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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1980-05-06 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD TUESDAY , MAY 6 , 1980 • The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday , May 6 , 1980 , in Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street ( second floor ) , Ithaca , New York , at 7 : 30 p . m . PRESENT : Chairman Henry Aron , Montgomery May , Barbara Schultz , Edward Mazza , Liese Bronfenbrenner , James Baker , Bernard Stanton , Carolyn Grigorov , Lawrence P . Fabbroni ( Town Engineer ) , Lewis D . Cartee ( Building Inspector ), Barbara Z . Restaino ( Planner ) , Town Councilman Marc Cramer , Jon Witten ( Cornell HUD / Work Study student ) . ALSO PRESENT : Stewart Knowlton , Tom Wolski , Jim Iacovelli , Michele VanBuren ( WTKO ) . Chairman Aron declared the meeting duly opened at 7 : 33 p . m . , and declared a quorum was present . APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mr . Edward Mazza : RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board Minutes of October 2 , 1979 , be and hereby are approved as written . By way of discussion , Mrs . Bronfenbrenner noted a typo on Page 6 wherein Mr . May is referred to as Mrs . May , The Secretary will correct • the original , _ . and official , Minutes . The MOTION having been made and seconded , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton , Grigorov . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mrs . Carolyn Grigorov : RESOLVED , that -. the Town of Ithaca Planning Board Minutes of December 43 1979 , be and hereby are approved as written . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Mazza , Baker , Stanton , Grigorov . Nay - None . Abstain - Bronfenbrenner . The MOTION was declared to be carried . MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mr . Edward Mazza : RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board Minutes of October 23 , 1979 , be and hereby are approved as written . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton , Grigorov . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . Planning Board. - 2 - May 6 , 1980 REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR • Mr . Cartele presented his Report of Building Permits Issued for the month of April 1980 , said Report being attached to the Official Minutes of this meeting . He noted that there were 7 permits issued for April ' 80 in the amount of $ 120 , 150 . 00 , as compared to 9 permits issued for April ' 79 in the amount of $ 130 , 535 . 00 . Mr . Cartee also noted that one of the permits issued in April ' 80 was for a mobile home trailer used as an office in the construction of a multiple family complex , and that another permit was issued for a roadside stand for Eddydale Farms on Elmira Road , REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER Mr . Fabbroni reported that clean - up from last year ' s projects is progressing , i . e . , the sewer project on Slaterville Road and West Haven Road . He stated that he expects to shortly clean up the Stone Quarry Road water project , i . e . , clean up ditches , shape up what is settled and finish paving . Mr . Fabbroni reported that bids have been awarded on two projects , one being the painting of the Trumansburg Road Tank , Northview Road Tank , and the Troy Road Tank , the low bidder being Broome Industrial , and the other being the painting of Town Hall , the low bidder being V . Giordano Construction and Supply . Mr . Fabbroni reported that he is working on some ideas for developing a ramp into Town Hall , moving the Board Room and meeting room down to the • first floor . He noted that in this way access will be provided to the handicapped and hopefully it will get around some circulation problems within the office itself . , Mr . Fabbroni reported that he is also looking at different types of storage systems - - filing systems - - for better use of and in the vault . He noted that what he is looking at is a rolling filing system which can be moved by hand and provides walking spaces . Mr . Fabbroni reported that the Town is getting ready to put a contract out to refurbish the Cliff Street Pump Station , which serves the Hospital along . with the Trumansburg Road Tank . He noted that the Odd Fellows usage ( now Cornell ) and what will happen to the old hospital is kind of a guessing game as to supply of water to these facilities . Mr . Aron asked if there have been any strong feelings as to what would be feasible for the old hospital , adding that he knows that the Planning Board sent in their recommendations . Mrs . Restaino stated that Social Services is the last word for placement out there . She added that the County feels that some departments they cannot move and it came down to Social Services which , she stated , does not seem very reasonable since most of the people do not have transportation and they live in the City . Mrs . Schultz noted that Medicaid was out there a few years ago . Mr . Aron stated that he hoped the County will be wise enough to make a good • decision . Mrs . Restaino stated that the County is still open to our suggestions . Mr . Aron stated that a number of good suggestions were made by this Board to the Town Board and he hoped they are aware of them . He said he hoped for something that would be on the tax roll rather than off the tax roll . Mr . Fabbroni stated that we can only go so far with the existing water system - - electric , controls , etc . - - and if demand reaches a Planning Board - 3 - May 6 , 1980 certain level ., expand , replace lines , etc . He pointed out that the occupancy level of these facilities being unknown at this time makes it • hard to anticipate such a thing . Mr . Fabbroni reported that Northeast Transit ( NET ) has operated this year pretty much as anticipated ; the ridership is a little higher but expenses are a little higher , however , NET came out in the black . He said that actually the ridership was quite good . He noted that he had reported earlier about 65% capacity and we expect to see ridership of about 2 / 3 full . He stated that NET will continue the same routes next year with the same entities PLUS aon,e - bus summer service to try to carry people who are actually using it � 1 0 stated that we have noticed this throughout the year , the most percentage of ridership has picked up there the most . He noted that 50 - 55% of the ridership is a stable ridership and used the ;services during the Christmas holidays and with the cost of gasoline is a timely service . Mrs . Grigorov asked Mr . Fabbroni how long ago it was when he did the East Ithaca Survey . Mr . Fabbroni replied , - 1975 , Mrs . Grigorov stated that there might be a lot more people interested in buses now . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the nature of the need is the key - - there is a different; need to and from Campus - - other movements , as people described their daily goings and comings - - children going here and there , scattered movement all over with a hundred different trip purposes to a hundred different places . Mr . Fabbroni stated that there are some pro - blems , but the most promising thing would be something to Campus which might involve the is Hollow Apartments where one could transfer from where they hav e t r t� t ,ransfer from . He stated that a committee of Tompkins Coun y aya oonk at""lsomething like that in the very near future . He noted that coming directly from downtown is definitely a losing proposition . Mr . Aron asked if Tompkins County has given thought to people coming in from Trumansburg and Candor , among others . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the County is studying that right now and is working through industries like Morse Chain and NCR , with discussions including car pooling , van pooling also , being investigated and incentive programs . He mentioned 3M , for example , with a . high . cos.ti � of providing parking for employees and noted that they would have definite tax advantages . Mr . Fabbroni stated that up to now there has not been a real incentive tol?T&ustry for this . Mr . Aron wondered if it would be possible , for instance , up on West Hill , within the hospital grounds to have a common parking ground and bus persons downtown to work . Mr . Fabbroni replied that the County is encouraging; park and ride lots , van pools , and eventually when enough , then bus . Mr . Fabbroni stated that there has also been some study of bus service to and from Dryden to TC3 , where the need goes on all day long , as opposed to in Ithaca where it is to and from work . Mrs . Grigorov asked Mr . Fabbroni what it is that is happening on Burns Road whE! re they cleared off a field . Mr . Fabbroni stated that • that is a City activity . Mrs . Grigorov said she hoped that they will seed it . REPORT OF THE TOWN PLANNER Mrs . Rest: aino reported that yesterday she attended an Appalachian Regional Commission meeting in Binghamton at which were discussed funding programs from ARC federal program . She noted that federal housing may be Planning Board. - 4 - May 6 , 1980 a possibility for the Town . She stated that the hospital may be a site for federal housing if grants are available . She reported that a housing • specialist is going to come up next Tuesday and talk with her . She stated that another possibility is a rural transportation grant through ARC , noting that Mr . Fabbroni has more information on this . She stated that NET might . qualify for this type of grant program which is very open and flexible for projects that we might want . She noted that there are many grants , . not just federal , and there are different categories , one being housing and another being rural transportation . Mr . Stanton asked if these were matching grants . Mrs . Restaino , replied .,. no ,. -- the rural transportation is an outright grant of 1007o . She noted that there is a five year .period involved . At this time they are nutting; grant. s on the federal level and we have been affected by this . She stated that they have frozen Title VI (. CETA ) but we have also heard that the President has unfrozen these because of the auto workers , however , the local office does not have this information yet . She stated that we should. have information here quite soon , adding that Matt McHugh is going to get back to us quite soon and . we should know what is happening . She said that the picture is pretty bleak for our parks program involving CETA , however , the Town is applying . for another type of CETA program using high school students for 8 weeks . She said that no one really knows right now , maybe '. Title VI '. will come . through . Mr . Aron asked if the Town has any CETA workers right now . Mrs . Restaino replied , no , adding : - that there is money available , but all hiring is frozen . Chairman Aron thanked Messrs . Cartee and Fabbroni and Mrs . Restaino for their reports . • PUBLIC HEARING : IACOVELLI , 362 WEST KING ROAD . Since no on had appeared yet to speak to this matter , the Board agreed to set . the Hearing aside until later in the meeting . APPLICATION FOR SIGN PERMIT - SOMETHING NEW EAST HILL PLAZA Mr . Cartee presented the Application for Sign Permit signed by Mr . Stewart D . Knowlton , dated March 26 , 1980 , for the Something New Bridal Boutique , Store # 8 , East Hill Plaza , the sign measuring 14 ' 6 " x 16 " , and reading " Something New " . Mr . Stanton stated that he could see no problem , personally . Mr . Aron asked Mr . Cartee about the Grayhaven Motel sign and Mr . Cartee . stated that that is a legal non - conforming use . Mrs . Bron. fenbrenner asked what the materials of this sign are . Mr . Cartee stated that he did not know , Mr . Knowlton stated that he did not know . Mr . Aron asked if the sign were flashing and Mr . Knowlton said absolutely not . MOTION by Mrs . Liese Bronfenbrenner , seconded by Mr . Montgomery May : • RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board approval of the proposed I ign of 19 sq . ft . for the Something New Bridal Boutique , reading " Something New " , Store # 8 , East Hill Plaza . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton , Grigorov . Planning Board - 5 - May 6 , 1980 Nay - None . • The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . PUBLIC HEARING : CONSIDERATION OF A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK FACILITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF FOREST HOME , Chairman Aron declared the Public Hearing in the above - noted matter duly opened and accepted for the record the Clerk ' s Affidavit of Posting and Publication of the Notice of Public Hearing in Town Hall and the Ithaca Journal on April 28 , 1980 , and May 1 , 1980 , respectively . Mr . Aron asked Mr . Fabbroni to present some background to the matter of park development in the Town of Ithaca . Mr . Fabbroni stated that prior to 1975 a park policy was established by the Planning Board , and then in 1975 we took a comprehensive look at the Town to come up with a comprehensive plan . He stated that the need was recognized , priorities set , starting areas noted , and then a plan was drafted and reviewed by the Planning Board and approved and then approved by the Town Board . He noted that along with that the Town Board appro - priated $ 130 , 000 for parks out of surplus tax monies that came back after the Bolton Point borrowing was realized , these being monies that had been advanced as seed money for that project . He stated that the $ 130 , 000 is in a capital :reserve fund for development and to carry out the compre - hensive park :plan . Mr . Fabbroni stated that as a part of that process , parks were identified , adding that the staff has followed that document which has held up pretty well . He noted that one of the aspects of the park plan is that neighborhood associations should come in on an annual • basis and request facilities , indicate their needs , and express these to the Planning Board , with the Planning Board sorting these out and putting priorities on them and then to recommend to the Town Board what should be implemented and what should not be . Mr . Fabbroni pointed out that as a practicality , that system has not worked out totally ideally . He commented that not all neighborhood associations are aware that they have that ability , and so we went to neighborhood groups to assess their needs . Discussions included different alternatives , satisfaction of recreation needs , refining of their needs - - all in order that they could come to the Planning Board , Mr . Fabbroni continued and stated that in 1977 , a park committee of the Town Board was established so that now the process is , in general , that a budget was set up and the processes carried out by staff and approved by the Planning Board as a recommendation from . the Planning :Board to the Park Committee . Mr . Fabbroni stated that Forest Home , - as a part of the comprehensive plan , was established as a priority area . Mr . Fabbroni added that generally , priorities run clock - wise around the Town . He , commented that there are some pockets , such as around Ithaca College , that have developed more than others . Mr . Fabbroni noted that . the Tareyton Drive park , Eastern Heights park , and Northview Road West park harken back to the comprehensive plan . Mr . Fabbroni noted that , with that in mind , Jon Witten from Cornell Planning , had a desire to work on a park plan and Forest Home was to be looked at this year . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the park committee came up with a general budget and recognized it in their next program to be looked at . Mr . Fabbroni concluded by noting that that brings Jon Witten here tonight . Mr . Aron thanked Mr . Fabbroni very much for his comments , informa - tion and explanation . Mr . Aron asked Mr . Witten to present his work to the Planning :Board . Mr . Jon Witten introduced himself to the Board noting that he is a graduate student at Cornell and began working with the Town in September Planning Board - 6 - May 6 , 1980 through the Cornell HUD Work - Study program . Mr . Witten stated that Forest Home was identified in 1975 in the • Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan as lacking in neighborhood open space . He noted that this might appear hard to defend with so many parks in the area such as State Parks , City Parks , the Plantations , etc . Mr . Witten stated that his work was divided into two sections - - ( 1 ) Is there a true need ? and ( 2 ) How to go about a specific site analysis ? Mr . Witten stated that in working toward the answer to Section ( 1 ) , need , he sent out a Questionnaire to neighborhood residents in November of 1979 , to enable the residents of Forest Home to voice their opinions regarding recreation in their area . He noted that the plan was to specify the, lack ( or non - lack ) but not the " how to " . Mr . Witten stated that 58% of the residents returned the Question - naire , which is quite high . He noted that age groups were pinpointed and that those und. er 18 and over 65 were target areas . Mr . Witten commented that the survey was very successful in terms of determining how people felt . He pointed out that , in answer to the specific question , " Would you ( inferring; adults ) utilize a neighborhood park ? " , there were 17 definite yeses: and 11 definite noes . Mr . Witten noted that many variables evolved from the questionnaire - - in fact , six / variables - - and listed them as follows : negative 1 . Forest Home , with its proximity to Fall Creek , Beebe Lake , and the Plantation. Gardens , does - . not need a park . 2 . Nearby. parks such as Taughannock Falls State Park provide sufficient open space areas . 3 . The respondents had no children and older members of the family would not use a park . 4 . A Forest Home park would be abused by Cornell students - - a " swimming hole " approach would take place . Mr . Witten commented that his response to that is that a .. Forest Home facility would not lend itself to such a use . 5 . The capital reserve fund notwithstanding , the people were afraid of the cost . 6 . Tax dollars should be spent elsewhere . Mr . Witten commented that the interest alone on the $ 130 , 000 is far above the cost for a Forest Home park . Turning to the positive aspects , Mr . Witten stated that traffic in Forest Home is: a problem and added that those of you familiar with Forest Home will find this easy to pick up . He stated that it is estimated that 9 , 000 cars go through there daily and between 4 : 30 and 6 : 30 the percentage increases . He noted that speed is a problem despite signs , etc . , which apparently make no difference . Mr . Witten pointed out that at the Forest Home. Improvement Association meeting on this matter in late March of 1980 , traffic came out as a problem and there was support for getting people off the streets and kids off the streets . Mr . Witten noted that the situation is worsened by Cornell and the expansion of " A " and " B " lots and the closing of campus to traffic . He noted that the Kite Hill lot is to be expanded as proposed just last week by 300 more spaces . He stated that the problem will get serious then . Mr . Witten stated that a second important issue in addition to the traffic problem just noted , is that there is no community focal point out of doors , no meeting place as a focal point for the community . Mr . Witten pointer[ out that Forest Home is one of the more cohesive segments of the Town of Ithaca . He stated that the Plantation Gardens simply do not serve , : that: purpose , adding that , while they offer 15 acres of open Planning Board - 7 - May 6 , 1980 space for walking and hiking , children are thrown off there . He noted again that thE! re is no facility within Forest Home that serves leisure • needs . He noted that kids are ejected from Schoellkopf Field , the base - ball fields , etc . Mr . Witten stated that , after determining that a need was there , he began identifying sites and focussed in on four sites , adding that there were actually 5 sites identified which were narrowed down to 4 . Of those 4 , in depth study has narrowed those down to 2 with promise , those being sites l and 3 on the map accompanying the Summary of Site Analysis , dated May 6 , 1980 , and. distributed to the Board and the audience . He stated that sites 1 and 3 are owned by John Hertel and Cornell , respectively . He added that sites 2 , 3 , ; and 4 , are all Cornell land . Mr . Witten commen - ted that initially site 1 was his recommendation , it being the only one large enough for a ballfield . He stated , referring to site 1 , that poor safety and accessibility are shortcomings , rioting that a small play structure and a ballfield do not go together . As for site 3 , Mr . Witten stated that its shortcoming is that it is not large enough for a baseball field . He stated that the age group for baseball playing included 10 to 14 year olds and site 3 will not meet those needs , but a park at site 3 would meet enough other needs . Mr . Witten proceeded to describe a site plan for site 3 which con - tains 1 / 2 acre of land , is owned by Cornell University , and is utilized as a part of the Plantations . He stated that this is a special use under the direction of Mr . Richard Lewis , some aspects of which are not clear . Mr . Witten stated that a park at site 3 would contain a Timber Form play structure , a sand pit , possibly a few benches . He stated that its con - tents would be limited . He noted that there would also be a small field . He noted that limiting the age group is a question , true enough , except that there is enough open space for frisbee , lacrosse . Mr . Witten pointed out that the best aspect of site 3 is that it is far enough away from traffic , the stream , and the Plantation . He commented that this is the best site in the community and , further , this site was identified in :1975 , so was not arrived at merely by process of elimination . Mr . Witten summarized the process through which he has gone , being : 1 . November - Questionnaire ; 2 . December - Site 1 ; 3 . Early March - Site 3 ; 4 . March - meeting with Dick Lewis ; 5 . Late March - Forest Home Improvement Association meeting , same presentation as tonight ' s ; 6 . Late April - . brief :introduction to the parks committee . Mr . Witten stated that he would be happy to respond to any questions . Mr . Stanton asked if he has assurance from Dick Lewis that this is an acceptable site . Mr . Witten replied that Mr . Lewis is thinking about the matter seriously . Mr . Aron asked if there were anyone present from the Forest Home community . It was noted that Dr . Thomas Wolski , President of the Forest Home Improvement Association , was present . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner noted that the paths shown are existing paths , and inquired if the " hollow " would be filled in . Mr . Witten stated that it would not be filled in , it being in the farming boundary , and noted that Cornell has expanded the corn plantings considerably and no corn field lands are involved . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner stated that , from the point of view of accessi - bility , site 3 is the only possible one . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner continued and stated that. there is also a need for some sort of playing field , Planning Board - 8 - May 6 , 1980 further emphasizing that that is quite important . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner stated that she felt the age for ballplaying indicated is too limited . • Mr . Witten pointed out that the Tareyton Park is only about 1 - 1 / 2 miles away , arid , in addition , there is the Northeast School . Mr . Stanton noted that there is room for a father to play ball with his child , Mr . Aron asked Dr . Wolski how he felt about this project , Dr . Wolski replied that of the four sites , Site 3 is really the only one acceptable as to safety and accessibility . Dr . Wolski commented that what Mr . Witten had stated in re the lack of a focal point for the community is true , Dr . Wolski noted that there are about three annual neighborhood get - togethers , one being a parade on the 4th of July if they had a place . Dr . Wolski commented that the objections are by a vocal minority . Dr . Wolski stated that , as Mr . Witten has said , people from outside would not come in for such a special area , Dr . Wolski stated that he thought that this is something that the Forest Home community definitely could use . Mr . Aron asked Dr . Wolski if , of all sites available , he were in favor of site 3 . Dr . Wolski said that that was correct , and added that site 2 is where they play ball now and it is dangerous and also they are kicked off . He commented that it is a nice field but is not good for a play structure or ballfield . • Mrs . Grigorov asked if there is a place for parking for site 3 . Mr . Witten said there is a small place . Mr . Witten stated that . 5 , . 6 , miles is not too far to walk , noting that Forest Home is so small . He stated that for many the distance would be shorter than that . Mr . Witten pointed out that site 1 is a very difficult walk . Mr . Witten noted that parking infers outside people attending and added that outside people would not be interested in going there . He commented that attendance rates in the State Parks has dropped off significantly . Mr . Mazza. asked where site . l is specifically in relation to the Golf Course . Mr . Witten described it as being John Hertel ' s land adjacent to the golf course , right next to the driving range . Mr . Witten noted also that a right of way is needed . Mr . Aron thanked Mr . Witten for an excellent job and added that he hoped it will be so noted by Cornell University . Mr . Aron asked if there were any more questions , MOTION by Mrs . Liese Bronfenbrenner , seconded by Mr . James Baker : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend and hereby does recommend to the Parks Committee and to the Town Board the acceptance of Site 3 for development for recreation purposes , such site being shown on the Map prepared by Mr . Jon Witten and being located just west of the Cornell Filtration Plant , • There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote , Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton , Grigorov . Nay - None , The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously , Planning Board - 9 - May 6 , 1980 PUBLIC HEARING : PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION HEARING FOR 4 - LOT SUBDIVISION • PROPOSED ON TAX PARCELS 6 - 35 - 2 - 6 . 1 AND 6 - 35 - 2 - 6 . 3 , 362 WEST KING ROAD , BY ORLANDO IACOVELLI ET AL AND RALPH IACOVELLI ET AL . Chairman Aron declared the Public Hearing in the above - noted matter duly opened at: 8 : 45 p . m . and accepted for the record the Clerk ' s Affidavit of Posting and Publication of the Notice of Public Hearing in Town Hall and the Ithaca Journal on April 28 , 1980 , and May 1 , 1980 , respectively . Chairman Aron declared the Planning Board lead agent in the matter of environmental review . Mr . Aron noted that the EAF , short form , as completed and signed by Orlando Iacovelli , dated April 21 , 1980 ; had been reviewed by the Town Planner who recommended to the Board that there would be no significant environmental impacts resulting from this project and further recommending that the Planning Board make a negative declara - tion - - determination of non - significance . Mr . Aron stated that the Health Department had also inspected and reviewed the proposal and under signature of Carl Burgess , dated August 23 , 1979 , indicated that no further environmental review was needed as the action will not have a significant effect upon the environment . He noted that the Health Department has issued a permit for sewage system for Lot # 1 . MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mr . Edward Mazza : RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board , acting as lead agency in the review of the proposed 4 - lot subdivision at 362 West King Road , by Iacovelli , approve and hereby does approve the Environmental • Assessment Form as completed ; and FURTHER RESOLVED , that pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act , Parts 617 , this action is classified as Unlisted ; and FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board has deter - mined from the Environmental Assessment Form and all pertinent informa - tion that the above - mentioned action will not significantly impact the environment and , therefore , will not require further environmental review . By way of discussion , Mr . Stanton wanted to be sure that there was no grading involved except excavations . : Mr . James Iacovelli , representing Mr . Orlando Iacovelli , replied that there would be no grading , commenting that the land is very well smoothed out . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton , Grigorov . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . Mr . Aron noted that sand filters would be utilized for the project . Mr . Iacovelli ;stated that whatever the Health Department requires will be done , otherwise , no permits will be issued . Mr . Aron asked how big the • cul - de - sac is . Mr . Iacovelli replied that he did not know , but whatever Mr . Fabbroni required would be done . Mr . Aron noted that the Iacovelli ' s are in the process of building on Lot # l . Mr . Mazza commented that the area contains about 9 acres to be divided into 4 lots . Mr . Iacovelli stated that that was not correct , the whole area contains 9 acres of which the 4 - lot subdivision is a part . Planning Board - 10 - May 6 , 1980 Mr . Aron stated that the Iacovelli ' s own the adjacent land . Mr . Aron requested that any final presentation show a topographical map with • property pins located . Mr . Iacovelli said that the land is flat . Comment was made in re surface water shedding into the creek . Mr . Iacovelli said that there is a gradual slope all the way to the creek . Mr . Mazza asked . about any culverts . Mr . Fabbroni stated that he would want any water to go between Lot #2 and Lot #4 , and between Lot # 3 and Lot #4 , along property lines . Mr . Stanton noted that Lot #4 is very large . Mr . Iacovelli indicated that any development of Lot #4 would be in the future . Mr . Iacovelli stated that the Health Department governs pretty much what one does , adding that they have to have a 200 ' circle . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the following conditions should be met : 1 . The road right of way has to be a 60 ' right of way . 2 . That the proposed path of the water , particularly from the road to the stream , should be delineated by some arrows and should be , preferably , along the lot lines . Mr . Fabbroni noted that the road , then , within the right of way will conform with the highway specifications . Mr . Stanton stated that he thought it ought to be clear where the pins are . Mr . Fabbroni asked which survey pins are actually there now . Mr . Iacovelli replied that they are the ones that are circled on the drawing . Mr . Aron stated that any future . plan presentation should show the property pins and distances from pin to pin . Mr . Aron said a topo map and water flow map with culvert should also be presented . Mr . Fabbroni stated that requiring a topo is pretty much up to the Board . Mr . Aron noted that the land is fairly flat , probably 10 ' from the road to the creek which iS pretty flat . Mr . Mazza, stated that the Board needs to see where the water is going to go and does not require a very expensive map . He stated that he is concerned about getting the water under the road , that is all . Mr . ' Aron declared -;. the Public Hearing duly closed at 8 : 58 p . m . MOTION by Mr . Edward Mazza , seconded by Mr . Bernard Stanton : RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca grant and hereby does grant preliminary subdivision approval to a 4 - lot subdivision proposed on tax parcels 6 - 35 - 2 - 6 . 1 and 6 - 35 - 2 - 6 . 3 , 362 Nest King Road , Orlando and Ralph Iacovelli et al , upon the conditions as noted during this . public . hearing , and as shown on plan presented this date , dated 7 / 17 / 79 . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Baker , Stanton , Grigorov . • Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . - Planning Board - 11 - May 6 , 1980 REPORT OF THE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD CHAIRWOMAN - TOWN COUNCILWOMAN SHIRLEY RAFFENSPERGER Chairman Aron welcomed Mrs . Raffensperger to the Planning Board meeting of May 6 , 1980 . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that she would report on the April meeting of the County Planning Board , with one left over which is the Warren Road improvements and the industrial park development . Mrs . Raffensperger read the following letter sent to her by Supervisor Desch and dated March 12 , 1980 : " Mrs . Shirley Raffensperger , Chairperson Tompkins County Planning Board 139 Pine Tree Road Ithaca , NY 148150 Dear Shirley : In response to your report of upcoming agenda items , . the matter of the Warren Road improvements are of particular concern to the Town of Ithaca . The basis for our concern was related in a letter I addressed to Richard Fischer , the Town of Ithaca representative on the County Environ - mental Management Council . I would fi =rst like to express my appreciation to Mayor Sy Smidt and Frank Liguori for inviting Town of Ithaca participation in this matter . ® We have no intention of discouraging the efforts to improve the viability of the Industrial Research Park , but the Warren Road improvements will undoubtedly focus more cross - town traffic through Forest Home unless the Research Park Master Plan incorporates the commitment to construct the By - pass . Please inform the County Planning Board that the Town Board is about to adopt a ban on through truck traffic in Forest Home . The residents of Forest Home have. been extremely patient with both Cornell and . the Town on this matter of traffic in this area . The truck ban is one more step in our program to improve the health and welfare of this area of the Town . If the By - pass is delayed , it may be necessary to also restrict truck traffic on Warren Road , south of Route 13 where it passes between two schools and a relatively dense residential area . We already have a crossing guard here because of the tendency of drivers to speed through this area . We would be pleasedto provide more background on these concerns , if necessary . " Turning now to the April 9 , 1980 , meeting of the County Planning Board , Mrs . Raffensperger spoke about the report given to the Board on the joint .housing _ study ._ of the County Planning Board and the Economic Advisory Board , noting that this is an inventory and assessment of housing of $ 50 , 000 and under in Tompkins County , the planning emphasis being multi - family . She stated that the County plans to have recommendations for those areas which they feel multi - family housing is most needed in and it will probably include some areas in the Town of Ithaca . Mr . Aron asked if this could relate to the Town zoning ordinance . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that it could be a recommendation by the County to the Town and added that she thought they have already sent a questionnaire to all of the Towns asking for their zoning maps . Mrs . Restaino stated that one of the Country Planners visited the Town Planning Department in person . ' Planning Board - 12 - May 6 , 1980 Mrs . Raffensperger noted that this project is in the planning stages . Mr . Aron wondered if we take a parcel of land with up to $ 50 , 000 homes , are we • segregating ? Mrs, Raffensperger replied that she did not mean to imply that . other types of housing are not under discussion - - multi - family is an example . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that another report that was given by Mr . Liguori centered on the County -Wide Public Service Transportation Plan with recommendations . Application for grants will be made to ARC and FmHA and will include at least one fixed route - - Ithaca / TC3 / Dryden - - of public transportation ; a. break in the school bus barrier for use in public transit which may require legislation but at least there is an increased desire on the part of the schools to cooperate ; and van leasing - - primarily leasing by employers , institutions , and / or municipalities . She noted that these are three pilot programs for which grants will be applied . Mrs . Raffensperger reported that the Town Board will have a resolution before them next week ; copies have been received of a plan from Frank Liguori . She said that the Town Board is being asked to consider a resolution which would emphasize the future role of NET as to expansion into the East Ithaca area , and , as coordinating agency , formulate a time - table . as to unmet needs - - Trumansburg , Dryden , Newfield , Groton . Mrs . Raffensperger noted that the report was a summary and primarily in prepara - tion for grant applications . She stated that she thought the Town will ask that that will be put on some kind of timetable . Mrs . Raffensperger reported on the discussions by the County Planning Board of the Census , actually , the Post - Census Review . She noted that it • is supposed to be in mid - June , but will probably be August , that each municipality will be given enumeration district maps , preliminary estimates , and a ten - day opportunity to review and respond . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that on the May Agenda of the County Planning Board , there are 'two items : 1 . A discussion . of the transportation of nuclear materials . She commented that the County Planning Board had received two documents , one being " A Brief Review of the Framework of Regulatory Controls on the Transportation of Radioactive Materials " , and the other being an EMC Committee report " Radio - active Materials rCran.sport in Tompkins County . " 2 . Discussion on the processes and criteria for membership on County Advisory Boards , with discussions also on the Planning and Public Works Committee and the EMC . Mrs . Raffensperger concluded her report by noting that a presentation to the County Planning Board by PARKIT will take place in June . Mr . Fabbroni commented that at the Tompkins County meeting he stated that it was his reeling that the Town is being looked by when it comes to these pilot programs , specifically Northeast Transit . He noted that NET has been in operation for some time , has stated a need for mid - day service and because of the money involved it is -' not feasible _ locall.y . to provide • that service and meet that need . He stated that it seems to be a need voiced by a good segment of the population . Mr . . Fabbroni was concerned that application by ARC; are locking the funds all up and he was further concerned with the changes in funding , noting that people used to be able to look to Washington , but now Section 18 monies come through the County and the State . He commented that there is a lot of pressure on the County to get whatever money they can , Nfr . Fabbroni pointed out that with three years ' Section . 18 monies the City could not even afford one bus , before they could fund 2 or 3 under UMTA at one time . ° Planni.ng Board - 13 - May 6 , 1980 Mr . Fabbroni /express.ed concern . that in all the rushing to prepare grant applications the Town , specifically NET will be left in the lurch , and if we wait until • four years from now there will be serious problems in the Northeast system . Mr . Fabbroni stated that whether NET becomes a part of the Ithaca Transit or not , it is pretty apparent that a new piece of equipment will be needed down the line . lie added that in that sense it is kind of critical that that effort be supported now . Mr . Fabbroni continued and noted that June 15th is the pre - application deadline . He pointed out that the Town has the most information on that system . He noted that there is confusion involving , among other things , school buses , a program that is not very well defined and here in NET we have something very well defined and not even considered . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that Mrs . Beverly Livesay , Town of Ithaca Representative on the County Board of Representatives , is the liaison in this matter , Needs .in the Town of Ithaca and areas peripheral to the City have been discussed and that discussion is not finished . Mrs . Raffensperger said she thought Mrs . Livesay will pursue it and she offered to push a little more . _ It was noted that what has been City money is now County money . Chairman Aron , -the members of the Planning Board , and Mr . Fabbroni thanked Mrs . Raffensperger for speaking with the Board . PERSONS TO BE HEARD • Mrs . Shirley Raffensperger , 139 Pine Tree Road , spoke to the members of the Planning Board as a resident of the Southeast Ithaca area and not as a member of the Town Board . She stated that she is appearing here as a former officer and present member of the East Ithaca Civic Association and as a person often the recipient of neighborhood opinion . She stated that there is increasing concern about the planning direction in that neighbor - hood . Mrs . Raffensperger expressed her feeling that the Planning Board is the group to tall: to , it being the Planning Board ' s responsibility to look at this area as well as all others . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that neighborhood concerns have been heightened by the number of recent developments in that area - - the Southeast . She noted that some of the , factors which have brought this once again to the fore are : ( 1 ) thE! ever - increasing size of the East Hill Plaza resulting in an increase in traffic ; ( 2 ) the complexity and danger of the intersection at the East Hill Plaza primarily those at the service station entrances and exits ; ( 3 ) the present filling and regrading at the Plaza raising fears of uncontrolled expansion ; ( 4 ) the increasing momentum in the Town in regard to a : by - pass : _ She commented that for all of the people she talks to there is some blanket opposition to a by - pass . In this regard , also , Mrs . Raffensperger stated that , certainly , everyone wants improved convenience and safety at the Judd Falls Road / Route 366 , Judd Falls Road / Ellis Hollow Road / East Hill Plaza intersections . She stated that the East Ithaca neigh - borhood is very sympathetic to the needs of the Forest Home Community - - there are old allegiances here since they used to share the Forest Home • School . She stated , however , that the residents also feel that a good plan is one which does not sacrifice one neighborhood for another . Mrs . Raffensperger said that it is understood that the planning efforts in this area would be inter - connected and overlapping , but she asked that the Planning Board please consider some of the problems that seem to be involved , and these are : present traffic , intersection problems - - long and short - term solutions , future impact of various by - pass corridors , impact of Planning Board - 14 - May 6 , 1980 Cornell development and parking lot plans , impact of approved and applied for multi - family development in the area , residential development in • adjacent Towns , and zoning regulations in the adjacent Towns and the City . Mrs . Raffensperger posed the question : the East Hill Plaza plan : will there be any limits to expansion or type of expansion ? She posed another question : do we have an inventory of all commercially zoned areas in the Town ; what is a well - balanced pattern of commercial development for the Town as a whole ? Mrs . Raffensperger stated that perhaps the revised zoning ordinance should be looked at in this regard . She asked , are we recognizing that the best plan can be destroyed not just by the " big bite " , but can also be nibbled to death ? Mrs . Raffensperger expressed . her conviction that this area - - Southeast Ithaca - - will increasingly be a planning problem and the longer we wait , the more difficult the solution . Mrs . Raffen :3perger stated that in bringing these comments to this Board she was not; implying that the Planning Board alone had created pro - blems , -rather shE? was rying to come up with some objective standards to weigh the situation in fast Ithaca area against and to ask the Board to consider , and these are : ( 1 ) has the general effect upon this community , including such items as traffic load upon public streets , been detrimental to the health , safety and general welfare of the community ; ( 2 ) have we provided access and egress safely designed ; ( 3 ) does the present situation allow us to say that the development in the area has not been ( or will be ) detrimental to the general amenity or neighborhood character in amounts • sufficient to devaluate neighborhood property or seriously inconvenience neighborhood inhabitants ? Mrs; . Raffensperger stated that it seemed to her that these criteria should be considered , not just at the moment of re - zoning or for variances , but should be applied in the on - going process of planning for development after such rezoning or variance . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that it should not be possible to approve little by little what would not have been approved as a whole . Mr . Aron thanked Mrs . Raffensperger and stated that her thoughts were well worth saying . Mr . Aron stated that there are some problems such as the entrance and exit to the gas station and pointed out that this Planning Board designed that entrance and exit completely differently „ in fact , one way going in and one way going out , but . then after the Town Board got through it was completely different . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that , as she had mentioned earlier , by bringing these problems to the Planning Board she was not impJlying that the Planning Board alone had created problems . Mr . Stanton :Mated that it seemed to him that the over - all map is more important than evE1n the zoning ordinance . Mrs . Raffensperger recounted the history of the shopping center re - zoning in 1968 . She stated that the shopping center is different from what the plan had been then as a revision of the ordinance . She stated that it • is possible to slowly get into something that you never would have . _ approved in the beginning , just by one more approval and one more change . Mrs . Raffensperger stated that extensions ought to be no less important than the rezoning . Mr . Aron stated that the area zoned commercial was for X number of acres and there have been additions to the area already zoned commercial . He stated that there have been traffic counts done . He stated that it is ' Manning Board - 15 - May . 6 , 1980 very hard to deny someone who knows that a parcel is zoned commercially . He noted that maizy things alter neighborhoods over the years - - roads , • traffic , economics , etc . Mr . Aron commented that unfortunately we all get too much into dosing day to day work and are not projecting out . and it is certainly easier to set a policy in general than one in specifics . Mr . Aron suggested that it would be nice if we could exchange the sheep farm with Cornell and improve the Plaza intersection . Mrs . Raffensperger recalled that in 1968 when the rezoning was reviewed , the Planning Board said that " immediate " improvements were needed to fix that intersection . Mr . Fabbroni stated that there 'really is only one reason why it is not built now - - Cornell . He noted that just in the last month we seem to be starting where we tried to three years ago . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the County cannot invest in this localized improvement until Cornell is committed . He commented that now that Cornell is committed to the orchards all the old obstacles are not all problems now . He noted that the State plans to relocate Judd Falls Road 100 ' to the west to connect with the Synchrotron access . The discussion ended with Mrs . Bronfenbrenner noting that in looking forward and projecting out we should be thinking about what to do with changed uses like the hospital and schools . ADJOURNMENT Upon Motion , the Chair declared the May 6 , 1980 , meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board duly adjourned . Respectfully submitted , Nancy M . Fuller , Secretary .