HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1977-04-05 `^ TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
APRIL 5 , 1977
• A regular meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board was held on
Tuesday , April 5 , 1977 , in the Town of Ithaca Town Hall , 126 East Seneca
Street ( second floor ) , Ithaca , N . Y . , at 79. 30 p . m .
PRESENTS Chairman Liese Bronfenbrenner , Henry Aron , Jonathan
Bradley , James Baker , Montgomery May , Eva Hoffmann , J . W . " Bill " Reece ,
Lawrence P . Fabbroni , Town Engineer .
ALSO PRESENT : Ivar Jonson , Clark Ingrahm , Charles Currey , Esq . ,
Maurice Dusky , David Cassel , Mike Hagerty ( WHCU ) , Dan Cummings ( I-TTKO ) ,
The Meeting was opened by the Chair at 7 : 35 p . m .
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR AND TOWN ENGINEER
Mr . Fabbroni reported that five permits were issued for new single
family homes and other additions for $ 174 , 250 . 00 of improvements in
March , 1977 .
Mr . Fabbroni reported that he is pursuing certain occupancy violations
within the Town .
Mr . Fabbroni reported that the major part of his effort recently has
been in connection with the new Town Highway Facility on Seven Mile Drive .
He stated that he has also been concerned with the Environmental Quality
Review Act . He noted that mainly the Town Barn has been the big push , to
• coordinate certain things that the owner had to do with the subcontrac -
tor . He stated that the new Barn should be occupied by June 1st . He
noted that completion looks like May 15th but they are shooting for May
lst , 1977 .
Mr . Fabbroni reported that at the Route 96 Consensus Committee meeting
he presented the Town Planning Board ' s proposal and that the Town Board
had their special meeting this month and concurred with what this Board
sent to them . Mr . Fabbroni stated that he detailed out the proposal a
lot more succinctly . He noted that the Town proposal is indeed 500 ' from
the hospital and 100 ' from the Paleontological Institute and will meet
design standards of the State . He stated that he was pretty well
received by the Concensus Committee , the only opposition coming from the
" no alternative " group , otherwise known as the repaving of Cliff Street group
Mr . Fabbroni said that he has to present the Town alternative to the
Hospital Board of Managers and the Paleontological people and it is his
hope that both groups will jump on board and we can present this alter -
native as a community decision to the State . Mr . Fabbroni noted that
Ecology Action is the spearhead for the " no alternative " group of people
and that very few of them live up on Cliff Street .
PUBLIC HEARING : CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED MULTI - FAMILY DEVELOPMENT ON
EXISTING MULTI - FAMILY DISTRICT BEHIND ELLIS HOLLOW APARTMENTS , BY IVAR
JONSON , TAX PARCEL NO . 6 - 62 - 1 - 1 . 122 .
At 7 : 41 p . m . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner stated that the Public Hearing was
41 not officially open yet , but that there could be informal discussion .
Mr . Jonson , Mr . Ingrahm , and Attorney Currey presented a complete
set of preliminary plans . Mr . Fabbroni referred to the " utility plan "
Planning Board - ?. - April 5 , 1977
and stated that another manhole is needed between Invert 931 and 933 .
He also referred to the proposed entrance road and asked that the
• developer specify the same materials . Mr . Fabbroni stated that oil should
be specified at one gallon per square yard . Mr . Fabbroni asked that the
developer flatten out the grade to more like 50 , if possible . Mr . Ingrahm
stated that when they are working there it will be flattened out more than
5 % even , but that they do not want to cut it down too much because of Dr .
Purdy ' s office should Dr . Purdy wish to use that road , Mr . Fabbroni
further requested that the plans show the inlets into the manholes and also
that the drainage be shown with more clarity , Mr . Fabbroni asked if it
were natural drainage in some places ? Mr . Ingrahm stated that it is .
Mr . Fabbroni requested that a little more detail be shown on where the
proposed grates are .
The question was asked as to just how far the proposed multi - family
development is from the existing Ellis Hollow Apartments ? Mr . Fabbroni
replied that he would say that it is around 100 ft . Mr . Jonson stated
that he has 60 ft . separating his dwellings from the lot line and that
the Ellis Hollow Apartments should be set back 60 ft . too . Mr . Fabbroni
requested that the developer add some landscaping between his project and
the Ellis Hollow Apartments , Mr . Jonson stated that they will , of course ,
plant trees there . Mr . Fabbroni noted that such plantings are not shown
on the plans .
Mr . Fabbroni referred to the ingress roads and asked that the
developer use the alternate roads shown on the plan in order to result in
three major driveways as opposed to the five driveways shown .
t At 7 : 50 p . m . Chairman Bronfenbrenner declared the Public Hearing in
the Ivar Jonson proposed multi - family development matter duly open and
presented the Clerk ' s Affidavit of Posting and Publication of the Notice
of Public Hearing as required .
Mr . Fabbroni asked to be excused for another meeting and stated :
" It is as far as I can determine totally within the Zoning Ordinance
guidelines of the multi - family district for which it is already zoned . "
Mr . Fabbroni left the meeting .
Mr . Ivar Jonson presented his proposal to the Planning Board and
those present . He described the proposed development of multi - family
housing as very unique and needed . He described the proposed landscaping .
He noted that the development is surrounded by Cornell University land ,
the East Hill Shopping Center , and the Ellis Hollow Apartments . He
stated that he is proposing 101 apartments . He stated that there is a
60 ft . right of way between Page Book Bindery and the Ellis Hollow
Apartments and that his proposed development is located behind the Ellis
Hollow Apartments ,
Mr . Jonson displayed the proposed Floor Plan . He noted that the
apartments will be two - story . The development will be comprised of
three bedroom apartments , two bedroom apartments , and one bedroom apart -
ments . The project will be constructed in phases with 32 apartments being
in Phase I .
Mr . Jonson displayed the Elevation Plans and noted that all plans
are in the preliminary stage , He stated that the design will not change ,
but the number of three bedroom and two bedroom apartments might change .
Mr . Jonson stated that the structures will be sided with stained cedar
Planning Board - 3 - April 5 , 1977
which , he commented , is a much better siding than redwood . He stated
• that stained cedar has a lasting quality of 50 years . Mr . Henry Aron
agreed . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner asked if Mr . Jonson would be utilizing
quality construction . Mr . Jonson replied that his firm does a job right
or it does not do it at all . Mr . Jonson further stated that Mr . Clark
Ingrahm and he are the developers and they will own the project and will
manage it .
Mrs . Hoffmann asked if the dwellings will be rented as apartments ?
Mr . Jonson stated that they had wanted to sell them as condominiums but
this is not permitted by the Zoning Ordinance , so they will rent them .
Mr . Jonson stated that the Town owns the right of way shown on the plan .
He said that the developer will construct the road and deed it over to
the Town . Mr . Jonson stated that they ( the developer ) will maintain the
internal roads .
Mrs . Bronfenbrenner asked that the Planning Board be supplied with
a detailed landscaping plan . Mr . Jonson stated that he will so do .
Mr . May noted that 142 parking spaces are indicated . Mrs . Bronfen -
brenner stated that all the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance have been
met . Mr . May noted that the whole tract is 8 . 73 acres and that the lot
coverage is no more than 300 .
Mr . Maurice Dusky of the Ellis Hollow Apartments stated that he is
concerned about drainage . He asked what this project is going to do with
the drainage ? He said that he noted from the plans that the 30 -inch
storm drain seems to end at the property line and asked where it goes
from there ? Mr . Janson stated that the 30 - inch storm sewer slows up the
water and then runs into a ditch . Mr . Dusky pointed out that the water
will drain into the swale . Mr . Dusky pointed out that during storms this
ditch had to be dug out or else the three buildings at Ellis Hollow
Apartments would have been flooded out . Mr . Jonson stated that the
developer is changing elevations and _grades to result - in . less water coming
through than there is now .
Mr . Dusky said OK . Mr . Dusky now stated that he would like to see
a fence and trees between the proposed apartments and the Ellis Hollow
Apartments because he did not want the children running into the Ellis
Hollow Apartments , Mr . Dusky also pointed out that the pipes under the
walkway are too small . Mr . Jonson stated that he was aware of the fact
that the pipes are too small and is planning on putting in two big pipes ,
Mr . Dusky stated that he has no objections to the proposed development
whatsoever if his concerns are taken into consideration .
Mr . David Cassel , President of the East Ithaca Town Association ,
questioned if access to the shopping center had been planned for and
stated that this should be taken into consideration at an early stage .
Mr . Ingrahm stated that they have no right of way to provide access
to the shopping center . Attorney Currey stated that the developer has no
right to build on that land in any way ,
Mr . Dusky pointed out that the proposed road goes right through the
walkway .
Mr . Cassel pointed out the proximity of the proposed development to
Planning Board - 4 - April 5 , 1977
the Ellis Hollow Apartments . He asked about noise emanating from the
proposed apartments . He asked if thought had been given to noise
levels . Mr . Cassel addressed the Planning Board and asked that they
require a timetable for the plantings , the stages of development , etc ,
Mrs . Hoffmann noted that the development road does seem to be very
close to Ellis Hollow Apartments . She stated that she is referring to
the road directly behind the Elderly Housing , Mrs , Bronfenbrenner noted
that it is not a through road ; the cars would be those that service
the proposed dwellings in that area .
Mr . Reece commented that the matter of noise can usually be traced
down to one person .
Mrs . Bronfenbrenner asked if there were any more comments ?
Mr . Aron stated that he thought it is a very beautiful development .
MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mr . J . W . Reece :
RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca grant and
hereby does grant preliminary site plan approval for the Ivar Jonson
multi- family development to be developed on an existing Multi - Family
District behind the Ellis Hollow Apartments , Tax Parcel No . 6 - 62 - 1 - 1 . 122 ,
and to be comprised of 101 apartments to be constructed in phases with
Phase I containing 32 apartments , subject to the following conditions :
1 . The addition of a manhole between Invert 931 and 933 .
2 . The specification of oil for the entrance road at the rate of one
gallon per square yard .
3 . A road grade as near to 5 % as possible .
4 . The delineation of inlets into the manholes ,
5 . The presentation of a clarified drainage plan .
6 . Increased detail on proposed grates ,
7 . Three major driveways be designated .
8 . The presentation of a detailed landscaping plan and buffer area ,
and , according to plans submitted to said Planning Board on April 5 , 1977 ,
titled Ellis Hollow Multi - Family Housing , dated 31 / 3 / 77 , and containing
8 sheets .
By way of discussion , Mr . Bradley stated that the Planning Board is
not so much interested in the exact location of the plantings but in
knowing what kind of materials are planned to be used . However , the Board
would like the buffer between the proposed development and the Ellis
Hollow Apartments to be more specifically delineated on the landscaping
plan to be presented .
There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a votes
Aye - Bronfenbrenner , Aron , Bradley , Baker , May , Hoffmann , Reece .
Nay - None .
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously .
Chairman Bronfenbrenner stated that final site plan approval will
Planning Board - 5 - April 5 , 1977
be considered by the Planning Board at a Public Hearing to be held on
• April 19 , 1977 , and declared the present public hearing duly closed .
REPORT OF THE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD REPRESENTATIVE
Mrs . Hoffmann stated that Mrs . Fuller has been distributing the
Minutes of the County Planning Board meetings to the members of the
Planning Board . Mrs . Hoffmann commented that the March 1977 meeting
of the County Planning Board was taken up mostly with discussion of the
Environmental Quality Review Act , Mrs . Hoffmann stated that at its
March 31 , 1977 , meeting the Town Board passed a Resolution adopting the
regulations of the Act with some additions . The entire text of the
Resolution so adopted by the Town Board is contained in the Minutes of
the Town Board Meeting of March 31 , 1977 . The Planning Board members
discussed the impact of the Town Board Resolution on the Town . Mr .
May was concerned that an Environmental Impact Statement had to be
tendered every time ground is broken . Mrs . Hoffmann stated that this is
not the case and those instances where there need not be an Impact
Statement are delineated in the Town Board Resolution .
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD CHAIRMAN
Mrs . Bronfenbrenner reported that the Town Board and the Planning
Board have formed a new committee to work on the proposed zoning ordinance .
The committee is comprised of Catherine Valentino and Victor DelRosso of
the Town Board and Henry Aron and Liese Bronfenbrenner of the Planning
Board and Mr . Fabbroni , Mrs . Bronfenbrenner delayed further discussion
• of this matter until later in the meeting .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mr . Montgomery May .
RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca approve and
hereby does approve the following Minutes of the Planning Board Meetings
as written :
December 7 , 1976 , December 21 , 1976 , January 4 , 1977 , January 18 ,
1977 , and February 15 , 1977 .
There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote :
Aye - Bronfenbrenner , Aron , Bradley , Baker , May , Hoffmann , Reece .
Nay - None .
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously .
PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY PLANS FOR EASTERN HEIGHTS PARKLAND BY RAPHAEL
PUMARADA - CORNELL WORK STUDY PROGRAM .
Mrs . ' Bronfenbrenner stated that the Eastern Heights Parkland proposal
prepared by Mr . Pumarada will not be presented at this meeting because
Cornell University is on Spring Break . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner stated that
she presumes that it will be presented at the next Planning Board meeting
on April 19 , 1977 .
ATTENDANCE AT TOWN BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 11 , 1977
Planning Board - 6 - April 5 , 1977
Mrs . Bronfenbrenner stated that she will be unable to attend the
O Town Board Meeting on April 11th , it being necessary for her to attend
another meeting . Vice -Chairman Bradley stated that he will attend and
represent the Planning Board .
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE
The members of the Planning Board discussed the status of the proposed
zoning ordinance and the Planning Board ' s role in its production .
MOTIONS PRESENTED BY PLANNING BOARD MEMBER J . W . REECE ,
It was MOVED by Mr . Reece and seconded by Mr . May ,
THAT the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca proceed without delay
to bring about the development of Coy Glen Park by submitting a plan ,
a schedule and required budgeting to the Town Board ,
There followed a lengthy discussion of where the Planning Board stands
on the Coy Glen Park proposal at this time .
There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote :
Aye - Bronfenbrenner , Aron , Bradley , Baker , May , Hoffmann , Reece .
Nay - None .
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously ,
• Mr . Reece wished to present the following thoughts to the Planning
Board for discussion . It was Mr . Reece ' s opinion that the Town Planning
Board should propose to the County Planning Department that they revise
their east side map to remove less favored sites for proposed outer belt
highway , leaving the route preferred by consensus of the two Boards .
Object is to establish a specific segment of the route bridging Fall
Creek for early development in cooperation with Cornell University ,
while indicating how this segment will ultimately cross Slaterville Road
and connect to South Hill , It is proposed then to send a joint
delegation to the properties division of Cornell and schedule for pro -
ceeding with highway construction , beginning with the Fall Creek bridge
and connecting road to the vicinity of the junction of Pine Tree Road and
Snyder Hill Road .
The Planning Board members discussed Mr . Reece ' s proposal at some
length , whereupon Mr . Reece asked that the matter be tabled at this time .
ADJOURNMENT
Upon Motion of Mr . Aron and seconding by Mr , Reece and a unanimous
vote , the Meeting was adjourned at 10 : 00 p . m .
Respectfully submitted ,
Nancy M , Fuller , Secretary ,
• AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
TOWN CLERK ' S OFFICE
ITHACA , N . Y,
I � Edward L . Bergen , being duly
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 of Planning Board on April 5 , 1977 , at 7e. 50 P . M .
TO consider a proposed Multi -Family Development on existing Multi -Family
District behind Ellis Hollow Apartments , by Ivar Jonson , Tax Parcel No .
6 - 62 - 1 - 1 . 122 , to hear all persons in support of such matter or objections
thereto . '
• Location of sign board used for posting : Entrance to Town Offices , 126
East Seneca Street , Ithaca , N . Y .
Date of Posting : March 29 , 1977
Date - of Publication : March 31 , 1977
Edwax(eL . Bergen - - --� —
Town Clerk
Town of Ithaca
State of New York
County of Tompkins SS .
Town of Ithaca
Sworn to before me this 1st day of April , 19 77 .
NOTARY
r
GERTItUDE H. BERGEN.
Nay Public, State of
NewNo. 55o5 W25
co___,,,, ,
Qualified in Tomp ��` '
Verm Expires RRarcln 309 1
a
r
I
•
Thursday, March 31 , 1977 ITHACA JOURNAL 17
Legal Notice
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING
BOARD - - '
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1977
By direction of the Chairman of the
Planning Board, NOTICE IS HERE-
BY GIVEN that a Public Hearing wil
be held by the Planning Board of the
Town of Ithaca on Tuesday, April 5,
1977, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca
Street (second floor) , Ithaca, N.Y. , at
the following time and on the follow-
inmatter:
1 :50 P.M. Consideration of proposed
Multi-Family Development on ex-
isting Multi-Family District behind
Ellis Hollow Apartments, by Ivar
Jonson, Tax Parcel No. 6-62-1-1.122.
Said Planning board will at said
• time and said place hear all persons in
irsupport of such matter or objections
thereto. Persons may appear by agent
or in person.
Edward L. Bergen
Town Clerk
Town of Ithaca
March 29, 1977
March 31 , 1977
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TUESDAY , APRIL 5 , 1977
By direction of the Chairman of the Planning Board , NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held by the Planning Board
of the Town of Ithaca on Tuesday , April 5 , 1977 , in Town Hall , 126
East Seneca Street ( second floor ) , Ithaca , N . Y . , at the following
time and on the following matter :
7 : 50 P . M . Consideration of proposed Multi -Family Development on
existing Multi -Familv District behind Ellis Hollow
Apartments , by Ivar Jonson , Tax Parcel No . 6 - 62 - 1 - 1 . 122 .
Said Planning Board will at said time and said place hear all
• persons in support of such matter or objections thereto . Persons may
appear by agent or in person .
Edward L . Bergen
Town Clerk
Town of Ithaca
Dated . March 29 , 1977
Publish : March 31 , 1977