HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1993-03-30•
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
MARCH 30, 1993
FILED
TOWN OF
Date.
•
The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday,
March 30, 1993, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York at
7 :30 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairperson Carolyn Grigorov, Robert Kenerson, Virginia Langhans,
Stephen Smith, Candace Cornell, William Lesser, Dan Walker (Town
Engineer), Floyd Forman (Town Planner), George Frantz (Assistant
Town Planner), John Barney (Town Attorney).
ALSO PRESENT: Kinga M. Gergely, Jessica Wing, Greg Wooster, Fred
Estabrook, Edward Mazza, Lew Roscoe, Nancy Goody, David
Stroud, Stuart Mesinger, Shirley Egan, John Gutenberger,
Justin Schor, Chris DePerro, Jim Hilker.
Chairperson Grigorov declared the meeting duly opened at 7:40 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 March 22,
1993, and March 25, 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 Clerks of the
City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca, upon the Tompkins County Commissioner
of Planning, upon the Tompkins County Commissioner of Public Works, upon the
Tompkins County Assessment Department, and upon the applicants and /or agents,
as appropriate on March 25, 19930
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 SITE PLAN APPROVAL
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ONE (1) SIX- UNIT,18 BED APARTMENT BUILDING AND THE
CONVERSION OF TWO (2) EXISTING TWO -UNIT, 16 BED APARTMENT BUILDINGS TO TWO (2)
FOUR -UNIT BUILDINGS HOUSING A TOTAL OF 28 BEDS, LOCATED AT 237 CODDINGTON
ROAD, TOWN OF ITHACA TAX PARCELS NOS. 54 -7 -41 AND 54 -7 -43, AND FURTHER,
CONSIDERATION OF PRELIMINARY AND FINAL SUBDIVISION APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED
MODIFICATION OF LOT LINES AND CONSOLIDATION OF TOWN OF ITHACA TAX PARCELS SO.
53 -1 -23.1, -23.2, -23.3, -23.4, -23.5, -23.6, -23.7, -23.8, -23.9, - 23.10, -
23.11, - 23.12, - 23.13, - 23.14, - 23.15, AND - 23.16, COMPRISING THE "KLONDIKE
MANOR" SUBDIVISION, INTO FIVE (5) LOTS. ORLANDO AND RALPH IACOVELLI, OWNERS,
ORLANDO IACOVELLI, AGENT,
Chairperson Grigorov declared the Public Hearing in the above -noted
matter duly opened at 7:42 p.m.
® PLANNING BOARD -2 March 30, 1993
Edward Mazza, representing Orlando Iacovelli, addressed the Board
stating that one lot of 3.5 +/- acres will be deeded to the Town of Ithaca as
open space, with the other four lots would be owner occupied.
Board member William Lesser asked if the lot # 4 would be land locked?
(Map is attached hereto as Exhibit #1)
Assistant Town Planner
George
Frantz stated
that
there is a right -of -way
entrance from the rear side
Iacovelli
of the
that was
correct.
lot, railroad
grade
& Coddington
Road
Chairperson Grigorov stated that there was a note from Margaret and Jim
Nichols, and asked where they lived on the site plan map. (Exhibit #2)
Mr. Frantz showed the approximate location of the Nichols' home, which
is located by South Hill Trail which is approximately 60 foot wide.
Town Planner Floyd Forman
asked Mr.
Iacovelli to
confirm
that the lot #4
would never be subdivided. Mr.
Iacovelli
stated that
that was
correct.
Mr. Frantz stated that there would be some parking on the Northwest end
which would not encroach on the 30 foot setback needed. There is a 60 foot
setback by the South Hill Trail. The existing parking space encroach about 15
feet, however the new parking spaces mentioned earlier would not be
• encroaching the setback.
Board member Candace Cornell asked how high the Hedge would be.
Attorney Mazza replied that it is Austrian Pine and Forsythia Hedge and
it would get to be 5 to 6 feet high, and should well protect the Nichols' home
and the trail from "normal" traffic.
Mr. Lesser asked Mr. Mazza how Mr. Iacovelli would prevent cars from
parking on either side of the gravel driveway. Mr. Mazza responded that there
are signs in entrance way that read "No Parking - Fire Lane ". Mr. Lesser then
suggested that cars that do park there should be towed from the area that is
for emergencies only.
Town Attorney John Barney then suggested that a Certificate of Occupancy
might have a stipulation in it stating that cars will not park on both sides
of the gravel driveway.
Attorney Mazza stated that Mr. Iacovelli would make every effort to
control the parking situation, by making verbal requests, followed by having
the vehicle towed away at the owners expense if necessary.
Mr. Lesser asked how many beds in current proposal. Mr. Mazza responded
approximately 68 beds. Mr. Lesser stated that he felt that 68 beds are too
many.
Attorney Mazza stated that this proposal is a suggestion and that Mr.
Iacovelli and the neighbors all agreed to the current plan.
PLANNING BOARD -3- March 30, 1993
Mr. Frantz stated that this proposal is a long time negotiated proposal
that has included input from neighbors, developers, and his agent.
Fred Estabrook addressed the board stating that with the increased
traffic flow into the back of Ithaca College, perhaps the Town should consider
putting in a blinking yellow caution light or a stop light to control the
traffic at that intersection. Mr. Estabrook added that the height of Mr.
Iacovelli's building would reduce his view of the lake.
Mr. Frantz
responded
that the
Southeast
corner
of
the
site
may
disturb
some of the
view,
however,
30 feet
height
is
allowed
in
the
Town
of
Ithaca.
Greg Wooster addressed the board asking how owner occupancy restrictions
enforced in the Town of Ithaca.
Town Attorney John Barney responded that occupancy restrictions are
enforced by the zoning enforcement officer followed by a lawsuit if necessary.
Usually initiated by someone in the neighborhood.
Chairperson Grigorov stated that this was a Public Hearing and asked if
anyone! from the public wished to speak. No one spoke. Chairperson Grigorov
closed the Public Hearing and brought the matter back to the Board for
discussion.
Town Engineer Dan Walker stated that Mr. Iacovelli would have to have
additional controls put on the water system. Mr. Walker also stated that more
traffic will be crossing Coddington Road to go to Ithaca College, Tompkins
County may redesign the entrance of Ithaca College and Ithaca College is aware
of this. Widening the shoulder may be an option regarding the intersection.
Assistant
Town
Planner George
Frantz
stated
that another alternative for
traffic control
would
be a four -way
stop at
that
intersection.
There appearing to be no further discussion, Chairperson Grigorov asked
if anyone were prepared to offer a motion regarding the Final Site Plan
Approval.
MOTION by Stephen Smith, seconded by Virginia Langhans:
WHEREAS
1. This action is the consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan
Approval for the construction of one (1) six -unit, 18 bed apartment
building and the conversion of two (2) existing two -unit, 1.6 bed
apartment buildings to two (2) four -unit buildings housing a total of 28
beds, located at 237 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels Nos.
54 -7 -41 and 54 -7 -43, and
PLANNING BOARD -4- March 30, 1993
2. 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
39 The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on March 30, 1993, has
reviewed and accepted as adequate the Long Environmental Assessment
Form Part I prepared by the applicant, a Part II prepared by the Town
planning staff, a site plan entitled "Final Site Plan, East I.C. Entrance
Apartments" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, PE and dated March 12,
1993, and other application materials, and
4. The Town planning staff has recommended a negative determination of
environmental significance with respect to the site plan, as proposed.
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 above referenced action 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, Langhans, Smith, Lesser.
Nay - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
MOTION by Robert Kenerson, seconded by Virginia Langhans:
WHEREAS :
16 This action is the consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan
Approval for the construction of one (1) six -unit, 18 bed apartment
building and the conversion of two (2) existing two -unit, 16 bed
apartment buildings to two (2) four -unit buildings housing a total of 28
beds, located at 237 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels Nos.
54 -7 -41 and 54 -7 -43, and
2. The Town of Ithaca Town Board on January 11, 1993 received an
application to rezone Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels No. 6- 54 -7 -41 and 6-
54-7-43, located at 237 Coddington Road, from Residence District R -9 to
Multiple Residence District MR to allow for the construction of one (1)
six -unit, 18 bed apartment building and the conversion of two (2)
existing two -unit, 16 bed apartment buildings to two (2) four -unit
buildings housing a total of 28 beds, and on January 11., 1993 referred
said application to the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for their
recommendations
• pursuant to the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance, Article IX, Section
46, no. 1, and
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PLANNING BOARD
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March 30, 1993
3. The proposed rezoning is part of an overall development plan for the
property at 237 Coddington Road and that tract of land known as the
"Klondike Subdivision" for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board
granted Final Subdivision Approval for 12 homelots on December 19,
1989, and
4. Said development plan includes the reduction in the scope of the
Klondike Subdivision from 12 homelots to 4 homelots, and the donation
to the Town of Ithaca for public park purposes of approximately 3.5
acres of land, and
54 The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on March 30, 1993, has
reviewed the Long Environmental Assessment Form Part I prepared by
the applicant, a site plan entitled "Final Site Plan, East I.C. Entrance
Apartments" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, PE and dated March 12,
1993, and other application materials, and
6. 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 March 30, 1993, made a negative
determination of significance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
16 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 Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Site Plan
Approval to the site plan entitled "Final Site Plan, East I.C. Entrance
Apartments" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, PE and dated March 12,
1993, subject to the following conditions.
a. The granting by the Planning Board of Final Subdivision Approval
for the modified plat for the Klondike Tract as shown on the plat
entitled " Final Subdivision Plat, Klondike Manor" prepared by
Lawrence Fabbroni, PE, dated January 1989 and revised November
9, 1989, December 1.8, 1989, and March 8, 1993, including all
relevant deed covenants and restrictions;
b . The approval by the Town of Ithaca Town Board of the request
to rezone Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels No. 6- 54 -7 -41 and 6 -54 -7-
43, located at 237 Coddington Road, from Residence District R -9
to Multiple Residence District MR to allow for the improvements
proposed in the site plan entitled "Final Site Plan, East I.C.
Entrance Apartments" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, PE and
dated March 12, 1993;
® PLANNING BOARD -6- March 30, 1993
C* Transfer of title to the Town of Ithaca for the 3.5 acres of land
proposed to be donated to the Town of Ithaca for public park
purposes,
d. The granting by the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals of
Special Approval for the proposed modifications to the existing
two apartment buildings, and for expansion of the existing
parking lot;
e. Submission to the Town Planning Department of an original or
mylar copy of the final site plan prior to the issuance of any
building permit;
f. Submission for approval by the Town Engineer of site drainage
plan, including on -site retention facilities, and a site grading
plan describing the volumes of cut and fill materials and their
composition, and including elevations of all proposed buildings
prior to the issuance of any building permit;
g. Submission to the Town Engineer of an estimate of the cost of
improvements (excluding the purchase cost of land) to be
prepared by a registered architect or professional engineer;
h. Submission for approval by the Town Engineer of construction
is details of all proposed structures, roads, water /sewage facilities,
and other proposed improvements, and detailed sizing and final
material specifications of all proposed improvements;
i. The grant, if necessary, of a sewer easement to the Town of
Ithaca for the existing public sewer line across the property.
I
. The use of reasonable effort to prevent parking along the
entrance way between the two four unit buildings, including
towing vehicles if necessary;
k. Approval
by the Town
Engineer
and the Tompkins County
Highway
Department of
the curb
cuts and driveway access;
10 Submission of and approval by the Town Planner of a landscape
and buffer plan.
There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Cornell, Smith, Langhans.
Nay - Lesser.
The MOTION was declared to be carried.
MOTION by Candace Cornell, seconded by Robert Kenerson:
E
• PLANNING BOARD -7- March 30, 1993
•
•
WHEREAS.
1. This action
is the consideration of Preliminary and
Final Subdivision
Approval for the proposed
modification of
lot lines
and consolidation of
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels No. 53 -1 -23.1,
23.5, -23.6, -23.7, -23.8, -23.91 - 23.101
23.14, - 23.15, and - 23.16, comprising the
subdivision, into five (5) lots, and
-23.1, -23.3, -23.41 -
- 239113 - 23.125 - 23.13, -
"Klondike Manor"
2. 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 Subdivision Approval, and
3. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on March 30, 1993, has
reviewed and accepted as adequate the Long Environmental Assessment
Form Part I prepared by the applicant, a Part II prepared by the Town
planning staff, a subdivision plat entitled "Final Subdivision Plat,
Klondike Manor" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, P. E. , L . S . , and
dated January 9, 1989 and revised November 9, 1989, December 18,
1989, and March 8, 11993, and other application materials, and
4. The Town planning staff has recommended a negative determination of
environmental significance with respect to the subdivision, as proposed.
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
Stated Environmental Quality Review Act for the above referenced action 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, Langhans, Smith, Lesser.
Nay - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
MOTION by Stephen Smith, seconded by Candace Cornell:
WHEREAS.
1. This action is the consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision
Approval for the proposed modification of lot lines and consolidation of
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels No. 53 -1 -23.1, -2392, -2393, -23.4, -
23.5, -23.6, -23.7, -23.8, -2399,
- 23.10, - 23.11, - 23.12, - 23.13, - 239145 - 23.15, and - 23.16, comprising
the "Klondike Manor" subdivision, into five (5) lots*
•
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PLANNING BOARD
ME
March 30, 1993
26 The proposed modification of the Klondike Subdivision is part of an
overall development plan for several properties owned by the applicant
that includes action by the Town of Ithaca Town Board to rezone Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcels No. 6- 54 -7 -41 and 6- 54 -7 -43, located at 237
Coddington Road, from Residence District 11-9 to Multiple Residence
District MR to allow for the construction of one (1) six -unit, 18 bed
apartment building and the conversion of two (2) existing two -unit, 16
bed apartment buildings to two (2) four -unit buildings housing a total
of 28 beds, and
3. Said development plan includes the reduction in the scope of the
Klondike Subdivision from the 12 homelots for which the Town of Ithaca
Planning Board granted Final Subdivision approval on December 19,
1989, to 4 homelots, as shown on the proposed plat entitled "Final
Subdivision Plat, Klondike Manor" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni,
P.E., L.S., and dated January 9, 1989, and revised November 9, 1989,
December 18, 1989 and March 8, 1993, and the donation to the Town of
Ithaca for public park purposed of approximately 3.5 acres of land, and
4. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on march 30, 1993, has
reviewed the Long Environmental Assessment Form Part I prepared by
the applicant, a Part II prepared by the Town planning staff, a
subdivision plat entitled "Final Subdivision Plat, Klondike Manor"
prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, P.E., L.S., and dated January 9,
1989, and revised November 9, 1989, December 18, 1989, and March 8,
1993, and other application materials, and
50 This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning
Board, acting as Lead Agency in environmental review with respect to
subdivision approval, has, on March 30, 1993, made a negative
determination of significance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
10 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 a
significant alteration of the purpose of subdivision control nor the
policies enunciated or implied by the Town Board.
2. That the Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final
Subdivision Approval to the subdivision plat entitled "Final Subdivision
Plat, Klondike Manor" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, P.E., L . S . , and
dated January 9, 1989 and revised November 9, 1989, December 18,
1989, and March 8, 1993, subject to the following conditions:
a. The granting by the Planning Board of Site Plan Approval for the
site plan entitled "Final Site Plan, East I.C. Entrance
Apartments" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, P.E. and dated
March 12, 1993;
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PLANNING BOARD
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March 30, 1993
b. The approval by the Town of Ithaca Town Board of the request
to rezone Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels NO. 6- 54 -7 -41 and 6 -54 -7-
43, located at 237 Coddington Road, from Residence District R -9
to Multiple Residence District MR to allow for the improvements
proposed in the site plan entitled "Final Site Plan, East I.C.
Entrance Apartments" prepared by Lawrence Fabbroni, P.E. and
dated March 12, 1993;
c. Transfer of title to the Town of Ithaca for the +/ -3.5 acres of
land designated as "Open Space" on the plat proposed to be
donated to the Town of Ithaca for public park purposes,
including as part of the donation the 0.147 + /- acre parcel located
within the former Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western railroad
right of way such transfer to occur concurrently with the Town
Board action on rezoning;
d. Approval by the Town Attorney of all restrictive covenants,
including the requirements that any single -or two family home
built on Lots No. 2, 3, and 4 of the proposed plat be occupied
by the owner of the structure, that no further subdivision of Lot
No. 4 shall be allowed and that upon any transfer of Lot 1 from
the Iacovelli family, that property shall be occupied by the owner
of the property;
e. Submission to the Town Planning Department of an original or
mylar copy, and four dark -line prints of full -size photocopies of
the plat to be recorded;
f. The granting, if necessary, of a sewer easement to the Town of
Ithaca for the existing public sewer line across the property.
There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Cornell, Langhans, Smith.
Nay - Lesser.
The MOTION was declared to be carried.
Chairperson Grigorov declared the matter of Preliminary and Final
Subdivision Approval duly closed at 9:10 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM. CONSIDERATION OF A DETERMINATION TO ACCEPT AS
COMPLETE THE DRAFT GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
( DGEIS) PREPARED BY CORNELL UNIVERSITY WITH RESPECT TO ITS
SCOPE, CONTENT AND ADEQUACY FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMENCING
PUBLIC REVIEW. THE DGEIS HAS BEEN PREPARED IN ORDER TO
EVALUATE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF A PROPOSED
REZONING AND POSSIBLE CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS FOR A
PORTION OF AN 826 -ACRE TRACT OF LAND BOUNDED BY ROUTE 366 AND
SNYDER HILL ROAD, GAME FARM ROAD, AND JUDD FALLS ROAD,
RESIDENCE DISTRICT R -30. NANCY GOODY, PROJECT MANAGER.
• PLANNING BOARD -10- March 30, 1993
Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that he wanted to review some points
from his memorandum of March 24, 1993. (Exhibit #3) For the record, Town
Planner Forman stated that this version of the DGEIS is a much improved
document, Appendix C is not specific enough or easy enough to understand.
Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that additional appendices should be
added to Volumes 2 and 3.
Lew Roscoe introduced the Cornell Consultants to the Board, John
Gutenberger, Stuart Mesinger, Nancy Goody, Shirley Egan, David Stroud,
and himself. The consultants of Cornell University are anxious to move
forward with the Comprehensive Plan.
Stuart Mesinger addressed the Board concerning the actual inclusion of
the traffic counts, the language of the August 14, 1992 resolution says to
reference the traffic counts, Mr. Mesinger felt that Cornell did reference the
traffic counts, however, there would be no objections to including them if
that is what the Board wants Cornell to do.
Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that the Town Board and the
Planning Board would decide what the parameters for Special Land Use
Districts (SLUD) would be.
Mr. Mesinger stated that Cornell felt that they had completed the GEIS
enough to present it to the public and to the Planning Board for advancement
and acceptance for completeness.
Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that the Planning Board and the
public should be able to come up with ideas. Town Planner Floyd Forman
stated for the record that the Board recognizes that Cornell has put a lot of
time into the DGEIS.
Mr. Mesinger stated that the charts are in the Comprehensive Plan to
illustrate the thresholds for traffic and for non - traffic items in this precinct.
The Board needs to make the decision as to whether the information contained
within the Plan is adequate for the public to get a sense of what Cornell
wants to do and whether the public is going to be served by having a
proposed radiation standard within this document, or whether that should be
a result of this process. Cornell felt that they had provided enough
information to understand what the building program is.
Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that noise and odor should have
been a more direct consideration within the Comprehensive Plan. Those
issues do arise, and they must also be dealt with an institution the size of
Cornell.
Mr. Roscoe stated that the odor standard essentially reads that there
should not be any noxious odors at the property line, that is not something
that can be measured. The Board and the public should provide input as to
what the noise standards should be, and then as a result of this process, the
Board should write a noise standard for the Town of Ithaca.
•
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PLANNING BOARD
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Mr. Mesinger stated that there were no
zoning mechanisms or other appropriate land
considered.
March 30, 1993
discussions of alternative
use controls that could be
Floyd Forman stated that Cornell proposed a SLUD, and a slud may not
be the best idea, an institutional zone or an architectural zone would be a
better idea. What are the advantages to a SLUD, what are the
disadvantages? What are the advantages. to an institutional zone, what are
some of the disadvantages?
Town Engineer Dan Walker stated that the methods for sharing the cost
of the water tank would follow the standard Town policy for benefit
assessment.
Mr.
Mesinger
stated that Cornell will rewrite
the pages that were
discussed
and then
resubmit them to the Planning
Board.
MOTION by William Lesser, seconded by Candace Cornell:
WHEREAS, Cornell University ( "Cornell") has requested the Town of
Ithaca to consider rezoning certain lands of Cornell in the "Precinct 7" area
off of Route 366 from Residence District R -30 to a Special Land Use District
or similar district; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Planning Board has been designated
lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and related
local provisions and regulations; and
WHEREAS, Cornell offered to submit a Generic Environmental Impact
Statement ( "GEIS ") in view of all of the activity previously undertaken,
tentatively planned, and considered in the future in and around the area
proposed for rezoning, and the Planning Board, with the consent and active
encouragement of Cornell has found that the all of such activity warrants the
preparation and submission of a GEIS, and
WHEREAS, on May 19, 1992, Cornell submitted a Draft Generic
Environmental Impact Statement ("DGEIS"); and
WHEREAS, there has been intense review by the Town's staff and
Planning Consultant of the DGEIS pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617 (the "SEQR
Regulations "), and particularly Sections 617.8, 167.14, and 617.15 of the
SEQR Regulations to determine its scope, content, and adequacy for the
purpose of commencing public review; and
WHEREAS, this Board by resolution adopted on August 18, 1992
determined that the DGEIS was not yet adequate for submission to the public
for review and enumerated the reasons for this determination; and
WHEREAS, Cornell has revised the DGEIS and resubmitted same to this
Board on February 2, 1993; and
• PLANNING BOARD -12- March 30, 1993
WHEREAS, there has been further review by the Town's staff and
planning consultant resulting in recommendations regarding the adequacy of
the DGEIS for submission contained in a memorandum of the Town Planner to
this Boards and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board has further reviewed the DGEIS and
reached a conclusion as to the adequacy of the DGEIS for submission to the
public for review;
THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, that at this time the Planning Board
finds that the DGEIS is still not yet satisfactory with respect to its scope,
content, and adequacy for the purpose of commencing public review for,
among others, the following reasons:
10 Traffic counts requested by the Planning Board's August 18, 1992
resolution have not been provided. These counts, taken by
Tompkins County in the Forest Home area, are somewhat different
from the traffic counts taken by Cornell and suggest a somewhat
higher background traffic growth. These items need to be
included in the DGEIS and discussed.
2. Appendix B entitled "New York State Highway Sufficiency Ratings
For State Roads Within Ithaca" is a table that is virtually
impossible to comprehend. nor is this table discussed in any
meaningful manner in the text of the DGEIS. The information
pertinent to the area should be extracted, explained and
presented in a manner that is understandable to the public and to
this Board .
3. Appendix C is similarly deficient. The average reader will not
understand what is being presented in the Appendix, the
abbreviations will be difficult for the public to interpret, and it
is extremely difficult to locate the data along the roads in the
absence of a map showing the reference markers referred to in
Appendix C.
49 The proposed rezoning is not adequately described. In particular
the performance standards for proposed and conditional uses
applicable to Cornell's development plan should be presented such
as noise, odors, and air quality standards, and other standards
which in the professional judgment of the applicant are found
appropriate .
50 There is only minimal discussion of the types of improvements
which might warrant cost sharing between Cornell and the Town
and possible methods for determining the relative share each
party should pay for such improvements. There specific methods
for allocating costs.
6. The Appendix submitted on February 2, 1993 needs to be
incorporated into the prior volumes 2 and 3 containing Appendix
and reference material.
• PLANNING BOARD -13- March 30, 1993
AND IT IS FURTHER
provided to Cornell together
the Chair of this Board, or
revision the DGEIS to make
commencing public review.
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be
with any other materials deemed appropriate by
the Town Planner to assist Cornell in further
it complete and adequate for the purpose of
There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Cornell, Langhans, Smith, Lesser.
Nay - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM: REPORT OF THE TOWN PLANNER.
Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that the next meeting would be held
at the Tompkins Community Hospital, Room 101 of the Medical Office Building
to discuss the Comprehensive Plan.
AGENDA ITEM. OTHER BUSINESS
Chairperson Grigorov stated that there was no other business to come
before the Board.
•
ADJOURNMENT
Upon Motion, Chairperson
Grigorov declared the
March 30,
1993 meeting
of the Town of Ithaca Planning
Board duly adjourned
at 11:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
StarrRae Hays, Recording Secretary
Town of Ithaca Planning Board
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OF
TOWN OF ITHACA
126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850
TOWN 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, MARCH 30. 1993
By direction of the Chain-nan 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,
March 30, 1993, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca St eet, Ithaca, N.Y., at the following timC
and. on the following matter:
7:35 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the construction
of one (1) six -unit, 18 bed apartment building and the conversion of two (2)
existing two -unit, 16 bed apartment buildings to two (2) four -unit buildings
housing a total of 28 beds, located at 237 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca
Tax Parcels Nos.54 -7 -41 and 54 -7 -43, and further, consideration of Preliminary
and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed modification of lot lines and
consolidation of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels No. 53 -1 -23.1, -23.27 -2313, -
23.4, -23.51-23.6, -23.77 -23.87 -23.97 - 23.107 - 23.11, - 23.127 - 23.137 - 23.147 -
23.15 and - 23.16, comprising the "Klondike Manor" subdivision, into five (5)
lots. Orlando and Ralph Iacovelli, Owners; Orlando Iacovelli, Agent.
Said Planning Board will at said time and said place hear all persons in support of such
matter or objections thereto. Persons may appear by agent or in person.
T) [)O ho;m (,+ Mg k,l
Dated
,�- Publish:
�(DEVREVS\3- 30.93.P )
Joan L. Hamilton
Town Clerk
273 -1721
pro�ct l OYAA C.L. ca rd
Monday, March 22, 1993
Thursday, March 25, 1993
can t,s
opin ion — -o AA-
CC xl"t- , C `- e cL 2r /Q 16
a 3a � pe onwoaA,ta fie .
Ll
0
MEMORANDUM
`Co: Planning Board
From: Floyd Forman
Date: March 24, 1993
Re: Cornell GEIS Completeness
The revised GEIS is much improved over Cornell`s initial submittal.
It responds to many of your concerns regarding the document's
"completeness ". Also, marking the sections of the GEIS where
changes were made and listing their locations in an index was very
helpful.
After review of the document, only one item of significance appears
to be left out completely. Item 7c., in the list of items voted by you
as deficient for purpose of "completeness" under SEQR at your August
1.8, 1992 meeting, required past traffic counts to be referenced.
Traffic counts taken by Tompkins County in the Forest Home area
over the period 1981 - 1989 are not referenced in the GEIS. These
counts show traffic growth rates which range from 5.20% to 18.45 %
per year for portions of the study area and adjacent streets. The
amended GEIS uses a background growth rate of 0.8 % per year (see
page 159 of the revised GEIS). Some of this large discrepancy can be
explained by the time of the year that some of the County counts
were taken (Cornell not in session); with other counts that is not the
case. In any case, it is important for this Board to have these counts
referenced, and for Cornell to provide sufficient information for you
to make a reasoned decision on a baseline increase in background
traffic.
There are other items in the document that are dealt with, but need
to be revised prior to public inspection of the GEIS in order for staff
to recommend to you that the document is "satisfactory with respect
•
to its scope, content and adequacy for the purpose of commencing
public review."
Item 7a. in the aforementioned list of deficiencies is concerned with
expanding the discussion of the transportation system. Appendix B,
entitled, "New York State Highway Sufficiency Ratings For State
Roads Within Ithaca ", is a table showing State highway numbers,
traffic volumes, and other information throughout Central New York
and the Southern Tier. It will be impossible for you, let alone the
public, to make any sense out of the information. This information
should be presented in a form that is both practical and
understandable to you and the public. It would also be useful to
have a discussion of the impact of this data on the proposed action.
Appendix C is in similar condition. The material is not useful in its
present form. Without a map showing the location of each reference
marker, what use is the accident data? Also, any word which is
abbreviated in these tables should be explained (example: MVM
Million Vehicle Miles).
In response to item Id. in the list of deficiencies, "the description of
the zoning component ", the revised document gives an overview of
what Cornell would like to see incorporated as part of a special land
use district (SLUD) for parcels A, B, and C in Precinct 7. The
discussion concerning a SLUD, beginning on page 24, needs to be
broadened to include performance standards for proposed and
conditional uses that are applicable to Cornell's development plan.
Performance standards are described in a general way. on pages 250
and 251, but this discussion gives no guidance to the Town for
performance standards that seem appropriate to Cornell for a
proposed SLUD. In addition, a comparison of alternative zoning
mechanisms such as SLUD v institutional zone should be described,
and identification of other appropriate land use controls such as
incentive zoning and architectural controls need to be discussed.
Item 6 in the list of deficiencies concerns the types of improvements
that may be the subject of cost sharing (examples may include the
water tower now under discussion with Cornell or potential water
9
mains) and the identification of possible methods for determining the
Town's share and Cornell's share of the cost of future improvements.
The discussion on pages 175 -180 is an interesting one, but it deals
with methods of financing such as transportation development
districts and impact fees, not which types of improvements, in a
general sense, may be required in joint Town - Cornell efforts, and
possible methods for cost sharing.
On the first page of the Executive Summary, the document states
"After completion of the GEIS, the Lead Agency will adopt a
Statement of Findings which will set forth the specific conditions
under which future actions will be undertaken or approved, and the
procedures for supplementary reviews for future impacts which may
or may not have been adequately addressed or analyzed in the GEIS."
Under Section 617.15 b of SEQR, "Generic EIS's and their findings
should set forth specific conditions or criteria under which future
actions will be undertaken or approved, and shall include procedures
® or criteria for supplements to reflect impacts such as site specific
impacts which have not been adequately addressed or analyzed in
the generic EIS." SEQR appears to offer the parties the ability to
discuss the issue of supplementary EIS's either in the GEIS itself
and/or in the findings. If this issue is discussed in the findings and
not in the document itself, the public has no opportunity to comment
on the specific conditions under which future actions will be
undertaken or approved, and when supplemental EIS's would be
required. Accordingly we would recommend that before the
document is deemed ready for public scrutiny, that there be
discussion of such conditions, procedures and criteria.
In May of 1992 you received the three volumes of the Cornell GEIS.
When revisions to the GEIS were required by you for purposes of
"Completeness ", the changes were incorporated into a fully revised
volume one. That was not the case with volumes two and three.
Appendix and reference material was not incorporated into volumes
two and three of the GEIS, instead, a new volume entitled "Additional
Appendices and Reference Material for January 1993 Submission"
was submitted. This new and revised appendix and reference
material (January 1993) needs to be incorporated as revisions to
d
•
volumes two and three of the original GEIS submittal so that a person
looking for reference or appendix material will not be confused with
where to look for this material. The GEIS that goes to the public
needs to be an organized integrated document without reference to
intermediate submissions
I would like to reiterate that the revised GEIS is a much improved
document, but the proposed changes described above are necessary
to give the public the kind of useful information it needs to comment
on the document and to allow you to make intelligent decisions as we
move into the technical review phase of the process. I hope these
comments concerning deficient items is helpful to you in your
determination of the "completeness" of the document. Please let me
know if you have any questions concerning this memo or the GEIS.
v
tY
Th6 Ithaca Journal Th
, March
TOWN OF ITHACA
PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF
TUES., MARCH 30 1993
By direction of the Chairman
of the Planning Board, NO-
TICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that
a Public Hearing will be held
by the Planning Board of the
Town of Ithaca on Tuesday,
March 30 1993, in Town
Hall, 126 tast Seneca Street,
Ithaca, NY, at the following
time and on the following
matter:
7:35 P.M. Consideration of
Preliminary and Final Site
Pion Approval for the con-
struction of one (1) six -unit,
18 bed apartment building
and the conversion of two. (21
existing two -unit, 16 bed
apartment buildings to two
four•unit buildings housing
a total of 28 beds located at
23.7 Coddington kood, Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcels Nos.
547.41 and 54.7.43, and
further, consideration of Pre.
liminary and Final Subdivi-
sion Approval for the pro
posed modification of lot
lines and consolidation of
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels
N6, 53.1.23.1, -23.2, -23.30
-23.4, -23.5, •23.6, .23.71
.23.8,-23.9, -23.101-23.11 o
•23.12, - 23.13, • 23.141
-23.15 and - 23.16, compris --
ing the "Klondike Manor'
subdivision, into five (5) lots.
Orlando and Rolph locovelli, L
Owners; Orlando locovelli,
Agent.
Said Planning Board will at
said time and said place hear
all persons in support of such
matter or objections thereto.
Persons may appear by
agent or in person.
Joan L. Hamilton
Town Clerk
273 -1721
March 25, 1993
Y� r
5, 1993
•t
v
tY
Th6 Ithaca Journal Th
, March
TOWN OF ITHACA
PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF
TUES., MARCH 30 1993
By direction of the Chairman
of the Planning Board, NO-
TICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that
a Public Hearing will be held
by the Planning Board of the
Town of Ithaca on Tuesday,
March 30 1993, in Town
Hall, 126 tast Seneca Street,
Ithaca, NY, at the following
time and on the following
matter:
7:35 P.M. Consideration of
Preliminary and Final Site
Pion Approval for the con-
struction of one (1) six -unit,
18 bed apartment building
and the conversion of two. (21
existing two -unit, 16 bed
apartment buildings to two
four•unit buildings housing
a total of 28 beds located at
23.7 Coddington kood, Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcels Nos.
547.41 and 54.7.43, and
further, consideration of Pre.
liminary and Final Subdivi-
sion Approval for the pro
posed modification of lot
lines and consolidation of
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels
N6, 53.1.23.1, -23.2, -23.30
-23.4, -23.5, •23.6, .23.71
.23.8,-23.9, -23.101-23.11 o
•23.12, - 23.13, • 23.141
-23.15 and - 23.16, compris --
ing the "Klondike Manor'
subdivision, into five (5) lots.
Orlando and Rolph locovelli, L
Owners; Orlando locovelli,
Agent.
Said Planning Board will at
said time and said place hear
all persons in support of such
matter or objections thereto.
Persons may appear by
agent or in person.
Joan L. Hamilton
Town Clerk
273 -1721
March 25, 1993
Y� r
5, 1993