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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1980-02-05 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD TUESDAY , FEBRUARY 5 , 1980 • The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday , February 5 , 1980 , at Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street ( second floor ) , Ithaca , New York , at 7 : 30 p . m . PRESENT : Chairman Henry Aron , Montgomery May , Edward Mazza , Carolyn Grigorov , Barbara Schultz , Liese Bronfenbrenner , James Baker , Bernard Stanton . ALSO PRESENT : Fred Wood , Wonderland Motel ; Michele VanBuren ( WTKO ) . Chairman Aron declared the meeting duly opened at 7 : 33 and noted that a Quorum was present . APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Planning Board reviewed the Minutes of November 6 , 1979 , page by page and made corrections . MOTION by Mrs . Liese Bronfenbrenner , seconded by Mr . Montgomery May : RESOLVED , that the Minutes of the November 6 , 1979 , meeting of the .Town of Ithaca Planning Board be re - typed as corrected . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . " • Aye - Aron , May , Mazza , Grigorov , Schultz , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . MOTION by Mr . James Baker , seconded by Mrs . Barbara Schultz : RESOLVED , that the Minutes of the January 8 , 1980 , meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board be and hereby are approved as written . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Mazza , Grigorov , Schultz , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . MOTION by Mrs . Liese Bronfenbrenner , seconded by Mr . Bernard Stanton : RESOLVED , that the Minutes of the January 22 , 1980 , meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board be and hereby are approved with one correc - tion , that on page 2 , in the first sentence of paragraph 3 , the word " go " be changed to "went " . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - May , Mazza , Grigorov , Schultz , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton . Nay - None . Abstain - Aron . The MOTION was declared to be duly carried . ' Planning Board - 2 - February 5 , 1980 REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR . Mr . Cartee presented his December 31 , . . 1979 , and January 31 , 1980 , Report of Building Permits Issued to the Planning Board . He noted that the December Report shows one 1 - family unit , one conversion , and one addition for a total of $ 77 , 000 , as compared to December 1978 of one 2 - family unit and one addition for a total of $ 55 , 000 . He noted that the January report shows one 1 - farnily unit , five alterations , and one business building permit for a total of $ 192 , 000 , as compared to January 1979 of two business building permits for a total of $ 13 , 300 . Mr . Cartee reported that the study of violations of the zoning ordinance , " junk " law , and sign ordinance is continuing . He said that a l.ist. i;ng . of suspected or actual violations is being gone through . Mr . Cartee commented that he has received some new complaints and is seeing those through . He noted that many appeals from the notices of violation are going to the Zoning Board of Appeals . Mr . Cartee . stated that we are presently waiting for the Town Board to give us final guidance on issuing appearance tickets . REPORT OF THE TOWN PLANNER Mrs . Restaino reported that , as the Planning Board is aware , we are approaching the last of the joint meetings for the zoning ordinance amendments ( February 25 , 1980 ) , and we have a new Committee and a new Chairperson for, that Committee , Town Councilwoman Catherine Valentino . Mrs . Restaino stated that the committee is very interested in having the amended zoning ordinance in place and not reviewing it to death . Mrs . Restaino reported that a new " preface " or " preamble " is being written which was a need that came out of our last joint meeting ( January 21 , 1980 ) . Mrs . Restaino stated that that is being pulled together now and added that we will have a meeting of the Codes and Ordinances Committee on February 12 , 1980 . Mrs . Restaino reported that the Tompkins County Planning Department is very interested in suggestions for re - use of the old hospital . Mrs . Restaino stated that she voiced the Town ' s position that we do not want to move offices out there that involve administration , such as County Clerk ' s Office , Assessment Office , etc . Mrs . Restaino commented that there is thought of moving Social Services to the old hospital facility . Mr . Aron commented that he had heard Mr . John Murphy , the County Administrator , speak and he had brought up the matter of the old hospital suggesting that Social Services move in there as part of the occupancy . Mr . Aron stated that there were other people present from the City of Ithaca who were not interested in moving certain offices such as the County Clerk for reasons of centrality of location and for other reasons as well . Mr . Aron commented that as to Social Services it is in limbo right now , for one reason among others , the transportion question . Mrs . Restaino stated that accessibility is certainly a matter of concern and so is the impact on the City of Ithaca if the various County Offices were to be moved from the downtown center to the old hopsital . Mrs . Fuller stated that the vulnerable position of the City of Ithaca in this matter should be carefully noted . Mrs . Restaino stated that the Planning Department is open to any ' Planning Board - 3 - February 5 , 1980 suggestions and asked that the members of the Planning Board , please , get them to her . Mrs . Restaino stated that she wanted to know how the members feel about private use also , such as apartments . - - how does the Town feel about private use of the hospital . Mr . Aron stated that it has been his observation in the past that we are in a time of shortage of facilities for care of the elderly . He noted that some have suggested that this could be a place for a nursing home . Mr . May felt that the old hospital building does not particularly lend itself to that very well because of design , being a multi - story building for one thing . Mrs . Grigorov stated that she saw nothing wrong with apartments going in there through a private developer . Mr . Aron stated that it seems that this would be very costly . Mrs . Grigorov added that if someone could do it , she sees no objection . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner suggested a possible use as an ambulatory facility . Mrs „ Bronfenbrenner further suggested a small facility for families of patients at the hospital , for example , mothers of premature babies . She added that this type of facility should not be expensive for the families - - it must be affordable . Mr . Aron pointed out that this building is very large . • Mr . May wondered if the members of the Board were aware that the Odd Fellows has room downstairs for such a facility . Mrs . RestceLino stated that Mrs . Fuller had suggested to her that possible use by TC3 should be investigated . Mr . Aron stated that that was a very good suggestion . Mrs . Restaino pointed out that TC3 has an excellent nursing program , child care program , food service program . Mrs . Fuller commented that TC3 is always on the lookout for classroom space in Ithaca and not just facilities for those mentioned , but for regular classes such as accounting , history . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner commented that she did not look toward one use for the whole building , there could be several uses contained there . Mr . May suggested that a jail facility might also be given serious consideration . Mrs . Restaino expanded on that suggestion adding that a facility for mental health programs could be considered . Mrs . Restaino now continued with her report and stated that we . - are thinking of setting up working with CETA in a training program at BOLES . She said that the Planning Department is looking for people willing to teach two days a week for half a day in such areas as welding , metal shop , woodworking . She stated that this program is for people who are trying to train for laborer positions and need basic skills . She said the • salary is $ 6 . 00 per hour and wondered if anyone on the Board were interes - ted or knew of anyone who might be interested whom she could contact . It appeared that no one from the Planning Board was able to offer their services . at this point . Mrs . Restaino pointed out that this is a cooperative training program wherein those involved work with CETA , adding that it might involve a Saturday . Mrs . Restaino stated that BOCES says they cannot get Planning Board - 4 - February 5 , 1980 staff . Mr . Aron commented that the salary might better be reconsidered . Mr . Stanton commented that the mixing of BOCES students with CETA workers would ,just not work well . Mr . May stated that he is taking welding at BOCES now in the evening and it is a fine course . Mr . Stanton suggested to Mrs . Restaino that she might also turn to some retired people in the community , adding that there are many skilled retired persons . WRITTEN REPORT OF THE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD CHAIRWOMAN - TOWN COUNCILWOMAN SHIRLEY RAFFENSPERGER The Plann =ing Board members had received a copy of Mrs . Raffensperger ' s written report on the County Planning Board meetings of December 1979 and January 1980 . The following portion of that report was particularly noted by the Board : '.' PLANNING PRIORITIES : The CPB will complete a list of 1980 planning priorities at the Feb . 13 meeting . I would appreciate your input - perhaps you could devote a short time tonight to a discus - sion of your views of : primary County planning issues and primary Town of Ithaca planning issues , and Nancy could get a summary of your con - clusions to me before upcoming meeting . " Mr . Stanton opened the discussion by referring to the question of the " Master Plan " and Mr . Edward King ' s memo to the Town Board in re the pro - posed zoning ordinance revision . Mr . Stanton felt that there should be cooperation with the City of Ithaca and the Village of Cayuga Heights in this regard . Fie stated that any kind of master . plan should be aware of the boundaries of the Town . Referring again to Mr . King ' s memo , he stated that it seemed to him that if we have a master plan it must be in connection with the other municipalities . He mentioned the Village of Lansing and the Town of Lansing . He did not feel that the Town of Dryden , for example , need be covered in depth . He wondered about Enfield , Newfield , Ulysses . Mr . Stanton suggested that somehow , informally , it would be good if we could talk with these various townships . Mrs . Restaino stated that the County has developed their compre - hensive plan studies which , though generalized , still involve that func - tion . Mrs . Restaino noted that the County ' s selective communities plan is quite a good one , although it might not be specific enough for us . She added that the towns really do not take advantage of these volumes of work . Mr . Aron wondered if it would not be easier for the County to sit down with us and discuss over - all planning . He noted that we are putting out a revision to the zoning ordinance here from the Town of Ithaca and then the County comes along and says it does not fit into their scheme and then the City also . Mr . Stanton pointed out that the City line and the Town line come together and they are so different . He thought that at the least there might be some agreement as to square footage . He would hope for any agreement . He said that the Town has one set of rules for occupancy and the City another and so it is not surprising that people are confused . He fdl.tt that certainly reasonable people could meet and talk about where the Planning Board - 5 - February 5 , 1980 differences are . Mr . Stanton stated that he was in sympathy with Mr . King ' s point , except we cannot wait until we get a master plan or agree - ment . The by - pars plans were discussed very briefly . Mr . Stanton closed the discussion by stating that he simply did not know why we have to do everything so formally . He felt strongly that with all the reasonable people involved , informal discussion could be very productive . Mr . Stanton said that he would write something up during the meeting and submit it for the Board ' s consideration . APPLICATIONS FOR SIGN PERMIT 1 . China Garden , Elmira Road , The Planning Board members had received with their Agenda a copy of the application for sign permit from Mr . Jung Fu Wu for the China Garden Restaurant at (302 Elmira Road . Mr . Cartee passed around a photograph of the sign as it actually appears on the side of the restaurant . Mr . Aron :Dtated that he visited the site and that he was very impressed with the looks of the sign . Mrs . Grigorov also stated that she thought it was very nice . Mr . Aron asked if the sign meets the requirements of the Sign Ordi - nance , • Mr . Carted stated that it did and added that he had required the removal of a second freestanding sign at this facility , a handmade sign advertising lunch , and that this had been done by the owner in January . MOTION by Mrs . Liese Bronfenbrenner , seconded by Mr . James Baker : RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board approval of the wall sign reading " China Garden " at the China Garden Restaurant , 602 Elmira Road , as shown on application presented by Mr . Jung Fu Wu , dated January 22 , 1980 . There being . no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Mazza , Grigorov , Schultz , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . 2 . Sibley Corporation , East King . Road . The Planning Board members had received with their Agenda a copy of a letter from Mr . E . B . Meader , Chairman of the Board of the Sibley Corporation , dated January 15 , 1980 , requesting an extension of their permit for a " For Sale " sign , issued in December 1978 and expiring in • December 1979 , placed upon their property on East King Road , formerly the Beacon Hills property . Mr . Cartee pointed out that the sign is in good condition and has been permitted . MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mr . James Baker : ' Planning Board - 6 - February 5 , 1980 RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board extension of the existing permit , # 61 , as issued to the Sibley Corporation for a " For Sale " sign of 32 sq . ft . located on King Road East ( former Beacon Hills land ) for another eleven months , ending December 31 , 1980 . By way of discussion , Mr . May asked if it is really necessary to do this ; the sign is very large . Mr . Mazza stated that there might be a problem since the Planning Board recommended it for approval once . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Mazza , Grigorov , Schultz , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . 3 . Wonderland Motel , Elmira Road . The Planning Board members had received with their Agenda a copy of the application for sign permit from N . W . L . Realty , Lillian Rowe , Owner , for a 43 sq . ft . sign reading " Wonderland Motel " , to be placed upon the north side of the Motel wall , the application being signed by F . 0 . Wood , Manager , and dated January 10 , 1980 . • Mr . Aron noted that the sign is not up yet and that it is proposed for the north side side wall . Mr . Cartee! stated that Mr . Wood from the Wonderland Motel is present and would present the application to the Board . Mr . Wood stated that when the building was originally designed , it was set up for this type of plastic lettering and that there are existing spot lights . Mr . Wood described the $ 65 , 000 worth of improvements that have been made at the Wonderland Motel . Mr . Aron was concerned that the lights not be an obstacle to traffic . Mr . Wood described the lighting as being aimed at the lettering only . Mr . May wondered about the size of the building . Mr . Wood stated that the building is around 30 - 35 feet wide . He noted that the letters are standard plastic letters from Ithaca Plastics . Mr . Aron pointed out that the applicant could bring down the size of the letters to meet the Sign Ordinance . requirements . Mr . Baker pointed out that the north wall is an awfully long ways away from the road . Mr . Wood stated that the sign will be made up of individual letters • and he could adjust it to any size the Planning Board requires . MOTION by :Mr . Montgomery May , seconded by Mr . James Baker : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board approval of the application for sign permit as presented this date , February 5 , 1980 , by Mr . Wood , Manager , on behalf of N . W . L . Realty , Applicant , such application being ' Planning Board - 7 - February 5 , 1980 dated January 10 , 1980 , for a sign for Wonderland Motel , 654 Elmira Road , to be appended to the north side of the Motel wall and reading " Wonderland Motel " , with the stipulation that the square footage of said sign shall be equal to or less than the lineal footage of the wall on which said sign is mounted . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , Maly , Grigorov , Schultz , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton . Nay - None . Abstain - Mazza . The MOTION was declared to be duly carried . DISCUSSION OF JANUARY 31 , 1980 , DRAFT OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE . Mr . Aron opened the discussion by remarking upon the Secretary ' s wit in the cover letter accompanying the newly typed sign ordinance draft that was sent to the Planning Board members with their Agenda . Mr . May concurred and expressed his thanks . Mr . Aron expressed his thanks to the sign ordinance committee for the tremendous hours of work spent on this and for the wonderful job done in producing this document . He added that the Planning Board is a tremendous step ahead of where it was last year at this time . Mr . May stated that the committee also appreciates the help from Mr . Baker and Mr .. Cartee . Mr . Aron :stated that he would turn this part of the meeting over to Mr . May , as Chairman of the Sign Ordinance Committee . Mr . May lead the Board through a page by page review of those items still requiring final decision , those items being indicated by asterisks on various pages . The Secretary marked the decisions made on the master copy . It was agreed that the suggestions and comments that Mr . Cartee has been developing will be brought to the next meeting of the Planning Board on February 19th and that soon after that discussion , the final draft may be typed . STATUS REPORT -- PLANNING BOARD BY - LAWS . No report „ RESOLUTION IN RE CHAIRPERSON / COUNCILPERSON SHIRLEY RAFFENSPERGER ' S REQUEST FOR PLANNING BOARD INPUT INTO 1980 COUNTY PLANNING BOARD PLANNING PRIORITIES . Mr . Stanton presented a proposed resolution for the Board to consider . After discussion , the following action was taken : MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mrs . Liese Bronfenbrenner . RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board suggest and hereby does suggest to the Town Board that said Town Board take some initiatives to encourage discussions with representatives from the City of Ithaca , the Village of Cayuga Heights , and representatives of Towns , or the Village of ' Planning Board - 8 - February 5 , 1980 Lansing , which border the Town of Ithaca . The purpose of such discussion would be : ( 1 ) to locate those areas which adjoin each other in our separate jurisdictions and which have different zoning requirements , and ( 2 ) to consider possible modifications in existing zones or Town plans and maps so that adjoining areas may come into greater conformity wherever possible . Some discussion of important differences in definitions and minimum requirements in our respective zoning ordinances or plans should be considered . AND FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board en - courages support for and location on the County planning map the access road to New York State Route 13 which provides a bypass around Forest Home and the residential areas of the Northeast from Cornell University and the City of Ithaca . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Mazza , Grigorov , Schultz , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton . Nay - None . ADJOURNMENT Upon Motion , the Chair declared the February 5 , 1980 , meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board duly adjourned at 10 : 15 p . m . Respectfully submitted , Nancy M . Fuller , Secretary .