HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 1975-12-10 Z �� izJ ()Ioci7, V-e � �.--
TOWNOF ITHACA
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
%r
DECEMBER 10 , 1975
A meeting of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals was held
in the Town of Ithaca Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , ( second floor ) ,
Ithaca , New York , on Wednesday , December 10 , 1975 , at 7 : 30 p . m .
PRESENT : Chairman Peter Francese , Jack Hewett , Laurene Ripley ,
Edward Austen , Edward King , Lawrence Fabbroni ( Building Inspector ) .
ALSO PRESENT : Attorney Laura Holmberg , Sanford Reuning , Joan G .
Reuning , Franklin Butler , Janice Palmer , Janis Butler , Dr . Joy Mecenas ,
Nancy Krook ; David B . Wilson , George VanEpps , June Chandler , Eleanor S .
Glauer , Virginia Freeman , Bruce Rich , Gayleen S . Austen , Kathleen
Reynolds , William Reynolds , Edward K . Lasher , Helen T . Lasher , George
W . Dengler , Donald C . Ball , Arthur A . Sharwood , Esther G . Martin ,
Gust Freeman , Robert E . Bacon , Carol , Pyhtila , Marifrancys Lucas ,
Albert S . Lucas , Ruth H . Thompson , Keith G . Tompson , Nicholas Sturgeon ,
Dr . Geoffrey J . Hart , John Vasse , Dr . C . J . Kilgore , Dr . Louis W .
Munchmever , Attorney Stanley Tsapis .
Chairman Francese opened the Meeting at 7 : 38 p . m .
APPEAL OF JOHN D . AND WINIFRED BREWSTER , APPELLANTS , FROM THE DECISION
OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR DENYING PERMISSION FOR A MUSIC SCHOOL PRO -
�� POSED BY SANFORD REUNING AT 929 - 931 DANBY ROAD , PARCELS NO . 6 - 41 - 1 - 2
AND 6 - 41 - 1 - 3 , ITHACA , N . Y . PERMISSION IS DENIED BY THE BUILDING INSPEC -
TOR UNDER ARTICLE IV , SECTION 1'1' , - PARAGRAPI1 4 , OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE .
Chairman Francese declared the Public Hearing in the above - noted
matter duly opened at 7 : 39 p . m .
Mr . Fabbroni read the Appeal as published in the Ithaca Journal
on December 4 ,- 1975 , and presented for the record the Town Clerk ' s
Affidavit of Posting and Publication of said Appeal . Mr . Fabbroni then
presented for the record the Secretary ' s Affidavit of Service by Mail
of the Notice of Public Hearing duly mailed to the neighbors of the
Brewster property which the Reunings are proposing to purchase . The
Notice of Public Hearing was also mailed to Ithaca College , NCR , Morse
Chain , John and Winifred Brewster , Sanford Reuning , and Attorney Laura
Holmberg , Mr . Fabbroni presented the Appeal form signed by D . Boardman
Lee , Attorney and Agent for John D . and Winifred Brewster and dated
December 3 , 1975 .
Mr . Francese asked if there were anyonepresent who wished to speak
on behalf of the Reuning request . Mrs . Holmberg , Mr . Reuning and Mr .
Butler were present . Mr . Francese noted that the present appeal . is for
permission to conduct a music school on Danby Road on South Hill ,
Mrs . Holmberg stated that the program which is being proposed for
this building is a Centre for Early Education , Music and the Arts ,
primarily for instruction in music . She noted that the building is
very large upon an excess of an acre of land . She ' said that a fairly
small number of pupils will be there at any onetime . There will be
instrument repair and sale as an adjunct . She said that there will be
the sale of antique instruments and reproduction largely by mail order .
She noted that none of these projects will generate much traffic . She
Zoning Board of Appeals - 7. - December 10 , 1975
said that this particular building seems to be perfectly suited for
this type of program . She commented that she understood that it is
presently a non - conforming use . She stated that the owners are
t presently occupying the third floor apartment and the main house is
empty .
Mr . , Fabbroni said that as the building is presently occupied it
is legalo and that three apartments would be illegal .
Mrs . Holmberg presented the entire proposal in typed form together
with an up -dated plan for parking which indicated parking space for 17
cars . She noted that the entrance -to the property from Danby Road will
be enlarged and should , therefore , pose no traffic problems because the
Danby Road widens there anyway . She stated that there is ample parking
as indicated .
Mr . Francese asked if there will be a staff of teachers . Mr . Reuning
said that there will be about five teachers , but also there will be some
Part -time teachers . Mr . Francese asked at what time of the day instruc -
tion is expected to be carried on . Mr . Reuning said that it will con -
tinue during the whole day .
Mr . Franklin Butler said that he is in charge of the " Pipe & Tabor "
portion of the operation which is described on the proposal above noted
as " specializing in sales of early instrument reproductions , and the
solo and ensemble music for those instruments . " Mr . Butler stated that
4 . 60 of this business are sales on the premises and the rest are mail
order , Mr . Butler stated that he will live on the premises temporarily.,
Mr . Reuning will not . The instruction given presently at the Reuning ' s
Buttermilk Falls Road home will cease .
Mr . Reuning said that two apartments will be rented . Mr . Butler
will be on the third floor and the other apartment over the garage and
kitchen area is presently tented on a lease . The main building will be
used as the School .
Mr . Francese asked Mr . Fabbroni if the property would conform under
these circumstances . Mr . Fabbroni stated that it would no longer be an
illegal multi - family use - - it would be a school with two apartments .
Mr . Fabbroni said that this should be made clear . He noted that Mr .
Butler is a co - owner and that he does not plan to stay there indefinitely .
Mr . King asked to inspect the plot plans . Mr . Reuning presented the
plot plans as they were presented to the Planning Board on December 2 ,
1975 . Mr . Francese asked how close the nearest neighbor is . Mr .
Reuning said that the nearest neighbor is at least 100 ' away . Ithaca
College is all over . A Mr . Richards was mentioned as a neighbor but he
was not present .
Mr . King noted that in the Planning Board recommendations it was
stated that the parking area for 15 cars should be clearly laid out on
the site plan with dimensions and spaces shown and , further , that should
this prove inadequate additional spaces should be added . Mr . Fabbroni
stated that this point has been met as a result of the Planning Board
meeting and that it is acceptable to him as long as 15 cars are able to
park there . Mr . Reuning indicated the revised parking plan and stated
that there is now space for 17 cars shown . He stated that there is garage
space also .
. , Zoning Board of Appeals - 3 - December 10 , 1975
Mr . Francese read the Planning Board Resolution of December 2 ,
1975 , as follows :
RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca generally
approves the site plan for the proposed Center for Early Education ,
Music and the Arts , as presented by Sanford and Joan Reuning , with the
following conditions :
1 . That the entrance drive from Danby Road should be no less than 15 '
with radius of curvature at throat sufficient to allow smooth
access and egress to and from Danby Road ,
, 2 . That the parking area for 15 cars should be clearly laid out on the
site plan with dimensions and spaces shown . It should be further
noted that if in the future 15 spaces is not adequate for the
clientele and personnel of the school that additional spaces should
be added ,
3 . The second exit from the third floor apartment should be a walk -out
type exit to the second floor roof with a suitable walkway to a
stairway leading from the second floor roof to the ground .
4 . All exits from the first floor should be developed so as to provide
unimpeded egress from the building ,
The Planning Board takes cognizance of the fact that the mixed
occupancy of two dwelling units and a private school with related work -
shop is within the province of the Zoning Board of Appeals .
Carried unanimously with " aye " votes from Holcomb , Harris , Black ,
Baker , Bronfenbrenner , Martin . "
All parts of the Planning Board recommendations were agreed upon
by the Reunings .
There followed a discussion of parking , Mr . King noted that Section
69 of the Zoning Ordinance in re parking requires two spaces for each
student , Mr . Reuning stated that the " 15 " car parking space was arrived
at by them taking into consideration the parking at their Buttermilk
Falls Road location , He said that 15 cars on the premises at one time
would be an absolute maximum , Mr . King asked how many students they
would be teaching at one time in the building . Mr . Reuning said pro -
bably four . Mr . King said that that would mean a requirement of at
least 8 spaces plus space for the occupants , users and employees as
required by Article IV , Section 12 , paragraph 2 . Mr . Reuning pointed
out that there is a garage for the occupants .
Mr . Austen asked if there will be recitals held in this building .
Mr . Reuning said there will not .
Mr . King stated that there is a mixed use proposed here - - sales ,
repairs , etc . - - and none of them come under the statute , Mr . King
referred to Section 12 , paragraph 6 , customary home occupation including
such things as carpentry , electrical , and plumbing work or similar
manual or mechanical trade . These must be incidental to the occupant ,
Mr . Reuning stated that there As no way that this can be looked at as ..
a home ,
Mrs . Holmberg stated that under Article XIV , Section 77 , the Board
of Appeals has the power to except under these gray areas . The
incidental business is not a business in the true sense of the word
" business " , but is incidental to the school and works in with the major
3
Zoning Board of Appeals - 4 - December 10 , 1975
business of the school . She pointed out that this Board is well aware
that the Reunings have been trying to find facilities for this operation
for some time and have appeared before this Board before . She stated
that this particular building provides an ideal situation . Mr . King
pointed out that the building is in a residential . zone and this request
does differ from a usual home occupation . Mrs . Holmberg stated that the
Board must remember that this building is right across from an
Industrial use ( NCR) and next to Ithaca College . Mrs . Holmberg quoted
Section 77 , paragraph 6 of the Zoning Ordinance in re practical
difficulties or unnecessary hardship . Mr . King stated that that is the
language of a variance and this Hearing comes under Section 11 , para -
graph 4 as a special approval of this Board . Mr . King stated that he
would be inclined to say . that any approval should come under Section 77 ,
paragraph 7 allowing for a special permit in which case this Board can
impose limitations on the extent of the use .
Mr . King asked about the use of signs in this connection . Mr .
Reuning said that they intend to have a discreet identifying sign . Mr .
King noted that the zoning ordinance does permit signs and so does the
sign ordinance .
Mr . Francese asked if there were any comments from the floor in
support of this proposal or objections thereto .
Mr . David Wilson , Troy Road , spoke in support of the proposal . He
stated also that it is a reasonable request and cited the heavy traffic
on Danby Road already .
There was no one who spoke in opposition to the request .
Mr . Fabbroni suggested that if the Board should consider approval ,
they should consider also the same occupancy limitations for this
building as they would for a two- family residence . He noted that this
has a specific number of employees - - Mr . Reuning , Mr . Butler and three
staff . Mr . Butler pointed out that the retail part is like a bookstore
to a college - - it is supportive of it . Mr . Fabbroni defined R- 15
residential restrictions as meaning that one rents to two families or
a family and two unrelated persons in the other apartment , but no more
than two unrelated in the other for a total of three unrelated persons
in the residence living there .
The Public Hearing in the Reuning Appeal was adjourned at 8 : 10 p . m .
for the rendering of a decision later in the evening .
ADJOURNED PUBLIC HEARING IN RE APPEAL OF DR . LOUIS W . MUNCHMEYER ET AL
FROM THE DECISION OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR DENYING PERMISSION TO CON -
STRUCT A MEDICAL CLINIC ON DUBOIS ROAD ( A PORTION OF PARCELS NO ,
6 - 22 - 2 - 2 . _2 AND 6 - 22 - 2 - 16 ) , ITHACA , NEW YORK . PERMISSION IS DENIED BY
THE BUILDING INSPECTOR UNDER ARTICLE V , SECTION 18 , PARAGRAPH 11 , OF
THE ZONING ORDINANCE .
Chairman Francese declared the Adjourned Public Hearing in the
above - noted matter duly opened at 8 : 12 p . m .
Mr . Fabbroni stated that the Appeal as published in the Ithaca
Journal on November 19 , 1975 , was re - advertised on December 4 , 1975 .
Mr . Fabbroni presented the Clerk ' s Affidavit of Posting and Publication
of said Notice of Public Hearing of the Appeal . Mr . Fabbroni then
Zoning Board of Appeals - 5 - December 10 , 1975
presented for the record the Secretary ' s Affidavit of Service by Mail
of the Notice of Adjourned , Public Hearing duly mailed on December 2 ,
® 1975 , to the neighbors of the proposed clinic and to the Town Clerk of
the Town of Ulysses . Mr . Fabbroni presented again the Appeal Form
signed by Mr . Stanley Tsapis as attorney and agent for Dr . Munchmeyer
and dated November 17 , 1975 .
Mr . King stated that both Mr . Francese and Mr . Hewett were not
present at the November 24th , 1975 , meeting of the Board on this matter .
Mr . King asked if Mr . Tsapis agreed to go over the request again . Mr .
Tsapis said that he did . Mr . King asked Mr . Tsapis if he agreed that
these gentlemen had the right to decide on this issue after hearing the
presentation at this meeting tonight . Mr . Tsapis agreed and stated that
he waived all rights to appeal on that aspect .
Mr . Tsapis noted that three of the Board members will recall that
the proposal and the plans for same were presented to this body on
November 24 , 1975 . Mr . Tsapis presented the plans again , described the
site and the elevations proposed . He noted that there is a slight down -
grade in this area . The building as it faces DuBois Road is 451 . The
widest part of the building is 531 . The building will be brick faced .
Mr . Tsapis stated that the clinic is designed and built by Marshall
Erdman & Associates , Inc . , Desiqn/Engineering/Prefabrication /Construction ,
with offices in Madison , Wisconsin , Princeton , New Jersey , Dallas , Texas ,
and Atlanta , Georgia . This firm specializes in medical facilities .
Mr . Tsapis commented that the proposed medical offices will be somewhat
similar to the medical office complex on Cliff Street ( City of Ithaca )
® but not nearly so large . Mr . Tsapis said that there will be 3 , 400 sq . ft .
of floor space upstairs and 3 , 400 sq . ft . of floor space downstairs . Mr .
Tsapis stated that the building will be screened and planted as required
and has offices as necessary . Mr . Tsapis stated that to the north and
east of the parcel in question is VanEpps property , to the south is
Chandler , and to the west across DuBois ' Road is Bacon .
Mr . Tsapis stated that the purpose of the building is a medical clinic
with no commercial development on the inside . The medical clinic will
house the -practices of Drs . Munchmeyer , Kilgore and Goodfriend and a
fourth man.. .who is - on his way and is a specialist in chemo - therapy . This
community does not have a chemo - therapist . Mr . . Tsapis said that the
Doctors will use the floor that = - is the upstairs level . The downstairs
would be sufficiently large to rent to two other doctors or two dentists .
Mr . Tsapis wished to make it clear that the Doctors do not have any
plans to rent the downstairs at present , but that they merely want the
Board to be aware of the situation . Mr . Tsapis stated that he wanted to
emphasize that the Zoning Ordinance does not permit any commercial
venture . Mr . Tsapis stated that the proposed building is strictly a
medical clinic subject to the approval of this Board and subject to
Section 77 of the Zoning Ordinance ,
Mr . King cited Article V Residence Districts R- 301 Section 18 ,
paragraph 11 , of the Zoning Ordinance as being pertinent also . Mr .
Tsapis stated that he thought that the people in this gathering should
know what other uses can go in this district . Mr . Francese read Section
18 of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance in its entirety . ( See Minutes
of Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting of November 24 , 1975 , Page 6 . )
Mr . Tsapis read for the record the definition provided for a " clinic "
. . Zo ing Board of Appeals - 6 - December 10 , 1975
under Article I , Section 1 , paragraph 26 , of the Zoning Ordinance , as
® follows : " A ' clinic ' is a building or any part of a building which is
used for the group practice of medicine by several physicians in which
certain facilities other than reception are shared by the occupants and
in which patients are diagnosed or treated by physicians specializing
in various ailments and practicing as a group . " Mr . Tsapis stated that
from his and his clients point of view they come well within the
definition in the zoning ordinance .
Mr . Francese asked if the Town Planning Board has seen this
proposal . Mr . Tsapis stated that they have and have sent an approval .
( See Minutes of Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting of November 24 , 1975 ,
page 3 , wherein the letter from the Planning Board to the Zoning Board
of Appeals dated November 19 , 1975 , is set forth . )
Mr . Tsapis referred to Article XIV , Section 77 , paragraph 7 , of
the Zoning Ordinance . He stated that sub-paragraph ( a ) has been met .
He stated that sub-paragraph ( b ) has been met in that the premises are
reasonably adapted to the proposed use , it being vacant land . He also
stated that such use will fill a neighborhood or community need it being
for doctors ' offices and particularly so with the coming of a needed
chemo - therapist . Mr . Tsapis stated that sub-paragraph ( c ) deals , with
the proposed use and the location and design of any structure being
consistent with the character of the district in which it is located .
Mr . Tsapis said that there may be some problems here but it is his
opinion that the building is well adapted to the area . He pointed out
that in the Town of Ulysses across the road there is- a garden tractor
business . There is a commercial venture also in the form of an orchard .
The Tompkins County Hospital is nearby as is the Professional Building ,
both in the Town of Ithaca . In the Town of Ithaca there are some road-
side stands in the area . He stated that these are all well within the
zoning ordinance . He stated that Pagliaro Produce and Antiques are
about a quarter of a mile away . Mr . Tsapis stated , that the proposed
medical clinic would be an additional factor . He pointed out that
the Zoning Ordinance does permit it . He noted that it would be a
feature different from what is there . Mr . Tsapis stated that the
nature of the construction is not in any way gross . He noted that the
building frontage will be 45 ' visible from the road . He commented that
some residences are much larger than that . Mr . Tsapis stated that the
front yard , side yard and back yard requirements are well met . He
stated that although it is different , it is not so incompatible with
the neighborhood and the district to be totally out of line . He stated
further with , regard to that aspect , the Town Board which passed this
ordinance envisioned this kind of use because it did give this kind of
approval to this Board . Mr . Tsapis stated that he and his clients are
not asking for any change in zoning , merely for something which the
framers of the zoning ordinance allowed for in-, the zoning ordinance .
Mr . Tsapis referred to sub- paragraph ( d ) - - " The proposed use shall
not be detrimental to the general amenity or neighborhood character in
amounts sufficient to devaluate neighboring property or seriously incon -
venience neighboring inhabitants . Mr . Tsapis stated that he did not
see how this proposed medical clinic would seriously endanger the neigh-
borhood whatsoever . In this connection , Mr . Tsapis stated that he had
asked Mr . John Vasse , Realtor , to come in to this meeting to speak on
the issue . Mr . Tsapis stated that Mr . Vasse has nothing to do with this
matter , and that he did not know anything about it until 11 : 00 A . M . this
morning when he ( Tsapis ) called him (Vasse ) .
Zoning Board of Appeals - 7 - December 10 , 1975
Tsapis - As a realtor , have you sold land in the Ithaca area ?
Vasse - Yes .
Tsapis - How long ?
Vasse - Thirty years .
Tsapis - Have you dealt in both commercial and residential land ?
Vasse - Yes .
Tsapis - Are you familiar with � the area being discussed tonight ?
Vasse - Yes , I am familiar with the VanEpps property .
Tsapis - Have you bought and sold property in this particular area ?
Vasse - - Yes , it is a very nice area . The people have maintained their
homes well .
Tsapis - Do you think that the facility proposed here for special
permit and special . use by these Doctors would in any way
decrease the value of the homes in the neighborhood ?
Vasse - I have just completed an appraisal of the Cliff Street property
and that medical facility has not decreased the value in that
area in any way . I think that in no way would this proposed
clinic hinder the neighborhood in property values . To me , I
would think it would enhance the area . I would rather see it
in the Town of Ithaca . I think it is a very nice piece of real
estate .
Mr . Tsapis stated that he also asked Mrs . Esther Martin , Realtor ,
to speak in this connection to the Board . Mr . Tsapis stated that Mrs .
Martin is involved with this project as a real estate broker .
Tsapis - As a realtor , have you sold land in the Ithaca area ?
Martin - Yes .
Tsapis - How long ?
Martin - I also have been involved in real estate in this area of
Tompkins County for 26 years .
Tsapis - Have you bought and sold residential and commercial properties ?
Martin - Mostly residential .
Tsapis - Have you had sales on DuBois Road ?
Martin - Somewhat .
Tsapis - Are you familiar with the neighborhood ?
Martin - Yes .
Tsapis - Do you think that this project proposed by the Doctors would
devaluate the property ?
Martin - I think it would not or I would not be involved in it .
Mr . King asked Mrs . Martin if she had been involved in selling any
property near any other doctors ' offices in the area ? Mrs . Martin said
that she had not , but added that in connection with Dr . Goff ' s veterinarian
office across from the Professional Building on Trumansburg Road , she was
involved in a proposed sale there which did not materialize because of
finances . No reference to the doctor ' s offices there was ever made .
Mr . King asked if she had heard anycomments ever against a property
across from or near to a medical clinic or any residences near a doctor ' s
office . Mrs . Martin said she had not .
Mr . Vasse stated that he did not encounter any such problem either .
Mr . Tsapis stated that sub- paragraph ( d ) has now been spoken to .
Referring to sub paragraph ( e ) , " the proposed access and egress for all
structures and uses shall be safely designed . " , he stated that if the
Board is not satisfied with the design , it is subject to change . He said
that if the entrance is not wide enough , the screening having been shown
. _ Zoning Board - of Appeals - 8 - December 10 , 1975
on the plan to shield the parking area from the road , can be relocated
and the driveway opened wider . It is shown as 20 ' right now . He noted
® that DuBois Road is not an open highway - it is a rural road . Mr .
Tsapis stated that the traffic load would be about 50 cars per day .
He pointed out that the cars do not come at once and all leave at once .
He stated that there will be more traffic than was there prior to this
project . Mr . King asked if the DuBois Road access is the only one . Mr .
Tsapis said that it is at the present , but that they are in the process
of obtaining a right of way extending southeast to the Indian Creek Road ,
Mr . Tsapis stated that sub- paraqraph ( f ) has been heretofore spoken
to ( see above ) . Sub -paragraph ( f ) also refers to water and sewerage
systems . Mr . Tsapis said that a well has been dug and they have suffi =
cient water for the project . He said that they will meet the environ -
mental control requirements of the State and the County in terms of the
septic system . The Tompkins County Health Department must approve any
system . Referring to drainage , Mr . Tsapis stated that they have
indicated that they would submit their plans to the Town Engineer , Mr .
Fabbroni , for the purpose of his approval , and .further , that they would
make that a condition of any approval and before they receive any
certificate of occupancy . He noted that three members of the Board have
seen the site . Mr . Tsapis said that they will submit a screening plan
to Mr . Fabbroni . Mr . Fabbroni noted that he already has such plan in
his possession .
Mr . Tsapis stated that he knows the neighborhood concerns . He
noted that no neighborhood desires any real changes they would like to
® keep it as it is . He noted that a zoning ordinance does not insure
permanency - it allows for change . He stated that this use is permitted .
( Secretary ' s note - The text of Section . 77 , paragraph 7 , subpara -
graphs ( a ) - ( f ) is set forth in the Minutes of the Zoning Board of
Appeals Meeting of November 24 , 1975 , on page 8 . )
Mr . Tsapis stated that Mrs . Eleanor S . Glauer , 217 DuBois Road , has
circulated a Petition in support of the proposed medical clinic at the
appellant ' s request . Mr . Tsapis presented the Petition containing 18
signatures for the record .
Mr . Francese asked if there were any questions from the Board at
this time ,
Mr . King asked how the figure of 50 cars a day was determined . Dr .
Munchmeyer stated that they took a survey of the three doctors ' daily
schedule for one week . He said that the result was 50 cars a day , but
if there is a fourth doctor there would be more . Mr . Francese asked if
it were possible that after a number of years they could arrive at 100
cars a day . Dr . Munchmeyer stated firmly that they have absolutely no
intention of expansion in the downstairs area at this time , and further ,
that he had no idea howrthe` dentists question got into the discussion.
Mr . Francese stated that he noticed that this proposal is relatively
® close to the dotted line on the map which is the corridor for the Route
96 improvement . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the land in question is within
the corridor that extends from the south entrance to the hospital up as
far as the north Town of Ithaca line . This is the corridor for Route 96 ,
Mr . Fabbroni stated that there has been no indication that this building
is going to actually be in this road . In this case you have a one - half
Zoning Board of Appeals - 9 - December 10 , 1975,
mile wide corridor set out . Mr . Tsapis asked if it is correct that the
® Town of Ithaca wishes to place this highway south of the hospital . Mr .
Fabbroni said that that is correct . He further noted that the Liguori
plan ( County Planner ) comes in south of the hospital and the Town
favors that proposal . This does not sever one viable neighborhood of
the Town .
Mr . Gust Freeman , a petitioner in opposition to the proposed medical
clinic , . stated that he ' wished to apologize to the people who asked him
to come and speak for them . He stated that he is a member of the
Consensus Committee for Route 96 . He stated that the last meeting that
they had shows that the highway is going to ' be going right through the
property in question . He stated that the Consensus Committee is pushing
for the south route .
Mr . Freeman stated that he is in. the real estate business and that
he disagrees with Mr . John Vasse . He cited the Lanning property which
was very difficult to sell because of the Professional Building ,
Mr . Freeman referred to the figure presented of 50 cars per day .
He asked how many employees would be involved . Dr . Munchmeyer said
there would be 8 - 1 / 2 employees . Mr . Freeman said that that would mean
9 cars for employees and 41 cars that are patients ' cars . Dr . Kilgore
stated that there are only two days a week that all the doctors are
in the office at one time . Mr . Freeman stated that emergencies would
up the figure considerably . Dr . Munchmeyer stated that they simply had
their nurse count cars every day for one week . He said that they had
emergencies also .
Mr . Freeman .stated that the existing clinics are not in this
type of residential area . He stated that a basic principal of procedure
in real estate is for the use and best use of a piece of property .
Once a thing like this is in there then the best use is another one like
it . That is what the neighborhood is against . It is a nice residential
neighborhood as Mr . Vasse said , but he disagreed that it would not devalue
the surrounding property .
Mr . Freeman cited safety as a factor in this discussion . He stated
that there are a lot of young children in the area . Dr . Munchmeyer
stated that the parking lot is adjacent to Chandler lands and next to
Indian Creek Road . He stated that this will not increase the traffic
going up DuBois Road . He said that most of the traffic will be coming
from the hospital and from Trumansburg Road ,
Mr . Freeman stated that the doctors are going to increase the
traffic . There are no two ways about it . Mr . Freeman stated that he
cannot get it through his head that a doctor ' s practice is not a busi -
ness . Everybody knows how doctors are starving to death . Dr . Kilgore
objected to this as irrelevant .
Mr . Francese stated that whether the doctors are commercial or not
is Mr . Freeman ' s opinion . He stated that a medical clinic is permitted
® as far as the zoning ordinance is concerned . Mr . Freeman replied that
that is a crime .
Mr . Robert E . Bacon asked what the Chandler lot is zoned as he had
heard that it was commercial and asked if that was hearsay . Mr . Fabbroni
Zoning Board of' Appeals - 10 - December 10 , 1975
said . that it was hearsay - _ the Chandler property is zoned R- 30
residential .
Mrs . William Reynolds asked about potential water problems . She
stated that there have been problems with there not being enough water
in the wells . She stated that they have had to go downtown at certain
times when there has not been any rain . Mr . Tsapis did not think
that individual wells were dependent upon other wells .
Mr . Reynolds pointed out in connection with traffic problems that
the road there dips a little and then there is a rise . He said that
the proposed driveway comes out blind . He cited icy conditions as a
real hazard .
Mr . Nicholas Sturgeon wished to speak on the subject of the approval
of the proposed building . He stated that he would like to point out
that the zoning ordinance permits this proposal with the approval of
the Board of Appeals . He repeated that it is obvious that the zoning
ordinance requires the approval of the Board . He said that this means
that a proposal must be for a good purpose and one must make a strong
case and that approval is not automatic . He stated that people have
expectations about the zoning ordinance in that it protects the area
in which they expect to live . He . stated that nothing like a compelling
case has been made in this matter . He stated that ,the proposal is not
like Drs . Yale , McKeen , Stewart and Baldwin have on Cliff Street which
is already on a busy road .
Mr . George W . Dengler , 250 DuBois Road , stated that there are no
sewers there . Mr . Francese pointed out that whatever sewer facilities
are required is the purview of the Tompkins County Health Department .
He noted that they are very tough .
Mr . Reynolds stated that their well may be sufficient , but how do .
we know that their well will not draw from our wells .
Mr . Bruce Rich , 253 DuBois Road , asked the __. following - t
1 . What is the lot size ? Dr . Munchmeyer replied that it is 200 ' x
450 ' - about 2 - 3 / 4 acres .
2 . Do you have any options to buy any more land from Mr . VanEpps ?
Dr . Munchmeyer stated that they did not .
3 . Mr . Rich asked that the health and safety of the community be
considered - - they have children and pets . The Perry City Road is
nearby . There is the Trumansburg Road traffic . It has a blind
intersection from Route 96 to DuBois Road ,
4 . Mr . Rich stated that he understood that there was a meeting of
this Board before this one . He stated that he did not receive a
notice .
Mr . King stated that he wished to speak to this last matter - -
notification . He stated that there is no requirement under the law
for notification of citizens other than the official newspaper publica
tion of a notice of public hearing in - the legal notices section of the
newspaper and notification of the parties to such public hearing , i . e . ,
in this case Dr . Munchmeyer . In this case , as in all others coming
before this Board , the Secretary as a courtesy. _ mails Notices of Public
Hearing to neighboring property owners . In ' the case of Munchmeyer
in particular 49 Notices were mailed . This number includes , among others ,
the media , the Town . Clerk of Ulysses , the appellant , the appellant ' s
Attorney , and the County Planner . -
Zoning Board of Appeals - 11 - December 10 , 1975
Mrs . Reynolds stated that - she could assure the Board that there
is a real problem with water .
Mr . Edward Lasher asked if this type of approval would o
YP PP pen the
door for other developers . Mr . Francese said that this effect is taken
into consideration by this Board . Mr . Lasher asked why then are they
pursuing the _ right of way . Mr . Tsapis stated that their intent is to
develop solely this building .
Mr . Sturgeon stated that one of the main arguments that was brought
up in favor of this building was that there is traffic already because
of the store in Ulysses , and so , if this is a good argument , you have
an even better argument for more clinics once one is built .
Mrs . Reynolds asked if , under the law , you can ever have a zoning
ordinance that specifies an area as being only residential . Mr .
Francese stated that the new zoning ordinance for the Town is being
written and it is his recollection that medical clinics would still be
permitted in a residential district .
Mrs . Reynolds stated that she thinks of a clinic as a business .
Mr . Francese stated that the comments of the people will be given
equal weight with these ( indicating Drs . Munchmeyer and Kilgore and Mr .
Tsapis ) people also .
Mr . Tsapis stated that Mrs . Glauer and Mrs . Chandler are present
as persons in favor of the matter . He indicated the Petitions dis -
tributed by Mrs . Glauer in support of the proposed medical clinic .
Mr . Francese noted for the record that the Board has in hand two
Petitions both reading as follows but with different names on each :
" We , the undersigned , residents of DuBoice Road , desire to express
our support for the construction of a medical clinic proposed by Drs .
Louis Munchmeyer , Judson Kilgore and Michael Goodfriend , for the practice
of their profession in accordance with the plan submitted to the Board
of Zoning Appeals of the Town of Ithaca . We feel that the neighborhood
will not be adversely affected by such a facility and urge the Board of
Zoning Appeals to grant the special approval required . "
Mr . Francese counted 18 signatures in support of the proposed
facility .
Mr . Gust Freeman presented two Petitions in opposition to the
proposed medical clinic reading as follows :
" We , the undersigned , taxpayers of the DuBois Road , Indian Creek
Road area , object to the proposed Medical Clinic on the DuBois Road -
Town of Ithaca , New York . "
Mr . Francese counted 28 signatures in opposition to the proposed
facility .
Mr . Francese noted that Petitions in both cases of support and
opposition are signed by persons living for the most part on DuBois ' Road ,
six living on Indian Creek Road and two living on Farview Drive which
As off Indian Creek Road .
Zoning Board of Appeals - 12 - December 10 , 1975
The Public Hearing was adjourned at 9 : 22 p . m . in order to hear
the citizens present in the Hart matter . Mr . Francese stated that a
decision in the Munchmeyer matter will be rendered later in the meeting .
A discussion followed in re the right of appeal and the procedure
for a re - hearing of any matter by this Board after a decision rendered
by this Board .
DECISION IN THE MATTER OF A NEIGHBORHOOD PETITION IN CONNECTION WITH A
CHILD BOARDING PRIVATE HOME AT 635 SHEFFIELD ROAD -DIRECTED BY DR .
GEOFFREY J . HART .
At 9 : 33 p . m . Chairman Francese declared the discussion of the
neighborhood petition , dated October 25 , 1975 , and adjourned from the
Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of November 5 , 1975 , and adjourned from
the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of November 24 , 1975 , duly open for
further discussion and the rendering of a decision .
Mr . Francese stated , referring to Section 267 of Town Law , subdivi -
sion 6 , that only upon a unanimous vote of the members of the Zoning
Board of Appeals to do so , may the Zoning Board of Appeals re -hear a
matter previously heard by such Board and rendered a decision upon .
Mr . Francese asked for a Motion to re - hear this matter .
There was no Motion forthcoming from any member of the Zoning Board
of Appeals to re - hear the Appeal of Samuel and M . V . Barol from the
® decision of the Building Inspector denying a Child - Boarding Private Home
as - a permitted use in an agricultural district ( Parcel No . 6 - 24 - 1 - 41 . 6 ) ,
635 Sheffield Road , Ithaca , New York ,
Mr . Francese announced that Board member King has presented to the
Board a written statement under date of December 3 , 1975 , which he
proposes be adopted as the position statement of the Board on this
matter .
Mr . Francese asked the Board members whether all have read and are
familiar with the written statement . The Board members answered yes .
Mr . Francese asked if any Board member wished to propose any
additions , deletions , or amendments to the statement as written . The
only change forthcoming from the Board members was from Mr . Francese ,
as follows : the third paragraph reading " On October 23rd about 11 : 00
P . M . a rock was thrown through the window of a neighbor , and it appeared
likely that one or more of the four children then in Dr . Hart ' s custody
might have done the deed when he had sent them out to wait in his car
a few minutes pending a trip to return a volunteer worker to her home . " ,
be changed to read " Mr . Lucas said that on October 23rd about 11 : 00 P . M .
a rock was thrown through his window , and he alleges that one or more
of the four children then in Dr . Hart ' s custody might have done the
deed when he ( Dr . Hart ) had sent them out to wait in his car a few
minutes pending a trip to return a volunteer worker to her home . "
MOTION by Mr . Edward King , seconded by Mr . Edward Austen :
RESOLVED , that the amendment to the written statement read by all
and prepared by Board member King as recommended by Mr . Francese be and
hereby is adopted .
Zoning Board of Appeals - 13 - December 10 , 1975
There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote .
Aye - Francese , Hewett , Ripley , King , Austen .
Nay - None .
The MOTION to amend was carried unanimously .
Mr . Francese asked if there were a Motion that the December 3rd ,
1975 , written statement of Mr . King be adopted as amended .
MOTION by Mrs . Laurene Ripley , seconded by Mr . Edward Austen :
RESOLVED , that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca
adopt and hereby does adopt the written statement of Mr . Edward King
under date of December 3 , 1975 , as amended at this meeting , as the
position statement of the Board on this matter ( Hart ) .
There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote .
Aye - Francese , Hewett , Ripley , King , Austen .
Nav - None .
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously .
The position statement of the Zoning Board of Appeals is as follows :
BAROL PROPERTY , USE OF RESIDENCE AT 635 SHEFFIELD ROAD ( PARCEL NO .
6 - 24 - 1 - 41 . 6 ) IN AN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT AS A CHILD - BOARD FACILITY .
[ Zoning Ordinance ss . 511
This case concerns the use of a private residence in an Agricultural
Zone ( where R- 30 uses are also permitted ) as a Non - Secure Detention Home
for up to 6 juveniles , ages 7 to 16 , who may be charged or held as
Runaways , or Persons in Need of Supervision , or Juvenile Delinquents ,
and are so held under the authority of the Family Court . The facility
is known as " Creekwood " and is the residence of Dr . Geoffrey Joseph
Hart and his wife , and is operated by Dr . Hart under license from and
contract with the Tompkins County Department of Social Services , and
under House Rules promulgated by Dr . Hart . He utilizes a staff of 2
or 3 assistants , as needed , and has volunteer assistance from area
college students from time to time . The children are here detained
awaiting Family Court Action , return , or foster home placement , for
periods from overnight to up to 45 days maximum - - with three -week
stays being the usual .
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved this use as a Temporary Use
Variance to Dr . Hart for the duration of his licensing period by, the
Tompkins County Department of Social Services . Such approval was given
August 27 , 1975 after a public hearing on Notice published in the Ithaca
Journal on 8 / 22 / 75 and mailed to four neighbors and to the Enfield Town
Clerk . No one appeared in opposition at the August 27th hearing .
Mr . Lucas said that on October 23rd about 11 : 00 P . M . a rock was thrown
through his window , and he alleges that one or more of the four children
then in Dr . Hart ' s custody might have done the deed when he ( Dr . Hart )
had sent them out to wait in his car a few minutes pending a trip to
return a volunteer worker to her home .
Zoning Board of Appeals - 14 - December 10 , 1975 .
This came to the Board ' s attention through a petition- letter
signed by some dozen neighborhood families ( including apparently three
to whom the original Notice of Hearing had been mailed ) , asking that
the Board cancel the permission given Dr . Hart to operate the facility .
The petitioners and Dr . Hart and others were informally heard on the
matter in . a 1 - 1 / 2 hour hearing on November 5 , 1975 . At such meeting ,
Dr . Hart presented copies of his eleven House Rules for regulating the
conduct of the children , advised all of his more stringent supervision
measures taken as a result of the October 23rd incident , and announced
that he was holding an Open House at the facility the following Sunday
Afternoon , to which all were invited to inspect the facility and talk
with staff and children then resident .
The Board then scheduled a progress report for the next Board
meeting , on November 24 , 1975 .
A number of the petitioners and Dr . Hart and others were present
on November 24th , when it was reported that no one had attended the
Open House , nor were there any new developments to report by anyone .
There had been no other incidents in the intervening month .
Among the complaints voiced by the petitioners was one that the
Notice given by the Board referred only to a proposal for " boarding
children " in a private home : that it did not alert area residents
that this was to be a " detention facility " as defined under the Family
Court Act . And another complaint was that the Notice had been mailed
to only four adjacent or nearby property owners , all of them in the
Town of Ithaca , and none to persons resident in the Town of Enfield
across the road - - although such Notice had been mailed directly to
the Enfield Town Clerk for posting , mailing , or other dissemination as
that Town might require or deem advisable .
As to the latter point , the Board notes that Town Law ( ss . 267 ( 5 ) )
does not require the mailing of such a Notice to anyone other than
" parties " to the proceedings ; and Case Law makes it clear that owners of
adjoining properties and other neighbors , are not such parties .
[ Ottinger v . Arenal Realty Co . 257 N . Y . 371 . 1 There is no special
requirement in the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance respecting the
giving of notice in any manner other than as required under the Town
Law . Therefore , the mailing of the notices to other than parties as
was done in this case , was strictly gratuitous , evidencing a desire
and intent that no owner of adjacent property in the Township shall be
caught unawares of proceedings before the Board .
As for the Notice having described the intended use as " a child -
boarding private home " rather than a " non - secure detention facility
under ss . 720 of the Family Court Act " , there is no question that the
latter description would have provided much more specific information
as to the intended use . The Court Act defines " detention " and " non -
secure detention facility " as follows :
ss . 720 . DETENTION ( a ) For the purposes of this article ,
( i ) " detention " shall mean the temporary care
and maintenance away from their own homes of
children held for or at the direction of the
Family Court pending ajudication of alleged
juvenile delinquency or need for supervision
by such Court or pending transfer to insti -
tutions to which committed or placed by such
Zoning Board of Appeals - 15 - December 10 , 1975
Court while awaiting disposition by such
Court after adjudication ;
" non - secure detention facility "
shall mean a . facility characterized by the
absence of physically restricting construc -
tion , hardware and procedures .
It is clear that the Notice as given in this case did correctly
advise of the intended use , viz . the boarding of � children . For more
specific information - - namely that these children might be wayward ,
truants , and juvenile accuseds , one would have had to attend the
hearing .
But we think the Notice was adequate and legally sufficient .
While it might have been preferable to have the Notice more pointed ,
the law does not require that the Notice contain all of the particulars
of the case . The details were freely available to anyone who cared to
inquire further at the time .
Moreover , the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance , as far as here
concerned , and the use variance requested , concern only the intensity
of occupation of the dwelling insofar as it would be occupied by some
persons not related to the Hart family_ there in residence . The matter
did not concern the construction of a jail or the turning of a large ,
single - family residence into a reform school or penal institution .
The clear intent of the Family Court Act was to provide a home for
temporary care and maintenance of these children : it specifically
provides that no such child " shall be detained in any prison , jail ,
lockup , without special approval , and that no child under 10
years of age should be detained in anything but a non - secure detention
facility .
The Board cannot assure that these children will behave as angels
while under the care of Dr . Hart in this home . But we cannot assure that
as to any other child resident in this neighborhood in any other home ,
with any other family . There are undoubtedly some children who live
within a mile or two of this property who are more likely to cause
trouble and property damage in the area than are some of the children
who will be resident with Dr . Hart , The Zoning Ordinance is not
designed to regulate their conduct or restrict their residence .
But we can be fairly certain that it is most unlikely that any
other family in this area has posted eleven " House Rules " strictly
regulating the conduct , possessions , bedtime , play areas , time outdoors ,
etc , etc , as is the case here for the operation of the Hart facility .
Nor is it likely. that any other family keeps its children under as much
surveillance as does Dr . Hart . Obviously and unfortunately such
surveillance and rules cannot absolutely assure the avoidance of
miscreant behavior on occasion .
The aim of the Family Court Act is to deter and supervise those
children 16 and under who have run afoul of the law , or have simply run
away from the home or environment in which they found themselves . The
purpose of a non - secure facility is to avoid the stigma and the traumatic
effect upon a child or youth of having been placed behind iron bars .
It is likely that jails immediately callous the individual and stigmatize
him ; once jailed , he is more likely to become a repeater in trouble with
the law . This home and its detention provisions are designed to avoid
Zoning Board of Appeals - 16 - December 10 , 1975
that effect .
We hope that neighborhood hostility, toward these children and
this facility does not accomplish the further alienation which Society
hereby seeks to avoid . How much nicer it would be if the neighbors were
willing to be more concerned with the future of the errant child , and
accordingly willing to accept him into the community to some degree ,
hopefully thereby to demonstrate that he is not yet a complete outcast
from society ; that there are better ways for him to behave within
society , to his own advantage and that of all of us .
There is the further point that the temporary use variance
which this Board gave to Dr . Hart on August 27th induced him to purchase
the Barol property under the contract he had in which this use possi -
bility was a contingency . In that situation , it is questionable whether
this Board could legally change its decision at this point in view of
the provisions of Town Law ss . 267 ( 6 ) .
The Board , having heard and considered all of the objections raised
by the petitioners in these last two informal hearings , has for the
foregoing reasons decided against a formal re - hearing of the matter ,
and hereby reaffirms its action of August 27 , 1975 granting Dr . Hart
the temporary use variance for the premises concerned . It is to be
hoped that Dr . Hart will again offer to hold an Open House , whereby
the members of the community may become more fully acquainted with
the operation of the facility and the children for whom it is provided .
We believe that signs of open hostility for these youths cannot help
but invite hostility and mischief in return ; whereas signs of kindness
and friendliness may well produce friendship and serve as considerable
aids towards rehabilitation of these children .
Edward W . King
December 3 , 1975
The foregoing position statement of the Zoning Board of Appeals of
the Town of Ithaca on the Hart matter was read aloud in its entirety by
Chairman Francese .
Chairman Francese asked if there were any comments from the people
present at this.. meeting .
Mr . Albert S . Lucas presented to the Board and asked that it be
made a part of the record , a letter sent to him under date of December
8 , 1975 , and signed by Geoffrey J . Hart , together with an attached
statement , as follows :
1 . Letter Dec . 8 , 1975
" Dear Mr . Lucas ,
With reference to your recent bill : In the interests of
speedy settlement of this matter I am prepared to reimburse you
to the extent of $ 83 . 02 upon receipt of the accompanying statement
signed by you . I do not consider your claim for your own labor
to be at all appropriate since it takes no account of the time
I have spent in responding to your various actions , time which
I estimate has cost me at least sixty dollars .
Yours faithfully ,
( sgd . ) Geoffrey Hart "
Zoning Board of Appeals - 17 - December 10 , 1975
2 . Statement
" Date . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr . Geoffrey J . Hart ,
635 Sheffield Road ,
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Dear Dr . Hart ,
I hereby wish to affirm that I will take no further action
which may be inimical to your interests or to those of Creekwood
Youth Home . I further declare that I am prepared to accept your
continued operation of Creekwood Youth Home at your present
address under such conditions as you and the Department of
Social Services of Tompkins County may consider appropriate .
Yours faithfully ,
Albert S . Lucas "
Mr . Lucas asked if this type of thing was usual . He also asked if
it were proper for him to have to indicate that he could not take any
.further action in any case that might happen . The Board members felt
that there was nothing illegal in the letter and statement sent by Dr .
Hart but that the acceptance of same was between Dr . Hart and Mr . Lucas
and whether Mr . Lucas signed the statement or not was up to him .
Mrs . Carol Pyhtila stated that it seemed to her that throughout
these hearings the neighbors have been addressed by the Board in terms
of there having been no . _f_ urther incidents . She said that the purpose
of this whole thing is to indicate the neighbors concern that the
project was not Presented to the community clearly as to what it really
is . She stated further that the neighbors are there also as parents
of young children and to state that the persons maintained in " Creekwood "
could be a danger to their children . She stated that they are zoned
as residences and they thought they had protection . She stated that
the Board members have not considered the concerns of the people in the
area fairly . Mrs . P _yhtila said that she is trying to sell her house
and she had a buyer who was very much in favor of buying it . He did
not make an offer . She said she explained to him the type of facility
near her house . He then said that he was not interested .
Mr . John Vasse commented that this home has not helped the area
in terms of selling property . The garage doors are boarded up .
Mr . Francese commented that the permit is reviewed .every year .
He asked Mr . Vasse ifJit were supposed that it is now one or two years
from today and the garage doors are now painted up and it looks less
like it is boarded up like a place of detention , would it still appear
to Mr . Vasse to depreciate the value ? Mr . Vasse said that you just say
the word " detention " home and people are turned off .
Mr . Frances commented that it has not been mentioned anywhere that
every time there is any incident whatsoever of any kind , these kids will
be blamed .
Zoning Board of Appeals - 18 - December 10 , 1975
Mr . Francese , as Chairman , declared the matter of the Hart ( Barol )
Appeal closed .
RE - CONVENING OF APPEAL OF SANFORD REUNING ( BREWSTER , APPELLANTS ) IN RE
PROPOSED MUSIC SCHOOL ON DANBY ROAD ,
At 10 : 10 P . M . Chairman duly called back into session the discussion
of the Reuning Matter , having been adjourned from earlier in this meeting .
FINDINGS OF FACT :
1 . The requested use comes under Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance Article
IV , Section 11 , paragraph 4 , as a .private school which the Zoning
Board of Appeals can approve , but it also has elements of a custo -
mary home occupation in an R- 15 zone .
2 . It is in keeping with the character of R- 15 zones in general and in
keeping with this particular neighborhood .
3 . The Board of Appeals finds that this is a unique location because of
its proximity to Ithaca College and the National Cash Register.
factory .
4 . The Board of Appeals finds that this proposed use will not be
detrimental to the health , safety or general welfare of this
community and will not add significantly to the traffic load on the
Danby Road : that it is in a high traffic area in any event .
5 . The proposed parking area with 17 spaces as shown on the site plan ,
plus a two - car garage , would seem to be more than adequate for the
intended use and does comply with the requirements of Article XIII ,
Section 69 , paragraph 1 .
6 . The mixed use of residential and school with related sale and repair
of instruments is in keeping with the character of this mixed use
neighborhood .
MOTION by Chairman Peter Francese , seconded by Mrs . Laurene Ripley :
RESOLVED , that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca
grant and hereby does grant special approval to Mr . and Mrs . Sanford
Reuning and Mr . Franklin Butler to operate a private music school with
related incidental sales and repairs of musical instruments together with
the existing two dwelling units , subject to the following restrictions
which are hereby imposed :
1 . That the . entrance drive from Danby Road shall be no less than
15 ' with radius of curvature at throat sufficient to allow
smooth access and egress to and from Danby Road .
2 , That the parking area for 17 cars shall be clearly laid out on
the site plan with dimensions and spaces shown and shall be
approved by the Town Engineer ,
3 . It should be further noted that if in the future 17 spaces are
not adequate for the clientele and personnel of the school the
Board of Appeals will require additional spaces .
Zoning Board of Appeals - 19 - December 10 , 1975
4 . That the second exit from the third floor apartment shall be
a walk-out type exit to the second floor roof with a suitable
walkway to a stairway leading from the second floor roof to
the ground .
5 . All exits from the first floor shall be developed so as6to pro -
vide unimpeded egress from the building .
6 . That any signs to be erected shall conform to the requirements
of the Zoning Ordinance , Article IV , Section 11 , paragraph 9 ,
. and shall be specifically approved by the Building Inspector as
to type and location .
7 . That the residential occupancy of this building shall conform
to the zoning requirements applicable to two - family residences
as enacted by the Town Board on the 11th day of May , 1970 , as
Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and as published May 29 ,
1970 , and republished August 17 , 1970 , for clarification of
wording .
8 . That the commercial aspects of this operation shall be of
limited intensity as represented to this Board : that any
significant increase in the commercial activities may be
considered cause for revoking the permit hereby given .
There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote .
Aye - Peter Francese , Laurene Ripley , Edward King , Jack Hewett , Edward
Austen .
Nay - None .
The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously .
The Chairman declared the matter of the Appeal of John D . and
Winifred Brewster for the proposed Reuning Music School duly closed at
10 : 40 p . m .
RE -CONVENING OF ADJOURNED APPEAL OF DR . LOUIS W . MUNCHMEYER ET AL FROM
THE DECISION OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR DENYING PERMISSION TO CONSTRUCT
A MEDICAL CLINIC ON DUBOIS ROAD ( A PORTION OF PARCELS NO , 6 - 22 - 2 - 2 . 2
AND 6 - 22 - 2- 16 ) , ITHACA , NEW YORK .
After having adjourned the discussion of the above - noted appeal at
9 : 22 p . m . in order to attend to the Hart matter which was duly before
the Board , the Chairman re -opened the adjourned Appeal of Dr . Louis W .
Munchmeyer at 10 : 42 p . m .
Mr . Edward King referred to a letter received on December 5 , 1975 ,
by the Town Clerk from Mr . Stanley Tsapis and dated December 3 , 1975 .
Said letter was addressed to Mr . Peter Francese , Chairman , and copies
were sent to the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals , the Town Attorney ,
and the Town Clerk as noted . Mr . King stated that as far as the sugges -
tion goes that Mr . Austen might decide to abstain from participation in
this matter since he is a resident in the area , he ( Mr . King ) would point
out that Town Law requires that Board members be a resident of the Town ,
and further living a quarter of a mile or so from the site being con -
sidered for a particular use does not per se disqualify him from voting
on this issue . Mr . King stated that he personally would not consider
him as being disqualified from voting .
Zoning Board of Appeals - 20 - December 10 , 1975
MOTION by Mr . Edward King , seconded by Mrs . Laurene Ripley .
RESOLVED , that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca
approve and hereby does approve the request by Dr . Louis W . Munchmever
et al for the use of this property on DuBois Road as a clinic , subject
to proper restrictions which this Board should adopt following said
approval .
There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote .
Aye - Edward King , Laurene Ripley .
Nay - Peter Francese , Jack Hewett , Edward Austen ,
The Chair declared the MOTION defeated .
Mr . Francese , speaking for those who voted against this Motion ,
stated that he felt that the proposed use is not consistent with the
character of .the neighborhood in which it was proposed to be located .
He stated that they felt that this facility would be much more appro -
priate on the Trumansburg Road where vacant land might be available
suitable for such use .
Mr . King stated , as one in favor , that he felt that the proposed
building and layout appeared to be quite harmonious with the existing
character of the neighborhood which is not intensely residentially
developed as yet and that he felt that its location in proximity to
the hospital and especially to the County Laboratory via Indian Creek
Road and the connecting road into the hospital grounds made it ideal
® from the point of view of perspective patients who would be passing
between the two . Mr . King added further that he was not sure that there
is land along the main highway which would be available to them for
this . use in the vicinity of the hospital .
The Public Hearing was declared closed at 11 : 15 p . m .
ADJOURNMENT
Upon Motion , the December 10 , 1975 , meeting of the Town of Ithaca
Zoning Board of Appeals was adjourned at 11 : 25 p . m .
Respectfully submitted
Nancy M . Fuller , Secretary
eter K . Francese , Chairman
Zoning Board of Appeals
e
J
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
TOWN CLERK ' S OFFICE
ITHACA , N . Y .
I , Edward L . Bergen , being duly
sworn , say that I am the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins
County , New York , that the following notice has been duly posted on
the sign board of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca and that the
notice has been duly published in the local newspaper : ( Ithaca Journal )
Notice of Public Hearing before Zoning Board of Appeals on December 10 ,
1975 'at Town Offices at 126 E . Seneca Street , Ithaca , N . Y . at 7e. 30 p . m .
o const er ap -
ing permission for a music school proposed by Sanford Reuning at 929 - 931
Danby Roact , . 00
p . m . adjourned hearing in re appeal of Dr . Louis W . Munchmeyer et al from
ecislon ad
( a portion of Parcels No . 6 -- 22 -- 2 - 2 . 2 and 6 - 22 - 2 - 16 ) , Ithaca , N . Y .
Location of sign board used for posting : Entrance to Town Offices at
126 E . Seneca Street , Ithaca , N . Y .
Date of Posting ; December 2 , 1975
Date of Publication ; December 4 , 1975
- h �
Edw L . Bergen -
Town Clerk
Town of Ithaca
State of New York
County of Tompkins SS .
Town of Ithaca
Sworn to before me this loth day of December 1975
NOTARY
GERTRUDE H. BERGEN ro
Notary Public, State of New Yo
No, 55-5275725
Qualified in Tompkins Countv
`Perm Expires March 30, 19
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DECEMBER 10 , . 197 5
TOWN OF ITHACA
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
By direction of the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals ,
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Public Hearings will be held by the
Zoning Board of Appeals under the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of
Ithaca on Wednesday , the 10th day of December , 1975 , in the Town Hall ,
126 East Seneca Street ( second floor ) , Ithaca , New York , at the
following times and on the following matters :
7 : 30. P . M . Appeal of John D . and Winifred Brewster , Appellants , from'
the decision of the Building Inspector denying permission
for a music school proposed by Sanford Reuning at 929 - 931
Danby Road , Parcels No . 6 - 41 - 1 - 2 and 6 - 41 - 1 - 3 , Ithaca , N . Y .
Permission is denied by the Building Inspector under
Article . IV , Section 11 , paragraph 4 , of the Zoning
Ordinance .
8 : 00 P . M . Adjourned Public Hearing in re Appeal of Dr . Louis W .
Munchmeyer et al from the decision of the Building Inspector
denying permission to construct a medical 'clinic on DuBois
Road ( a portion of Parcels No . 6 - 22 - 2 - 2 . 2 and 6 - 22 - 2 - 16 ) ,
Ithaca , N . Y .
Said Board of Appeals 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 .
Lawrence P . Fabbroni
Building Inspector
Town of Ithaca
Dated : December 2 , 1975
Publish : December 4 , 1975
0
Y
9
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE BY MAIL
STATE OF NEW YORK SS •
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS ) '
Nancy M . Fuller , being duly sworn , deposes and says , that
deponent ' is not a party to the actions , is over 21 years of age
and resides at 316 Turner Place , Ithaca , N . Y .
That on the 2nd day of December , 1975 , deponent served the
within Notice upon :
Mr . Emil Policay , Director Rumsey- Ithaca Corp .
Buildings and Properties P . O . Box 68
Ithaca College Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Danby Road
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850 June Chandler
DuBois Road
George and Inez Cox Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
925 Danby Road
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850 Mrs . Carl W . Vail
215 DuBois Road
Wayne G . Prouty Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
923 Danby Road
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850 Miss Alice B . Conover
Town Clerk
Benjamin and Vivian Ellis Town of Ulysses
919 Danby Road 10 Elm Street
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850 Trumansburg , N . Y . 14886
Dr . J . Dix Wayman Raymond Glauer
917 Danby Road 217 DuBois Road
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850 Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
NCR Fenton and Gladys Loomis
Box 209 219 DuBois Road
930 Danby Road Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Larry and Eileen Rhonemus
Morse Chain Division Borg-Warner Corp . 103 Indian Creek Road
South Aurora Street Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
William L . Reynolds
Steve and Lorraine Y.otsides 212 DuBois Road
924 Danby Road Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Harold S . Porter
George and Anne Vliet 210 DuBois Road
918 Danby Road Ithaca , N . Y . 1A850
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Robert and Carolyn Bacon
NCR 208 DuBois . Road
950 Danby Road Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Mary, Yenei
John D . ` and Winifred Brewster 256 Bundy Road
929 Danby Road Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Lawrence and Ann Jordan , Jr
Sanford Reuning 238 DuBois Road
112 West Buttermilk Falls Road Ithaca , N . Y . " 148.50
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
N N . and J . Sturgeon
Laura Holmberg , Attorney 240 DuBois Road
Wiggins , Tsapis , •� Holmberg & Gersh Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
308 North Tioga Street
Ithaca , N . Y . -- 14850 DeWitt Historical .Society
® t 116 North Cayuga Street
Dr . Louis W . Munchmeyer Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
, 1301 Trumansburg Road
Ithaca , N . Y , ' 14850 - � `
4
1
Tompkins County Hospital Administration
1285 Trumansburg Road
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Teresa Jenks
105 DuBois Road -
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Lawrence and Evelyn Miller
242 DuBois Road
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Esther Martin
425 North Cayuga Street
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
Stanley Tsapis , Esq .
Wiggins , . Tsapis , Holmberg & Gersh
308 North Tioga Street
Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
By depositing same enclosed in a postpaid addressed wrapper ,
in a post office under- the exclusive care and custody of the
United States P
ost Office Department within the State of New
York ,
Nancy M4 ul e
Sworn . to before me this
2nd day of December , 1975 .
'Votary Public
GERTRU ,E Ii: BERGE
Notary P blic5c9t5278725Ne`v York
guaiified in rro ark nspCo9ll
'Perm Exp
RECEIVE ®
ITHACA
o .'' , •y. Y4 .a' � 1-.. xx .+:! TOWN
Or
til � �. � ;�.;{}�?. !�; d��?).�7J :�.. �' ;:; 'i f_1"i �• �'
p � , !� i tgn X?C for a music school proposed
by Sanford Reuning , Contract Vendee ,
.-. •.-.• .u•ar•�..r.c. wr- ��.:-.-ae.-m_x..�.�..:nn.m:m.:t,c.a..:...+v:.rm.•♦�:s:c..•mr.-.r:ru:nri..,.e.lnrtrirn..-...•w• ;..-,..rv-.a+..��.evra..�•r..w.:-�:.wawavr:+cm•�.-r....:_-.ww.c.m,-..rc.;:naw:•v....v..;r:n-.+•••.• .rv.
„ r 929 - 931 Danby Road , .F
it !
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g.y y� +'1 j+'. 44�� .1i :` . , j'� 1'L p"-j 1`,�+ (} ' r,T� 4r n Y I�.� �[] � �• r j yc :'6 .r,,,q• .. 1.• .Y. '#' ('1 •.z S. .3. 9l 1'♦ }. .. y �.
♦` 1J '%, 46
- ':J -.J �l�l .l 41` •y. .� .1 {�i . dG .� 1.�: .n ♦ �- ! O.: .I L .. . . i Y L " •.
of s :Uch perm 'it wolt'sld tae. :in 'v is o:i. at, inr of ARTICLE IV ,
11 .00 Paragraph 4
(f.)y iYCil}u •.T'.Y I!+M,/♦il'I2INY,.YCOtIAJ CM R�
of she Town of Ithaca 2, oning ordinarsce
t je TTIND RSIGI ED respectfully submits this appeal from such
d P<• ia'�1 rR rrC. i t. yt. ' fffrl♦ of "rv:fu appeal af f Ir-as t.hit strict os --
P : °tistca % !'s.." `Lhe ')rdina ace a oto d impose 'PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES
o=ZId or an fol 9. owee
Special approval of the Board of Appeals required .
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6YG5LgR\1]Sllf�+iS:Safi_^.S^.:.tltCV%E@f�..ug61tiX1lstS1MR.Y.H.'!2e5fiC:E�[i-Y'4,NasX4ML.a3R.T.1`YC!YLS 39D:♦sc+21 CT.ffiSitGWR!!1tY .JYSiidCi
MJ:e21g3SJP Tifrd.R39-.la.Ctl•JISRI p!FTi�nO�LR^�'2e:11V•I.R.:'IGS`tEyC�".I.a¢111n.u:�'v�6RlYLiiEYJ..AfJOf.SfiV4W�l:n'NJ.*.^�f. MY t [yiIJIAYYffiPJQ' '1I3�3��PH�1@f.-CW.-Jo�'$URL
Si gri.edi
D . Boardm n Lee , Attorney and
s•.- w
Z4,, 1. _, Dec . e 19 75 . Ag e n�� car
M.,„Yr. � � ., • .� �.�, ,�.
John D . and Winifred Brewster
4
ITHACA CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION , MUSIC AND THE ARTS
929 Danby Road , Ithaca , N . Y . 14850
ITHACA TALENT EDUCATION SCHOOL
Private music school offering instruction on violin , piano
and ' cello . Emphasis on early childhood education with the
Suzuki method , together with teacher training / student -
teaching .
EARLY DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL
A pre - school for ages 3 - 5 offering instruction in math ,
reading , poetry , language , art and music .
I . T . E . VIOLIN SHOP
Specializing in sales and rentals of string instruments and
accessories . Repairs .
PIPE & TABOR
Specializing in sales of early instrument reproductions , and
the solo and ensemble music for those instruments .
CENTER FOR EARLY MUSIC *
Instruction offered on period instruments , study of performance
practice and inter - related disciplines .
CENTER FOR ARTISANS *
Center for musical instrument building and other art works by
artist - craftsmen .
SUZUKI ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAS *
Office space for the national office of the executive - secretary .
* Planned for the future development of the building
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