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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2000-10-24TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2000 The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday, October 24, 2000, in Town Hall, 215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York, at 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Fred Wilcox, Chairperson; Eva Hoffmann, Board Member; Tracy Mitrano, Board Member (7:35 p.m.); Larry Thayer, Board Member; Rod Howe, Board member; Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning; John Barney, Attorney for the Town (7:41 p.m.); Dan Walker, Director of Engineering; Susan Ritter, Assistant Town Planner; Mike Smith, Environmental Planner. EXCUSED: George Conneman, Board Member. ALSO PRESENT: Christine Carstensen, Cornell University; John Yntema, Conservation Board; Libby de Prosse, Conservation Board; Carolyn Grigorov, Town Board; Tom Niederkorn, Town Board; Bruce Johnson, 311 Blackstone Ave; Kaitlin Lovell, Cornell University; Shirley Egan, Cornell University; Don Rakow, Cornell University; Hal Martin, Cornell University; Robert Manchester, 330 State Street. Chairperson Wilcox declared the meeting duly opened at 7:34 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 October 16, 2000, and October 18, 2000, together with 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 October 18, 2000. (Affidavit of Posting and Publication is hereto attached as Exhibit #1.) Chairperson Wilcox 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. Chairperson Wilcox opened this segment of the meeting at 7:34 p.m., and asked if any member of the public wished to be heard. With no persons present to be heard, Chairperson Wilcox closed this segment of the meeting at 7:35 p.m. AGENDA ITEM: Presentation regarding the Unique Natural Areas of Tompkins County, Bruce Johnson, Tompkins County Environmental Management Council. Chairperson Wilcox opened this segment of the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Bruce Johnson, Tompkins County Management Council, stated he is the Freeville representative on the Environmental Management Council. They have been going to each municipality and giving a presentation on the Unique Natural inventory recently completed. They have been presenting each municipality with the documents. It has many revisions from 1999. They PLANNING BOARD PAGE 2 OCTOBER 24, 2000 APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - APRIL 3, 2001 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED have been able to map in detail the areas in the County. Each municipality has been given a map of the Unique Natural Areas of the County. The Environmental Bond Act defines a Unique Natural Area as having great natural beauty, wilderness character, ecological or geological significance, beautiful streams or gorges, virgin tree stands, rare plant life, scarce animal habitat or unusual geological formations. There are a lot of Unique Natural Areas in Tompkins County. This is a rich area with many different habitats for animals and plants. The purpose of the inventory was to identify and describe these areas. The long -term purpose is to promote their conservation and preservation for future generations. It is also to help Planning Boards make informed choices about development that might be close to or in the Unique Natural Areas. They have presented timely presentation for a couple of boards. They were making decisions on development that impacted certain Unique Natural Areas. It brought it to their attention and changed the consequence of their decisions a little. The Town does have a good Planning staff. Many communities do not have the help of planning staff. This is to help keep these areas in mind. It is a living document that can be continually updated. It can be updated on an ongoing basis. This project could not have been done without the support of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives. They funded the project for consultants to visit the sites, to gather the data, create a large database to store the information, and to print and help distribute copies. This document is in all public libraries, Cornell, and TC3. It was a collaborative effort from Cornell Plantations and various County departments. There are a variety of reasons areas were selected as Unique Natural Areas. Some are listed because they have been designated a natural area, preserve or State designated wetland. It also includes areas that have historically show diverse flora and fauna. Historical sites from botanical or zoological studies. They have geological importance. Some are of old growth forest and many birding sites. They are areas that have recreational value or scenic or aesthetic value. There are still many areas in the County that have unique wilderness character. There are also areas that have been important for archeology, paleontological, cultural historical sites. A great variety of reasons went into selection for each area. The document has an emphasis on plants. Plants are easier to document. Plants can be documented quickly. They are indicators of what kind of community can be supported in an area. The description and designation of the areas were based on plants. Many of the sites were visited and plants were inventoried. Landowners were identified. Permission was asked before anyone went on site. When there was not permission, historical records or aerial photographs were used. A special effort was made to note the rarity of scarce or threatened species. There are a number of rare or scarce species in the County. There is a lot of information stored about the geology and soil types in the area. This information is stored in such a way that it can be easily updated. They are not incorporated together because each is a unique natural site. The sources would come from Planning Departments using the old data of Unique Natural Areas or updates on the positions of streams. The Department of PLANNING BOARD PAGE 3 OCTOBER 24, 2000 APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - APRIL 3, 2001 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED Interior would provide information on the National Wetlands Inventory. FEMA might provide information on flood hazard areas. The New York State National Heritage could provide information on species of concern. The book gives a description of each UNA. There is site name for each site. It gives the location of the document and the Tax Parcel Numbers. It gives site vegetation description, reasons for selection and special land use information. It describes the protection of the land. Conservation information is also given about the surrounding area. Information on disturbance of the site is given. The information also defines ecological communities. It focuses on specific animals, plants and the type of community. It could be a wetland community, a hardwood forest or a variety of other types of forests. It is an attempt to look at a broader picture. The communities can also be scored on their rarity status. Detailed information has been included on the plant species. The legal status of the plant is also included. The report also includes biological characteristics of the site. It gives information on the animal species. This is much less detailed than the plant species. Animals are harder to track. The animal data will be gathered continuously. One of the main purposes for the report is to be a planning tool for municipalities. They consider the report community education. These are very beautiful areas. There is a lot to learn from them. It also promotes conservation of the unique areas. A letter was sent to everyone who owned a parcel within a UNA. It indicated that the area would be included in the report and there might be certain restrictions. They expected criticism from landowners. There were only a few owners who complained. Most of the responses have been positive. People are looking for ways to donate the land to the major Conservancy or Finger Lakes Land Trust. They would like to do something else to protect the land. They are pleased the community has been appreciative of the work. Board Member Hoffmann asked if there are photographs included in the report of plant and animal species. Mr. Johnson responded no. It was considered to be used if they put the document on a web site. They decided not to do it for personal privacy reasons to the landowners. Board Member Hoffmann stated it would practical for those who go out on site to look at them before a decision is made on something that comes before the board. Some of us might not be familiar with a particular plant. Mr. Johnson stated someone from the Environmental Management Council or Unique Natural Area Committee could go on site visits with people. All sites require personal permission from landowners. Robert Wesley and Nancy Ostman have gone on visits with people. People have been concerned about the regulatory nature. There is no regulatory value to this designation. The best that can be done is to say this is a great area and keep in mind what is being done with it. PLANNING BOARD PAGE 4 OCTOBER 24, 2000 APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - APRIL 3, 2001 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED Councilwoman Grigorov asked if there have been changes in areas previously designated as Unique Natural Areas. Mr. Johnson replied there are at least two areas that were no longer worthy of a Unique Natural Areas. In most revisions there has been an expansion of the Unique Natural Area of about 20 %. Chairperson Wilcox closed this segment of the meeting at 7:56 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed renovations to the Cornell University Plantations Horticultural Center, located off of Caldwell Road and Forest Home Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 67 -1 -8, Residence District R -30. The renovations include interior and exterior modifications to accommodate Cornell Plantations staff. No site work is planned. Cornell University, Owner /Applicant; David Lorenzini, Hascup Lorenzini Architects, Agent. Chairperson Wilcox stated there is no SEQR determination. This is an expansion modification less than 10,000 square feet for an educational institution. Don Rakow, 422 Chestnut Street, stated the project before board is one of a series of building renovation projects in which Cornell Plantations is involved. Some months ago they brought before the board the plans for the building at the intersection of Route 366 and Game Farm Road. The project has been completed. The exterior landscaping has been completed. They have received their final occupancy. They are giving an open house Friday, October 27th from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. It serves the ground and mechanical staff who have vacated the building under consideration this evening. The second project before the board was the property at 130 Forest Home Drive. They are planning to make exterior landscape improvement modifications. They are hoping to complete the interior renovations over the next few months. The landscaping will be done when the weather permits in the spring. The third project is the application before the board. The changes in use for this building are minor. It will be used by the Botanical Garden staff and the Natural Area staff. There will be light garden maintenance work done on this site. They are planning interior office modifications. They are not planning significant exterior modifications. There is no change in the footprint of the building. It is an attractive building. It fits the site. It is immediately adjacent to a public area. They are pleased they are reducing the amount of truck traffic. Previously there was heavy equipment coming to and from the site. Mechanical work was done on the heavy equipment. It has been transferred to the Arboretum Center. Robert Manchester, 330 State Street, stated the use of the building will not change. There will be less use. It is predominately interior renovations to facilitate new staff. They will be doing no site work. They are making fire separation changes. There is an enclosed porch. Additional windows will be installed. This is a beautiful buildings. The intent of the original architects was for the building to be like a farm or an outbuilding. It is tucked behind the water treatment plan. Their intent is to keep PLANNING BOARD PAGE 5 OCTOBER 24, 2000 APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - APRIL 3, 2001 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED the low profile of the building. They are trying to keep the lines of the building the same. The impact on the site if very minimal. There will be no exterior lighting or site work. They are widening the entry door to 44 inches. Mr. Kanter stated he considers the enclosed porch an exterior alteration. It does fit in the building footprint of the porch. Chairperson Wilcox opened the public hearing at 8:09 p.m., and asked if any members of the public wished to be heard. With no persons present to be heard, Chairperson Wilcox closed the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. RESOLUTION NO. 2000 -90 - Cornell Plantations Horticultural Center Renovations, Caldwell Road and Forest Home Drive, Tax Parcel No. 67 -1 -8. MOTION made by Tracy Mitrano, seconded by Rod Howe. WHEREAS: 1. This action is the consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed renovations to the Cornell University Plantations Horticultural Center, located off of Caldwell Road and Forest Home Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 67 -1 -8, Residence District R -30. The renovations include interior and exterior modifications to accommodate Cornell Plantations staff. No site work is planned. Cornell University, Owner /Applicant; David Lorenzini, Architects, Agent, and 2. This is a Type II Action, pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 (c)(8), in which routine activities of educational institutions, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, are not subject to environmental review, and 3. The Zoning Board of Appeals granted Special Approval for this facility (then known as the Plantations Service Building) as a maintenance service and office building on February 25, 1987, and 4. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing on October 24, 2000, has reviewed and accepted as adequate an application package entitled Cornell University Plantations Horticultural Center, which includes Sheet L 1 Site Grading Plan, dated 1120187, and prepared by Lawson, Knapp and Pulver Architects; Sheets A -01 (1St Floor Plan Existing), A -02 (2"d Floor Plan Existing), and A -2 (2nd Floor Plan Proposed), all dated September 25, 2000; Sheet A -3 (1St Floor Plan Proposed), dated October 16, 2000; East Elevation and West Elevation drawings, received October 17, 2000, all prepared by Hascup Lorenzini Architects; and additional application materials. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval, as shown on the Preliminary and Final Site Plan Checklist, PLANNING BOARD PAGE 6 OCTOBER 24, 2000 APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - APRIL 3, 2001 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED having determined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in neither a significant alteration of the purpose of site plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town Board, and 2. That the Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed renovations to the Cornell University Plantations Horticultural Center, located off of Caldwell Road and Forest Home Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax parcel No. 67 -1 -8, Residence District R -30, as shown in the application package entitled Cornell University Plantations Horticultural Center, which includes Sheet L 1 Site Grading Plan, dated 1120187, and prepared by Lawson, Knapp and Pulver Architects; Sheets A -01 (1St Floor Plan Existing), A -02 (2"d Floor Plan Existing), and A -2 (2"d Floor Plan Proposed), all dated September 25, 2000; Sheet A -3 (1St Floor Plan Proposed), dated October 16, 2000; East Elevation and West Elevation drawings, received October 17, 2000, all prepared by Hascup Lorenzini Architects; and additional application materials, subject to the following conditions: a. revision of Sheet A -3 to show that the existing sliding doors on the north elevation of the building will remain, and b. submission of one original or mylar copy of the final site plan, revised as required above, prior to issuance of any building permits, to be retained by the Town of Ithaca. A vote on the motion resulted as follows: AYES: Wilcox, Hoffmann, Mitrano, Thayer, Howe. NAYS: None. The motion was declared to be carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM: APROVAL OF MINUTES - April 4, 2000 and May 16, 2000. Board Member Hoffmann stated on page 2 of the April minutes, the first paragraph talks about a piece of land which was moved from one lot to another. In the third row from the end of the paragraph it stated, "To survey a lot so that each is 0.038 acres ". It should state, "To survey the lots so that each lot is adjusted by 0.038 acres ". On page 8, the second to last paragraph talks about battered walls. What does it mean? They did use an unusual surface. The PRI representative was talking about the retaining walls by the parking bays. Attorney Barney stated it could be "patterned" walls. Board Member Hoffmann stated on page 5, in the first paragraph Larry Fabbroni talked about the "Ithaca Land Track Parcels ". It should be "Ithaca Land Tract Parcels ". Board Member Hoffmann stated on page 15 of the May minutes, the last paragraphs states, "Mr. Kanter stated that Mr. Frost asked him to show the letter and diagram to the Planning Board'. In PLANNING BOARD PAGE 7 OCTOBER 24, 2000 APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - APRIL 3, 2001 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED another sentence it states, "In their opinion ". The letter and diagram need to be identified. It is not clear whose opinion it is. Chairperson Wilcox stated it is Cornell's opinion. Board Member Hoffmann asked how should they describe the letter and diagram. Chairperson Wilcox asked if they could change it to state, "Mr. Kanter stated that Mr. Frost asked him to show a letter and diagram" without being specific. Board Member Hoffmann stated the next sentence would not make sense. Chairperson Wilcox stated the minutes should reflect what people say. They are not reflections of changes to what people say and how they say it so that it seems more like written English instead of spoken English. Board Member Hoffmann stated even if the minutes reflect what people say, if it does not make sense, there is no point in having it. Chairperson Wilcox stated if it does not make sense then that is what the minutes should reflect. The board had to make sense out of the statement or it was ignored as not making sense. There have been applicants that have not made sense. Chairperson Wilcox stated he remembers it was an 8x11 diagram that was a reduction of the approved islands showing the one island is in the way. The letter was from East Hill Plaza wondering if they could change it before coming to the Planning Board. Board Member Hoffmann stated the discussion for East Hill Plaza continues for page 16 and page 17. It is worthwhile to find the letter. RESOLUTION NO. 2000 -91 - Approval of Minutes — April 4, 2000 & May 16, 2000. MOTION by Fred Wilcox, seconded by Larry Thayer. RESOLVED, that the Planning Board does hereby approve and adopt the April 4, 2000 and the May 16, 2000 as the official minutes of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for the said meeting as presented with grammatical corrections. THERE being no further discussion, the Chair called for a vote. AYES: Wilcox, Hoffmann, Thayer, Howe. NA YS: NONE. ABSTENTION: Mitrano. The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously. PLANNING BOARD PAGE 8 OCTOBER 24, 2000 APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED - APRIL 3, 2001 - APPROVED - APPROVED - APPROVED AGENDA ITEM: OTHER BUSINESS: Chairperson Wilcox stated the Planning Board does have a meeting scheduled for Election night Mr. Kanter stated they did send out a press release to newspapers and radios advertising the Planning Board vacancy. They did reach the gentleman who had been interviewed previously. At the present time he is not interested in re- applying. Chairperson Wilcox stated it can be a member of the Village of Cayuga Heights. AGENDA ITEM: ADJOURNMENT: Upon MOTION, Chairperson Wilcox declared the October 24, 2000 meeting of Town of Ithaca Planning Board duly adjourned at 8:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Carrie L. Whitmore, Deputy Town Clerk.