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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2000-12-07 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board Final Minutes December 7, 2000 7:30pm Pre-sent: Barney Unsworth, Chairman, Clifford Blizard, Elizabeth deProsse, Richard Fischer, Eva Hoffmann, Jon Meigs, John Yntema Guest: Lenore Durkee Staff: Sue Ritter I. There were no persons to be heard; 2. Jon Meigs questioned the Town Boards adoption of the Local law amending the zoning ordinance to modify the requirement for Planning Board approval of site plan modification. Sue gave us copies of the Resolution and proposed law at the end of the meeting. Clifford Blizard volunteered to be on the Ithaca Town Subcommittee dealing with Ithaca College and the South Hill Conservation Zone, 3. Approval of the minutes: November 16th and October 5th minutes were approved as corrected. 4. Coordinator and Chair Reports: Sue has sent a card to Robert Wesley and Nancy Ostman thanking them for their UNA presentation to the CB last month. The Town Planning Department has sent a letter to the City regarding the stormwater management plan for the Widewater's development proposal. The letter expressed concern over the plans inadequate attention to water quality protection, and the developer's failure to provide on-site treatment. The Planning Department also sent a letter to the Village of Lansing regarding the plans to expand the Lab of Ornithology. The increased traffic on the Sapsucker Woods Road is a concern. The letter urged the Village to consider ways to encourage traffic to use Brown Road as an alternative way to reach the Lab, recognizing that Brown Road is a private road owned by Cornell. The letter also suggested consideration of the speed limit on Hanshaw Rd. which changes from 40 mph to 55 mph immediately east of Sapsucker Woods Rd. Given the poor sight distance on Hanshaw Rd., cast of Sapsucker Woods Rd., it was recommended that the Town of Dryden and Tompkins County consider changing the speed limit to maintain 40 mph in that section of the road. A letter was sent to the Town Board, signed by a number of residents of East Shore Drive,expressing their concerns about the traffic/parking problems on E. Shore Dr.. Don Weir described this situation to CB members at the November meeting. The Town Board will consider whether the pavilion planned for the Town Park on East Shore Drive is a good idea. Given the limited space to place a pavilion, and its potential to block views of the lake from the road and the park itself, the Town Board will reconsider this issue. Some benches and picnic tables may be installed instead. The big news is that Jonathan Kanter will be leaving the Town at the end of December. He has accepted a position with a private firm in Westchester County. Barney announced that there was a Lake Source Cooling Open House on Nov. 30'h, which he attended. This Board would like to visit the site in the spring. He also suggested that the CB get together for a visit to the Fischer Old Growth Forest, According to the Plantations article, that was distributed to members, the additional land acquired for the preserve will make the trails easier to access. Regarding gas exploration in the Finger Lakes Forest, Barney asked if it would be appropriate for this Board to make a statement about this issue, even though it is not in our Town? Jon Meigs thinks not. This project could affect our watershed. Barney will get more information about the proposal, and draft a statement for consideration. We could also wait until after the EIS is prepared, then make a statement during the Public Comment period. If the CB does not comment, individuals on the CB, who are interested in this issue, may want to comment. Barney mentioned that we have no one at this time who can fill the vacancy at the EMC. We hope to do better in the new year. 5. We took time to introduce ourselves to Lenore Durkee, candidate for this Board. She has credentials which are overwhelmingly appropriate for our work, and we would welcome her to the Board. 6. Nomination for Chair: Barney Unsworth was moved by Clifford and seconded by Eva. Don Weir was nominated to be Vice Chairman by John and seconded by Barney. Both motions were carried. 7. Comments about the UNA presentation last month: Under the General Municipal Law the County generally informs the planning board of each town if a project is in a UNA, and get a copy of a map of each relevant area. John wanted to know why animals were not counted equally with plant species in the ranking criteria. Clifford commented that the drainage in the South Hill UNA defines the ecosystem, and development that alters the drainage could have major impacts. Jon suggested that we remind the Town Planning Board how valuable this document is. 8. Topics for January Meeting: Update from Codes and Ordinances? South Hill Zoning ordinance? Coy Glen Black Diamond Trail (Sue Poelvoorde to talk about the protection of State Park Lands.) 9. Meeting was adjourned at 9:40. Libby deProsse Secretary 2