HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2019-07-16TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNINGBOARD
Shirley A. Raffensperger_Board Room, Town Hall"
215 North Tioga Street -
Ithaca, New York 14850
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
AGENDA
7:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and
Special Permit for the proposed additions and renovations to the Ithaca Community
Childcare Center, Iocated'at 579 Warren Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 73.-1-1.4,
Medium Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves approximately 6.,800 square
feet of additional space and approximately 4,300 square feet -6f renovations to the
existing building. The project will also involve 28 additional parking spaces, new
exterior lighting, new Iandscaping, and new stormwater management features. Ithaca
Community Childcare Center, Inc., Owner; Sherri Koski, Executive Director, Applicant;
Kimberly Michaels, Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, Agent.
7:30 P.M. SEQR Determination: Amabel Subdivision, 617/619 Coddington Road.
7:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of modifications to Planning Board.res_olution
number 2018-005, approved on March 6, 2018, f6r;the Amabel Subdivision project,
located at 619 Five Mile Drive (NYS Route 13A) and a.portion of 617 Five Mile Drive,
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.'s 31.-2-28 and 31.-2-6, Medium Density Residential
Zone. The applicant is requesting modification of the resolution such that a
building/foundation permit can be issued for the relocation of the barn, as shown on the
approved plat, before meeting conditions "i" through "x" on'the resolution. Susan
Cosentini and City of Ithaca, Owners; Susan'Cosentini, Applicant.
3. Discuss and consider revisions to Town of Ithaca Code Section 270-191, Modifications
of site plans.
4. Persons to be heard
5. Approval of Minutes: May 7, 2019, May 21, 2019 and June 18, 2018.
6. Other Business
7. Adjournment
Susan Ritter
Director of Planning
273-1747
NOTE: IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE NOTIFY
SANDY POLICE AT 273-1747 or SPOLCEeT0WN.lTHACA.NY.US.
(A quorum of four.(4) members is necessary to conduct Planning Board business.)
Accessing Meeting Materials Online
Site Plan and Subdivision applications and associated project materials are accessible electronically on the Town's
website under "Planning Board" on the "Meeting Agendas" page (httn:/hvww.town.ithaca.nv.us/meeting-aaendas).
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
Minutes
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Planning Board Members: Fred Wilcox, Chair; Liebe Meier Swain, Jon Bosak, Yvonne
Fogarty; Alternate Jennifer Karius
Absent: John Beach, Cindy Kaufman and Joseph Hafeli
Town Staff: Susan Ritter; Director of Planning; Chris Balestra, Planner; Bruce Bates, Director
of Codes; Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk; Dan Thaete, Town
Engineer and David O'Shea, Engineering
Call to Order
Mr. Wilcox called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and
Special Permit for the proposed additions and renovations to the Ithaca Community
Childcare Center, located at 579 Warren Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 73.-1-1.4,
Medium Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves approximately 6,800 square feet
of additional space and approximately 4,300 square feet of renovations to the existing
building. The project will also involve 28 additional parking spaces, new exterior lighting,
new landscaping, and new stormwater management features. Ithaca Community Childcare
Center, Inc., Owner; Sherri Koski, Executive Director, Applicant; Kimberly Michaels,
Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, Agent.
Kimberly Michaels, Trowbridge and Wolf, Ryan Mike, Civil Engineer and Sherry Koski,
Executive Director
Ms. Michaels gave an overview of the project explaining that the project is an expansion of
classroom and office space and the need for additional parking for both staff and parents. The
addition is basically infill and with the afterschool program and busses dropping off children,
there is a need for the ability to turn around and we are proposing to reconfigure the parking lot
to accommodate that.
There are currently 43 spaces onsite and 28 additional spots are proposed. The minimum
requirement is 45 but there is a higher ratio of staff to students in this setting compared to public
schools as well as in this setting, parents drop and pick up their children and these additional
spaces are needed for them also.
Mr. Wilcox said he understands the need for the parking at peak and he hates to plan for that, but
understands the need and he also said he hates the smaller size of the spaces. Mr. Bosak agreed.
Mr. Bosak asked about the lights and where the specific fixtures and sizes were called out on the
plans.
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 1
Discussion followed and Ms. Michaels said they are shown on the electrical drawings and she
will make sure they are noted on the drawings along with the details noting 3,000 kelvins
maximum and the height of the poles.
Mr. Bosak referenced the Environmental Council's memo and their recommendations regarding
lights and trees.
Ms. Michaels thought the comments were more about energy use increase from the loss of trees
and she did check with the architects and the windows will have shades that negate any loss of
efficiency or increase in energy use.
Mr. Bosak turned to the recommendation regarding the removal of some of the trees. He was
struck by what a change aesthetically it would make.
Discussion followed and Ms. Michaels said although she loves trees, the back property and
around the property is heavily treed but there is a lack of space in front for parking and a bus turn
around. There simply isn't enough space. She added that there is also a Swale on the border of
the property that also precludes trees. She said they tried their best but there simply is no
alternative.
Lengthy discussion followed on the trees shown in the front portion of the play area and Ms.
Michaels stated that those were not being removed and were just shown on the drawing. She
assured Ms. Fogarty that they were not being removed and would be protected from damage.
Mr. Wilcox asked for comments on the stormwater.
Mr. Thaete referred to their memo and the request for revised calculations and maybe some
minor grading changes.
Mr. Wilcox said in reading the memo he didn't come away with a feeling that it is unworkable
and Mr. Thaete agreed that there are no major issues and they are comfortable with the wording
in the conditions.
Ms. Fogarty asked about staging and Ms. Michaels said IC3 is working with BOCES and they
will have a construction management person to oversee those issues.
Mr. Wilcox said staging is a concern for this board as there have been issues in the past with
other projects.
Ms. Michaels said at this point there are no final staging plans that she can comment on but she
thought it wasn't a big project and she didn't think it was unsurmountable and if need be, there
will have to be daily deliveries instead of staging/storage.
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 2
Ms. Koski stated that she is very aware of staging issues having been through another
construction project and she is working with BOCES and the ICSD are alternative parking for
staff and working through the staging issues well before the project start.
Mr. Wilcox asked Mr. Mosely to comment on staging and Mr. Mosely responded that his only
concern is for bre and emergency response access. Ms. Brock drafted a condition to ensure
staging is done appropriately.
Mr. Thaete added that technically we can require staging information on the SWPPP and the
Board can add that as a condition if they would like.
Ms. Balestra noted that there is a stream on the property that is subject to the Town's stream
setback law and Ms. Koski said she is aware of that and Ms. Michaels will also double check the
plans.
Mr. Wilcox opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.; there was no one wishing to speak, and the
hearing was closed.
Mr. Wilcox noted that no SEQR is required and the memos from staff do not show any concerns.
Mr. Mosely asked about the loop that was shown for the busses and fire access and if there
would be a "no parking" fire lane posted. Ms. Michaels said that could be done. Mr. Mosely
suggested adding a condition regarding the fire lane.
Mr. Mosely asked about the 4" main and whether the main would be increased in size and Ms.
Michaels responded that the calculations were done, and no upgrade was needed.
Mr. Thaete spoke to the SWPPP and he said the plan is workable and they are aware of what
needs to be revised in the details prior to sign off. There are no major issues.
The Board made modifications to the draft resolution as noted above and other minor changes.
PB RESOLUTION 2019-019: Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval, Special
Permit
Ithaca Community Childcare Center
Tax Parcel No. 73.4-1.4
579 Warren Road
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, July 16, 2019
WHEREAS:
This action involves consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Special
Permit for the proposed additions and renovations to the Ithaca Community Childcare Center,
located at 579 Warren Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 73.-1-1.4, Medium Density
Residential Zone. The proposal involves approximately 6,800 square feet of addition space and
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 3
approximately 4,300 square feet of renovations to the existing building. The project will also
involve 28 additional parking spaces, new exterior lighting, new landscaping, and new
stormwater management features. Ithaca Community Childcare Center, Inc., Owner; Sherri
Koski, Executive Director, Applicant; Kimberly Michaels, Trowbridge Wolf Michaels
Landscape Architects LLP, Agent, and
This is a Type II Action, pursuant to 6 NYCRR Section 617.5(c)(10) of the regulations of the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State
Environmental Quality Review Act, because the Action constitutes "routine activities of
educational institutions, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet
of gross floor area and school closings, but not changes in use related to such closings." Thus,
approval of the site plan and special permit are not subject to review under SEQR, and
The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on July 16, 2019, has reviewed and accepted as
adequate a narrative, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, drawings titled "Additions and
Renovation to Ithaca Community Childcare Center, 579 Warren Road, Ithaca, NY," dated 14
June 2019, prepared by HOLT Architects, P.C. and Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape
Architects LLP, including sheets G001 -G004, C101, C103, C104, C201, E100, L101, L102,
L201, L202, L301, L401, L501, A101, A201, and other application 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:
The project will be suitable for the property on which it is proposed, considering the property's
size, location, and physical site characteristics.
The property is sufficiently sized for the proposed improvements, which involve additions to the
building and parking lot that are similar to what was approved by the town in 2006.
The proposed structure design and site layout are compatible with the surrounding area.
The proposed building addition is designed to match the existing building (scale, height, building
materials) and is similar to other educational structures on properties that surround the project.
The proposed site layout is similar to the existing site and is also similar to the site layouts on
properties that surround the project.
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 particular
zone.
The proposed improvements will create noise and vibration during construction, but the impacts
will be temporary.
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.
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 4
The project will have a positive effect on community infrastructure and services by meeting the
needs of the IC3 school program with more classroom space and staff. The surrounding
roadways, water and sewer facilities, police, fire and other protective services are of adequate
capacity to accommodate the increase in classroom space.
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.
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
emergency vehicles.
The proposed parking lot improvements will improve vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian circulation,
ADA access, and access for emergency vehicles and buses.
The project includes sufficient landscaping and/or other forms of buffering to protect
surrounding land uses. Existing vegetation is preserved to the extent possible.
The proposed landscaping plan is adequate and includes replacing trees and other vegetation that
will be lost due to construction.
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:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary & Final Site Plan Approval
for the proposed Ithaca Community Childcare Center additions and renovations project located at
579 Warren Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 73.-1-1.4, as described in the set of site plan
drawings noted in Whereas 4 3 above, subject to the following conditions:
Before the town signs the MS4 acceptance form, revision of the SWPPP to satisfy the items
listed in the Engineering Department comment letter to the Planning Board, written by David
O'Shea, Civil Engineer and Daniel Thaete, PE Town Engineer, dated 7/8/2019, and to add
required staging information, and
Submission of revised site plans to show signs prohibiting parking on the loop.
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby authorizes, according to Section 270-227 (A) (4)
of the Town Code, the standard 180 square foot parking space to be reduced to no less than 153
+/- square feet, finding that the reduction will not cause any adverse effects on the project, on the
surrounding properties, or on the neighborhood.
Moved: Fred Wilcox Seconded: John Bosak
Vote: ayes — Wilcox, Bosak, Fogarty, Meier Swain and Karius
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 5
2. SEAR Determination: Amabel Subdivision, 617/619 Coddington Road
Mr. Wilcox stated that he was shocked to see that the applicant is held up because of a lawsuit
the City is involved in and a lien on all City property.
Ms. Cosentini gave an overall summary saying there is an issue related to the barn being on one
of the parcel lines which she wants to move. She needs a building permit but she can't get one
because she can't sign the easement until she owns the property, which is tied up with the City of
Ithaca's suit.
Mr. Thaete said the SWPPP can't be signed until she owns the property. Everything has been
submitted and approved, but the lien is holding it up.
Mr. Wilcox said it seems what we have in front of is to revise the existing approval so that the
barn can be moved and Ms. Balestra added that it might be possible to also remove the
requirement that the SWPPP be signed prior to a building permit given it is approved and ready
but held up by the City issue.
Mr. Wilcox said in other proposals, we have been adamant that the infrastructure be in place
before a building permit is issued and this would be different.
Ms. Balestra said the Belle Sherman Cottages project was allowed a model home also, as long as
there were no utilities hooked up to it. This would be similar to that.
Mr. Wilcox asked Ms. Brock if it was a fatal flaw that the request for a model home was not in
the public hearing notice and she responded that it was.
Cosentini was fine with simply addressing the moving of the barn tonight.
Mr. Thaete had questions about the concrete pad that was installed and the SWPPP process
which wasn't done correctly because you submitted a full SWPPP so nothing can be done on the
entire site until that SWPPP is initiated.
Mr. Thaete said the contractor amended the SWPPP to be able to start the model home and do
the earthwork but then you would have to go into shutdown at that point. So technically, that
pad should have had the full SWPPP initiated for the site, do what you did, stabilize it then shut
it down. Now you want to move the barn and is that going to disturb any earth?
Ms. Cosentini said she was going to do thickened edge slab; so yes, she would like to.
Mr. Thaete said technically what we would need is a revised SWPPP.
Ms. Cosentini was confused and said she thought she could do that because it was so small an
amount.
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 6
Discussion followed and Mr. Thaete said he understood her frustration but communication
between the Town and the project is necessary. You can't segment a SWPPP's so the SWPPP
needs to be amended with the new plan.
Ms. Cosentini again said she thought it was so minor, that nothing was needed.
Mr. Thaete said once a site is identified as needing a Full SWPPP, any disturbance at all requires
documentation and/or changes. Even if you wanted to tear off the root balls of the trees, would
require a change to the existing SWPPP because that SWPPP is in place. There is a signed MS4
acceptance form so it is in place which triggers all these requirements. You can actually move
earth right now because you have a SWPPP that is in effect. That is not tied to a building permit.
More discussion followed and Mr. Wilcox reminded the Board that enforcement is not in the
board's purview and although this is interesting, it is not before the Board for approval or action.
Mr. Thaete a SWPPP is different from an Operation and Maintenance Agreement or O&M
which is what you need prior to a building permit, not because you would be violating the
SWPPP.
More discussion followed on exactly what is needed; you need to revise the SWPPP, call us and
tell us that you are initiating your SWPPP and you want to have a preconstruction meeting and
we can't talk about these things with you and your contractor. Mr. Thaete suggested that Ms.
Cosentini schedule a time to meet with him to revise the SWPPP and detail the work she wants
to do to move the barn.
PB RESOLUTION 2019-020: SEQR
Modification of Planning Board Resolution
Amabel Subdivision
Tax Parcel No.'s 31.-2-28 & 31.-2-6
617/619 Five Mile Drive
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, July 16, 2019
WHEREAS:
This action is consideration of modifications to Planning Board resolution number 2018-005,
granted on March 6, 2018, for the Amabel Subdivision project, located at 619 Five Mile Drive
(NYS Route 13A) and a portion of 617 Five Mile Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.'s 31.-2-
28 and 31.-2-6, Medium Density Residential Zone. The applicant is requesting modifications of
the resolution such that a building/foundation permit can be issued for the relocation of the barn,
as shown on the approved plat, before meeting conditions "i" through "x" on the resolution.
Susan Cosentini and City of Ithaca, Owners; Susan Cosentini, Applicant, and
This is a Type I Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is the lead agency in the
environmental review with respect to the proposed resolution modifications, and
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 7
The Planning Board made a negative determination of environmental significance when it
approved the project on December 15, 2015 and on March 6, 2018, and
The Planning Board, on July 16, 2019, has reviewed and accepted application materials related
to the proposed modifications, and
The Town Planning staff has recommended the reaffirmation of its negative determination of
environmental significance with respect to the proposed modifications;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby reaffirms the negative determination of
environmental significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law
and 6 NYCRR Part 617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced
action as proposed, based on the information in the EAF Part 1 and for the reasons set forth in
the EAF Parts 2 and 3, and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required.
Moved: Jon Bosak Seconded: Liebe Meier Swain
Vote: ayes — Bosak, Meier Swain, Bosak, Fogarty and Karius
3. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of modifications to Planning Board resolution number
2018-005, approved on March 6, 2018, for the Amabel Subdivision project, located at 619
Five Mile Drive (NYS Route 13A) and a portion of 617 Five Mile Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax
Parcel No.'s 31.-2-28 and 31.-2-6, Medium Density Residential Zone. The applicant is
requesting modification of the resolution such that a building/foundation permit can be issued
for the relocation of the barn, as shown on the approved plat, before meeting conditions "i"
through "x" on the resolution. Susan Cosentini and City of Ithaca, Owners; Susan Cosentini,
Applicant.
Mr. Wilcox opened at 8:02 p.m.; there was no one present and the hearing was closed.
A minor change was made to the draft resolution.
PB RESOLUTION 2019-021: Modification of Planning Board Resolution
Amabel Subdivision
Tax Parcel No.'s 31.-2-28 & 31.-2-6
617/619 Five Mile Drive
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, July 16, 2019
WHEREAS:
This action is consideration of modifications to Planning Board resolution number 2018-005,
granted on March 6, 2018, for the Amabel Subdivision project, located at 619 Five Mile
Drive (NYS Route 13A) and a portion of 617 Five Mile Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel
No.'s 31.-2-28 and 31.-2-6, Medium Density Residential Zone. The applicant is requesting
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 8
modifications of the resolution such that a building/foundation permit can be issued for the
relocation of the barn, as shown on the approved plat, before meeting conditions "i" through
"x" on the resolution. Susan Cosentini and City of Ithaca, Owners; Susan Cosentini,
Applicant, and
2. This is a Type I Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting as lead agency
with respect to the resolution modifications, has, on July 16, 2019, reaffirmed its negative
determination of environmental significance, after reviewing and accepting as adequate a
Full Environmental Assessment Form, Part 1, submitted by the applicant, and Parts 2 and 3,
prepared by Town Planning staff, and
3. The Planning Board has reviewed and accepted as adequate application materials related to
the proposed modifications;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Planning Board hereby grants the requested modifications to Resolution Number 2018-
005, from the March 6, 2018 Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed
Amabel Subdivision, by changing the second and third headings to read respectively as follows:
"Before applying for any permits (with the exception of the model home building permit and the
permit for the relocated barn"), and
"Before any building permits are issued (with the exception of the model home building permit
and the permit for the relocated barn").
Moved: Liebe Meier Swain Seconded: Fred Wilcox
Vote: ayes — Meier Swain, Wilcox, Karius, Fogarty and Bosak
4. Discuss and consider revisions to Town of Ithaca Code Section 270-191, Modifications
of site plans.
Mr. Wilcox said in his mind, the bottom line is we only want people to have to come before the
Board when we need them to show up and these changes necessary to do that.
Mr. Bosak had some comments on language and made a few minor changes.
Mr. Wilcox did not care for the word "significant" alone in 44 associated with traffic flows and
suggested having the wording mirror 45 where it adds "in the judgement of the Director of
Planning" which gives some sense of being able to quantify it if not numerically by a percentage,
at least in the judgement of the Director.
Discussion followed and a numeric quantity in this case is hard to determine; where? What
intersection? What time of day?
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 9
Ms. Ritter said in the 20 years she has been with the Town this has never come up as a reason to
bring in Site Plan modification.
The Board agreed to the change to "....to the Director of Planning."
5. Persons to be heard — No public present
6. Other Business
Approval of Minutes May 21"; moved by Mr. Wilcox, seconded by Ms. Karius, unanimous.
There are no items for the August 6, 2019 meeting; meeting canceled upon a motion and a
second, unanimous.
Mr. Wilcox reminded the group that the Town Picnic is Friday, July 26'n
Mr. Bosak announced that he has decided to take on some academic work and will be resigning
his position as Planning Board member effective tonight.
The entire Board and staff expressed their appreciation to Mr. Bosak for his dedication, depth of
caring to the role of Planning Board member, thoroughness and teaching us proper English. It
will truly be a loss and it has truly been a pleasure.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned upon a motion and a second at 8:32 p.m.
Iz?OHN/',r
Paulette Rosa,•
PB 2019-07-16 (Approved 9/3) Pg. 10