HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1993-01-19` N,
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FILED
TOWN OF ITHACA
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
JANUARY 19. 1993
The
Town of Ithaca
Planning
Board met in regular session on
Tuesday,
Ithaca,
January 19,
New York, at 7:30
1993,
in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street,
p.m.
PRESENT: Chairperson Carolyn Grigorov, Robert Kenerson, Stephen
Smith, Herbert Finch, Candace Cornell, William Lesser, Dan
Walker (Town. Engineer), Floyd Forman (Town Planner), George
Frantz (Assistant Town Planner), John Barney (Town
Attorney).
ALSO PRESENT: David Klein, Paul Sarokwash, William Seldin, Esq.,
Larry Fabbroni, Peter Novelli, Thomas Bell, Karl
Berkelm,an, Robert Stundtner, Jack Roscoe.
Chairperson Grigorov declared the meeting duly opened at 7 :42
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 January 11, 1993, and January 14, 1993,
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 Clerk of the
City of Ithaca, upon the Tompkins County Commissioner of Planning,
upon the NYS Department of Transportation, and upon the applicants
and /or agents, as appropriate, on January 15, 19930
Chairperson Grigorov read the Fire Exit Regulations to those
assembled, as required by the New York 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.
AGENDA ITEM: TRANSMITTAL OF THE DRAFT TOWN OF ITHACA COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE TO THE PLANNING
BOARD.
At 7 :45 p.m., David Klein addressed the Planning Board that some
time in 1990, the Planning Board requested of the Town Board to
establish a Comprehensive Planning Committee to assist the Planning
Board in putting together a Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive
Planning Committee complied and it has been a very lengthy process in
putting this information together, but nevertheless, Mr. Klein felt
it was a thorough process by not rushing through it, but in a
deliberate manner and a very good committee of twelve, of which,
Carolyn
Grigorov and Stephen
Smith represented
the Planning Board.
The Town
Board conducted a
survey of Town
residents, compiled
extensive
inventory of Town
resources, and a
tremendous amount of
PLANNING BOARD -2- January 19, 1993
mapping, all of which will be very helpful to the Planning Board in
® the years ahead. The Committee also formulated goals, objectives and
recommended actions or policies for the Planning Board and the Town
Board to consider and have come up with somewhat of a vision for the
future land use patterns of the Town. There is a lot of work to be
done, which is recommended in the plan, including zoning revisions
and subdivision improvements, etc. Chairman Klein of the
Comprehensive Planning Committee (C.P.C.) stated to the Planning
Board that it was his pleasure to transmit this draft plan dated
January 19, 1993, to the Planning Board for its consideration and
hoped that the Planning Board would not change the plan too much.
Chairperson Grigorov
of
the Planning Board
stated
that she
accepted
the
Comprehensive
Plan
Draft from Chairman
Klein of
the CPC.
Chairman Klein stated that the resolution adopting the
Comprehensive Plan was a unanimous resolution of the committee
approving this plan. and sending the plan on [hereto attached as
Exhibit 1].
Planning Board member Robert Kenerson MOVED that the Planning
Board express their thanks to the Comprehensive Planning Committee
for their efforts, seconded by Candace Cornell.
There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
® Aye - Grigorov, Cornell, Lesser, Smith, Kenerson, Finch.
Nay - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM: OTHER BUSINESS.
Town Engineer Dan Walker addressed the Board stating that on the
Jones Farm Subdivision, there was a very minor change in the distance
of the northeast boundary line from 540 feet to 480.0 feet, corrected
by Al Fulkerson of T.G. Millers Surveyors; memo of 1/19/93. [Hereto
attached as Exhibit # 2.]
AGENDA ITEM: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 1, 1992
MOTION by William Lesser, seconded by Candace Cornell.
RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board
Meeting of December 1., 1992, be and hereby are approved as written.
There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
Aye - Grigorov, Cornell, Lesser, Smith, Kenerson, Finch.
Nay - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
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J PLANNING BOARD -3- January 19, 1993
AGENDA ITEM: REPORT OF THE TOWN PLANNER.
Town Planner Floyd Forman address
p.m. stating that the G.E.I.S. is expecte
should be expected to be on the ne
Iacovelli's proposal which involves a
site plan approval as well. All three
but all of them will be involved. At the
Board should be principally focused on
the Town Board about the rezoning issue.
ed the Planning Board at 8 :55
d on February 2nd. This
xt agenda along with Orlando
rezoning, resubdivision and
will not be at the same time,
next meeting the Planning
the Board's recommendation to
PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR THE
PROPOSED CONVERSION OF 4,000 + /- SQUARE FEET OF AN EXISTING 12,000+/ -
SQUARE FOOT BUILDING FROM WAREHOUSE USE TO RETAIL USE ON TOWN OF
ITHACA TAX PARCEL NO. 33- 3 -2.8, LOCATED AT 612 ELMIRA ROAD, LIGHT
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT. THOMAS BELL, OWNER /APPLICANT.
Chairperson Grigorov
declared
the Public
Hearing
in the
above -noted matter duly
opened at
7:58 p.m. and
read aloud
from the
Notice of Public Hearings
as posted
and published
and as noted
above.
Attorney Bill Seldin, representing Tom Bell, addressed the
Planning Board. Attorney Seldin stated that the last time they were
present, they were asked to respond to nine items addressed by the
Town Planner Floyd Forman in a memorandum dated 11/12/93 [hereto
attached as Exhibit 3] Attorney Seldin stated that he felt that it
was everyone's concern that they respond to the memo of 11/12/93, in
such an intelligent fashion that the members of the Board would have
sufficient information in which to weather a decision on the site
plan. To that end, the service of Peter Novelli who is an engineer,
was hired and Mr. Novelli has had some extensive discussions with Mr.
Forman. As with a number of these types of hearings, there are some
things we agree with and some that we disagree with and we will try
to outline those for you in the most expeditious way possible. There
is a threshold issue. One being that traffic was going to be a
consideration. This is not one of the nine items that was addressed
by Mr. Forman's memo of 11/12/939 With regard to traffic, Attorney
Seldin stated he believed that it was Board member William Lesser who
raised a concern about traffic. Mr. Forman stated that the only
consideration that he saw was Mancini Drive coming out onto Route 13,
that there are no traffic considerations in terms of the number of
cars going down there, it is a light industrial zone, and a light
industrial area. What is being done is going from a more intrusive
use, light industrial., to a less intrusive use, that of commercial
retail. We think it is important to keep that in perspective.
Attorney Seldin further stated that Mr. Forman spoke to the notion
that the building is going to be used for the sale of exercise
equipment. Attorney Seldin stated that the sale of exercise
equipment was never formalized; that what Attorney Seldin was
suggesting was that the 4,000 out of 12,000 square feet of this
building be allowed and dedicated to retail /commercial use, a more
restrictive, less intrusive use than is permitted there now.
Attorney Seldin stated that the service of Larry Fabbroni was
acquired to perform a detailed traffic analysis and Mr. Fabbroni had
PLANNING BOARD -4- January 19, 1993
made certain explicit recommendations regarding his view of the
traffic situation. Attorney Seldin stated that in the report itself,
he would highlight the following, "the volumes of use of Mancini
Drive, 13 in the peak. hour, are negligible; that the condition of the
private drive is good by any standard applied to similar industrial
parks or malls; that any retail store the type allowing business, A.
B, or C district in. the Town when the located backlot is not usually
a high volume drive -by type of business, and that he would consider
this site suitable for retail use because of the bunching
characteristics of the outbound afternoon peak ". Larry Fabbroni will
address and provide you with his reasoning on the statistical
analysis required for this type of presentation.
Town
Planner Floyd Forman stated to Mr. Novelli that the lighting
was not
sufficient.
Attorney Seldin stated that
a camcorder
was
taken to
the
site under nighttime conditions without
any artificial
lighting
being
provided. It was suggested that the
landscaping
does
not meet
the
guidelines. Attorney Seldin stated
that they
had
photographs
showing that this lot is amply landscaped,
given
its
location
and
the surrounding characteristics.
Peter Novelli, Engineer for Tom Bell, addressed the Planning
Board concerning the nine points that Town Planner Mr. Forman had
addressed in his memo of 11/12/92. Mr. Novelli stated that he tried
to address all nine items that Mr. Forman raised. The first three
items from the November memorandum concerns the layout of the area
that trucks would have to back in; item two states that the parking
area is graded unevenly, which may make it difficult for customers
and item three stated that potential impacts to the wetland area in
the vicinity of the creek might be a concern if this was filled and
graded for parking. Mr. Novelli tried to address all three of these
concerns by placing all of the parking on the upper level, making
direct pedestrian access to either the stairs or the handicap ramp.
Item four discusses landscaping, and the landscaping plan that was
drawn by the previous engineer did not really show everything. There
is a cluster of plantings that are in the process of maturing and
these were not shown on the previous plan; there are a couple of fir
trees and some fairly extensive plantings that were made to stabilize
a slope; some natural growth down by the creek which is being
undisturbed. Mr. Novelli felt for the surrounding area which is
light industrial, the plantings are attractive and suitable for low
lying retail and warehouse light industrial use. The handicap
accessibility is well within the ADA requirements. Lighting was also
an issue. There is ample lighting of the area.
Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that Attorney Seldin stated he
received the information from Mr. Forman on the day before the
weekend. Mr. Forman stated that he received the letter from Mr.
Novelli dated 1/12/93 on this same date as it was faxed to the Town
of Ithaca office, which did not give a lot of time to respond, and
Mr. Forman also stated that Mr. Novelli had to talk to Mr. Bell in
terms of making a response. Nearly everything has come in at the
® last minute and has been inadequate. The Zoning Enforcement Officer
PLANNING BOARD -5- January 19, 1993
spoke with Mr. Bell and told him to get in touch with our office and
® Mr. Bell said no, that he would just talk with the Planning Board.
Mr. Forman stated
Mr. Forman further stated that Planner I,
Chad
Eiken had gone to
the
site concerning lighting. When Mr. Eiken had
gone,
that was when
the
site was two parking lots. Mr. Eiken had
told
Mr. Forman at the
time
that he felt the lighting was inadequate
for the
back parking
lot.
Mr. Forman said that on January 13th, he
went
to take a look at
the
lighting situation and got there around 6:00
p.m.
and everyone's
lights
were on except Mr. Bell's. In terms of
landscaping,
there are
two
small pine trees and a number of shrubs.
adequately taken care of.
Mr.
Mr. Forman stated
that Mr. Bell had
mentioned a potential
tenant
who would be using
exercise equipment.
Exercise equipment is
a high
cost kind of item; it:
is not like selling
flowers, greeting
cards,
etc., etc. Mr. Forman
stated he
did not know the dates
of Mr.
Fabbroni's traffic study.
Everything has
been at the last minute.
A
letter sent to Mr.
Bell listed 18 items
on the site plan that
were
deficient. The next
memo from which Mr.
Novelli read to the
Board,
showed that 9 of
the items had been
adequately taken care of.
Mr.
Forman further stated that Mr. Jack Roscoe sent a memo stating that
he would like 10,000 square feet of light industrial use on the site
that he has been negotiating with Mr. Bell. Mr. Forman stated he was
not sure as to what they are being asked to approve.
Attorney Bill Seldin addressed the Board stating that he thought
the issue here was whether or not they satisfy the concerns that were
raised in the nine points, and that if there are additional concerns
that are legitimate, they need to react to those. There is a
difference of opinion in some areas and in terms of the direction,
the direction has never changed. Attorney Seldin stated he would
even go so far as to stipulate that commercial use B would be
sufficient for their purposes. Attorney Seldin stated that they are
not going from commercial to light industrial; they are going to the
more intrusive use to the less intrusive.
Mr. Larry Fabbroni addressed the Planning Board stating that he
would quickly summarize the report on traffic. The traffic study was
done on January 18, 1993 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mr. Fabbroni
stated that there are a lot of cars using Elmira Road South, in both
directions all day long. You should get that from some estimate of
between 15,000 to 16,000 cars a day using it. That would normally be
a concern for anything you consider down there. The fact is that we
are still close enough to the City that we are enjoying some of the
effects of what goes on on Elmira Road in terms of the traffic lights
and vehicles. You still have traffic in the opposite direction, but
they are smaller as 'Ear as State Highway or even County roads go.
There is a much lower traffic volume coming into the City. Ten is
not a large number by any means, but that is the number of cars that
want to come out of Mancini Drive in the peak hour of the day. Mr.
Fabbroni stated he did not see any problem with those vehicles. The
bulk of them turned left to go to the City; there are gaps that are a
® minute or two in that peak hour when you have to sit there for a
minute or two to get out, but generally speaking, you have a pretty
PLANNING BOARD -6- January 19, 1993
good opportunity once
a minute as you would if
you were sitting at
® the traffic light
at Spencer Street
in the
City. This particular
signal is on a 60 second
cycle more or less.
Mr. Fabbroni stated he
had asked Mr. Bell
what was the peak of
traffic
at his activity when
the Convenience Store
was there before
Tops,
Wegman's, K -Mart and
such. Mr. Bell stated
to Mr. Fabbroni
that
he would see as many as
60 to 70 cars an hour
into his store.
What
Mr. Fabbroni saw was
about 30 cars an
hour. There is
very
low volume coming out of
Mancini Drive. The site
distance to the
south
is approximately 600
feet or so and the manuals will tell you that you need 450 feet.
Town Planner Floyd Forman addressed the Board stating that part
of the problem is that the Planning Board does not know what kind of
a retail use Mr. Bell is talking about. Attorney Seldin mentioned
that Mr. Bell was talking about a low intensity traffic volume kind
of use. Mr. Forman stated that he had told the Board that he thought
that was quite appropriate and that he had a resolution planned for
the Board for a ].ow intensity type of use. In this case, Mr. Bell
was talking about selling exercise equipment, but when you are being
asked to approve anything but what it is likely to be, a low
intensity use, it putts the Board in a very difficult situation.
Town Attorney John Barney stated to the Planning Board and
Attorney Seldin that initially what came in was a 4,000 square foot
retail use; then a letter came in from Jack Roscoe for a proposed
office area and so forth, but Attorney Barney stated he was not sure
® which site plan it is tonight that Mr. Bell wants approved.
Town Engineer Dan Walker stated to the Board that the Mancini
development had to be kept in mind. Mr. Walker thinks that the
Mancini project may be coming back to the Board, based on some
discussion that he has had with their engineers as far as accepting
the construction of the road. One of the things Mr. Walker thinks
was discussed by the Planning Board, two or three years ago, was the
possibility of limiting this road to a one -way, which may be
something that the Mancini people will be proposing for two reasons.
one is that it would limit the width of the road to what is already
there, which is approximately 15 feet of good pavement now, and also
the edges a little bit, so, they could have a one -lane road in by
resurfacing the top of the road, which would also address the worst
traffic questions at the Elmira Road intersection which is leaving
the site as opposed to vehicles coming in. Vehicles coming in have
very little trouble making the turn. If they are coming from Ithaca,
it is easier than coming from the Elmira district due to the gap
distance as Larry Fabbroni described, because the traffic lights are
going to make that movement. Again, that is something that has not
been approved yet and the Mancini's have not built yet, but if it
became a public road, the other road out to Floral Avenue would be
the only egress for emergency purposes which would address all the
traffic questions as far as access to Elmira Road. For light
industrial purposes, it fits the site.
® Attorney Seldin addressed the Board stating that what he had to
leave the Board with after discussing this with Mr. Bell, is that
PLANNING BOARD -7- January 19, 1993
they are
looking for a
diversion for a low
intensity
Pizza,
facility,
use.
They
cannot come
forward
and say to the Board that
this
is what we
intend
® to use the
property :for;
that if this is insufficient
for
the
Board's
concerns,
that will
be unfortunate for Mr.
Bell,
but
they
have no
specific
dedicated use
at this time, except to
say
that
they
would
hope the
Board would
predicate their approval
on a
low
intensity
use
and leave
it to the ;Planning
Department to direct
to
Mr.
Bell.
Town Attorney Barney stated that to adequately review a site
plan, you have to have some idea as to where the retail place is
going to be. You put all the parking in the back, suppose you decide
to put all the retail space in the front? This is a site plan
consideration. Until we know where the retail place is going to go,
we are asserting that you have the right as an industrial zone to
have a less restrictive use, as you have indicated in the retail
plan. The problem with that is that you have less restrictive use on
retail would have a more restrictive parking requirement. When you
go from industrial it is 1 parking space for every three or four
hundred square feet of space. When it is retail it is 1 parking
space for every two hundred square feet of space. Until you have
some sense of A.) where the retail space is going to be and B.) what
is going to be in that retail space, I do not see how this Board can
adequately evaluate a site plan without that information.
Town Planner Mr. Forman stated that the Zoning Board of Appeals
would more than likely be involved because this would probably need a
® variance for parking spaces. How can the ZBA make a determination on
what is adequate if they do not know who is going to use the site,
what type of use it is going to be, who the tenant is going to be,
and how many parking spaces are needed? Twenty -five parking spaces
were mentioned, but again, this was adequate for someone selling
exercise equipment.
Town
point Mr.
tenant,
will be
Attorney :John Barney
Bell would be signing
and at that point, it
used for. If it turns
stated to Attorney Seldin that
a lease or some agreement
becomes apparent to this Board
out that it is going to be
at some
with a
what it
Ceasars
Pizza,
facility,
that is one thing. If
that is something different
it turns
and
out to be a Nordic Track sales
the use is different.
Planning Board member Herbert Finch asked Attorney Seldin if Mr.
Bell had a contract with Mr. Mancini or something. How does he know
he can use the private drive? Attorney Seldin replied that Mr. Bell
has the right -of -way; it is in the deed. Town Engineer Dan Walker
stated that if Mr. Mancini's proposal is brought to completion, that
would become a Town road and his other access road would also become
a Town road, thus, there would be no more ingress /egress problems.
It would be dedicated to the Town.
Assistant Town Planner George Frantz addressed the Board stating
that he did the Environmental Assessment for this project based on
the applicants contention that they wanted retail usage allowed under
® the zoning, and that is what the assessment is based on. That is why
there are concerns about traffic. The potential traffic generation
PLANNING BOARD -8- January 19, 1993
allowed even under the business B zone is enough to have an adverse
impact. The type of traffic generated by a 4,000 square foot
establishment allowed in the Business A and B zones can range during
the day, anywhere :from 17 trips for a furniture store to over 1,500
trips for a bank with a drive through. We have to assume the
possibility that something like that can locate on this site.
At this time, Chairperson Grigorov asked if anyone were prepared
to offer a motion.
MOTION for adjournment made by Candace Cornell, seconded by
William Lesser.
Adjournment was
moved to
60 days
(3- 16 -93)
RECOMMENDATION
conditional on
receiving the site plan
that specifically
denominates
the type of use
and also denominates
what the
applicant conceives
of it being "low
intensity ". The site plan
was rescheduled
to be
reviewed by the
Planning Department
stated
in
30 days
(2-
18 -93).
effectively utilize
the
The Chair called for a vote at this time.
Aye - Grigorov, Cornell, Kenerson, Lesser, Smith, Finch.
Nay - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
® Chairperson Grigorov declared the matter of Site Plan Approval
with respect to the Thomas Bell warehouse duly closed at 9:19 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING.
C019SIDERATION OF SITE PLAN
TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
APPROVAL
FOR THE
AND A
PROPOSED
RECOMMENDATION
PLACEMENT OF TEMPORARY OFFICE TRAILERS TOTALING 41200 SQUARE FEET IN
FLOOR AREA AT THE WILSON LABORATORY, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, TOWN OF
ITHACA TAX PARCEL NO. 63- 1 -8.2, LOCATED OFF NYS RTE. 366
APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET WESTERLY OF JUDD FALLS ROAD, RESIDENCE
DISTRICT R -30. CORNELL UNIVERSITY, OWNER; PAUL J. SAROKWASH, AGENT
Chairperson Grigorov declared
the
Public
Hearing in
the above -noted
matter duly opened at 9:20
p.m.
and
read aloud
from the Notice of
Public Hearings as posted and
published
LNS and CHESS.
and as noted
above.
Paul
Sarokwash of the Maintenance Management Department at
Cornell
University addressed the
Planning Board
stating that he is
the Project
Facilities.
CHESS stands
Manager for the proposed
LNS stands for the
for Cornell High Energy
Wilson Lab,
Laboratory
Synchrotron
LNS /CHESS Modular
of Nuclear Studies.
Source. From now
on, Mr.
Sarokwash stated he would refer to them as
LNS and CHESS.
Mr. Sarokwash stated
that what they
are asking for is site
plan
approval from the
Town
and a recommendation to the Board
of
Zoning Appeals for
special
approval for
a structure they would
like
to erect at the site,
the
south lawn of
Wilson Laboratory.
Mr.
® Sarokwash further
stated
that Wilson Laboratory is severely
overcrowded and relief
is required to
effectively utilize
the
PLANNING BOARD -9- January 19, 1993
research potential of the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR).
® Presently, there are institutions around the nation that participate
in the collaborative research efforts. It is impossible to add new
groups due to lack of space. CHESS has increased its research and
development program in the last few years and has had many individual
outside researchers conduct experiments in the past year. There is
no office space for visitors nor any additional room for staff. In
addition, the Wilson. Laboratory scientists would like to be in
competition for construction of a B factory.
Mr. Sarokwash provided a package of drawings and letters to the
Board, and the staff of the Planning Department. Mr. Sarokwash
stated he would like! to ask for any questions at this time. Planning
Board member Robert Kenerson stated that the parking lots are pretty
full already. Mr. Sarokwash replied that the number of people
involved is 25 to 30. Some would be existing staff, so they are
looking at approximately 15 to 20 cars additional. The Wilson lot
fits 115 cars, Kite Hill to the north handles 263 cars, and in
addition, there is a gated area by Kite Hill with the capacity of 60
cars. There are also F areas immediately to the east of Judd Falls
Road which handle even more. There is capacity to accommodate 15 to
20 cars in the vicinity of this project, it was felt that this would
not be a problem.
Planning Board
member
William
Lesser
asked
Mr. Sarokwash
after
this temporary structure
is
completed
what
did he
anticipate
would
happen at that time. Mr. Sarokwash replied that the Wilson
®
Laboratory has had a history that they have wanted to add on to their
building to relieve their overcrowding, the practical addition would
be adding some floors above. That has been held up because of
funding. The only available means at this time is to have the
temporary trailers. These temporary trailers would be needed for at
least five years. With the Board's approval, construction would not
start on Wilson Lab until late spring or summer.
Planning Board member Robert Kenerson asked how stable the bank
is. Mr. Larry Fabbroni answered Mr. Kenerson's question by stating
that the bank is stable for the use intended. Mr. Kenerson also
asked if the trailers would be sitting on a slab or on wheels. Mr.
Sarokwash stated that the trailers would be mounted on a suitable
frost footer of some type, it could be piers. The trailers will have
siding and skirting on them.
Chairperson Grigorov noted that this was a Public Hearing and
asked if anyone from the public wished to speak or had any
questions. No one spoke. Chairperson Grigorov closed the Public
Hearing and brought the matter back to the Board for discussion.
Planning Board member Robert Kenerson asked if this was going to
commence this summer. Mr. Sarokwash replied that they
would like to be in. They still have to go before the ZBA and also
get a building permit, therefore, they hope to have the trailers
® occupied in June. Mr. Sarokwash also stated the trailers would have
handicapped accessible bathrooms. Two or three trees will probably
0
ri
PLANNING BOARD
-10-
January 19, 1993
be moved to accommodate the trailers. Mr. Kenerson asked if there
was going to be any long -range plan in the Wilson Lab area after the
trailers were removed.
Mr. Sarokwash replied
that hopefully they
would be replaced by
construction
trailers
for the purpose of
expanding the Wilson
Laboratory.
Dr. Karl
Berkelman, Director of
Wilson Laboratory stated
that most of
the construction
would be done
underground and also the
Agency in
fourth or fifth
floor
of the lab.
Assistant Town Planner George Frantz stated that he did refer
everything to the Environmental Review Committee, Eva Hoffmann and
Candace Cornell and. they decided that there was not anything to be
really concerned about.
There appearing to be no further discussion, Chairperson Grigorov
asked if anyone were prepared to offer a motion.
MOTION by Robert Kenerson,
WHEREAS. 0
seconded by Candace Cornell.
1. This action is the
Consideration
of Site Plan Approval
and a
Recommendation to
the
Zoning Board
of Appeals for
the proposed
placement of temporary
floor area at the
Ithaca Tax Parcel
approximately 600
District R -30.
Wilson
No.
ft.
office trailers totaling 4,200
Laboratory, Cornell University,
63- 1 -8.2, located off NYS
westerly of Judd Falls Road,
sq. ft. in
Town of
Rte. 366
Residence
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
Site Plan
Approval, and
for which the
Town of Ithaca Zoning
Board of
Appeals is
legislatively determined
to act as Lead
Agency in
environmental
review with respect
to Special Approval, and
application
3. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on January 19,
1993, has reviewed and accepted as adequate
the
Short
Environmental Assessment Form Part I prepared by the
applicant,
a
Part II prepared by the Town planning
staff, and a
site
plan
entitled "Wilson Lab LNS /CHESS Modular
Facilities
Site
Layout
Map" prepared by Cornell University
Department of
Facilities
Engineering and dated November 1992,
and other
application
materials, and
4. The Town planning staff has recommended a negative
determination of environmental significance with respect to the
proposed site plan;
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 with reference to the
application for site plan approval.
PLANNING BOARD -11- January 19, 1993
There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Cornell, Lesser, Smith, Finch.
Nay - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
MOTION by Steve Smith,
WHEREAS.
1. This action is
Recommendation
placement of
floor area at
Ithaca Tax
approximately
District R -30.
seconded by William Lesser.
the Consideration of Site Plan Approval and a
to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the
temporary office trailers totaling 4,200
the Wilson Laboratory, Cornell University,
Parcel No. 63- 1 -8.2, located off NYS
600 ft. westerly of Judd Falls Road,
proposed
sq. ft. in
Town of
Rte. 366
Residence
2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca
Planning Board, acting as Lead Agency in environmental review
with respect to Site Plan Approval, has on January 19, 1993 made
a negative determination of environmental significance, and
3. The Planning
Board, at a
Public Hearing held on January 19,
1993, has
reviewed
and accepted as
adequate the Short
Environmental
Assessment
Form Part I prepared
by the applicant, a
Part II environmental
assessment prepared
by the Town planning
staff, and a
site-plan
entitled "Wilson Lab
LNS /CHESS Modular
Facilities
Site Layout
Map" prepared by
Cornell University
Department of
Facilities
Engineering and dated November 1992, and
other application
materials,
and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the Town of :Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain
requirements for Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval, as
shown on the Preliminary and Final Site Plan Checklist, having
determined from the materials presented that such waiver will
result in neither a significant alteration of the purpose of site
plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town
Board, and
2. That the Town of :Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary
and Final Site Plan Approval to the proposed temporary office
trailers, as shown on a site plan entitled "Wilson Lab /CHESS
Modular Facilities Site Layout Map" prepared by Cornell
University Department of Facilities Engineering and dated
November 1992, and other application materials, subject to the
following conditions:
a. that the temporary office trailers be removed and the site
® restored to its current condition by October 1, 1998 unless an
extension at the time is granted by the appropriate Town agency.
PLANNING BOARD 00`12- January 19, 1993
be submission for approval by the Town Engineer of
is construction details for all proposed roads, water and sewage
facilities, and other improvements, and
C. submission of copies of all necessary permits from local,
county, state or federal agencies, and
C
•
d. submission of original
be retained by the Town
building permits.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED. 4
or mylar copy of
final site
plan
to
of Ithaca
prior
to the
issuance
of
any
1. That the Planning Board, in making recommendation to the Zoning
Board of Appeals, determine and hereby does determine the
following. 0
a. there is a need for the proposed use in the proposed
location, as demonstrated by the applicant;
be the existing and probable future character of the
neighborhood will not be adversely affected as a result of
the proposed project;
ce the specific proposed change in land use as a result of the
proposed project is in accordance with a comprehensive plan
of development for the Town of Ithaca.
2. That the Planning Board reports to the Zoning Board of Appeals
its recommendation that the aforementioned request for Special
Approval be approved, subject to the conditions set forth above.
There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Cornell, Lesser, Smith, Finch.
Nay - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
Chairperson Grigorov declared the matter of the consideration of
site plan approval and a recommendation to the Zoning Board of
Appeals for the proposed placement of temporary office trailers at
the Wilson Laboratory, Cornell University duly closed at 9:42 p.m.
•
rl
PLANNING BOARD -13- January 19, 1993
ADJOURNMENT
Upon Motion, Chairperson Grigorov declared the January 19, 1993
meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board duly adjourned at 9:47
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
StarrRae Hays, Recording Secretary
Town of Ithaca Planning Board
Adopted Comprehensive Blanning Committee Resolution
® 7anuary 12, 1993
WHEREAS, the Blanning Board of the Town of Ithaca on December
5, 1989 made recommendation to the Town Board that, among other
items, a Comprehensive TCanning Committee be estabCished to prepare a
Comprehensive PCan _ for the Town, and
WHEREAS., the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca estabUshed the
Comprehensive 'Canning Committee on February 12, 1990 to perform
various speciaC planning tasks for the Town and to prepare a draft
comprehensive plan, and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Tlanning Committee, assisted by Town
Staff and Stuart I. Brown Associates (p(anning consultants), has:
surveyed residents of the Town of Ithaca; conducted inventories of the
Town; prepared statements of goals, objectives, and recommended
® actions; discussed and deliberated various Town planning issues;
considered various aCFernatives; conducted public information meetings
on various draft documents; sought comment from Town Boards and
Committees, interested residents, and other agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive TCanning Committee, assisted by Town
Staff and Stuart I. Brown Associates, has prepared a draft
comprehensive plan, and
`WEREAS, Section 2 72 -a of New York Town Law specifies that the
Canning Board is responsible for the adoption and maintenance of a
Town's Comprehensive Tian;
NOW, THEREFO90S IT IS RESOLVED., that the Comprehensive
TCanning Committee hereby approves this draft Comprehensive PCan for
transmittal to the PCanning Board for its consideration and adoption.
EXHIBIT # 1
v
0
TOWN OF ITHACA
ENGINEERING REVIEW MEMORANDUM
T0: Planning Board
FROM: Dan Walker, Town r
SUBJECT: Jones Farm Subdivision Plat Correction
DATE: January 19, 1993
During the final :review of the Final Subdivision Map of Lands of
Citizens Savings Bank, F.S.B. located between Troy and Ridgecrest Road
a typographical error was found in that the noted distance on the
northeast boundary line of parcel 1 with the bearing of S11 -42' E was
incorrectly shown as 540'. The actual distance is 480.0' and the plat
has been corrected by Al Fulkerson of T.G. Millers Surveyors.
The Town Engineer has reviewed
this is a minor modification to
correction.
JONES01 /REVMEMO(0:L /19/93) DRW/
xc: John Barney, Town Attorney
Floyd Forman„ Town Planner
this correction and has determined that
the plat, and has accepted this
EXHIBIT # 2
9.
Fl
0
C.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Board Members
FROM: Floyd Forman, Town Planner
DATE: November 12, 1992
RE: Bell Warehouse Site Plan
Planning Staff has reviewed the above - referenced site plan for the proposed conversion of
approximately 4,000 sq. ft. of a 12,000 + /- sq. ft. building from warehouse use to retail use.
As a result of our review, we have identified a number of concerns which need to be
addressed by the applicant through a revised site plan or as otherwise appropriate. Due to the
following concerns, Planning; Staff cannot at present recommend that the Planning Board
approve the site plan as currently proposed.
Planning Staff Concerns
19 The layout of the parking area is such that trucks will have to reverse up to the
loading docks from the access road, and there are potential safety hazards with
pedestrians having to walk across the area where trucks will be backing up to the
loading dock.
2. The parking area is graded unevenly (two to three foot difference between two levels),
which may make it difficult for customers to safely walk from their cars to the
building and for trucks to back up to the loading dock. It is our understanding that the
lower area will not be- filled in to meet the higher grade, therefore some type of barrier
(for pedestrians and vehicles) at the edge of the higher area should be provided, with
steps for pedestrians.
3. Potential impacts to the wetland area may occur if the northern end of the lot is
regraded or partially filled in to accommodate further parking (unless erosion and
sedimentation control measures are provided).
4. Landscaping is inadequate for a retail use, and no new landscaping is shown on the
plan, therefore the site plan should be revised accordingly to include additional trees
and shrubs.
5. Handicapped accessibility appears to be problematic (gravel parking area, no clear
provision of a ramp, etc.), and no specific improvements are shown on the plan other
than "two handicapped spaces and a walkway."
6. Lighting for the parking area is inadequate and therefore, lights will be needed in this
area. The site plan currently shows several security lights on the building, but
EXHIBIT # 3
I 1j
additional lighting for• the parking area should also be shown on the site plan.
7. The site plan shows a. total of 40 parking spaces, whereas less than 25 would be
required for the retail and warehouse area (1 space per 200 sq. ft. retail use, and 1
space per 3 employees for warehouse use). It is recommended that the number of
spaces be reduced and that the layout of the parking be reconfigured to reduce
potential conflicts between trucks, autos and pedestrians.
8. No parking is allowed within required front, side or rear yards, and although the Board
of Appeals granted several setback variances in August of 1989, much of the parking
shown on the plan would not be permitted without additional setback variances from
the Board of Appeals.
90 The size and location of a sign for the retail portion of the building, if proposed,
should be provided on a revised site plan.
TOWN OF ITHACA
126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850
AWN CLERK 273 -1721 HIGHWAY 273 -1656 PARKS 273 -8035 ENGINEERING 273 -1747 PLANNING 273 -1747 ZONING 273 -1747
•
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1993
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 19, 1993, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at the following time
and on the following matter:
8:15 P.M. Consideration of Site Plan Approval and a Recommendation to the Zoning
Board of Appeals for the proposed placement of temporary office trailers
totaling 4,200 sq. ft. in floor area at the Wilson Laboratory, Cornell University,
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 63- 1 -8.2, located off NYS Rte. 366
approximately 600 ft. westerly of Judd Falls Road, Residence District R -30.
Cornell University, Owner, Paul J. Sarokwash, 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:
Publish:
Monday, January 11, 1992
Thursday, January 14, 1992
Joan L. Hamilton
Town Clerk
273 -1721
i
Thursday, January 14, 1993
The Ithaca Journal
TOWN OF ITHACA .
PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARINGS
TUESDAY, JAN. 19 1999
By direction of the CAcirman
of the Planning Board, NO-1I
TICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that
a Public Hearing will be held
by the Planning Board of the
Town of Ithaca on Tuesday,
January 19, 1993, in Town
Hall, 126 East Seneca Street,
Ithaca, NY, at the following
time and on the following
matter:
8:15 P.M. Consideration of
Site Plan. Approval and q Rec-
ommendation to the Zonin;
Board of Appeals for the prc
posed placement of tempc
rory office trailers totalm�
41200 sq. ft. in floor area c
the Wilson Laboratory Car
nell Universiyy, Town of Ithaca
Tax Parcel No. 63- 1.8.2, lo-
cated off NYS Rte. 366 al
proximately 600 ft. westerly
of Judd Falls Road, Residence
District R -30. Cornell Univer-
sity, Owner; Paul J. Sarok-
wash, Agent.
Said Planning Board will at
said times and said place
hear all persons in support of j
such matter or objections
thereto. Persons mcy appear)
by agent or in person.
Joan L. Hamilton,
Town Clerk'
273.1721
January 14, 1993