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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1993-01-05A. TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD JANUARY 51 1993 The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 5, 1993, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York, at 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chairperson Carolyn Grigorov, Robert Kenerson, Candace Cornell, Herbert Finch, William Lesser, Dan Walker (Town Engineer), Floyd Forman (Town Planner), George Frantz (Assistant Planner), John Barney (Town Attorney). ALSO PRESENT: Mildred Brammer, Lucille Schmieder, Lynn Bertoia, Robert Bertoia, Kenneth Sullivan, Fred Brown, John Whitcomb, Jonathan Hochberg, Martha Taylor, Eva Hoffmann, Carol Bushburg, Nancy Wilson, Randolph Brown. Chairperson Grigorov declared the meeting duly opened at 7:36 OF ITHACA TAX P.M. and accepted for the record the Clerk's Affidavit of Posting and Publication of the Notice of Public Hearings in Town Hall and the Ithaca Journal on December 28, 1992, and December 31, 1992, respectively, together with the Secretary's Affidavit of Service by Mail of said Notice upon the various neighbors of each of the properties under discussion, as appropriate, upon the Clerks of the City of Ithaca and the Town of Danby, upon the Tompkins County Commissioner of Planning, upon the Tompkins County Commissioner of Public Works, and upon the applicants and /or agents, as appropriate, on December 30, 19928 Chairperson Grigorov read the Fire Exit Regulations to those assembled, as required by the New York State Department of State, Office of Fire Prevention and Control. AGENDA ITEM. PERSONS TO BE HEARD There were no persons present to be heard. Chairperson Grigorov closed this segment of the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING. CONSIDERATION OF PRELIMINARY AND FINAL SUBDIVISION APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION OF TOWN OF ITHACA TAX PARCEL NO. 45 -2 -14, 66.5 FROM 2.9 +/- ACRES SUBDIVIDED IS R -30. CITIZENS +/- ACRES TO 37.2 LOCATED AT 250 SAVINGS BANK, TOTAL, +/- TROY OWNER, INTO FIVE (5) LOTS RANGING ACRES. PARCEL PROPOSED ROAD, RESIDENCE DISTRICTS RANDOLPH BROWN, AGENT. IN SIZE TO BE R -15 AND Chairperson Grigorov declared the Public Hearing in the above -noted matter duly opened at 7:38 p.m. and read aloud from the Notice of Public Hearings as posted and published and as noted above. Randolph Brown, Agent for Citizens Savings Bank addressed the Board and also affixed a map of the above mentioned property for everyone to see, stating that an agreement was made to sell the house Planning Board -2- January 5, 1993 with the 17.4 acres to one party. Another party who is Mr. Sullivan, who owns a house now on East King Road wanted to buy about 2.8 acres in back of his house to protect himself and to have more space. The bank proposed to subdivide this parcel for sale and sell this portion to Mr. Sullivan; and then sell the 17.4 acres to Ms. Wilkerson and Ms. Taylor. By doing this it creates two lots; one of which allows a right -of -way so part of the property is not landlocked. This parcel also has four areas where it goes into Ridgecrest Road. In the future, this leaves 37 acres and 3 parcels which are to be worked with the Town to help with a plan to subdivide the rest of the parcels. Citizens Savings Bank will be donating ten percent (10 %) of the 66.5 acre tract to the Town, and the bank will be working with the Town to see what is more advantageous for them and for the bank. Citizens hopes to sell the rest of the land, they do not have a plan to develop. Chairperson Grigorov noted again that this was a Public Hearing and asked if anyone else present wished to speak. Nancy Wilson of 232 Troy Road addressed to Board stating that her property is next to the right -of -way that comes out on Troy Road. Ms. Wilson stated she is interested in what plans the Town might have for water on Troy Road. Most residents have had trouble with wells that do not produce enough water, and their only way of getting Town water is if there is development so that water can be brought over from Ridgecrest Road. Ms. Wilson wondered if the Town had any plans to supply water along this area. Even the Jones' who had owned the property had trouble getting water. Town Engineer Dan Walker stated that water could be provided to most of that parcel with the exception of the higher elevations. Mr. Walker further stated that there could be water brought down Troy Road, but there are some limitations of the tank for pressure. Currently, there is water all the way out Ridgecrest Road. Mr. Walker used the affixed map to explain the water flow. Mr. Walker stated that if water was to be brought in; it could come in two ways. There is no particular plan at this time to extend the water lines. Chairperson Grigorov noted again that this was a Public Hearing and asked if anyone else present wished to speak. No one spoke. Chairperson Grigorov closed the Public Hearing and brought the matter back to the Board for discusison. Chairperson Grigorov asked if anyone from the Board was able to go up and see the land. Planning Board members William Lesser and Candace Cornell stated they had gone to see the land. Town Attorney John particular proposal does 5 in this manner, is Attorney Barney further intersecting roads are Barney stated that the only thing that this by the way it subdivides parcel 3 and parcel commit road access to be in one location. stated that he had no sense of where other located on the other side of the tract and Planning Board -3- January 5, 1993 ® therefore, if this balance of parcel is an appropriate place to look for access for the 3. Assistant Planner George Frantz stated that just the grade under the power lines pretty much precludes a public road. Mr. Frantz also stated that where the access is now, there is no problem with the grade standpoint there. Mr. Frantz stated he walked across parcel 5 and into parcel 3. It is not level, but as far as the lay of the land, it is fairly level and certainly appears to be within 100. There might be a 2 or 3 foot grade difference between Troy Road, but this is something that can be easily overcome. Attorney Barney stated to Mr. Frantz that from Citizens standpoint, they need parcel 1 and parcel 2, and are planning on bringing in plans for the balance. Attorney Barney stated he did not see any reason why the Planning Board could not give subdivision approval for parcel 1 and parcel 2 tonight. Attorney Barney further stated that he really needs to see what is going to happen to the rest of the land; where the road access is going to be and so forth, but by committing to this particular subdivision tonight in its entirety, you are committing to this one location of the road and it may be that upon further review and design. It may be better to bring the road out in the middle of parcel 5 or something like that, and that is the other decision that will have to be made tonight; to accomplish what Citizens wants to have accomplished, which is, the ability to transfer parcels 1 and 2, and reserve that kind of decision to some time in the future when you have more drawings and an idea of exactly how the layout will be. The layout may not work terribly well from Citizens standpoint because they are going to have to build a 270 foot road before they can get any lots to sell. Mr. Frantz replied to Attorney Barney that he looked at it from the standpoint of the intersection on Troy Road, and site distance and the like, and what is on the other side of Troy Road. There is a commitment there for anybody who wants to develop parcel 3 and any sort of development that would include a public road; yet they are building 270 feet of public road before they start making any money on their investment. Town Planner Forman stated that even if Citizens subdivides the way it is at present, they can include re- subdivide again now attached to Citizens will still when the two if they parcel have to they come back separate so choose. 3, or you come back with their re- subdivision parcels 3 and 5, and then You can leave what is parcel can subdivide it the way it before the Board. There is 5 is. a park and open -space to submit this to dedication the Town, when should the they re- subdivide Town so choose. it. They have They will be coming back before the Board. Attorney Barney stated that for parcel 3, once the Board approves a subdivision plan, the parcels in this format, parcel 3 is then ® legally saleable as a separate piece of land. Parcel 5 is saleable as an independent legal piece of land. In granting approval, the Board is saying that there is a possibility that parcel 3 may be left Planning Board -4- January 5, 1993 e in this configuration or sold to somebody who option, if they do not pick up parcel 5 at provide a road across the location shown here. will then have no the same time, but to Planning Board member William Lesser stated that he thinks this is an excellent point to raise, however, his knowledge of the area suggests that particular point is not a bad one for an intersection. It is not clear to him that running the road anywhere through parcel 5 would necessarily improve the intersection or make it any less expensive to reach the interior of that parcel, unless there were some interest in reconfiguring parcel 1, which is unlikely to happen. Planning Board member Candace Cornell stated that Mr. Frantz passed out an amendment to the draft resolution for the subdivision for number "d ", [attached hereto as Exhibit # 1]. Ms. Cornell thought it very important that the wording be included that Mr. Frantz suggested. Ms. Cornell stated that there are a number of potential wetlands in this entire area. There are a number of little marshes. There are marsh wetlands, scrub wetlands, dogwood wetlands; and we are not asking anyone at this time to delineate anything, but it would seem important that this paragraph that Mr. Frantz drafted gets included, because when Citizens tries to sell it, it makes the buyer aware and protects Citizens. Mr. Frantz stated that he did not see any adverse impact to the wetlands as a result of the subdivision. Mr. Frantz stated he did not see a problem with parcel 2, since it will be consolidated with the parcel that already has the house. If someone were to purchase parcel 3 and build one house on it, there is plenty of room on the parcel probably to build a house without infringing on the wetlands. Parcel 4, again, there are practically four acres, and there were a small number of wetlands, but there appears to be enough area in parcel 4 for somebody to build a house without infringing on the wetlands. Mr. Frantz stated that something should go on the plat that at least makes people aware of a potential problem at some point in the future. If somebody were to purchase parcel 3, and come in with a full -blown development plan, then at that point, a full - fledged delineation of the wetland areas would be done. Planning Board member Herbert Finch stated that he does not object to wetlands being identified and shown, but he is concerned about such an uncertain way of saying that we want to protect it, or that this is where wetlands are. If there are wetlands that should be protected, then that is something the Board needs to look at. Mr. Forman asked Mr. Finch if he found potential wetlands on site what his response would be? Mr. Finch answered that if there were wetlands on the site, then the Board moves into a specific environmental study of that kind of situation. Mr. Finch asked why the Board should take action on Mr. Frantz's memo of 1/5/93, if the Board does not need to be concerned about it? Mr. Forman replied • that he thought it puts Citizens on notice that when they go to re- subdivide this property in the next couple of months, that they have to delineate the wetlands. Mr. Finch stated that this is no Planning Board -5- January 5, 1993 ® form of notice, it just gives somebody the idea that they should do something. Attorney Barney stated that the Board sent one developer scurrying back to get a complete delineation because of the fact that Candace and George walked his land and there may be some wetlands up there. You have to play the game fair with everybody. You either say you are going to delineate it and have it done or you leave it to the federal and state agencies that are under its jurisdiction. Mr. Finch stated that he is not comfortable with this kind of a designation on 5. Mr. Frantz replied to Mr. Finch that it is not intended to commit anybody to do anything. What we are trying to do is avoid having Citizens spend thousands of dollars to have the wetlands formally identified. Mr. Finch stated that it seems to him that this is hanging above Citizens head with the land, if they have wetlands there, then it is their problem. Mr. Frantz stated that, for instance, on lot 4, on parcel 1, 2 and 4, there are not going to be problems with wetlands. Mr. Finch stated that if there are not going to be any problems then let the Board go ahead, but he is just not comfortable. Mr. Frantz stated that there is no problem with this particular plat as far as yet, no adverse potential impacts to the wetlands. For example, if somebody wants to purchase parcel 4 and this statement is on the plat, they do not have to do anything, but they are made aware of the fact that there may be potential wetlands on this piece of land that you are interested in purchasing, • and you should at least check it out. Attorney Barney stated that if wetlands are there, then certain consequences flow. If wetlands are not there, then the Board should not be getting in the middle of it. Planning Board member William Lesser asked what the major distinction was between these potential wetlands and those on Chase Farm? Town Engineer Walker stated that in the case of Chase Farm, there were possible wetlands and constrction plans in them. The difference with this plan is that there are no improvements planned. The only time a wetland is subject to a permit is if you are going to fill it. You can drain it, maybe, as long as you do not put any more dirt back in it. The main thing is that this plat shows no improvements. In fact, that requirement has been waived because there is no improvements needed for the project as the developers have presented it. There is no construction plan. Town Planner Mr. Forman stated that while you see wetlands up there, you do not see roads going through them, you do not see them as being house lots; you have a 37 acre parcel where you show two potential wetland areas and there are a number of locations for a house on the 37 acre parcel. You have one lot with a house already on it, you have another lot where a person is attaching it to their own house lot; it is a totally different situation from Chase Farm. Mr. Forman further stated he agreed with Mr. Kenerson in that you have to be consistent, but you cannot say that everything is exactly • the same when you go from one subdivision to another; each of them changes in some way. If there were a road going through Jones Farm, Mr. Forman stated he would agree that it would have to be delineated Planning Board -6- January 5, 1993 ® by a professional indi approved by the Corps should treat a similar s totally different. Mr. Finch stated can identify that, then vidual who does wetlands delineation, and before this Board should act. Again, you ituation in a similar manner, but this is that if there are wetlands there and the Board that is one situation. Mr. Lesser asked if any other notices of alert were put on plots for potential future purchasers? Attorney Barney stated the Board will have a plat coming in up in the Northeast, and a note is being put on the plat that the fact of the approval of this Board does not guarantee that sewer will be available. Here, the Board is not regulating in a sense, wetlands yet. It is the applicant's responsibility to identify wetlands, not the Town's. Mr. Lesser asked if the question of a parcel being a wetland or not is something that could be referred to Codes and ordinances? Mr. Kenerson stated that he thinks there is concern as to whose responsibility this is. The Town is zoning each piece of property and in affect says, here is what you can do with this; then they are saying the burden of proof is on you, the owner, the purchaser, or whoever it is, to say that you can do that. If you have a wetland where you cannot build because of local, state and federal regulations, you cannot use that property for the purpose for which it was zoned. So what is the responsibility, who is to determine this? Is the Town suppose to say no you cannot build here and if a map says this is a wetland you cannot do certain things on a wetland. Again, you the owner, that is your job to convince us that you do not have a wetland. Mr. Frantz stated to Mr. Kenerson that it is not the Town that has jurisdiction over the wetlands, the Federal Government has jurisdiction. As far as the Corps of Engineers is concerned, it is the owners responsibility to ensure that they are complying with the appropriate laws and regulations. Attorney Barney stated that he thought the Board was reserving in this resolution the right to set aside the parkland. Attorney Barney suggested that maybe the Board should just approve the two lots that are really the problem for Citizens tonight. Attorney Barney suggested that before any further subdivision of any further parcels occur, that the wetland issue be visited and an indication of where they are be provided. Further, the Board should know where this park -land is going to be, because once again, you subdivide these lots, we are saying reserve it, but without some kind of indication as to where it is going to be, what lot are we reserving at all. Mr. Lesser replied that the parkland would be within parcel 3. Mr. Walker stated that the only concern he has as an engineer is the definition of what a wetland is. If you look at the preliminary subdivision checklist, it says to identify all cultural and physical ® features on or adjacent to the parcel, significant features including wetlands. The question is, is this a significant wetland and is the action of the Board's approving going to create a harm to a Planning Board -7- January 5, 1993 • significant wetland? When this was created, the definition of wetland that was used, because this was done back in the 70's, was the State designated wetlands when the form was created and those were identified by DEC and put on maps and distributed to all the agencies in the State. The definition of wetland has gotten very hazy because there are many levels of wetlands. Mr. Walker stated that he does not care what the Board is going to do, but if you deal with the Corps of Engineers, as we all have in the past couple of years with a different number of projects, the Corps of Engineers is not even going to look at something like this for months. The appropriate thing to do is that when you apply for a State permit, they have a uniform notification procedure; they send a copy to the Corps of Engineers Office, then they send it to the DEC and then the Corps says, oh, here is a permit; this person is going to have an action on here, should we evaluate it. You will not get an answer for six months, but when you do, they will say that you can use one of their consultants and map the wetland. Nine or ten months later, you might get an answer that says you can do anything you want under the nationwide permit, or we will have to modify the subdivision a little more. It is a very frustrating situation and Mr. Walker thinks the Board will have to make a decision. The procedure then would be to identify the wetland, send the application on and delay any action until the Corps responds, if you feel that is fair. Mr. Frantz replied to Mr. Walker by stating that he does not think this procedure is necessary because under C3, of Part 2 of the Environmental Assessment Form, these areas, all appear to be wetland areas; all appear to be less than one acre in size. Given the small size and scattered nature of these potential wetland areas, the size of the proposed parcels and very limited development anticipated as a result of the proposed subdivision, no significant adverse impacts to the wetlands are anticipated. Chairperson Grigorov stated that it is clear that this continual thing is not going to have anything to do with any wetlands, so, she would like to find a way that this issue could be voted on tonight without having to settle the big general problem of whether or not to require something from every single developer or not, or how to draw the line or what. Chairperson Grigorov asked if the Board would like to put anything at all on the plat? Mr. Finch replied to Chairperson Grigorov's question that in Mr. Frantz writting C3, it basically sounds like the question had been answered. Mr. Finch further stated that there is nothing there, the Board does not say anything there, but just in case it shows up, Mr. Finch felt this was not quite fair. Mr. Lesser replied that he understood Mr. Frantz was saying that it likely is not going to be a problem because the lots officially are large and if you plan accordingly there. It is somewhat different from saying that you can do anything on this land. Mr. Frantz replied that for example, take lot 4, which again is large enough for somebody to build a house on ® it, but what could happen is that they could go and hire an architect, site the house in the two or three areas comprising 5 to 100 of the whole lot that might be a wetland; and then they have Planning Board -8- January 5, 1993 • spent all this because they are located. the last two have cost the this is to could be found been the staff • 0 money and then would have to relocate the house do not know if there are wetlands on site and where they Mr. Frantz further stated that he had been through in years, two cases dealing with wetland surprises that people many thousands of dollars, and the intent behind try to avoid that. Mr. Frantz stated that the high spot on the site. Chairperson Grigorov stated that it has that has done the alerting. Carol Bushburg addressed the Board stating that she is a real estate agent. Ms. Bushburg stated that she was struck by how profound and sweeping the Board's suggestions are in part because she does not hear anything in the Board's discussion to disillusion someone who wants to subdivide a three or four acre parcel, as compared to a developer who wants to subdivide. Ms. Bushburg stated that she has had some experience with ichthyological assocites and wetland delineations, and knows that it can be expensive and a time consuming process. Ms. Bushburg stated she appreciated that to prove a negative is to put a quite profound responsibility and expense on every property owner who comes to the Board who wants a subdivision. On the contrary, to do some sort of preliminary observation of the site by Mr. Frantz or Mr. Forman or some other member of the Planning Department, puts a tremendous burden on that department which seems extremely busy already. The very practical problems involved with enforcing the kind of land act the Board is talking about seems to be quite dramatic. Chairperson Grigorov replied to Ms. Bushburg that this statement says the proper federal agency should be contacted prior to commencement of any activity which may disturb potential wetland areas. If this activity does not, then you do not have to contact any agencies. Ms. Bushburg further stated that one of the things that was striking to her was the City of Ithaca, the legislation of all the wetland changes. Chairperson Grigorov stated that what the Board tries to do is to follow the law and not let people suffer unnecessarily. Mr. Frantz stated that the Army Corps does not distinguish between somebody owning a house lot and somebody developing a three or four hundred acre residential development. Candace Cornell stated that she agreed with Attorney Barney's earlier suggestion about excluding parcels 3 and 5 from the subdivision tonight was a good idea since the Board had to think about a Park dedication and some other considerations. There appearing to be no further discussion, Chairperson Grigorov asked if anyone were prepared to offer a motion. MOTION by Robert Kenerson, seconded by William Lesser. WHEREAS. 1. This action is the Consideration Subdivision Approval for the Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 6- 45 -2 -14, (4) lots ranging in size from of Preliminary and Final proposed subdivision of Town of 6695 +/- acres total, into four 2.9 +/- acres to 42.196 +/- acres. Planning Board -9- January 5, 1993 • Parcel proposed to be subdivided is located at 250 Troy Road, Residence Districts R -15 and R -30. 29 This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is legislatively determined to act as Lead Agency in environmental review with respect to the proposed subdivision, and 3. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on January 5, 1993, has reviewed and accepted as adequate the Short Environmental Assessment Form Part I prepared by the applicant, Parts II and III prepared by the Town planning staff, and a subdivision plat entitled "Final Subdivision Map Showing Proposed Division of Lands of Citizens Savings Bank, F.S.B.," dated 11/20/87 - 11/25/92 and revised 12/9/92 and 12/30/92, prepared by T.G. Miller, P.C. Engineers and Surveyors, and other application materials, and 4. The Town planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental significance with respect to the proposed subdivision; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental significance in accordance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act for the subdivision ® as proposed and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote. Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Cornell, Lesser, Finch. Nay - None. The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously. MOTION by Herbert Finch, seconded by Robert Kenerson: WHEREAS: 1. This action is the Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed subdivision of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel (4) lots ranging in Parcel proposed to Residence Districts No. 6- size be R -15 45 -2 -14, 66.5 +/- acres from 2.9 +/- acres to 42.196 subdivided is located and R -30. total, into four +/- acres. at 250 Troy Road, 2. This is an Unlisted Action Board, acting as lead agency January 5, 1993, made significance. for which the Town of in environmental a negative determination Ithaca Planning review, has, on of environmental ® 3. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on January 5, 1993, has reviewed and accepted as adequate the Short Environmental Planning Board -10- January 5, 1993 Assessment III prepar entitled Lands of 11/25/92 Miller, P materials. Form Part I prepared by the applicant, Parts II and ed by the Town planning staff, and a subdivision plat "Final Subdivision Map Showing Proposed Division of Citizens Savings Bank, F.S.B.," dated 11/20/87 and revised 12/9/92 and 12/30/92, prepared by T.G. .C. Engineers and Surveyors, and other application NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval, as shown on the Preliminary and Final Subdivision Checklist, having determined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in neither the size a significant alteration of the purpose of subdivision control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town Board. be added to the areas 2. That the Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed subdivision of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 6- 45 -2 -14, 66.5 +/- acres total, into four (4) lots shown as Lots 1,2, 4 and combined Lots 3 and 5 as shown on a subdivision plat entitled "Final Subdivision Map Showing Proposed Division of Lands of Citizens Savings Bank, F.S.B.," dated 11/20/87 - 11/25/92 and revised 12/9/92 and 12/30/92, prepared by T.G. Miller, P.C. Engineers and Surveyors, ® conditioned upon the following: a. That Parcel #2 (2.8 +/- acres) of this subdivision shall be transferred to Kenneth Sullivan within six months of the date of this approval. b. Parcel #2 of this subdivision shall be, upon such transfer, consolidated with the Sullivan understood parcel (6- 45 -2 -6). c. The final plat be redrawn to combine Lots 3 and 5 as one lot. d. That no further subdivision of Lots 3 and 5 (combined) occur until: (i) There is provided information satisfactory to the Planning Board as to the existence or size of any wetlands on Lots 3 and 5; (ii) The location on Lots 3 and 5 of a Town Park be determined as part of any further subdivision applications, it being understood that in calculating the size of the park and related set aside land, the areas of parcels 1, 2 and 4, shall be added to the areas of Lots 3 and 5 (i.e., the calculation shall be based on 66.5 acres - the total acreage of the entire ® parcel, rather than on 42.196 acres - the acres of Lots 3 and 5 alone). 0 Planning Board -11- January 5, 1993 e. No construction shall occur on parcel 4 until Health Department approval for individual septic disposal system or water supply system is approved. f. Before any subdivision of Lots 3 and 5 is considered, a Full Environmental Assessment Form be provided to the Planning Board. There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote. Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Cornell, Lesser, Finch. Nay - None. The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously. Chairperson Grigorov declared the matter of the Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the Citizens Savings Bank, Owner, Randolph Brown, Agent located at 250 Troy Road subdivision duly closed at 8:48 p.m. AGENDA ITEM: REPORT OF THE TOWN PLANNER. Town Planner Floyd Forman addressed the Planning Board stating that there were two items to report. One is the GEIS. Mr. Forman believed the GEIS would be coming in at the first meeting in February. Changes were made by Cornell and now the document is with ® the consultant. Revisions were made to the GEIS. The first meeting in February is when the GEIS will be coming back to the Planning Board, formally. The second item is, for John Whitcomb and others it is good news, we hope the Comprehensive Plan will be out of the Comprehensive Planning Committee and formally delivered at the next meeting. That is our hope. On the 19th of January that the Comprehensive Plan formally be put in the Planning Board's lap. I hope that will be the case. So, the Planning Board will have two big projects to deal with, the Comprehensive Plan and the GEIS. Mr. Forman stated he would like to try where he can to set up one meeting dealing with the Comprehensive Plan and the other for development review. Mr. Forman also stated that he thought Mr. Thomas Bell will be back at the next meeting. Mr. Bell's plans have changed significantly since the Board saw it the first time; changed in the sense that Mr. Bell is no longer using both parking areas. The one they use presently and the one that is not a parking area now, but will need some upgrading. A parking lot also abuts a wetland as well. Mr. Bell has decided not to use that whether the parking is adequate, whether it works from a transportation standpoint, in terms of entering and exiting, it is something the Board will need to look at. ® Mr. Forman further stated that Wilson Labs wants to put up half a dozen or so trailers, (4,200 square feet), and will be on the calendar for the 19th. Planning Board -12- January 5, 1993 ® Mr. Kenerson asked Mr. Forman before the Board. Mr. Frantz replied Wilcox just before Christmas, and implied that the development was not OTHER BUSINESS if Chase Farm was coming back that he had spoken to Doug in that conversation Mr. Wilcox going to be further pursued. Chairperson Grigorov stated that Robert Kenerson was re- elected as Planning Board Vice Chairman and also stated that she had been re- appointed as Chairperson. Chairperson Grigorov recommended the appointment of the following to the Town Supervisor, Shirley Raffensperger. Candace Cornell was re- appointed for the representation for the Conservation Advisory Council, and also as chairperson for this coming year; Herbert Finch for Codes and Ordiances; William Lesser and Stephen Smith to be the Planning Board representatives on the committee to recommend Planning Board members, so that will probably be happening sooner or later about the Agriculture member to replace Jim Baker who was honored at a luncheon along with Joan Reuning from the Zoning Board. Mr. Forman stated that the Comprehensive Plan Committee goes through to the end of February. Mr. Forman further stated that again, our hope is that this is the last meeting for the Comprehensive Planning Committee. Mr. Forman stated that Ecovillage is proceeding and maybe March ® or April they may come in with some sketch plans for the Planning Board to look at. Cayuga Cliffs still had not hired an engineer yet, formally. They had been working with an engineer from T. G. Miller, that person is no longer with T. G. Miller. My expectation is that they will be working with T. G. Miller and be back to the Planning Board, but did not know when. Mr. Frantz stated to the Planning Board that Orlando Iacovelli had made a formal application for rezoning and subdivision approval for the Klondike subdivision. Mr. Iacovelli has not changed the subdivision. It will be 4 lots as shown at the last sketch plan. Mr. Iacovelli has reduced the number of apartments and number of beds from 52 beds to 46 beds. The new building will have 6 units and then he will add the existing 2 buildings, he will convert from 2 units apiece to 4 units apiece. Chairperson Grigorov asked the members of the Planning Board if they had received the letter from Linda Holzbaur and Kenneth Ritter [Exhibit # 2] and all members had. Chairperson Grigorov stated she called them up and stated she told Mr. Ritter she did not realize that Mr. Frantz had endorsed the Iacovelli project. Mr. Frantz stated that he had spoken to Linda Holzbaur on the phone and told her that number one, he had no recollection of ever telling Fred Estabrook that he had stated Mr. Estabrook supported the project, and Mr. Frantz also told Ms. Holzbaur that he had no recollection of ® either her or Kenneth Ritter, in fact, telling him they supported the project. Mr. Frantz further stated that Ms. Holzbaur and Mr. Ritter are very, very concerned about the impact of the project. They have Planning Board -13- January 5, 1993 ® not come right out against it, but they certainly are not happy. Mr. Frantz stated that he let Ms. Holzbaur know that he understood that they did not support the project. This actually is a miscommunication; Ms. Holzbaur was a bit surprised that Mr. Frantz would say this. Mr. Frantz also assured them that whatever he might say is not necessarily the position of the Town of Ithaca. Thus far, Mr. Frantz stated that he had been speaking as a Town staffperson, and the opinions that he had expressed were his opinions alone. They will remain that until the Town Board and the Town Planning Board pass the new resolutions. 40 C7 Vice Chair Robert Kenerson asked Assistant Planner Mr. Frantz what was left to do on the South Hill Parkway. Mr. Frantz replied that the upper railroad grade for the most part is clear and safe to use. The big construction push will be met this coming summer. At that point, the Highway and Parks Departments will be in there doing grading that has to be done, replacing the dozen or so culverts that have to be replaced, constructing the link between the upper and lower railroad grades and the deadline for the completion of the trail was October 1993. Chairperson Grigorov asked Assistant Planner Mr. Frantz about the sewer lines. Town Engineer Dan Walker replied that at this point the work that is being done on the trail is approved and the sewer is not, then it is put on the shelf until we get the Comprehensive Plan remarks into the meetings. One of the priorities that is going on the worklist is to identify capital project areas to provide the infill services, one of which, Mr. Walker considers Coddington Road as an infill to existing usage. There are several different projects that will be looked at as possible capital improvement projects. An evaluation of those projects will be done. They will then be prioritized. AGENDA ITEM: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - November 17, 1992 MOTION by Willaim Lesser, seconded by Candace Cornell. RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board Meeting of November 17, 1992, be and hereby are approved as written. There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote. Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Cornell, Lesser, Finch. Nay - None. The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously. 11 • 0 Planning Board ADJOURNMENT -14- January 5, 1993 Upon Motion, Chairperson Grigorov declared the January 5, 1993 meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board duly adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Wilma J. Hornback, Recording Secretary Town of Ithaca Planning Board 0 TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 TOWN CLERK 273 -1721 HIGHWAY 273 -1656 PARKS 273 -8035 ENGINEERING 273 -1747 n PLANNING DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM T0: Planning Board Members FROM: George R. Frantz, Assistant Town Planner DATE: January 5, 1993 RE: Jones Farm wetlands Planning staff has drafted the following approved plat to fulfill condition "d" of the PLANNING 273 -1747 ZONING 273 -1747 notation to be put on the Jones Farm resolution approving the proposal: "During the Town of Ithaca Planning Board subdivision review process, potential wetland areas as defined by criteria set forth in the 1987 Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands were identified on Parcels 1, 21 3, and 4. The appropriate federal agency should be contacted prior to commencement of any activity which may disturb these potential wetland areas." The above note would be placed on the approved plat prior to it being signed by the Chair of the Planning Board and filed with the County Clerk. EXHIBIT # 1 0 December 10 , 1 °C2 Carolyn Grigorov, Chair, Planning Board Town of Ithaca 126 Last Seneca St. Ithaca, NY 1485O Dear L(Is. Grigorov: , DEC 2 91992 k ! pit ' TEMjz( I Our neighbor Fred Lstabrook has told us that George Frantz said that we have given our support to the proposed development of 237 Coddington Road. This is not true. `oVe have never stated support of this project. We have many reservations about the safety issues involved: lack of lighting, sidewalks, traffic regulation, etc. aloe have also been informed that a large apartment building for students would significantly lower our property value by impeding our lake view and adding to the density of the neighborhood. Since we have a restrictive mortgage, this lowered value worries us greatly. `e expect confirmation with us before the torn uses our names as supporters of any project. Sincerely, _ Linda Holzbaur Kenneth Ritter 240. Coddington road Ithaca, NY 14850 cc: members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board EXHIBIT # 2 TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 f -OWN CLERK 273 -1721 HIGHWAY 273 -1656 PARKS 273 -8035 ENGINEERING 273 -1747 PLANNING 273 -1747 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD 9 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1993 ZONING 273 -1747 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, January 5, 1993, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at the following time and on the following matter: 7:35 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed subdivision of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 45 -2 -14, 66.5 +/- acres total, into five (5) lots ranging in size from 2.9 +/- acres to 37.2 +/- acres. Parcel proposed to be subdivided is located at 250 Troy Road, Residence Districts R -15 and R -30. Citizens Savings Bank, Owner, Randolph Brown, Agent. Said Planning Board will at said times and said place hear all persons in support of such matter or objections thereto. Persons may appear by agent or in person. Dated: Monday, December 28, 1992 Publish: Thursday, December 31, 1992 (DEVREVS\1- 5- 93.PH) Joan L. Hamilton Town Clerk 273 -1721 T TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS TUESDAY, JAN. 5 1993 By direction of the C�airman of the Planning Board, NO- TICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that be held by they Planning Boalyd of the Town of Ithaca on Tuesday, Januor 5 1993, in Town Hall, 126 Last Seneca Street, at the following Ithaca, the following matter: 7:35 P.M. Consideration of'.. Preliminary and final Subdi- vision Approval for the pro subdivision of Town of Pthaca Tax Parcel No 45 -2.14, 66.5 acres total, into five (5) lots ranging in size from 2.9± acres to 37.2± acres. Parcel pro - osed to be subdivided is Pa i, cated at 250 Troy Road Residence Districts R -15 anr� R -30. Citizens Savings Bank, Owner, Randolph Brown, Agent. said Planning a Board dd sa place hear all persons in support of such, matter or objections: thereto. Persons may appear by agent or in person. loco Town Clerk 273.1721 December 311 1992 o- .1 1. '1 s 0 f 0