HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 1988-09-14 Zoning Board of Appeals Fam
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TOWN OF ITHACA
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
September 14 , 1988
A regular meeting of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of
Appeals was held on September 14 , 1988 at the Ithaca Town Hall ,
126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York .
PRESENT : Chairman Henry Aron , Edward Austen , Edward King ,
Joan Reuning , Building Inspector Andrew Frost , Town Planner Susan
Beeners , and Town Attorney John C . Barney .
ALSO PRESENT : William Gerber , John Kiefer , Steve Little ,
Scot Raynor , Joe Burkhart , Joe P . Burkhart , Neil Alling , Kris
Alling , Wesley McDermott , Sheila Snyder , Al Snyder ,
The public meeting opened at 7 : 00 p . m .
Chairman * Aron stated that all posting and publication of the
public hearings had been completed and that proper affidavits of
same were in order .
• Photographs of the subject properties were passed around for
the Board to review .
The first item on the agenda was the following :
APPEAL of Cornell University , Appellant , Henry E . Doney ,
Director of Engineering and Facilities , Agent , requesting
Special Approval , pursuant to Article V , Section 18 ,
Paragraph 4 , of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance , of the
proposed construction of a new electric substation , related
equipment , and two new service lines near the existing NYSEG
East Ithaca Substation , proposed to be located north of
Maple Avenue , on Town of Ithaca ' Tax Parcel No . 6 - 63 - 1 - 11 ,
Residence District R- 30 ,
11
Chairman Aron declared the Zoning Board of Appeals the lead
agency in this matter '.
Mr . John Kiefer , addressed the Board representing Cornell .
Mr . Kiefer presented drawings outlining the project and explained
that the existing substation that serviced Cornell was no longer
big enough to meet the electric load capacity requirements of the
University . Additionally , he said , ` they were having serious
problems with the quality of the voltage from the existing
substation , particularly in the summertime when they had low
• voltage to the extent that research was interrupted . Mr . Kiefer
said their intent was to build a new facility that would solve
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 2
• the voltage problem and at the same time provide capacity for
future growth in the University . Mr . iKiefer showed the location
of the substation on ' the map , marked in red and designated as
" Hi,
. Chairman Aron asked if Cornell had at this time another
station . Mr . Kiefer responded that the existing substation that
performed the functions of the proposed one was currently owned
by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation and pointed out its
location on the map ( designated as " E " ) . Chairman Aron said it
looked as though Cornell intended to build a substation and hook
into the lines of " E " . Mr . Kiefer said that was correct , that
the proposed Cornell' substation would be served from the same
transmission lines that serviced the NYSEG substation .
Joan Reuning asked if they would have both stations , E and
H , and Mr . Kiefer responded that was correct , that NYSEG would
maintain their substation to service other loads in the area .
Edward King asked if the NYSEG , substation serviced other
than Cornell and Mr . Kiefer responded that was correct . Mr .
Kiefer presented a photograph which he said was very similar to
the proposed Cornell facility .
After reviewing the map and studying the location of the
• proposed site , Mr . King suggested that the tax parcel number was
incorrect . Discussion ensued on this " matter . Ms . Beeners stated
that when this matter went before the Planning Board she had
determined that the ; tax parcel number was 6 - 63 - 1 - 11 . However ,
she said , after reviewing the map further she now thought the
parcel number should be corrected to 6 - 63 - 1 - 5 . Chairman Aron
asked Attorney Barney if he concurred and Attorney Barney stated
he wanted to look at the rest of the tax map to determine the
exact parcel number .
Chairman Aron asked Ms . Beeners ' to review the environmental
assessment of this matter which she did . A copy of such review
entitled " PART II -A - Environmental Assessment - Site Plan
Proposed Cornell University Electrical Substation " , Lead Agency :
Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals , Reviewer : George R .
Frantz , Assistant Town Planner , Review Date : August 12 , 1988 , is
attached hereto as Exhibit 1 .
Chairman Aron asked Ms . Beeners if there had been any
recommendation by the Planning Board as to buffering and Ms .
Beeners responded that it was determined that it would not be
necessary except if the land to the east were developed for some
use where buffering , might be appropriate . At the present time ,
she said , she knew of no plans by Cornell for that land which was
currently horse pasture and experimental fields . Ms . Beeners
said it would be Cornell ' s incentive if there was any future
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 3
• development to do landscaping .
Chairman Aron asked Mr . Kiefer what the size of the site
would be and Mr . Kiefer responded that the site would be roughly
100 feet by 100 feet but could possibly be as large as 125 feet
by 125 . feet .
Chairman Aron asked if the transformers would be outside
the building and Mr ., Kiefer responded the proposed substation
would be almost identical to the building shown in the photograph
he had presented . Mt . Kiefer said the intent of the design of
this building would be to have a low-profile sub to be kept out
of sight of people ' s vision .
Chairman Aron asked how many KWs the station would produce
and Mr . Kiefer responded that the rating of the substation would
be about 100 , 000 KWs . Chairman Aron asked if this would be
sufficient for Cornell to take care of all its needs now and in
the future . Mr . Kiefer responded that the proposed substation
would take care of Cornell for about another ten years but the
size of the fenced in area mentioned would be big enough to
install a third transformer which would then take care of Cornell
for probably another twenty- five years .
Mr . King inquired how high the chain link fence would be and
Mr . Kiefer responded that it would be on the order of ten feet .
• Mr . King asked if the fence would be;; clear around the perimeter
and Mr . Kiefer responded that was correct . Mr . King asked what
the closest distance from the fence to any of the electrical
equipment would be . Mr . Kiefer said the closest they would let
them come would be on the order of twenty to twenty - five feet .
Chairman Aron asked if someone would occupy the building and
Mr . Kiefer replied that it would not be a manned facility but
that they would inspect it weekly .
Mr . King inquired if there were °any residential buildings on
the north side of Maple Avenue and ' Mr . Kiefer responded there
were not .
Mr . Austen inquired if the distribution lines from NYSEG
would be switched over to this substation and Mr . Kiefer replied
that their intent was to purchase the NYSEG 13 . 2 KV feeders and
continue to use them for that purpose . Mr . Austen asked if
Cornell would be adding more lines and Mr . Kiefer said not
immediately but would expect in five , or ten years to reconductor
them from 1200 amps to 2000 amps .
The public hearing was opened . No one appeared . The public
hearing was closed .
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 4
• Mr . King then read from a document entitled " Cornell
University Substation , North of Maple' Avenue , REcommendation to
Zoning Board of Appeals , Planning Board , August 16 , 19880 , a copy
of which document is attached hereto as Exhibit 2 .
A motion as to the environmental assessment was made by
Edward King as follows :
RESOLVED , that this Board finds a negative determination of
environmental impact in this matter adopting the same
findings and based upon the same reasoning as that stated in
the Planning Board resolution .
Joan Reuning seconded the motion . °
The voting was as follows :
Aye - Reuning , Aron , King , Austen
Nay - None
The motion was unanimously carried .
Attorney Barney inquired if Mr . Kiefer could tell from his
sketch where the building was with relation to the old railroad .
Mr . Kiefer said it was a little south of the railroad right of
• way and was not on it , but the north side of the fence would be
roughly 50 feet south of the railroad right of way .
Mr . King said the application stated that the new substation
would change the University ' s service classification from
distribution voltage to transmission voltage and would decrease
the cost of electricity to the University . Mr . King was puzzled
by this as the voltage was the same in both situations . Mr .
Kiefer said the reason for this was that right now the University
purchased electricity at 13 , 200 volts and when this facility was
built the voltage at „ the purchase point would be 115 , 000 .
Chairman Aron asked when construction would start on this
project and Mr . Kiefer responded it would be in the Spring of
1989 .
Chairman Aron inquired if Attorney Barney had determined the
correct parcel number and he responded that the correct tax
parcel number was 6 - 63 - 1 - 5 .
As to the Special Approval , a motion was made by Edward
Austen as follows :
WHEREAS , this Board finds the following :
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 5
• ( a ) The health ,, ,,"
ealth safety ,, morals and general welfare of the
community in harmony with the general purpose of this
ordinance shall be promoted , except that as to all public
buildings and educational buildings wherein the principle
use is research , 11 administration , or instruction , the same
shall be presumed to exist .
( b ) The premises are reasonably adapted to the proposed
use , and that such use , except as to public and educational
buildings , will fill a neighborhood or community need .
( c ) The proposed use and the location and design of any
structure shall be consistent with the character of the
district in which it is located .
( d ) The proposed use shall not be detrimental to the
general amenity or neighborhood character in amounts
sufficient to devaluate neighboring property or seriously
inconvenience neighboring inhabitants .
( e ) The proposed access and egress for all structures and
uses shall be safely designed .
( f ) the existing and probable future character of the
• neighborhood would not be adversely affected .
( g ) , the proposed change is in accordance with a
comprehensive development of the Town .
( h ) no one appeared in opposition to this appeal .
( i ) there is a need for the proposed facility in the
proposed location , the correct tax parcel number of said
premises being 6 - 63 - 1 - 5 .
( j ) the general effect of the proposed use upon the
community as a whole , including ,, such items as traffic load
upon public streets and load upon water and sewerage systems
is not detrimental to the health , safety and general welfare
of the community .
THEREFORE , BE IT
RESOLVED , that Special Approval be granted for the new
substation to be built as requested subject to Section 18 ,
Subdivision 4 of the Zoning Ordinance .
Attorney Barney + at this point asked what would happen to the
time frame is this appeal were adjourned for a month so that it
could be republished with the correct,, tax parcel number .
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 6
Mr . Kiefer said he could not answer that question as he was
not responsible for ordering equipment although he was ready to
place orders now for;, some three - quarters of a million dollars
worth of gear . Mr . Kiefer said there were some people at Cornell
anxiously awaiting approval of the Board so they could give him
the go - ahead .
Mr . King felt that Cornell had presented sketches and maps
showing exactly where the building was to be located so there
should be no problem .
Attorney Barney : said his concern was that the public
received a notice saying this appeal concerned another tax
parcel . Mr . King said the tax parcel advertised covered much
more of an area and '' would affect a lot more people than the
correct tax parcel but he understood Attorney Barney ' s concern .
Ms . Beeners stated that since the publication of the Planning
Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings there had been no
inquiries or input from the public as to the application .
Mr . King wondered whether there could be a special
advertisement and a special meeting of this Board .
Chairman Aron thought that the ' parcel had been pinpointed
• correctly now and the public had not made any inquiries about
this matter , and did not know if it was feasible to readvertise
and rehear the matter .
l
Attorney Barney ' s concern was that after Cornell ordered
three - quarters of a million dollars worth of equipment then
suddenly a taxpayer ° or landowner decided that this matter had
been improperly noticed and would make a claim within the 120
days allowable . Attorney Barney said that even though a lawsuit
was unlikely , if it came to that , then the Town would have a real
problem . He thought the better route would be to defer this
matter for a month and readvertise the matter .
Chairman Aron questioned Attorney Barney as to the need for
a rehearing on the matter and Attorney Barney stated he did not
think a rehearing was necessary , that the notice should be
published with the correct . tax parcel giving the public an
opportunity to address the matter if they wished . From a legal
standpoint , he said , he thought this was the proper way to
proceed . He recommended that the matter be adjourned to the next
meeting , re - notice the publication with the correct parcel
number , and have " a speedy hearing giving the public an
opportunity to attend if they wished .
Mr . King asked Chairman Aron to 'check to see exactly how the
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 7
• matter was published in the Ithaca Journal and Chairman Aron read
from the copy of the actual notice published in the Ithaca
Journal which indicated that the parcel number was listed as 6 -
63 - 1 - 11 .
Chairman Aron agreed with Attorney Barney ' s recommendation
and made a motion as follows : 11
RESOLVED that the matter be adjourned and re -noticed , and
after re - notice a special meeting will be held on September
26 , 1988 at 11 : 00 a . m .
Joan Reuning seconded the motion .
The voting was as follows :
Aye - Aron , Reuning , Austen , King
Nay - None
The motion was unanimously carried .
The second item on the agenda was the following .
APPEAL of the West Hill Cemetery Association , Appellant ,
• Neil R . Alling , Agent , requesting a variance from the
requirements of Article IV , Section 13 , of the Town of
Ithaca Zoning Ordinance , whereby an accessory building may
not exceed 15 feet in height , to permit the construction of
an accessory building 20 feet in height proposed for the
West Hill Cemetery located at the corner of Trumansburg and
Hayts Roads , Town of Ithaca Tax Parcels No . 6 - 24 - 1 - 25 . 1 and
- 25 . 23 , Residence District R- 15 ,
Mr . Neil Alling addressed the Board . He stated that an
accessory building was needed on the property to store equipment
that was now being stored in a vault gifted to them by the Freer
family . That vault , he said , was not for the storage of
equipment and did not follow the intent of the gift .
Mr . Alling described the new building they proposed to build
which would have a height of about 20 feet . He continued that
the building could be smaller in height with a flat roof but they
were afraid of collapse after the first heavy snowfall . Mr .
Alling said that the backhoe that would need to be stored in this
building was about 11 feet high and , therefore they would need a
little tolerance as far as the roof height to allow this
machinery to be stored there . The colors of the building , he
said , would be sympathetic to the stone llenroc vault .
Chairman Aron inquired if construction had commenced on this
building and Mr . Alling responded it had not but he would like it
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 8
• to commence as soon as possible .
Mr . King asked where the building would be located and Mr .
Alling responded that the Board should tell him where to put the
building . Mr . Alling said there was a stake in the ground now
which represented the west back end of the building which
measured 60 feet from a County sign . Mr . Alling wanted this to
be the northwest rear corner but if the Board thought 70 feet
would be better then he would put the building where the Board
wanted since he had 32 acres .
Mr . Austen asked what type of construction this would be and
Mr . Alling responded ° it would be a steel building , monolithic
slab , with wood studs similar to a Morton building . Mr . Alling
said the building should blend in well with the existing building
and with the neighborhood .
The public hearing was opened . No one appeared . The public
hearing was closed .
Joan Reuning asked what the plans were for around the
building . Mr . Alling responded he had none . He said the
building was sited toldrop to the east 5 feet and would barely be
visible . He stated that they planned on using crushed stone with
lime on top to keep out the dust , and , when their budget increased
• it would be blacktopped . Mr . Alling said they were trying to
keep their maintenance costs down so he wanted no more shrubs or
grass because this would be just a utility building .
Mr . Austen asked if there would be any trees for buffering
and Mr . Alling responded there were not be as they wanted
visibility there to prevent vandalism and to allow the troopers
patrolling the area to be able to see from their cars if there
was any problem .
Mr . King was concerned about the setback from the highway to
assure visibility because it was just about at a curve in the
road . Mr . King wondered if 30 feet from Hayts Road was enough
setback . Mr . Alling said that Hayts Road was straight at that
point . Mr . Frost showed the Board on the map the area in
question . Mr . King asked how far the building would be west of
the curve and Mr . Alling said he could not visualize a curve .
Mr . Frost concurred with Mr . Alling that the road was straight .
Mr . Austen said that there was a curve there but the road was so
high in relation to the cemetery that one did not notice it . Mr .
King asked if anyone saw a visibility problem with this area and
the Board did not . Chairman Aron stated that he and Mr . Austen
traveled this road numerous times during the day and they did not
foresee any visibility problems or traffic problems .
• 8
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 9
• A motion was made by Joan Reuning as follows :
RESOLVED , that an area variance be granted to the West Hill
Cemetery Association for the proposed construction of an
accessory building on tax parcel numbers 6 - 24 - 1 - 25 . 1 and 25 -
23 , allowing an additional five feet in height , the height
of said building not to exceed 20 feet , and said building to
be sited at least 30 feet back from the north side of the
pavement on Hayts Road .
The motion was seconded by Edward Austen .
The voting was as follows :
Aye - Reuning , Aron , King , Austen
Nay - None
The motion was unanimously carried .
The third item on the agenda was the following :
APPEAL of Joseph P . Burkhart , Appellant , requesting
• modification of a variance previously granted by the Board
of Appeals on September 10 , 1986 , which required that the
building proposed to be used for the sales and service of
recreational vehicles and boats be located at least 60 feet
from the highwayllright of way line , at 602 Elmira Road , Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 6 - 31 - 3 - 4 , in a Light Industrial
District . The modification requested is for the placement
of said building 40 feet from the highway right of way . The
Appellant is further requesting variance from the
requirements of Article VII , Section 38 , Paragraph 1 , of
said Ordinance , , under which 32 parking spaces are required ,
18 parking spaces being proposed .
Chairman Aron declared the Zoning Board of Appeals the lead
agency in this matter .
Mr . Joseph P . Burkhart addressed the Board . Mr . Burkhart
said that he was requesting the 40 foot variance for several
reasons :
( a ) On a business review by the Gorman Industries they
recommended that they use a side entrance rather than a front
entrance . Mr . Burkhart sketched the plan which he presented to
the Board a few years ago and at that time their depth was 120
feet and they followed the lines of their previous building that
they had in Sayre . The factor of a side entrance would enable
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 10
• them to control the people and also to gain better security for
items on the lot .
( b ) If there was a road with a single entranceway in the
front that would create a bottleneck . Also , with . the 40 feet
they would eliminate display in the front of the building in
addition to the parking . The appearance would be neater not
having the road in the front . He had spoken with Ms . Beeners who
saw no problem with it being 40 feet instead of 60 feet as they
were not changing the setback in the front yard , principally the
30 feet .
( c ) In the front of the building directly in front of the
showroom windows it would be all grass and would present a much
neater appearance .
Chairman. Aron inquired about the parking . Mr . Burkhart said
that in respect to parking they had ten places at their present
site which they had occupied for 22 years and those places were
sufficient . At the ' proposed location they anticipated three
employees , a secretary and two salesman . Mr . Burkhart said that
it was his understanding that in a light industrial zone one
parking space was required for every three people . Mr . Burkhart
said he had pictures ,that showed districts to the east , west and
• south , and there was no property that was now existing where the
parking was not in the front yard . Other than for an open house ,
Mr . ' Burkhart saw no need for 32 parking spaces .
Ms . Beeners wanted to clarify what was being sought in this
matter . She said the notice called for not only a variance from
the 60 foot setback required in the front but also a variance
from the requirements of a business district requirement
concerning parking . She asked the Board if they were looking at
this as an appeal for business requirements in a light industrial
zone and wondered if business requirements for yards pertain in a
light industrial zone . Additionally , she said , the Board , in
their previous resolution , called for a southern setback of 40
feet in which no buildings or structures could be placed -
meaning the building or the canopy . A question she would have
in looking at the site plan was if a constructed parking space
was meant to be excluded from that 40 foot rear yard because at
the present time it � was 30 feet from the property line to the
proposed parking spaces .
11
Mr . Burkhart said that if this were the case it was out of
scale because they had clearance on this as far as the property
line . Ms . Beeners said that from the building he had 40 to 45
feet to the canopy edge , and from the parking spaces that were
shown there was a distance of 30 feet,.
• 10
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Zoning Appeals
Board of A eals
September 14 , 1988
Page 11
Ifp
•
Mr . Burkhart said" that he
hat t reason he was there was to appeal
for "a variance to a ;'reduced front yard setback requirement and
11
also a variance for a "lesser number of parking spaces because it
would be more conducive to the building , the appearance would be
more : attractive , and accessability would be better . on his
original site print the parking was closer to the road in the
front . In his new de "sign , the parking would be on the side and
not in the front . Mr, . Burkhart desired the front yard to be all
grass which would look much better than anything in the immediate
neighborhood . Mr . Burkhart wanted more flexibility as to the
placement of the parking spaces .
If
, Mr . Frost said that the resolution from the Zoning Board of
Appeals originally had a condition that " no structures including
buildings or canopies shall be erected within 40 feet of the
south line of the property . " Mr . Frost thought Ms . Beeners was
suggesting that the parking space was a structure . Ms . Beeners
said what she was suggesting was that as to the quantity of
parking spaces it should be determined '' whether they were applying
a business requirement . Ms . Beeners said that it would meet the
light industrial requirements of one space for three employees
which was adequate . , She saw no problem with this aspect . The
question she had was whether Mr . Burkhart would meet the yard
requirements that were specifically set if it was determined that
a parking place was a ; structure and therefore would it adhere to
• the language of the resolution .
' Chairman Aron said they had not clarified whether a parking
space was a structure .'' He wondered how a parking place could be
a structure and thought this should be a site plan situation
rather than a structural situation . Ms . Beeners said she thought
it was a zoning situation but it should be determined what the
Board should be dealing with . She + continued that the plan
submitted by Mr . Burkhart in 1986 was rather sketchy and it
showed about a 50 to 160 foot front yard , there was no canopy on
the rear of the building , and the dimensions were pretty loose on
the entire plan . Part of the question' she said , was whether Mr .
Burkhart reasonably needed business yard requirements as set by
the Board .
Mr . Burkhart said he was not changing the structure or the
canopy g g
y from the 40 , feet . He continued that the original
structure that was there was 30 feet from the front of the road
and he was requesting, 40 feet . Mr . Burkhart said that in the
sketch Susan had mentioned they were going up 10 feet from the
road in front of the building for parking and also parking on the
side ; with the building being right up '' to the bank . Mr . Burkhart
sal 11
his previous plans he did not have a place to unload the
boats and last year they decided to put the hoist in the back
under a canopy .
• 11
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If
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 12
•
The public hearing was opened . No one appeared . The public
hearing was closed .
Mr . King asked if this matter had ever had site plan review
by the Planning Board and Ms . Beeners said it had not . She
stated that a sketch ; plan was submitted to the Zoning Board of
Appeals in 1986 and the variances requested granted to Mr .
Burkhart . ' It was assumed , she said , at that time that a more
specific site plan with those requirements would go to the
Planning Board . Ms . Beeners said that when she received the
present plan from Mr . Burkhart , she talked it over with Mr .
Frost , and then recommended that there were items that the Zoning
Board had to determine before this could be seen by the Planning
Board . Mr . Frost interjected that he determined that it was not
meeting the Zoning Board conditions and that Mr . Burkhart should
address the modification of the original conditions before it
went on to the Planning Board .
Mr . King thought the Planning Board should look at this
matter first because this was a very special site being located
at a corner which was " a very dangerous intersection . He was not
sure what Mr . Burkhart was proposing in the way of a site plan as
to entrance and exit roads . Mr . Burkhart said the entrance would
be south of the old sign . Mr . King asked if there would be
• another entrance and Mr . Burkhart said there would not be , that
they were doing away with the road in the front and had no plans
for a second entrance so the parking would be on the side . Mr .
Burkhart stated there was a second entrance on the lower lot
through the Mancini property but that was not addressed to the
upper lot . He continued that the Department of Transportation
had his application " and he thought he was probably 10 feet
farther to the south than the original ° plan . From Route 13A down ,
he said , it was over 350 feet to the entrance planned .
Mr . King asked if the southern canopy was proposed to be
within 40 feet of the south line and Mr . Burkhart said it was .
Mr . King asked if the canopies were contemplated in his original
proposal and Mr . Burkhart said that they did not have a canopy in
the rear which was a continuation of the building . Mr . King
asked what the purpose of this rear canopy was and Mr . Burkhart
replied that they were going to have a hoist constructed
underneath it in order to lift the boats off the delivery
trailers . Mr . King asked if there was such a facility under the
other canopy and Mr . " Burkhart said that under the north canopy
there would be a display of boats and under the south one there
would be a display of motor homes . Entrance to the building , he
said , would be from the south side , about one - third down from the
front . Mr . King said then that everything from the front of the
building would be a grass area and Mr . Burkhart responded that it
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Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 13
• would be grass for about 30 feet , but they might have 10 feet of
display in the front area if there was a special on a boat for
i 11
nstance .
Mr . King asked if the easterly side of the building was the
front and Mr . Burkhart responded it was . Mr . King asked how that
lined up with the building next south and Mr . Burkhart said there
was an elevation difference , that he was proposing 40 feet and
the building next .south was back 58 feet . Basically , he said , he
thought they were parallel but the difference was that there was
a grade increase in height between the adjoining properties . Mr .
King said then that Mr . Burkhart ' s building would be 20 feet
closer to the highway than the one next south . Mr . Burkhart said
that they were 10 feet farther back from the previous existing
building ( the Chinese ;' restaurant ) which was at 30 feet .
d
Mr . King thought there was a site plan and a traffic problem
in this matter . He had visited the premises the previous Sunday
and his feeling was that any building in that location ought to
be as far back as the one next door and even that might not be a
great enough setback ibecause of the requirement of visibility at
this highway intersection . Mr . Burkhart said that coming out of
Route 13A even if there were no building there you could not see
south or north until; you pulled up to the main highway . Mr .
• Burkhart said that DOT had not found any traffic problem when
they inspected the premises for placement of the entrance .
Mr . King said the Board ' s resolution in 1986 had called for
a site plan review by the Planning Board , Ms . Beeners said she
had talked with DOT : in 1986 and they had advised her that the
entrance location proposed then was no problem and she talked
with them again in the Spring of 1988 . Mr . King wondered if they
had considered building height and location or were they merely
concerned with the entrance to the highway . Ms . Beeners said
they were not terribly concerned about site distance . However ,
she said , there was at least 300 feet . She said this would have
to go through Planning Board review anyway and why it was before
the Zoning Board of Appeals was for the yards primarily and she
thought approval could be conditioned , upon adequate visibility .
Mr . Burkhart thought with the present plan there was better
entrance coming in from the south than there would be coming in
from the north because of the short shoulder . Mr . Burkhart also
thought that they could move traffic down Mancini ' s road . Mr .
Frost said he had used this method and it had been easier ,
although the Mancini road was a private road and the other
property owners might object to that . ' Mr . Burkhart said they had
the use of the Mancini road and did not foresee a problem .
Mr . King said that although RV sales were not likely to
• 13
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 14
• bring a lot of people at one time , the Board had no assurance
that this property would stay as an RV sales building but might
some day be a grocery store which would attract much more
traffic . Mr . King felt it was premature to allow reduction of
the parking area and reduce side yard requirements before the
Planning Board had really looked at the entire site plan .
Mr . Burkhart said he would really like to get started on
this project and it was impossible to do anything unless they
knew whether the setback should be 140 feet or 60 feet . He
continued that Mr . biPasquale was drawing a grid plan and
Streeter had the building plans . Mr . Burkhart felt there were
not any changes from what was previously granted to him as they
would still have the , 30 foot front yard , but instead the road
would not be in the front . As far as a grocery store going in
that spot , he said , he was sure that that person would have to
come before the Board' to get permission , and at this point they
should only be concernedwith what he wanted to put in there now .
Mr . Burkhart continued that as far as the other driveways or any
change on the right , that had to come from DOT who had the right
to refuse them on drives or anything of that type . Mr . Burkhart
said , however , that he would do anything the Board wished .
Mr . King said he had found no evidence of the building being
• staked on the lot and Mr . Burkhart said that was correct , that
only the night before they had found their well which had been
covered over . He continued that they had tried several stakeouts
and had decided on their present plan to provide them with the
best placement and view of the property .
Joan Reuning said one problem in that area was the 50 mile
speed zone and thought it should be reduced to 40 although she
knew this was not within the jurisdiction of the Board .
Chairman Aron stated that what bothered him was that when
Mr . Burkhart was before the Board in 1986 and a resolution was
voted upon then , he seemed to be satisfied with everything that
was done at that time . Chairman Aron wondered what had changed
Mr . Burkhart ' s mind , and prompted him to come back before the
Board and asking for further variances . Chairman Aron said this
was beyond his comprehension .
Mr . Burkhart responded that there were several reasons for
this , one of which was the design of the building . He spoke
about his business in Sayre where there were two roads for
ingress and egress . He would like to ' have a side entrance on the
south of his Ithaca business as recommended by Gorman Industries .
Mr . King asked for clarification of this and Mr . Burkhart
showed on the sketch the placement of said side entrance
• 14
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 15
• indicating it would be from the south and explaining the benefit
of such placement .
Chairman Aron asked if this was the same design that he had
presented in 1986 , and Mr . Burkhart responded the exterior was
the same except that previously the building was proposed to be a
60 ' x 50 ' building and they were now proposing an 80 ' by 80 '
building . Mr . Burkhart referred to the minutes of 1986
indicating that he had said that the size of the building would
depend on the fill . He further commented that for appearance
sake they did not want the hoist for boats in the side yard but
would prefer it in back .
Susan Beeners said she had several questions that needed to
be answered before taking this matter before the Planning Board .
1 . Did the Board find that there might be practical
difficulty in arranging on this site a front yard setback of 60
feet considering the information that one gained during a
detailed survey of the property ? The ' bank could not be made any
deeper and you alsoll need the pavement area in the back as
negotiating space to get around the building .
2 . The wording of the 1986 resolution requires a 40 foot
• setback on the south " side . When the Board made that resolution
requiring 40 feet on the south side did they mean it to be devoid
of canopies or buildings and did that mean one could locate
11
parking within that 4 ;0 foot yard ?
Chairman Aron read from the resolution " That this Board
hereby grants a variance from the side yard requirements of an
industrial zone to the extent that the required side yard on that
portion of the south side of the property located within 250 feet
of the highway right - of -way is reduced from 60 feet to 40 feet .
No „structures , including buildings or canopies shall be erected
within 40 feet of the south line of the property . "
Chairman Aron said the problem he had with Mr . Burkhart was
that when this variance was granted Mr . Burkhart bought the
property because his ;, buying the property was subject to approval
by the Board in granting a variance . He continued that Mr .
Burkhart knew exactly how large the : property was and when one
talked about practical difficulties his question was did not Mr .
Burkhart create his own practical difficulties ?
Mr . Burkhart responded that he was not proposing anything
that was out of line and in fact was making it more attractive .
Chairman Aron said he was not talking about the attractiveness of
the building but that Mr . Burkhart now wanted something more than
what was granted to him in 1986 . Mr . Burkhart said he paid
• 15
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 16
• people to give him the best placement of the building and that
was the issue now , the placement of the building .
Attorney Barney said the building as proposed now was
considerably larger than originally proposed . Attorney Barney
continued that in 1986 the building was proposed to be 60 ' x 50 '
with two 40 ' canopies off each end . Now , he said , they were
looking at an 80 ' x 80 ' building with another 30 ' canopy on the
back . Mr . Burkhart maintained he was staying in compliance with
the amount of area that he had and referred again to the minutes
of the 1986 meeting which stated that he was going to continue to
fill and in so doing he would be able to place a larger building
there . Attorney Barney said that the reduction in the front yard
would be due to having a building that would be twice the depth
originally anticipated .
11
Ms . Beeners stated that the building changed from 3 , 000 to
6 , 400 square feet . Mr . Burkhart said he had 20 feet that he
could go back and still be under what he had before and in so
doing he would display in front of the windows and the type of
building he would have would be with the road and parking up
front .
Mr . King asked if Mr . Burkhart "would continue to fill and
Mr . Burkhart said he would like to square off the northwest
• corner if available . Mr . Burkhart said he would be well within
the codes of the health department .
Mr . Austen thought there should be at least 30 feet free and
clear for visibility with no display and this would give 40 feet .
Ms . Beeners said within the 30 feet there would be maintained a
clear distance ; however , in the 10 feet of that 40 Mr . Burkhart
was proposing to put some outdoor display . She asked Mr .
Burkhart if she was correct in this assumption . Mr . Burkhart
said at different times if they had a boat show they would have
outdoor display not exceeding into the 30 foot line .
Chairman Aron said it appeared that Mr . Burkhart had the
building enlarged , he had not been at the Planning Board for site
plan approval , it took him two years to fill that lot , and he
would like , before making any decisions , for Mr . Burkhart go to
the Planning Board for site plan approval .
Mr . King concurred suggesting that the present proposal
seemed to be an improvement over the original one in that Mr .
Burkhart had eliminated parking and most of the display on the
east side toward the highway . Reduction in the number of parking
spaces , he said , sounded like a negative but the Planning Board
might find that reasonable for this type of operation .
• 16
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 17
• Chairman Aron said it should be adjourned until the Planning
Board reviewed the matter . Mr . King said it should be noted that
the Planning Board could give approval subject to this Board
granting specific exemptions or variances as required .
Mr . Frost said that Ms . Beener ' s questions had not been
answered and she concurred saying that she wondered if they were
looking at variances for light industrial requirements . Chairman
Aron said they should, wait to see what the Planning Board would
do and then the Board would act accordingly . Mr . King said it
would be helpful if the proposed building location were clearly
marked .
Mr . Frost asked :if in the 1986 resolution which stated that
" No structures including buildings or canopies be erected within
40 feet of the south ° line of the property " did the Board intend
that to include a parking space to be outside of that 40 foot
line . As it was now, he said , there was a 30 foot line to the
beginning of the parking space furthest from the building and
then when you get to the parking space closest to the building
you have a 40 foot " setback . Mr . Frost said Ms . Beeners was
trying to determine if one was counting the parking space within
that as a structure . Chairman Aron said his personal opinion was
that a parking space should come under the jurisdiction of the
Planning Board and not the Zoning Board of Appeals .
• Attorney Barney said that the zoningordinance for light
g
industrial zones specified that you should not have any parking
in the front yards . The zoning ordinance for business areas said
that you should not have any parking in the front or side yards .
He continued that this was a light industrial zone and he would
assume that the variance was given in the context of a light
industrial zone . Attorney Barney agreed that . this was a planning
function .
Mr . Burkhart asked if the number of parking spaces then
would come under light industrial zone requirements and Attorney
Barney said conceivably this was correct . From a site plan
standpoint given what Mr . Burkhart proposed to do there , he
continued , he did not presume to assume what the Planning Board
would decide and they might say that notwithstanding what the
Zoning Ordinance said for a light industrial zone , for Mr .
Burkhart ' s particular use , they might feel a site plan ought to
include more than the minimum required in a light industrial
zone .
Mr . Burkhart asked about the ;, 40 feet and Attorney Barney
said that the Planning Board could in the process of the site
plan review approve this conditional upon the Zoning Board of
Appeals amending the previous variance , and at that point , Mr .
• 17
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 18
Burkhart would have to come back before the Zoning Board of
Appeals , and the Zoning Board of Appeals would then have the
benefit of the study by the Planning Board in making their
decision . Attorney Barney said that basically the Zoning Board
of Appeals wanted some input from the Planning Board before
making a decision .
Joan Reuning made a motion as follows :
RESOLVED , that this matter be adjourned to refer it to the
Planning Board for site plan approval before considering it
further .
Edward King seconded the motion .
The voting was as follows :
I
Aye - Reuning , King , Austen , Aron
Nay - None
The motion was unanimously carried .
The last item on the agenda was the following :
APPEAL of John E .• Rancich , Appellant , Michael J . Morusty ,Applicant , requesting variance of the requirements of
Article IV , Section 11 , Paragraph 2 , of the Town of Ithaca
Zoning Ordinance , whereby only one residential structure on
a parcel of land with up to two dwelling units with
occupancy by either two families or a total of three
unrelated persons in the entire structure is permitted . The
Applicant currently maintains two residential structures ,
each containing three dwelling units , on Town of Ithaca Tax
Parcel No . 6 - 25 - 2 - 32 , known as 845 - 847 Taughannock Blvd . ,
Residence District R- 15 ,
Chairman Aron asked Ms . Beeners if there was an
environmental review " on this and Ms . ° Beeners said there was not .
She said she had made inspections of the site but because of
anonymous complaints made about thisproperty she felt a public
hearing was necessary before being able to write a review .
Wesley McDermott , attorney for Mr . Morusty , addressed the
Board . He said that Mr . Morusty was purchasing this property
pursuant to a land contract from Mr . Rancich , Mr . McDermott said
that at the time he entered into the contract the property
consisted of three and three units . Historically , he said , this
Board gave Amy Soyring permission to put the second structure in
in 1966 at 845 Taughannock Boulevard . In 1978 Ms . Soyring was
11
seeking a subdivision and at that point it was acknowledged that
• 18
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page ' 19
• 845 had three units in it . He was uncertain when 847 became
three units but at the time Mr . Morusty purchased it it was three
units . Mr . McDermott said that Mr . Morusty ' s problem was
economic , both in reconverting the units back to two unit
structures and ultimately in trying to amortize the debts
associated with them at that level .
Chairman Aron read a letter from Amy Suzanne Soyring dated
July 29 , 1988 . A copy of such letter is attached hereto as
Exhibit 3 .
Mr . King asked what the date of Mr . Morusty ' s contract was
and Mr . Morusty said it was about four and one half years ago .
Chairman Aron asked when Ms . Soyring had purchased the property
and Mr . Morusty thought it was in 1981 or 1982 . Chairman Aron
asked if it was three units when Mr . Morusty bought it and Mr .
Morusty stated it was leased for two years to a large number of
people and he was receiving three rents . Mr . Morusty said he
owned the property for two years before being able to inspect it .
He said he assumed it was always a three unit property . Chairman
Aron clarified that they were talking about 847 . Mr . Morusty
said that he did quite a lot of work on the kitchen .
Chairman Aron said that even though Mr . Morusty claimed he
• did not know the three units were illegal it did not alter the
fact that they were in violation . Chairman Aron said that in
addition to the units being illegal , there was much noise and
commotion . Mr . Morusty said he hired James Gardner , Jr . to
manage the property and he had rented the property out against
his wishes to a group '' of students who had their annual graduation
party there . Mr . Morusty said that he had called the police to
shut down the party . Mr . Morusty continued that they had sunk
his dock causing him $ 2700 . 00 worth of damages . Since this
incident Mr . Morusty had rented the property to a couple of
Ithaca police officers who appeared to be better tenants .
Mr . Morusty said that perhaps cutting down on the number of
units was not the answer but better screening of the tenants
would be .
Chairman Aron repeated that Mr . Morusty ' s property was in
violation of the zoning law , and that as to the noise and
commotion , Mr . Morusty was the landlord and responsible for this .
Mr . Morusty said he had tried to take care of this and
thought the situation had improved .
The public hearing was opened .
Mr . William Gerber of 841 Taughannock Boulevard said he
• 19
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 20
•
lived next door to the remises in question . In Mr . Morust ' s
p � Y
behalf , he said , it had been less " of a chore to enjoy his
property in the past "year than in the previous year . In regard
to the tenants at 847 they were still partying at all hours of
the night , and were constantly shouting back and forth waking he
and his wife and his tenants out of a sound sleep . Mr . Gerber
said they were also out on the beach skinny dipping and mooning
other neighbors ( a woman and her two children ) who complained .
Mr . Gerber said he was not happy with the way things were .
People were still cutting through his property causing him to
make numerous calls to the Sheriff ' s Department regarding this .
They were running a boat , he continued , causing loud noise at
3 : 00 and 4 : 00 a . m . Mr . Gerber said he could not go along with
extending the variance .
11
Sheila Snyder of 855 Taughannock Boulevard addressed . the
Board . She said that in the last five years the quiet enjoyment
of her property has suffered . She continued that there were so
many people living two doors up from them who have parties all
the time . She presented pictures of such parties she had taken
from her dock . Ms . '' Snyder said at one party there were 700
students who attended . Mr . Morusty interjected that was the
party he had shut down by calling the Sheriff . Ms . Snyder said
the students had gone over to her dock uninvited ( this had
• happened two years in a row ) . She said she planned to raise her
family there . She guessed there were about twenty people living
on this property .
Chairman Aron asked if Ms . Snyder had made any attempt to
ask these people to leave when they trespassed on her property
and Ms . Snyder said she was afraid to . She said she saw about 50
people urinate off the docks , males and females , because there
were no facilities for this . She said there was usually live
music ( guitars with amplifiers ) at these all night parties ( 2 : 00
a . m . to 6 : 00 a . m . ) .
Mr . Bob Bartholt of 1007 Taughannock Boulevard addressed the
Board . He said that he was concerned about the traffic as that
end of the highway was getting more and more congested . He knew
of at least two accidents in front of the house in the last two
years and was surprised that there had not been more accidents .
Mr . King asked if some of the traffic problem was generated by
people living in the subject premises and Mr . Bartholf said he
was not sure but parking was very limited and the more people
that had to park there the worse it was .
The public hearing was closed .
Mr . Frost said in an inspection of the property recently he
had witnessed some unlicensed vehicles in the dirt area off the
• 20
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page; 21
• roadway but had not cited Mr . Morusty for this violation as yet .
Chairman Aron said if the vehicles were still present he should
cite Mr . Morusty ,
Chairman Aron said that Mr . Morusty now knew he was in
violation and had heard the neighbors complain . Chairman Aron
said he was appalled that there was no control of this property
by the homeowner . Mr . Morusty said he was also appalled and had
no idea these things were going on but when he did know he had
stopped it as he did the party . He thought that things had
improved but was surprised that these things were still going on .
He thought that by hiring a manager things would be taken care of
but obviously it was not working and he would have to take a more
active role . Mr . Morusty said that he did not like the
congestion and did not like this type of tenants but wondered how
he would pay his bills when he started evicting tenants .
Chairman Aron said that was not the problem of the Board .
Chairman Aron further stated that it would be his
recommendation for Mr . Morusty to bring the entire property
within the requirements of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance ,
that is , to bring both 845 and 847 into compliance as two family
units .
• Mr . Morusty stated that since 1978 , 845 had been on record
as a three unit dwelling and possibly ten years before that
although he was not sure . He wondered why this issue was being
addressed now that he owned it .
Chairman Aron said that it appeared that Mr . Morusty wanted
to do the right thing and after bringing these units into
compliance Mr . Morusty should take control over the properties as
far as who lived there and how they behaved .
Mr . King observed that no variance was ever given to permit
three units in these " buildings .
Mr . Morusty wondered how these dwellings had been allowed to
be three units for so long and Mr . King said the Board did not
have an answer to that question but simply because the property
was in violation previously it would not justify the continuation
of the violation .
Mr . Morusty stated that it would be a great financial burden
to him because he would have to not only remodel but would also
lose some of the rents he now collected . He wondered , since the
property had been on record for so long as three units , if there
was a way to keep the upper house as a three unit dwelling if he
upgraded the tenancy . Chairman Aron responded that this would
defeat the purpose of the zoning ordinance .
• 21
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page 22
•
Mr . Morusty inquired if the Board would like for him to
subdivide the property . Mr . King said that the Board had
approved the subdividing of this property into two parcels so
they could be sold separately but there was no requirement that
it be done .
Chairman Aron said the recommendation of the Board was for
Mr . Morusty to bring the property into compliance and it was the
decision of the Board how soon that would have to be done .
Mr . Morusty wondered if he could terminate the tenancies at
the end of the leases which ranged from May 31 to August 14 ,
1989 . He was not sure when the leases were signed as Mr . Gardner
took care of these matters . Chairman Aron said he would not
approve of this since the unruliness of the tenants was cause
enough for their removal . Attorney Barney said that perhaps the
present tenants were not the same as those who had caused the
trouble .
Mr . King thought that the way to control tenants was by
having a strict lease with rules and regulations governing
conduct and collecting a security deposit to be forfeited in case
of violation of the conditions of the lease . He suggested that
• this Board require that such rules be formulated and reviewed by
the , Board . He asked Mr . Morusty which leases he would terminate
now and Mr . Morusty said he was not sure . Mr . Morusty continued
that he had spoken with Mr . Gardner and had requested that he
upgrade the tenancy as not only was he suffering monetary damage
but the neighbors were suffering from not being able to enjoy
their properties .
Chairman Aron inquired how many unrelated people lived in
845 and Mr . Morusty responded there was one lady in the bottom
apartment , an unmarried couple who planned on being married in
November , and another family upstairs who had subletted so he was
not sure who was in the upstairs apartment now .
Mr . Frost asked if Mr . Morusty had lived there this past
summer and Mr . Morusty responded he did for awhile , that he
always stayed there several weeks at a time when one of the units
was unoccupied so he could enjoy some lake living .
Chairman Aron asked if Mr . Morusty knew when unrelated meant
and Mr . Morusty responded that he did .
Chairman Aron asked how many people were in 847 and Mr .
Morusty responded that there were two police officers in one
apartment , his friend was staying in another unit until the new
occupants arrived , and there were two or three people in the
• 22
Zoning Board of Appeals
September 14 , 1988
Page, 23
• other unit .
Chairman Aron said then that Mr . Morusty had to get rid of
about three people in 847 and about three or four in 845 .
Mr . King asked if there were copies of the leases available
and Mr . Morusty stated they would send copies to the Board in the
morning .
Mr . King said he would suggest that the Zoning Board of
Appeals be furnished with the name of each occupant in each unit
in each building and that the Board be furnished with written
rules and regulations for the tenants and that they be strong
enough to eliminate the thoughtless living that had existed in
the past . He also suggested that a written report of the
. unlicensed vehicles on the property be given to the Zoning
Enforcement Officer and discuss with such officer whether these
vehicles were permitted on the property . Finally , he said , Mr .
Morusty should get to the Zoning Board of Appeals within ten days
a written plan to eliminate some of the tenancies to bring it
down to two dwelling units in each building with occupancy only
as permitted by the zoning ordinance .
Mr . Morusty asked if he could do' one dwelling at a time and
• Mr . King said he should work this out so the individuals had
plenty of notice but the Board would like some movement on this
matter .
Chairman Aron adjourned this matter for the October 26th
meeting and advised Mr . Morusty to have all papers and documents
together at that time . He further advised Mr . Morusty to work
closely with Mr . Frost .
The meeting was adjourned at 10 : 00 p . m .
aeate
pectfully ubmitted ,
rice Lincoln
Recording Secretary
Exhibits 1 through 3 attached
APPROVED .
Henry Aron , Chairman
• 23
r
•
PART II - A___Environmental _AssE:. ssl ent— _= Site _Plan , Frgposeaj
Cornell _Univ_ersitv_Electrical_Substatior
A . Action is an Unlisted Action
Be Action will receive coordinated review by Town of Ithaca-
Planning Board and Zoning Board . of Appeals .
C . Co Id acti "..result_in anY_adyeXae ecfs_szn��� ar�.sing
from the following..
C1 , 'Xisting_airquali ',,,_surface_or_groundwater _gualitv_or
uantity,_noise _ levels , existi. n traffic atterns ,_ solid_waste
Production _or_c� isposad1_pc, tential_for_erosiori ,_drainagg_or
z , .
�; G autiCr ?. =L ;i1 lots arc. di:lG7. 1paL. Give tCU i1; ` n i ' UI' c ,
r C. at �. 'iGly J :IICA Sw, c3ic': . 1---). n6 location GI -tile �' 2" OpOsed
project .
C2 _ Aes4hetic ,_agricultural_archeological_hiistoric ,_or
of er _n. atural_or_cul. tural_resources,_or' _community_or _nei hborhood
g_�__�__
C ; a 1- a c t e r ?
• No adverse impacts are anticipated . The proposed substation
will be located in an industrial- type setting adjacent to
the existing Cornell University heating and chilled water
plants , and the NYSEG East Ithaca electrical substation .
There is no residential development in close proximity to
the proposed substation . Due to local topography the
proposed substation will not be visible from the residential
area south of Maple Avenue , or visually impact the East
Ithaca Recreationway located approximately 1 , 000 feet to the
east .
C3 ___G' egetation_or _fauna,_ fish,_she.11fishi_or_wildlife
a NF_cies ,._;janificant habi. tats ,_or_threatened or_endangered
No adverse impacts are anticipated . The proposed substation
site is currently inactive agricultural land . The amount of
land initially , and ultimately affected is 0 . 25 acres . There
are no known significant habitats or threatened or
endangered species on or adjacent to the site .
C41 . A
adoptenut_y ' s exist _ng_plaoros_ as _ ficily� a . � al
,_ or_ a_ chngei0
tensityof use otiand_ or_ other
natural_ resources?
• No adverse impacts are anticipated . The proposed substation
is a university - related use in general conformance with
existing plans or goals of the Town of Ithaca .
J '
(~ '- '^' • -L `h 17• U� , 1-• l4 . �1 a L 'v_
�• 3:�=.�_� St___--
:e= y_ 4 _ c —=n1 ✓ c�_ ;y_ i _prop � _ �• i �r^: '
The proposed substation will accommodate future growth and
. development of Cornell University facilities . Such growth ,
however , is expected to be incremental and subject to
continuous Town of Ithaca site plan , environmental , and
zoning review .
u `i LOnk3_tc` 2'IiiZ— :�r02' : —t, t' .1"; 1_ _L7it1 .Uli:. l.'�'c,' 1—��Y' _4 her' effects riot
------a n
iU_'' entifie . d- 121 C, rrI:1
Norse anticipated , '
ri 1
Vli�+ l i. i4 N `N "v ♦., v \ il. L '-.: j U \..: 1. A . . J ' 'vl : {_I ll � �.. •J - ii. l 41 .+ 'L. C' .r �lAQri. UJy V ,/ V1 r. YL/ �� V .L ill. y % .
11a'% pil ) _Jt j :7 eAd j ib Jto vilJ . : V4 i . LtsC � l itli i. ul• .Lan lA
Sign: 1t Gilt ual. 1- Ity f tis : Yg.1i Wi ` a �.�`. c; C? iilil'E ( L c`i � L ,
= 1 _ nor +_: a ;:: ; � , r �. : Py dt.;n ; r, d by f" ornt : ll
si Li 1/ 1.1i 5 lricrGas e expecte. d to ue increme l
Teri a Cif years though Gild w1. il riot create sudden
• L!__- - rid Or there like' tV tie 4irl + ro 'v`e:' _ 1. _
Ll• _ ., r , e � C�l 4E: dV
-ticipated .
1_ri=ition_ of __? l�ii1 � iCsiiC�
A neg � �. = V ctc: rMination of environment- al ZsIgnificance is recom -
1 , en � t � .e proposed site plan fcr the Cornell University
Bleuv. ri ._ , :, �LLJ , tZition , related equipment , and new service lines ,
I' he >z -. f cility is not expected to generate any significant
au `V,e.r5e- c.::i ':" _ ronmctal impacts due -to its nature , relatively small
scall• , _ _ _ aLion. , and ,existing surrounding land uses .
Lead 115-rC, .: cy : Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals
Revie . gorge R . Frantz , Assistant Town Planner
?cvicw � tc : August 12 , 1988
r
,tr
Cornell University Substation - 1 -
North of Maple Avenue
Recommendation to Zoning Board of Appeals
Planning Board , August 16 , 1988
•
ADOPTED RESOLUTION : Cornell University Substation
North of Maple Avenue
Recommendation to Zoning Board of Appeals
Planning Board , August 16 , 1988
MOTION by Mr . Robert Kenerson , seconded by Mr . James Baker :
WHEREAS :
1 . This action is the consideration of a Report to the Zoning Board
of Appeals with respect to a request for Special Approval ,
pursuant to Article V , Section 18 , Paragraph 4 , of the Town of
Ithaca Zoning Ordinance , for the proposed construction of a new
electric substation , related equipment , . and two new service lines
near the existing New York State Electric and Gas Corporation
East Ithaca Substation north of Maple Avenue on Town of Ithaca
Tax Parcel No . 6 - 63 - 1 - 11 .
2 . This is an Unlisted action for which the Town of Ithaca Zoning
• Board of Appeals is legislatively determined to act as Lead
Agency in coordinated review . The Town of Ithaca Planning Board
is an involved agency in coordinated review .
3 . The Planning Board , at Public Hearing on August 16 , 1988 , has
reviewed the proposed site plan , environmental assessment form
and review , and other submissions related to this proposal .
4 . The Town Planning Department has recommended that a negative
declaration of environmental significance be made for this
action .
THEREFORE , IT IS RESOLVED :
1 . That the Planning Board recommend and hereby does recommend to
the Zoning Board of Appeals that a negative determination of
environmental significance be made for this action .
20M That the Planning Board , in- making its recommendation to the
Zoning Board of Appeals , determine and hereby does determine the
following .
a . There is a need for the proposed facility in the proposed
location .
• b . The existing and probable future character of the
neighborhood will not be adversely affected .
— ,chi h ;
Cornell University Substation - 2 -
North of Maple Avenue
Recommendation to Zoning Board of Appeals
Planning Board , August 16 , 1988
c . The proposed change is in accordance with a comprehensive
plan for development of the Town .
310 That the Planning Board report and hereby does report to the
Zoning Board of Appeals its recommendation that the request for
Special Approval for the proposed new electric substation ,
related equipment , and two new service lines be approved .
Aye - May , Baker , Grigorov , Klein , Kenerson , Miller .
Nay - None .
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY :
Na cy M , Fuer , Secretary ,
Town of Ithaca Planning Board . '
• August 24 , 1988 .
•
•
• 4
July 29 , 1988
806 N . Cayuga St .
Ithaca , NY 14850
To Whom It May Concern :
At the time of selling my home at 847 Taughannock Blvd
the house consisted of a five bedroom home which our
family lived in . We occupied the entire first floor
which consisted of one bedroom , kitchen , full bath , dining room
and living room . On the seocnd floor we occupied 4 bedrooms and
1 bathroom . Half of the second floor I rented . It spacewise
was approximately one half of the sew'6cond floor . It consisted of
1 very large livi.Ming room , 1 large bedroom , full bath and small
kitchen .
I wish to have it recorded along with this documentation that
JOhn Rancich , buyer from me of this property has always paid, ,/ lie
the sedcnd mortgage taken back by me on time and he has been
^ always a cooperative , honest , agreeable person with whom to do
do business in the context I know him .
eeAtel
� 1 �sv Amy Suzanne Soyring
o .
APFtDAV17 OF W LlCA71OR
TOWN OF ITHACA 'ZONING
BOARD OF APPEALS, NOTICE
THE ITHACA JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ."
- 1 .1WEDNESDAY, •SPETEMBER 14,;
19881 7:00 P. M.
Bdirection of the Chairman"i
of the Zoning Board of- Ap-'
peals NOTICE IS z::HEREB .�
GIVEN that by
. He nig
Ct� !l� t�t Q! I".1Sat.:ffwill be held b the' Zoning '
Board of Appeals of the Town
of Ithaca on Wednesday, Sep
Gail Sullins tember 14, 1988, in Town Hall , .,
.__ ._. . _.__. . ._. . .. . . . . .... . .. . . . .. . .. . . _ . ... . . .. . . _.. .. _ . . buns dLl� �' Su -ori, deTtloSCS 126 East Seneca Street, (FIRST .,
Floor, . REAR Entrance,in IthB WEST
and says , tiiom he resides Side ), . Ithaca, N. Y. , COM_;
Com, 'CiOLli) and state af�TCSctd and MENCING at 7:00 P. M. , on the ';
following matters. '-
C1E APPEAL of Cornell University,
ta8t1S ...__. .:_. ... ._.. .�.._..... . .._. ._._.._— — - - .. ... .._ _. .... .�. _..... Appellant, Henry "E. Done
Director of Engineering and ;
Facilities, Agent, "requesting '
d T= ITr*. +Ct Jocrxb: At a public nem-spap= printed and published Special Approval, pursuant to
Article. V, Section 18, Par-
agroph 4, of the Town of Itho
ca in Ithaca a£oand thath.iq notice , cd m• ch the annexe? is a true propo edg cOondstruction ofnane, ofthaa
r ca
new electric substation, re
COp , Was published III laid paps laced equipment, and two ;
----------- •--- . •--•--•-------------.. -....... .•.., new service lines near the
existing NYSEG East Ithaca,
Substation, proposed to be to-f
cated north of Maple Avenue, :
_ ... ..... .- s.!: :�� .. .. .. .............Y.�..__._. . . on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcell
/ No. 6-63- 1 - 11 , Residence Dis-
..._. ._.. . . .•• •--. . _.._. . ... trio AL o
_ . .•. .... ...... .. "
. APPEAL of the West Hill Ceme-
tery Association, Appellant,
and that the first ubliczt on o; Said notice was on the Neil R. Ailing,
ncef Agent, request;
p ---•• ••••-------•• ing variance from the require-
ments of Article IV, Section 13,1
1
of the Town of Ithaca Zoning
....__ ..._.. �.-_�..•—..�. ..�. .. . .. . . . Ordinance, whereby an ac='
cessory building may not ex-]
teed 15 feet in height, to per-
mit the construction of an ff
"'" - '•" accessory building 20 feet in
height proposed for the West J
$u bed and SV�•orn tD before me this dE , Hill Cemetery located ot ' thel
..__...... ._._.._.„,—._._....... y corner of Trumonsburg and
Hayts Roads, Town of Ithaca
-•18. Tax Parcels No. 6-24- 1 -25. 1 '.
. . _..._ and -25. 23, Residence District
# R- 15.
APPEAL of Joseph P. Burkhart,
Appellant, requesting modifi-
... _._�... ...... .. . ..... ... ...... .. . ....�..... �.. .....„ .. ... .
• ••-• • cation of a variance previous-
p� F ly granted by the Board of Ap-
JEAN FORD peals on September 10, 1986,
which required that the build-
Notary Public, State Of New York ing proposed to be used for
the sales and service of recre-
No. 4654410 ationol vehicles and boats be
located at least 60 feet from
Qualified in Tompkins Count the highway right of way line,
�' May 31 19 r • • of ca Elmira Road, Town 4,
Commission expires , Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 6Distri t.
in a Light Industrial District. ”
The modification requested is
for the placement of said
building 40 feet from the high-
way right of way. The Appel-
lant is further requesting vari-
ance from the requirements of
Article VII, Section 38, Par-
agraph 1 , of said Ordinance,
under which 32 parking
spaces are required, 18 park-
ing spaces being proposed. ,
APPEAL of John E. Roncich,
Appellant, Michael J. Morus
ty, Applicant, requesting vori-
once of the requirements of i
Article IV, Section 11 , Par- ••
agraph 2, of the Town of Itha-
ca Zoning Ordinance, where-
by only one residential
structure on a parcel of land
with up to two dwelling units
with occupancy by either two
families or a total of three un-
related persons in the entire j
• structure is permitted. The Ap-
plicant
plicant currently maintains
two residential structures,
each containing three dwell-
ing units, on Town of Ithaca
Tax Parcel No. 6-25-2-32,
known at 845-847 Toughon-
` C7 / n nock Blvd. , Residence District
R- 15.
Said Zoning Board of Appeals
will at said time, 7 :00 p. m. ,
and said place, hear all per-
sons in support of such matters
or objections thereto. Persons
may appear by agent or in
person .