HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2021-03-02TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
Shirley A.ka-ife'n's'p'e'r'ge"d G r' Board om',Town Hall
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Town of Ithaca Planning Board Meeting scheduled
for March 2, 2021 will be held electronically via Zoom, instead of a public meeting open for the public to
attend in person. Members of the public may listen to (call in on cell or landline: (929) 436-2866 and enter
the Meeting ID: 675 059 3272) or view (by computer go to h1!ps-//zoorn.u2/, click on "Join A Meeting" and
enter the Meeting ID: 675-059-3272) the Board meeting through Zoom.
7:00 P.M. Consideration of a sketch plan for the proposed His Holiness the Great 14" Dalai Lama Library
and Learning Center, located on Tibet Drive (off NYS Route 96B), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel
No. 43,-2- 10, Medium Density Residential Zone, The project involves construction of a new
9,230 square foot, two-story building, which will contain the library, exhibit space, a reading
room, a great hall for events, a meeting room, and office and storage space. The project will
also include an entry plaza, paving existing parking, a walkway/path, landscaping, outdoor
lighting, and storrnwater facilities. Narngyal Monastery Institute, Owner/Applicant; Kimberly
Michaels, Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, Agent.
2. Persons to be heard.
Approval of Minutes: January 19, 2021 and February 2, 2021
4. Other Business
5. Adjournment
Susan Ritter
Director of Planning
273-1747
NOTE: IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE NOTIFY
SANDY POLCE AT 273-1747 or SPOLCE@TOWN.ITHACA.NY.US.
(A quorum of four (4) members is necessary to conduct Planning Board business.)
Accessing Meeting Materials Online
Site Plan and Subdivision applications and associated project materials are accessible electronically on the Town's website under
"Planning Board" on the "Meeting Agendas" page u�slmeetin �gen4,a,-J.
9-ecause of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID- 19) and associated NYS Executive Orders regarding
health and safety measures, the meeting was held via audio visual conferencing
Town Staff- Marty Moseley, Director of Codes; Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Daniel Thaete,
Director of Engineering; David O'Shea, Engineer; Mike Smith, Environmental Planner; Susan Ritter,
Director of Planning; and Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk
Ms, Meier Swain opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
Agenda Item I Consideration of a sketch plan for the proposed His Holiness the Great l4th Dalai Lama
Library and Learning Center, located on Tibet Drive (off NYS Route 96B), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel
No. 41-2-10, Medium Density Residential Zone. The project involves construction of a new 9,230
square foot, two-story building, which will contain the library, exhibit space, a reading room, a great hall
for events, a meeting room, and office and storage space. The project will also include an entry plaza,
paving existing parking, a walkway/path, landscaping, outdoor lighting, and stormwater
facilities. Namgyal Monastery Institute, Owner/Applicant; Kimberly Michaels, Trowbridge Wolf
Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, Agent.
Cindy Kaufmann recused herself, stating that she works for HOLT Architects and although she has not
worked on this project, she didn't want any perception of a conflict of interest attached to the project.
Kim Michaels, Agent, shared a presentation and reviewed the project.
(Attachment 1)
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Mr. Lindquist asked about a bus turnaround given the narrow driveway and if the bus will go all the way
to the don-nitories, how would that be handled.
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Mr. Lindquist asked about some electrical infrastructure and whether it would be relocated and what that
would involve.
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PB 2021-03-02 (Filed 317) Pg, 11
Ms. Michaels responded that they do anticipate some increase but thought it would be minor. The Great
Hall can hold up to 250 people and outdoor events would be up to 500 but those events would use a
shuttle system. She stated that she would look at the numbers and report back.
Ms. Michaels responded that there are 27 or so spaces in this upper lot and the lower lot is similar. Right
now, people park on the side of the interior roads when there are events.
Discussion followed on emergency vehicle access both in the proposal and if and when people are
parking on the sides.
Mr. Wilcox thought it odd that the roadway passes through a parking lot and the inherent problems with
that as it applies to a bus route and emergency access. Something to think about.
Mr. Wilcox noted that the color on the depiction is spot on perfect, adding that he has visited Tibet twice
and seen buildings where the former Dalai Lama has lived or worked, and it is •.
There was some discussion on trees and plantings and Ms. Michaels responded that they are very
while removing and replacing some invasives.
Ms. Michaels went through their preferred timeline saying they would be looking for approval for the
first phase that is funded at the next meeting.
Mr. Smith noted for the Board that the approval of the original project here is still r■ and a few of the
buildings have not been built to this point and he did not see any issue with doing an approval on the
critire • and • the buildout.
Ms. Michaels was happy to hear that and thought that would be much simpler than what she had been
thinking.
Mr. Smith explained that the ■ would do SEQR review on the entire project as if it were built out
7s described. Certain infrastructure and aspects could be required by the Board to be completed in any
given phase prior to moving on to the next phase.
,,Mr. Wilcox noted that any conflicts between the active approval and the proposal should • looked at
and discussed at the next appearance.
Ms. Meier Swain summarize that the key questions were emergency access, traffic impacts if any, and
think about what if anything, we would want to require in a phasing plan.
PB 2021-03-02 (Filed 3/7) Pg. 2
The Board thanked Ms. Michaels for the presentation.
Ms. Kaufman rejoined the meeting as an active member.
Agenda Item 2 Persons to be heard — None
Agenda Item 3 Approval of the minutes of January 19, 2021
Approval moved by Mr. Wilcox, seconded by Mr. Lindquist, unanimous.
Agenda Item 4 Other Business
Reminder of the Planning Federation training tomorrow at noon.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Submi by
Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk
PB 2021-03-02 (Filed 3/7) P'g3