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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1993-06-29C: • TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD JUNE 29, 1993 FILED The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday, Ithaca, June 29, New York 1993, at 7:30 in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, p.m. PRESENT: Chairperson Carolyn Grigorov, Robert Kenerson, Jim Ainslie, Stephen Smith, Herb Finch, William Lesser, Dan Walker (Town Engineer), Floyd Forman (Town Planner), George Frantz (Assistant Town Planner) , John Barney (Town Attorney). ALSO PRESENT: Michael Carr, Lori Pierce, William Farrell. Chairperson Grigorov declared the meeting duly opened at 7:35 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 June 22, 1993 and June 24, 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 Public Works, upon Tompkins County Commissioner of Planning, upon the Tompkins County Assessment Department, and upon the applicants and /or agents, as appropriate on June 23, 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. Bill Farrell addressed the board asking what had happened to the petition for the sewer on Coddington Road? The petition was brought to the board about two years ago. Town Planner Floyd Forman responded that the petition is on a list of priorities with the Public Works Committee. Town Engineer Dan Walker can provide you with more details regarding Coddington Road. Chairperson Grigorov asked if there were any additional comments from the public. At this time, there appeared to be no further comments and Chairperson Grigorov closed this portion of the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF PRELIMINARY AND FINAL SUBDIVISION APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION OF TOWN OF ITHACA TAX PARCEL NO. 48 -1 -6, 7.1 +/- ACRES, INTO TWO LOTS, 1.77 + /- ACRES . AND 5.33 + /- ACRES RESPECTIVELY, LOCATED AT 675 CODDINGTON ROAD, RESIDENCE DISTRICT R -30, MICHAEL CARR AND LORI PIERCE, APPLICANTS; HOWARD SCHLIEDER, AGENT. • PLANNING BOARD -2- June 29, 1993 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. Chairperson Grigorov asked if there was a problem with her participating in the hearing due to the fact that she owns property down the road from Mr. Carr's property. Board member Herbert Finch personally knows Mr. Carr, would that disqualify him from this public hearing. Town Attorney John Barney responded that owning property near the proposed property would not cause disqualification, neither would knowing the applicant personally. Chairperson Grigorov stated for the record that three (3) Board members had viewed the site. Michael Carr addressed the board stating that he is asking the Board for Approval of dividing the property into two lots. One lot would hold his current home, and the second lot would hold the Carr's new home. • Town Engineer Dan Walker stated that Frank Chase has already been to the sight and approved the septic on the larger lot. Town Attorney Barney asked Mr. Carr if the Subdivision map had been shown to the Health Department. Mr. Carr responded that the Health Department had already viewed the map. Chairperson Grigorov stated that this was a Public Hearing and asked if anyone from the public wished to speak. No one spoke. VI MOTION by Herbert Finch, seconded by Robert Kenerson: 1. This action is the Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed subdivision of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 48 -1 -6, 7.1 +/- acres, into two lots, 1.77 + /- acres and 5.33 + /- acres respectively, located at 675 Coddington Road, Residence District R -30, Michael Carr and Lori Pierce, Applicants, and 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 . Subdivision Approval, and • • • PLANNING BOARD -3- June 29, 1993 3. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing on June 29, 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, a subdivision plat entitled "Survey Map of Subdivision of Lands at 675 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York "prepared by Howard Schlieder, P.E., L.S., and dated May 3, 1993, and other application materials, and 40 The Town planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental significance with respect to the proposed action 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 reference action as proposed and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. There will be no further discussion, vote) Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Ainslie, Smith, Nay •- None. the Chair called for a Lesser, Finch. The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously. MOTION by William Lesser, WHEREAS. seconded by Herbert Finch: 10 This action is the Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed subdivision of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 48 -1 -6, 7.1 +/- acres, into two lots, 1.77 + /- acres and 5.33 + /- acres respectively, located at 675 Coddington Road, Residence District R -30, Michael Carr and Lori Pierce, Applicants, and 2. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on June 29, 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, a subdivision plat entitled "Survey Map of Subdivision of Lands ar 675 Coddington Road, Town Schlieder, P.E., L.S., and dated May 3, 1993, and other application materials, and • PLANNING BOARD 3. This is an Unlisted Action Planning Board, acting as Lead has, on June 29, 1993, mad significance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: -4- June 29, 1993 for which the Town of Ithaca Agency in environmental review, e a negative determination of 1. That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Final Subdivision Approval, as shown on the 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. 29 That the Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed subdivision of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 48 -1 -6, 7.1 +/- acres, into two lots, 1.77 + /- acres and 5.33 + /- acres respectively, located at 675 Coddington Road, Residence District R -30, as shown on the subdivision plat entitled "Survey map of Subdivision of Lands at 675 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York" prepared by Howard Schlieder, P.E., L.S., and dated May 31 1993, conditioned upon the following: • a. Approval by the Tompkins County Department of Health of septic disposal facilities prior to the issuance of any building permit; b. Submission of a certificate signed and sealed by the mortgagor to the effect that said mortgagor consents to the proposed subdivision, per Article VI, sect. 37, of the Town of Ithaca Subdivision Regulations; c. Submission of a certificate signed and sealed by the registered land surveyor who prepared that plat as required by Article VI, Sect. 37, of the Town of Ithaca Subdivision Regulations. d. Submission of a revised plat showing adequate frontage at the sixty foot setback for the lot shown as 5.33 + / acres on the plat entitled "Survey map of subdivision of Lands at 675 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins county, New York" prepared by Howard Schlieder, P.E., L.S., and dated may 3, 19939 There being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote. Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Ainslie, Smith, Finch, Lesser. • Nay - None. The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously. ;7 PLANNING BOARD -5- June 29, 1993 Mr. Carr asked the Board -if he could apply for the Building Permit now. Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that Mr. Carr must provide four copies of a reproducible map, in addition to the conditions set forth in the resolution. AGENDA ITEM. DISCUSSION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that the Board needs to give final input regarding the work done with the comprehensive Plan so that he may submit the Plan to Trudy Calvert to be edited. Mr. Lesser asked if there were any additional mechanisms for use in controlling the use of the land. back (Page V -3) let us discuss the things that you have Town Planner Floyd Forman responded that the Comprehensive Plan is very broad, and encompasses a lot of different aspects. In Chapter six, the Board added the item allowing minor changes without difficulty. Town Planner Floyd Forman will take the Plan to be edited then bring the marked up copy back to the Board for review and then make the final decisions. Chairperson Grigorov asked if the Plan would be completed by the July 13th Board Meeting. Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that he hoped that Truly would be done with it by then, if not, then there may be no meeting on July 13, 1993, will have to wait and see. Board member Robert Kenerson stated that the Board ought to as soon as we can have it bounce down as tight as we can before we go to the public hearing. Keep that kind minimum. Mr. Kenerson thought that the new public hearing situation, maybe the differently. of change and stuff to Board would have a whole Board needs to handle a it Chairperson Grigorov asked Mr. Kenerson how? Chairperson Grigorov asked if Mr. Kenerson meant to have two Public Hearings. Mr. Kenerson responded that two meetings would not be a strain with all of the time and effort put into the Plan so far. Board member Robert Kenerson responded to make some kind of explanation that would set up a couple of here it is take it and read it and ask us questions as to what is happening. Then come back two weeks later and let us discuss the things that you have seen. Mr. Kenerson felt that response would be better from the people if they have some time after explanation as to what it is the Board is doing. Chairperson Grigorov asked if Mr. Kenerson meant to have two Public Hearings. Mr. Kenerson responded that two meetings would not be a strain with all of the time and effort put into the Plan so far. OPLANNING BOARD -6- June 29, 1993 Chairperson Grigorov stated that it would not, but it would make the process even longer. Mr. Kenerson stated that when you are talking about the Plan, one more meeting is not significant. to the Board member Herbert Finch stated that there have been so many changes made in the Plan that the Board needs to make sure the public sees and understands what the changes were. Mr. Kenerson stated "I have said it before, Public Relations bend over backwards to give the public as much time and exposure they wanted, then ask the public if they are through now? do you understand everything that you want to talk about? Then the Board will take the Plan back and tell the people thank you very much for your help." Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that what the Board needed to do is get the Plan out to the public and give them a chance to take a look at the Plan in order for the public to be able to come to the Public Hearing prepared to make comments. After the public examines the Plan, Town Planner Forman expects the Board would then hold a public hearing knowing that the public has had a chance through notice in the newspapers, through making it available at the.Town Hall, through giving away free copies of the executive Summary, and with all of the publicity on television and radio so that the public knows that there is a public hearing coming up, so that they know that there are copies of the revised plan available and then the Board holds a public hearing with a more knowledgeable public attending. Mr. Forman then stated that he did not feel that multiple public hearings would be necessary. Chairperson Grigorov asked the Board about highlighting the changes made in response to the public people. Mr. Kenerson stated that the Board has addressed a lot of requests from people who have asked what is left-for them. You can not just keep rolling and rolling, sooner or later you have to say okay, I've had enough, lets go. Instead of leaving doubts that could have been taken care of the first time, you take care of as many as you can and put in a summary that is easy for people to read, understand and comply with. The same thing when you talk about the famous map, when you say this is what we are looking for in the future is we want to retain the open space, the general things that we say and this is what the Comprehensive Plan is now designed to do. Degrees /details we can not answer those; the Board is not in a position to, nor should we have to, that is not the idea of the plan, the plan is a guide and this is what we have done to make it a guide. You can dig through the Comprehensive Plan all • you want but these are the things that are covered in there is that is your concern, it is covered. 0 • PLANNING BOARD -7- June 29, 1993 Board member Herbert Finch asked if there is a legal time frame within which the Board has to deal with the public. Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that there is a five day notice to the public required. Chairperson Grigorov stated that the Board should defend the Plan at this point, but not allow a meeting to become a cat fight. Mr. Kenerson told the Board to remember that they have the final decision, they had taken on the responsibility for creating the Plan and at some point they are going to have to tell the public thank yo very much but we see it this way as we are charged with the responsibility of creating the Plan and this is what we think based on what we know this is the kind of Plan the Town needs at this time and here it is and that is what the Board is going to propose if you do not like it say so, but you better have a good reason this time because we are not just going to respond to interesting little things or favorite things, it has got to be a part of what we are trying to do with the Town. Any questions, NO. Thank you very much. Town Planner Floyd Forman then asked the Chair to get a general consensus from the Board to go ahead and take the Plan to Trudy Calvert for editing. MOTION by Herbert Finch, seconded by Stephen Smith. Aye - Grigorov, Kenerson, Ainslie, Smith, Finch, Lesser. Nay - None. The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM: REPORT OF THE TOWN PLANNER. Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that he would be having a meeting with Cornell University on June 30th, to discuss an Institutional Zone that was very broad concerning GEIS and Precinct 7, the planning staff had given Cornell some ideas to narrow the zone concerning the GEIS and Precinct 7. Once that is in a more firm format, he will bring it back to the Planning Board and see what their thoughts are regarding incorporating whatever comes out of it as part of the Generic Environmental Impact Statement. So that when Board goes to the public, this will be a piece of the pie. Board member William Lesser asked Town Planner Floyd Forman how soon this would be going to the public. • Town Planner Floyd Forman responded mid September as a tentative date. El n U PLANNING BOARD -8- June 29, 1993 Mr. Lesser asked what Cornell's interest was in getting substantial approval for construction of up to 3,000,000 square feet. How is that issue being dealt with by the Town? Town Planner Floyd Forman responded that he is now in the "completeness" phase. This phase of the GEIS ensures that everything that needs to me addressed will be, and further, that it will be understandable to the public. The matter that Mr. Lesser raised is a technical one and will be dealt with during and after the public hearing. When we get into writing the final GEIS, the public, the Planning Board and staff can then work with Cornell to hopefully firm the square footage. Mr. Forman went on to say that the Town had asked Cornell to give the Planning Board an outline of their SLUD. Cornell responded that they could not do it, that it was impossible. We have now been given a proposed SLUD. Hopefully, we can work with Cornell in similar manner on firming up the number of square feet in the proposed SLUD. Mr. Kenerson asked if Cornell has a range of potential development in Precinct 7 (Orchards Area). Town Planner Floyd Forman responded that Cornell's range is so broad that it does not mean anything, hopefully they can narrow the range a little bit. Mr. Kenerson then stated that he had a couple of well researched "dumb" questions. 1. What is the relationship between the GEIS and the Comprehensive Plan9 should one come first and one come second, or just ignore them and do them separately? Town Planner Floyd Forman responded that you can not ignore them. The Board changed the map to show institutional, the two are not totally separate but they are an integral part of the Comprehensive Plan. Board member James Ainslie asked if Cornell knew exactly what they wanted. Town Planner Floyd Forman stated no, they did not, but they brought a very detailed proposal for an Institutional Zone to the Town. Town Attorney John Barney stated that the layout Cornell brought to the Town is broader that the Town wanted. Permitted used shown were virtually any use you can think of as a use of land, whether owned by Cornell or owned by someone else. Mr. Kenerson stated that he second question is that "Institutional Zone" is an uncomfortable term, could the Board thing of another phrase. • Town Planner Floyd Forman stated that the Town is treating Precinct 7 as a SLUD, at some point in the future they will try to incorporate an institutional zone and change the name. PLANNING BOARD -9- June 29, 1993 Town Attorney John Barney stated that the Board may wish to consider an Educational Zone and a Medical or Hospital Zone. Mr. Kenerson stated that when the districts were numbered, the numbers meant something specific, if you are going to give districts names, make the names mean something specific too. Mr. Kenerson felt that "Institutional" zone will not be limited to Precinct 7. Town Attorney John Barney stated that Cornell University's proposed changes regarding rezoning included the entire Cornell campus located in the Town of Ithaca. Mr. Kenerson stated that if the Board members do not understand the Comprehensive Plan then the public will not support or understand it either. Chairperson Grigorov asked if there was any other business anyone wished to discuss. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Grigorov stated that there was no further business to come before the Board. ADJOURNMENT Upon Motion, Chairperson Grigorov declared the June 29, 1993 meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board duly adjourned at 8:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted, StarrRae Hays, Recording Secretary Town of Ithaca Planning Board