HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2019-04-02'1' - OW - AN ' OF — 14' ' I 1ACA - 1) ' LAN ' - RooTo
NIN - Q BOAR - 1.)
Shirley A. Raffensperger 13oard n),wn Hall
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
1L . c ,.ty� _Apjij _2 20 19,
AGf`.NDA
7:00 RM, SE1QR Deterniniation: ']'own tat" lthacu Public Works FacilityAddition, 106 Seven Mile Dr,
7:00 1"Al. PUBLIC HEARING,- Consideration off-reliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the
proposed addition to the Town of'Ithaca Public Works Facility located at 106 Seven Mile
Drive, Town of Ith"'Ica Tax Parcel No. 31-2-6. 1, Low Density Residential Zone. The
proposal involves as 1,425,44- SLILIal-C foot additi(,,)n to (lie administrative area and break. morn
on the SOLItheast comer of the existing building, I'll(,, proJect will also involve theaddition of
700 +/- sqUare feet of parking (3 spaces), a teniporary office trailer, and rinnor grading arid
paving,"Town ofithaca, Owner/Appliccint; Daniel C. "Thaete, Town Engineer, Agent,
7-15 1).M. PUBIAC HEARING: Consideration of Prehrilinary Site Plan Approval and Sixcial Permit
for the proposed North Campus Residential E'xpansjon project, The project involves
constrUCti011 Of,( UVNI student residential cortiplex located on the Cornell Ulniversity c�an]PLIS
near 111casant Grove Road and Cradit Farni Drive, "I of lthacaTax Parcel No. 67.-l- LL
The pro' buildings, consists (,�)f three new freshman residenti�al buildinlys, each spanning the, City and
Town of Ithaca municipal hne. Approximately 177,80111+/- square feet ot'building, area will
be k,)catcd in the Town oflthaca, in the Low Density Residential zone. 'rhe I)r(*ct atlso
jnclUdeS various outdoor amenities, including rnodified, recreational fields, open lawn/cluad
areas, landscaping, bicycle amenities and walkways, along with rm.)dified parking areas,
storillwater management f(acildies, and nevv lighting. Cornell University, Owner/Applicarit'.
Kimberly Michaels, Tr(.)\vbridoe W(,,)lf Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, Agent.
Application materials are available at (lie following link:
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4, Persons to be ficard
Approval of'Minutes: Mrch 5, 2019
6, Other Business
7, Adj()tirnrnent
Susan Ritter
Director of Planning
273-1747
NOTF- 1FANYNIEN111ER OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLI; TOAA I TENE), PLEASE wymy
SANDY POLCE AT273-1747 or Slq)j,(IF ta„ l" (ANXITHACA.M.US,
(A quortum ofrour (4) tnembers is necessary to conduct Planning Board business.)
Accessing Meeting Materials Online
Site Phin and Subdivision applications andassociated project materials rare accessible electronically on lhe'fimn's website
under "Planning Board" on 1he ""eating Agendas"" page
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLICHEARINGS,
By direction of the Chairperson ofthe Planning Board, NOTICE IS I IEREBY GIVEN that Public Hearings
will be held by tire Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at 215 North Tioini
Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at tire: foliowing tinies and on the following matters:
7:00 RM. PUBLIC, JJEARINGConsideration of Prefinunaryand Final Site Plan, Approval for the
proposed addition to theTown of Ithaca Public Works Facility located at 106 Seven Mile
Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 33.-2-6.1, Low Density Residential Zone. Tile
proposal involves a 1,425 +/- square foot additi(ln to the administrative area and break
roorn. on the southeast corner ot' the existing building. The project will also involve the
addition of 700 +/- square feet of parking (3 spaces), as temporary office trailer, and minor
grading and paving. Town of' Ithaca, Owner/Applicant; Dalliel C. Thacte, Tnow
Engineer, Agent.
7:15 RM, PUBLIC HEARING: Cori si deraLi oil of Preliminary Site Plan Approval and Special
Permit for the proposed North Campus Residential Expansion project, 'rile project
involves construction, Of t new Student residential complex located oil the Cornell
University campus near Pleasant Grove Road and Cradit Farm Drive, Town of h1lacaTax
Parcel No. (i7.-1-1.1. Tire project consists of three new freshman residential buildings,
each spanning the; City and Town of' Ithaca municipal line. Approximately 177,800+/ -
square feet of building area will be, located in the Town of Ithaca, in the Low Density
Residential Zone, The pr(.ject also includes various outdoor amenities, including
modified recreational fields, open lawn/quad areas, landscaping, bicycle atuenities air(]
waalkways, along with modified parking areas, storniwater management facilities, and
new lighting, Cornell University, 0wrier/Applicant; Kimberly Michaels, Trowbridge
Woli'Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, Agent, Application materials are available at
the following link:
Said Planning Board will at said time nand said place hearall persons in support of such matters or ol1jections,
thereu). Persons, may appeal- by agent or in pers(mi, individuals with Visual impairments, hearing
inipairnieuts or other special, ireeds, will be provided with assistance as necessary, upon request. Pei-solis
desiring assistance nrust make such a request not less than,48 hours prior to the tisane Of the public hearing.
Susan.Ritter
Director of Planning
273-1747
D,atc& Mon(kty, March 25, 2019
Publish: Wednesday, March 27,,2,019
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION
I, Sandra Polce, being duly sworn, depose and say that I am a Senior Typist for the Town of
Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York; that the following Notice has been duly posted on the sign
board of the Town of Ithaca and that said Notice has been duly published in the local newspaper,
The Ithaca Journal.
Notice of Public Hearings to be held by the Town of Ithaca Planning Board in the Town of Ithaca
Town Hall, 215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York, on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 commencing at
7:00 P.M., as per attached.
Location of Sign Board used for Posting: Town Clerk Sign Board =215 North Tioga Street.
Date of Posting: March 25, 2019
Date of Publication: March 27, 2019
Sandra Polce, Senior Typist
Town of Ithaca
STATE OF NEW YORK) SS:
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27`h day of March 2019.
Notiiv Public
DEBORAH KELLEY
Notary
1Vuublic Ko. State
o07ewYork
Dualified in Schuyler County, `�%
Commission Expires May 17, 20
WISONODAY, MARCH, 27,,2019 '
Town of Ithaca
Planning, Board
215 North Tioga Street
April 2, 2019 7.-00 p.m.
PLEASE SIGN -IN
Please Print Clearly. Than You
Address
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C, uuL
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TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
Town Planning Board Members Present: Fred Wilcox, Cindy Kaufman, Joseph Haefeti, John Beach,
Yvonne Fogarty, Liebe Meier Swain, Jon Bosak, Jennifer Karius
Town Staff Present: Susan Ritter; Director of Planning; Bruce Bates, Director of Code Enforcement;
Marty Mosely, Code Enforcement Officer; Chris Balestra, Planner; Dan Thaete, Town Engineer;
David O'Shea, Civil Engineer; Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Debra DeAugistine, Deputy
Town Clerk
Call to Order
Mr. Wilcox called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed
addition to the Town of Ithaca Public Works Facility located at 106 Seven Mite Drive, Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 33.-2-6.1, Low Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves a 1,425 +/-
square foot addition to the administrative area and break room on the southeast corner of the
existing building. The project will also involve the addition of 700 +/- square feet of parking (3
spaces), a temporary office trailer, and minor grading and paving. Town of Ithaca, Owner/Applicant;
Daniel C. Thaete, Town Engineer, Agent
Mr. Wilcox opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m.
Mr. Thaete stated that the last major expansion project was in 2002, and since that time, staff levels
have increased and engineering has moved from town hall to the public works facility to better
coordinate with the public works staff on our ever-increasing infrastructure projects. We're maxed out
on office space. We worked with the town board to get funding for a capital improvement project to
expand the office piece of the facility to 1400 square feet. We also worked with Nick Goldsmith, the
sustainability planner, to use the project as a guinea pig for the new green building policy the town is
looking to adopt. We will be spending a substantial amount of money upgrading the heating and
cooling systems, windows, and insulation to adhere to the proposed policy. There will be minimum
site work. The addition is replacing impervious surface in kind. We will keep the same number of
parking spaces as we currently have. We'll adjust some of the grades around the building and provide
a new sidewalk around the addition. We'll only be required to do a simple SWPPP because we fall
well below the threshold, so we won't do water quality or storm attenuation, which is tied to the
amount of land disturbed and the amount of proposed impervious surface. Site lighting will remain
unchanged. There will be small wall packs on the building.
Mr. Wilcox pointed out that the published agenda showed a SEQR for the project, but it was
determined that this is a Type II action and is not subject to environmental review.
Ms. Fogarty asked about lighting.
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 2 of 20
Mr. Thaete said they have to adhere to the town's lighting law for outdoor lights. Inside the building,
all the lighting is currently controlled from one switch, so all the lights are either on or off. With the
new addition, there will be sectors of lighting and two different lighting levels. We discussed doing
occupancy -sensitive sensors, but opted not to go that route; when we're there, the lights are on and
when we're not, they're off.
Mr. Haefeli wondered whether 1400 square feet would be enough space.
Mr. Thaete said we looked at the proposed staffing plan moving forward. We're putting in more
offices than we had. There's an engineering sector and a central area that will be for the working
supervisors. The furniture in that area will be moveable. There is additional space for four or five
more employees in that sector. We're trying to do it in such a manner that we won't have to come
back for an upgrade in the near future.
Mr. Wilcox closed the public hearing at 7:15 p.m.
PB Resolution No. 2019.008: Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval, Town of Ithaca Public
Works Facility Addition, 106 Seven Mile Drive, Tax Parcel No. 33:2-6.1
Moved by Joseph Haefeli; seconded by Yvonne Fogarty
WHEREAS:
1. This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed
addition to the Town of Ithaca Public Works Facility located at 106 Seven Mile Drive, Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 33.-2-6.1, Low Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves a 1,425 +/-
square foot addition to the administrative area and break room on the southeast corner of the
existing building. The project will also involve the addition of 700 +/- square feet of parking (3
spaces), a temporary office trailer, and minor grading and paving. Town of Ithaca, Own-
er/Applicant; Daniel C. Thaete, Town Engineer, Agent,
2. This is a Type II Action, pursuant to 6 NYCRR Section 617.5(c)(9) of the regulations of the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Envi-
ronmental Quality Review Act, because the Action constitutes the "construction of a primary or
accessory/appurtenant, non-residential structure or facility involving less than 4,000 square feet of
gross floor area and not involving a change in zoning or a use variance and consistent with local
land use controls, but not radio communication or microwave transmission facilities." Thus,
approval of the site plan is not subject to review under SEQR; and
3. The Planning Board, at a public hearing held on April 2, 2019, has reviewed and accepted as
adequate a narrative, Sheets V100, C100, and C101 titled "Town of Ithaca Public Works Facility
Administrative Office Addition," prepared by T.G. Miller P.C., and D. O'Shea, Town of Ithaca,
dated 02/25/2019, revised 3/11/2019; Sheet A100 titled "Renovations, Public Works Facility,
Town of Ithaca, 106 Seven Mile Drive, Ithaca, New York, 14850," prepared by HOLT Architects,
dated 10/1/18; and Sheet A200, titled "Public Works Facility, Town of Ithaca, 106 Seven Mile
Drive, Ithaca, NY, 14850," prepared by HOLT Architects, dated 02/13/19; and other application
materials;
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 3 of 20
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary and Final
Site Plan Approval, as shown on the Preliminary and Final Site Plan Checklists, having deter-
mined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in a significant alteration of nei-
ther the purpose of site plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town Board,
2. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for
the proposed 1,425+/- square foot addition to the Town of Ithaca Public Works Facility, located
at 106 Seven Mile Drive, as described in Whereas #3 above, subject to the following conditions:
a. Submission for review and approval by the Planning Board, of the size, location, design, and
materials of any proposed signage for the project,
b. Submission of one large -size original of the final site plan drawings, including a revised Sheet
V100 (to show the correct number of existing parking spaces along the south side of the build-
ing), signed and sealed by the registered land surveyor(s), engineer(s), architect(s), or landscape
architect(s) who prepared the site plan materials,
c. To protect the stream located along the southern property line, there shall be no construction
staging, equipment storage or storage of materials along the area labeled "asphalt parking"
shown on the drawings on the south side of the project site,
d. All outdoor lighting must comply with the Town of Ithaca Outdoor Lighting Law; and
3. Pursuant to Section 270-227.B (2) and (3) of the Town Code, the Planning Board hereby
authorizes the placement of parking in the front and side yards of the project site, finding that:
a. The particular use, nature, or location of the proposed project or building, requires that park-
ing
arking be in one of such yards,
b. It is not practicable to limit parking to areas outside the required yards,
c. Parking in such yards does not significantly adversely affect adjacent properties or the charac-
ter of the neighborhood; and
d. No such parking will occur in any buffer areas.
Vote
Ayes: Wilcox, Kaufman, Haefeli, Beach, Fogarty, Bosak, Karius
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing: Consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for the
proposed North Campus Residential Expansion project. The project involves construction of a new
student residential complex located on the Cornell University campus near Pleasant Grove Road and
Cradit Farm Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 67.-1-1.1. The project consists of three new
freshman residential buildings, each spanning the City and Town of Ithaca municipal line. Approxi-
mately 177,800+/- square feet of building area will be located in the Town of Ithaca, in the Low
Density Residential Zone. The project also includes various outdoor amenities, including modified
recreational fields, open lawn/quad areas, landscaping, bicycle amenities and walkways, along with
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 4 of 20
modified parking areas, stormwater management facilities, and new lighting. Cornell University,
Owner/Applicant; Kimberly Michaels, Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, Agent
Ms. Meier Swain recused herself.
The applicant team gave a short presentation.
Ms. Wolf said the site plan comprises the far eastern side of the site. The Appel lot will be downsized
because of the encroachment of a building. The tennis court will remain with slight changes. The first
year site straddles the city -town boundary and an ADA sidewalk connects the first and second year
sites. They worked extensively with the fire department to develop an acceptable plan. The university
has agreed to work with the county and town to reconfigure the intersection of Pleasant Grove Road
and Cradit Farm Drive. Pleasant Grove will lead onto campus, and there will be a hard turn onto
Forest Home. Most students will not have vehicles, so the increased transit needs will be met by more
bus stops and shelters. There are three locations of fencing in the town. The existing fence at the
tennis courts will be shifted 10 feet. A proposed 4 -foot -high chain link fence at the corner of Jessup
and Pleasant Farm will surround the recreation field, and seasonally, they would install netting up to
ten feet high inside this fence. The third fence is an 8 -foot -high wooden dumpster enclosure, which
they could lower to six. They need guidance on whether they'll need a variance for the fencing.
Arvind Tikku, Ikon 5 Architects, passed out material samples and gave an overview of the architec-
ture. A portion of buildings 3 and 5 are in the town of Ithaca. The residence halls are based on
historic precedence going back to when Balch Hall and Clara Dickson were designed, which is
quadrangles. There are a variety of social programs in the residences that accentuate the living
learning experience such as lounges, community kitchens, and breakout rooms, which provide
opportunities for socialization and collaboration. That experience is enhanced by the connectivity to
the outdoor spaces, both visually, with glass walls, and physically, by direct access doors to the outside.
In order to not have a monotonous horizontal facade, they introduced the social spaces with glazed
exteriors to break up the facade. People can see outside as well as be seen from the outside, so they're
always part of the indoor -outdoor world. The limestone -colored stone panels are markers on the
outside that help deemphasize the horizontal nature of the buildings as well as emphasize where the
entrances are. They also staggered the vertical windows and alternated the 3 -foot -high terracotta
panels so your eyes are constantly moving. The reddish terracotta tile, which is a modern natural
material and is the predominant wall material for the residences, provides continuity to North
Campus, which is red brick. The gray accents are a color connection to the llenroc stone that is also
used on North Campus.
Ms. Fogarty asked about the purpose of the4-foot fence.
Ms. Wolf responded that it's to keep balls within the field in the off season when it's only casually
used. In season, when they're really using the field, the netting will be up.
Ms. Ritter asked about the reflectiveness of the windows; she was concerned about bird strikes.
Mr. Tikku responded that there's not a reflective coating.
Ms. Fogarty asked about the plan for move -in.
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 5 of 20
Ms. Michaels said Cornell has made a commitment to extend the number of days for move -in to at
least one and a half, perhaps more. They're going to work with an external vendor that's like a move -
in valet: you drive your car up and a crew unpacks your car while your kid checks in; the crew brings
the stuff upstairs while you drive away and park your car remotely where it won't clog up campus.
Currently, there are volunteers on site helping orient people, find carts, and make sure cars keep
moving, but they don't physically help people unpack their cars. This new approach should make the
process much more efficient.
Mr. Wilcox opened the public hearing at 7:45.
Mr. Todd Brewer, business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Local 241, said lie represents over 200 members. He requested three things of the planning board. 1)
Approval of the NCRE project. 2) Local labor language for manpower and vendors. Prefab construc-
tion of the job site should be here in Tompkins County rather than down south supporting commu-
nities where there is a lower standard of living. 3) Formation of a committee with planning board
members, local labor, environmental groups, and Cornell to discuss important environmental short-
term and long-term goals of future projects in our community. All the members lie represents with
the IBEW Local 241 and the Tompkins County Building Trades Council live here, raise their
families here, pay taxes here, and spend money locally, and they want to be able to work here as well.
The mission statement of the county Chamber of Commerce talks about the need to support the
local economy. The best way to support the local economy is to adopt local labor language and use
local vendors.
Ms. Caroline Arms, president of the Forest Home Improvement Association, read the following
statement:
Good evening.
I am Caroline Arms, President of the Forest Home Improvement Association (FHIA). Forest
Home is the community that will be most directly affected by the North Campus Residential
Expansion (NCRE). Concerns focus on potential effects of increased traffic in the neighbor-
hood, particularly on safety for pedestrians, including the increasing number of runners we
observe, and also for cyclists.
The community appreciates that construction traffic is directed to use Pleasant Grove Road
away from Forest Home and is absolutely delighted at the inclusion of conditions Lc and 3.y
in the proposed resolution relating to re -alignment of the intersection of Cradit Farm Drive
and Pleasant Grove Road "to direct traffic more readily to the Cornell Campus" and thus re-
duce traffic through our hamlet. I would like to express my gratitude to all concerned.
Near that intersection is an entrance feature with a speed table and lamps on stone pedestals
installed about 10 years ago as part of an overall traffic calming project for Forest Hole. We
respectfully request that this feature be retained as part of the re -alignment, appropriately relo-
cated if needed.
In the letter I submitted on FHIA's behalf to the City Planning Board about NCRE, the sec-
ond request was for enhancements to the steep section of Pleasant Grove Road between Cra-
dit Farm Drive and the intersection with Forest Home Drive near the downstream bridge to
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 6 of 20
make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The Forest Home Traffic Calming Plan from
2007 (a joint effort among the Town of Ithaca, Historic Ithaca, and Forest Home) included a
recommendation to reallocate the existing pavement width on the Pleasant Grove Road hill to
provide a pedestrian walkway on the creek side of the road, two travel lanes for vehicles, and a
climbing lane on the up -bound side for bicycles. We hope this is a suitable opportunity to
consider implementing a plan based on that concept. Most of the pedestrians and runners
that use that section of road are headed to or from North Campus or Hasbrouck Apartments.
Numbers can be expected to increase as a result of the North Campus Expansion. Therefore,
it seems appropriate for Cornell to contribute to such a project.
We recognize that this section of road is owned and maintained by Tompkins County. I note
that the condition of the road surface on the hill is poor at the moment, with water emerging
through the asphalt at many places. If the road may need major work anyway, perhaps it is a
good moment to consider the safety improvements we suggest.
Mr. Wilcox suggested she send a copy of her statement to the town board and the county rep, because
many of these issues are elected officials' responsibilities as opposed to the planning board's.
Doug Brittain, 135 Warren Road, endorsed everything Ms. Arms said. He passed around a map (see
attachment) showing the existing conditions on a short stretch of Pleasant Grove Road. The reason
lie chose that section was that it shows the transition. Within Forest Home and down the hill to the
right, the pavement is 26 feet wide. Above the last driveway in Forest Home, the road swells out to 31
feet. It's continuous asphalt; drivers think it's all theirs and they're all over the place. It's not a safe
place to walk or ride a bike. His read from his written statement, below:
Proposed Reassignment of Existing Pavement Width on the Pleasant Grove Road Hill
The Forest Home Traffic Calming Plan was a joint effort among the Town of Ithaca, Historic
Ithaca and Forest Home, with input from numerous stakeholder groups, including emergency
responders, Cornell and Tompkins County. The Plan recommends reallocating the existing
pavement width on the Pleasant Grove Road hill so as to provide a pedestrian walkway on the
creek side of the road, two vehicular travel lanes, and a bicycle climbing lane on the up -bound
side of the road. Because this roadway is within the Forest Home traffic -calmed zone, its rede-
sign would have to conform to the Forest Home streetscape design, as outlined in the Forest
Home Traffic Calming Plan. This roadway transformation would involve relocating the vehic-
ular guiderail, installing a pedestrian handrail, and constructing textured shoulders (as speci-
fied by the County for the recent upstream Forest Home bridge project). Fortunately, no addi-
tional pavement width would be required, as demonstrated in the accompanying handout.
Most of the pedestrians that use that section of roadway, and who would therefore benefit
from these safety improvements, are Cornell students headed to or from North Campus. The
number of these pedestrians can be expected to increase as a result of the North Campus Res-
idential Expansion project. Therefore, it seems appropriate for the University to help fund
this project, which would provide a significant safety improvement for a relatively modest cost.
Mr. Brittain continued, saying that what Ms. Arms suggested is perfectly reasonable. It would fit. It
shouldn't be too expensive because it's not creating new facilities, just chopping up what we already
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 7 of 20
have to make it work better. He suggested that noise will be an issue because they're putting under -
grads across from the Hasbrouck apartments, where a lot of small children live.
Ruth Mahr, 103 Judd Falls Road, read the following statement:
1. I'm curious about the process: Is it customary to draft a resolution, in this case pertaining to
the NCRE, before the Board has held a public hearing on matters considered in the resolu-
tion?
2. I also find it problematic that concerns of the Forest Home neighborhood about this pro-
ject are not reflected in the Board's discussion, analysis and draft resolution.
3. Specifically, though, I'd like to comment on the following assertions in the proposed reso-
lution:
p. 2, Item D: "Community infrastructure ... such as ... roadways ... will be adequate to
accommodate the proposed use."
and Item F: "The site layout, with proposed vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian access ...
is sufficient for the proposed use,"
a. In my opinion, it is an illusion to believe that the addition of 2,000 human beings
to an area just north of Forest Home, thereby shifting the center of gravity of North
Campus eastward toward Pleasant Grove Road, will not result in increased vehicular,
bicycle, and pedestrian traffic through Forest Home. And, further that the infrastruc-
ture can safely handle that increase, for it is clear that our roadways are inadequate
right now for accommodating present levels of traffic.
b. Further, I believe that the project is likely to result in an increased demand for bus
service directly connecting the North Campus area to the Upper (East) Cornell Cam-
pus. That would mean even more buses passing through the neighborhood and need-
ing to negotiate the difficult, narrow turn at the intersection of Judd Falls Road and
Forest Home Drive.
4. Given that the Town of Ithaca is committed to maintaining and improving the quality and
livability of its residential neighborhoods, to preserving its historic resources, and to reducing
its carbon footprint, it behooves public officials in the Town to take into consideration im-
pacts that are likely to have a negative impact on its neighborhoods, historic resources, and
carbon footprint.
I would like this resolution to recognize the potential for negative impacts due to traffic gen-
erated by this project and to insist that Cornell develop and implement a visionary plan for
moving people around the area in ways that are safe, energy efficient, and compatible with the
preservation of neighborhoods and historic resources.
Brian Noteboom, representative from the Carpenters Local 277, said that the members in attendance
all support the project. They echo the local labor language mentioned by Tod Brewer. The members
contribute to the local economy. Local 277 has a good working relationship with Cornell. This
generates jobs and money in the local economy. In order to have good apprenticeships, we have to
have good jobs. Many young people are not getting involved in the trades, not working with their
hands. We have an aging work force, and this is an opportunity to bring in more young people. He's
seen people wash out because of the lack of work.
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 8 of 20
Mr. Wilcox asked what the difference is between this project and Maplewood.
Mr. Noteboom responded that the developer was from out of state and brought in out-of-state
contractors. They were not supporting the local economy like local members. They didn't have a
skilled workforce and the job went over time. Local unions have skilled labor and a good relationship
with Cornell; they'll bring in apprentices and whatever workforce is needed. Some of the members
got in a lot of hours from fixing problems on that project.
Bruce Brittain read the following statement:
Realignment of Pleasant Grove Road /Cradit Farm Drive Intersection
Thank you for requiring the realignment of the Pleasant Grove Road /Cradit Farm Drive in-
tersection, which has been discussed since the original NCRI project 20 years ago, and is in-
cluded in Cornell's campus master plan. Perhaps it is understood, but it might be wise to clar-
ify that the Forest Home traffic calming entrance feature on Pleasant Grove Road would be
preserved. To this end, a clause could be inserted into tonight's Resolution in the AND BE
ITFURTHER RESOLVED section (on p. 3 of 5), at the end of Condition I.c., after Item iv:
"The existing Forest Home traffic calming entrance feature on Pleasant Grove Road,
including speed table and street lamps on stone pedestals, shall be incorporated into
the intersection realignment (and relocated if necessary) so as to continue to function
as the entrance to the Forest Home community."
Creation of Pleasant Grove Road Walkway
Pleasant Grove Road hill receives quite a bit of pedestrian traffic. This seems to be predomi-
nantly students, especially runners, heading to or from North Campus. Placing pedestrians
between a moving car and a guiderail can be dangerous, especially on a slippery hill in winter.
The number of these at -risk pedestrians can be expected to increase as a result of the North
Campus Residential Expansion project. Therefore, it seems appropriate for the University to
address this issue by creating a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the Pleasant Grove Road hill,
utilizing part of the existing pavement width, as recommended in the Forest Home Traffic
Calming Plan. This would provide a significant safety improvement for Cornell students, for a
relatively modest cost.
To accomplish this improvement, a clause could be inserted into tonight's Resolution, as an
additional condition (Condition n.) in the AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED section (on
P. 4 of 5):
"n. Submission of a written commitment from Cornell University to facilitate and
fund a project to reallocate existing pavement width on the Pleasant Grove Road hill
so as to create a pedestrian walkway connecting to the North Campus sidewalk net-
work."
Heather said she is member of Local 277 and she supports the project. She lives and works here. She
moved up from downstate and chose Ithaca for its progressiveness and diversity and because it always
seems to be growing. Being a union member coming out of the city, it looked like a good place to
land and be able to support and raise her family, find a good job, and buy a new car, which she did
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
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and she bought it locally. She lives here and spends every cent she earns here. These projects are
important to her and her family. We need to keep growing, keep working, and keep relevant.
A gentleman stated that lie is really excited about this project for many reasons. He moved to Ithaca
in 1998 and since then, the town has grown a lot. One of the things lie likes about this project is that
it makes for a walkable community for the students to live and not have to drive. Our traffic has
changed so much over 20 years, and it's a great idea to consolidate the students on campus where
they study, eat, and socialize. It presents the opportunity to eliminate a lot of the town -gown conflicts
by having freshman students more supervised than if they're living off campus, downtown, next door
to families with kids. He works as an electrician with Local 241 and in the last five years, lie spent one
year on unemployment, which is difficult living as an Ithaca taxpayer and watching all the develop-
ment going up being subsidized by local government through tax abatements, while his tax bills keep
going up. He likes the project because Cornell has made the commitment to hire local workers to
build it. Now lie might be able to start paying down some of the debt lie accrued while watching all
the private development happen with out-of-town, out-of-state, low-wage workers doing the work. The
project is great for Ithaca, great for Cornell, and a win-win situation for everybody. He thinks it's time
to move forward.
Mr. Wilcox closed the public hearing at 8:20 p.m.
Mr. Wilcox stated that lie attended the Village of Cayuga Heights planning board meeting last week.
They gave preliminary approval to some aspects of the project. Their primary concern is truck traffic.
Think of the building material to build dorms for 2000 people that has to be trucked onto the site, all
going through Cayuga Heights. Contractor traffic was a second concern. They understand that that's
the best routing, but the turning radiuses for large trucks will be tough. As for contractor parking in
the village, there might be a wetland, and they requested that the applicant team delineate the
wetland. There are potential steep slopes in the parking area they're considering for contractor
parking. Regarding site lighting, they heard about the new LED lighting and the benefits of staying
cooler.
Ms. Michaels said they gave approval to build the office area for the contractors.
Mr. Wilcox said that except for the potential of the fence, no variances will be required. Regarding
the comments from the public, many have crossed the line into policy, especially when it comes to
conditions asking that labor unions be used. We as a planning board don't weigh in. That's for our
elected officials to decide. The same with some of the suggestions regarding the roads: lie likes the
idea of a recommendation that the town, Cornell, and county explore improving the downhill
portion of Pleasant Grove Road as part of the realignment project. If you're funneling more traffic
towards the university, that hopefully means less traffic to Forest Home.
Ms. Michaels said the project did receive preliminary site plan approval from the city on March 26th.
That allows the project to move forward with earthwork, utilities, and foundations in the city. The
next step is making sure the SWPPP is signed so they can apply for the permit.
Mr. Wilcox thought it was interesting that they'll be allowed to start work in the city with just
preliminary approval.
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Mr. Bosak noted that noise, traffic, neighborhood character, and carbon footprint are SEQR issues,
and that that train left on December 20th. He likes the proposed additions regarding Forest Home
traffic calming and funding the existing pavement widths. What's wrong with pasting these into our
resolution?
Ms. Brock explained that the applicant submitted a circulation study as part of their package that
looked at conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles and between bicycles and vehicles. The study area
does not include the hill on Pleasant Grove Road going down into Forest Home. There isn't data as
to pedestrian and bicycle use of that hill.
Ms. Michaels said the data they have is that the majority of the students are moving to central
campus.
Ms. Brock said that looking at the circulation study, Pleasant Grove Road right at the edge of
Hasbrouck is the most southern boundary of the study area for Pleasant Grove Road itself. The study
area then dips down into Forest Home west of Pleasant Grove Road. Part III of their negative
declaration of environmental significance talks about the circulation study and has recommendations
to ease the pedestrian -vehicle and bicycle vehicle conflicts, and says that with those mitigations, there's
no potential for adverse environmental impacts. It doesn't mention that hill at all, most likely because
it wasn't included in the study area. To her, the problem is: Do we have enough information to show
what that use is to justify adding a condition requiring the addition of the guiderail, sidewalk, and
uphill bike lane? They did look at traffic counts, but there's no data about pedestrian and bicycle use
of that hill.
Ms. Fogarty asked if we can request that a study be done to get that data.
Ms. Brock responded that it seems like that should have been done as part of the environmental
review, and the city was lead agency. As lead agency, they looked at the environmental impacts
regardless of which municipality had those project elements. She doesn't know if we have the right
now to ask for that additional information.
Mr. Bosak commented that that's why we do an environmental impact statement.
Ms. Brock said it's her understanding that the traffic calming features are tied up with the intersec-
tion realignment. She thinks the request was that if they can't be preserved in the location they are
that they be moved to somewhere close by to maintain the traffic calming effect. She thinks that's
different because Cornell has said that, as part of this project, they're willing to explore this intersec-
tion relocation, understanding that it's a county road. The county has to sign on and they've asked if
the town would be supportive, too.
Mr. Bosak asked if we could we splice that in.
Ms. Brock said she thinks it would be okay if we want to specify nearby relocation of the traffic
calming features.
Ms. Ritter said it should be written as something that's taken into account and not Mandated, just in
case it can't happen.
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Mr. Bosak commented that it's all a list of desires.
Mr. Wilcox said that while we're listing desires, we'd also desire improvements to the downhill
portion of Pleasant Grove Road. It's a weak "we want."
Ms. Michaels noted that the project team and Cornell have made a global change to the document in
their approach to lighting to address the comments from the village, so all lighting will be 3000K.
Mr. Bosak said, regarding the comments from the ERC, they talk about a lot of things that are moot.
Mr. Wilcox agreed. The building height is allowed. Cornell has gone to great lengths to go from five
stories, which is allowed in the city, to three stories when they hit the town line.
Mr. Bosak said the plant list identifies plants they consider invasive.
Ms. Balestra said she didn't believe any of the species they listed were on the Tompkins County list of
invasive species. They provided other plants they consider to be horticulturally equivalent species.
Ms. Wolf offered to look into it and address any new plant list in the final approval.
Mr. Thaete gave an update on stormwater. In the sections of the project in the town, there are two
key aspects that need to be met for an applicant to meet the state regulations: storm attenuation and
water quality. Storm attenuation is when you put an impervious surface down, it will create more
runoff. You control that runoff to predevelopment conditions and you release it. Water quality takes
several different components. The applicant is going in under a redevelopment strategy, and with
that, they're only required to provide a certain percentage of water quality for the existing impervious
surfaces. You do a comparison between pre- and post -construction impervious surfaces, and only
roughly 25 percent of existing pervious surfaces need to be treated for water quality purposes.
Regarding the storm attenuation component, the two drainage areas that encompass the piece in the
town of Ithaca are discharging to Beebe Lake, which is a fifth -order stream. The DEC requires that if
you're direct discharging to a fifth -order stream or larger, you don't have to do storm attenuation. So
in the town of Ithaca, they're creating additional impervious surfaces. Those surfaces are being treated
for water quality in compliance with NYS law. They are then direct discharging to Beebe Lake with no
storm attenuation. So they'll be meeting the state regulations. We've been working with the applicant
for the past couple weeks, and we don't yet have the appropriate data to get the 100 -year storm to the
point of interest that's identified. Looking at the plan holistically, the rooftop runoff and parking
areas, which are both impervious, are being treated for water quality. They're adhering to the state
regulations, so the ERC comment of potentially not being able to treat the heavy metals is up for
debate. They just have to adhere to state law. There is no more jurisdiction for the town to go beyond
that.
Mr. Haefeli asked how they're filtering the oils and heavy metals.
Mr. Thaete said lie would love for the applicant to tell us.
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
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Ms. Michaels said their bioretention basins are set up based on state DEC details, and the process of
the water filtering through layers of soil cleans it.
Ms. Wolf added that there are four feet of soil that works as a filter, and the specification of that soil
mix has to meet state DEC standards.
Mr. Wilcox pointed out that in the resolution, there are two conditions relevant to this discussion: 1)
Inclusion of the project into the campus -wide stormwater OMR agreement between the town and
Cornell, and 2) Completion of all stormwater facilities and required utilities to the satisfaction of the
town's public works department and Bolton Point.
Mr. Bosak summarized the answer to the question of whether bioretention facilities are sufficient to
removing heavy metals and oil: according to the state, yes.
Mr. Thaete said there are requirements on the depth of the filters, the soil media, and the plantings;
as long as they adhere to those standards, they meet that requirement.
Ms. Fogarty asked when the regulations went into effect.
Mr. Thaete said direct discharge to a fifth -order stream or larger has been in the regulations since lie's
been at the town. The 2007 timeframe is when the water quality and green infrastructure practices
started to ramp up. The state has been working through the process of updating the regulations for a
few years. They have so many comments from the public and different agencies that they don't have
an estimated timeframe for completion.
Mr. Bosak said lie isn't bothered by the direct discharge; what would bother him is the quality of the
water going in.
Ms. Karius said she's been studying lake health issues, especially with regard to sedimentation and
phosphorous. Our end of the lake has been classified as an impaired body of water. Fall Creek goes
straight into Cayuga Lake without a requirement from the state to provide less flow. She wondered
how we'll measure the impact on the lake in lieu of the regulations, considering that the volume is
not being looked at. Also it looks like Cornell is applying a credit because of not having the require-
ment to restrict water flow. She's really concerned about the erosion impact due the volume of water
from a 2000 -bed facility and the concern regarding sewage and water upgrades.
Ms. Michaels said people have been using the term "lesser requirements" when they're talking about a
fifth -order stream; it's her understanding that it's not a lesser requirement, but rather a different set
of requirements. A fifth -order stream is larger and it collect a much larger watershed above it, and the
idea is that in the case of a 100 -year storm, all of this watershed is on its way, and there's a peak
involved in that. To hold water near the fifth -order stream outlet, you just make that peak bigger. The
idea is that the closer you get to the fifth -order stream, the quicker you want to release water because
you are mitigating potential flooding uphill. It's not that there's a lesser requirement or they're not
doing something they should be doing, it's that it's managing the peak water in the greater watershed.
Ms. Wolf said that's exactly right. If you're near the bottom of the watershed, they want the water to
leave so you're not creating this bottleneck and backup for flooding.
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Mr. Thaete said that in a general sense, you start at the headwaters way up high. As you go down-
stream, every time you have a tributary that comes together, you go from first order, then second
order, so by the time you get to the headwaters, which, in this case, is Cayuga Lake, because of the
number of tributaries identified on the DEC's mapping, it's a fifth -order stream.
Mr. Bosak thought we weren't discharging into any streams.
Mr. Thaete said it's going into Beebe Lake, which is Fall Creek. It's DEC's attempt at doing storm -
water management on a holistic scale. You're trying to relieve the tail water condition, which is the
buildup of water right as it releases into the lake; you're trying to get that out of the way so all of the
upstream flow can get out of there without flooding. Regarding storm attenuation, we're an MS4
because the south end of Cayuga Lake is an impaired water body for sediment. That's why the city
and town and communities around us have the authority to review this SWPPP. A lot of other
communities don't. His concern, which lie's working through with the applicant, is to get the 100 -
year storm to Beebe Lake without creating an erosive condition. They're providing him with the data.
That's the attenuation piece. Water quality is a separate issue: they still have to do a pre- and post -
development comparison of impervious surfaces because it's a redevelopment project. If pre and post
conditions match - for example, if they're tearing out one acre of impervious and putting back one
acre - that's a direct match, and they're required to do water quality on roughly 25 percent of that:
that's the regulation, and lie has no control over that. For anything above that one acre, they have to
do 100 percent water quality treatment on that overage. They're mixing redevelopment and new
development strategies for the water quality component.
Ms. Fogarty asked if it would help to have more pervious pavement
Mr. Thaete said pervious pavement is tricky around here. Our department is not a fan of it, because
we're in an area with freeze -thaw. When it snows and ices up, we put salt down, so when it melts,
you're injecting salt directly into the ground. Is that what you want, or would you rather have that salt
run off to a water quality device? It's up for debate whether that technology is right for this area.
Cornell is doing research on a test parking lot (Peterson); they put in monitoring wells to do research
to see if the pervious pavement will hold up. The other issue is maintenance: when you throw salt and
cinders down, you're going to clog up the pores of the pervious pavement, so if you don't continually
maintain and vacuum these surfaces, they lose their porosity.
Ms. Fogarty asked about the demolition plan: how many truckloads would come out with soil and
demo material and where it's going.
Ms. Michaels said the route is Route 13 to Triphammer Road to Hanshaw to Pleasant Grove. The
Village of Cayuga Heights was asking why they couldn't come down Warren Road and then head
west on Hanshaw and down Pleasant Grove, through the town instead of the village. But the turning
movements are not appropriate for that at the Pleasant Grove and Hanshaw intersection. Also, there
would be other communities, two schools, a daycare center, and more residential neighborhoods
affected by such a routing. At this point, the village is exploring other avenues to address their traffic
concerns. Regarding the number of trucks, it will fluctuate between ten and 20 construction deliveries
per day, depending on the phase of the project and time of year, with a maximum of five arrivals and
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
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departures during the morning and afternoon commuter peaks during the height of construction
activity.
Ms. Brock pointed out that they will not be using town roads.
Mr. Wilcox brought up the county's 239 review. Site lighting: we already have a statement from the
team that they will be at 3000K or less. The presence of wetlands on the parcel for contractor parking:
that's in the village.
Ms. Kaufman said she appreciated the enlarged elevation area in the drawings. It looks like it's going
to be a beautiful project. She noted that when they use the word "agitation," it makes her nervous: it
sounds very hectic. She would use "fluid" instead, which implies something gentler. With the subtle
terracotta color changes and the texture changes, you're going to get a subtle rippling effect, which
will be very nice.
Mr. Wilcox asked Mr. Bates to address what would happen if there were a call to 911 from one of the
buildings that's part in the city and part in the town.
Mr. Bates responded that as part of the new negotiations between the town and city regarding fire
services, the city will have jurisdiction within those dwelling units.
Mr. Wilcox said a condition in the resolution requires that it be worked out before final site plan
approval. For the benefit of the new board members, lie explained the difference between preliminary
and final approval. Preliminary approval is asking the board to say whether they're in favor of the
project with multiple conditions attached. In his opinion, that's the more important vote. When it
comes to final approval, that's this board being asked whether the applicant has sufficiently dealt with
the conditions imposed, to the maximum extent practicable. Untess there's a new piece of infor-
mation we didn't know before, final is just a review of the whether the conditions have been met.
Ms. Fogarty noted that one of the people who spoke at the public hearing said Cornell had agreed to
use local labor; she wondered whether that was true.
Ms. Michaels said it's true that Cornell has a commitment to use union and local labor.
Ms. Kaufman asked whether the project had been put out to bid.
Ms. Michaels said it hadn't. They're targeting May 1st for the bid documents to be internally finished.
There is a preliminary site work package that is ready because they're hoping the project can break
ground in April. They have preliminary approval in the city to start earth work, just to stay on
schedule. If you can't move students in on x day and you're going to be six months late, you might as
well wait another year. The estimated completion date of the buildings in the town is May 2022.
PB Resolution No. 2019-009: Preliminary Site Plan Approval & Special Permit, Cornell North
Campus Residential Expansion Project, Tax Parcel No. 67.4-1. 1, Jessup Road, Pleasant Grove
Road, Cradit Farm Drive
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 15 of 20
Moved by Fred Wilcox; seconded by Cindy Kaufman
WHEREAS:
This action is consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for the
proposed North Campus Residential Expansion (NCRE) project. The project includes the con-
struction of a new student residential complex located on the Cornell University campus near
Pleasant Grove Road and Cradit Farm Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 67.-1-1.1. The pro-
ject consists of three new freshman residential buildings, each spanning the City and Town of
Ithaca municipal line. Approximately 177,800+/- square feet of building area will be located in
the Town of Ithaca, in the Low Density Residential Zone. The project also includes various out-
door amenities, including modified recreational fields, open lawn/quad areas, landscaping, bicy-
cle amenities and walkways, along with modified parking areas, stormwater management facilities,
and new lighting. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; Kimberly Michaels, Trowbridge Wolf
Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, Agent;
2. In its entirety, the NCRE project involves the construction of two residential complexes, one for
sophomores and one for freshmen. Buildings in the sophomore village (299,900 s.f. residences
plus a 66,300s.f. dining facility) will be located entirely in the City of Ithaca, while a small portion
of the site work is proposed in the Village of Cayuga Heights. Buildings in the freshman village
(401,200 s.f. residences) will be partially located in the City of Ithaca and partially located in the
Town of Ithaca. The project is a Type I action pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Re-
view Act, 6 NYCRR Part 617, and Chapter 148 of the Town of Ithaca Code regarding Environ-
mental Quality Review;
The City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board established itself as lead agency to coordi-
nate the environmental review for the project, as the majority of the NCRE project is located
within the City of Ithaca. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board, as an involved agency in the envi-
ronmental review, submitted comments to the City on October 12, 2018;
4. The City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board issued a negative determination of envi-
ronmental significance at its meeting on December 20, 2018, in accordance with Article 8 of the
Environmental Conservation Law (also known as the New York State Environmental Quality
Review Act) for the above -referenced action as proposed; and
The Town of Ithaca Planning Board, at its meeting on April 2, 2019, has reviewed a preliminary
site plan report prepared by the applicant team titled "North Campus Residential Expansion,
Preliminary Site Plan Review," dated February 8, 2019, along with bound landscape, architectural
and civil drawings titled "Cornell University NCRE, Undergraduate Student Housing, North
Campus, Ithaca, NY 14850, Preliminary Site Plan Review - February 8, 2019," and other applica-
tion materials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Planning Board hereby finds that the special permit standards of Article XXIV Section 270-
200, Subsections A - H, of the Town of Ithaca Code, have been met, specifically that:
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 16 of 20
A. The project will be suitable for the property on which it is proposed, considering the property's
size, location, and physical site characteristics.
• The project is appropriately located on the existing Cornell University campus, which is suffi-
ciently sized for the proposed additions and involves constructing buildings on existing im-
pervious surfaces and/or areas that are physically suitable for development.
B. The proposed structure design and site layout are compatible with the surrounding area.
• The structure designs and site layout are typical of an academic campus. The project within
the Town of Ithaca is entirely surrounded by Cornell's campus, with structures of varying de-
signs. The proposed campus -style site layout is compatible with the surrounding campus -style
layout.
C. Operations in connection with the proposed use do not create any more noise, fumes, vibration,
illumination, or other potential nuisances than the operation of any permitted use in the particu-
lar zone.
The proposed development will create noise, vibration, and illumination during and post con-
struction similar to those that are present during construction and operation of any similarly
permitted use in the zone (e.g. public, private or parochial school, public library, museum,
etc.).
D. Community infrastructure and services, such as police, fire and other protective services,
roadways, schools, and water and sewer facilities are currently, or will be, of adequate capacity to
accommodate the proposed use.
The project involves upgrades to water and sewer facilities, roadways and other infrastructure
that will increase capacity to accommodate the proposed use. Police, fire and other protective
services are of adequate capacity to accommodate the proposed use. Freshmen and sopho-
more dormitories do not affect the capacity of the surrounding school system.
E. If any necessary fence height variances are received from the Zoning Board of Appeals, the
proposed use, structure design, and site layout will comply with all the provisions of the Town
Code and with the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan.
F. The site layout, with proposed vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian access, traffic circulation, and
parking and loading facilities, is sufficient for the proposed use and is safely designed for emer-
gency vehicles.
• Based on consultations with the Ithaca Fire Department, the applicant has modified plans to
ensure that the project is designed for emergency vehicles. The plans also include safe and
sufficient multi -modal access and circulation improvements. Parking is managed by Cornell
University's well-developed Transportation Demand Management policy.
G. The project includes sufficient landscaping and/or other forms of buffering to protect surround-
ing land uses. Existing vegetation is preserved to the extent possible.
• While a number of large trees and other vegetation will be removed, the landscaping plan
includes a robust revegetation plan. The project also preserves existing vegetation to the ex-
tent possible.
H. To the extent deemed relevant by the Planning Board, the proposed use or structure complies
with all the criteria applicable to site plan review set forth in Chapter 270, Zoning.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 17 of 20
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the
Cornell University North Campus Residential Expansion for the portion of the project in the Town
of Ithaca, as described in landscape drawings L0.01 through L0.04, L1.03, 1-1.06-1-1.08, L2.03, L2.06 -
L2.08, L2.13 & L2.14, L3.03, L3.06 -L3.08, L4.00, L4.03, L4.06 -L4.08, L5.01 -L5.05; architectural
drawings A2.01A & A2.02A, A2.04A, A4.03 A4.05, A4.31 A4.35, A4.41 A4.45, A4.51 A4.54; civil
drawings C001, C121A & B, C122A & B, C221, C222A-D,C223A-C, C224 A & B, C225, C321 -
C324, C401, C421A & B, C422A & B, C423A & B, C501 & C502, provided that the following
conditions are satisfied:
Prior to final site plan approval:
a. Revision of landscaping plans (Sheets L4.03 and L4.08) to show additional landscaping along
the portions of the parking lot and athletic fields that front on Pleasant Grove Road and
Cradit Farm Drive, and verifying no landscaping is listed on the Tompkins County Envi-
ronmental Council's or New York State's invasive plant species lists;
b. Submission of written documentation from the Village of Cayuga Heights and City of Ithaca
Fire Chiefs, confirming that the proposed fire access plan shown on Sheet L0.03 and fire ac-
cess -truck turning plan shown on Sheet L0.04 are both adequate for emergency response
purposes, and that the Village of Cayuga Heights and City of Ithaca have coordinated emer-
gency responses to the project site;
Submission to the Planning Department of a fully executed Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) among the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County and Cornell University that affirms
each entity's desire to realign the intersection of Cradit Farm Drive and Pleasant Grove Road
to direct traffic more readily to the Cornell campus, and that contains schedule milestones
for Cornell, at its own expense, to:
i. Hire consultants to oversee the project
ii. Develop preliminary and final project design documents in coordination with in-
volved parties
iii. Prepare construction documents
iv. Construct project
d. Submission of proof that TCAT will meet the increased demand on the North Campus
routes to accommodate the increase in student population;
Submission of a written commitment from Cornell University to facilitate and fund a project
to replace and upgrade the Jointly Owned (City and Town of Ithaca) Thurston Avenue Sewer
Interceptor, as specified in the memo written by Erik Whitney, P.E., City of Ithaca Assistant
Superintendent of Public Works, Water and Sewer Division to Kim Michaels, RLA, Trow-
bridge
rowbridge Wolf Michaels, dated 10/12/18, subject to project revisions by the City and Town of
Ithaca;
f. Full execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Ithaca and
Town of Ithaca specifying responsibility for all building permits, certificates of occupancy,
certificates of compliance, and all code -related inspections;
g. Review and approval by the Town Engineer of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
(SWPPP);
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 18 of 20
h. Identification on the site plans of the limits of the water/sewer main and/or roadway dedica-
tions (if applicable). All applicable dedicated infrastructure must be in conformance with
Town of Ithaca and Bolton Point rules and regulations;
i. Submission of cut sheets, a photometric plan and details for any proposed lighting for the
project, in conformance with the Town of Ithaca Outdoor Lighting Law, with the outdoor
lighting's Correlated Color Temperature no higher than 3000K;
j. Submission of locations, designs, and details of any proposed signage associated with the
project per Town Code, Article XXIX, Signs;
k. Submission of additional details, including construction materials and heights, of the pro-
posed retaining walls and fences for the project;
1. Receipt of preliminary site plan approval by the City of Ithaca and Village of Cayuga Heights
for the elements of the project located within those municipalities; and
in. Receipt of any necessary variances from the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals for the
proposed fences surrounding the soccer and tennis fields located on Sheets L2.03 and L2.08.
2. Prior to issuance of building permits for structures located within the Town of Ithaca:
n. Approval by the Town Board of the concept and locations of any applicable water and sani-
tary sewer mains and related infrastructure to be conveyed to the Town;
o. Receipt of coverage under the SPDES General Permit (GP -0-15-002) for demolition and/or
earthwork activities (approval must be obtained from the Town of Ithaca, City of Ithaca, Vil-
lage of Cayuga Heights, and Village of Lansing [staging area] prior to submission of the
NYSDEC Notice of Intent (NOI) for permit coverage);
p. Receipt of plumbing permits from Bolton Point before the installation of any building foun-
dations;
q. Submission of a fully executed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among Town of
Ithaca and Cornell University that affirms completion, at Cornell's expense, of the Pleasant
Grove Water Interconnect upgrades to the satisfaction of the Town of Ithaca Public Works
Department, Bolton Point, and the Tompkins County Health Department (installation of a
master meter and Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) device);
Submission to the Town Planning Department of one original, large -size set of the approved
final site plan drawings, signed and sealed by the registered land surveyor(s), engineer(s), archi-
tect(s) or landscape architect(s) who prepared the site plan materials, and two sets of paper
copies; and
S. Inclusion of the NCRE project into the campus -wide Stormwater Operations, Maintenance,
and Reporting agreement between Cornell University and the Town of Ithaca.
3. Prior to issuance of ANY certificates of occupancy for buildings located in the Town of Ithaca:
t. Submission, approval by the Town Board, full execution and filing of sanitary sewer and water
easements and agreements, satisfactory to the Attorney for the Town and the Town of Ithaca
Public Works Department;
Planning Board Minutes 04.02-2019
Page 19 of 20
u. Completion of all stormwater facilities and required utilities, to the satisfaction of the Town
of Ithaca Public Works Department and Bolton Point;
v. Acceptance by the Town Board of any applicable water and sanitary sewer mains and related
infrastructure to be conveyed to the Town;
w. Completion of the Pleasant Grove Water Interconnect upgrades referenced in item "q"
above, to the satisfaction of the Town of Ithaca Public Works Department, Bolton Point, and
the Tompkins County Health Department (installation of a master meter and Reduced Pres-
sure Zone (RPZ) device);
x. Completion and Operation of the required upgrades to the Jointly Owned (City and Town of
Ithaca) Thurston Avenue Sewer Interceptor referenced in item "e" above; and
y. Submission to Tompkins County and the Town of Ithaca Planning Department of final con-
struction drawings for the Cradit Farm Drive/Pleasant Grove Road intersection realignment,
and submission to the Town of Ithaca Planning Department of proof satisfactory to the At-
torney for the Town that Cornell University has approved the realignment project and the ex-
penditure necessary to complete the project.;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Planning Board recommends to the Town Board that the Town, Tompkins County, and
Cornell University (1) explore adding a pedestrian walkway and bicycle climbing lane on the Pleasant
Grove Road hill between the Forest Home downstream bridge and the project, and (2) explore
retaining the speed hump and stone column traffic calming features near the relocated Pleasant
Grove Road/Cradit Farm Drive intersection.
Vote
Ayes: Wilcox, Kaufman, Haefeli, Beach, Fogarty, Bosak, Karius
AGENDA ITEM
PB Resolution No. 2019-010: Minutes of March 5, 2019
Moved by Fred Wilcox; seconded by Jon Bosak
RESOLVED, the Planning Board approves the minutes of March 5, 2019, as amended.
Vote
Ayes: Wilcox, Kaufman, Haefeli, Beach, Bosak, Karius
Abstentions: Fogarty
AGENDA ITEM
Persons to be heard - No one came forward to address the board.
Planning Board Minutes 04-02-2019
Page 20 of 20
AGENDA ITEM
Other Business
Mr. Wilcox talked about doing the public's business in front of the public. That's one of the things
be likes about how this board operates. Why do we do all business at the meeting? 1) That way,
everybody has access to the same information; 2) it's more efficient to have a question answered just
once, instead of answering different people at different times; and 3) the public hears the answer
when we do at an open meeting. It promotes the public's trust.
Adjournment
Upon a motion by John Beach, the meeting adjourned at 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,