Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOC Minutes 2020-05-201 TOWN OF ITHACA CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE (COC) Meeting of May 20, 2020 – 5:36 P.M. – Via Zoom Video Conference Final Approved Minutes Digitally Present: Bill Goodman, Chair; Pat Leary, Eric Levine, Eva Hoffmann, Yvonne Fogarty, Bill King; Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; Susan Ritter, Director of Planning, Chris Balestra, Planning; Susan Brock, Counsel; Lisa Carrier-Titti, Network/Records Specialist. Absent: None Guests: Rod Howe, Town Supervisor 1. Member Comments/Concerns None. 2. Approval of Minutes from April 29, 2020 meeting The committee approved the April 29, 2020 meeting minutes with a few typos and corrections. Yvonne moved to approve; Eva seconded – Unanimous. 3. Continued Discussion of Revisions to Town Code Chapter 125, Building Construction and Fire Prevention (redlined version, revised for 4-29-20 COC meeting) The committee picked up their review of the revised law on page 7. Bill G. suggested that the committee focus on specific sections that they had questions on, rather than go page by page. His first comment was on page 12, referring to paragraph “C”. This is existing language in the law. Bill G. wanted to know when an applicant might request a certificate of compliance or a certificate of occupancy other than at the time of an inspection. Marty explained that sometimes we do not have these documents in our files for very old homes and a resident may request a new certificate. Also, banks sometimes like to have these documents for real estate transactions. After a short discussion, the committee determined that paragraph “C” did not really need to be in the law, so it was deleted. The next comment was on page 12, §125-8, Operating permits, “A(7)”, Marty clarified that adding “multi-family dwellings” cleaned up the policy so it matched the current definition in the code. The committee supported this clarification. Also in the same section, but under “B a. and b.”, Bill G. wondered if it would make more sense if we required a rental registry operating permit per unit being rented, rather than per parcel that contains the rental(s). Marty explained that the operating permit document identifies which unit is being rented on the parcel if there is a two-family unit on the property. He added the language in a and b as an attempt to clarify section B but agreed that it would be fine to change the law so there’s an operating permit per unit rather than per parcel. Bill K. asked if this section applied to multi-unit apartment buildings and Marty replied that the section only applied to single-family or two-family homes (single-family with ADU). Marty explained that buildings with 3 units or more had a “per building” operating permit. 2 Bill G. suggested we change the language in the law to reflect separate operating permits for each building on a parcel, if each building is being rented out, similar to how we treat multi-unit buildings. The committee agreed and Marty will make the changes in the language. Specifically related to “B. a.” in that section, Susan Brock wondered what an “independent building” and “independent parcels” of land meant. Marty and Susan will discuss this internally and will provide new or clarified language to the committee. Susan Brock had a question on “E”, with the line beginning “shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer to be consistent with local conditions.” What does this mean? Marty explained that this was from the state website and that he did not have the answer for Susan. Susan indicated that it was parenthetical on the state site and that it might not be needed. Marty and Susan will discuss this internally. Moving to §125-9, Fire safety and property maintenance inspections, B(3)”, one member had a question related to the frequency of inspections. Marty clarified that in (3), the draft law recommends fire safety inspections every three years for multiple dwellings/multiple-family buildings that are not classified in (1) or (2). Susan Brock felt that the language in (3) was duplicative of the language in (1) and that (3) did not add anything to (1). After a short discussion, the committee agreed to delete (3). The committee corrected a small typo in §125-9. In “F”, the words “be paid” were written twice. Marty explained that he cut and pasted from the state model code the very large §125-12. Condition assessments of parking garages. He modified parts of the section to apply to the Town of Ithaca. Susan Brock asked about “F”, where the state requires the preparation of a written report of each condition assessment to be submitted to the town within “thirty (30) days.” She wanted to know within 30 days of what? Marty responded, “within 30 days of the completion of the inspection that forms the basis of the condition assessment report.” Bill G. suggested that the committee stop at the end of §125-12 and pick up at §125-13 (page 19 of the document) at the next meeting. 4. Continued discussion of Town Telecommunications Law revisions At the committee’s request, Chris emailed basic information related to small cell wireless facilities (3G and 4G) and included pictures of what small facilities currently looked like. Bill G. asked Chris to summarize her email. She explained the locations of the facilities (mostly located on the Ithaca Commons) and noted that the pictures of the cell collocations on the Hotel Ithaca building were examples of what the town was trying to avoid aesthetically, with facilities scattered all over the top of the building becoming a bit of an eyesore. These units can easily be enclosed in stealth enclosures to minimize visual impacts. 3 The committee discussed the potential 5G rollout and the potential locations of 5G units. Chris mentioned that the 5G rollout will likely start in the City of Ithaca, as these facilities are needed in areas with dense population centers e.g. larger cities. At 6:25pm, Bill G. moved, and Eric seconded the motion to go into executive session to receive advice from counsel [recording stopped]. At 7:13pm, Eric moved, and Pat seconded the motion to move out of executive session [recording resumed]. 5. Other Business Next COC meeting is scheduled for June 10th. Agenda items will include finishing review of the Chapter 125 draft and reporting on the status of the telecommunications law after staff meets with a resident who is concerned about potential harmful effects of 5G rollout in the Ithaca area. Meeting was adjourned at 7:17pm.