HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 1971-12-01 Town of Ithaca Zoning Board
® December 1 , 1971
The Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals held a regular
meeting on Tuesday , December 1 , 1971 , at 7 : 30 p . m . in the
Town of Ithaca offices , 108 E . Green Street , Ithaca , New York .
PRESENT % Chairman David Powers , Roger Sovocool , Loran
Marion , Ronald Metz , and David Cowan .
PUBLIC HEARING - P & C SIGN : A public hearing was held to
hear the appeal of P & C Food Markets , Appellant , from the
decision of the Zoning Officer denying permission to erect a
sign at their store at East Hill Plaza ( Kennilworth Assoc . ) .
The permit was denied under Art . VIII , Sect . 44 - 4 of the
Zoning Ordinance .
Mr . Tom Henry and Nick DeCherico were present representing
P & C . Mr . Henry reported that this sign was the standard size
for all P & C food markets . It is approximately 5 feet high and
would extend a length of approximately 100 ' on the south wall
of the building . It is a plastic sign , flush to the wall , and
is not lighted .
® Mrs . Carl Valentino , 110 Eastern Heights Drive , asked what
the need is for this large a sign . She pointed out the market
is not located on a major highway , and therefore a large sign
would not be serving to attract potential customers . She also
pointed out that the downtown store does not have a sign this
large .
Mr . Henry responded that this is a prototype sign used by
P & C all over the state . He showed a picture of another store
in the Syracuse area with the same type sign as being proposed .
Peter Francese , Town Planning Consultant , reported that the
maximun size allowed for a sign in a commerical or light indus -
trial " district is one sign totaling 100 sq . ft . or two signs
totaling 50 sq , ft . each . It was pointed out that P & C could
possibly reduce their sign to the 100 sq . ft .
Mrs . Barbara Holcomb , Chairman of the Town Planning Board ,
pointed out that if P & C chose the option of having one sign of
100 sq . ft . , they would then not be able to have a second sign
on the pilon in the plaza .
Another area resident , Mrs . Blydah Baldwin , protested the
construction of such a lame sign since it opens the door for
® other businesses in the development to also construct large signs .
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Roger Sovocool reported that if and when the Board receives
sign proposals from other businesses in the Plaza , each proposal
will be considered independently of the the P & C sign . However , .
the Board would have to be on the defensive if it did approve a
larger sign for the P & C since it would be setting a precedent .
Mr . Peter Francese reported that the Town Planning Board is
presently considering the adoption of a new Sign Ordinance . The
proposed Ordinance was given Board members to read for consideration
at the Planning Board ' s next meeting on December 21 .
Mr . Walter Schwan , Town Supervisor , asked Mr . Henry if P & C
would suffer any financial difficulties if this question of sign
size was not resolved until April since the Town Board is now in
the process of presenting a new Zoning Ordinance and a new Sign
Ordinance . He requested that action be deferred at least until
the Sign Ordinance is enacted .
Robert Nixon , representing the Ithaca Sierra Club , stated
his concern was the snowball effect permitting such a large sign
could have on the community in general .
Mr . Henry reported that the sign was built in proportion to
the building in order to give a better appearance . Mr . Henry
recommended that in adopting a new sign ordinance the proportion
of a sign to the size of a structure should be . considered . The
same size sign should not be permitted on a very small structure
® as would be on a much larger building .
Mr . Nixon reported that in Denver , sign size was determined
by a percentage of total frontage , such as 10 % .
David Powers asked if there were any stipulations concerning
construction of signs when approval was given this plan initially .
Barbara Holcomb reported that no signs were proposed in the original
plan brought to the Planning Board . This sign is separate and
distinct from the Family Bargain Center Sign .
Mrs . Barbara Livesay read a letter from a neighbor , Mr . and
Mrs . Bernard Gittelman , stating their objection to the size of
the proposed P & C sign .
The Board recessed at 8 : 30 p . m . for consideration of the
subject .
After the recess , David Powers asked Mr . Henry if he would
consider postponing this appeal until on or about March 1 , 1972
at which time the new Sign Ordinance should be in effect . Mr .
Henry reported that the store is scheduled to be opening in mid -
January or February and they would want some type of sign . Mr .
Powers suggested some type of temporary sign until the Board acts
on this appeal after the nev%L.Sign Ordinance is enacted .
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Discussion was held and Mr . Henry agreed to postpone action on
this appeal until around March 1 . Until such time , the sign from
the old store will be used as a temporary sign , and will be internally
lite ( 7xll ) . The sign will be put by the store entrance .
Roger Sovocool made a motion to adjourn the meeting and defer
action on P & C appeal until around March 1 or as soon as practical
after new Sign Ordinance is put into effect . The Board will notify
the appellant at such time .
The motion alas seconded by David Powers , and unanimo sly ap 46)
ed .
The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 10 p . m .
Respectfully sub fitted ,
Charlene Lawson , Acting Secretary