HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2012-12-18TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Tuesday. December 18. 2012
AGENDA
7:00 P.M. Persons to be heard (no more than five minutes).
7:05 P.M. SEQR Determination: Conversion of Ithaca College Terrace 13 Building, 130 Flora Brown Drive.
7;05 P.M. PUBLIC HF.ARTNG: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit
for the proposed alterations to the Terrace 13 building on the Ithaca College campus, 130 Flora Brown
Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 41-1-30.2, Medium Density Residential Zone. The proposal is
to convert the existing temporary dorm building into temporary office space, to be used through 2018.
There are no exterior changes planned as part of the conversion. Ithaca College, Owner/Applicant;
Robert J. O'Brien, AIA, Agent.
7:15 P.M. SEQR Determination: Fill Site, Danby Road (NYS Route 96B), south of Country Inn & Suites.
7; 15 F.M. PUBLIC HF.ARTNG: Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed fill site located on Danby
Road (NYS Route 96B) to the south of the Country Inn and Suites property. Town of Ithaca Tax
Parcel No. 37.1-1-10, Neighborhood Commercial Zone. The project involves bringing 12,000 +/-
cubic yards of material to this property over the next year to be used to raise the grade up to
approximately level with the road. The fill site would be graded and seeded as necessary throughout
the project. Holly Creek Townhomes LLC, Owner; R. B. Robinson Contracting Inc., Applicant; Brad
Robinson, Agent.
7:30 P.M. Consideration of a sketch plan for the proposed Cornell University Plantations Botanical Gardens
project located adjacent to the Plantations' Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center (124 Comstock Knoll),
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 67-1-6, Low Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves the
development of a 1 +/- acre Peony and Perennial Garden and a % +/- acre East Asian Garden around
the Welcome Center. Associated with these new gardens are a small pedestrian bridge, stone seat
walls, paths, courtyards, garden arbor, sculptural stone, bollard lighting, and modifications to the
stormwater management plan for the site. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; David M. Cutter,
University Landscape Architect, Agent.
7. Consideration of approval of the 2013 Planning Board Meeting Schedule.
8. Consideration of a recommendation to the Town Board regarding the Chairperson of the Planning
Board for 2013.
9. Approval of Minutes: December 4,2012.
10. Other Business:
11. 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. December 18.2012
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, December 18, 2012, at 215 North
Tioga Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at the following times and on the following matters:
7:05 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for the
proposed alterations to the Terrace 13 building on the Ithaca College campus, 130 Flora
Brown Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 41-1-30.2, Medium Density Residential
Zone. The proposal is to convert the existing temporary dorm building into temporary
office space, to be used through 2018. There are no exterior changes planned as part of
the conversion. Ithaca College, Owner/Applicant; Robert J. O'Brien, ALA, Agent.
7:15 P.M. Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed fill site located on Danby Road (NYS
Route 96B) to the south of the Country Lm and Suites property, Town of Ithaca Tax
Parcel No. 37.1-1-10, Neighborhood Commercial Zone. The project involves bringing
12,000 +/- cubic yards of material to this property over the next year to be used to raise
the grade up to approximately level with the road. The fill site would be graded and
seeded as necessary throughout the project. Holly Creek Townhomes LLC, Owner; R. B.
Robinson Contracting Inc., Applicant; Brad Robinson, 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 necessaiy, 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, December 10,2012
Publish: Wednesday, December 12,2012
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 bv the Town of Ithaca Planning Board in the Town of Ithaca
Town Hall. 215 North Tioea Street, Ithaca. New York, on Tuesday. December 18. 2012
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: December 10, 2012
Date of Publication: December 12, 2012
Sandra Polce, Senior Typist
Town of Ithaca
STATE OF NEW YORK) SS:
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12^*^ day of December 2012
-Notat7 PuDlic. State of New York
- No. (BKE6025073
■. ' Qualified tn Schuyier County.Commission Expires May 17, 20 /
#r#E ITHACA JOURNAL
i^|&N£SJ}Ay_, DECEMBER 12
TOWN OF ITHACA
PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBUC
1, HEARINGS
Tuesday.
December 18, 20(2 -
By direction of the Chair
person of I'le Rannlng
Board, NOTICE IS HEHEBy
GIVEN that Public Hearings
will be held by the Planning
Board of the Town of Ithaca
on Tuesday. December 18.
2012. at 215 North Tiogg
Street. Ithaca, N.Y.. at the
Mowing times arxf on the
blowing matters:
7:05 P.M.
Cortslderatlon of Prelimina
ry and Final Site Plan.Ap
proval and Special Permil
for the proposed altera
tions to the 'Terrace 13
building on the Ithaca Col
lege campus, 130 Rora
Brown Drive. Town of Itha-
ta Tax Parcel No. 4l-i-
30.2. Medium Density Res
idential Zone. The proposal
is to convert the existing
,temporary dorm building In
to temporary office space,
to be used through 2018.
There are no exterior
changes planned es part of
the conversloi^. Idiaca Cd-
l^e. Owner/Appiicatil;
Robert J. O'Brien. AIA.
Agent.
7:15 P.M.
Consideration of Spetid
Permrt for the proposed fill
site located on Danby Road
(NYS Route 96B) to the
south of the Country Inn
and Suites property, Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.
37.1-MO,* Neighborhood
Commercial Zone. The
projecl Involves bringing
12.000 -r/- cubic yards of
material to this property
over the next year to be
used to raise the grade up
to ^proxlmately level wllh
the road. The fill site would
be graded and seeded as
necesaary ihrougfiout the
project. Holly Creek
Townhomes LLC. Owrw:
R. B. Robinson Contracting
Inc.. Applicpnt: Bred Robin
son, Agent.
Said Planning Board will at
said times and said d^ce
hear ail persons In support
of such matters or ot^ec-
lions Ifiereto. Persons rn^
appear by agent or in per
son. Individuals with visual
impairments, hearing
impairments or other spe
cial needs, will be proviiied
with asslstarice as neces
sary, upon request. Per
sons ^siring assistance
rripst make such a request
not less Man 48 hours prior
tq- the time of the public
hearing.
Siisan Ritter
Director of Ranning
273-1747
Dqted: Mtyiday.
December 10.2012
12/iaA»12
Town of Ithaca
Planning Board
215 North Tioga Street
December 18,2012 7:00 p.m.
PLEASE SIGN-EM
Please Print Clearly. Thank You
Name Address
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
Board Members Present:
Fred Wilcox (Chair), Linda Collins, George Conneman, John Beach, Jon
Bosak, Hollis Erb
Staff Present:
Sue Ritter, Director of Planning;Chris Balestra, Planner; Mike Smith, Planner; Bruce
Bates, Director of Code Enforcement; Creig Hebdon, Civil Engineer; Susan Brock, Attorney for the
Town; Deb DeAugistine, Deputy Town Clerk
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 notices.
AGENDA ITEM
Persons to be heard –
No one came forward to address the Board.
AGENDA ITEM
SEQR Determination:
Conversion of Ithaca College Terrace 13 Building, 130 Flora Brown Drive
Rick Couture, IC, and Robert O’Brien, AIA, were present. Mr. Couture explained that they’ve de-
termined they don’t need Terrace 13, but they do have a great need for office space, and this would
provide an interim solution. The need is growing, not in terms of enrollment, but in terms of services.
The IT support people who don’t need to be in the center of campus would use this office space. IC
is asking for an extension of the occupancy permit from next June to 2018, which is when the annex
permit expires. The administration feels comfortable getting a new building in place by then. It’s a
partial change in use since there wouldn’t be offices on the second floor; that could be used for stu-
dent housing in the first part of the year.
Ms. Erb stated that the materials in front of her indicated the second floor was going to be vacant.
Now she hears they want the possibility for dormitory use on the second floor. She wondered whether
the materials would have to be modified. Ms. Brock responded that the materials said they would
convert the first floor to office use. Ms. Erb and Ms. Beach inferred that the second floor would re-
main empty. They’re fine with using it.
Mr. Bosak asked why the Board required the removal of the building in the first place: Board mem-
bers at the time were very careful to say that students needed to be out of there by 2013. Mr. Bates
said he had the same question. He thought it was suggested because of the resale value. He asked why
the Board mandated that they take down a perfectly good structure. Ms. Erb agreed, adding that they
would replace it with a parking lot. Mr. Bates said that any changes they make to the outside have to
come back in front of this Board anyway. Mr. Hebdon said the building has a limited life span and
the Town didn’t want it to be like to Cornell U Halls, which are still there, and they are not perfectly
good structures anymore. Mr. Bates said that state law requires that all buildings be inspected every
three years and dorms, every year. Part of the building code requires that a building be in good repair.
Ms. Erb responded that if it’s being inspected every year, she’s comfortable, and that the least desira-
Planning Board Minutes 12-18-2012
Page 2 of 8
ble thing to have up there is a parking lot. Mr. Bosak suggested that if it were called a modular struc-
ture, the Board might not be having this discussion in the first place.
Mr. Couture said that when they were in front of the Board four years ago, they didn’t know they
would be in such need of office space. Likewise, they have no idea what they’ll need in 2018, so flexi-
bility would be a good thing.
Mr. Bates noted that the building is also not on a public way – it’s on the college’s own inner proper-
ty. Even if they decide to demolish it some time down the road, they’ll have to come before this Board
because the Town will want to know what they’re going to put in its place.
Ms. Erb said that requiring them to come back would just make busy work for the Board. Mr. Con-
neman stated that the students thought it was a nice building and were sad to have to move.
PB Resolution No. 2012-085: SEQR, Preliminary and Final Site Plan & Special Permit, Ithaca
College – Terrace 13 – Conversion to Office Space, Tax Parcel No. 41-1-30.2
Moved by Hollis Erb; seconded by John Beach
WHEREAS:
1.This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for
the proposed alterations to the Terrace 13 building on the Ithaca College campus, 130 Flora
Brown Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 41-1-30.2, Medium Density Residential Zone. The
proposal is to convert the first floor of the existing dorm building into office space and to retain
the second floor use as a dormitory. There are no exterior changes planned as part of the conver-
sion. Ithaca College, Owner/Applicant; Robert J. O’Brien, AIA, Agent, and
2.This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is acting as Lead Agency
in environmental review with respect to Site Plan Approval and Special Permit, and
3.The Planning Board, on December 18, 2012, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short En-
vironmental Assessment Form (EAF) Part I, submitted by the applicant, and Part II prepared by
Town Planning staff, a packet of material including a “Project Description”, “Project location”,
and “Floor Plan”, date stamped November 15, 2012, prepared by Chiang O’Brien Architects, and
other application materials, and has considered project clarifications and modifications discussed
at its December 18, 2012 meeting, and
4.The Town Planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental signifi-
cance with respect to the proposed Site Plan Approval and Special Permit;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental
significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part
617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced actions as proposed,
Planning Board Minutes 12-18-2012
Page 3 of 8
based on the information in the EAF Part I and for the reasons set forth in the EAF Part II, and,
therefore, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be required.
Vote: Ayes – Wilcox, Collins, Conneman, Beach, Bosak, Erb
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing:
Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for
the proposed alterations to the Terrace 13 building on the Ithaca College campus, 130 Flora Brown
Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 41-1-30.2, Medium Density Residential Zone. The proposal is
to convert the existing temporary dorm building into temporary office space, to be used through
2018. There are no exterior changes planned as part of the conversion. Ithaca College, Own-
er/Applicant; Robert J. O’Brien, AIA, Agent
Mr. Wilcox opened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. and closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
PB Resolution No. 2012-086: Preliminary and Final Site Plan & Special Permit, Ithaca College –
Terrace 13 – Conversion to Office Space, Tax Parcel No. 41-1-30.2
Moved by John Beach; seconded by Hollis Erb
WHEREAS:
1.This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for
the proposed alterations to the Terrace 13 building on the Ithaca College campus, 130 Flora
Brown Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 41-1-30.2, Medium Density Residential Zone. The
proposal is to convert the first floor of the existing dorm building into office space and to retain
the second floor use as a dormitory. There are no exterior changes planned as part of the conver-
sion. Ithaca College, Owner/Applicant; Robert J. O’Brien, AIA, 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 the project has, on December 18, 2012, made a negative de-
termination of environmental significance, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate a
Short Environmental Assessment Form Part I, submitted by the applicant, and a Part II prepared
by Town Planning staff, and
3.The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on December 18, 2012, has reviewed and accepted
as adequate, a packet of material including a “Project Description”, “Project location”, and “Floor
Plan”, date stamped November 15, 2012, prepared by Chiang O’Brien Architects, and other ap-
plication materials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Planning Board hereby grants Special Permit for the proposed Ithaca College Office Space
(Terrace 13) project finding that the standards of Article XXIV Section 270-200, Subsections A – L, of
the Town of Ithaca Code, have been met,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
Planning Board Minutes 12-18-2012
Page 4 of 8
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 Checklists, having de-
termined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in neither a significant altera-
tion of the purpose of site plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town
Board, and
2.That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval
for the proposed Ithaca College Office Space in the Terrace 13 building, located on the Ithaca
College campus at 130 Flora Brown Drive, as described in a packet of material including a “Pro-
ject Description”, “Project location”, and “Floor Plan”, date stamped November 15, 2012, pre-
pared by Chiang O’Brien Architects, and
3.The Planning Board rescinds the condition in its June 2009 resolution requiring removal of the
building by June 30, 2013.
Vote: Ayes – Wilcox, Collins, Conneman, Beach, Bosak, Erb
AGENDA ITEM
SEQR Determination:
Fill Site, Danby Road (NYS Route 96B), south of Country Inn & Suites
Brad Robinson gave a brief overview. There’s an existing dump site south of the hotel that contractors
have been dumping in for around 10 years. Erosion control measures for the proposed site have been
reviewed as has been traffic.
Mr. Bosak stated that he would not have any questions if it were not for Mr. Marx’s letter. Mr. Heb-
don said the only thing that might be impacted is the type of building that can go on the fill site. If
demolition from housing is put there, it’s different than just dirt and gravel. Mr. Bosak said that’s not
what Mr. Marx is raising: he’s talking about siting and access that can impact the highway and adja-
cent properties.
Ms. Erb thought it would be unwarranted to require a detailed plan for a simple request for fill.
Ms. Brock pointed out that construction demolition debris is not the kind of fill contemplated by
Town code; it would be considered land filling.
Mr. Robinson addressed her concern by explaining that there will be no construction demolition
waste, no woody debris or large chunks of anything; it will be rocks, soil, potentially some ground
black top, and small pieces of concrete.
Mr. Bates clarified that this is not a dump site, but a fill site. He would classify the concrete as fill
material. They eventually have to show the Town how they’re going to build on that site.
Ms. Brock explained that the Town doesn’t allow landfills. The code defines fill broadly as “including
but not limited to soil, sod, loam, sand, gravel, stone, and similar materials.”
Mr. Hebdon stated that concrete from broken up sidewalk is okay, but not big chunks of basement.
He understands the intent of what they’re using it for.
Planning Board Minutes 12-18-2012
Page 5 of 8
When asked about truck traffic, Mr. Robinson said that most of the fill will arrive within the next two
years. Right now, they have projects at IC, Longview, and the Terrace on State Street – all local pro-
jects. On certain days there will be 50 loads, so at times, there will be a concentration of trucks. He
explained that when they are hauling out, they want the production rate to be as high as it can be. He
estimated three to four trucks steadily.
Mr. Hebdon said the number of available dump sites is very small in the City and Town. There’s no
need to import fill since there are enough local projects that need that site.
PB Resolution No. 2012-087: SEQR, Special Permit, Auble Fill Permit Project, Tax Parcel No.
37.1-1-10, Town of Ithaca Planning Board, December 18, 2012
Moved by George Conneman; seconded by Linda Collins
WHEREAS:
1.This action is Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed fill site located on Danby Road
(NYS Route 96B) to the south of the Country Inn and Suites property, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel
No. 37.1-1-10, Neighborhood Commercial Zone. The project involves bringing 12,000+/- cubic
yards of material to the property over the next year, to raise the grade up to be approximately level
with the road. The fill site would be graded and seeded as necessary throughout the project. Hol-
ly Creek Townhomes LLC, Owner; R.B. Robinson Contracting Inc., Applicant; Brad Robinson,
Agent, and
2.This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is the lead agency in the
environmental review with respect to Special Permit, and
3.The Planning Board, on December 18, 2012, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short En-
vironmental Assessment Form (EAF) Part I, submitted by the applicant, and Part II prepared by
Town Planning staff, a drawing titled “Site Plan– Proposed Fill Portion of Lands of David C. Au-
ble, Danby Road– N.Y.S. Route 96B, Town of Ithaca- County of Tiompkins [sic], State of New
York, Tax Map No. 37.1-1-10,” dated Oct. 30, 2012, prepared by Klumpp Land Surveying, and
other application materials, and
4.The Town Planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental signifi-
cance with respect to the proposed Special Permit;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental
significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part
617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced actions as proposed,
based on the information in the EAF Part I and for the reasons set forth in the EAF Part II, and,
therefore, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be required.
Vote: Ayes – Wilcox, Collins, Conneman, Beach, Bosak, Erb
Planning Board Minutes 12-18-2012
Page 6 of 8
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing:
Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed fill site located on Danby Road
(NYS Route 96B) to the south of the Country Inn and Suites property, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel
No. 37.1-1-10, Neighborhood Commercial Zone. The project involves bringing 12,000 +/- cubic
yards of material to this property over the next year to be used to raise the grade up to approximately
level with the road. The fill site would be graded and seeded as necessary throughout the project.
Holly Creek Townhomes LLC, Owner; R. B. Robinson Contracting Inc., Applicant; Brad Robinson,
Agent
Mr. Wilcox opened the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. and closed the public hearing at 7:56 p.m.
PB Resolution No. 2012-088: Special Permit, Auble Fill Permit Project, Tax Parcel No. 37.1-1-10,
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, December 18, 2012
Moved by Hollis Erb; seconded by George Conneman
WHEREAS:
1.This action is Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed fill site located on Danby Road
(NYS Route 96B) to the south of the Country Inn and Suites property, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel
No. 37.1-1-10, Neighborhood Commercial Zone. The project involves bringing 12,000+/- cubic
yards of material to the property over the next year, to raise the grade up to be approximately level
with the road. The fill site would be graded and seeded as necessary throughout the project. Hol-
ly Creek Townhomes LLC, Owner; R.B. Robinson Contracting Inc., Applicant; Brad Robinson,
Agent, and
2.This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting as lead agency in
the environmental review with respect to the project, has, on December 18, 2012, made a nega-
tive determination of environmental significance, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate
a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part I, submitted by the applicant, and a Part II pre-
pared by Town Planning staff, and
3.The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on December 18, 2012, has reviewed and accepted
as adequate, a drawing titled “Site Plan– Proposed Fill Portion of Lands of David C. Auble, Dan-
by Road– N.Y.S. Route 96B, Town of Ithaca- County of Tiompkins [sic], State of New York, Tax
Map No. 37.1-1-10,” dated Oct. 30, 2012, prepared by Klumpp Land Surveying, and other appli-
cation materials,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Planning Board hereby grants Special Permit for the proposed Auble Fill Site project, find-
ing that the plan adequately protects the property and surrounding properties from significant ad-
verse consequences, including drainage, erosion, and visual or other adverse impacts (Section 270-217
E of the Town of Ithaca Code), and finding that the standards of Article XXIV Section 270-200, Sub-
sections A – L, of the Town of Ithaca Code, have been met. Such approval is conditioned on the
following:
Planning Board Minutes 12-18-2012
Page 7 of 8
a.submission of one set of the final drawings on mylar, vellum, or paper, signed and sealed by
the registered land surveyor, engineer, architect, or landscape architect who prepared the ma-
terial, prior to any work occurring on site, and
b.no construction and demolition debris shall be placed on the site, and
c.applicant shall install a gate or other security measures to prevent unauthorized dumping.
Vote: Ayes – Wilcox, Collins, Conneman, Beach, Bosak, Erb
AGENDA ITEM
Consideration of a sketch plan for the proposed Cornell University Plantations Botanical Gardens
project located adjacent to the Plantations’ Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center (124 Comstock Knoll),
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 67-1-6, Low Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves the de-
velopment of a 1 +/- acre Peony and Perennial Garden and a ¼ +/- acre East Asian Garden around
the Welcome Center. Associated with these new gardens are a small pedestrian bridge, stone seat
walls, paths, courtyards, garden arbor, sculptural stone, bollard lighting, and modifications to the
stormwater management plan for the site. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; David M. Cutter,
University Landscape Architect, Agent
Mr. Cutter stated that he wanted provide a look at their vision for the next several years. He described
a series of gardens and primary access paths and secondary stone dust paths connecting each other
and the Nevins Welcome Center. He described the lighting they would install, probably the same low
bollard lighting they have now. They will extend the existing bioswale. They will be using porous con-
crete to minimize the runoff and build on the environmental sustainability of the Welcome Center.
Mr. Bates said that he’d have to see the specs because he wasn’t sure it would meet the lighting re-
quirement.
Ms. Erb didn’t understand the need for lighting since the plantations closes at dusk. Mr. Cutter re-
sponded that they have evening events. They would be lighting just the walkway. It would be con-
trolled from inside the building and would not need to be on most of the time.
Ms. Erb would like the entire lower part to be wheelchair accessible.
Ms. Erb was not pleased with the proposed height of the walls. Mr. Wilcox said it’s important to keep
in mind what is within the Board’s jurisdiction and what is not. Ms. Erb said she was making the ar-
gument on the basis of public safely. With a single entrance, you walk in and you don’t know who or
what is in there. Ms. Brock asked how this is any different from a space hidden by tall hedges, and
pointed out that it won’t be open at night.
Mr. Cutter pointed out that there’s a continuous wall all around the garden and it will be closed off
at night anyway.
Ms. Balestra stated that if this is several different projects, she would be concerned about several dif-
ferent phases coming in. She suggested they get approval for the whole plan and then build it in
phases. Mr. Wilcox agreed, adding that the Board could then deal with the environmental review all
at once. Ms. Balestra also noted that they have to pay fees each time they come before a board.
Planning Board Minutes 12-18-2012
Page 8 of 8
AGENDA ITEM
PB Resolution No. 2012-089:Town of Ithaca Planning Board, Schedule of Meetings for 2013
Moved by Hollis Erb; seconded by John Beach
RESOLVED, that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby adopts the following as its schedule of
Regular Meetings for the Year 2013. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held on the first
and third Tuesday of each month, commencing at 7;00 p.m. and ending by 10:00 p.m.
HRST MEETING OF THE MONTH
No Meeting
February 5, 2013
March 5, 2013
April 2, 2013
May 7, 2013
June 4, 2013
July 2, 2013
August 6, 2013
September 3, 2013
October 1, 2013
November 5, 2013
December 3, 2013
SECOND MEETING OF THE MONTH
January 15, 2013
February 19, 2013
March 19, 2013
April 16, 2013
May 21, 2013
June 18, 2013
July 16, 2013
August 20, 2013
September 17, 2013
October 15, 2013
November 19, 2013
December 17, 2013
Vote: Ayes - Wilcox, Collins, Conneman, Beach, Bosak, Erb
AGENDA ITEM
Consideration of a recommendation to the Town Board regarding the Planning Board Chairperson for 2013
Ms Erb made a motion, and Ms. Collins seconded, recommending that Mr. Wilcox be reappointed
chairperson of the Planning Board for 2013. The motion passed, with Mr. Wilcox abstaining.
AGENDA ITEM
Resolution of appreciation for George Conneman from the Town Board
Mr. Wilcox read the resolution.
AGENDA ITEM
Adjournment
Upon a motion by George Conneman, the meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, x.-.
Debra DeAugtstine, Deputy'To\^ Clerk
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