HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1998-07-07TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
JULY 7, 1998
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TOWN OF ITHACA
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The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday, June 16, 1998, in Town
Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York, at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Eva Hoffman, Greg Bell, Robert Kenerson, Jim Ainslie, Lawrence Thaver, John Barney
(Town Attorney, 7:44 p.m.), Daniel Walker (Director of Engineering, 7:52 p.m.), Susan Ritter
(Environmental Planner, 7:50 p.m.), Christine Balestra (Planner).
EXCUSED: Fred Wilcox.
ALSO PRESENT. Doria Higgins, 2 Hillcrest Drive, Gary Tennant, Cornell University Farm Service,
Daniel M. Winch, Cornell University Farm Service, David Fernandez, 2712 North Triphammer Road,
David Herrick, T.G. Miller, Larry Turchin, Traffic Solutions, A. Frost Travis, 150 Highland Avenue,
Chairperson Hoffmann declared the meeting duly opened at 7:39 p.m., and accepted for the
record the Secretary's Affidavit of Posting and Publication of the Notice of Public Hearings in Town
Hall and the Ithaca Journal on June 29, 1998, and July 1, 1998, together with the Secretary's Affidavit
of Service by Mail of said Notice upon the various neighbors of each of the properties under
discussion, as appropriate, upon the Clerks of the City of Ithaca and the Town of Danby, upon the
Tompkins County Commissioner of Planning, upon the Tompkins County Commissioner of Public
Works, and upon the applicants and /or agents, as appropriate, on July 1, 1998. (Affidavit of Posting
and Publication is hereto attached as Exhibit #1.)
Chairperson Hoffmann 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.
Doria Higgins, 2 Hillcrest Drive, provided two hand -outs to the board concerning Lake
Source Cooling. Ms. Higgins read the opening statement to the Planning Board. She asked the
board to read the hand -outs.
Ms. Higgins stated in her opinion the Town of Ithaca Town Board had betrayed its
constituency, as well as the larger community, by approving the Cornell University Lake Source
Cooling Project with such inadequate monitoring safeguards. She explained the Planning Board was
the last hope she had in asking for remediation of the SPDES permit. The fact was that the SPDES
permit process was not completed. Cornell University still had not handed the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation its plan to fulfill the meager specifications in the permit.
For that reason, legal or not, the board had every decent, ethical, moral, and spiritual right at the
present time to insist that there be proper protection for your constituents in the matter. She asked
the board to remember as an involved agency, according to SEQRA, the board was not just to
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consider the matters and issues. It must give approval, but the agency is to consider the entire
project in coming to their decisions.
The letter from the Vice President of Cornell University made it clear that the monitoring
situation granted to the town stated that all meetings would be for information sharing and
discussion only. It would not be to vote on or to direct the project monitoring or outcomes in
general. Ms. Higgins had the statement she was referring to underlined on the board member's copy
of her hand -outs. In other words, Cornell University had only given the town the right to attend
meetings and to discuss the project. According to the letter (her hand -out), the town did not have
any right to direct the monitoring. Cornell University had given the town $50,000 to hire an
independent person to review the data which Cornell University would give the consultant. Ms.
Higgins stated it was not a good situation and the Planning Board still had some power at this point
because they had not give Cornell University Final Site Plan Approval.
Ms. Higgins stated that she figured the money given to the town for monitoring was 1/300 of
the $15,000,000 the tax payers would be paying to clean-up the Cornell Radiation Disposal Site. She
feels that the amount of money was not significant to the overall picture. She stated that without
criteria in the SPDES permit for when changes in measurements of the collected data becomes
meaningful, the permit is meaningless. The area in the lake identified for collecting samples is so
large there was no way any significant changes could be associated with the Lake Source Cooling
Project. The sampling may be taken such a great distance away that there would not be a way of
saying the problem was a result of the Lake Source Cooling Project,
On September 2, 1997, Jim Hanson sent a letter making certain requests to the town that were
not carried out. On June 8, 1998, Mr. Hanson sent a letter to the town concluding that the Town
Board Approve Lake Source Cooling Project. (The letters Ms. Higgins was referred to were included
in her two hand - outs). Ms. Higgins explained in Mr. Hanson s letter he stated it was important for
monitoring to begin before the project became on-line. In the final SPDES, there was no such
requirement. The monitoring was asked to be more stringent and the Final SPDES was less stringent
than the Draft SPDES he commented on. Ms. Higgins stated in Mr. Hanson's 1997 letter he had
asked that Cornell University be required to mitigate the negative impacts of the Lake Source
Cooling and offer a solution in a relatively short period. The final permit requires that Cornell
University produce a plan to mitigate any problems within six months. The permit does not have
any requirements about implementing such a plan. In Mr. Hanson s 1997 letter he also asked for
local involvement in the monitoring process. Ms. Higgins explained his concerns regarding
monitoring had been adequately addressed through written comments from Cornell University.
She felt that this was something the board needed to take care of.
letter.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked Ms. Higgins if she had provided the board with a copy of the
Ms. Higgins stated that she had.
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Chairperson Hoffmann felt that the letter should have been provided to the board prior the
meeting.
Attorney Barney explained the subject of the letter was not on that evening's agenda.
Chairperson Hoffman stated she would like the letter to be included in the next Lake Source
Cooling packet.
Attorney Barney stated that if she wanted, the letter could be included. He explained the
letter was a negotiated letter between the town and Cornell University. In order to get as far as the
letter did, there was quite a bit of negotiation between the parties. Attorney Barney stated that one
of the crucial sections of the letter Ms. Higgins misunderstood was that the Town of Ithaca could ask
the consultant to do anything. They could ask the consultant to review if the monitoring was
appropriate or not, if the monitoring was occurring in the proper location, if there should be different
monitoring, or supplemental monitoring. Cornell University did not have to abide by what the
consultant said, but the Town of Ithaca did not have the authority to control that. The could take the
information that was developed to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
that does have a regulatory authority over the lake. That was the reason they had specified the
language they way they did.
Ms. Higgins stated that if the board were to read the letter, Attorney Barney's interpretation
was questionable.
Attorney Barney read from the letter, "Such review may include any matters requested of the
consultant by the town." He asked Ms. Higgins how that was different from what he had said
previously. It was made clear that the "any matters" would include, if the town chose to do it, if
there should be something different done in terms of monitoring. He wanted Ms. Higgins to
understand that the history and negotiations of the letter were that the consultant could be used for
any purpose in which the town chose to use them. Cornell did not want to agree to that, but they
eventually agreed upon the language.
Ms. Higgins stated that what she had outlined made clear the sense of the letter.
Board Member Ainslie asked Ms. Higgins about the sentence in which the consultant would
be chosen by the town.
Ms. Higgins explained a new agency was being formed and the plan at the present time was
to hire this agency to do the work.
Board Member Ainslie stated the letter said the consultant would be chosen by the town. He
asked if that helped her at all.
Ms. Higgins stated all the monitoring expert would do was look at the data given to him /her
by Cornell University and make their interpretation. That did not mean anyone had to pay any
attention to the data results.
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Attorney Barney stated that was not true. He explained that they may look at it. It was on the
bottom of the first page of the letter. The town had gone through a lot to get that specific language in
the letter for that specific reason. The town did not want Cornell University dictating to the town
what the consultant would do and under what circumstances they could act.
Ms. Higgins stated she was talking about the power to effect things, not about the duties and
responsibilities of the person chosen to monitor. She was talking about what power the town would
have and according to the letter the town did not have any power.
PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Recommendation to the Town Board regarding an
amendment to Local Law No.1 of the year 1998 Providing For a Moratorium for the Establishment
of Adult Entertainment Businesses for a Period of Ninety (90) Days, as well as an amendment to
Local Law No. 5 of the year 1998 which provided for an initial Seventy -five (75) day extension to
said moratorium, said amendment proposed to extend the moratorium for an additional ninety
(90) days.
Attorney Barney stated the Town Board considered the local that was recommended by the
Planning Board and the Codes and Ordinances Committee for locating these enterprises in the light
industrial zones and the certain set back requirements. The people that surround and adjoin those
zones were not happy and made a persuasive case to the Town Board about the THERM zone. As a
result, the Town Board wanted more time to study the matter and determine rather light industrial
zones were appropriate. In order to work it back through Codes and Ordinances and the Planning
Board and to the Town Board, another Ninety days would be required.
Board Member Kenerson asked if they would have to extend the moratorium again. If so,
why could they not extend it for one hundred twenty days.
Attorney Barney stated that the town has already had one hundred sixty -five days of
moratorium. A moratorium cannot be used to prohibit something for an indefinite period of time.
Each time the town has had a moratorium there has been good reason.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated that after the site visits she felt it was very complicated and that
the town was being forced into having the businesses somewhere.
Attorney Barney stated the problem without legislation there could be an applicant requesting
to have an Adult Entertainment Business anywhere in the town.
Board Member Bell stated that did not matter what the boards decided. An entertainment
business in any area of the town would cause problems.
Board Member Thayer asked if they could eliminate the THERM area without eliminating the
other light industrial zones.
Attorney Barney stated that could be done.
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Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the idea was to have the businesses restricted to the
light industrial zones that front on a state highway.
Chairperson Hoffmann opened the public hearing at 7:59 p.m. With no persons present to be
heard, Chairperson Hoffmann closed the public hearing at 8:00 p.m.
MOTION by Robert Kenerson, seconded by Lawrence Thayer:
WHEREAS:
1. The Town Board adopted Local Law No. 1 of the Year 1998 "Providing for a Moratorium for
the Establishment of Adult Entertainment Businesses for a Period of Ninety (90) Days," on
February 9, 1998, and
2. Said proposed local law establishes interim regulations prohibiting the establishment of adult
entertainment businesses for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of enactment of the
local law, in order to provide a reasonable period of time for the Town Board to draft and
consider regulations regarding the development of such uses within the Town of Ithaca, and
3. Said proposed local law was amended on May 5, 1998, to extend the moratorium on adult
entertainment businesses for an additional seventy -five (75) days, and
4. The above referenced moratorium is set to expire on or about July 24, 1998; and the Town has
proposed extending the current moratorium for an additional ninety (90) days in order to
provide sufficient time to revise the draft proposed local law, and
5. The Town Board has been diligently pursuing the preparation of a draft local law which
would regulate adult entertainment businesses, and has also prepared an Adult Entertainment
Use Study outlining the secondary effects of such uses (April 6, 1998; revised May 8, 1998),
and
6. The Town Board referred said proposed moratorium extension, to the Town of Ithaca
Planning Board for their recommendation, and
T The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on July 7, 1998, has reviewed the above
referenced local law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, pursuant to Article XIV, Section 78 of the Town of
Ithaca Zoning Ordinance, hereby finds that
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a. There is a need for the proposed ninety (90) day extension of the moratorium for the
establishment of adult entertainment businesses by said proposed moratorium
extension, and
b. The existing and probable future character of the Town will not be adversely affected,
and
c. The proposed amendment to the local law is in accordance with a comprehensive plan
of development of the Town and will allow the proper consideration of a draft local
law regarding the regulation of such uses, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby recommends that the Town of Ithaca Town Board
enact the proposed "Local Law Extending for an Additional Ninety (90) Days a Moratorium for the
Establishment of Adult Entertainment Businesses."
AYES - Hoffmann, Kenerson, Thayer, Ainslie, Bell.
NAYS - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals
regarding a sign variance for a proposed directional sign for the Cayuga Professional Center, said
sign to be located on Dates Drive on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 243 -2.1, owned by Cayuga
Medical Center, Residence District R -30. Cayuga Professional Center, Applicant; Cayuga
Medical Center, Owner; A. Frost Travis, Agent.
A. Frost Travis, 150 Highland Avenue, stated the purpose of the sign was to safely direct
traffic exiting the Professional Center. Usually when exiting, the vehicles make a left turn onto
Route 96 across traffic. When he came before the board at the renovation hearing he had asked the
Town Board to consider a caution light at that intersection. Mr. Travis stated they had planned
several different signs out through Dates Drive Extension onto Dates Drive and out to the caution
light at the Medical Center. He would ask his Tenants to refer their patients to use that exit and to
enter at the caution light or at their entrance. The would assist people entering the complex. They
would enter at the Medical Center Entrance, then see the directional sign directing them to the
Cayuga Professional Center.
Mr. Frost stated he had read the recommendation to move the sign off the road thirty feet for
an unobstructed site line. The reason for the size of the sign was to have it visible at the distance
from the road.
Board Member Kenerson asked if Dates Drive was a town road.
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Attorney Barnev stated it was in the process of being conveyed to the town.
Boardmember Hoffmann asked to have Dates Drive and Dates Drive Extension showed to the
board on the map. That would enable the board to record the proper names of the road on their
drawing.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the sign would be on private property of the Cayuga
Medical Center, but the variance was needed because it fell into the category of off: premise signs.
Board Member Kenerson asked if this would be a town sign that other signs could be added
to it.
Director of Engineering Walker stated there currently was a directional sign at that
intersection directing people to the hospital and six other destinations. At the Biggs complex a
vertical orientation sign that was erected in conjunction between the county and the hospital. The
county would continue to own the smaller Biggs building.
Board Member Kenerson asked if there would be multiple signs or one sign that would be
inclusive.
Director of Engineering Walker stated that a sign for the Biggs building would come before
the board as part of site plan approval for that project.
Planner Balestra presented the locations of Dates Drive and Dates Drive Extension on a small
rendering she presented to the board.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked what the name of the second turn -off was.
There was a discussion among staff and boardmembers about which road was Dates Drive
and which road was Date Drive Extension.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated there was not enough information to decide which road was
Dates Drive and which road was Dates Drive Extension. She asked that on the original map the
correct names be labeled for the file.
The board decided to temporarily named the roads.
Board Member Bell stated they should suggest to the Town Board to rename one of the roads
so that it was not so confusing.
Chairperson Hoffmann agreed and she stated that names of Cayuga Medical Center, Cayuga
Professional Center, Professional Medical Office Building led to confusion.
Board Member Thayer stated the sign location confused him unless they were trying to route
the traffic in that direction. The most logical way to get to the Professional Center was off Route 96.
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Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the idea was that there was much traffic between the
Cayuga Professional Center and the hospital. The applicant was trying to get people from the
hospital to their doctor's office in the Professional Center by making the turn instead of going up
onto Route 96. People traveling from Ithaca are not the problem. It was people traveling from the
hospital going north on the highway.
Attorney Barney stated there was the Medical Office Building, and then there was a sign
saying Cayuga Professional Center Building, people might become confused if they were coming
there for the first time.
Board Member Ainslie stated if you were traveling on Harris Drive, and up to the Professional
Building, a sign saying not a through street was posted. The road was not to be used because there
were two speed bumps preventing constant travel.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the purpose of the sign was a way of drawing traffic off
Route 96,
Board Member Ainslie stated many people who were at the Professional Building
automatically traveled that way.
Mr. Travis stated that they had signs on their property that stated Exit to Ithaca at Hospital
Light.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she felt that the names of the roads and facilities were
confusing.
Mr. Travis explained the reason they named the facility Cayuga Professional Center was that
the medical Tenants had an affiliation with the Cayuga Medical Center. They had chosen to have
their private practices in the facility near the hospital. They had a very strong informal affiliation
with the Cayuga Medical Center. He felt there was a strong enough differentiation between the
medical office building and Cayuga Professional Center. He understood the confusion between
Cayuga Medical Center and Cayuga Professional Center but he hoped the words medical and
professional would differentiate the two. In his opinion it was appealing name than the Tompkins
County Professional Building that sounds like a government office building. They wanted to make it
clear it was a medical, dentist office building.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked Planner Balestra to explain the location of the sign.
Planner Balestra explained in the picture she had passed around the orange sign was
approximately thirty feet from the road. Due to the architectural graphic standards for site distance,
someone who was at a stop sign at Dates Drive and Dates Drive Extension would need to be able to
see the cars coming in either direction. The sign needed to be placed at least thirty feet north of that
intersection from the edge of pavement from Dates Drive Extension. She explained the location of
the sign on the map was a little closer to the road than it actually would be.
Board Member Bell asked Planner Balestra to explain the location of the sign in the picture.
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Planner Balestra showed and explained Board Member Bell the location of the sign.
Board Member Ainslie asked if it would be a two sided sign.
Planner Balestra responded it would be a two sided sign in order to see the sign from both
directions.
Mr. Travis stated he would be coming before the board to add another smaller sign directing
people at Harris Dates Drive,
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she felt the sign was quite a distance from the intersection.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated it would be visible. He explained that as people were
coming out of the hospital they would be stopped and looking in that direction. At the other
intersection because of the curvature of the driveway the sign would be visible.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she was worried about the people entering from Route 96.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz responded that was not going to be an issue because people
traveling to the Cayuga Professional Center from downtown would turn at the light. The point of
the sign was to serve people coming out of the Cayuga Medical Center and headed towards the
Cayuga Professional Center,
Board Member Thayer asked if another sign at the other intersection would be needed.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated eventually it may be needed.
Board Member Ainslie stated the sign was trying to keep the traffic internally than people
traveling onto Route 96.
Board Member Bell asked Assistant Town Planner Frantz to draw the location of the sign on
the map. After seeing the location, Board Member Bell stated it would be thirty feet from the Dates
Drive Extension and not from Dates Drive,
Chairperson Hoffmann stated that when the Biggs building was converted to apartments,
there would be more traffic traveling there. The board also needed to consider if they wanted to
have another sign in the location, or if this sign could be built in a way that another sign could be
added to it.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated that if the Biggs Complex was converted to residential
use was a major office building until recently and generated much traffic. This is not a building that
will create more traffic onto Dates Drive. He felt there was no reason to worry about the traffic
implications. The Cayuga Professional Center generated 8,000 patient visits a month, roughly 350-
400 vehicle trips per day that is not a large volume of traffic over an eight hour day. The additional
traffic if the Biggs Building were to be built would be a problem. His recommendation would be to
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direct the developer of the Biggs Building to come up with a consolidated sign with the Cayuga
Professional Center.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated the board was allowing a separate sign for one applicant, and to
the following applicants that they could not have a separate sign.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated he was not saying that they would not consider more
signs, but at that point, the Planning Board could sav it was too much. One of the things that works
in their favor is the fact that they are requests for variances.
Chairperson Hoffmann opened the public hearing at 8:31 p.m. With no persons present to be
heard, Chairperson Hoffmann closed the public hearing at 8:32 p.m.
Board Member Bell stated the graphics on the sign were confusing because of the red triangle
and white square. He explained it looked like an up arrow on an elevator and the graphic for Pizza
Hut. Board Member Bell felt the applicant could come up with something clearer to express their
intent.
Mr. Travis stated it was part of their letterhead and it tied into the renovation of the exterior
with the red roofs. He explained it would look a little different from what was shown because the
white square was off center and it would be more closely aligned with the red triangle.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated on the drawing of the sign stated the dimensions of the sign
were to be four feet wide, two feet high, elevated no more than four feet off the ground for a total
height of no more than six feet off the ground, but it showed four feet off the ground.
Planner Balestra stated that when she went on the site visit, she and the Assistant Town
Engineer estimated that you were able to see underneath the bottom panel of the sign.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated given the landscape in the area, the sign would not be
very large at all. It would not make a big difference.
Mr. Travis stated they would be willing to have a sign below theirs as long as it was
compatible with their existing sign.
Chairperson Hoffmann complimented Mr. Travis on the difference the renovations made.
The board decided that they would like to add in a condition stating that Mr. Travis had
agreed to permitting one sign below his in the future.
Board Member Bell asked about the second sign Mr. Travis had suggested.
Board Member Thayer stated the board would have to look at the location.
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Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the staff did not have a chance to look at the second
sign.
MOTION by Gregory Bell, seconded by Lawrence Thayer:
WHEREAS.
1. The Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals has received an application for an off - premise
directional sign for the Cayuga Professional Center to be located on Dates Drive, Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24- 3 -2.1, Residence District R -301 Cayuga Professional Center, Applicant;
Cayuga Medical Center, Owner; A. Frost Travis, Agent, and
2. Said sign measures approximately 8 square feet in size, whereas the Town of Ithaca Sign Law
permits a maximum size of 4 square feet for freestanding signs in residential districts, and
said sign would be an off - premise sign, where such signs are prohibited in the Town of Ithaca
Sign Law, and
3. The Board of Appeals, pursuant to the Town's Sign Law, has referred the application for said
sign to the Sign Review Board (Planning Board) for its review and recommendations, and
4. The Planning Board, acting as the Sign Review Board, at a public hearing field on July 7, 1998,
reviewed a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part I, prepared by the applicant, and
Part II, prepared by Planning staff for the Zoning Board of Appeals, who will act as Lead
Agency in the environmental review of the proposed sign; drawings of the proposed Cayuga
Professional sign, with a date stamp of June 17, 1998, prepared by A. Frost Travis, and
additional application materials,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED.
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting as the Sign Review Board, hereby recommends that
the Zoning Board of Appeals approve the proposed special approval for the sign shown in the
Cayuga Professional Center sign application materials, date stamped June 17, 1998, subject to the
following conditions:
a. That the total height of the sign shall not exceed 6 feet, as measured from ground
elevation;
b. That the sign shall be located a distance of at least 30 feet from the edge of pavement of
Dates Drive Extension, so that motorists stopped at the stop sign on Dates Drive have
an unobstructive view for at least 130 feet eastward along the entrance drive to the
Cayuga Medical Center;
C, The applicant consenting to the placement of one additional sign of substantially equal
size on the same supports as the sign applied for, provided the design of such sign is
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compatible with the design of applicant sign, such second sign to provide directional
guidance to other facilities in the vicinity of the hospital.
AYES- Hoffmann, Bell, Thayer, Ainslie, Kenerson.
NAYS - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM: SEQR Determination, Cornell University Food Compost Processing Operation,
751 Dryden Road.
Daniel Winch, Cornell University Farm Service and Dining and Retail Services, stated he was
present to obtain Final and Full Special Approval without limitations for their Compost Food Waste
Project. They were before the Planning Board one year ago. At that point in time the Compost Food
Waste Project was an idea and currently up and running. He stated he was proud of the progress
they have made on the project. They were concerned when they started and found once they began
the project that they were spending less time than what they had proposed. Mr. Winch stated they
were not dumping the food waste on the pad and picking it up and putting into the mixer that was
proposed previously. Instead, the food waste is going directly from a truck into a front end loader
on either a tractor or skid steer. In result the material does not hit the ground.
Some items of concern before the project was up and running were noise, birds, varmints,
smells, and number of vehicular traffic. The process has taken much less time than what was
proposed with one and sometimes two vehicle loads per day. On Route 366 and in that
neighborhood one additional trip cannot be noticed. This spring they were able to have tours and
the Planning Board was invited. Environmental Planner Ritter came out and they were able to visit
the mixing operation at the Farm Service Complex and at the compost pad. They received positive
feedback and have not had any citizen complaints about the operation at the Farm Service Complex.
The numbers given to the board in the line of tonnage's have been very close.
Mr. Winch stated he was no longer with the project but was present with the permission of
John Lipkin of the Agricultural School. He felt an enormous amount of pride in what had been
produced. Mr. Winch was confident that it will be on going and the operation they are running is
clean. He explained he had seen comments from the Town of Ithaca staff about the project and are
very happy about where they currently stand with the project At the second tour they had invited
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Solid Waste Division to come and
review the project. Since they only accept Cornell University food waste and the end product is used
on Cornell University land they did not have to have a New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation permit. They had asked the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation to review the project to give them some feedback. The New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation gave the project an unofficial thumbs up.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked Mr. Winch to let the Planning Board know when they were
having more tours.
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APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
Mr. Winch responded there was a great amount of interest. He felt that what they were doing
was the environmentally right thing to do. Mr. Winch thought they would become an educational
facility for alternative farming.
Board Member Kenerson asked if they had two sites.
Mr. Winch stated in the Town of Ithaca was where they did the mixing.
Board Member Kenerson asked if there were any problems with rain run -off.
Gary Tennant, Cornell Farm Services, stated the saw dust and horse manure that was mixed
with the food waste was stored in a shed, so there was no run -off from that After the material is
mixed it is put into a mixing wagon and then back into the sheds.
Mr. Winch explained that they broom cleaned the site. They did not use water to wash down
the site and they are able to clean the site every day. As Environmental Planner Ritter witnessed
there is not much that drops -off from the complete operation. The operation uses approximately
3500 tons a year of other material and approximately 700 tons of food waste injected into that.
Board Member Ainslie asked if they were taking all of the food wastes from all of the cafeteria
sites.
Mr. Winch replied they currently were not. A couple of the cafeterias did not have loading
docks and were very small facilities. They were taking the majority of the food waste and the two
largest dining halls were on -line, but they would be 100% on -line within the next academic year.
Board Member Ainslie asked if they were going to try to make the other facilities on -line.
Mr. Winch responded that they would and all of the facilities in the current plans were the
ones ran by the Dining and Retail Services Department.
Board Member Bell asked how long the cycle ran.
Mr. Tennant responded the compost action takes place in about three months. Then there was
another six month puring period before they had finished compost. After the three months they can
spread it on the fields. One of the things they plan on doing is to enlarge the storage so they are able
too pure the compost for a year. Then the Plantations and Grounds Department could use it instead
of Pete Moss.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked Mr. Winch to describe the increase of the run -off capacity of the
pond and what it meant.
Mr. Winch replied that they wanted to increase the size of the pad approximately one
hundred feet up the hill and by two hundred feet wide. The retention pond at the end was barely
big enough to keep them through the winter. They were unable to irrigate the water out of the pond
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
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- OCTOBER
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-
APPROVED
-APPROVED
-APPROVED
onto the surrounding pasture land in the spring and summer. So the pond either needs to be
increased in size or build a second pond farther up the hill that water can be pumped into and then
irrigated out. The site was on the base of a hill and all the land that needs to be irrigated is above the
base.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked what the size of the second pond would be.
Mr. Tennant stated it would be about a quarter of the size of the original just to give them a
little more space.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she just wanted to be sure there were not any negative
environmental impacts.
Mr. Winch stated they had been working with Cornell University's Environmental
Compliance Office, Statutory Facilities Office and several others to help them design the site. Before
they started the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation came down and looked
and the site. A few suggestions were made and he had seen the site after it was in operation.
Mr. Tennant stated they had visited compost sites around the country and. this was one of the
few that they would find a retention pond. Most of the run -off goes into the ground.
Environmental Planner Ritter stated she strongly supported what they were doing. There
were many environmental benefits. Mr. Winch and Mr. Tennant have been great managers and have
received rave reviews from staff not affiliated with the project, but said the conditions found during
the tour were there all of the time.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked if Cornell University would have to come in for approval on the
expansion.
Environmental Planner Ritter responded that would be in the Town of Dryden. The only
thing being done in the Town of Ithaca was the grinding of the food. Then the food becomes
brought to the site in Dryden.
MOTION by Lawrence Thayer, seconded by James Ainslie:
WHEREAS.
1. This action is consideration of
the continued operation of
approximately 500 tons /year
tons /year of food waste at the
a portion of Town of Ithaca Ta
District (SLUD) No. 9. Cornell
Special Approval as required by Local Law No. 14 of 1995, for
a food compost processing operation consisting of mixing
of bedding /sawdust and manure, with approximately 700
existing Farm Service Complex, located at 751 Dryden Road, on
x Parcel No. 6444, consisting of +/- 50 acres, Special Land Use
University, Owner; Gary Tennant, Agent; and
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 15 JULY 7, 1998
APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1998 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
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 Special Approval
in SLUD No. 9, and
3. This is an action for which the Planning Board, on July 15, 1997, granted preliminary and final
site plan approval, and granted a one year temporary Special Approval, and accepted as
adequate a site plan entitled "Cornell Compost Project, Farm Services Department' dated 1996
and updated 6/96, 4/97, and 6/97 by Cornell University, Planning, Design and Construction,
a two -page project description entitled "Cornell Compost Project: A History and Proposal"
and other application materials; and
4. The Planning Board, on Julv 7, 1998, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short
Environmental Assessment Form Part I prepared by the applicant, a Short Environmental
Assessment Form Part II prepared by planning staff, and additional application materials; and
5. The Town Planning staff have recommended a negative determination of environmental
significance with respect to the proposed Special Approval;
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.
AYES- Hoffmann, Thayer, Ainslie, Kenerson, Bell.
NAYS- None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Special Approval as required by Local Law No. 14 of 1995,
for the continued operation of a food compost processing operation that consists of mixing
bedding(sawdust and manure with food waste at the existing Farm Service Complex, located at
751 Dryden Road, on a portion of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 6414, consisting of +/- acres,
Special Land Use District (SLUD) No. 9. Cornell University, Owner; Gary Tennant, Agent.
Chairperson Hoffmann opened the public hearing at 8:59 p.m. With no persons present to be
heard, Chairperson Hoffmann closed the public hearing at 9:00 p.m.
Board Member Bell stated in 2b he was curious about the language. He felt that the language
was too strict and normally there was a procedure where notices were given, and had a chance to
correct the problem.
Environmental Planner Ritter stated she had copied it from the previous year's Resolution.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 16 .JULY 72 1998
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Attorney Barney stated they could amend it that the town Planning Board reserved the right
to hold special approval after notice and hearing to the applicant that should there be found there
was a violation.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked if the figures the applicant had given were correct for the
expanded facility also.
Mr. Tennant stated the figures were estimates and they did not have any concrete figures until
they had run for a year.
Attorney Barney added an amendment stating that revoking the permit was not the only
action the town could take.
The Planning Board revoted on the resolution to accept the amendment.
MOTION by Robert Kenerson, seconded by James Ainslie:
WHEREAS:
16 This action is the consideration of Special Approval as required by Local law No. 14 of 1995,
for the continued operation of a food compost processing operation that consists of mixing
approximately 500 tons /year of bedding /sawdust and manure, with approximately 700
tons /year of food waste at the existing Farm Service Complex, located at 751 Dryden Road, on
a portion of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 64 -1 -1, consisting of +/ -50 acres, Special Land Use
District (SLUD) No. 9. Cornell University, Owner; Gary Tennant, Agent; and
2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting as lead agency
in environmental review, has, on Julv 7, 1998, reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short
Environmental Assessment Form Part I prepared by the applicant and a Short Environmental
Assessment Form Part H prepared by planning staff, and made a negative determination of
environmental significance with regard to Special Approval; and
3. This is an action for which the Planning Board, on July 15, 1997, granted preliminary and final
site plan approval, granted a one year temporary Special Approval, and accepted as adequate
a site plan entitled "Cornell Compost Project, Farm Services Department' dated 1996 and
updated 6/96, 4/97, and 6/97 by Cornell University, Planning, Design and Construction, a
two -page project description entitled "Cornell Compost Project: A History and Proposal' and
other application materials;
46 The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing on July 7, 1998, has reviewed and accepted the above
referenced application materials as complete;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
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17
JULY 72 1998
APPROVED -APPROVED -APPROVED
- OCTOBER
6, 1998 -APPROVED -APPROVED -APPROVED
1. That the Planning Board determines the following:
a. that the health, safety, and general welfare of the community in harmony with the
general purpose of this ordinance are promoted by the proposed action;
be that the premises are reasonably adapted to the proposed use;
ce that the proposed use will not be detrimental to the general amenity or neighborhood
character in amounts sufficient to devaluate neighboring property or seriously
inconvenience neighboring inhabitants; and
d, that the proposed access and egress for all structures and uses is safely designed.
2. That the Planning Board hereby grants Special Approval, as required by Local Law No. 14 of
1995, for the continued operation of a food compost processing operation that consists of
mixing approximately 500 tons /year of bedding/ sawdust, and manure with approximately
700 tons /year food waste at the existing Farm Service Complex, located at 751 Dryden Road,
on a portion of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 64 -14, within Special Land Use District (SLUD)
No. 9, as shown on the map entitled "Cornell Compost Project, Farm Services Department'
dated 1996 and updated 6/96, 4/97, and 6/97 by Cornell University, Planning, Design and
Construction, and other application materials, conditioned upon the following:
a. that this Special Approval allows the mixing only of compost materials emanating from
Cornell University sources, and that mixing of compost materials from other sources
on this site is a violation of the Special Approval, and
be that this operation comply with all the regulations within Local Law No. 14 of 1995,
including sections 7(e) Noise, 7(h) Odor, and 7(1) Vermin, and that the Town
Planning Board reserves the right to revoke Special Approval at any time, should this
operation violate Local Law No. 14 of 1995, after at least 10 days notice of violation to
the applicant, and a hearing before the Planning Board on the violation, and a finding
by the Board that a violation has occurred. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude
any Town agency from any other legal recourse related to such violation.
AYES - Hoffman, Kenerson, Thaver, Ainslie, Bell.
NAYS - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM: SEQR Determination, Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, Ellis Hollow Road
and Summerhill Lane.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 18 ,JULY 7, 1998
APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1998 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
Bob Witty, Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, stated they had done much work since the
Sketch Plan Review. The project was similar to the Meadow Street Project. The Meadow Street
Project had four drive -up teller lanes and a drive -up ATM without a bypass. He explained their
current plan had a bypass when exiting out. The teller drive -up areas had nomadic tubing. The
driver -up next to the building would be a normal drive -up window. Parking would be in the front
of the building. The front of the building would be facing towards Ellis Hollow. They had decided
to close the previous curb cut, and that solved many problems onto the Cornell Access Drive. They
were able to create a second curb cut on the Cornell Access Drive.
The front yard setback, facing Ellis Hollow, was fifty feet. The set back on the side yard, the
rear was thirty feet. They were going to conform with the same lighting as the parking complex.
Cornell was going to revamp the parking lot, but since P & C was not going to expand, they did not
have plans to do that Cornell University would fix the access road.
John Lavrish, HBE Corporation, stated the project was 4920 square feet. Member parking
would be on the south side of the building facing Ellis Hollow. Additional, separate parking for
employees at the north end of the site, behind the building. The drive -up would be accessed through
the member parking area in front of the building, around to the east side of the building, and turn
back to the West to access the exit. There was space for five cars stacking in each of the four drive -up
lanes. The fifth lane was available for a drive -up Automatic Teller Machine. From a visual point of
view the exterior design of the building was very similar in character to the Meadow Street Project,
and was just a slightly larger version. It had a brick structure, and standing seen metal roof.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she understood there was a possible problem with the drainage
being relocated through the parcel because of the construction.
David Herrick, T.G. Miller Engineers, stated the site was at the lower end of approximately a
170 acre water shed which begins in the Hungerful Hill area, crosses Ellis Hollow Road to the East.
Much of the agricultural land tilled by Cornell University to the East of the site ultimately drains into
an area behind the apartment buildings. Then through Summerhill Lane, across this property in the
existing drainage ditch. Then under the coverts at the East Hill Plaza Entrance Drive before it passes
under Ellis Hollow Road again, then back under the new realigned Pine Tree Road.
The concepts for their water shed management were slightly different from what they had
presented to the board on other projects. Their focus for this site was to mimic as best they could the
detention volume that was inherent in that existing swale. Mr. Herrick referred to drawing C 1.1 in
explaining the drainage. The existing drainage swale under Summerhill Lane cuts through the
property under what would be the drive through area. It then enters coverts that were under the
entrance plaza just to the South of the Trust Company. The easiest solution in managing the water
that runs through the site would simply be to hard pipe it from where it exits Summerhill Lane all
the way to the existing covert.
What had been done was extensive grading to the North of the proposed parking that would
mimic the capacity that was currently in the drainage swale. The second concept they held to was
they looking not to create a flood stage problem at Summerhill Lane that could ultimately have
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-APPROVED -APPROVED
effects upstream to the residential properties. They scrutinized the water shed the best they could.
They have created in the grading and the pipe sizes, the combination of hydraulic situations to avoid
creating back water effect on Summerhill Lane and possibly create higher water levels at the
adjoined properties.
They had to modify the site plan recently so that they had that combination of pipe size and
the ability to have over land flow when the pipes are flooded during the hundred year storm. They
have been able to maintain an existing condition that would allow over land flow and serious flood
events to not effect the people upstream. Recently they shifted the whole site slightly to the East so
that they could better accommodate hydraulic conditions that they needed for the existing covert.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she thought she saw something that was a concern about the
down stream effects of the water from the site.
Mr. Herrick stated there really would not be down stream impacts. There is additional
impervious surface from the project. They were maintaining some detention volume within this the
open channel north of the channel. There would be some slight increases but they are not going to be
an effect on anything local to the project. What is a larger impact is the lack of capacity and systems
below the site. On Ellis Hollow Road there is a concrete box covert. Under the new realigned Pine
Tree Road there was a new covert put in place. In his opinion in going through the water shed
analysis is that the covert was undersized underneath the new Pine Tree Road. It has the effect of
creating back water on everything upstream. As the site was looked at, there was not much fall from
this project to the point where that covert passes under Pine Tree Road. It was fairly flat given the
drain. Mr. Herrick stated the inability of the covert at Pine Tree Road to pass the larger storm event
has direct impacts to this site. Yes, they are adding additional impervious surfaces, the conditions
that exist at Ellis Hollow Road and at the Pine Tree Road covert negate any impact from additional
impervious surfaces.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked if the system was already undersized.
Mr. Herrick responded that for the serious storm events, he could recall Ellis Hollow Road
being closed due to flooding.
Board Member Bell stated the pipe he was talking about was put in two years ago when Pine
Tree Road was realigned. There was an intentional artificial wetland area, created for as a substitute
for other wetlands that was removed. He asked if the wetland provided any quantity of storage to
make up for the undersized coverts.
Mr. Herrick stated it did not. It was a very small basin.
Board Member Bell stated that if the pipe under Pine Tree Road was made larger, and at a
lower elevation, it would obviously drain the wetland. So it would have to be above the level that is
there now. He asked if the county made a mistake when they created it.
Director of Engineering Walker stated he thought they did not look at the total impact on the
water shed when they designed it.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 20 JULY 71 1998
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Mr. Herrick stated there was probably more scrutiny on the water shed as a result of this
project than there was for the Pine Tree Road.
Director of Engineering Walker stated he thought the covert was undersized. He thought that
the design of the replacement wetland was probably a nice concept but he felt they forgot about
capacity under the road. If the pipes were to be two feet lower than it presently was, would
probably have twice the capacity it currently did. The impact was that it did not over top Pine Tree
Road. He did not know if they looked far enough upstream to realize that they were using Ellis
Hollow Road as a storage area. Or maybe they did, they might have felt it was worthwhile to close
the road during high events. The impact of this project by maintaining the existing volume storage
was minimizing any negative impacts. With the nature of the run -off and the nature of the water
shed, just above this in Summerhill Lane there was a significant natural storage area. If the natural
area was removed or channeled, it would impact down stream areas much more. So they need to
look at the whole area of the water shed. Considering the length of the water shed and it flow
through Cornell University's fields, there was a significant lag time and most of the run -off from this
site will be gone before the upper water shed area comes down through.
Director of Engineering Walker stated they really did not want to detain too much of it. They
wanted to get it out of the way before the rest of the came down into the storage area. He felt the
concept would not make the problem any worse. The road would be raise a little.
Mr. Herrick stated they were not adjusting the grades to the point where they would create a
dam. They were not damming up the water, they were trying to maintain elevations primarily the
lower drive and equally on the upper one. So that any flooding of the pipes that had to escape is
going to occur across the tops of the driveways. These are talking about serious flood events.
Director of Engineering Walker stated before this site were to flood, Ellis Hollow Road would
flood.
Mr. Herrick stated he was trying to avoid creating an impact on the housing that was built on
top of the drainage ditch.
Board Member Kenerson asked what kind of material shifting they would have to do in the
storage area. Would they be taking materials out or bringing some in.
Jerry Petry, Vice President of Project Develop with HBO Corporation, stated they were in a
slight haul situation.
Board Member Kenerson asked if they were going to gravel it to make it a storage overflow,
or a dry well out of it.
Mr. Herrick stated it was a very large graded area. He explained there was really no
opportunity for infiltration.
Mr. Witty stated they had a similar pounding situation on Craft Road and it worked very well
in rapid run -offs.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 21 JULY 73 1998
APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1998 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she understood they did not anticipate any great problems even
though there were already current problems.
Mr. Witty asked Director of Engineering Walker if he thought they were improving it with the
pounding.
Director of Engineering Walker stated he did not think they were going -to improve it. The
constriction down stream was so great that there would need to be a big whole to stop the problem.
He stated the best way to fix a lot of it would to be to raise Ellis Hollow Road, increase the size of the
coverts, and provide a secondary outlet at a higher elevation for that wetland area. The county
created the problem, and the biggest problem is for their own roads.
Mr. Witty stated they put the current building out for bid and they had one bidder and they
ended up putting in the highest bid. So they were not going to be tearing the building down and
hauling it to the dump. The bidder was going to take it from the pad up. So all they had to do was
get rid of the cement pad that was part of the excavation work.
David Aduse, Cayuga Landscape, stated that the significant vegetation, the Black Locus Trees
on the east side of the site would remain. From the view stand point, the impact of this project is
positive. He tried to use the planting plan to beautify the site for the residence and for the people
who use the site. At the top of the landscape map, there is a grove of Norway Spruce in the far
northeast corner. The intent there is not only to screen the site from people walking along the
pedestrian path, but to provide a visual break between the apartment complex and the huge
expansive parking beyond. He noticed many of the residence from Summer Hill used the asphalt
walk. So he included a hedge of double file by Bernum. One reason was to soften the impact of the
water retention basin, but also to make the experience of walking over to the supermarket a little
more pleasant. At the west side of the site they will have an allay of flowering pairs. Some years ago
they did the design and planting of the Trust Company. He tried to add some of the same species so
there was some integration from side to side. Flowering pairs were also a trade was a great long
lasting tree that are quite tolerate of poorly drained soils, and salt run -off. For the back of the
parking lot there were a couple of Amercork Trees. In a couple part of the site he fried integrate
little use species. There is a tendency in landscape development for the same species so that they are
subject to insect disease. On the east side of the site several Kentucky Coffee Trees were planted.
On the south side of the site, one of the concerns was to maintain the view shed stretching out
across Pine Tree Road through the gap that was left between Reis Tennis Center and the Equestrian
Facility. The intent is to break up the view of the parking lot while maintaining the view shed.
Closer to the building was a low maintenance planting of Winter Gem Boxwood and a variety of low
flowering shrubs. Japanese Tree Lilacs at the corners of buildings on the southwest and southeast
corners of the building. Compact Coverts, Dwarf Crabs directly in front of the building. There was
also a desire to add shrubs on the east side of the building to further screen the facility from
Summerhill Lane,
Board Member Bell asked if they were adding additional Black Locus.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
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JULY 71 1998
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OCTOBER
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-APPROVED -APPROVED
Mr. Aduse stated that they were not. For one reason diversity was strength in a landscape, if
not it could lead deterioration of the site. The Black Locus was an under used tree. They grow very
quickly and have many values.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the staff suggested there be some shrubs planted closer
to the Summerhill Lane right -of -way to break up the mass of the mass of the building. The reason
they recommended a revised plan be submitted was because this was done before the building was
shifted. He did not see any major changes, it was more of a matter of having to shift some plantings.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked that when the building was moved eastward, would the
parking area closest to Ellis Hollow Road be moved also so that there was a grassy area between the
road and the parking lot.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated there would be a wider lawn area between the East Hill
Plaza access driveway. He explained he had brief comments from the Environmental Review
Committee and stated they expressed a strong concern for increase traffic in the general area. They
recommended mitigation measures for increase traffic as a result of the project. They had an idea of
the placement of exterior lights from the C 1.1 drawing, but they would like to see more details of the
lighting fixtures before Final Site Plan Approval. The town does prefer sharp cut -off fixtures to
minimize the amount of light that spills off the site. The Environmental Review Committee was in
favor of removing the existing curb cut on Ellis Hollow Road.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated at the last Conservation Board Meeting there was a discussion
about the number of drive -in lanes and rather if they were encouraging more cars to stand with their
motors running there.
Mr. Witty stated he thought the more lanes would accommodate the project much easier to get
the cars in and out quicker. The interior design that they found down at the Meadow project that
they had to rework the interior of the building where the window was. At Meadow Street the drive -
up window was much narrower so they only had two tellers. They had to stack thirty or twenty cars
on that site with two tellers. In order to make traffic move quicker was add a third teller. The third
teller had their station on the back wall and running back and forth. With this site, they were going
to have three tellers serving so that the cars would move out at a rapid pace. He did not anticipate
that they would receive the traffic at the proposed site as they received on Meadow Street. They
hope to mitigate some of Meadow's traffic to the proposed project.
Chairperson Hoffmann explained the basic concern was having a lot of cars standing there
with their motors running and clouding up the air.
Larry Turchin, Traffic Solutions, stated that when a car sits idling it produced more pollutants.
Then it becomes a question of if you could move the cars through quicker than the cars idling for a
shorter frequency. So the more lanes there are, the quicker the cars move through, the lesser the cars
are idling, and less air pollutant.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated it was also a function of how many tellers there were.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 23 JULY 7, 1998
APPROVED -APPROVED -APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1998 -APPROVED -APPROVED - APPROVED
Mr. Witty stated that at peak hours they would have three tellers. Most of the time they
would only have one teller because most of the time there would only be one or two cars there. The
cars do not idle for too long for a transaction. It is just a couple of minutes.
Mary Oberhouse, Executive Vice President at Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, stated they
have an existing office at the site since 1979 and it is a very busy office. She felt the new building
would be a benefit to the members because they will have extended hours due to the drive through.
It will accommodate many people at Cornell coming and leaving work. She felt that the traffic
would be more evenly distributed throughout the day. The drive through would be open Monday
through Saturday and they would have earlier hours so people were able to do their transactions
before work.
Mr. Witty stated that they needed to keep in mind that the East Hill Branch was already
present. Most of the people park and walk into the bank. The building at East Hill they were leasing
from Cornell University and they would have to sublease it to someone else and they may generate
as much traffic as CFCU does.
Mr. Turchin stated he did the impact study that was done in conformance with the outlines
provided by Institute of Transportation and Engineers. They set out guidelines to be followed. The
traffic numbers in the report were real time. He counted the cars and incorporated them into the
existing peramas. The study was done in essence as a worse case scenario. He compounded the
peak hours of morning, evening, and Saturday with the peak hours of the bank and they do not
really coincide. Mr. Turchin stated he covered all problems regardless of what happens in this
fashion. If there was something wrong it would show up quickly. The capacity analysis was the
key. There was not much of an impact. The bank present was an existing traffic perimeter. The only
new traffic perimeters would be the ones coming through the drive - through. All of the materials
were generated out the Trip Germination Handbook. It was split up by the existing and teller bank
by the existing traffic flow percentages.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the staff reviewed the traffic study against the staffs
data. Essentially, they came to the same conclusion independently. It is going to increase traffic but
it will not create any significant adverse impacts concerning traffic. One thing the staff did do was
operate under a worse case scenario that the 4000 square feet the credit union is vacating is going to
be filled by a business that generates more traffic, or the same level. Whoever fills the space will
more likely be before this board for Site Plan Approval. At that point more information will be
received on potential traffic impacts.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she was disappointed that they were not going to have the
improvements to the East Hill Plaza traffic pattern and landscaping that had been proposed even
before the P & C expansion for other projects.
Mr. Witty stated that they were the Cornell FingerLakes Union and were not a part of Cornell
University. So he was unable to speak for what they were doing. He was just going on what he was
being told.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 24 .JULY 71 1998
APPROVED -APPROVED -APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1 998 -APPROVED - APPROVED -APPROVED
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she saw the letter from Cornell University and they said they
were holding off on the rest of the parking lot improvements until the P & C expansion plans moved
forward.
Mr. Witty stated he did not know about that He only knew what he had read in the papers.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked Assistant Town Planner Frantz if there was something specific
the staff was concerned about the lighting.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated it was the submission of design details and construction
materials because there was not enough information at the present point.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated to the applicant that when they talked to the staff about lighting
it needed to be carefully done. It needed to work with the applicant's project, but at the same time
work with its neighbors.
Mr. Witty stated if the board were to go to any one of their parking lots, the lights were
shaped and pointed down so that the light so that the light did not interfere with its neighbors. It
was enough light to see when getting into a car at night, but not enough to cause problems.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated it was just a matter of cutting sheets out of a catalog and
presenting them to the staff.
Board Member Bell asked if the fixtures would match what was presently in the parking lot.
Mr. Witty stated he did not know if the fixtures would match, the light would be the same.
The fixtures would match what was at the Meadow Street Branch. It would be about the same color
of the building.
Board Member Bell stated they would rather see that their fixture matched what was at the
East Hill Plaza rather than what was present at their other branches.
Director of Engineering Walker stated he did think the fixtures were going to be significantly
different because they were talking about lighting large areas compared to a smaller area at the bank.
The lights really needed to be more compatible to the building than what was in the parking lot.
Board Member Bell asked about their compatibility with the doctor's office and the Trust
Company.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated he had two photographs. One of the new facility on
Meadow Street showing one of the fixtures and the other was the fixtures at the East Hill Plaza.
Chairperson Hoffmann explained that one of the things they were concerned about when the
lights went up that they also be done in a way that they light properly but do riot disturb a persons
vision.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
PAGE
25
JULY 72 1998
APPROVED - APPROVED -
APPROVED - OCTOBER
6, 1998
- APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated that when driving by the Meadow Street Branch that the
lights have a sharp cut -off.
Mr. Witty stated there was a difficult situation at Meadow Street because there is a house next
to the employee parking. The light did not cause a problem with the neighboring houses.
MOTION by Gregory Bell, seconded by James Ainslie:
WHEREAS:
10 This action is Consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval and a Recommendation to the
Zoning Board of Appeals regarding Special Approval for the proposed construction of a 4,920 +/-
square foot, one -story credit union (bank) building, located adjacent to East Hill Plaza at the
intersection of Ellis Hollow Road and Summerhill Lane, on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62 -2-
1.125. The proposed project would be a full service branch for the Cornell FingerLakes Credit
Union, containing a teller lobby and offices, with a drive -up teller operation with four lanes plus a
fifth lane for an automatic teller machine. Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, Owner /Applicant,
Robert O. Witty, Agent, and
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
3. The Planning Board, on July 7, 1998, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Long
Environmental Assessment Form Pt. I submitted by the applicant and a Part II prepared by
the Town Planning Department, a site plan submission which includes drawings entitled,
"Ellis Hollow Road Branch Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union — Civil Site Plan", dated June 29,
1998, and , "Ellis Hollow Road Branch Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union — Site Study/ Floor Plan",
dated June 29, 1998, both prepared by HBE Financial Facilities, a "Stormwater Management
Study - Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union at East Hill Plaza', dated May 1998, a "Traffic
Impact Study for the New Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union, East Hill Plaza ", dated April 30,
1998, 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 for the above
referenced action as proposed and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be
required.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 26 JULY 72 1998
APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1998 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
AYES- Hoffmann, Bell, Ainslie, Kenerson, Thayer.
NAYS- None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval and a Recommendation to
the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding Special Approval for the proposed construction of a 4,920
+/- square foot, one -story credit union (bank) building, located adjacent to East Hill Plaza at the
intersection of Ellis Hollow Road and Summerhill Lane, on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62 -2-
1.125. the proposed project would be a full service branch for the Cornell FingerLakes Credit
Union, containing a teller lobby and offices, with a drive -up teller operation with four lanes plus
a fifth lane for an automatic teller machine. Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, Owner/Applicant;
Robert O. Witty, Agent.
Mr. Herrick stated the realignment of the proposed striping in the driving lanes on East Hill
Plaza entrance drive. He passed out reduced copies to the board of the 1996 Proposal and the 1998
Proposal.
Chairperson Hoffmann opened the public hearing at 10:05 p.m. With no persons present to be
heard, Chairperson Hoffmann closed the public hearing at 10:06 p.m.
Mr. Herrick stated he was referring to a drawing entitled East Hill Plaza Entrance dated
7/7/98 prepared by T.G. Miller. He presented an alignment plan that was part of the 1996 East Hill
Plaza Landscape improvements project. At that time there was only one curb cut to the Old Page
Book Binder Site that was fairly close to Ellis Hollow Road. That curb cut is being moved to the
North and in addition CFCU has a second egress even farther to the North. The landscape island
will remain and everything right adjacent to the intersection remains unchanged. The substantial
difference is between the CFCU's driveways. It really is just the way that the road is tapered from
four lanes back to two lanes. On the 1996 Plan there was a straight line on the proposed pavement in
front of the company and now there is a taper in that line. It is not a significant change, but it is one
that will better facilitate the traffic movements given the changed location of the curb cuts for CFCU.
Board Member Bell asked why the curb cut for the Trust Company not shown.
Mr. Herrick stated it was shown.
Board Member Bell stated it was shown as a driveway, not a curb cut.
Mr. Herrick stated the Trust Company had a large length of curb cut. They had three drive -
thru's plus the ATM that all fronted on the entrance.
Board Member Bell asked why the northern line of the access driveway shown as a double
solid line. It did not indicate a curb cut to him.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
PAGE
27
JULY 73 1998
APPROVED - APPROVED -
APPROVED - OCTOBER
6, 1998 -
APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
Mr. Herrick stated the dashed line represented the property line.
Board Member Bell stated there were turning radiuses and natural curb cut onto the CFCU
property but they are not indicated on the other property.
Mr. Herrick stated there would be very limited use of curbing on the entrance drive. There is
curbing at the island, on the returns for the CFCU driveway. The double solid line represented what
would become an asphalt guard. There would be a slight depression to form a "V" shaped gutter in
the pavement that will pick up the run -off in the street. The Trust Company will end up having the
same width curb cut that they presently have. Traffic will simply cross the small "V" section in the
paving before they go onto the street.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked Mr. Herrick to show her on the drawing where the curbing was.
Mr. Herrick showed the board on the drawing what he was referring to.
Board Member Bell stated he was concerned that there were no ways for pedestrians to get to
the facility. The way the drainage basin was constructed it was parallel to the existing asphalt
walkway. The only way for someone to get to the facility was from the space between the bridge
basin and the parking lot, walks along the access road, and into the driveway to get to the building.
He stated he would like to see a way for pedestrians get to the facility.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated from Summerhill Lane side on the East, the Ellis Hollow
Road Elderly Apartments were almost directly east of the building. Could an extension of the
sidewalk that runs along the front of the building, east, would benefit the elderly housing, but the
people in Summerhill Town House. There is a pedestrian and bicycle connection between
Summerhill owned and maintained by the Town of Ithaca does not serve the proposed facility.
Another possibility would be to extend the sidewalk to the Summerhill East Hill Plaza access drive
that is near the bus stop.
Mr. Witty stated they did not have a problem extending the sidewalk in both directions.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the sidewalk crossed a road right -of -way to Summerhill
Lane. They would have to coordinate with the highway department and get the work permit.
Mr. Witty asked if there was landscape in that area because he wanted drivers to be able to see
the pedestrians.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated the landscaper could make sure there was nothing obstructing
the view.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated there had been talk of a bike lane following Summerhill
Lane and crossing Cascadilla Creek and it could eventually tie into that sidewalk. He suggested a
bike rack would be appropriate at the facility.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 28 JULY 73 1998
APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1998 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
Mr. Witty stated they did add a bike rack to the Meadow Branch.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated the facility was close to the largest concentration to
bicycle traffic in the county, the Cornell University Campus.
Chairperson Hoffmann asked if CFCU agreed with the addition of a bike rack.
Mr. Witty stated that was fine. They had assumed it was just going to be drive -up traffic.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz stated his suggestion was bike rack with the capacity for five
bicycles.
Chairperson Hoffmann stated she noticed on page 3 of the Traffic Study, the Ellis Hollow
Apartments were referred to as student housing. She asked for it to be changed. Chairperson
Hoffmann also added the section of Judd Falls Road was really Pine Tree Road.
MOTION by Lawrence Thaver, seconded by Gregory Bell:
WHEREAS:
1. This action is Consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval and a Recommendation to the
Zoning Board of Appeals regarding Special Approval for the proposed construction of a 4,920 +/-
square foot, one -story credit union (bank) building, located adjacent to East Hill Plaza at the
intersection of Ellis Hollow Road and Summerhill Lane, on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62 -2-
1.125. The proposed project would be a full service branch for the Cornell FingerLakes Credit
Union, containing a teller lobby and offices, with a drive -up teller operation with four lanes plus a
fifth lane for an automatic teller machine. Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, Owner /Applicant;
Robert O. Witty, Agent, and
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 July 7, 1998, made a
negative determination of environmental significance, and
3. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing on July 7, 1998, has reviewed and accepted as
adequate a Long Environmental Assessment Form Part I submitted by the applicant and a
Part II prepared by the Town Planning Department, a site plan submission which includes
drawings entitled "Ellis Hollow Road Branch Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union — Civil Site Plan",
dated June 29, 1998, and , "Ellis Hollow Road Branch Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union — Site
Study /Floor Plan ", dated June 29, 1998, a "Stormwater Management Study - Cornell
Fingerlakes Credit Union at East Hill Plaza ", dated May 1998, a "Traffic Impact Study for the
New Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union, East Hill Plaza ", dated April 30, 1998, and other
application materials.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 29 .JULY 71 1998
APPROVED -APPROVED - APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1998 -APPROVED -APPROVED -APPROVED
That the Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the proposed
construction of a 4,920 +/- square foot, one -story credit union (bank) building, located adjacent to
East Hill Plaza at the intersection of Ellis Hollow Road and Summerhill Lane, on Town of Ithaca
Tax Parcel No. 62 -2- 1.125, as shown in a site plan submission which includes drawings entitled
"Ellis Hollow Road Branch Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union — Civil Site Plan", dated June 29,
1998, and , "Ellis Hollow Road Branch Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union sees Site Studv/ Floor Plan",
dated June 29,1998, both prepared by HBE Financial Facilities, and other application materials,
subject to the following conditions:
a* granting by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the required Special Approval for the
proposed project prior to Final Site Plan Approval;
be submission of a revised landscaping plan that reflects the shift of the proposed
building, parking facilities and driveways eastward on the site, to include additional
shrub plantings between the proposed facilities and Summer Hill Lane prior to Final
Site Plan Approval;
co revision of the site plan to include addition of a sign at the northwest driveway to the
Cornell Fingerlakes Credit Union site indicating "EXIT ONLY - DO NOT ENTER" to
vehicles traveling on the East Hill Plaza entrance drive prior to Final Site Plan
Approval;
do revision of the site plan to include addition of provisions for the safe parking and
securing of a minimum of 5 bicycles; prior to final site plan approval;
e. submission of design details and construction materials for all proposed exterior
lighting fixture and signs, prior to Final Site Plan Approval;
f* revision of the site plan to extend the proposed walkway on the Ellis Hollow Road side
of the proposed building westerly to the East Hill Plaza entrance drive, and easterly to
Summerhill Lane, prior to Final Site Plan approval;
go receipt of application for and approval of a modification of the Cornell University Site
Plan for East Hill Plaza affecting the realignment of the access drive as shown on the
drawing by T.G. Miller entitled "East Hill Plaza Entrance' dated 7/7/98 and submitted
to the Board at this meeting, prior to Final Site Plan approval;
he submission of an original or mylar copy of the final site plan to be retained by the
Town of Ithaca prior to the issuance of a building permit.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED.
1. That the Planning Board, in making recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals,
determines the following:
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 30 .JULY 711998
APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, l 998 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
a. there is a need for the proposed use in the proposed location, as demonstrated by the
applicant;
bo 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.
AYES- Hoffmann, Thayer, Bell, Ainslie, Kenerson.
NAYS - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 7,1998.
MOTION by Greg Bell, seconded by Lawrence Thayer.
RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the April 7, 1998 Meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning
Board be and hereby approve the following minutes as written with corrections.
Board Member Bell stated he had typed out corrections for pages 11 and 15.
Board Member Ainslie stated he was excused for the April 7, 1998 Meeting and he was listed
as being present.
Chairperson Hoffmann submitted her changes to the Minutes Secretary. She asked Assistant
Town Planner Frantz to look over what he stated in the middle of page 10. Assistant Town Planner
Frantz later submitted the changes to the Minutes Secretary.
Attorney Barney stated that the corrections needed to be made because requests were being
made for almost everything to do with Lake Source Cooling.
THERE being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
AYE - Hoffmann, Bell, Kenerson, Thayer.
NAY - None.
ABSTENTION - Ainslie.
The MOTION was declared to be carried.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 31 ,JULY 72 1998
APPROVED -APPROVED -APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1998 -APPROVED -APPROVED -APPROVED
AGENDA ITEM: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 21,1998.
MOTION by Lawrence Thayer, seconded by Robert Kenerson:
RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the April 21, 1998 Meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning
Board be and hereby approve the following minutes as written with corrections.
Chairperson Hoffmann submitted her changes to Minutes Secretary.
THERE being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
AYE - Hoffman, Bell, Kenerson, Thayer.
NAY- None.
ABSTENTION - Ainslie.
The MOTION was declared to be carried.
AGENDA ITEM: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 5119980
MOTION by Jim Ainslie, seconded by Lawrence Thayer.
RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the Mav 5, 1998 Meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning
Board be and hereby approve the following minutes as written.
THERE being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote.
AYE - Hoffman, Bell, Kenerson, Ainslie, Thayer.
NAY - None.
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM: OTHER BUSINESS.
Assistant Town Planner Frantz asked if the board had received their copies of the Park and
Open Space Plan Executive Study.
The board responded that they did not and Assistant Town Planner Frantz passed out the
Plan to the board.
AGENDA ITEM: ADJOURNMENT.
PLANNING BOARD MEETING PAGE 32 ,JULY 711998
APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - OCTOBER 6, 1 998 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED
Upon MOTION, Chairperson Hoffmann declared the July 7, 1998, Meeting of the Town of
Ithaca Planning Board duly adjourned at 10:57 p.m.
Prepared by.
Carrie L. Coates,
Keyboard Specialist/ Minutes Recorder
Mary Bryant,
Administrative Secretary for the
Town of Ithaca Planning Board.
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
126 East Seneca Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Tuesday. Julv 7. 1998
AGENDA
7:30 P.M. Persons to be heard.
7:35 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Recommendation to the Town Board regarding an amendment to
Local Law No. 1 of the year 1998 Providing For a Moratorium for the Establishment of Adult Entertainment
Businesses for a Period of Ninety (90) Days, as well as an amendment to Local Law No. 5 of the year 1998
which provided for an initial (75) day extension to said moratorium, said amendment proposed to extend the
moratorium for an additional ninety (90) days.
7 :45 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a sign
variance for a proposed directional sign for the Cayuga Professional Center, said sign to be located on Dates
Drive on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24- 3 -2.1, owned by Cayuga Medical Center, Residence District R-
30. Cayuga Professional Center, Applicant; Cayuga Medical Center, Owner; A. Frost Travis, Agent.
8:00 P.M. SEQR Determination, Cornell University Food Compost Processing Operation, 751 Dryden Road.
8:10 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Special Approval as required by Local Law No. 14 of 1995, for
the continued operation of a food compost processing operation that consists of mixing bedding/sawdust
,
and manure with food waste at the existing Farm Service Complex, located at 751 Dryden Road, on a
portion of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 64 -1 -1, consisting of +1-50 acres, Special Land Use District
(SLUD) No. 9. Cornell University, Owner; Gary Tennant, Agent.
8:25 P.M. SEQR Determination, Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, Ellis Hollow Road and Sumrerhill Lane.
8:35 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval and a Recommendation to the
Zoning Board of Appeals regarding Special Approval for the proposed construction of a 4,920 +/- square foot,
one -story credit union (bank) building, located adjacent to East Hill Plaza at the intersection of Ellis Hollow
Road and Summerhill Lane, on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62- 2- 1.125. The proposed project would be a
full service branch for the Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union, containing a teller lobby and offices, with a
drive -up teller operation with four lanes plus a fifth lane for an automatic teller machine. Cornell FingerLakes
Credit Union, Owner /Applicant; Robert O. Witty, Agent.
8. Approval of Minutes: April 7, 1998; April 21, 1998; May 5, 1998 (distributed at 6/16/98 Planning
Board meeting)
9. Other Business.
10. Adjournment,
Jonathan Kanter, AICP
Director of Planning
273 -1747
NOTE: IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE NOTIFY MARY
BRYANT AT 273 -1747.
(A quorum of four (4) members is necessary to conduct Planning Board business.)
TOWN
OF
ITHACA
PLANNING
BOARD
NOTICE
OF
PUBLIC
HEARINGS
By direction of the Chairperson of the Planning Board, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that Public Hearings will be held by the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca
on Tuesday, July 7, 1998, at 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at the
following times and on the following matters:
7:35 P.M. Consideration of a Recommendation to the Town Board regarding an
amendment to Local Law No. 1 of the year 1998 Providing For a
Moratorium for the Establishment of Adult Entertainment Businesses
for a Period of Ninety (90) Days, as well as an amendment to Local
Law No. 5 of the year 1998 which provided for an initial (75) day
extension to said moratorium, said amendment proposed to extend the
moratorium for an additional ninety(90) days..
7:45 P.M. Consideration of a Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals
regarding a sign variance for a proposed directional sign for the
Cayuga Professional Center, said sign to be located on Dates Drive
on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24- 3 -2.1, owned by Cayuga
Medical Center, Residence District R -30. Cayuga Professional
Center, Applicant; Cayuga Medical Center, Owner; A. Frost Travis,
Agent.
8:10 P.M. Consideration of Special Approval as required by Local Law No. 14
of 1995, for the continued operation of a food compost processing
operation that consists of mixing bedding /sawdust and manure
with food waste at the existing Farm Service Complex, located at
751 Dryden Road, on a portion of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.
64 -1 -1, consisting of +/ -50 acres, Special Land Use District
(SLUD) No. 9. Cornell University, Owner; Gary Tennant, Agent.
8:35 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval and a
Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding Special
Approval for the proposed construction of a 4,920 +/- square foot,
one -story credit union (bank) building, located adjacent to East
Hill Plaza at the intersection of Ellis Hollow Road and Summerhill
Lane, on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62 -2- 1.125. The proposed
project would be a full service branch for the Cornell FingerLakes
Credit Union, containing a teller lobby and offices, with a drive -
up teller operation with four lanes plus a fiftl:i lane for an
automatic teller machine. Cornell FingerLakes Credit Union,
Owner /Applicant; Robert 0, Witty, Agent,
Said Planning Board will at said times and said place hear all persons in
support of such matters or objections thereto. Persons may appear by agent or
in person. Individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments or other
special needs, will be provided with assistance as necessary, upon request.
Persons desiring assistance must make such a request not less than 48 hours
prior to the time of the public hearings.
Jonathan Kanter, AICP
Director of Planning
273 -1747
Dated: Monday, June 29, 1998
Publish: Wednesday, July 1, 1998
The Ithaca Joumal Wednesday, July 1.1998 _ r,
TOWN Of ITHACA
PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Tuesday, July 7, 1998
By direction. of th
Chairperson of the Plannin
Board, NOTICE IS HEREB
GIVEN that Public Hearing
will be held by the Planning
Board of the Town of Ithaca
I on Tuesday, July 7, 1998 a
126 East Seneca Street,
Ithaca, N.Y., at the following
times and on the following
matters:
7:35 P.M. Consideration of
t a Recommendation to the
Town Board regarding an
amendment to Local Law No.
1 of the year 1998 Providing
i for a Moratorium for the
Establishment of Adult Enter-
tainment Businesses for a Pe.
riod of Ninety (90) Days, as
well as an amendment to Lo-
cal'Law No. 5 of the year
1 1998 which provided for on
I initial (75) day extension to
said moratorium, said
amendment proposed to ex.
t tend the moratorium for an
i additional ninety (90) days.
7:45 P.M. Consideration of
a Recommendation to the
Zoning Board of Appeals re-
garding a sign variance for
a proposed directional sign
for the Cayuga Professional
Center, said sign to be lo-
cated on Dates Drive on Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.
24- 3 -2.1, owned byy Cayuga
Medical Center, Resincr�
t district R-30. Cayuga Prc
fessional Center, Ap licant
Cayuga Medical Center
Owner; A. Frost Travis
ent.
8: 0 P.M. Consideration o:
I Special Approval as required
by local law No. 14 of
1995, For the continued op-
eration of o food compost
processing operation that
consists of mixing bedding/
sawdust and manure with
food waste at the existing
Farm Service Complex, lo-
cated at 751 Dryden Road
on a ortion of Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 64 -1 -1,
consisting of ±50 acres, S
cial [and Use District (S[ Sp
e.
9. Cornell University,
Owner; Gary Tennant,
Agent.
8:35 P.M. Consideration of
Preliminary Site Plan Ap.
_ proval and a Recommendo-
hon to the Zoning Board of
appeals regarding Special
Approval for the proposed
construction of a 4,920 t
square foot, one -story credit
union (bank) building, lo-
cated adjacent to East Hill
e Plaza at the intersection of
9 Ellis Hollow Road and Sum -
s Ithac�la Lane,
Tax Parcel w Nor
62 -2- 1.125. The proposed
t vicelebranchldor the Clor el'.
FingerLakes Credit Union,
containing a teller lobby anc
offices, with a drive -up teller
operation with four lanes plus
a fifth lane for an automatic
teller machine. Cornell Fin -
gerLakes Credit Union,
Owner /Applicant; Robert Q_
Witty Agent.
Said Planning Board will at
said times and said place
hear all persons in support of
such matters or objections
thereto. Persons may appear
by agent or m person.
Individuals with visual impair-
ments, hearing impairments
or other special needs, will
be provided with assistance
as necessary, upon request.
Persons desiring assistance
must make such a request not
less than 48 hours prior to the .
time of the Public hearings.
Jonathan Kanter, AI�P
Director of Planning
'273 -1747
Dated:
Monday, June 29, 1998
July 1, 1998
Le gals
1
processing operation that
consists of mixing bedding/
sawdust and manure with
food waste at the existing
Farm Service Complex, lo-
cated at 751 Dryden Road
on a ortion of Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 64 -1 -1,
consisting of ±50 acres, S
cial [and Use District (S[ Sp
e.
9. Cornell University,
Owner; Gary Tennant,
Agent.
8:35 P.M. Consideration of
Preliminary Site Plan Ap.
_ proval and a Recommendo-
hon to the Zoning Board of
appeals regarding Special
Approval for the proposed
construction of a 4,920 t
square foot, one -story credit
union (bank) building, lo-
cated adjacent to East Hill
e Plaza at the intersection of
9 Ellis Hollow Road and Sum -
s Ithac�la Lane,
Tax Parcel w Nor
62 -2- 1.125. The proposed
t vicelebranchldor the Clor el'.
FingerLakes Credit Union,
containing a teller lobby anc
offices, with a drive -up teller
operation with four lanes plus
a fifth lane for an automatic
teller machine. Cornell Fin -
gerLakes Credit Union,
Owner /Applicant; Robert Q_
Witty Agent.
Said Planning Board will at
said times and said place
hear all persons in support of
such matters or objections
thereto. Persons may appear
by agent or m person.
Individuals with visual impair-
ments, hearing impairments
or other special needs, will
be provided with assistance
as necessary, upon request.
Persons desiring assistance
must make such a request not
less than 48 hours prior to the .
time of the Public hearings.
Jonathan Kanter, AI�P
Director of Planning
'273 -1747
Dated:
Monday, June 29, 1998
July 1, 1998
TOWN OF ITHACA
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION
I, Karen M. Van Etten sworn, depose and say that I am a Secretary for the Town of
Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York; that the following Notice has been duly posted on the sign
board of the Town of Ithaca and that said Notice has been duly published in the local newspaper,
The Ithaca Journal.
Notice of Public Hearings to be held by the Town of Ithaca Planning Board in Town of Ithaca
Town
Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca. New York. on Tuesday, July 7 1998 commencing at 7.30
P.M., as per attached.
Location of Sign Board used for Posting: Bulletin Board, Front Entrance of Town Hall.
Date of Posting:
Date of Publication:
June 29, 1998
July 1, 1998
Karen M.Van Etten, Secretary
Town of Ithaca.
STATE OF NEW YORK ) SS.:
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS )
Sworn to and subscribed before me this / th day of Sj
9.r
otary Public.
Mary J. Saxton
Notary Public, State of New York
Registration #01SA5044003
Qualified in Tioga Count
My Commission Expires 19
1998.