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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2009-11-03FILE DATE REGULAR MEETING TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009 215 N. TIOGA STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK Present: Rod Howe, Chair; Board Members George Conneman, Jon Bosak, Fred Wilcox, Hollis Erb and Ellen Baer (Alternate) Absent: Kevin Talty and Susan Riha Staff: Christine Balestra, Planner; Bruce Bates, Director of Code Enforcement; Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Creig Hebdon, Engineer; Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning; Deborah Kelley, Deputy Town Clerk Persons to be Heard No one Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the former "Rock, Paper Scissors" was withdrawn. Continuation of the determination of adequacy for public review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Holochuck Homes Subdivision, located between NYS Route 96 (Trumansburq Road) and NYS Route 89 (Taughannock Boulevard). Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.'s 24- 3 -3.2, 25- 1 -5.1, 25 -2 -41.2. 26 -4 -37, 26 -4 -38, and 26 -4 -39, Low Density Residential Zone, Medium Densitv Residential Zone, and Conservation Zone. The proposal involves the construction of 106 +/- town home type units in a clustered neighborhood development with two entrances proposed from NYS Route 96 (Trumansburq Road). The development will be concentrated on the west side of the property closest to NYS Route 96. zoned Low and Medium Residential, with more than half of the eastern portion of the property, mainly zoned Conservation, remaining undeveloped. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation proposes to acquire most of the eastern portion of the property in conjunction with development of the future Black Diamond Trail. The applicant has agreed to extend the 45 day review period for the Planning Board to make an adeguacv determination. The Planning Board may also consider scheduling a public hearing regarding the DEIS. Holochuck Homes LLC, Owner /Applicant; David M. Parks, Esq., Agent. David Parks was present to answer the Board's questions and receive their comments. Chairman Howe noted that the Board and the applicant received Board Member Erb's list of corrections and comments in writing. The Board followed the Table of Contents and reviewed the corrections to date and went over additional comments. Ms. Balestra stated that the Planning Department reviewed the revisions and felt the applicants had addressed everything from the previous meeting, but, there was still the outstanding Final PB 11 -3 -2009 Page 2 of 6 issue of sewer capacity. Ms. Brock also thought the line -of -sight issue was still not addressed and she also felt that since the sewer issue was still up in the air, the applicant needs to be aware that a supplemental EIS may be needed since the public can not accurately comment on an issue that is not resolved. Discussion followed. The Engineering Department had issues with some of the submitted plans for addressing the. issue. Mr. Hebdon explained and stated that the Department is still investigating the system and there is no guarantee. Discussion followed. Mr. Parks stated that the problem is not caused by Holochock and it needs to be fixed. Mr. Hebdon agreed that there is a problem and can not state what affect the development would have. Ms. Brock reiterated that she was simply making the applicant aware that there is a chance that a supplemental EIS may be needed. Chairman Howe brought the Board's attention back to the DEIS. Each section was gone over. Board Member Bosak talked at length about previous proposals and his research on past proposals in the same location and the responses submitted. The 1992 Parkway Plan indicated that construction to Route 89 was desirable and physically practicable, contrary to the representation made in the DEIS. Mr. Kanter responded that the report was a Staff Report not accepted by the Planning Committee or the 2007 Transportation Plan. There were reasons for that; much of the area being dedicated to state parks is in the area that was proposed to be used for extending down to Route 89 and there would be many environmental impacts for that construction. There was some discussion on the alternative of reducing the number of units. The Board wanted more details in that scenario such as where the reduction in units would be, and the applicant did not want to propose different scenarios. The applicant did not want to get into a guessing game or have multiple layouts drawn up and discussed because of both the cost to produce such layouts and the confusion of having multiple plans mocked up that may or may not be beneficial and their corresponding mitigations may be different and so on and so on. Board Member Erb stated that the mitigations are different depending on where the reduction would be because of the access drives and where they would join Route 96. Discussion followed. Ms. Brock added that the Alternatives is a very important part of the EIS and she thought a schematic of an alternative would be appropriate. The Board discussed different scenarios. Mr. Hebdon added that in Public Works' opinion, the option showing no Building 9 or 10 would be the most beneficial. Chairman Howe reminded the audience that there would be Public Hearings scheduled. He brought the Board's attention to the draft resolution. Motion made and seconded. Changes to dates were made and minor typographical errors. There was some discussion about the timeframe with the holidays and such and the written comments deadline was moved out to January 5 t" to allow for that. Final PB 11 -3 -2009 Page 3 of 6 ADOPTED RESOLUTION: PB RESOLUTION No. 2009 - 097 � :' ` SEAR - Acceptance of Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as Complete for Public Review and Comment & Scheduling of a Public Hearing Regarding Said DEIS Holochuck Homes Subdivision Between NYS Route 96 & NYS Route 89 Tax Parcel Vs 24- 3 -3.2, 25- 1 -5.1, 25 -2 -41.2, 26 -4 -37, 26- 4-38, & 26 -4 -39 Town of Ithaca Planning Board November 3, 2009 Motion made by Rod Howe, seconded by Ellen Baer. WHEREAS: 1. This project is the proposed Holochuck Homes Subdivision, located between NYS Route 96 (Trumansburg Road) and NYS Route 89 (Taughannock Boulevard), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.'s 24- 3 -3.2, 25- 1 -5.1, 25 -2 -41.2, 26 -4- 37, 26 -4 -38, and 26 -4 -39, Low Density Residential Zone, Medium Density Residential Zone, and Conservation Zone. The proposal involves the construction of 106 +/- town home type units in a clustered neighborhood development with two entrances proposed from NYS Route 96 (Trumansburg Road). The development will be concentrated on the west side of the property .closest to NYS Route 96, zoned Low and Medium Residential, with more than half of the eastern portion of the property, mainly zoned Conservation, remaining undeveloped. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation proposes to acquire most of the eastern portion of the property in conjunction with development of the future Black Diamond Trail. The Planning Board may also consider scheduling a public hearing regarding the DEIS. Holochuck Homes LLC, Owner /Applicant; David M. Parks, Esq., Agent, and 2. The proposed project, which requires Subdivision approval by the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, is a Type I action pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, 6 NYCRR Part 617, and Chapter 148 of the Town of Ithaca Code regarding Environmental Quality Review because the proposal involves construction of more than 30 residential units that will be connected to community or publicly owned utilities; and 3. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board, on December 18, 2007, declared its intent to serve as lead agency to coordinate the environmental review for the proposed Holochuck Homes Subdivision project; and 4. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board, having reviewed the Full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF), Part 1, prepared by Holochuck Homes, LLC, and Parts Final PB 11 -3 -2009 Page 4 of 6 2 and 3, prepared by Planning staff, established itself as 'lead agency to coordinate the environmental review of the proposed Holochuck Homes Subdivision, as described above, and issued a positive determination of environmental significance at its meeting on December 18, 2007, in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law, also known as the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, for the above referenced action as proposed, and, confirmed that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be prepared; and 5. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board held a Public Scoping Meeting on March 18, 2008 to hear comments from the public and interested and involved agencies regarding the scope and content of the DEIS for the Holochuck Homes Subdivision, after distributing the Draft Scoping Document to potentially involved and interested agencies and the public; and 6. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board, on March 18, 2008, accepted the revised Final Scoping Document (amended by the Planning Board at its meeting on March 18, 2008), as being adequate to define the scope and content of the DEIS for the Holochuck Homes Subdivision; and 7. The applicants have prepared a DEIS, dated September 1, 2009, and revised October 26, 2009, and November 2, 2009 regarding the proposed Holochuck Homes Subdivision, and submitted said DEIS to the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for consideration of acceptance as complete; and 8. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board has reviewed said DEIS and amendments at its meetings on September 15, 2009, October 6, 2009 and November 3, 2009; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby finds that the DEIS, dated September 1, 2009 and revised October 26, 2009, November 2, 2009 for the Holochuck Homes Subdivision, together with the revisions discussed at November 3, 2009 meeting, is satisfactory with respect to its scope, content, and adequacy for the purpose of commencing public review, and hereby accepts said DEIS as complete, pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617.9; and 2. That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board - hereby determines that a public hearing will be scheduled for Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. to obtain comments from the public on potential environmental impacts of the proposed Holochuck Homes Subdivision, as evaluated in the DEIS, and that written comments from the public regarding the DEIS will be accepted by the Planning Board until January 5, 2009; and 3 That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby directs the Town of Ithaca Planning Staff to take those steps, including filing a Notice of Completion of the Final PB 11 -3 -2009 Page 5 of 6 DEIS and Notice 'of, SEQR Hearing, as required. under 6 NYCRR'Parts 617.9 and 617.12, distributing the DEIS to involved and interested agencies, and the public, as may be necessary or appropriate to commence the public review of the DEIS, and to publish a notice of the public hearing at least 14 days- in advance of the hearing date, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the potential impacts of the action. A vote on the motion was as follows: Ayes: Howe, Erb, Bosak, Conneman, Baer and Wilcox Nays: None Absent: Talty and Riha The motion passed unanimously. Approval of Minutes: September 15, 2009 and October 6, 2009. ADOPTED RESOLUTION PB RESOLUTION NO. 2009 — 098 Adoption of Minutes Town of Ithaca Planning Board November 3, 2009 Motion made by Rod Howe, seconded by Ellen Baer. WHEREAS: The Town of Ithaca Planning Board has reviewed the draft minutes from September 15, 2009 and October 6, 2009 meetings, and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Town of Ithaca Planning Board approves the minutes, with corrections, to be the final minutes of the meetings held on September 15, 2009 and October 6, 2009. A vote on the motion was as follows: Ayes: Howe, Erb, Bosak, Conneman, Baer and Wilcox Nays: None Absent: Talty and Riha The motion passed unanimously. Other Business: Committee Reports Codes and Ordinances and the Special Planning Committee were discussed. Final PB 11 -3 -2009 Page 6 of 6 Next Agenda ADOPTED RESOLUTION PB RESOLUTION NO. 2009 — 099, Meeting Cancellation Town of Ithaca Planning Board November 3, 2009 Motion made by Rod Howe, seconded by Ellen Baer. RESOLVED that this Board hereby cancels the November 17, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board. A vote on the motion was as follows: Ayes: Howe, Erb, Bosak, Conneman, Baer and Wilcox Nays: None Absent: Talty and Riha The motion passed unanimously. Chair Recommendation Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respe Ily submitted, Paulette Terwilliger Deputy Town Clerk TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Tuesday, November 3, 2009 AGENDA 7:00 P.M. Persons to be heard (no more than five minutes). 7:05 P.M. SEQR Determination: East Hill Plaza — Insurance Company, 335A Pine Tree Road. 7:05 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed conversion of the former "Rock, Paper, Scissors" space in the East Hill Plaza to an insurance company, located at 335A Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62- 2- 1.121, Community Commercial Zone. Other than changes to furniture, there are no interior or exterior modifications to the +/- 1,000 square foot space planned. Cornell University Real Estate Department, Owner /Applicant; Maria B. Maynard, Agent. 7:15 P.M. Continuation of the determination of adequacy for public review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Holochuck Homes Subdivision, located between NYS Route 96 (Trumansburg Road) and NYS Route 89 (Taughannock Boulevard), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.'s 24- 3 -3.2, 25- 1 -5.1, 25 -2- 41.2, 26 -4 -37, 26 -4 -38, and 26 -4 -39, Low Density Residential Zone, Medium Density Residential Zone, and Conservation Zone. The proposal involves the construction of 106 +/- town home type units in a clustered neighborhood development with two entrances proposed from NYS Route 96 (Trumansburg Road). The development will be concentrated on the west side of the property closest to NYS Route 96, zoned Low and Medium Residential, with more than half of the eastern portion of the property, mainly zoned Conservation, remaining undeveloped. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation proposes to acquire most of the eastern portion of the property in conjunction with development of the future Black Diamond Trail. The applicant has agreed to extend the 45 day review period for the Planning Board to make an adequacy determination. The Planning Board may also consider scheduling a public hearing regarding the DEIS. Holochuck Homes LLC, Owner /Applicant; David M. Parks, Esq., Agent. 5. Approval of Minutes: September 15, 2009 and October 6, 2009. 6. Other Business: 7. Adjournment. Jonathan Kanter, AICP Director of Planning 273 -1747 NOTE: IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE NOTIFY SANDY POLCE 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 Tuesday, November 3, 2009 By direction of the Chairperson of the Planning Board, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held by the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at 215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at the following time and on the following matter: 7:05 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed conversion of the former "Rock, Paper, Scissors" space in the East Hill Plaza to an insurance company, located at 335A Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62- 2- 1.121, Community Commercial Zone. Other than changes to furniture, there are no interior or exterior modifications to the +/- 1,000 square foot space planned. Cornell University Real Estate Department, Owner /Applicant; Maria B. Maynard, 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 hearing. Jonathan Kanter, AICP Director of Planning 273 -1747 Dated: Monday, October 26, 2009 Publish: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 �ed�nesday October 28 2r� The4lthaea Jou_ real ,. TOWN OF ITHACA AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION I, Sandra Polce, being duly sworn, depose and say that I am a Senior Typist 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 the Town of Ithaca Town Hall, 215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York, on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 commencing at 7:00 P.M., as per attached. Location of Sign Board used for Posting: Town Clerk Sign Board — 215 North Tio ag Street. Date of Posting: October 26, 2009 Date of Publication: October 28, 2009 ��--- Sandra Polce, Senior Typist Town of Ithaca STATE OF NEW YORK) SS: COUNTY OF TOMPKINS) Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28`h day of October 2009. CL� ,� U"�- Notary Public CONNIE F. CLARK Notary Public, State of New York No.01CL6052878 Qualified in Tompkins County Commission Expires December 26, 20 ��