HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2019-06-20Town of Ithaca Planning Committee
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Committee Members: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Rod Howe, Pat Leary
Board/Staff Members Present: Bill Goodman, Town Supervisor; Sue Ritter; Bruce Bates, Naomi Crimm
Others: Jennifer Karius, Planning Board
1. Persons to be heard: none
2. Committee announcements and concerns: none
3. Consider May meeting minutes: Rich moved minutes, Rod seconded. Pat asked to be added as
attendee to the minutes. Minutes approved after Sue answered several clarification questions
about level of service category D (LOS-D) related to Chain Works District Finding Statement.
4. Revisions to site plan modification threshold criteria (Town Code §270-191):
Sue went over what was changed, eliminated, or left as is in the new version. For criteria A.(2),
there was a discussion of determining the number of parking spaces that would require Planning
Board approval. Everyone agreed to 5 parking spaces, as long as there is a review. For criteria A.(3),
a change in intensity of use rather than a change in use was discussed. Rod said stick with change in
use, not intensity. It was decided to stick with a change in use, not intensity, and the Committee can
revisit in a year, if needed. For Provision A.(8)b, Rich suggested change: “are an aggregate
maximum” to “exceed the aggregate maximum.” For criteria D., Sue asked: can we put a square
footage qualifier for demolitions—if it’s really small, should it go to the Planning Board? What about
if the place has historic significance? It needs provisions for historic preservation, but that will be for
a future agenda. Rich: don’t need “existing or previously approved”—just “existing” is good, or
“existing previously approved building”—take out the “or”. The Committee decided on a footprint
larger than 3000sf. Sue will send on to Planning Board.
5. Staff updates:
Bruce reported on a property at 1467 Trumansburg Road that is not an allowed use in the LDR zone
and was brought to his attention due to a complaint. Limbwalker is a tree service company that
provides a service to the community. They have been on this property for approximately 10 years,
but have been growing steadily with more wood products being stored on the site (wood chips,
logs). The property was previously an equestrian facility and Limbwalker has repurposed the barns
for storage of their equipment. Sue proposed the idea of allowing landscaping and tree service
businesses in the Town in Ag, LDR, and Conservation Zones under certain conditions—minimum lot
area, max # of employees, setbacks to avoid conflicts with neighbors, etc. Rod said he has no
problem with what Sue is proposing. Rich said for Sue to give the Committee some language, but
expressed concern about exploiting LDR for commercial use. It was decided to move forward with
Sue drafting language.
Bruce raised the issue of a rental registry exemption for cooperatives. The committee discussed this
several months ago with EcoVillage, but the legislation was never amended. Bruce needs guidance
for exemptions so that he can figure out what to do for Eastwood Commons, where there is a
homeowner’s association? Permission from homeowner’s association is often required for renting
your house. Would they be inspected? This was discussed before, but nothing was decided. Rich:
we need to figure out where we left off with this. Bruce will find meeting minutes and bring them to
the next meeting to pick up where they left off.
Bill mentioned that he spoke to Cynthia Brock to see what Common Council is going to do with the
Chainworks District finding statement, but she reported that it had not been brought to Council’s
attention yet.
6. Discuss next meeting date and upcoming agenda items:
Next meeting is Thursday, July 18th at 4pm