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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1976-02-03 , TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD FEBRUARY 3 , 1976 The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tues day , February 3 , 1976 , in Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street ( second floor ) , Ithaca , N . Y . , at 7 : 30 o . m . PRESENT : Vice -Chairman Robert Christianson , Liese Bronfsnbrenn;� :- j Richard Black , Sam Slack , Chairman Barbara Holcomb ( arrived at 8 : 57 p . m . from a previous important meeting ) , Lawrence P . Fabbroni ( Plan :ij.r, ; • Engineer/Building Inspector ) , Robert W . Bonnell (Assistant to the Engineer ) . ABSENT : Daniel Baker , Maurice Harris , David Martin , ALSO PRESENT : Mrs . Eva Hoffmann , Mr . Al Hoefer , Jr . , Bob Lynch (WTKO ) , Mr . Hagerty (WHCU ) , REPORT OF THE PLANNING ENGINEER Mr . Fabbroni reported that bad financial times have hurt the Fyve Sewer Extensions proposed by the Town . Work on this matter has been delayed for an undetermined amount of time due to high interest rate and no bond takers . The interest rates are up to such a rate that they will eat up the surplus in the sewer fund which was the seed money . Mr . Fabbroni stated that he is now occupied with looking into Federal funding . His best estimate is that it would take about a year and a half to follow this course of action . There followed a discus - sion of the impact of this set back in plans for the construction of the five sewer extensions . REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR Mr . Fabbroni reported that the Town is moving ahead with serving notices on persons and firms which have erected signs in violation of the Town of Ithaca Sign Ordinance Local Law # 1 a 1972 . Some such persons have not obtained any permits or have simply disregarded the law . Mr . Fabbroni reported that the proposed zoning ordinance will come UP for review by the Town Board in March , He stated that he is present - ly making his last cut through it prior to presentation for discussion by the Town Attorney , the Town Board and the Planning Board . DISCUSSION OF PRELIMINARY SIGN APPROVAL FOR " PAGE BOOK BINDERY , INC . " , 1022 ELLIS HOLLOW ROAD , PARCEL NO , 6 - 62 - 2 - 1 . 125 , Mr . Fabbroni stated that he did not see much need for Mr . Ridley to attend this meeting of the Board . Mr . Fabbroni presented the sign application and permit form signed by Mr . Bruce Ridley with a scale drawing of the proposed sign and the sign permit fee of $ 23 . 75 . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the building is 60 ft . in length and the sign is 15 ft . by 15 inches , or 18 - 3 / 4 sq . ft . Mr . Fabbroni stated that Section 7 ( a ) of the Sign Ordinance requires that the sign be no more than 1 sq . ft . per lineal foot of the face of the building . The pro posed sign is well within that requirement . Planning Board review and approval is required and the same has to be passed on to the Town ?hoard, Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 2 - February 3 , 1976 Mr . Christianson noted that there are no problems in meeting the requirements . Mr . Black asked if the sign is painted on or has raised letters . Mr . Fabbroni said that he really did not know but that he thought it has raised letters since the building sides are corrugated . Since no quorum was present , Mr . Christianson stated that no formal action could be taken until Mrs . Holcomb arrived from her other meeting . CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL FOR NORT11VIEW ROAD WEST NEIGH- BORHOOD PARK , Mr . Al Hoefer , Jr . , was present for discussion of a park proposal from the neighbors on Northview Road West . Mr . FaiDbroni indicated the parkland area on the Town of Ithaca Tax Map . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the park area is in the Hilker Subdivision and the actual parkland is set aside . He stated that Mr . Hoefer has initiated the request that the Planning Board and the Town Board consider a request of the neigh- bors to help out in developing this area into a neighborhood park . Mr . Hoefer stated that certain square footage was requested to be set aside for a neighborhood park within the Hilker Subdivision - Northview Road test . He said that the Board may have forgotten that this whole area is to be subdivided . He said that in looking at this area as a park , a number of things must be considered , e . g . , water - drains and streams going along the right of way and on down to Codding - ton Road . He noted that the water comes down right through where the park is . Picnic area - place for children to play . The parkland area is presently brush and trees ® It should be cruised for good , healthy trees and the neighbors will remove the dead ones . Mr . Christianson asked if the neighbors like this park proposal . Mr . Hoefer stated that they like it very much . The water drainage is the only thing that should be carefully looked at . Mr . Slack asked what the neighbors are asking from the Planning Board . He asked if they think it should be improved . Pair . Hoefer stated that first of all the planning Board should accept the park and questioned whether the Deed to the park had been recorded from Hilker to the Town . He said it should then be cruised . The neighbors will form work crews and clean it out . The neighbors will maintain the park . He noted that sewer and water lines are in for Phase 1 of the Hilker Subdivision , Mr . Christianson stated that he is concerned about what the Town ' s responsibilities are in terms of this neighborhood park . Mr . Fabbroni said that this kind of neighborhood park is a part of the Town Park Plan that has been adopted as a working document . Mr , Christianson asked about Town equipment ( trucks , snow removal , etc . ) getting in and out of there . Mr . Fabbroni said that even if there were only a 10 ' right of way instead of the 201 that is there going into the park , he could see no problem with getting equipment in and out . Mr . Fabbroni stated that it is necessary to determine the disposi - tion of this land and whether it has or has not been accepted as a town park . Mr . Slack stated that it was his opinion that whatever the commu- Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 3 ® February 3 , 1976 nity can do to beautify the parkland is all to the good . Mr . Chris® tianson summarized as follows * The Planning Board is considering • tonight a development proposal for parkland and Mr . Hoefer , on behalf of the neighbors , is saying that the neighbors are willing to help the Town develop said parkland . Mr . Black said that he felt that the only problem could be the drainage . The Board should know from the Town Engineer what the , park area looks like . The Board should look into a way to keep it relatively dry at a reasonable cost . Mr . Christianson requested on behalf of the Planning Board that Mr . Fabbroni check into those aspects of this proposed park for which the Town would be responsible , as follows : 1 . Title . 2 . Drainage , 3 . Access and Egress . Mr . Christianson stated on behalf of the Planning Board that the Board likes the idea , but will take no action at this meeting and at some time in the future ttie Planning Board will make a recommendation to the Town Board in re the proposed Northview Road west park . MOTION by Mr . Sam Slack , seconded by Mrs . Liese Bronfenbrennera RESOLVED , that the consensus of the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca is that the Planning Board move ahead on this proposal for a neighborhood park on Northview Road West . Aye v Slack , Bronfenbrenner , Black , Christianson . Nay - None . The MOTION was laid on the table for lack of quorum . PUBLIC WORK SESSION - SIGN ORDINANCE Mr . Fabbroni presented a two -page review of recommendations and ideas on the existing Town of Ithaca Sign Ordinance as prepared by him and Mr . Bonnell . ( see attachment ) . Mr . Bonnell conducted a " listening session " for the Planning Board as outlined on the attached recommendations on the Sign Ordinance dated February 3 , 1976 . 1 . Mr . Bonnell felt that there is a need for apartment or subdivision identification signs . 2 and 3 . The sign ordinance does not permit portable or temporary signs and there is a need for same . 4 . Sign ordinance syas 151 from right of way and this causes confusion- on part of owners . Recommendations for improvement made . 5 . One square foot for business or professional signs is too small • and therefore two square feet is recommended : � . Signs applied to front or face of building do not cover all sign placement locations on a building below roof level . 7 . In connection with signs in window display areas there is a problen Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 4 - February 3 , 1976 with the word " exterior " being in conflict with " view of the general public " . ® Some points in connection with the sign ordinance were discussed with the Board by Mr . Bonnell and Mr . Fabbroni . They see a conflict between the number of free - standing signs for a shopping centre vs . one free - standing sign for every commercial business along a commercial strip . Also there seems to be a problem with a free - standing sign that identifies a shopping centre and its entrance and signs indicating what shops are in the centre . There followed discussion of the definition of a sign as it now exists in terms of its physical aspects as opposed to some definition of what a sign accomplishes . PRELIMINARY SIGN APPROVAL FOR PAGE BOOK BINDERY , INC . , 1022 ELLIS HOLLOW ROAD . Upon the arrival of Mrs . Holcomb , the following MOTION was made by Mr . Richard Black , seconded by Mr . Robert Christianson : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca that the proposed sign for the Ridley Building - " PAGE BOOK BINDERY , INC . ° located at 1022 Ellis Hollow Road , Ithaca , N . Y . , be approved since all of the criteria of the Town of Ithaca Sign Ordinance , Local Law # 1 1972 , have been met . ® Aye - Holcomb , Christianson , Black , Slack , Bronfenbrenner . Nay - None . The Vice -Chairman , who continued to preside , declared the MOTION duly carried unanimously . APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Mr . Sam Slack , seconded by Mr . Richard Blacks RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca approve and hereby does approve the Minutes of the Planning Board of November 110 1975 , November 25 , 1975 , December 2 , 1975 , and January 6 , 1976 , as presented by the Secretary . Aye - Holcomb , Christianson , Black , Slack , Bronfenbrenner . Nay - None . The Vice -Chairman declared the MOTION duly carried unanimously . CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL FOR NORTHVIEW ROAD WEST NEIGHBORHOOD PARK . In connection with the discussion held earlier in this meeting , Mrs . Holcomb stated that the Deed for the Northview Road West park has been received by the Town to the best of her knowledge , but that in her opinion it has not been presented to the Town Board or accepted . MOTION by Mr . Sam Slack , seconded by Mr . Robert Christianson * RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 5 � February 3 , 1976 and hereby does recommend that the Town of Ithaca Town Board accept the Deed to the Northview Road West Park in the Hilker Subdivision . By way of discussion , Mr . Christianson asked Mrs . Holcomb if she had any comments or if she saw any problems in recommending this land to the Town Board for a Town Park , Mrs . Holcomb could see no problems in recommending this park but said that the Deed situation must be clarified . There being no further discussion , the Vice-Chairman called for a vote . Aye - Christianson , Holcomb , Black , Slack , Bronfenbrenner . Nay - None . The Vice -Chairman declared the MOTION duly carried unanimously . FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE PLANNING BOARD Mrs . Holcomb suggested , and the Board agreed , that the Planning Board will meet the first Tuesday of each month on a regular basis until further notice . ADJOURNMENT Upon Motion , the Meeting was adjourned by the Vice -Chairman at 10 ° 00 p . m . Respectfully submitted , Nancy M . Fuller , Secretary . 1 T • RECOMMENDATIONS on Sign Ordinance . 2/ 3/76 Robert W . Bonnell , Assistant to the Engineer . . - SECTION 6 * . . Size of Sign ( s ) . Multiple Residences . . ( Ellis Hollow Elderly Housin Apartment Complexes . ( Eastern Heights Subdivision Condominiums . { Eastwood Commons . ( Springwood . 2 . SECTION 5 ( d ) . Seasonal Signs , Vegetable Markets and Road Side Stands . Year- long Permit ? More or less permanent . 3 . SECTION 5 ( d ) . Temporary or Portable Signs , Grocery Stores . ( Early Bird Farm , Recommendation : We wish to include the ability to have a variable or portable road side signs , whereby we control the size and placement of the sign . 4 . SECTION 9 . Sign Set-Backs , Problem : People are not aware where highway right of way is e . g . - Temporary " For Sale " signs . Recommendation : Add new Section 6 ( f ) - " Such signs shall be located outside of the highway - right o way . " and Change Section 9 from " except those permitt pursuant to Section 6 ( d ) . " to " except as otherwise specified in this Ordinance . " 5 . SECTION 6 ( 1 ) ( b ) . Recommendation : Business and professional name plates should be two ( 2 ) square feet . 6 . SECTION 7 ( a ) . Use of side walls of structures for advertising . Recommendation : Change from " applied to front or face of each building . " to " applied to any face of a building . " �. SECTION 3 ( a ) . Permanent signs in window display areas . Problem : " exterior " is in conflict with " view of the genera public . " Example : Colorful Carpets . Recommendation : Some control has to be put on the length a sign can be put in a window in the cases of stores . POINTS on Sign Ordinance , 1 . Conflict between number of free - standing signs for a shopping centre VS . one free- standing sign for every commercial business along a commercial strip . 2 . Inequities between individual sites and shopping centres . 3 . Section 13 ( g ) is unenforceable - particularly subsection ( 3 ) . 4 * Is there a need for a section on Directory signs as related to shopping centres ? 1 e � '• ' BOnell - Sign Ordinance - 2 - 2/3/ 76 5 . Should there be variable requirements to reflect distances of establishment from highways ? e . g . East Hill Plaza , 6 . Free- Standing Signs - Aesthetics . Should we limit display areas on free - standing signs to " 2 " . 1 - advertising the name of the business 1 - advertising the products for sale . 2 e . g . - Stratton ' s Gulf ( Danby Rd . ) 7 . Section 3 ( b ) - Amend to read : " Erect " shall mean to build , construct , or locate any . sign . •