HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2011-05-17FILE
DATE L
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
Board Members Present: Chair: Fred Wilcox; Members: George Conneman, John
Beach, Ellen Baer, Jon Bosak, Hollis Erb, David Slottje (Alternate Member)
Staff Present: Bruce Bates, Director of Code Enforcement; Deb DeAugistine, Deputy
Town Clerk; Christine Balestra, Planner; Mike Smith, Planner; Susan Brock, Attorney for
the Town
Call to Order
Mr. Wilcox called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and accepted the secretary's posting
of the public hearing notice.
AGENDA ITEM
Persons to be heard
No one came forward to address the Board.
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing: Consideration of a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding
sign variances for the East Hill Professional Building sign located at 1018 Ellis Hollow Road,
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62 -2 -13.1, Community Commercial Zone. The proposal is to
replace the existing freestanding sign with a new freestanding sign in the same location. Marc
Purdy, Owner /Applicant.
Mr. Wilcox opened the public hearing at 7:03.
Mark Purdy was present. He stated that he would like to replace the sign that was installed in
1976 when the building was built. Half of the sign has fallen down. He needs the sign to get new
coverage for the building.
Mr. Wilcox noted that the Planning Board is acting as a sign review board. In this case, the sign
itself does not need a variance, but the location of the sign on the property.
Mr. Wilcox closed the public hearing at 7:06 p.m.
Board comments:
To a comment by Mr. Wilcox, Mr. Purdy assured the Board that he will begin landscaping around
the sign once he gets the go ahead to install it.
PB Resolution No. 2011 -043: Recommendation to Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals,
Sign Variances — East Hill Professional Building Sign, 1018 Ellis Hollow Road, Tax Parcel
No. 62. -2 -13.1, Sign Review Board (Planning Board), May 17, 2011
Moved by Hollis Erb; seconded by Ellen Baer
WHEREAS:
PB Minutes 05 -17 -2011
Page 2of6
1. This action is consideration of a Recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for sign
variances for the East Hill Professional Building sign located at 1018 Ellis Hollow Road, Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62 -2 -13.1, Community Commercial Zone. The proposal is to replace
the existing freestanding sign with a new freestanding sign in the same location. Marc Purdy,
Owner /Applicant, and
2. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on May 17, 2011, has reviewed and accepted
as adequate a site plan and sign details showing the proposed location, dimensions,
materials, and details of the sign, along with other application materials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting as the Town of Ithaca Sign Review Board, hereby
recommends that the Zoning Board of Appeals approve the request for sign variances for a new
32 +/- square foot freestanding sign for the East Hill Professional Building, where the proposed
sign will be located within 15 feet of the edge of pavement in two areas and will be located in the
rear yard., The Planning Board further recommends that such approval be subject to the following
conditions:
a. The proposed lighting for the sign shall comply with all applicable sections of the Town of
Ithaca Outdoor Lighting Law, and
b. The applicant must obtain a sign permit prior to installing the new sign.
Vote:
Ayes: Wilcox, Conneman, Beach, Baer, Bosak, Slottje, Erb
AGENDA ITEM
Consideration of a sketch plan for the proposed Ithaca Beer Company development located on
Mancini Drive off Elmira Road (NYS Route 13) on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.'s 33 -3 -2.2 and
31 -3 -3.12, Low Density Residential and Light Industrial Zones. The proposal involves developing
approximately 10 acres of the property for a new brewery (11,000 +/- square feet), offices (1,500
+/- square feet), and retail / pub space (2,500 +/- square feet). The project will also involve a
beer garden, silos, agricultural fields, stormwater facilities, parking, signage, lighting and
landscaping. Mitchell Ventures, LLC, Owner /Applicant; Dan Mitchell, President, Ithaca Beer
Company, Inc., Agent.
Dan Mitchell, Mari Mitchell, and Ernie Bayles (architect) were present. Mr. Mitchell stated that
they are interested in getting feedback from the Board before submitting documentation on Friday
for a June 21 st site plan review.
Parking spaces: the number of spaces is based strictly on ordinary activities and small events.
For large events, they will use the grass for additional parking spaces.
Curbs: Tom Parsons from the IPD has told the applicant that the curbs are sufficient and that he
would submit something to the Town in writing.
Handicap parking: there are two areas that meet accessibility codes
PB Minutes 05 -17 -2011
Page 3 of 6
Planting plan: Ms. Erb likes the appearance of the bushes between the two parking lots that
appear on the color sketch, but noted that they do not appear on the planting plan.
Ms. Mitchell responded that she showed a limited palette because of the timeframe for planting
(August through January) and was careful about what she put on the plan so she would not miss
deadlines.
The Board agreed that they would like to see a complete planting plan and that they will work with
the applicant on sensible timing of planting. Although the Board has the final decision, they
suggested she work with staff, who have a good feel for the types of planting the Board has
specified in the past.
Ms. Erb stated that plantings between the parking lots should. interrupt the view of the lower lot
from the upper lot and vice versa.
Swatches: the Board requested that the applicant bring swatches when they come back for site
plan review.
Connectivity: Ms. Erb asked whether they plan to provide any connections to other small
residential areas that are cut off. Mr. Wilcox suggested that if Mr. Mitchell had bought the property
for a house, the Board would not be concerned with connections to the neighboring residential
areas. He stated that it's important that the 50 -60 foot rights of way remain accessible. Mr.
Mitchell responded that he would put in a pedestrian path only if it benefited the business, but
would not want to be required to do so.
Roads: they will remain private, including Mancini Drive, which will be renamed. The renaming
has to be completed before final site plan approval. The Town has said they are not interested in
the applicant bringing the road up to standard and turning it over to the Town.
Mr. Smith noted that a condition that was part of the Planning Board approval from the early 90s
needs to be changed by resolution of the current Planning Board to allow Mancini Drive to remain
a private road.
Mr. Bates noted that they might have a problem renaming the road. The 911 addressing will need
to be reassigned for all homes on the road. This will have to be done before any construction
starts.
Mr. Mitchell said none of the other properties use Mancini Drive as an address. He has talked to
911, the fire department, and the sheriff's department, and none use the name Mancini Drive.
Mr. Bates responded that before the road officially changes its name, they have to go through the
process to make sure it's compliant. According to New York State law, a condition of getting a
building permit is the address of the property. He stated that there was a flaw in the way the other
addresses were assigned, and that, technically, they should not use the Elmira Road addresses.
Now that new construction is proposed and addressing will have to be added off this road, the
previous parcels may also need to be renumbered for the 911 system. The Building Department
will check with 911. The Building Department will need to know the where the roads will be and
what they'll be called. He described the numbering system of roads. Since there are no
addresses on that road right now, once the Building Department starts addressing it, all other
houses will have to be addressed. The fact that an address is being added is what has triggered
the issue, not the renaming, which is independent. IPD might know where these houses are, but
mutual aid does not.
PB Minutes 05 -17 -2011
Page 4 of 6
Kitchen: They will serve wood -fired pizzas and some salads. It's not a restaurant, but a beer hall
serving food.
The primary access is off Route 13A.
Parking spaces (revisited): Mr. Wilcox requested that Mr. Mitchell put on paper how he arrived at
78 as a reasonable number of parking spaces.
Ms. Brock asked Mr. Smith to look at the old subdivision approval regarding Mancini Drive. She
suggested it might be wise to keep the drive at 60 feet for a future possible town road that
extends through to the other roads.
PDZ local law: Mr. Smith mentioned that the version of the PDZ the Board has now is the one
they will be using to provide a recommendation to the Town Board as part of the approvals
process.
Signs: the Board will want to know exactly where the applicants want to put the signs. They
should not get in the way of traffic. Some signs will be within the PDZ property and some off
premises (on property owned by the applicant). The choice is to change the boundaries of the
PDZ or put the sign off the PDZ property and request a variance for an off - premise sign.
Ms. Erb suggested that the sign might also list other businesses in that location, possibly
designed so other pegs could be placed on it. Mr. Beach added that other businesses could rent
space on the sign. Mr. Wilcox reminded the Board that the other businesses have never
requested a sign before, and that it's up to them to ask for space. There's no other retail back
there.
Street sign: it will be a standard street sign.
The sign specs need to be submitted by preliminary site plan and subdivision review. They need
to provide dimensions and what they are hanging from. In the standard sign law, directional signs
are exempt, but not a directional sign with advertising. The Board will need to know where the
applicants are proposing to put each sign and what they will look like.
Mr. Wilcox stated that the Planning Board will want to make sure each sign makes sense where it
is, that it serves the intended purpose, that the color is not obtrusive, and that it's clear and can
be seen.
PB Resolution No. 2011 -044: Lead Agency — Declaration of Intent, Ithaca Beer Company
Development, Tax Parcel No.'s 33 -3 -2.2 and 31 -3 -3.12, Mancini Drive (off Elmira Road)
Moved by Hollis Erb; seconded by John Beach
WHEREAS:
The Town of Ithaca Planning Board, at its meeting on May 17, 2011, considered a Sketch
Plan for the proposed Ithaca Beer Company development located on Mancini Drive off Elmira
Road (NYS Route 13) on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.'s 33 -3 -2.2 and 31 -3 -3.12, Low
Density Residential and Light Industrial Zones. The proposal involves developing
approximately 10 acres of the property for a new brewery (11,000 +/- square feet), offices
(1,500 +/- square feet), and retail / pub space (2,500 +/- square feet). The project will also
involve a beer garden, silos, agricultural fields, stormwater facilities, parking, signage, lighting
PB Minutes 05 -17 -2011
Page 5 of 6
and landscaping. Mitchell' Ventures, LLC, Owner /Applicant; Dan Mitchell, President, Ithaca
Beer Company, Inc., Agent, and
2. The proposed project, which requires site plan and subdivision approvals by the Town of
Ithaca Planning Board, a zoning change by the Town of Ithaca Town Board, and possible
variances by the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals, 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
authorizing industrial and commercial uses within a residential district by local law for a parcel
more than 10 acres (Section 148 -5.A — 1, Town of Ithaca Code);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby proposes to establish itself as lead agency to
coordinate the environmental review of the proposed actions, as described above, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby requests the concurrence of all involved agencies
on this proposed lead agency designation, said concurrence to be received by the Town of Ithaca
Planning Department no later than June 17, 2011.
Vote:
Ayes: Wilcox, Conneman, Beach, Baer, Bosak, Slottje, Erb
AGENDA ITEM
Approval of Minutes: April 19, 2011 and May 3, 2011
PB Resolution No. 2011 -045: Minutes of April 19, 2011
Moved by Fred Wilcox; Seconded by Hollis Erb
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Planning Board has reviewed the draft minutes from the meeting
on April 19, 2011; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board approves the minutes, with corrections, to
be the final minutes of the meeting of April 19.
Vote:
Ayes: Wilcox, Conneman, Baer, Bosak, Erb Abstentions: Beach, Slottje
PB Resolution No. 2011 -046: Minutes of May 3, 2011
Moved by Fred Wilcox; Seconded by Hollis Erb
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Planning Board has reviewed the draft minutes from the meeting
on May 3, 2011; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town -of Ithaca Planning Board approves the minutes, with corrections, to
be the final minutes of the meeting of May 3.
PB Minutes 05 -17 -2011
Page 6 of 6
Vote
Ayes: Wilcox, Conneman, Beach, Bosak, Slottje, Erb Abstentions: Baer
AGENDA ITEM
Other Business
Ms. Balestra noted that the Holochucks submitted their first attempt at varying
architectural details for their buildings. She said she compared this to the DEIS and it is
the exact same thing they proposed at that time. Instead of waiting to show it to the
Board when the applicant returns with the rest of the materials, she suggested that she
give it to the Board now to get feedback.
Ms. Erb used the Belle Sherman Cottages as an example of what that applicant did when
they went through the same exercise. They provided three styles of houses and varied
the fagade by doing things like separating one window into two and by changing the
appearances of the front porches by offsetting or using different column styles. The
Holochucks might need a string of homes in one building chunk to be clad the same, but
what they provided is not varied architectural style.
Mr. Bosak noted that aesthetics is subjective. He likes consistency, so he finds the minor
amount of variation in the drawing to be aesthetically offensive, saying it looks like
someone was trying to be consistent, but didn't succeed.
Mr. Wilcox stated that they need to vary the style of the units. Even in a single structure,
there can be some one -story units laid out east/west and some two -story structures. They
could use more architectural dormers and change building heights. He said they need to
do more.
Adjournment
Upon motion by John Beach, the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
4
Debra DeAugi ,_Deputy T w lerk
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
ACrF.NDA
7:00 P.M. Persons to be heard (no more than five minutes).
7:05 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a recommendation to the Zoning Board of
Appeals regarding sign variances for the East Hill Professional Building sign located at
1018 Ellis Hollow Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62 -2 -13.1, Community
Commercial Zone. The proposal is to replace the existing freestanding sign with a new
freestanding sign in the same location. Marc Purdy, Owner /Applicant.
7:15 P.M. Consideration of a sketch plan for the proposed Ithaca Beer Company development
located on Mancini Drive off Elmira Road (NYS Route 13) on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel -
No.'s 33 -3 -2.2 and 31 -3 -3.12, Low Density Residential and Light Industrial Zones. The
proposal involves developing approximately 10 acres of the property for a new brewery
(1 1,000 +/- square feet), offices (1,500 +/- square feet), and retail / pub space (2,500 +/-
square feet). The project will also involve a beer garden, silos, agricultural fields,
stormwater facilities, parking, signage, lighting and landscaping. Mitchell Ventures,
LLC, Owner /Applicant; Dan Mitchell, President, Ithaca Beer Company, Inc., Agent.
4. Approval of Minutes: -April 19, 2011 and May 3, 2011
5. Other Business:
6. Adjournment
Susan Ritter
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, May 17, 2011
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, May 17, 2011, at 215 North Tioga
Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at the following time and on the following matter:
7:05 P.M. Consideration of a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding sign
variances for the East Hill Professional Building sign located at 1018 Ellis Hollow Road,
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 62 -2 -13.1, Community Commercial Zone. The proposal
is to replace the existing freestanding sign with a new freestanding sign in the same
location. Marc Purdy, Owner /Applicant.
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.
Susan Ritter
Director of Planning
273 -1747
Dated: Monday, May 9, 2011
Publish: Wednesday, May 11, 2011
VlfeOnesday, May 11, 2011 THE IT"' A JOURNAL
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, May 17, 2011 commencing
at 7:00 P.M., as per attached.
Location of Sign Board used for Posting: Town Clerk Sign Board — 215 North Tioga Street.
Date of Posting: May 9, 2011
Date of Publication: -May 11, 2011
Sandra Polce, Senior Typist
Town of Ithaca
STATE OF NEW YORK) SS:
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11`h day of May 2011.
1
Notary Public
CARRIE WHITMORE
.Notary Public, State of New York
No. 01 WH6052877
Tioga County
,Commission Expires December 26, aw