No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 1990TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 C� oOp�l, TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1736 PLANNING 273-1736 ZONING 273-1747 CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990 7:30 P.M. -�--"o r 1 A G E N D A 1. Introductions. 2. Set regular meeting time and date. 3. Appoint Vice Chair and Recording Secretary. 4. Discuss purpose. C a-4�_ �w C�' J 5. Staff presentation of current status of open space inventory and mapping. 6. Establish CAC priorities and develop work plan. 7. Consider sub -committees. 8. Adjourn -- 10:00 p.m. John G. Whitcomb Chairman TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MARCH 1, 1990 The inaugural meeting of the Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council took place on March 1, 1990 in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York, at 7:30 ).m. PRESENT: Chairman John Whitcomb, Celia Bowers, Christiann Dean, Ruth Mahr, Laura Marks, Elizabeth Mulholland. ALSO PRESENT: Shirley A. Raffensperger (Town Supervisor), Susan C. Beeners (Town Planner), John D. Czamanske (Planning Technician), Matthew Hastie, Charles Carson. ABSENT: James Baker, Richard Fischer, Dooley Kiefer. Chairman Whitcomb called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Each member introduced himself/herself and briefly described his or her qualifications and interests. Town Supervisor Raffensperger expressed gratitude on behalf of the Town and thanked everyone for his or her willingness to serve. A regular meeting date was established -as the first Thursday of each month, commencing at 7:00 p.m., with adjournment at 9:30 p.m. The Committee will meet next on April 5, 1990. Susan Beeners and John Czamanske reported on the status of environmental and land use mapping. Included were presentation of an overlay of significant factors such as slopes, aquifers, hydrology, existing and proposed Tompkins—County Unique Natural Areas and public open space. Mapping format was discussed, including the current assessment of computerized and manual mapping systems by staff. Documents prepared --by -_ sta-f-,--nl-ud-i-ng— the March 1, 1990 Memorandum to the CAC entitled "Introductory Information and Status", the document entitled "Town of Ithaca Natural Resource/Open Space Inventory", and the document entitled "Proposed CAC Work Plan/Schedule", including Unique Natural Areas, were discussed. There was much discussion of purpose as described in the February 12, 1990 Town Board Resolution and in State guidelines. [Document entitled "Sample Local Law for the Formation of a Conservation Advisory Council", prepared by the Department of Environmental Conservation, Community Assistance, was also before the Committee.] A lively discussion ensued with respect to the CAC's actual powers and potential influence. Staff reassured the Committee that it possessed great ability to influence not only the Planning Board on environmental review but also the Codes and Ordinances Committee and Conservation Advisory Council -2- March 1, 1990 the Comprehensive Planning Committee in development of ordinances and -- t e-- compre ensive master plan. After much discussion, the following Subcommittees were established. 1. AGRICULTURE - Christiann Dean, Chair; James Baker, Laura Marks, - John Whitcomb, ex officio. Purpose - To direct Matt Hastie and Chuck Carson (Cornell University Graduate Students in City and Regional Planning) in the development of a plan to protect and preserve farmland-. 2. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW - Dooley Kiefer, Chair; Celia Bowers, Ruth Mahr, Elizabeth Mulholland, John Whitcomb, ex officio. Purpose - Advisory agency to Lead Agencies: a. Review the initial environmental review and recommendation on determination as prepared by staff. Make- recommendation to the Lead Agency. b. In the case of special approvals, where the Planning Board is a recommending agency to the Zoning Board of Appeals, the CAC should make its recommendation to the Planning Board. C. In the case of rezoning applications, or other matters where the Planning Board is a recommending agency to the Town Board, the CAC should make its recommendation to the Planning Board. d. The above procedure should not preclude the CAC from making an additional recommendation to the Lead Agency during the course of project review` by the Lead Agency. e. ""he above procedure should not preclude the Lead Agency from conducting an initial environmental - review, or from making a final determination—o_f---=-- significance, prior to receipt of a recommendation from the CAC. __-.- To develop proposed revisions in environmental review criteria and SEQR threshholds and recommend same to the Codes and Ordinances Committee and the Conservation Advisory Council. (Planning Board?) 3. PARKS, NATURAL AREAS, STREAM CORRIDORS --'Richard Fischer,.Laura Marks, Elizabeth Mulholland, John Whitcomb, ex officio. (Chair undecided.) Purpose - Mission unclear at this time. Purpose to be developed at the next meeting. In general, it will be to oversee mapping and protection of natural areas and stream corridors and the creation of park land. Conservation Advisory Council -3- March 1, 1990 Matt Hastie and Chuck Carson gave a presentation concerning their -land project. They asked for guidance from the CAC and the Agriculture Subcommittee. [Document entitled "Farmland Protection in the Town of Ithaca -- Potential Policies and Related Planning Issues", by Matthew Hastie, -a-s prepared for the Town of Ithaca Planning Department and presented to the Planning Board on December 5, 1989, was also before the Committee, and copies were distributed to the Committee.] Celia Bowers requested staff to prepare, for the next meeting, a series of overlays generally depicting the current status of the Town in relation to open space, and development constraints vs. existing and proposed development including sewer and water, both existing and proposed. Dooley Kiefer was nominated to serve as Vice Chair by Christiann Dean, with Celia.Bowers seconding. The vote was unanimous. The position of Recording Secretary will be on a rotating basis, alphabetically. The Agenda was established for the April 5th meeting, as follows: 1. Revise and adopt Work Plan. 2. Review overlays. 3. Review and approve 1990 budget. 4. Develop charge to Subcommittees. The Agriculture and the Environmental Review Subcommittees are to meet prior to April 5th, as arranged by staff. Kitty Mattes and Phil Zarriello have volunteered their expertise as needed. The CAC agreed to invite them to future CAC and Subcommittee meetings. Chairman Whitcomb is to'contact them and asked Ms. Beeners to add their names to the mailing list. (Kitty Mattes, 101 Irving Place [also, 1081 Taughannock Blvd.]; Phillip Zarriello, 1011 Taughannock -Blvd-. )----------- - Ms. Beeners reported on interest Architecture Graduate Student Ernie Bayles. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. JGW/nf 3/7/90 expressed by Landscape TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVTSORY COUNCIL LIST OF MEMBERS AND SUBCOMMITTEES 1. Environmental Review Subcommittee 2. 3. 4. Dooley Kiefer, Chair-- 629 hair629 Highland Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Office - 255-3221 Home - 257-7453 Celia Bowers 1406 Trumansburg Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Home - 273-1994 John Whitcomb, ex -officio 233 Troy Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Office - 255-2156 Home - 273-7322 Agriculture Subcommittee Christiann Dean, Chair 330 West -King Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Office - 255-2531 Home - 277-4564 (3/8/9.0) Ruth Mahr 103 Judd Falls Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Office - 274-1279 Home - 257-2672 Beth Mulholland 105 Penny Lane Ithaca, NY 14850 Home - 273-4295 James Baker 380 Bostwick Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Home - 272-1750 ,Laura Marks John Whitcomb, ex officio 302 East King Road 233.Troy Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Home - 273-5653 Office - 255-2156 Home - 273-7322 Parks, Natural Areas, Stream Corridors Subcommittee Richard Fischer 135 Pine Tree Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Office - 255-9251 Home - 273-2077 Laura Marks 302 East King Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Home - 273-5653 Volunteers Beth Mulholland 105 Penny- Lane ---- Ithaca-, - Ithaca_, NY - 14850 Home - 273-4295 John Whitcomb, ex officio 233 Troy Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Office - 255-2156 Home - 273-7322 Kitty Mattes Phillip Zarriello 101 Irving Place 1011 Taughannock Blvd. Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Home - 272-3326 Home - 273-9405 [Also - 1081 Tau ghannock Blvd.] [ 277-2300 ] STAFF SUPPORT Susan C.�Beeners, Town Planner, Town Hall -- 273-1747 TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y.. 14850 TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1736 PLANNING 273-1736 ZONING 273-1747 CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL SCHEDULE OF REGULAR -MEETINGS 1990 [Friday, March 1, 19901 Thursday, April 5, 1990 Thursday, May 3, 1990 Thursday, June 7, 1990 Thursday, July 5, 1990 Thursday, August.2, 1990 Thursday, September 6, 1990 Thursday, October 4, 1990 Thursday, November 1, 1990 Thursday, December 6, 1990 Meetings are scheduled for the first Thursday of the month, commencing at 7:00 p.m., with adjournment at 9:30 p.m. (Subcommittee meetings to be further scheduled.) of Copies to: Town Board Planning Board Zoning Board of Appeals Tompkins County Environmental Management Council John C. Barney, Esq. Jean H. Swartwood Susan C. Beeners Andrew S. Frost Nancy M. Fuller c Media, etc. I Ir TOWN OF.____ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1736 PLANNING 273-1736 ZONING 273-174 CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990 7:30 P.M. A G E N D A 1. Introductions. 2. Set regular meeting time and date. 3. Appoint Vice Chair and Recording Secretary. 4. Discuss purpose. 5. Staff presentation of current status of open space inventory and mapping. 6. Establish CAC priorities and develop work plan. 7. Consider sub -committees. 8. Adjourn -- 10:00 p.m. John G. Whitcomb Chairman RESOLUTION WHEREAS, preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man made environment within the Town of Ithaca in the face of population growth, technologic change, and increased building and traffic, with their accompanying demands on natural resources are found to be of increasing and vital importance to the healih, welfare and economic well being of the present and future inhabitants. and require forthright action by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Town of Ithaca that resources such as open space, agricultural lands, and natural areas and features be adequately protected and managed, and WHEREAS, Stuart I. Brown Associates, Inc., in the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Planning Report Analysis and Reccnmendations, urges the creation of an advisory board to assist the Town in the management and protection of such resources, and WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, in a resolution dated December 5, 1989, recommends the establishment of a committee to assist the Town Boards and staff in such environmental matters, and WHEREAS, the State of New York has, in Section 239-x of the General Municipal Law, ' specifically authorized municipalities to create Conservation -Advisory Councils and further that the State, through the Department of Environmental Conservation, shall reimburse municipalities for a percentage of their expenses of operating such Conservation Advisory Councils; THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED: — 1. ESTABLISHMENT: That the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby creates an adv sory body known as the "Conservation Advisory Council" (hereafter referred to in this document as the CAC). 2. PURPOSE APED DUTIES: That the purposes and duties of the CAC are to: a. Assist the Town Boards and staff in the creation, improvement and implementation of plans and policies related to environmental protection and management, open space, natural areas and features, and agriculture. b. Conduct and maintain an inventory of the natural resources within the Totem of Ithaca and maintain an up to date index of all open spaces as defined in Section 239-y of the General Municipal Law, in public or private ownership within the mudcipality, including but not limited to natural lar narks; glacial and other geomorphic or physiographic features; streams and their flood plains, swags, marshlands, and other wetlands; unique biotic c mmmities; scenic and other areas of natural or ecologic value. Such index shall include ownership, present and future uses of such"open areas, so as to provide a base of information for recommendations by the council for their preservation and/or use. C. Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions and individuals within the Town in accord with the purposes of this resolution. d. Recommend to the Planning Hoard and the Ccrrprehensive Planning Committee, features, plans and programs relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Town of Ithaca, and similarly, recannend to the Town Board appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws and ordinances relatingto environmental and land use controls (including SEAR) or new local laws and ordinances. e. Review development applications and make recommendations to the Town boards on environmental assessment forms and environmental impact statements, in a timely manner, regarding open space, natural areas and features and agriculture. f. Carry out other duties as assigned from time to time by the Town Board. 3. MFTIDERSHIP: That the CAC shall consist of no less than three (3) _ members and no more than nine (9) members, appointed by the Town Board, who shall serve for terms of two (2) years. The initial number will be nine (9). One member shall be the Town representative to the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council. (Four of the initial members shall be appointed for one year and five of the initial members shall be . appointed for two years). Any person residing within the Town of Ithaca who is interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment. Each member shall be entitled to one vote. 4. OFFICERS: a. That the Chairperson shall be appointed by the Town Board. For the second year and thereafter, the members of the CAC shall recommend a member to the Town Board to serve as Chairperson which recommendation shall not be binding upon the Town Board. b. That the CAC elect from its membership a Vice Chairperson and Recording Secretary and that accurate summary records of its meetings and activities be transcribed by staff and reported to the Town Board as required. 5. PROCEDURES AND REPORTS: That the CAC a. adopt rules and procedures for its meeting and matters referred to it. b. oversee the preparation of necessary applications and reports to the State in order that the Town receive appropriate monetary reimbursement for CAC activities, according to Part 636, Title 6, N.Y.S. Codes, Rules and Regulations. C. receive staff'and clerical assistance frau the Town as necessary in the preparation of the above doaments. rtcaviu L 1 V Iv: 6. CCMPENSATION AND EXPENSES: That the members of the CAC shall receive no compensation for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performance of their duties within the appropriations made available thereof. 7. CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD: That the Town Hoard, by resolution or local law, redesignating the CAC as the Conservation Advisory Board (CAB), provided the CAC has prepared and suhmitted to the Town Board the conservation open area inventory and map which are accepted and approved as the open space index of the Town by the -Town Board, Such Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) will have specific additional powers and duties as provided for in the Laws of New York State. STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF TOMPKINS` SS: TOWN OF ITHACA I, Jean H. Swartwood, Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca, New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and exact copy of a resolution duly adopted by the of said Town of Ithaca, at a �, ( meeting held on the /a nC day of � ''_yr , 19 `o, and that the same is a complete copy of the whole of such resolution. O IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hava he nto set my hand and the Corporate seal of the Town of Ithaca, New York this j.S`'_ day of �` <-Z�..✓, 19 yo \ G W+6om Lour Book Co. Rocr~, N.Y. 1"w Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca T 0 WN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, MiACA, N.Y. 14850 I -.0/i aw--""Omm" TOWN CLERK Z73-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1838 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1738 PLANNING 273-1738 ZONING 273-1747 CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1990 7:00 P.M. A G E N D A 1 . Approval of XaEkdh 1,3q.,199.0 Meeting Summary. 2. Agriculture Subcommittee Report. 3. Status Reports: - Townwide Survey - Stream Corridor Study - Stormwater Management Ordinance 4. Overview of Town land use and environment. 5. Orientation, Environmental, and Land Use Review -- Regulations and Procedures. 6. Status Report, pending development proposals; Schedule Environmental Review Subcommittee meeting. 7. Review of Revised Work Program. 8. Other Business. 8. Adjourn -- 9:30 p.m. John G. Whitcomb Chairman MI NUI'ES TOWN OF =CA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL APRIL 5, 1990 The Conservation Advisory Council net on Thursday, April 5, 1990 in the Town Hall, 126 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, N.Y., at 7:00 p.m. Present: John Whitcomb (Chair), Elizabeth Mulholland, Dick Fischer, Laura Marks, Dooley Kiefer, Ruth Mahr, Celia Bowers. Absent: Christiann Dean, James Baker. Also Present: Susan Beeners (Town Planner), John Czamanske (Planning Technician) . John Whitcomb opened the meeting at 7:10 p.m. The minutes of the March 1, 1990 meeting were approved. Stream Corridor Study Douglas Foster's study of stream corridors, modelled after state studies, is anticipated to be cxnpleted in May, 1990, and a draft of the study will be presented at the next C.A.C. meeting. A report on Lick Brack (zoned light industrial) is already available. Stormwater Management Ordinance Susan Beeners informed the C.A.C. that a Stormwater Management Ordinance is being prepared which might be expanded to include steep slope areas and other areas. requiring developement restraints. Erik Whitney and the new Town Engineer, Dan Walker, are doing this work. Agricultural Subcommittee Report John Whitcomb reported on the progress of a survey of local farmers which involves input from the Farm Bureau and Cooperative Extension which is being carried out by Mathew Hastie and Charles Carson. Manbers of the Agricultural Subcommittee (Whitcomb and Dean) attended Nelson Bills' seminar on the protection of farm land from development both by assesment changes and by Purchase of Development Rights. Dr. Bills will keep the C.A.C. updated on Land Trust information. Townwide Survey A short presentation on the Town of Ithaca survey was given. In April test surveys were mailed to members of the Town Boards and Town Committee Conservation Advisory Council April 5, 1990 members. The revised survey will be mailed to town residents on May 1 using an updated mailing list. Overview of Town Land Use and Environment Susan Beeners presented a report on town land use and the environment. Summaries of Planning Board activities from 1988-1989 have been mailed to C.A.C. members along with building permits granted for the past nine years and the number of building starts for the same period. The mailing also included population data (to 1985) and a list of residential densities currently permitted in different zones. Ms. Beeners reported that the development occurrence map is not completed for institutional and commercial activity although residential development mapping is completed to the present. Laura Marks said that updating C.A.C. members on pending development would be useful. Currently fifteen projects are under review in the town. Dooley Kiefer noted that the Environmental Review Subcommittee's summary of purpose on page 2 of the 1990 C.A.C. minutes is rather vague. The committee should receive copies of all development requests and staff reviews of these as early in the review process as possible. As the subcommittee is new, Ms. Kiefer suggested starting with a review of one project (Shalebrook) rather than trying to deal with all of them.. She noted the committee needs copies of both state and local S.E.Q.R. regulations. As the city of Ithaca's C.A.C. has experience in the process it was suggested that a representative could talk about the review process with us. John Whitcomb mentioned that Louise Mudrak, who lives on Coddington Rd., used to train C.A.C.Is and has experience in the process has expressed interest in helping us. John Whitcomb asked Susan Beeners to lead the C.A.C. through the permit process from the time the developer enters Town -Hall for the first time. The developer is required to submit a sketch plan, reviewed by staff who may request more detail. This sketch plan goes to the Planning Board several times. The Planning Board also reviews the environmental imapact of the proposed development. At present, the Planning Board is the lead agency for site plans and subdivisions, the Z.B.A. for special approvals and the Town Board for re -zoning. It was noted that some towns have the Town Board in charge of special approvals. The committee strongly approved of this idea. The applicant for development also has to fill out an Environmental Assessment Form. Part II of the form is completed until it is deemed complete, that is, both the preliminary subdivision plan and the Environmental Assessment Form has been approved by staff. The C.A.C. 'felt that it, too, should review Environmental Assessment Forms at this stage. The C.A.C., working with town staff, will make a S.E.Q.R. reccomendation to the appropriate lead agency. The town is currently requiring developers to pay for staff time reviewing development plans. This, plus clarifying town law, should help to Conservation Advisory Council April 5, 1990 expedite the review process. Nevertheless, the C.A.C. will need help in learning how to review the S.E.Q.R. process. The state offers the kind of help we need and the services of the consultant could also be utilized. It was also pointed out that the C.A.C. needs to develop new review procedures, especially aesthetic critieria both for buildings themselves and the land surrounding developments (Ruth Mahr). It rAes decided that all the members of the Environmental Review Subcommittee, joined by any interested C.A.C. members, should get together to attempt a review of the whole process as it pertains to one development. Susan Beeners noted that the Town of Ithaca uses New York State Environmental Assessment Forms and there are problems with this. She hopes to adapt them more to the Town of Ithaca so that they will yield more information. Review of Revised Work Program Susan Beeners said that the original C.A.C. work program has been changed. The Comprehensive Planning consultant'in consultation with staff is going to assume some of the work which is outstanding in establishing an Environmental Inventory and Development Constraints Mapping. This will allow a budget assistance request to the D.E.C. The need to have definite aims to work for and the need for preliminary mapping to be finished is essential for the functioning of this council and also as a preliminary basis to allow us to make reccomendations to the Comprehensive Planning Subcommittee. Dooley Kiefer pointed out that mapping was primarily outside this council's field of expertise although we could help on field inventories. We urgently need: 1) natural resources/open space inventory. 2) we have to draft regulatory proposals on issues which concern the C.A.C. while the mapping is ongoing. Otherwise this council will not have an adequate impact on the whole Comprehensive Planning Process. Our first Environmental Review will be a review of the Comprehensive Plan itself. John Whitcomb noted that this council also ought to urgently concern itself with the speedy implementation of a Development Constraints Map. This is a priority as it will be an essential tool for the Comprehensive Planning process. We ought to pay particular attention to slopes, water corridors, ecological and aesthetic concerns, and preserving open space in the town. We should also consider lowering the S.E.Q.R. thresholds especially in areas which are environmetally sensitive. The C.A.C. decided to oppose the extension of hunting on Sundays in the Southern Tier and to support Dooley Kiefer's letter to the Ithaca Journal on that issue. a IA memorandum from the Planning Board to the C.A.C. from the City of Itha'ca's director of Planning and Development was accepted by the council upon Conservation Advisory Council April 5, 1990 motion of Dick Fischer, seconded by Elizabeth Mulholland, and carried unanimously. The C.A.C. decided not to try to, have an Earth Day table. It was generally agreed that the subcommittee members would think about direction and aims before the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM. Celia Bowers, May 1, 1990 r »6? Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council Minutes of the April 5 meeting held in the Town Hall 126 E. Seneca St. Present: John Whitcomb (Chair), Elizabeth Mulholland, Dick Fischer, Laura Marks, Dooley Kiefer, Ruth Mahr, Celia Bowers. Absent: Christiann Brand, James Baker. Also Present: Susan Beeners (Town Planner), John Czamanske (Planning Technician). John Whitcomb opened the meeting at 7:10-. The minutes of the March 1, 1990 meeting were approved. Stream Corridor Study Douglas Foster's study of stream corridors modelled after state studies is anticipated to be completed in May, 1990 and a draft of the study will be presented at the next C.A.C. meeting. A report on Lick Brook (zoned light industrial) is already available. Stormwater Management Ordinance Susan Beeners informed the C.A.C. that a Stormwater Management Ordinance is being prepared which might be expanded to include steep slope areas and other areas requiring development restraints. Agricultural Subcommittee Report John Whitcomb reported on the progress of -a survey of local farmers which involves input from the Farm Bureau and Cooperative Extension which is being carried out by Mathew Hastie and Charles Carson. Members of the Agricultural Subcommittee (Whitcomb and Dean) attended Nelson Bills' seminar on the protection of farm land from development both by assesment changes and by Purchase of Development Rights. Dr. Bills will keep the C.A.C. updated on Land Trust Information. M Townwide Survey A short presentation on the Town of Ithaca survey was given. In April test surveys were mailed to members of the Town Boards and Town Committee members. The revised survey will be mailed to town residents on May 1 using an updated mailing list. Overview of Town Land Use and Environment Susan Beeners presented a report on town land use and the environment. Summaries of Planning Board activities from 1988-1989 have been mailed to C.A.C. members along with building permits granted for the past nine years and the number of building starts for the same period. The mailing also included population data (to 1985) and a list of residential densities currently permitted in different zones. Ms. Beeners reported that the development occurence map is not completed for institutional and commercial activity although residential development mapping is completed to the present. Laura Marks said that updating C.A.C. members on pending development would be useful. Currently fifteen projects are under review in the town. Dooley Kiefer noted that the Environmental Review Subcommittee's summary of purpose on page 2 of the 1990 C.A.C. minutes is rather vague. The committee should recieve copies of all development requests and staff reviews of these as early in the review process as posssible. As the subcommittee is new, Ms. Keefer suggested starting with a review of one project. (Shalebrook) rather than trying to deal with all of them. She noted the committee needs copies of both state and local S.E.Q.R. regulations. As the city of Ithaca's C.A.C. has experience in the process it was suggested that a representative could talk about the review process with us. Louise Mudrak, who lives on Coddington Rd., used to train C.A.C.'s and has experience in the process awd has expressed interest in helping us. John Whitcomb asked Susan Beeners to lead the C.A.C. through the permit process from the time the developer enters Town Hall for the first time. The developer is required to submit a sketch plan, reviewed by staff who may request more detail. This sketch plan goes to the Planning Board for preliminary sketch plan approval. It may come before the Planning Board several times. The Planning Board also reviews the envifoamental impact of the proposed development. At present, the Planning Board is the lead agency for &M site plans I and subdivisions, the Z.B.A. for special approvals and the Town Board for re -zoning. It was noted that some towns have the Town Board in charge of special approvals. The committee strongly approved of this idea. The applicant for development also has to fill out an Environmental Impact Statement. Part II of the form is.completed by the staff. The clock does not start running on an application until it deemed complete, that is, both the preliminary subdivision plan and the Environmental Impact Statement has been approved by staff. The C.A.C. felt that it too should review Environmental Impact Statements at this stage.The C.A.C., working with town staff, will make the S.E.Q.R. reccomendation to the appropriate lead agency. The town is currently requiring developers to paay for staff time reviewing development plans. This, plus clarifying town law, should help to expediAte the review process. Nevertheless, the C.A.C. will need help in learning how to review the S.E.Q.R. process. The state offers the kind of help we need and the services of the consultant could also be utilized. It was also pointed out that the C.A.C. needs to develop new review procedures, especially aesthetic criteria both for buildings themselves and the land surrounding developments (Ruth Mahr). It was decided that all the members of the Environmental Review Subcommittee, joined by any interested C.A.C. members, should get together to attempt a review of the whole process as it pertains to one development. Review of Revised Work Program Susan Beeners said that the original C.A.C. work program has been changed. The Comprehensive Planning consultant in consultation with staff is going to to assume some of the work which is outstanding in establishing an Environmental Inventory and Development Constraints Mapping. This will allow a budget assistance request to the D.E.C. The need to have definite aims to work for and the need for preliminary mapping to be finished is essential for the functioning of this council and also as a preliminary basis to allow us to make reccomendations to the Comprehensive Planning Subcommittee. Dooley Kieffer pointed out that mapping was primarily outside this council's field of expertise although we could help on field inventories. We urgently need: 1) natural resources/open space inventory 2) we have to draft regulatory proposals on issues which concern the C.A.C. while the mapping is ongoing. Otherwise this council will not have an adequate impact on the whole Comprehensive Planning Process. Our first Environmental Review will be a review of the Comprehensive Plan itself. L�- . This council also ought to urgently concern itself with the speedy implementation of a Development Constraints Map. This is a priority as it will be an essential tool for the Comprehensive Planning process. We ought to pay particular attention to slopes, water corridors, ecological and aesthetic concerns, and preserving open space in the town. We should also consider lowering the S.E.Q.R. threshold especially in areas which are environmentally sensitive. The C.A.C. decided to opppose the extension of hunting on Sundays in the Southern Tier and .to support Dooley Kiefer's letter to the Ithaca Journal on that issue. A memorandum from the Planning Board to the C.A.C. from the City of Ithaca's director of Planning and Development was accepted by the council. Motion Dick Fischer Seconded Elizabeth Mulholland Carried unanimously. It was generally agreed that the subcommittee members would think about direction and aims before the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM. e- 5- 5" // I C' TOWN OF ITHACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1736 PLANNING 273-1736 ZONING 273-1747 CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1990 A G E N D A 1. Tompkins Count,, Environmental Management Council Representatives: - Status report on proposed Tompkins County Unique Natural Areas. - Discussion of Tompkins County Open Space Inventory procedures. 2. Report on Agricultural Lands Survey. 3. Status Reports: - Stream Corridor Study. - Proposed Six Mile Creek Preservation Area. 4. Discussion of proposed Comprehensive Plan outline. 5. SEQR Thresholds. 6. NRI Checklists. John G. Whitcomb Chairman Committee Members: John Whitcomb James Baker Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholland TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MAY 3, 1990 The Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council met on Thursday, May 3, 1990, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York, at 4:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman John Whitcomb, Dooley Kiefer, Celia Bowers, Laura 1� Marks, Richard Fischer, Beth Mulholland, Ruth Mahr. ABSENT: James Baker, Christiann Dean [excused]. ALSO PRESENT: George Frantz, John Czamanske. Chairman Whitcomb declared the meeting duly opened at 4:40 p.m. REPORT ON SEQR WORKSHOP, ROCHESTER, NY, APRIL 28, 1990 Chairman Whitcomb and Ms. Kiefer reported on the SEQR Workshop they attended, entitled "Integration of SEQR into Municipal Review Procedures", which was held in Rochester on April 28th. A written report will follow. . REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TOMPKINS COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL Messrs. Herbert Engman and James Skaley, representing the Tompkins County E.M.C. reported on the status of the County's mapping of the Unique Natural Areas (UNAs). There are over 200 sites identified. In June or July the County will inform each municipality about the UNAs within its jurisdiction. The County is entering its information into a Geographic Information System (GIS). This would be compatible with a future Town of Ithaca GIS. Mr. Engman announced a County -sponsored Workshop to be held on June 20th and June 27th. The purpose is to train interested people in the mechanics of SEQR review. Mr. Engman also urged the CAC to join the State Association of CACs and will provide information. He will also provide the CAC with a sample release form for the purpose of obtaining a landowner's permission for access for field checks. REPGnlL FROM iiATT riAST lr, AND Cfi = om13 Matt Hastie and Chuck Carson gave a report on the process and result of the Farmland survey conducted under the auspices of the CAC Agricultural Committee. A written report will be available about. May 11, 1990. Matt and Chuck were congratulated on an e::cellent report. DRAFT STREAM CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Doug Foster reported on the Draft Stream Corridor Management Program and answered CAC members' questions. Among the items Conservation Advisory Council -2- May 3, 1930 discussed were the need for criteria and standards by which to defi- and evaluate open space and natural areas. John Czamanske wi_ provide recommendations in about two weeks. The CAC was given a copl of the Town of Amherst study as a sample of such guidelines. Dr. Fischer suggested that we learn what criteria are used to judge the appropriateness of Adirondack open space for protection and preservation. SIX MILE CREEK PROTECTION Laura Marks, as Chairperson of the Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Subcommittee, reported that the Subcommittee had met with the City representatives to discuss the Six Mile Creek protection proposal. The Subcommittee intends to have additional meetings with the City. PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OUTLINE The proposed Comprehensive Plan outline was discussed as to its relationship to the CAC work plan. Members are to review and comment to John Czamanske and George Frantz by next week. SPECIAL APPROVALS AND EXTENSION OF NON -CONFORMING USES Celia Bowers proposed that the CAC recommend to the Codes and Ordinances Committee, and the Town Board, that changes be made in the Zoning Ordinance in regard to defining responsibility for specia: approvals' -and extension -of non -conforming uses, as was recommended J the "Brown Report". The CAC approved unanimously. John G. Whitcomb, Chairman Conservation Advisory Council Town of Ithaca JGW/nf attachment - Whitcomb/Kiefer Report MEMORANDUM TO: Town Board Planning Board Zoning Board of Appeals Conservation Advisory Council Comprehensive Planning Committee Codes and Ordinances Committee FROM: John G. Whitcomb Dooley Kiefer RE: Monroe County SEQR Conference DATE: May 9, 1990 On April 28, 1990, we were privileged to attend a Workshop entitled "Integration of SEQR into Municipal Review Procedures", sponsored by the Monroe County Planning Department. 'Tile panel of experts included: Jim Coon, Esq., Deputy General Counsel, NYS Department of S tate; Jerry Jensen, Chief, Bureau of Environmental Quality, NYS DEC: Fred Howell, Principal Environmental Analyst, NYS DEC; Jack Nasca, Associate Environmental Analyst, NYS DEC; Attorney Gail Bowers, General Counsel, NYS DEC. A number of worthwhile ideas, were gleaned from the discussion: Rezoning -.s a legislative act, not an entitlement. The Town Board may legitimately refuse to even consider a request for rezoning. Conditional negative declarations of environmental significance are subject to a 30 -day public comment period. The Sun Beach decision elevates SEQR review above other Town review procedures and delays the start of the Town review clock until either a negative declaration ("neg dec") or a D/EIS has been prepared and accepted. A development application is not complete until this SEQR process is done. To include a decision on SEQR review, a Public Hearing, and a subdivision review and approval all in one Planning Board meeting is a highly questionable practice. If the Town wishes environmental review and comment by the CAC, appropriate language describing the CAC review process should be incorporated into the Subdivision Regulations. Memo - Whitcomb & Kiefer to Town Boards & Committees -2- 5/9/90 The SEQR review process is the appropriate forum for discussion of all environmental issues surrounding a project. It is not correct procedure to make a negative declaration and then attempt to impose measures mitigating environmental impacts later in the Town review process. During the creation or revision of a Comprehensive Plan, to declare a short moratorium on development (3 - 12 months) is an appropriate and legally defensible method of delaying development which may not be in accordance with the new plan. A moratorium must be created according to certain guidelines. Specifically they are: - A moratorium must be created by local law or ordinance. - The time period should be specific and reasonable (3-12 months). - A comprehensive planning effort should be moving forward during a moratorium. - Hardship must "fall evenly". No single project or developer should be singled out. A Town may rightfully exclude development which overburdens the existing infrastructure if there is no "reasonable" way to expand its capacities. We appreciate the opportunity to attend the Workshop and to learn from the esteemed panel. A video of the proceeding will be ordered for your information. JGW/nf - xc - John C. Barney, Esq. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 1990 7:00 P.M. A G E N D A 1. Review and Approval of Meeting Summaries: April 5, 1990 and May 3, 1990. 2. Discussion of CAC administrative procedures: - Minutes - Committee Meetings - Liaison 3. - Announcements: - SEQR Meetings - June 13 and June 27. - Update on Planning Department staffing. 4. Sub -Committees: - Natural Areas - Laura Marks update on Six Mile Creek effort. - Agriculture - Approval of thank you letter to M. Hastie and C. Carson for Ag. Survey report. 5. --Discussion of CAC "strategy memo" from J. Czam anske. • 6. Discussion of CAC Work Plan. 7. Other Business. 8. Adjournment -- 9:30 p.m. John G. Whitcomb Chairman Committee Members: John Whitcomb James Baker Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulhollard ro TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL JUNE 7, 1990 The Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council met on Thursday, June 7, 1990, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York, at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman John Whitcomb, Celia Bowers, Richard Fischer, Dooley Kiefer, Laura Marks, Elizabeth Mulholland. ABSENT: James Baker, Christiann Dean, Ruth Mahr. ALSO PRESENT: John Czamanske, Phillip Zarriello. Chairman Whitcomb declared the meeting duly opened at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES. Upon Motion by Laura Marks, seconded by Dooley Kiefer, the Minutes of the April 5, 1990 meeting of the CAC were unanimously approved as amended. Upon Motion by Richard Fischer, seconded by Celia Bowers, the Minutes of the May 3, 1990 meeting of the CAC were unanimously approved as read. DISCUSSION OF LETTER TO THE CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE CONCERNING SPECIAL PERMITS AND NON -CONFORMING USES. It was the sense of the CAC that since approval of special permits is a land use issue, it should be the province of the Planning Board. It is also strongly felt that the extension (i.e., expansion) of non -conforming uses is a problem. Proposed solution -- prohibit extensions. Modifications to non -conforming uses should instead be dealt with through established variance procedures. Question was raised about eventual elimination of non -conforming uses; CAC to recommend study of the issue. John Whitcomb's draft letter revised. Upon Motion by Celia Bowers, seconded by Laura Marks, the CAC unanimously resolved to send such amended letter to the Codes and Ordinances Committee. [Letter attached hereto as Exhibit #1.1 DISCUSSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. After discussion, it was decided that the CAC would request approval of clerical assistance from the Town Board. The desire is to have a clerical person listen to tapes and create summary minutes which include decisions and the rationale behind such decisions. Failing that, it would be necessary for a clerk to attend meetings. John Whitcomb will draft request to Town Board. Conservation Advisory Council -2- June 7, 1990 John' Czamanske reminded the CAC that proper procedures must be followed when organizing committee meetings. Notices must be mailed three days before the meeting. In order for this requirement to be met, staff must have at least two working days to prepare notices, therefore, all CAC members must plan meetings accordingly. [Documents pertaining to the Open Meetings Law attached hereto as Exhibits #2 and #3.] ANNOUNCEMENTS. 1. SEQR meeting at NYSEG, June 13th and June 27th, 7:30 p.m. Members will contact John Czamanske for reservations. 2. Meeting on Open Space Preservation, Syracuse, New York, June 14th and 15th. Cost $80.00. Laura Marks to attend; John Whitcomb to request funding from Town Board. [John Czamanske's Note: This meeting was cancelled.] 3. Planning Department staffing -- Susan Beeners is back and working about 20 hours per week; she is concentrating on mapping. Three summer interns are also assisting. [John Czamanske's Note: Susan has since taken additional medical leave; she will be out until at least July 23rd. ] SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES. 1. Parks, Natural Areas, Stream Corridors. Committee has met with the City of Ithaca and with Town Supervisor Shirley Raffensperger. Much progress has been made. Committee is currently studying protection mechanisms. Affected landowners to be kept informed. Upon Motion by Dooley Kiefer, seconded by Celia Bowers, the CAC unanimously resolved to have the Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Subcommittee continue its work and to bring a recommendation back to the CAC. Laura Marks predicts this will occur in about a month. It was generally felt that a Six Mile Creek protection plan can be used as a model for other stream corridors. 2. Agriculture. The CAC is pleased with Matt Hastie's and Chuck Carson's work so far. A message from Christiann Dean indicates that names, maps, and further recommendations are forthcoming. John Czamanske will check on this. A letter of appreciation is to go out to Matt and Chuck after additional materials have been received. DISCUSSION OF CAC STRATEGY AND WORK PLAN. John Czamanske briefly went over the concepts described in his "CAC Strategy" memo of June 1, 1990 [attached hereto as Exhibit #41. He emphasized that the open space classification criteria need to be revised extensively and that he would like to do that prior to the Conservation Advisory Council -3- June 7, 1990 next meeting. In addition, the categories listed in .the Natural Resources/Open Space Inventory working draft (March 1, 1990) need to be revised. John Czamanske will come up with draft revisions for mail -out with the agenda for the July 5th meeting. John Czamanske also briefly gave an update on the status of Town mapping -- a new Town base map is being produced upon which all. of the comprehensive plan and open space information will be imposed. OTHER BUSINESS. 1. Dooley Kiefer asked about submission of the CAC work plan and budget to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) . John Czamanske will prepare them for the July meeting. 2. John Whitcomb is to write to the Planning Board expressing the CAC's concern that the Planning Board representative (Mr. Baker) has been unable to participate in any CAC meetings to date. 3. The CAC unanimously agreed that the Environmental Review Subcommittee would re -activate and begin to review development applications. Dooley Kiefer expressed concern that the CAC have input early on in order to make recommendations to the Planning Board. 4. The CAC accepted a memo regarding the April 26, 1990 CAC get-together. [Memo attached hereto as Exhibit #6.1 5. With respect to posting and information regarding new development applications, the CAC would like to be notified of new development applications as they appear. It needs adequate time to study and comment. John Czamanske is updating a list weekly and will copy the CAC Chair and the Environmental Review Subcommittee Chair. Dooley Kiefer also suggested that a list of new development applications be posted in Town Hall. John Whitcomb will also write a letter to appropriate people proposing a regulation to require developers to post with appropriate signage the actual land parcel under consideration. 6. Agenda for July meeting: a. Review and approve CAC budget and work plan for New York State. b. Briefly review Town Residents Survey results, if available. C. Consider a proposal for a Development Moratorium. d. Approve Minutes (6/7/90). e. Devote 1i hours to a work session to review and implement a plan to define, categorize, and prioritize open space and to identify protection mechanisms. Conservation Advisory Council -4- ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. JWG/nf June 7, 1990 John G. Whitcomb, Chairman Conservation Advisory Council Town of Ithaca attachments -- Exhibits #1 through #6, as noted. plus -- Letter from John B. Babcock, dated June 1, 1990, with June 12th response from John Whitcomb, as Exhibits 1-10 and #8, respectively. TOWN OF IT-HACA 126 EAST SENECA STREET, MiACA, N.Y. 14850 TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1536 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1738 PLANNING 273-1738 ZONING 273-1747 TO: Codes and Ordinances Committee FROM: Conservation Advisory Council RE: Special Approvals and Extensions of non -conforming use DATE: June 12, 1990 The Conservation Council, at its May 3, 1990 regular meeting, agreed to recommend the following changes to the zoning ordinance: 1. Transfer responsibility for "special approvals" from the ZBA to.the Town Planning Board. This is consistent with the recommendation of Stuart Brown Associates in its report to the Town in October 1989. The Ithaca ZBA also recommended this change in it's Draft of proposed Zoning Ordinance changes in 1980. The CAC endorses these recommendations. Since special approvals concern land use changes, it is more appropriate to the expertise of the Planning Board. 2. Town Law now allows for the "extension" of non -conforming uses, upon approval of the ZBA. We recommend that such extensions of non -conforming uses be prohibited. Instead any requests for changes involving non -conforming use should be considered under established variance procedures. In addition, such cases should be referred by the ZBA to the Town Planning Board for its recommendations. Since these types of uses have obviously been deemed undesirable under the approved zoning, it makes no sense to allow extensions! The City of Ithaca does, in fact, prohibit extensions of non -conforming uses, and requires a variance for modifications instead. Modifications of conforming uses require a variance. Modifications of non- conforming uses should be examined under no less stringent procedures. 3. Methods exist for amortizing (eliminating) some non- conforming uses over time (10 - 20 years) . We request that you also examine the wisdom and feasibility of doing this where appropriate. Please give these issues your full consideration. cc: S. Raffensperger EXHIBIT #1 Memorandum 1 June, 1990 To: Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) From: John Czamanske, Planning Technician Sub j: CAC Strategy 1. As I mentioned near the close of the last meeting, I have attempted to develop a strategy for the CAC. In short, I propose that the CAC proceed immediately to classify and prioritize open space areas within the Town using existing information, and begin formulating the outlines for recommendations to the various boards and committees. ?. The primary goal of the CAC is to adequately protect and manage open space, natural areas and features, and agricultural lands in the Town of Ithaca. This goal can be met by attaining a number of subgoals which were also described in the Town Board resolution establishing the CAC: create, improve and implement related plans and policies; conduct an inventory of natural resources; provide liaison with other groups; make recommendations as to plans and ordinances to the Planning Board, Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC), Codes and Ordinances Committee (COC), and Town Board; and review development applications among other things which may from time to time be set as goals. I Of the subgoals, the natural resources inventory is unique in that it . directly influences the ability to attain the other subgoals. However, the inventory (and later the index) is still just a subgoal; it alone has no force of law nor will it serve to protect anything. The information must be wisely used to attain the other subgoals, most importantly recommendations for local laws and for the master plan. 4. The ambitious schedule proposed for the comprehensive planning process makes it imperative that the CAC provide recommendations to the CPC and COC as soon as possible. Consequently, the process of inventory and classification (described more fully in Lisa Roop's attached memo) should be approached in an iterative manner. The CA_- should proceed immediately to classify and prioritize open space with existing information and begin formulating the outlines of recommendations. As tnat is occurring, staff ,can EXHIBIT #4 Proceed with further mapping which can then be used by the CAC when they are ready to make more precise recommendations. By the time that final plans and ordinances are ready, the mapping should be complete, field checked, and reflect the language in the recommendations. (An additional mapping requirement at that time will be reconciliation of the open space maps to the tax parcel maps. It is hoped that by then tax parcels will be shown on a new Town base planimetric map.) With a proposed 1 October, 1990 date for completion of a draft comprehensive plan, the CAC cannot wait for mapping to be cartographically complete before formulating recommenda- tions. Sufficient written and mapped information is available to begin now. 5. In order to proceed, the CAC and staff must make decisions in these areas: 1) A specific definition of "open space" for the Town of Itnaca. 2) Criteria for classification/prioritization of Town open space. 3) Recommendations for protecting the various classes of open space. A definition of open space should easily follow from the working draft Natural Resource/Open Space Inventory (NR/OSI) of 1 March, 1990. The CAC should review the subcategories and revise as necessary, then resolve to define open space as all such land in the Town. The establishment of classification/prioritization criteria is not as straightforward, however, the Amherst, NY Open Space Acquisition Plan provides a good example. Lisa Roop's memo lists suggested criteria based on the Amherst example, plus things unique to Ithaca. The CAC should similarly review and revise them, then resolve to adopt them as preliminary classification criteria. (They will be amended and otherwise fine-tuned through the various iterations of the inventory process.) Once criteria are established and the existing information sorted accordingly, the CAC and staff can then turn to researching appropriate protection mechanisms and begin drafting plan recommendations and legislation.. 6. While existing recreational lands are listed in the draft NR/OSI, a parks/recreation study to determine future recreational needs and lands should not be a direct part of the process described above. The reason being that there are factors affecting recreation which the CPC will study, not the CAC. Tr -e two groups and staff will have to work together on this aspect after the CPC has conducted its recreational needs study. EXHIBIT #4 7. Since the last CAC meeting, Lisa Roop, our recently graduated landscape architect intern, has inventoried the maps she has created and worked with over the last two years. She has also sorted through a large number of other miscellaneous maps which have accumulated over the years. After discussing my ideas with her, she then wrote down her thoughts on how the Town should proceed in completing the mapping of open space. (It is important for us to get the benefit of her ideas and experience with the Town now because she will shortly be leaving Ithaca to further pursue her career.) Her mapping memo is attached. S. I hope that this memo has begun to address most of the concerns stated in John Whitcomb's memo ;;f 3 May 1990 to you. I would, however, like to briefly address some of those concerns specifically: a) After discussing mapping with Lisa Roop, I do not feel that the Town should be divided into quadrants for mapping. b) Any mapping that the County does will be incorporated, including aerial photography which they have coordinated this year. C) I support the.use of computerized geographic information systems (GIS) and it would be nice if the Town had one, but it doesn't. (The AUTOCAD software which the Town uses does provide a computer mapping capability for producing finished open space maps , but it is not a GIS.) Both time and money are certain GIS requirements, stuff that the Town is short of at present. In the long term, the Town will surely achieve the feat of acquiring a GIS and loading it with data; unfortunately that day will be after the comprehensive plan and its related ordinances have become realities. encl: L. Roop's Open Space Inventory Mapping Memo dated 1 June 1990 copy: Shirley Raffensperger, Town Supervisor Susan Beeners, Town Planner George Frantz, Assistant Town Planner Lisa Roop, Student Intern Ron Brand, Comprehensive Planning Consultant Carolyn Grigorov, Planning Board Chairperson David Klein, Comprehensive Planning Committee Chairman Karl Niklas, Codes and Ordinances Committee Chairman EXHIBIT r4 From: Lisa Poop, Student Intern To: John Czamanske, Planning Technician Sub j: Open Space Inventory Mapping 1. Ithaca open space mapping should begin with the drafting of a general inventory map of all open space and recreational areas within the town. The map should remain simple and contain broad divisions of open space. All areas listed in the March 1, 1990 working draft of the "Town of Ithaca Natural Resources/Open Space Inventory," (NR/OSI) should be sited on this map. The map will be thus a visual aid for the written inventory and a base from which to develop more detailed and prioritized open space maps. Suggested categories for symbols on the initial general inventory map are: 1. Environmentally Significant Areas (to include categories A, B, and C from the NR/OSI working draft) 2. Resource Lands (category D from the NR/OSI ) 3. Park and Recreational Areas (category E from the NR/OSI) 4. Other Open Space (catagories F and G. from the NR/OSI ) 2. The general inventory map should be drafted at a scale of 1 "=1000' 1n order to utilize our most accurate map sources. It can be compiled, for the most part, from the following materials: 1. CLEARS Land Use/Land Cover Map (Cornell Lab for Env. and Remote Sensing; sepia copy updated May 1990) 2. Open Space Map (Draft 1990) 3. Ithaca Tax Map Reductions (1 "- 1000') 4. 1988 Air Photos W'- '- 400' and 1990 photos when available) The CLEARS land use map can be used directly to map such things as active agricultural lands (coded as Ao, Av, etc.), forested areas (coded as Fc, Fn, Fp), water bodies, and wetlands. The draft open space map provides information on more specifically defined areas such as parks and trails, playing fields, golf courses, and cemetaries. (Some of these areas appear on the land use map but are ill-defined, often under the general catagory of "P" for public areas.) The open space map also shows the U.N.A.'s, critical environmental areas, wetlands, flood plains, and classified streams. The Ithaca base map reductions used in conjunction with air photos (plus field checks where necessary) can be used :o check any questionable areas. EXHIBIT »4 3. Other possible sources for the general inventory map may include: 1. Agric. Lands Overlay ( I"- 1000'; compiled by Matt Hastie) 2. Town Overlay Sequence of Natural Resources and Open Space (acetate overlays; 1 "s 1000') 3. Ithaca Tax.Map Overlays (1 400' showing historic and farm sites) 4. CLEARS Base Maps, 1 "=1000' Note: All maps described in this memo along with other necessary mapping materials are listed in the recently compiled map inventory which I've created on the EXCEL spreadsheet. 4. After compiling an initial inventory of town open spaces in both written and graphic form, the areas can then be further classified with respect to their environmental importance, in accordance with CAC and planning staff criteria. The Town of Amherst Open Space Acauistion D*an provides a useful example for determining what priorities should be assigned to various areas. They are listed here in amended form as a suggested classification scheme for Ithaca's Open Space Index: 1. Class I Open Space a) NYSDEC Designated Freshwater Wetlands b) NYSDEC Classified Streams C(t) or Better c) Other Streams and Ponds d) Natural Drainageways e) Floodways f) Critical Environmental Areas (SEAR) g) Tompkins County UNA's (Unique Natural Areas) h) Cornell UNA's 1) Historic Sites 2. Class II Open Space a) Large Woodlots b) Buffer Areas Around Class I Open Spaces c) Scenic Views d) Recreational Corridors e) Wildlife Linkages f) National Wetland Inventory Wetlands g) Municipal Open Spaces EXHIBIT #4 3. Class III Open Space a) Poorly and Very Poorly Drained Soil Areas b) Scarred and Filled Areas c) High Bedrock (less than 40" from surface) d) Designated 100 -year Floodplains e) Severe Slope Areas (slopes of 20 degrees or greater) By completing the classification above, the town will have prioritized its open space and will be able to determine what areas need further protection. Protection for those areas can then be established through zoning laws and other land use ordinances, historic preservation ordinances, land acquistion and other means. EXHIBIT #4 MEMORANDUM TO: Conservation Advisory Council FROM: John G. Whitcomb RE: Member Concerns DATE: May 3, 1990 Since our April meeting, I have discussed several concerns with most of you. This Memo attempts to summarize those concerns and your suggested solutions, as follows: - Our primary responsibility at this time is to supervise the completeness of the Open Space and Natural Areas index. To accomplish this, you have suggested: 1. Staff prepare a list of mapping tasks that remain to be done. 2. Staff prepare a check list to be used to evaluate "open space" or "natural areas". 3. CAC members offer to 'assist in establishing priorities and in-field.inventory. 4. The Town be divided into four geographic areas and that Staff complete the mapping of one area each month. 5. Staff advise the CAC on the advisability of using "G.I.S." to complete the mapping. 6. The County mapping effort be incorporated into the Town mapping process. - We have identified other areas of CAC responsibility: 1. SEQR review -- not as experts on environmental law, but as informed citizens. 2. Recommending policy and action on a variety of environmental issues, including: a. SEQR thresholds. b. Policy statements on agricultural, open space, and parkland components of the Comprehensive Plan. c. Establish standards and criteria to protect environmentally sensitive areas. We have a demanding agenda before us. However, because of the enthusiasm, talent, and dedication of the CAC members, I am confident we can accomplish our tasks. JGW/nf EXHIBIT #5 MEMORANDUM TO: Conservation Advisory Council FROM: John G. Whitcomb RE: April 26 get-together DATE: May 9, 1990 Members attended an informal gathering at the home of John and Myrtle Whitcomb on April 23, 1990 for a social evening to get to know one another better. Those attending were: Bowers, Dean, .Fischer, Kiefer, Mahr, Marks, Mulholland, Whitcomb and Zariello. Although this was a social gathering, several substantive items emerged. These will, of course, be discussed at length in future CAC monthly meetings. They are recorded here only for purposes of establishing a record. Our primary responsibility was seen as supervising the completion of the open space and natural areas index. To help accomplish this, it was suggested that: ..Staff prepare a list of mapping tasks that remain. �- ..A checklist be prepared to be used to evaluate features of each field site. ..CAC members volunteer to assist with establishing priorities and in field work. ..The Town be divided into four geographic areas and that Staff complete the mapping of one each month. ..The County's mapping effort be incorporated into the Town mapping process. ..It was felt that a GIS mapping system would well serve the needs of the CAC and the Town. Staff. should advise the CAC on the merits and practicality of obtaining and using a GIS mapping system. Other concerns and ideas: ..Mr. Baker, the Planning Board representative, has attended no meetings to date. ..A suggestion that a list of current development applications be posted at Town Hall, that a list be periodically mailed to the CAC and that signage describing the anticipated development be posted at the actual site. ..A request that a clerk be assigned to the CAC to take summary minutes of the meetings. It is difficult for a member to take minutes and be able to actively participate in the meetings. ..It may not be necessary for planning staff to attend every meeting or to attend the entire meeting. This may not be the best use of staff time. ..That the envirormental review committee proceed with its plan to begin reviewing development applications, not as experts in environmental law but as informed citizens. ..The CAC begin drafting agricultural, open space and parkland components of the Comprehensive Plan. ..CAC make recommendations on Town policy related to other environmental issues. ..CAC study and revise SEGR thresholds as necessary and establish other standards and criteria for protection of environmentally sensitive areas. We have established a demanding agenda. However, because of the enthusiasm, talent and concern of the CAC members, I am confident we can accomplish our tasks. EXHIBIT m6 John B. Babcock BABCOCK COMMUNICATIONS 600 Cayuga Heights Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 Phone: 607 257-6283 Mr. John G. Whitcomb. Chairman Conservation Advisory Council Town of Ithaca 126 E. Seneca Street Ithaca, NY 14850 June 1, 1990 Dear Mr. Whitcomb: You have shared with me your findings from a survey of 15 farmers in the Town of Ithaca. The apparent focus of the study was to develop for the Town farmland protection policies. The underlining is mine, and deliberately so. Any and all protection policies relating to what is loosely called "farmland" ordain limits and restraints on the owners of that land, and inevitable reduction of options for its use and hence its value. To presume that the small amount of undeveloped land in the Town of Ithaca presents the base for a meaningful "plan" to protect farmers and preserve farmland is unrealistic, officious, and disturbingly threatening to the people it will impact -- tax -paying owners of the land. Representation on your committee by farmers and farm management professionals might provide needed focus. Even a rudimentary understanding of farming indicates that focusing restraints and "protection" within a single township addresses not at all the general problems of agriculture or the specific troubles facing Town of Ithaca farmers. Ithaca is not an island unto itself. From a sample of 15 "farmers" (of that number I am certainly no longer a farmer), 1,514 acres are lumped into "crops." To a farmer, a "crop" is planted to produce hopefully more income than it cost to plant and harvest. Sheer acreage has little applicability. Ask anyone familiar with the economics, including labor costs, materials and machinery needs, to compare.: One acre of strawberries Two acres of raspberries Five acres of melons Ten acres of sweet corn Twenty acres of grapes Thirty acres of Wheat Forty acres of Corn Fifty acres of improved pasture One Hundred acres of natural pasture And many other examples of diversity EXHIBIT #7 and intensity. 2 The reduction of farmers in this country has not been some social travesty; as fewer farmers feed more people, and food costs remain an amazingly low proportion of consumers' earnings, and land is constantly taken out of productivity, farming has been changed by the only real force that can shape it -- economics. When does a farmer cease being a farmer, and why? A good agricultural economist can provide better answers, but for starters from a person who has farmed and does so no longer: 1. Rocketing capital requirements for mechanization and operation require larger acreage bases to utilize that mechanization. A $50,000 tractor cannot be idle most of the time anymore than a factory assembly'line can afford protracted down time. As applies to the Town of Ithaca, it means that those very few productive farmers must buy or rent more and more acreage -- much of it in other townships. 2. The unique geographic features that provoke bumper stickers that "Ithaca is Gorges" mean for mechanized farming scattered islands of general cropland, often so separated as to bring on significant extra costs simply hauling machinery from one plot to the next (and incurring, according to your survey, severe complaints from non-farm residents). 3.Perhaps one of the most elusive farmland values to the uninitiated is pastureland. Reported in the survey is only 155 acres. Here in the heart of dairyland, Upstate New York, the Town of Ithaca supports a handful of producing dairy farms, probably none of them wholly dependent on lands within the town. - There is a vast difference in "improved" and "natural" pasture. Improved pasture requires.preparation and seeding, fertilizer, weed control, and professional management of the grazing operation. That is about the only way to justify expensive fencing. Natural'pasture has all but disappeared. It costs too much to fence. It's likely no one can afford to build even electric fencing for the 433 acres of "inactive" land listed, or afford the animals to graze it. Our part of the country is blessed with a climate favorable to growing the grass that originally made this dairy country. The pastures of our area have given way steadily, inexorably, to lawns and riding mowers. EXHIBIT #7 4. An additional and most important reason for the decrease in farmers in the Town of Ithaca: land values. Odds are that no acreage has been set aside for grazing or other farm purposes around the beautiful town of Scarsdale outside New York City. Time and events precluded that many years ago. Why, then, should any group of theoretical planners with scant understanding of economic dynamics propose to "freeze" private property in the Town of, Ithaca under the guise of "Protection" of farmers and farmland? The active farmer of today may become just a landowner tomorrow. In either instance, he should have the options -- and freedom-- to determine as have millions of farmers before him whether or not to continue farming, to sell his land, or to find other ways for it to provide a living. To fabricate protective measures, however well intentioned, will serve to hurt, not help, the small number of landowners involved. I respectfully ask that you share these views with the students who may have done this work for academic credit and to gain professional experience. It badly missed the mark of providing the community service intended. Sincerely, U` Jon B. Babcock EXHIBIT #? 3 THURSDAY. JULY 5. 1990 T,Vv�m ' � Ute, o 1� 1 -17 THACA TOWN HALL, 126 EAST SENECA ST. AGENDA - - �•1. Review and approval of CAC budget and work plan for submission to NY State DEC. 2. Brief Committee reports. 3. Briefly review Town residents survey results, if available. &OAk cW(b 4. Consider a resolution to the Town Board regarding expansion of the CAC membership. 5. Consider a resolution regarding alteration of the SEAR Short Environmental Assessment Form which the Town uses. 6. Consideration of a proposal for a development moratorium.2rr2ci \-7. Review and approve meeting minutes of June 7, 1990.;�czc�-'_ carr �U 7k6 8� Devote 1.5 hours to a work session to review and implement a plan to define, categorize and prioritize open space in the Town. Also, to identify protection mechanisms. 9. Adjournment -- 9:30 p.m. Committee Members John Whitcomb James Baker Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholland John G. Whitcomb Chairman TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL JULY 5, 1990 I'M TOWN Of ITHACA Date 3'k-5 The Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) met on Thursday,.July 5, 1990 in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York, at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Celia Bowers, Richard Fischer, Eva Hoffmann, Dooley Kiefer, Ruth Mahr, Laura Marks, Elizabeth Mulholland. Chairman John Whitcomb arrived at about 8:00 p.m. ABSENT: Christiann Dean. ALSO PRESENT: John Czamanske (Town Planning Technician), Phillip Zarriello. Acting Chairperson Dooley Kiefer declared the meeting opened at 7:15 p.m. MINUTES. Eva Hoffmann, newly appointed member of the CAC (and member of the Town Planning Board), introduced herself and was welcomed by the assembled CAC. The meeting agenda was reviewed. John Czamanske informed members that residents survey results were not yet available for review. It was the consensus of the CAC that discussion of a development moratorium be postponed. It was the consensus of the CAC to approve the minutes of the June 7, 1990 meeting with corrections as noted by Dooley Kiefer. DISCUSSION OF BUDGET (FY 90 & FY 91). John Czamanske informed the CAC that New York State reimbur- ses at a rate of approximately 18% to 25% the approved expenses of CAC's and County Environmental Management Councils (FMC's). Discussion of the budgets ensued. It was the consensus of the CAC that at least $5,000 of the $7,500 proposed for consulting services be reserved for consul- tants with expertise on flora, fauna, soil types, geological features, etc. Questions arose about what student intern amounts are and would be spent for. John Czamanske described the types of mapping which is currently being done by Sharon Pelosi. He also mentioned the work which Lisa Roop performed during the first quarter of FY 1990. Interns are paid approximately $6.50/hour to $7.00/hour. Conservation Advisory Council 5 July, 1990 It was asked if $1,000 was adequate for secretarial support. John Czamanske itemized his figures and explained that they did not envision reimbursement for existing staff, but were specifi- cally the hiring of someone to take meeting minutes. Dooley Kiefer suggested higher rates beginning second quarter FY 90. By consensus, the CAC decided to budget $200 per quarter for travel rather than the proposed amount. It was also decided to increase the budget item "books & reference materials" to $150 per quarter (except the first quarter of FY 1990) in order to create a CAC reference library. It was decided to change the "conference fees" category to "conference costs," which would include conference fees and any other costs except travel. It was then decided to increase that item to $800 each fiscal year ($200 each quarter). A category of "miscellaneous member expenses" was added, to be budgeted at $150 per quarter for each fiscal year. That money would be used to reimburse CAC members for child care, parking, long-distance phone calls and other costs incurred because of their volunteer efforts for the CAC. John Whitcomb arrived and assumed the Chair at approximately 8:10 p.m. DISCUSSION OF WORK PLAN (FY 90 & FY 91). Discussion turned to the proposed work plan prepared by John Czamanske. John Whitcomb suggested the addition of an introduc- tory paragraph describing the CAC's goals. Dooley Kiefer suggested target dates be added for each item. Ruth Mahr suggested that time be set aside in each meeting to discuss Town environmental issues and problems -- monitoring environmental matters and proposing actions. Dooley Kiefer suggested that an item be added regarding the review and comment on applications for projects.in the Town, especially SEQR EAF's, and make recom- mendations to the Planning Board. It was asked if the budget could or should include costs for major projects (e.g. purchase of development rights). John Czamanske read from NYS regulations regarding the limitations on the use of state funds which appeared to rule out purchases of land or right in land. It was agreed that the CAC needs to think about such large projects if it is to fulfill its mandate. . ,Y- u� sseJ rr'-L� X7`0 An ad hoc committee was established and authorized by the Council`'`'` -4 to review and approve the work plan' and budget at a meeting a�.t scheduled for Monday, 9 July at 12:30 p.m. in Town Hall. John Czamanske was to flesh out the work plans according to the Council's comments by that time. The committee consisted of John Whitcomb, Dooley Kiefer, Elizabeth Mulholland, and Richard Fischer. [The ad hoc group met and reviewed and approved the work plans for submission to the Town Board and then the DEC. 2 Conservation Advisory Council 5 July, 1990 The Town Board subsequently approved the work plans and budgets for fiscal years 1990 and 1991 at its 9 July, 1990 meeting.] Dooley Kiefer suggested that the CAC formalize its procedures for developing and making recommendations to other Town bodies. The CAC agreed by consensus. Ruth Mahr brought up the topic of Tompkins County's Geographic Information System (GIS) and suggested that the Town look into the possibility of coordinating with them in order to avoid duplication of efforts and reduce costs. She doesn't want the Town to waste many person -hours on manual mapping when the County could do it on the GIS. John Whitcomb mentioned a previous meeting with Jim Skaley (County Planning). Mr. Skaley estimated that it would take two more years to complete county mapping. It would cost at least $7,500 to purchase it; the Town cannot just borrow the software from the County. The new Town base map is being produced using AUTOCAD (on the IBM PC and the Macintosh), which is not directly GIS compatible. John Czamanske said that there is software available which allows AUTOCAD to function as a GIS. The Town Board and staff are discussing the possible purchase of a GIS package. Ruth Mahr suggested adding a budget item for interns to put Town data into the County GIS system. John Czamanske commented that the County's GIS approach may not be the same that the Town would want to take for reasons such as differences in hardware, scale and accuracy. The County has also chosen to overlook the myriad imperfections in tax assessment maps because of the nature of the project which is funding the GIS system; this may not be some- thing that the Town wants to do. Phil Zarriello commented that this problem might be dealt with by imposing an X -Y coordinate system onto the tax parcel base, even though the tax maps aren't made according to rigorous mapping standards. A recommendation was made to provisionally add money to the budget for interns to do digitizing at the County and then have Town staff check with the County about feasibility. John Czamanske had reservations. John Whitcomb thinks that we're 750 finished with open space mapping and so shouldn't take time with the GIS system. The Cornell Laboratory for Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing (CLEARS) has soils and other maps and has produced land use and natural areas maps for the Town; all which the Town is currently using. John Whitcomb asked John Czamanske to call Jim Skaley by Monday noon to discuss how we might integrate Town and County mapping. COMMITTEE REPORTS. Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors. Laura Marks an - 3 Conservation Advisory Council 5 July, 1990 nounced two upcoming meetings with the City of Ithaca; and informal meeting for Tuesday, 10 July and one the following day which would be an official committee meeting. John Czamanske described how it had transpired that Wednesday's meeting had been cancelled unbeknownst to Laura Marks. Laura strongly disagreed :•lith the cancellation of Wednesday's meeting -- she had much to present to City officials. Laura Marks will call the city tomorrow and John Czamanske will talk with Laura tomorrow. George Frantz (Assistant Town Planner) will return Friday, 6 July and will coordinate the matters. Laura Marks reported that the committee has developed a proposal which needs to be written up and presented to the CAC. Eva Hoffmann suggested that it would be appropriate to have the committee report to the CAC and then forward any recommendations to the Planning Board for consideration before presenting them to the City of Ithaca. Due to the time of the meeting it was suggested that the CAC forego talki-ng about the open space definition and classification criteria agenda item. It was decided to have an extra meeting on 26 July in order to have a work session for that discussion. [That meeting date was subsequently changed to 18 July due a scheduling conflict for the Town boardroom.] Laura Marks continued by describing possible Six Mile Creek recommendations. First, the City of Ithaca should open the upper reservoir as a nature preserve, creating trails, providing parking and tying in with the South Hill Recreation Way. Laura commented that controlled use would limit damage to the ecosys- tem; politically, Town access is needed in order to get Town support. Secondly, make a public statement by both the Town and City of Ithaca that this is not for tennis courts and similar recreation, but for a nature preserve. Third, a letter should be sent to all residents from City line to Town of Dryden line between Coddington Rd. and Slaterville Rd., signed by both Town and City officials informing them that their land is being discussed by the various municipal governments. Beth Mulholland recalled that some years ago a series of amicable phone calls were made to residents. The committee would be glad to draft a letter. Need to work with the City on deed restrictions to ensure that the City's land purchases will create a permanent nature preserve. Laura Marks presented a map of the Six Mile Creek area showing where residents would be notified and showing the proposed no -build zone. She forsees a public information meeting. The committee wants the entire area rezoned as a conservation district, with restrictions. John Whitcomb and Christiann Dean offered help coming up with appropriate agricul- tural regulations. She wants to find protection measures that will not involve individual owners incurring losses. The City of 4 Conservation Advisory Council 5 July, 1990 /L2C�2Ld��c,ov� Ithaca 21 proposing a��build zone. Laura Marks wants to see theme from Park Lane to the Dryden Town line opened as a recreation way similar to the one on Coddington Rd. (South Hill Recreation Way); a place to walk and ride bikes. A question was asked as to whether this would be a useful commuter bike route in addition to its recreational use; yes. Another question was asked as to whether the railroad bed was still available; at least three houses the railroad bed on the east side and on the west many are already on it. The biggest restriction is that the Town has no money for land purchases. Someone commented that that needs to change. Dooley Kiefer mentioned the New York State environmental bond issue this fall; if it passes, the Town can apply for money. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE. Dooley Kiefer reported that the committee met on 2G June. They reviewed two short environmental assessment forms (SEAF) which they felt were incomplete. Changes should be recommended soon to Town environmental review proce- dures. A resolution drafted by the committee was passed out to the CAC regarding proposed changes to the SEAF which the Town uses. John Czamanske said that a revised form could be easily produced on the Town's Macintosh computer. There was some discussion as to whether revisions to the SEAF were in the province of the Town Board or Planning Board. A motion by Chris- tiann Dean, seconded by Laura Marks to approve the resolution as presented passed unanimously and was sent to the Town Board. [The Town Board on 9 July subsequently referred the matter to the Planning Board.] DISCUSSION RE. ENLARGING MEMBERSHIP OF THE CAC. The CAC discussed the agenda item related to expanding its membership. Eva Hoffmann has replaced Jim Baker as the Planning Board representative to the CAC. John Czamanske read from New York State regulations regarding CAC's which stated very clearly that CAC's are constrained to a maximum of nine members. Someone suggested that John Whitcomb and Eva Hoffmann, as Town officials, might serve as ex -officio members. Celia Bowers stated that she did not want the CAC to get too large. John Czamanske reiterated that the New York State regulations were very clear on this matter; only nine voting members are allowed on CAC's. ADJOURNMENT. 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christiann Dean, meeting notes taker. John Czamanske, Planning Technician, typist, editor. 5 WEDNESDAY. JULY 18. 1990 7-0—x: M- ITHACA TOWN HALL, 126 EAST SENECA ST As - 1. Brief Committee reports. 2. -Briefly review Town residents survey results. 3. Devote 1.5 hours to a work session to review and implement a plan to define, categorize and prioritize open space in the Town. 4. Adjournment -- 9:30 p.m. Committee Members John Whitcomb Celia Bowers Christi ann Dean Richard Fischer Eva Hof ► mann Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholland John 6. Whitcomb Chairman DRAFT MINUTES TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING 18 JULY 1990 aas:ssssaasssasss:asssmaassss:sasasssassxsaasasssamaaasssssa Present: John Whitcomb, Chair Celia Bowers Richard Fischer Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr laura marks Others Present: John Czamanske, Planning Technician George Frantz, Assistant Town Planner Absent: Christian Dean Eva Hoffman Elizabeth Mulholland aaa�me:aseam=vasssaass�a::asss:sssss:=sto:�sa�a::etsaassa:��:�:�:saw A special meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) was called to order by John Whitcomb at 7:05 p.m. at the Town Hall. Parks, Natural Areas. and Stream Corridors Committee MR= Discussion of whom to approach and when about land purchases in the Six Mile Creek Valley. George Frantz thinks that instead of negotiating with the citizen, we should first go to the Planning Board, which should approve a position stating why we want to protect Sig Mile Creek and which parcels we recommend the City should protect. John Whitcomb thinks we should not keep the City out of discussions at this point. Laura said the meeting with the City last Tuesday went well until the subject of using the upper resevoir for recreation came up. By consensus the CAC decided, as a courtesy, to give the Planning Board a sketch report of our thinking at this time. Environmental Review Committee Dooley Kiefer reported the committee met on 16 July 1990 and reviewed plans for McDonald's and Andree Petroleum at East Hill Plaza, Santi's two -lot subdivision, and the Chamber of Commerce parking and landscaping plan. John Czamanske reported that staff needs to design procedures for accepting applications (i.e., instructions and checklist for applicants). George Frantz pointed out that 20 days are needed before Planning Board meetings ror review or plats. The Building and Zoning Department has 2 0 working days for building and variance applications. The Planning Board meets twice a month. Residents Survey John Whitcomb and John Czamanske reported on results to date. There were approximately 2 400 responses out of 5500 houselholds that received the survey; this comes to about 301 of the households, since many sent two responses back. Protection of Cayuga Lake was supported by 2100 out of the 2 400 responses. The responses will be sorted by area; a subcommittee of the CPC should have a report by September. Chair's Report John Whitcomb reported on what the CPC is currently focusing: transportation, goals and objectives, and the residents survey. Agenda for next meeting The agenda for the 2 August 1990 regular meeting will include minutes, moratorium, Code of Ethics, Codes and Ordinances Committee work on special appeals and non -conforming uses, and an update on current issues. Phil Zarriello asked. that the CAC look at the Finger Lakes State Park plans for a recreational trail connecting Taughannock, Cass, Buttermilk, and Treman Parks, and this was added to the agenda. Open Space There was a lengthy discussion of just how to define open space (i.e., should it include historic buildings?) It was decided to make a separate list dealing with "conservation of the built environment." A consensus supported using an approach similar to Amherst, "Open Space is land on which no structure ealsts." Dooley noted that open space has value for the natural, the built, and social environments. Ruth Mahr suggested a two - category approach: (1) based on location (nearness to existing development); (2) based on intrinsic value (environmentally sensitive or fragile, wildlife support, aesthetics, spiritual value, or adjacent to sensative areas.) It was noted that the Town must also set aside some land for recreational use. Woodlots were discussed. Is there a minimum size below which protection is not necessary? A simple tree has microhabitat value. When does a collection of trees become a woodlot? John C. said there is a model tree preservation law we could consider. John C.'s 2 9 June list of categories was discussed. A question was raised of how such categories could be shown on a map. The possiblility of using overlays showing land cover types, usage, ownership, and slopes was discussed. Information on woodland mapping will be sought from CLEARS. John W. asked for Woluteers to write up a summary of this meeting's agreements. Ruth Mahr, Dick Fischer, and Phil Zarriello agreed to do this. John C. will bring all available maps to the next regular meeting. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Submitted by Scott Dvorak from notes by Dooley Kiefer 2-8-91 N CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1990 7:00 P.M. ITHACA TOWN HALL, 126 EAST SENECA ST. AGENDA 1. Brief committee reports. 2. Review and approve meeting minutes of 5 July, 1990. 3. Persons to be heard. 4. Discussion of member environmental concerns. 5. Report regarding recommendations which were forwarded to the Codes and Ordinances Committee concerning special approvals and extensions of non -conforming uses. 6. Discussion of proposed Town ethics legislation. 7. Discussion of residents survey. 8. Discussion of a proposal for a development moratorium. 9. Discuss and approve meeting agenda for 6 September, 1990. Conservation Advisory Council: John Whitcomb, Chairman Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Eva Hoffmann Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholland Encl: (1) Development moratorium materials prepared by D. Kiefer (3) Meeting summary for 5 July, 1990 Copy: CAC members (w/encl.) Shirley Raffensperger (w/encl.) Meeting notice mailing list (w/out encl.) NOTICE There will be ,a meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council's Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Committee at 11:15 a.m. on 31 July, 1990 in the Town Hall boardroom at 126 East Seneca St., Ithaca, NY. 17 110-P MINUTES TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL AUGUST 2, 1990 [As approved by the Conservation Advisory Council] [September 6, 19901; The Conservation Advisory Council met on Thursday, August 2, 1990 in the Town Hall, 126 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY. Present: John Whitcomb (Chair), Celia Bowers, Dooley Kiefer, Laura Marks, Elizabeth Mulholland, Ruth Mahr. Absent: Christiann Dean, Richard Fischer, Eva Hoffmann. Also Present: Susan Beeners (Town Planner) , John Czamanske (Planning Technician), Tom LiVigne (Cornell University Real Estate) . John Whitcomb opened the meeting at 7:10 PM. Status Report of the Codes and Ordinances Committee (C.O.C.) Kark Niklas, Chairman of the C.O.C., reported on his Committee's work. They have reviewed special land use permits and will recommend to the Town Board that authority for special permits be delegated to the Planning Board rather than the Zoning Board of Appeals, as is now the case. Special permits will be on the Town Board's September agenda. One member of the C.O.C. is recalcitrant and needs direction from the Town Board. C.O.C. priorities for the remainder of the year include: 1. A method to "amortize" non -conforming land use. 2. A study of various procedures to deal with non -conforming land use. 3. Revisicon of Section 70 of the Zoning Ordinance, dealing with grading and filling. 4. Storm water management. 5. Wetlands protection. Celia asked if these topics will be completed by the end of the year, and Karl said they would be if no new initiatives interfere. Dooley suggested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has excellent wetlands protection laws and that it might not be the best servation Advisory Council -2- August 2, 1990 use of the C.O.C.'s time to duplicate them. Karl responded that his Committee might well take advantage of legislation already in place but that the Town needed better procedures to alert the Planning Board of the potential existence of wetlands on a property. Celia noted that the Ordinance should include a clause that would revoke subdivision approval if it was later determined that an applicant had provided false information on the S.E.Q.R. form. Several members urged Karl to restrict clear cutting or vegetation removal in the various ordinances under consideration. Karl also reported on the Townwide survey tabulation and continued that it was premature to draw any definite conclusions until the data had been thoroughly and statistically tabulated. John Whitcomb commented that the raw data regarding greenspace protection indicated such strong support that he thought we could proceed with our assumptions that a large portion of the Town residents supported such efforts. Committee Reports: Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Committee Laura Marks reported that the Committee has adopted a definite schedule with the City and plans to have a draft report to the C.A.C. for the September 6, 1990 meeting. She also suggested that the C.A.C. assume responsibility for contacting residents and neighbors personally about the plan prior to any public hearing. Environmental Review Committee Dooley Kiefer expressed displeasure about staff's handling of the C.A.C. resolution regarding the amended Short Environmental Assessment Form. Staff has scheduled it for the second Planning Board meeting in September indicating a low priority. Council felt that staff should not be in a policy setting mode and should take direction from the Town Board and the Planning Board in setting agendas. The Town Board and the Planning Board also need to discuss jointly incorporation of the C.A.C. in the review process. John Czamanske commented that staff was attempting to revise the process and to include provisions for timely review by all parties. John Whitcomb will formally request this in a letter to the Town Board and the Planning Board. Minutes The July 5, 1990 minutes were approved with corrections: p.4: change "railroad bed" to "recreation way", from Park Lane to Dryden Rd. p.2 (9 lines from bottom): after "work plan" add "and budget, and was authorized to finalize and approve the budget...". servation Advisory Council Member Concerns -3- August 2, 1990 Ruth Mahr: commented that the County recycling effort is lacking. She feels that having everyone trek to a recycling center uses more fuel than curbside pickup. She asked if the Town has a truck it could use for collection -- or could the Town establish a collection center. She also commented on the need for more information on the handling of household toxic wastes (paint, ammonia, ' etc.). Dooley Kiefer explained that the County had approved funds for education but was waiting for final approval of the entire household hazardous waste project before commencing with the education program. John Whitcomb will write to the County and encourage outside pickup and a fact sheet on toxic disposal. Ruth hopes the Town will include information on household hazardous waste disposal in the Town Newsletter. Doolev Kiefer: distributed information on an upcoming environmental symposium at Cornell, September 17-20. She also circulated various articles on environmental issues. She noted that EMC lists IT1 and IT13 as unicue natural areas that no longer exist. Beth Mulholland: showed the Council a Conservation Foundation book entitled "Creating Successful Communities -- a Guidebook to Growth Management Strategies". The Town has a copy. Members complained about the problems of minute taking. A motion by Dooley and Celia was approved to advertise for and hire a person to take and transcribe minutes of regular meetings. The person should be someone reasonably conversant with C.A.C. subject matter. The salary would be $10/hr, with a fifty dollar ($50.00)/meeting limit. There was a discussion about the lack of time to discuss important agenda items. John Whitcomb suggested less time spent on "housekeeping" items. Ruth Mahr suggested a published time limit on agenda items. Ethics Legislation Members were urged to respond to John Whitcomb before August 7, 1990, with comments. Council generally felt that the draft was good but needed internal consistency and coverage of staff as well as elected and appointed officials. John Whitcomb was urged not to dilute the draft provisions. Moratorium A philosophical discussion ensued about the merits of establishing a moratorium. The consensus was that it was needed to delay further development until the comprehensive plan was enacted. Susan Beeners expressed concern about the length of time to enact a .rvation Advisory Council -4- August 2, 1990 moratorium ordinance. Also, the issue was raised of a S.E.Q.R. review of a moratorium ordinance. Susan thinks it is required; Dooley thinks it is optional. John Whitcomb expressed fear that the time required for staff and various boards and committees to review and discuss a moratorium would subtract from the time available for planning. He felt that, after a slow start, staff and the various committees were gaining momentum and that the existing timetable, while ambitious, could be accomplished if we focused on planning. If a moratorium could be enacted tommorow, he would support it. If it would take three months of precious time, he would oppose. John stated that he did not want to impose his will on the Council and would abide by majority's direction. Ruth Mahr and others felt that the delay afforded by a moratorium would gain time for planning and that we should stop development while the planning process was occuring. A moratorium would be best for the environment. Protecting the environment was the C.'A.C.'s job. Let others worry about the politics. Council generally agreed. Next meeting A work session was set for August 14, 1990 to discuss more thoroughly the moratorium details and to finalize the draft open space definition provided by Phillip Zarriello and Ruth Mahr. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM. John G. Whitcomb, Chairman Conservation Advisory Council Town of Ithaca JGW/ag/nmf CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1990 7.00 P.H. ITHACA TOWN HALL, 126 EAST SENECA ST. AGENDA -- CAC Working Session i 1. Further discussion of CAC proposal for a development moratorium. (1 Hour) 2. Working session to finalize the Town Open Space definition and discuss classification criteria. (1 1/2 Hours) Conservation Advisory Council: John Whitcomb, Chairman Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Eva Hoffmann Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholland MINUTES TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL AUGUST 14, 1990 [As approved by the Conservation Advisory Council] [September 6, 199x-] A special meeting of the Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council was held on Tuesday, August 14, 1990, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, Ithaca, New York, at 7:00 p.m., for the purpose of working on the Open Space Inde:= and discussing the moratorium. PRESENT: Chairman John Whitcomb, Celia Bowers, Dooley Kiefer, Ruth Mahr, Laura Marks, Elizabeth Mulholland. ABSENT: Christiann Dean, Richard Fischer, Eva Hoffmann. ALSO PRESENT: Susan Beeners (Town Planner), John Czamanske (Planning Technician, who arrived following a Comprehensive Planning Survey Subcommittee meeting). Chairman Whitcomb declared the meeting opened at 7:40 p.m. The Council discussed the draft open space document containing an introduction, definitions, and an approach as prepared by Ruth Mahr with assistance from Phillip Zarriello. Also discussed was a preliminary revision to the latter introduction as prepared by Susan Beeners. Acknowledged as well were notes from the July 17, 1990 C.A.C. work session on the Open Space Index as prepared by Dooley Kiefer, and the draft open space definition and classification status report of June 29, 1990 prepared by John Czamanske. Several specific topics were addressed. Laura Marks recommended an addition to the "Introduction" making clear that the Town of Ithaca is an integral part of the Finger Lakes region of New York State, which is a globally unique geographical region. Dooley recommended dividing the "Approach" sect -40T. into three components: (1) identifying and describing open space in the Town, (2) prioritizing lands for preservation, and (3) making recommendations to the Town Board on methods of protection. Susan Beeners discussed the multiple use of a draft open space document not only as a staff procedure established by the Council for development of an open space index, but also as a basis for development of the components of the Comprehensive Master Plan Conservation Advisory Council -2- August 14, 1990 relating to natural resources, parks, and recreation. She was reminded that the C.A.C. is also concerned with the agricultural component. The liveliest discussion dealt with which features should be classified highest for preservation purposes, and whether there should be 2, 3, or 5 levels of classification; the consensus was to aim for three. Further discussed was the possible categorization of types of open space by their value and environmental quality, versus existing or potential means of protecting these open space types. Should sites be prioritized according to intrinsic value or according to the magnitude of development threat? Several members of the Council expressed a concern that the Open Space Index be kept as separate as possible from the park and recreation component of the Comprehensive Master Pian. The Council generally concurred that the Mahr-Zarriello draft be used as its working document, with certain portions of the various drafts being integrated into one document for purposes of review at the next meeting. It was suggested that staff be the main writers and the main clearinghouse for editing recommendations so as to make meeting time more efficient. Ruth feels strongly that C.A.C. meetings should be concerned with the big picture and not with writing; that can be done by a subcommittee or individual. John Whitcomb asked Dooley to revise and fine-tune the draft, based on discussion to date. [Note: After the meeting, when it appeared that Dooley may be out of town, Susan was also asked to do this.] The Council requested that staff investigate inviting one or more guest speakers (e.g., Dick Booth) as soon as possible to discuss various means of open space protection and conservation. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m. Susan C. Beeners Town Planner SCB/dk/nmf CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1990 7:00 P.M. ITHACA TOWN HALL, 126 EAST SENECA_STREET AGENDA 7:00 1. Committee reports: Parks, Natural Areas and Stream Corridors Committee Environmental Review Committee Agriculture Committee 7:15 2. Consider approval of meeting minutes: August 2, 1990 & August 14, 1990 7:20 3. Persons to be heard. 7:?5 4. Report on Short Environmental assessment Form revision. 7:30 5. Report on Site Plan Checklist, Instructions to Applica-nts. 7:35 6. Further discussion of proposal for a development moratorium. 7:50 7. Review and discussion of working draft on Six Mile Creek prepared by the Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Committee. 8:30 S. Further discussion of working open space draft, including definitions and classification. 9:10 9. Report on proposed CAC budget modifications. 9:15 10. Discussion of member environmental concerns. 9:25 11. Discuss and approve meeting agenda for October 4, 1990. 9:30 12. Adjournment. Conservation Advisory Council: John Whitcomb, Chairman Dooley Kiefer Celia Bowers Ruth Mahr Christiann Dean laura marks Ric:,aru ._sczer E•✓a r'.o Amann Encl: (a) Meeting minutes: August 2 & August 14, 1990 (b) Meeting minutes: April 5 & June 7, 1990 as approved (c) Short Environmental Assessment Form Draft (d) Six Mile Creek working draft with memo from laura marks to Six Mile Creek Overseer Committee, Aug. 30, 1990 (e) "Town of Ithaca - Open Space" draft, Kiefer, Aug. 29, 1990 Copy: CAC members (w/encl.) Shirley Raffensperger (w/encl.) Meeting notice mailing list (wtout encl.) ADOPTED MINUTES CONSERVATION ADVISORT COUNCIL MEETING 6 SEPTEMBER 1990 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Present: John Whitcomb (Chair), Christiann Dean, Dooley Kiefer, Ruth Mahr, laura marks, and Elizabeth Mulholland. Others present: Phil Zarriello (ad hoc), Susan Beeners (Town Planner), Scott Dvorak (Planning Intern), and Shirley Raffensperger (Town Supervisor). Absent: Celia Bowers, Richard Fischer. and Eva Hoffman. A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by John Whitcomb. Chair, in the Town Hall. Agenda item #8 (work on Six Mile Creek Report) was deferred to a September 20 special meeting, and �9 't.budget modifications) to the October meeting. Environmental Review Committee (ERC) report Dooley reported on the September 4 Planning Board meeting which dealt with some items the ERC has reviewed. Ithaca College made a presentation on its new Sciences Building. The McDonald's hearing was adjourned without date, and the SEQR time clock was frozen. Cornell made a presentation on its Vet College expansion. to be handled by State University Construction Fund. Cornell stated that it was not bound by the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance, and the Town attorney asked Cornell to cite him the legal basis for that statement. She noted the windows will open; a heat exchanger will be used; they have planned the building height so that views will not be spoiled. A hearing on the East Hill gas station expansion disclosed traffic concerns, possible drainage impact on wetlands across the road, how incomplete the EAF was, and the need for an interpretation of our zoning ordinance as to what are customary accessory sales for a gas station. The ERC's suggestions for improving the EAF were on the Planning Board agenda, but since it was very late when they got to it, they decided not to deal with it, and in response Dooley asked them to call her with individual comments before tonight's meeting and one member did. Agriculture Committee Christiann noted that the committee's work has been hampered by the fact that Mr. Baker, a Planning Board member and. a farmer, has not attended meetings. She asked if it would alright to have a new ad hoc member to represent large farms, and it was agreed she should. She has recently received survey notes from Matt Hastie. She suggested to George Frantz that the Ag. Committee would like to outline and/or draft the Ag. portion of the Comprehensive Plan and the CAC thought this was a good idea. Minutes The minutes of the August 2 and August 14 meetings were corrected and then accepted. Persons to be heard Shirley Raffensperger announced that curbside recycling pickup in the Town has a startup target date of September 28. Two public information meetings will be held shortly. - Dooley reported that the Tompkins -County- Board of Representatives cancelled the Household Hazardous Waste collection day this fall, and the subject has been tabled until spring. Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) There was discussion of changes to the SEAF. Dooley has the revised draft. Moratoriu m Dooley Kiefer noted that this topic has been on the agenda twice before but has been passed over each time due to lack of time. She thinks it important to discuss it substantivly tonight. John suggested a philosophical discussion of whether to propose a moratorium, and if so, then refer it to a committee. Susan Beeners reported on her investigation of development moratoria. She said it would be a local law and, according to the Department of State, SEQR is optional. However, Susan recommends taking the time to do a SEQR review. Susan feels that a moratorium would take too large of an amount of staff time and ultimately may not be defensible. She also stated that due to the current lack of new development or extreme environmental emergencies it may be beneficial to direct staff time elsewhere. Ruth Mahr noted that a moratorium is a policy decision for the Town Board; laura said she thinks the amount of staff time involved irrelevant; Christiann noted that SEQR is not required. John Whitcomb supports a 2 moratorium phihsophically; however, he is concerned about the amount of staff time it may consume. Dooley thinks a moratorium is achievable and asked the Council to consider the types of development a moratorium would cover and the appropriate thresholds. Laura marks suggested that the Council should look at the possibility of a selective moratorium (i.e. just at East Hill Plaza). A majority was in favor of having a committee look further into the issue. John, Dooley, and laura agreed to be on that committee, and Christiann offered to read over any draft. Comprehensive Plan Susan Beeners discussed the time frame of the Open Space Index, Natural Resources Index, and the Comprehensive Plan. Susan said that staff will do outlines and give them to committe chairs for review. Six Mile Creek Report Laura marks presented the latest copy of the Six Mile Creek report. Susan Beeners reported the draft has been sent to the Town Engineer. Changes were suggested by various council members. Ruth asked why only the City was mentioned as purchasing land; this should be a Town option, too. Christiann suggested that the page 10 agriculture section allow "chemically maintained orchards and vineyards." Dooley suggested changing 250' buffer distance to 500', since the model regulations have arbitrary distances that many question. Christiann asked that Six Mile Creek Vineyards actual distance from the creek be checked, Christiann questioned the 1 1/2 tons per acre per year, since SCS allows 3 in its conservation plans. There was also discussion of excluding campgrounds and tennis courts (page 13, 1*5) and the Conservation District ( page 11, #8). Laura also discussed the Coddington Road utility extensions and how they may affect the report's goals. Laura asked for a working session to focus on the report. The council agreed to have one on September 20. Member Concerns John Whitcomb noted that the Environmental Review Committee has had many suggestions for CAC to pass on and asked Dooley to write them up as resolutions. Phil Zarriello raised concerns with development along the Cayuga Lake shore. Phil prepared a memo outlining the problem and possible solutions (the memo is in the meeting file folder). 3 Agenda The agenda for the September 20 working session will include the review of the Six Mile Creek report and the Open Space report draft. The agenda for the October 4 regular meeting will include a further discussion of a moritorium, Cayuga Lakeshore development, a review of the long Environmental Assessment Form, and action on ERC resolutions. Submitted by Scots D. Dvorak 1/29/91 from notes of John Whitcomb and Dooley Kiefer Revised 3/15/91 ' Adopted 3/21/91 - moved by laura marks, seconded by Dooley Kiefer. Aye - John Whitcomb. Candace Cornell, Christiann Dean, Dooley Kiefer, and laura marks. Abstain - Eva Hoffman. 4 J qty. OF 1,7", F 9 TOWN OF ITHACA DO, 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 �r Ya TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1736 PLANNING 273-1736 ZONING 273-1,747, CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1990 7:00 P.M. "WORKING SESSION" A G E N D A A. Discussion of "Six Mile Creek: A Heritage to Preserve" draft as prepared by the Parks, Natural Areas, and St_Verr Corridors Committee. B. Further discussion of working o e n Space drafts, inclLdin definitions, classification, conservation mechanisms. ADJOURNMENT -- 9:30 P.M. John G. Whitcomb Chairman Committee Members: John Whitcomb James Baker Eva Hoffmann Celia Bowers C hristiann Dean Richard Fischer Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholla. d Phillip Zarriello (ad hoc) Friends: Kitty Mattes Donald L. Barber Jr. Paula Horrigan NOTE: IF ANY MEMBER OF THE CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL IS UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE NOTIFY NANCY FULLER IMMEDIATELY AT 273-1747. '/ %16,14 ADOPTED MINUTES TOWN OF ITHACA CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 20 SEPTEMBER 1990 a.aaaaa aasaaasas==sa=sa ssas as=aco.. ssas�ss===s==ssssa=.-ss sss sasaass Present: John Whitcomb, Chair Richard Fischer Eva Hoffman Dooley Kiefer laura marks Elizabeth Mulholland Others Present: Susan Beeners, Town Planner Scott Dvorak, Planning Intern Absent: Celia Bowers Christian Dean Ruth Mahr A working session of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) was called to order at 7:00 p. m. by John Whitcomb, Chair, at Town Hall. Park Committee Laura marks wants to shorten the name of the Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Committee to "Open Space Committee"; Dooley Kiefer suggested "Natural Resources Committee"; Scott Dvorak suggested "Land Resources Committee"; Dick Fischer likes the original long name. Laura decided to defer any formal suggestion. Six Mile Creek Laura marks reported on the progress of the Sig Mile Creek report, and that it was not fully ready for formal discussion. The Council members briefly discussed the progress drafts that had been sent to them. A motion was made to enter into executive session to discuss the land acquisition of specific parcels. The motion was made by John Whitcomb and seconded kby iaura marks. All meum ei i present voted aye except for Dooley Kiefer, who abstained. A motion was later made by John and seconded by laura, to return to normal session with all members voting aye except for Dooley, who abstained. 1 Resolutions A series or arart resoiutlons rrom the Environmentai Review Committee's (ERC) September 18 meeting was presented by Dooley Kiefer, and discussed by the Council. (1) A resolution communicating certain matters with respect to improvements at the East Hill Plaza parking lot was moved by Richard Fischer, seconded by laura marks, and unanimously approved. The resolution will be sent to the Town Supervisor, with courtesy copies sent to the Planning Department and the Planning Board. (2) A resolution recommending to the Town Board and the Codes and Ordinances Committee the enactment of a local law with respect to parking lot standards was moved by Dooley Kiefer, seconded by laura marks, and unanimously approved. The resolution will be sent to the Town Board and the Codes and Ordinances Committee, with courtesy copies sent to Daniel Walker (Town Engineer), John Barney (Town Attorney), and the Planning Board. (3) A resolution recommending to the Town Board certain policies with respect to the involvement of the Council in the scoping of draft Environmental Impact Statements was moved by laura marks, seconded by Richard Fischer, and approved unanimously. The resolution will be sent to the Town Board, Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals with courtesy copies sent to involved staff. (4) A proposed resolution recommending that incomplete environmental assessment applications and approvals granted erroneously not be accepted was discussed, and then tabled until the next Council meeting on 4 October. (5) A resolution recommending certain improvements to review procedures for development applications and to the information materials submitted to the Environmental Review Committee was moved by Richard Fischer, seconded by laura marks, and approved unanimously. The resolution will be sent to the Planning Department staff with courtesy copies sent to Planning Board and to the Town Engineer. Chair's announcements John Whitcomb read a letter from Michael Cavanaugh inviting the Council to send representatives -to a meeting in Cortland on 25 September, where staff from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be meeting with members of all local CACs. John Whitcomb and Susan Beeners stated that they planned to attend. John Whitcomb reported that the Joint Commission on City/Cornell Relations would be holding a public meeting on the University's impact on housing, local neighborhoods, and the environment on 4 October, with K Council members invited to attend, however, the CAC's meeting is scheduled for that date. Miscellaneous Laura marks presented several proposed items for the Town newsletter, including a description of the CAC role, and status reports on recycling and on toxic waste disposal, and the Council agreed that the items be transmitted to the Town Supervisor for consideration of inclusion. John Whitcomb reported on the activities of the Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC), including their plans for a retreat. Susan Beeners reported that she had recommended at the last CPC meeting, that, in preparation for the retreat, there be a session conducted by planning staff, where the CPC could review the many maps available, and focus on what the major issues are. Dooley Kiefer suggested that such a meeting could also include the review of the minutes of the 1989 Comprehensive Planning Subcommittee meeting, which included several relevant discussions of issues. Dooley Kiefer inquired as to a reference in a recent Planning Board resolution to upcoming recommendations by the Council on strategic action planning for legislative improvements. Susan Beeners responded that the reference reflected her expectations that the Council could act soon on the section of the Open Space draft with respect to legislative improvements. Dooley Kiefer reported on the recent attendance of a delegation of neighbors at the Planning Board meeting with respect to the Briarwood Subdivision wetlands issue. She suggested that the Council urge the Town to have local volunteer experts investigate the entire northeast area. It was decided that discussion of the wetlands matter be scheduled for the neat Council meeting on 4 October. Open Space Index The Council discussed the latest draft on open space, which included revisions by the Council and by staff. Modifications were suggested by several members, with discussion and revisions made by the Council. The role of the draft document as a charge to staff, as a preamble to the open space index, and as a source for parts of the comprehensive plan was acknowledged. The Council also discussed the setting of priorities for preservation of the various types of open space. Staff was directed to make modifications to the draft as approved this night by the Council, for further review at the next meeting on 4 October. 3 mor9tori n m Laura marks, Dooley Kiefer, and John Whitcomb decided to meet, possibly with the Town Attorney, to discuss the issue of a moratorium. Budget/work plan Susan Beeners reported on modifications to the Council's 1990 budget and the proposed 1991 budget, including the photography flights proposed for Autumn 1990 and Spring 1991. Adin nr�n_ment The meeting was adjourned at appr=lmately 10:20 p.m. Submitted by Susan C. Beeners Moved by laura marks, seconded by Celia Bowers. Approved unanimously. 2-21-91 4 CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4r 19? :00 P.M. I 1 HACA TOWN HALL, 126 EAST SENECA STREET AGENDA 7:00 1. Further discussion of working open space drafto including definitions and classification. 7:30 2. Report and recommendation by Par s, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Committee on Six Mile Creek_. S:00 _. Further discussion of proposal for a development moratorium. 8:30 4. Review of memo from Phillip farriello to the Conserva- tion Advisory Council with respect to lakeshore land and water use regulation. 8:45 5. Review of draft resolutions proposed by Dooley( Kiefer. 9:00 6. Discussion of wetlands issues, schedule for work. 9:05 7, Report on September 25 visit to N.Y.S. D.E.G. office. 9:10 S. Committee reports: Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Committee Environmental Review Committee Agriculture Committee 9:15 9. Discussion of member environmental concerns and miscellaneous items. 9:25 10. Consider scheduling! working Session and define Agenda for such (eq: October 18?). 9:30 11. Adjournment. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL: John Whitcomb, Chairman Dooley Kiefer Celia Bowers Ruth i1_ hr C hri_tiann Dean !aura marks Richard Fischer Elizabeth Mulholland Eva Hoffmann Note.- If you cannot attend the meetings please notify Nancy Fuller at 273-1747 , Copy: CHC members (W/encl.) Shirley Raffensperger (w/encl.) Phillip Zar alto (W/encl.) Meeting notice mailing list (w/out encl.) ADOPTED .MINUTES CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 4 OCTOBER 1990 Present: John Whitcomb, Chair Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Dooley Kiefer laura marks Elizabeth Mulholland Others Present: Phillip Zariello, ad hoc member Susan Beeners, Town Planner George Frantz, Assistant Town Planner Scott Dvorak, Planning Intern Absent: Eva Hoffman Ruth Mahr A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by John Whitcomb, Chair, at Town Hall. Open Space Discussion of the working open space draft resumed. Dooley Kiefer stressed the importance of completing a description of protective legislative mechanisms used in New York State and elsewhere. Laura marks said that the classification of open space types should reflect the existence and degree of any present protection mechanisms. . Dooley stated that the difference between intrinsic value and sufficiency of protection must be noted. John Whitcomb asked staff to present ideas on the classification of open space. - Susan Beeners stated that, in order to fully evaluate and classify each open space system according to level of protection and according to intrinsic value, it is important to develop a description of present land use, present vulnerability, possible future land use and bulnerability, and existence and sufficiency of protection mechanisms. She stated that such information could be presented in a matrix, and asked the Council for agreement in concept on such an approach. Susan Beeners further stated that she was reviewing the recommendations of Stuart Brown Associates made in 1989, and the proposed work program she submitted to the Town Board in January 1990. The review included re-examining the charstes to the Council in order to determine how the Council's work program based on the original work program and on the current open space draft. She stated that a survey of protective legislative mechansisms was a priority in completing the open space draft. The work needed in completing a survey of legislative mechanisms was then discussed. John Whitcomb wondered if the legal research involved could be performed by Stuart I. Brown, Associates. Susan Beeners suggested that it was her preference to work on the survey at least initially, and to ask for assistance later if necessary. Phillip Zariello cited several State and Federal sources of information. Susan said she would contact Phil, as well as the Town Attorney and the Stuart Brown. John Whitcomb asked Dooley Kiefer to initiate a discussion of the open space draft. Dooley reported that Ruth Mahr, who was absent, had extensive comments on the draft. John said he would obtain Ruth's comments. Scott Dvorak was asked to discuss his ideas on open space classification. Slopes were discussed, including their impact on land use, and the environmental constraints of construction on slopes exceeding 15 per cent in gradient. The Council turned to a discussion of the definition of intrinsic value, and how such contrasted with environmental constraints. Dick Fischer asked if intrinsic value refers to the value to ecology? Wildlife? Aesthetics? Health? Celia Bowers stated that it is important to develop a list of criteria for determining intrinsic value, and that a basic premise should be that it is essential that certain open space types be adequately protected in order to protect the environment, and to protect public health, safety, and welfare, since this could be legally defensible. Following discussion, the other Council members concurred. Susan Beeners then referred to a "Protected Open Space" map prepared by Scott which simplified the many types of open space which had been mapped previously to accompany the March 1990, open space inventory. She described the several categories developed by Scott, which included developed land, public open space, private open space, and environmentally sensitive areas. Celia Bowers suggested that the category of private open space be further delineated into that land which was deed -restricted, contrasted with other land such as cemeteries which was open space because of pre-emptive use. Susan Beeners recommended that the Town should use existing information and resources to implement protective measures almost immediately, even if such measures were interim to measures put into effect 2 after adoption of the comprehensive plan. She cited, as an example, that a conservation overlay zone.using a special permit process for development in environmentally sensitive areas could be enacted using existing information. She also added that information available was inportant in providing legal justification for such protection, both on a technical basis and in formulating statements of purpose. Phillip Zariello acknowledged the value of statements of purpose, but did not think the Council should dwell too much on such statements. Celia Bowers stressed the need for legal justification, both in clear statements of purpose and in solid technical information. Christiann Dean stated that it was not the role of the Council to develop legal justification for protection mechanisms. Celia said that there was, however, a need to define defensible objectives. Susan Beeners said that she hoped the Council could soon send recommendations on protection mechanisms to the Codes and Ordinances Committee, and to the Comprehensive Planning Committee, depending on whether the recommendations were for immediate legislative improvements, or for improvements requiring study in a comprehensive planning context. John Whitcomb asked when such recommendations would be available to the Council, and Susan replied that she hoped they would be sent out the following week. Dooley Kiefer noted several omissions on the open space draft. Scott responded that he would make the necessary amendments and corrections. Six Mile Creek Council turned to a discussion of the Six Mile Creek report and recommendations prepared by the Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Committee. Laura marks suggested that the Council submit written comments, and that several corrections to the draft were still needed. John Whitcomb expressed concern about a list of comments dated 3 October 1990 as submitted by Ron Brand, the planning consultant. Laura marks initiated a discussion of the list of comments. George Frantz described changes made to the draft report since the last review of the report by the Council. _ Susan Beeners noted the limited protective value of Critical Environmental Area designation. She also suggested that the section on recommendations be expanded to include a description of the variety of protective alternatives that could be effected at various times. John Whitcomb stated that the recommendations section should include a list of the types of protection mechanisms available, and a statement as to why the specific conservation zoning district was preferred by the Committee. The proposed conservation zoning district was then discussed, followed by a discussion of development densities, types of clustered 3 development, water pollution control, home occupations, and daycare facilities. Dooley Kiefer noted that working with the existing Town Zoning Ordinance as a basis for the conservation zoning district was difficult. Other Council members concurred that the existing Zoning Ordinance should not limit the development of the conservation zoning district. Susan Beeners expressed her concern that the report did not appear to address the original request of the City of Ithaca, particularly with respect to interim controls. Laura marks replied that the focus of the report was long- term management, and did not have to specifically address the content of the original city request. John Whitcomb suggested that an executive summary of the report would be appropriate. Susan suggested that all people listed in the report as having been instrumental in creating the report should have an opportunity to review the present draft. There was further discussion of the list of suggestions submitted by Ronald Brand. The Council agreed that Mr. Brand should be invited to attend the next Council meeting to discuss the report. Agriculture Committee Christiann Dean reported that Monica Crispin (County Extension) and Jim Ainslie (EAB) will join the 17 October committee meeting to be held at the Cooperative Extension office. Moratorium The Council then reviewed a portion of the moratorium proposal as revised and submitted for the present meeting. There was some discussion as to the length of time a moratorium might be in effect. Dooley Kiefer suggested that one year was a typical length of time for a moratorium, for example, in communities developing or updating a comprehensive plan. The Council agreed with the concept that the length of time be reasonable. Further discussion of the moratorium proposal and of the other matters on the agenda was adjourned until the next Council meeting, which was set for 25 October 1990 at 7:00 p.m. Executive Session and Adjournment At 9:55 p.m. John Whitcomb moved that the CAC go into executive session to discuss personnel matters. The CAC returned to regular session and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:15 p.m. Submitted by Susan Beeners Moved by laura marks, seconded by Celia Bowers. Aye - Whitcomb, Bowers, Dean, Kiefer, Mahr, marks. No - None. Abstain - Hoffman. 2-21-91 4 TOWN OF ITHA CA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA, NY 14650 MEETING NOTICE CONSERYATION ADYISORY COUNCIL 25 THURSDAY. OCTOBER Sd' 1990 7:00 P.M. TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM. AGENDA 1. Discussion of development moratorium. 2. Review of draft goal and policy statements relating to conservation and open space, and parks and recreation. 3. Discussion of proposed Route 13 bridge replacement and possible widening. 4. Other business. S. Adjournment. George R. FrarL, Assistant Town Planner CAC Members: John Whitcomb, Chair Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Eva Hoffmann Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks. Elizabeth Mulholland Phillip Zarriello Pna-1 MINUTES CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL WORKING SESSION 25 OCTOBER 1990 Present: John Whitcomb, Chair Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Eva Hoffman Dooley Kiefer laura marks Elizabeth Mulholland Others Present: George Frantz, Assistant Town Planner Shirley Raffensperger. T own Supervisor Phillip Zarriello, ad hoc member Absent: Ruth Mahr A special working session of the Town of Ithaca's Conservation Advisory Council (CAC.) at Ithaca Town Hall was called to order by John Whitcomb, Chair, at 7:10 p.m. Chair's Report John reported enthusiastically on the annual meeting of the New York State Association of Environmental Management Councils and Conservation Advisory Councils held in Saratoga Springs. He got promises of copies of adopted Open Space Indexes from other municipalities and he chatted informally with a representative of a graphics information system. GRAS. Phil Zarriello noted that the Army Corps of Engineers developed GRAS and that its now in the public domain. John said the Town should now start receiving the ti'YSAC newsletter. The tentative Comprehensive Plan schedule calls for completion of a draft in March 1991, with adoption by July 1991, following which there will be work on the Zoning Ordinance. Moratorium A draft moratorium resolution was introduced. John asked Dooley Kiefer to lead the discussion of a moratorium on development in the Town of Ithaca. Dooley moved the resolution from the CAC to the Town Board recommending a moratorium. It was seconded by Dick Fischer. Dooley noted that CAC members had received a draft resolution proposing a moratorium with their October 4 meeting materials, and that the draft included attachments stating the case for a moratorium and a summary of the details of the proposed moratorium [attached to official minutes] . Tonight members had received two handouts, a proposed SEQR statement to accompany the local law and a draft cover letter to the Town Board. She reported that she, John and Laura met on October 1 to refine and complete as much as they could of a draft local law, making use of those of the towns of Rhinebeck, Austerlitz, Beekman. and LaGrange, but leaving certain technical portions for the Town Attorney to complete. Dooley said that the SEAR statement makes the case for a negative declaration, and that the cover letter should be discussed later, but that first she thought if people had questions on the details of the moratorium itself, those should be dealt with. Christiann asked about the appeals procedure to the Town Board. Dooley stated we were proposing to allow small scale housing and light industrial development to continue as well as those developers that the Town Board found to be environmentally and socially responsible. Dooley said that that was the best wording they could come up with and that if she were on the Town Board she would hesitate to accept that latterlanguage. In the appeals procedure the Town Board should find that the project is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan at whatever stage it is at the time. Laura noted that the $100 processing fee will be nothing to the large- scale developer. Beth asked whom Dooley was really targeting with this proposal. Was it the large-scale developer? She was concerned how this would affect the economics of the area. It would mean loss of jobs for all the people working for the devlopers. Dooley responded that she was trying to preserve land that might otherwise be lost. This is not targeted at anyone; it is targeted for the Town, to try to preserve natural features. Beth pointed out that the Town has mechanisms, planning staff, the ERC, the PNASCC, CAC the Planning Board that can do the kinds of things Dooley was trying to achieve with the moratorium. Dooley disagreed. The Town did not have anything that says that certain land has to be protected. That is what would come out of the Master Plan and new land use tools. Dick noted that the groups that Beth had cited had not thus far been very effective at preserving open land. Laura said the moratorium was not targeted against anyone, but for Town staff and officials who could thea free up their time to work on the Comprehensive Plan. John said he saw the Town trading one kind of burden for another. Instead of development review, the Town would be going through appeals process. Recommendations would have to be made to the-a-ppeals body; the lawyer's time would be tied up with lawsuits. He didn't see us saving much staff time in the end. Dooley disagreed, saying it would be up to the Town Board whether or not it would even ask anyone for an advisory opinion. As to the appeals mechanism, the Town Board could. say to the developer "You're going to be able to do what you want in a year. That's not irreparable harm, so you have no grounds for an appeal." That could be the end of it. John noted that traditionally they had asked other boards for their opinions. Christiann asked about the time duration of a moratorium. Fere we considering a twelve month period? In looking at the time table for the Comprehensive Plan, it was hoped that it would be adopted by midsummer of 1991. This would then become a guideline for revisions to the zoning ordinance and the subdivision regulations. John noted that COC was already working on legislation in anticipation of the Plan. Celia said that the political implication of a moratorium to the ability of the current Town Board to be re-elected and continue the Town's planning efforts worried her. An additional concern was the slowdown in the economy and the potential job loss, She saw it as improbable that large- scale development would be occuring outside of the academic institutions. In weighing Cornell's and Ithaca College s role as major employers she was not in favor of a moratorium. The one advantage of a moratorium was a way of stopping non-conforming use extensions. John noted that COC was already- working on non-conforming use legislation. Laura suggested that the Town Board could make it clear to the ZBA that non-conforming use extensions be halted until the completion of the Comprehensive Plan. George noted the staff could and does play a role of upholding the current zoning. He agreed that it was unadvisable to allow further non- conforming use extensions. He had already upheld this position with Rogan's Corners by writing a letter to Mr. Rogan and would continue the role with the Planning Board if it were to come to that. There was no need for a moratorium to achieve this end. Eva noted that most development proposals were not for extensions of non-conforming uses. Dooley suggested at this time that members take time to read tonight's handouts - the draft cover letter and the SEQR statement. John said that, as most members, he was torn on the moratorium issue. Two years before he had strongly- supported the moratorium concept and would have embraced this legislation. However, with the current economic slow down, the slump in the housing market, coupled with the moratorium taking valuable staff, legal, and official time away from the planning effort, he thought a moratorium mould be counterproductive at this time and he thought environmentalists would get the blame. J Dooley said she was not surprised to hear John say this, since he had said it before. She had hoped, however, that as chair of the CAC he would carry an environmentalist approach more than a political approach., John said that there were other ways of protecting the environment than to involve it in a lengthy discussion on a moratorium. He would prefer to see us actually writing legislation that would protect the environment. Dooley said this would not take up a lot of time. One could choose to have it take a long time and that would be unfortunate and ridiculous. It would be counterproductive. She did not think it had taken up much time of the CAC although the moratorium had been on the agenda for several meetings, it had been deferred. John said it would be inconsistent for the Town Board to enact a moratorium without lengthy discussion, legal advice, and input from other boards. He thought it would be midwinter, at the earliest, before this might be enacted. Or they might table it. Dick said that sending a moratorium on to the Town Board and Planning Board would indicate that we are serious about protecting open space. He suggested that passing this might have a salutary effect. John said that one could argue that. He saw it as a stronger statement to be actively writing recommendations for legislation that involve environmental protection. Christiann suggested that additional language be added to the building exemptions saying "in recognition of farmers' significant contribution to the protection of open space." She saw it as important to justify why we were doing that and to recognize the important role that farmers play in keeping open space. Eva noted farmers kept fields open, but that there were plenty of individuals who own large tracts of forest. Christiann rescinded the change, as long as the CAC was clear on why exempting farm buildings was alright. It was useful just to have discussed it here. Eva wanted to know the negative implications of a moratorium that had come up at the seminar that Dooley and John had attended. John said there were none. Dooley said the only negative issue that had been raised was the potential for "rush to diligence." John described "rush to diligence" as once developers heard that the Town was considering a moratorium they would hurry to bring plans for subdivision before the effective date of the moratorium so that they would be "grandfathered." It was noted that this had already happened in the Town with the moratorium proposed by GINA two years ago. George said that once a completed application is submitted by a developer, the Planning Board, must give an answer within a certain time period. The effective date of the moratorium was discussed, without conclusion. The draft proposes one year. M The wording of the cover letter was also discussed. It was generally agreed that the cover letter should be advisory, not inflammatory in nature. The discussion also centered on the hope that the Town Board would act on the moratorium as quickly as possible without sending it on to the other boards and committees for input, the reason being that enactment of the moratorium would be a policy decision, not a planning decision. Shirley requested to have an opportunity to address the cover letter. She did not want to comment on our vote, just the letter. A motion was made by Dooley Kiefer , seconded by Dick Fisher, to adopt the proposal as amended during the discussion. The motion passed 5- 2-1 on a roll call vote: voting yes: Kiefer, Hoffman, Bowers, Fisher, and Dean; no: Mulholland and Whitcomb; abstaining: marks. Dooley asked John if he would be an advocate of the moratorium at the Town Board. John said he would carry all sides of the discussion. John reopened the discussion of the cover letter, recognizing that Shirley had wanted to address it. Town of Ithaca Supervisor Raffensperger addressed the CAC, stating it is her intention at the ?November 8 Town Board meeting to refer the moratorium proposal to the Planning Board, and perhaps the Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC), for recommendations, and giving her opinion that the earliest the Town Board could vote on a moratorium would be in February, which she characterized as "optimistic." She further noted that she believes since April there have been no more than 5 applications for development to which the moratorium would have applied. Celia Bowers expressed concern with the length of time that public hearings would involve and that it would severly limit the usefulness of a moratorium at this time. Christiann said she had voted for the moratorium not thinking it would pass as expeditiously as presented, but rather that she did not see it as likely that the Comprehensive Plan would be completed by the target date. Celia moved to reconsider the vote in light of Shirley's assessment of the time frame involved in passing a moratorium, Dick Fisher seconded the motion. The motion to reconsider passed 5-3. Once again Dooley moved the moratorium resolution, seconded by Dick Fisher. This time the motion failed on a tie roll call vote; yes: Kiefer, Fischer, Dean, and Hoffman; no: Mulholland, marks, Whitcomb, and Bowers. Following the vote Dooley noted her disappointment in the Chair's negative votes, she had understood him to say he would vote to break any tie so that the Town Board would have a chance to consider the proposal. George Frantz noted that a spread sheet of pending projects is posted at the front of Town Hall with a new one each Wednesday. He noted that Deer Run and Indian Creek retirement proposals are on hold. Christiane. Dean asked that the CAC be notified if development picks up. Dooley noted 5 that Cornell and Ithaca College are moving forward with all their development proposals. Dick expressed appreciation to those who had worked on it. It had made the CAC think. John hoped that this would not split the CAC. He noted that the CAC had a lot of important work ahead of it. We are all concerned about the environment: we are just divided on how to best do that. There is nobody on the CAC who would disagree that we need to get busy and do things to protect the environment. Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives George Frantz presented the CPC latest draft of goals and objectives that pertained to the CAC. The Council reviewed these and made several suggestions. Dooley asked if the CPC had made use of the extensive comments contained in the minutes of their predecessor Comprehensive Planning Subcommittee. She noted the CPC use of "strive to," and recalled Dale Corson's advice not to use words like "encourage" and "try to,'' but to be definite in statements of policy. Celia noted that the CPC emphasizes optimizing "use" of land: laura suggested it would be better to optimize conservation. Dooley and Christiann were concerned that not all good farmland has farming as a perferred use. Christiann suggested the following wording, "to conserve and preserve environmentally fragile or socially or economically important open space." George asked that all comments be in to him by November 1, and he will bring those suggestions to the CPC. Agenda The November 7 CAC meeting will deal with Open Space, Six Mile Creek report, Route 13, agriculture, and the budget and workplan. Dooley would like to know if Susan Beeners could be available to the CAC for unfinished business. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:00 p.m. Submitted by Scott Dvorak 1-15-91 Revised 1-29-91 (Dooley Kiefer) Revised 3-18-91 (Celia Bowers) Revised 4-10-91 (laura marks) Revised 4-19-91 (Dooley Kiefer) Adopted 5-2-91 6 TOWN OF ITHA CA 126 EAST SENEGA STREET ITHACA, NY 14850 MEETING NOTICE CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 7:00 p.m_, Wednesday, November 7, 1990 TOWN HALL BDA R D ROOM AGENDA 1 • Report of the Chair. 2. Persons to be heard. 3. Discussion of working Open Space document (draft by Dooley Kiefer) and protection mechanisms. 4. Consider approval of Parks, Natural Areas, & Stream Corridors Committee report on Six -Mile Creek. S. Discussion of proposed NYS Route 13 bridge replacement and possible %widening. 6. Report of Agricultural Committee. (Comprehensive Plan -related -work) 7. Other business. 8. Discussion of member concerns. a• Consider agenda for next meeting, Thursday, 6 December, 1990. 10. Adjournment -- 9:30 p.m. George R. Frantz Assistant Town Planner CAC Members: John Whitcomb, Chair Celia Bowers Christiann Dean P.ichard Fischer Eva Hoffmann Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholland Volunteer: Phillip Zarriello ADOPTED MINUTES CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING 7 NOVEMBER 1990 aasavaa asaaaiaasaasaaa saaaas s ---------------- M assaaaasassaasamss ssss ssssasasss Present: John Whitcomb, Chair Christian Dean Richard Fischer Eva Hoffman Dooley Kiefer laura marks Elizabeth Mulholland Others Present: George Frantz, Assistant Town Planner Scott Dvorak, Planning Intern Absent: Celia Bowers Ruth Mahr Phillip Zarriello, ad hoc A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by John Whitcomb, Chair, at Town Hall. Chairperson's Report Jeff Caster, a graduate student in Landscape Architecture at Cornell University, was introduced. He is interested in the Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) and may become a volunteer member. John reported that Susan Beeners submitted her resignation as Town Planner effective 1 November 1990. He then handed out a memo on CAC procedures, for discussion at December meeting. John also handed out an extract on "natural resource inventories" from NYSARC News for future discussion. Persons to be heard Dooley Kiefer asked if additions could be made to the agenda. It was agreed that an Environmental Review Committee report would replace the report of the Agriculture Committee (#6). Dooley inquired about the status of minutes of past meetings, and reminded members that there are resolutions to deal with. There were no other persons to be heard. Oven Space The classiricatlon portion of the ODen 5 arP document was discussed. The council attempted to specifically define what they wanted to protect in the Class I list and a portion of the Class II list. A few changes were made. An updated list will be produced and distributed to the council for review and further discussion. Moratorium John reported that Supervisor Raffensperger has decided to forward the moratorium document to John Barney for his review and revision so that it will be "ready to go" if conditions warrant it at some future time. Six Mile Creek The latest edition of the Six Mile Creek report was discussed. Laura marks highlighted changes in the document and the council reviewed the recently written Executive Summary. Further changes were found to be necessary and it was agreed to postpone the acceptance of the document until the changes are made. A special meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, 1990 to discuss the report and the remaining agenda items (#s 5 - 9) from this meeting. Adjournment Tho mooting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Submiued by Scott Dvorak Moved by laura marks, seconded by Celia Bowers. Aye - Celia Bowers, Christiann Dean, Dooley Kiefer, Ruth Mahr, laura marks, and John Whitcomb. No - None. Abstain - Eva Hoffman. 2-21-91 J TOWN OF ITHA CA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA, NY 14850 MEETING NOTICE CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 7:30 p.m.. Tuesday, November 13, 1990 TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM entrance at rear of oui faing -- west :Ice; AGENDA l Reoort of the Chair. Persons to be heard. Consider approval of Parks, Natural Areas, & Stream Corridors Comm itt Creek ee report onSix-"tile 4. Discussion of proposed NYS Route 13 bridge replacement and possible widening. S. Environmental Review Committee report. e. Other business. 7. Discussion of member concerns. 8. Consider agenda for next meeting, Thursday, 6 December, 1990. 9. Adjournment -- 9:30 p.m. CAC Members: John Whitcomb, Chair Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Eva Hoffmann Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholland Ad Hoc: Phillip Zarriello George R. Frantz Assistant Town Planner An01 ADOPTED MINUTES CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 1990 c.s.xsaac=ssss csxcs¢csas=sa¢:seasxssxc s=xs¢sssxacasacsacs=s¢sxs scxxx Present: John Whitcomb, Chair Richard Fischer Eva Hoffman Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr laura marks Elizabeth Mulholland Others Present: George Frantz, Assistant Town Planner Absent: Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Phillip Zarriello, ad hoc A special meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Tbwn Hall by John Whitcomb, Chair, Agenda Members agreed to devote as much of the meeting to the Sig Mile Creek Valley report as was necessary since laura is very concerned about timing. Laura is scheduled to speak to the CPC on November 15 and present the report to the Planning Board on November 20, so she hopes the CAC will vote affirmatively tonight. Dooley asks that we be sure to go over Ron Brand's memo on the report and how his concerns have been responded to. A letter from the City Planning Director, Thys Van Cort, was referred to in which he noted that no interim controls have been set up; laura said her committee has decided to postpone thinking about interim controls until they have an idea of what the Town will go for in the long term. Coddington Road Sewer and Water John said the Town Board had a presentation on the Town Engineer's proposal for sewer extension along Coddington Road, and the Town Board has referred it to both the Planning Board and the CAC. Dooley asked if the Engineer could give a presentation to the CAC. Eva Hoff man wondered if there were procedure,, in place yet so that a proposal such as this would be dealt with by the CAC before the Planning Board. Ron Brand's Memo George Frantz went through Ron's memo and explained how the various concerns had been dealt with. #1 - George created a map showing soils suitable for on-site septic systems; and also a slopes map. #3 - alternative to Critical Environmental Area (CEA). There is a "buffer zone concept" ( map #9). Dick asked on what the CEA designation is based. Laura referred him to page 27, last paragraph. Laura pointed out that there are now three types of protection: Conservation District, Buffer District, and CEA. Eva noted that Appendix A needs to state the intent of the new Conservation District. There were questions about why certain occupations were excluded; Laura said doctors and dentists were excluded because they generated traffic and hazardous waste. Dooley asked if Appendix A could be seperated from the rest of the report, and become a separate report. Laura said she'd rather table the whole thing than separate it. . #4 - Soil and erosion control. This has been referred to the COC which is considering a drainage ordinance. Dooley asked if CAC could recommend that the Town of Ithaca adopt a soil and erosion control ordinance. #5 - Conservation Overlay District. Laura said her committee rejected this, noting that Sue Beeners was really pressing for it but never explained why. Laura said an overlay district keeps underlying zoning and puts lots of regulations on top. #6 - Conservation easements. Laura referred the CAC to page 21. Ruth wondered if the Town could simply reduce its tax rate and not wait for Tompkins County to lower assessments on the affected parcels. It was pointed out that the Town does not have a tax assessment. #7 - Map. Laura thinks this referred to the Conservation District. We're now working with a different draft than Ron had. Six Mile Creek Valley ReRort At 9 p.m. the members present decided to move from Ron's memo and simply discuss items in the report they had concerns about. Eva brought up the City's possible alienation of some parklands and substituting Sia Mile Creek Valley lands as parkland. She suggested that such lands should not become developed parkland, but be left in their natural state. Beth noted that Canada no longer uses the term "passive recreation," but instead refers to "spontaneous, unstructured recreation." Eva has many questions about the Appendix, which contains the actual wording for the proposal Conservation District to be added to the Zoning Ordinance. She wondered if there would be time to go over it tonight, as well as dealing with questions on the body of the report. Dooley had similar 2 concerns, noting that the CAC has not yet discussed the details of the Conservation District. She noted that at the previous CAC meeting (11-2) we spent the whole discussion on the Executive Summary through page 13. Members brought up various questions and concerns. Laura marks left the meeting. Ruth had to leave by 9:30 p.m.; she indicated she would vote for the report. Dooley said she would probably vote for the report, though she also had to leave. Eva was concerned about voting for a report that still needed some changes. Discussion continued and a motion was made by Dick Fischer to adopt the Six Mile Creek Valley Report with the corrections suggested this evening. The motion included a request to have Eva and Dooley leave their written comments with George so that they could be incorporated in the report. The motion passed unanimously among the remaining members (Whitcomb, Fischer, Hoffmann, and Mulholland). Submitted by Scott Dvorak from notes by Dooley Kiefer 1-31-91. Revised 3-25-91. Revised 4-10-91. Revised 5-6-91. Revised 5-16-91. Adopted 5-16-91. 3 TOWN OF ITHA CA 126 EAST SENECA STREET ITHACA, NY 14850 MEETING NOTICE CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 7:00 p.m.. Thursday. December 6. 1990 TOWN HALL BOARD. ROOM ( Entrance at rear of building -- west side) A6ENDA I . Report of the Chair. 2. Persons to be heard. 3. Discussion of proposed NYS Route 13 bridge replacement and possible widening. 4. Consideration of resolutions by Dooley Kiefer ( passed out at pevious meeting). S. Continue discussion of working Open Space document 6. Chair's memorandum regarding CAC work program ( passed out at previous meeting). 7. Committee reports. 8. Other business. 9. Discussion of member concerns. 10. Consider agenda for next meeting. 11. Adjournment -- 9:30 p.m. Scott Dvorak Planning Aide CAC Members: John Whitcomb, Chair Celia Bowers Christiann Dean Richard Fischer Eva Hoffmann Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr Laura Marks Elizabeth Mulholland Ad Hoc: Phillip Zarriello ADOPTED MINUTES CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING 6 DECEMBER 1990 Present: John Whitcomb, Chair Christiana Dean Dooley Kiefer Ruth Mahr laura marks Others Present: Phillip Zarriello, ad hoc George Frantz, Acting Town Planner Scott Dvorak, Planning Aide Absent: Celia Bowers Richard Fischer Eva Hoffman Elizabeth Mulholland A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by John Whitcomb, Chair, at Town Hall. Chairperson's Report John Whitcomb provided examples of natural resource indexes and discussed some of Susan Beeners possible work projects with the CAC, specifically a land protection mechanisms report. Persons to be heard There were no persons to be heard. CAC agendas and procedures Dooley Kiefer suggested moving the discussion of member concerns from the latter half of the meeting to the beginning half. This was agreed upon for tonight's meeting and will appear on the next agenda. A staff report will also be added to the agenda. This report will inform the CAC of staff's and other committee's activities. Dooley Kiefer also suggested that the CAC's resolutions be numbered. This will be done beginning in 1991 and staff will attempt to retroactively number 1990's resolutions. Route 13 bridge replacement and possible widening The CAC discussed the proposed NYS Route 13 bridge replacement and possible widening. A report by the Environmental Review Committee was reviewed, revised, and adopted. It will be forwarded to the Town Board for tneir consiaeratlon. A copy is enciosea. Membershia Initial appointments to the CAC were for one year and two years; Bowers, Hoff man, Mahr, and Mulholland have one year appointments. John noted that -the CAC may make recommendations to the Town Board regarding 1991 appointments. Considerable discussion ensued, including the possibility of establishing an attendance criterion, a two -term limitation, etc. It was suggested that terms could/should expire March 31 since that is when the CAC began working. This topic will be placed on agenda for the next meeting, and members were urged to draft written proposals. Resolutions Five resolutions by the Environmental Review Committe were reviewed, revised, and'adopted. They will be forwarded to the appropriate boards for their consideration. The final versions of the resolutions are enclosed. Six Mile Creek Laura marks, Chair of the Parks, Natural Areas, and Stream Corridors Committee reported on her committee's Six -Mile Creek Valley report and its reception by the Planning Board. Laura felt that the initial reaction to the conservation district proposal was negative, however, no action was taken at the Planning Board meeting. There will a public hearing on the report on 15 January 1991, with laura and George attending. Agriculture Christiann Dean, Chair of the Agriculture Committee reported that her group had completed a rough draft of the agriculture section of the Comprehensive Plan and would be meeting next week to review revisions. They will also be discussing the possibility of public eduction programs regarding agricultural issues. Adjournment The next CAC meeting will be 3 January 1991. The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Submitted by Scott Dvorak Moved by laura marks, seconded by Celia Bowers. Aye - Celia Bowers, Christiann Dean, Dooley Kiefer, Ruth Mahr, laura marks, and John Whitcomb. No - None Abstain - Eva Hoffman 2-21-91 2