 272 - 8224 i 1 The East Ithaca Town As .sociation has been invited to discuss planning issues that specifically affect our area with the Ithaca Town Planning Board at their next meeting on Tuesday February 18 at 7 : 30 PM . We expect that the main subjects for discussion will be roads , traffic and control of development , but we are by no means restricted to these topics . Most of ' the members of the Board of Directors of our Association will attend the meeting to try to represent our interests , but we understand that the invitation extends to the whole Association , so you would also be welcome at the meeting . We need your help in order to present an organized and balanced view of our problems , together with suggestions for solutions that do not create worse problems . Please call one of us or write a short note to . inform us of your views . Our addresses andphone numbers are included below , for your convenience . ( A note in one of our newspaper boxes is fine : ) We would appreciate having your response by Monday afternoon , so we have time to organize ourselves . The sort of issues which will face us are the following . 1 . We may eventually be forced into choosing between new bypass roads and " improvement " of existing roads in order to handle thru ( as opposed to local ) traffic . Which do we choose ? If we want new roads , where should they be ? If we want " improvement " of existing roads , what sort of " improvements " are we willing .to tolerate ? 2 . How do we react to plans for bypass roads for Forest Home or other areas that could funnel more traffic into our existing roads ? 3 . Can we envision solutions to the thru traffic problems that do not involve roadbuilding ? For exampl . e. , would stricter enforcement , bicycle paths or sidewalks reduce the thru traffic danger to an acceptable level ? Are we willing to pay their costs , especially for those like sidewalks for which we , ourselves , must pay essentially the total cost ? Can we envision a workable public transportation system that would significantly reduce thru ( again as opposed to local ) traffic ? 4 . Is the impact of new " development " on the neighborhood sufficiently well - controlled ? Do we have workable suggestions that would help in controlling future development ? Are there outstanding problems from past " development " that still demand solution ? I 5 . There is currently some preliminary discussion about establishing bus service to our area , at least to connect the new Maple Avenue and Ellis Hollow Apartments with the downtown area . Would this be useful ? Would it be much more useful if N the bus returned to the downtown area via Honness Lane and Slaterville Road ? Are we interested mainly in bus service for the downtown . area , for Cornell , or are both necessary ? At what times of day must buses run be useful ? For the _Bo.ard of Directors , David G . . Cassel Members of our Board . Mrs . Archibald 114 Honness Lane 272 - 8595 Mr . Cassel 152 Pine Tree Road 273 - 1708 Mr . Fischer 135 Pine Tree Road 273 - 2077 Mrs . Jones 150 Honness Lane 273 - 2538 Mr . Livesay 147 Snyder Hi11 Road : 272 - 2776 Mrs . May 1360 Slaterville Road 272 - 8224 . I .K X i� hUzoly ©ku//SOW-If * Applicable to any operator kaho mines more than 1 , 000 tons of minerals in 12 successive months . • S -r SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT TO THE NEW YORK STATE ENVIRON`ZENTAL CONSERVATION LAJ Article 23 , Title 27 , New York State Mined Land Reclamation Law , Approved June 15 , 1974 , Effective April 1 , 1975 I . APPLICATION 1 . Application to be submitted annually or triannually 2 . Fee to be $ 100 for one year or $ 200 for three years 3 . Information required : a) common commercial name and geological description b ) identity of applicant and operation c ) estimated surface acres to be disturbed by mining d ) name & address of surface land owner ' ( except for un - derground mines ) e ) name & address of owner of mineral rights f ) permanent & temporary address of applicant g) number of any permits held by surface or mineral owner h) chief executive offices if corporate .owner i ) - details of any previous permit revocation * �bee •Note J ) Mined Land Use Plan paff . 3 MINED LAND USE PLAN 1 . Graphic and written descriptions of following : a) affected land as it presently exists b ) outline of area of minerals to be removed c ) mining method to be used d) Reclamation Plan 2 . Maps to describe sections a & b above shall require . a) existing and requested excavation b ) existing streams rivers and lakes ® c ) roads d) other relevant geographical or cultural features 3 . Section c above shall include : ,. a ) existing and requested excavation b ) existing and requested settling pond and washing plant • c ) existing and requested treatment facilities d) proposed mineral storage area e ) existing or proposed spoil banks f ) proposed area for overburden or topsoil stockpiling i g) description of mining methods to indicate : j i . proposed screening of all storage areas to confine dust and flying particles ; ii . sequence of excavation as they . affect reclamation plans iiie location of haulageways to minimize intrusion into residential areas and treatment to minimize dust iv . planned drainage and water control to minimize soil erosion .v , planned impoundments for lakes or ponds and pro - . posed purpose . 4 . Any deviation from an approved plan shall require the department ' s written approval III . RECI.AMATIOI!1 PLAN 1 . Reclamation plan shall consist of two parts : a) reclamation map on same basis as mined land use plan map showing proposed final stage of reclamation b ) written description indicating proposed use of land such as : i . farming • ii . pasture forestry iv . recreation ve industrial V10 commercial vii . residential V11219 solid waste disposal ix . other uses acceptable to commissioner 2 . Reclamation plan shall specify a) revegetation b ) disposal of debris , refuse , tailings , waste or spoil c ) grading plans 3 . Where possible the reclamation plan shall provide for orderly , continuing reclamation concurrent with mining operation Iv . RECLAMATION BOND 1 . Amount of bond to be determined by department (not . required of a municipal operator) 2 . Form and terms of bond to be determined by department 3 . If bond is cancelled , operator shall provide valid replacement -within 30 days , 4 . If permit is revoked , surety is to complete reclamation 5 . Release from bonding upon satisfying requirements of the reclamation plan 6 . A two year period allowed for reclamation of mined land 7 . A portion of the bond may be released for the portion of the land reclaimed * NOTE : I . k) Applicant required to notify adjacent property owners and municipality affected of application for permit . DEC to notify such persons whether application was approved or disapproved . , f From Constructioneer 10/ 28 / 74