HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2019-09-17"rt, WN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARP
Shirley A. Raffensperger Board Rokmn.Town Hall
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
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7M PA11 S�EQR Determination: Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Modifications, 1229
T'rUmansburg Road.
7:00 P.M. J`TBLIC HEARING-, onsideration of Preliminary and Final Site 11an for the pr0posed
modifications to the Cayuga NLWSifl,gand Rehabilitation Center located at 1229
TrUrnansburg Road ('NYS Dentate 96), Town oflthacaTax Parcel No. 26,446. 1, Medium
Density Residential Zone, ]"'he proposed rnodifications include changes to the driveway
entrance at Trumansburg Road, new signage, additional lighting, and expanding the
existing east park, ingarea to widen the access kute, LNII Operating Cojnp,a,iny, LLC'
Owner/Applicant,- David A. Schlosser, Schopfer Architects, Agent.
3„ Persons to be heard
4. Approval Of Mir]Utes: September 3, 2019
Other Business
6, Adjournment
Susan Ritter
Director of'Planning
273-1747
NOTE: IFANY MEMBER OFTHE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLETO ATTEND. PLEASE NOTIFY
SANDY M, HAT AT 273-1747 or S POLCE rOWN. ITI1\9 ANN, [ S
(A quorum of four (4) mernhers is FIVvessary to conduct Planning Board, business.)
Accessing Meeting Materials On
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TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
By direction of the Chairperson of the Planning Board, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing
will be held by the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 215 North Tioga
Street, Ithaca, N.Y., at the following time and on the following matter:
7:00 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan for the proposed modifications to the
Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center located at 1229 Trumansburg Road (NYS Route
96), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 26.-446.1, Medium Density Residential Zone. The
proposed modifications include changes to the driveway entrance at Trumansburg Road,
new signage, additional lighting, and expanding the existing east parking area to widen the
access lane. LNH Operating Company, LLC, Owner/Applicant; David A. Schlosser,
Schopfer Architects, Agent.
Said Planning Board will at said time and said place hear all persons in support of such matters or objections
thereto. Persons may appear by agent or in person_ Individuals with visual impairments, hearing
impairments or other special needs, will be provided with assistance as necessary, upon request. Persons
desiring assistance must make such a request not Iess than 48 hours prior to the time of the public hearing.
Susan Ritter
Director of Planning
273-1747
Dated: Monday, September 9, 2019
Publish: Wednesday, September 11, 2019
TOWN OF ITHACA
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 Tio a Street Ithaca New York on Tuesda September 17 2019
commencing at 7:00 P.M., as per attached.
Location of Sign Board used for Posting: Town Clerk Sign Board — 215 North Tio a Street.
Date of Posting: September 09, 2019
Date of Publication: September 11, 2019
Sandra Polce, Senior Typist
Town of Ithaca
STATE OF NEW YORK) SS:
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11`" day of September 2019.
--Ndtary Public
% DEBORAH KELLEY
,-Notary Public,,State of New York
No. 01 KE6025073
'Qualified in Schuyler County
Commission Expires May 17, 20LUZ
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Planning Board Members: Liebe Meier -Swain, Cindy Kaufman, John Beach, Jennifer Karius,
and Joseph Hafeli Absent: Fred Wilcox and Yvonne Fogarty
Town Staff: Chris Balestra, Planner; Bruce Bates, Director of Code Enforcement; Mart Mosely,
Code Enforcement Officer; David O'Shea, Engineering; Susan Brock, Attorney; Jasmin Cubero,
Deputy Town Clerk
Call to Order
Mrs. Meier -Swain called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM
Agenda Item 1 SEQR Determination: Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Modifications, 1229 Trumansburg Road.
Mr. Schlosser gave and overview of the project stating that they are in the final phase of the
renovation project that started back in 2017. To complete the facility, there are a number of site
modifications that we would like to propose.
Mr. Schlosser said the first item is site lighting, which is along the north and west sides of the
building. This is to comply with the Department of Health requirement to provide 1' foot candle
on all exit walkways. This is a new requirement from DOT since the beginning of this project.
Mr. Schlosser noted that they did photometric evaluations and the proposed lighting is at zero
foot candles at property lines. All other lighting is what was originally proposed and approved.
The next item is the modification/installation of a new storm line along Trumansburg Rd. to
within about 20 feet of the facade of the building. This will connect the stormwater catch basin
in the southwest corner to one that is in the northwest corner.
Mr. Schlosser stated that all the surveys show that these storm lines and catch basins are
interconnected but the facility had been experiencing some issues with water infiltration along
the north side of the building and they put gutters on but that didn't stop it and after some more
digging, we found that this catch basin never had a drain connected to it but rather it was a
drywall situation.
Mr. Schlosser said the next item is a number of minor modifications to the asphalt. The first
modification is to the curb cut to remove the existing island that is in the middle of the curb cut
that is restricting traffic coming into the site. In that island are the fire connections, and those
will be relocated
The next item is a proposal to change the width of the driveway running along the southside of
the property. He said that driveway is a little over 19' feet making it narrow for an area that
takes in all traffic.
PB 2019-09-17 (Approved 10/01) pg. 1
Mr. Schlosser stated that cars and trucks use the grass area within 2' feet of the current driveway
as a traffics lane in an attempt to make it easier than the current width allows. The request is to
increase the width of the aisle by 3' feet, which is fairly standard for an entrance to a complex
such as this.
The final modification is to add 6' feet by 100' feet of additional asphalt between the rear
parking lot and side parking lot. Currently people park there anyway and choke the aisle even
further and by adding the asphalt, it would allow for more parking spaces instead.
Mr. Schlosser used the drawing to explain in detail the modifications he just described. He added
that there have been SWPPP modifications to accommodate the changes being requested.
Mr. Schlosser turned to the sign modification which is lighting the sign and they would like to
remove the wings and the sign itself is within the Town's regulations. The sign is approximately
6' feet high from the ground up and 6' feet long. The sign board itself is 4' by 6' feet which is
within the approved limits.
Mr. Schlosser said he is aware there are questions about the proposed lighting. The drawing is a
bit misleading and he has had discussions with Ms. Balestra to clarify. The lighting is in the
horizontal cap above the face of the sign itself and it has a concealed light that illuminates the
face of the sign. Those lights are concealed, and he said he thought it is aesthetically more
pleasing than running conduit to the top and he believes it meets the general intent of the Sign
Law.
Mr. Schlosser closed saying that is a basic overview of the request, adding that they are trying to
get everything done this year.
Discussion
Mr. Beach asked about the fencing around the neighbor's house and Mr. Schlosser responded
that they are not changing anything there. The fencing was installed per the requirements of the
2017 resolution.
Ms. Balestra responded that the fence is in compliance; what was in question is landscaping that
was installed along the southern property boundary between the facility and the neighbor.
The Board discussed the process of checking on landscaping that is installed as a condition of
approval and Ms. Balestra explained that Planning does an inspection at the end of a project.
That happened here, but then we received a few complaints about the landscaping being dead
and Code Enforcement went out and confirmed that there were a couple of trees that were dead
or unhealthy.
Ms. Balestra stated that the department reached out to Cayuga Nursing and did not receive a
response and when this modification came in, the decision was made to add this as a condition of
approval based on the previously adopted condition. Therefore, this is a modification of the
original approval and associated conditions.
PB 2019-09-17 (Approved 10/01) pg. 2
Ms. Balestra stated that there have been a few complaints about the trees dying and that is why
they have added landscaping modification as a condition of approval.
Mr. Haefeli asked about the sign and Mr. Schlosser used the poster boards to explain the lighting
and the cap extends out a bit and there is an LED light that washes the face of the sign with a low
light.
Ms. Balestra stated that she believes the sign meets the laws.
Ms. Karius asked about the moving of the fire protection connection and water valves.
Mr. Schlosser explained the location using the poster boards saying the fire connection is on top
of the catch basin and will meet all necessary regulations and water supply needs. He said
moving the connections will actually increase accessibility to the water supply.
Ms. Meier -Swain turned to the SEQR and minor changes were made.
PB RESOLUTION 2019-026: SEQR
Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval
Cayuga Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
1229 Trumansburg Road (NYS Route 96)
Tax Parcel No.26.4-46.1
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, September 17, 2019
WHEREAS:
This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan for the proposed modifications
to the Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center located at 1229 Trumansburg Road (NYS
Route 96), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 26.-4-46.1, Medium Density Residential Zone.
The proposed modifications include changes to the driveway entrance at Trumansburg Road,
new signage, additional lighting, and expanding the existing east parking area to widen the
access lane. LNH Operating Company, LLC, Owner/Applicant; David A. Schlosser,
Schopfer Architects, Agent. LNH Operating Company, LLC, Owner/Applicant; David A.
Schlosser, Schopfer Architects, Agent;
2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is the lead agency in
the environmental review with respect to the project;
3. The Planning Board, on September 17, 2019, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short
Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) Part 1, submitted by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3
prepared by Town Planning staff, a narrative, a set of plans entitled "Cayuga Nursing And
Rehabilitation Center, 1229 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850," prepared by Schopfer
Architects, LLP, dated 8/20/19 and revised 9/6/19, including sheets LLOlA, LLO1B and
PB 2019-09-17 (Approved 10/01) pg. 3
L2.OIA, a lighting photometric sheet prepared by LIGHTSPEC, dated 5/27/2019, and other
application materials; and
4. The Town Planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental
significance with respect to the proposed Site Plan Approval;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a 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
actions 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, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be
required.
Moved: John Beach Seconded: Joseph Haefeli
Vote: ayes — Beach, Haefeli, Kaufman, Meier -Swain and Karius
Agenda Item 2 PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site
Plan for the proposed modifications to the Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Located
AT 1229 Trumansburg Rd (NYS Route 96), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 26.4-46.1,
Medium Density Residential Zone. The proposed modifications include changes to the
driveway entrance at Trumansburg Rd, new signage, additional Lighting, expanding
the existing east parking area to widen the access Lane. LNH Operating Company,
LLC Owner/Applicant; David A. Schlosser, Schopfer Architects, Agent.
Ms. Meier -Swain opened the Public Hearing at 7:27p.m.
Neighbor — A neighbor spoke and asked for some clarification on how much closer the driveway
would be to the grass line toward the property and what is happening to the trees that are right
outside her window?
Mrs. Meier -Swain stated that the way she understood it to be, the proposal is an increase of 3'
feet towards the property line and no trees being removed although there will be an additional
condition to replace and maintain the landscaping.
Mr. Schlosser agreed and added it would not impact any of the existing trees and there would
still be close to 10' feet from the pavement to the property line.
Neighbor asked about the landscaping condition and how that ties into the issuance of a building
permit since the building has been continuously lived in throughout this process. What would
this "permit" be for?
Mr. Bates responded that the building permit would be for the moving of the valve and sprinkler
system and the signage.
PB 2019-09-17 (Approved 10/01) pg. 4
Ms. Balestra added that even though it is called a "building permit" it can involve other site
elements and the condition is worded is such a way that the replacement of the dying landscaping
needs to be replaced prior to the issuance of the permit that will allow for the valve and sprinkler
relocation to even begin. There is no "permit" for the landscaping, but a "permit" will not be
issued for the work they want to do until the landscaping is addressed.
There was no one else wishing to address the board and the public hearing closed at 7:31 p.m.
The draft resolution was moved and seconded for discussion and changes.
The condition regarding the replacement and maintenance of landscaping/trees was added.
Ms. Balestra noted that this is the first time the Planning Board was acting as the Sign Review
Board passed under the recent revisions. She did not add any verbiage to the resolution and the
Board went through the sign review and approval criteria and made their responses, which were
added to the resolution.
PB RESOLUTION 2019-027: Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval
Cayuga Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
1229 Trumansburg Road (NYS Route 96)
Tax Parcel No.26.4-46.1
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, September 17, 2019
WHEREAS:
This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan for the proposed modifications
to the Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center located at 1229 Trumansburg Road (NYS
Route 96), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 26.-4-46.1, Medium Density Residential Zone.
The proposed modifications include changes to the driveway entrance at Trumansburg Road,
new signage, additional lighting, and expanding the existing east parking area to widen the
access lane. LNH Operating Company, LLC, Owner/Applicant; David A. Schlosser,
Schopfer Architects, Agent;
2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, as the lead agency
in an uncoordinated environmental review with respect to the project has, on September 17,
2019, made a negative determination of environmental significance, after reviewing and
accepting as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the
applicant, and Parts 2 and 3 prepared by Town Planning staff, and
The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on September 17, 2019, reviewed and accepted
as adequate a narrative, a set of plans entitled "Cayuga Nursing And Rehabilitation Center,
1229 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850," prepared by Schopfer Architects, LLP, dated
8/20/19 and revised 9/6/19, including sheets L1.01A, L1.0113 and L2.01A, a lighting
photometric sheet prepared by LIGHTSPEC, dated 5/27/2019, and other application
materials;
PB 2019-09-17 (Approved 10/01) pg. 5
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
determined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in a significant alteration
of neither the purpose of site plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town
Board;
2. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby determines that the proposed sign is acceptable
as to design, materials, illumination, placement and size, and approves the sign based upon
the following criteria:
a. The sign is legible;
b. The sign is designed to match the architectural character of the building, and is
compatible with its surroundings, as noted on drawing sheet LLOlA, and as described in
the notes section of the drawing, which states that the sign will be precast concrete and
brick veneer to match the nursing home building;
c. The sign illumination complies with the Town Outdoor Lighting Law;
d. It is a monument sign, which is preferable to a pole sign;
e. Criteria "e" is not applicable because it is not a multi -tenant sign; and
No additional landscaping is needed, as the bottom of the sign is only l+/- feet from the
ground level, and additional landscaping will not enhance or soften the sign.
3. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval
for the proposed modifications to the Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (Cayuga
Ridge) located at 1229 Trumansburg Road (NYS Route 96), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.
26.-4-46.1, as shown on the submitted plans referenced in Whereas number 3 above, with the
following conditions:
a. Before issuance of a building permit, replacement of any dead or dying landscaping along
the southern property boundary (adjacent to Tax Parcel No. 26.4-44) with healthy
landscaping; this landscaping must be maintained after issuance of a building permit in
perpetuity;
b. Before issuance of a building permit, revision of sheet LLOlA to show either (1) no
internal illumination of the proposed monument sign, or (2) external illumination of the
sign that complies with the Town Code (§270-257); and
c. All outdoor lighting must comply with the Town Outdoor Lighting Law.
Moved: Jennifer Karius Seconded: Joseph Haefeli
PB 2019-09-17 (Approved 10/01) pg. 6
Vote: Ayes — Karius, Haefeli, Kaufman, Beach and Meier -Swain
Agenda Item 3 Persons to be heard
There was no one wishing to address the board.
Agenda Item 4 Approval of Minutes: September 3, 2019
There was some discussion of typographical errors and a missing name. Ms. Brock stated that
Ms. Rosa would make those changes and the minutes could be approved as presented.
Motion made by Ms. Meier -Swain, seconded by.Mr. Beach; Ms. Kaufmann abstained — passed
Agenda Item 5 Other Business
Ms. Balestra explained that the action by the Board regarding the Friedman Wrestling Center is
regarding Z:�
void because the Board acted prior to hearing form the Tompkins County Planning Department
C,
who are an agency that we have to notify and give them the opportunity to review the project.
The County issued a letter with a recommended modification which requires a majority plus one
vote if the modification is not included.
Ms. Brock explained that the action is void because the Board acted before it had jurisdiction.
That jurisdiction begins after the letter from the County is received.
The Board can use the information contained in the record, but a new resolution has to be passed
and the Board must discuss the County's recommendation, The applicants do not have to return,
and a public hearing does not have to be held, although Mr. Wilcox has decided to hold one.
4= C�
Ms. Balestra, reviewed the other agenda items for the October I" meeting
• Two -lot subdivision on Elmira Rd. involving a Finger Lakes Land Trust acquisition
• Presentation on the New Neighborhood Code — a portion of our revised zoning code
AdJournment
Meeting was adjourned upon a motion and a second at 7:52 p.m.
Submitted by
Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk
PB 2019-09-17 (Approved 10/0 t pg. 7