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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2022-01-201 Town of Ithaca Planning Committee Thursday, January 20th, 2022 (4:00 PM via Zoom) Final Minutes Committee members: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Rod Howe, Margaret Johnson Board/Staff members: Director of Planning Sue Ritter, Director of Code Enforcement Marty Moseley, Senior Planner Mike Smith. Guests: Bruce Brittan, Herb Engman, Carl Franck New Planning Committee members Town Supervisor Rod Howe and new Town Board Member Margaret Johnson were welcomed. Rich noted an addition to the agenda for considering some minor amendments to the draft food truck legislation, as proposed by Susan Brock. 1. Persons to be heard: None. 2. Committee announcements and concerns: None. 3. Consider approval of December meeting minutes: Rich moved; Rod seconded. December 16th, 2021, Minutes were approved as drafted. 4. Discuss sidewalk priorities for the Town: Rod noted the prior work of the Ad Hoc Sidewalk Committee and how that effort was now being moved to the Planning Committee. He and Rich both felt this was an appropriate role for the committee and provide an opportunity for a fresh look at sidewalks and prioritizing areas for possible upcoming State and Federal funding opportunities. The committee was provided with two maps, the Prioritized Pedestrian Corridor Needs Map and the Prioritized Bicycle Corridor Needs Map, both generated as part of the 2007 Town of Ithaca Transportation Plan. It was noted that the sidewalk map needed updating to show sidewalks built since 2007, such as along Rt. 96B and Hanshaw Road. Trail additions, such as the Gateway Trail, should also be added. The Ad Hoc Sidewalk Committee’s prior discussions related to the viability and complexity of sidewalk districts were mentioned. Rod stated that districts could possibly be factored into the decision-making process, but it would be just one of many variables in the prioritization process, not necessarily the lead. Rich noted that since the adoption of the Transportation Plan awareness in NYS of “highway by use” designations could impact sidewalk additions. He cited Coddington Road as an example of a road having no deeded public right-of-way and therefore landowners technically own to the road center line. Residents of Coddington Road prevailed in a legal action opposing a road re- build/widening project in part because of this factor. The highway by use issue could potentially 2 make acquisitions more difficult in places where people don’t support a project. He suggested identifying these locations. Meeting guest, Herb Engman, commented on the need for sidewalk planning and suggested keeping in mind targets for opportunity, for example when the County and/or State are already planning road projects. Hanshaw and Warren Road sidewalks were constructed in conjunction with road projects. He reported receiving lists from the County of planned road projects for upcoming years and suggested that the Town obtain these. It was noted that the Committee received an email from Herb with ideas for sidewalk additions in the Forest Home area. Rod stated that the decision-making process should also include the trail network, the bicycle paths and sidewalks in a more unified way. Rich agreed with this. Sue provided background on the 96B/Danby Road sidewalk project and how that began as a grant funded pedestrian corridor study. Public information meetings were held, and cost estimates were developed by consultants which made the grant funding request more viable and obtainable. Trumansburg Road, a sidewalk priority corridor, had a study recently completed. The estimated cost figures for construction from the city line to the hospital were very high, so phasing may make sense depending on grant funding availability. Along with considering costs, Sue mentioned sidewalk winter maintenance as an important factor and the determination of when and where the Town might consider responsibility versus abutting property owners. She said this an early discussion item for the 96B sidewalk project. Upcoming grant opportunities include the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), coordinated locally through the Ithaca Tompkins Co. Transportation Council (ITCTC). The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is handled via the NYS DOT district offices. The City applied for TAP funding in 2021 for construction of a key second phase of the Black Diamond Trail. Rich commented on the public input process for projects that may involve many stakeholders and potential challenges that could pose for some areas. He reminded the committee of interest in a smaller project that would connect the Black Diamond Trail to the Trumansburg Road corridor in the vicinity of the hospital and museum. And he mentioned the need to keep in mind the need for future sidewalks in development focus areas as well as current demands. Margaret noted that the 2007 map listed factors for prioritizing pedestrian infrastructure and how those would be a good place to start. She also noted the annual ITCTC bike suitability map that focuses on road conditions which may be a useful resource. She also supported a systematic ranking of the priorities. Regarding winter maintenance consideration, meeting guest Bruce Brittan recalled that during discussions by the town’s Ad Hoc Sidewalk Committee there was general agreement that the town would be responsible for snow clearing, rather than relying on individual property owners. He felt that any unmaintained stretch would pose a danger. He also stated that 100 years ago property owners maintained the roads in front of their houses, but eventually towns recognized they would be better off doing it. He felt we were at that point with sidewalks. Regarding the highway by use/potential right of way issue, he recalled the conclusion in the Forest Home neighborhood that if the sidewalk was constructed within the area the Town has been maintaining, no additional acquisition is necessary. 3 Next steps for the Planning Committee include updating the prioritization map to show current sidewalk and trail connections, identifying upcoming County and State road projects, and identifying potential right of way issues, if any. Rod suggested adding the information for existing studies done for specific areas as well. 4. Draft Food Truck Legislation: Rich explained that the Attorney for the Town, in reviewing the draft Food Truck law had recommended several changes. The language modifications had been emailed to committee members prior to the meeting. Marty added that the intent of the law did not change with the minor modifications suggested by the Attorney. He was in support of the language. No committee members objected to the modified language and recommended that it be moved forward. 6. Staff updates and reports: Sue reported receiving a phone call from a person interested in a “micro” cannabis license where a license holder could grow, sell, and allow customers to consume the products on-site. Details of the implementation are still being worked out at the State level, but he was interested in learning about the Town’s zoning and likely permissibility of this use. Distribution may come down to special requirements within the municipalities control, however the permitting and licensing will be State regulated. As the information is being formulated by the State, Rod volunteered to follow the progression and work with Mike Smith, along with NYS Ag and Markets and Associations of Towns, for continued follow up and review. Sue also reported on a potential developer for the Cornell lands (+/- 50 acres) in the vicinity of Arrowood Drive and Tareyton Drive, adjacent to Sapsucker Woods. They are interested in an apartments-style development that would require rezoning from the single-family zone (MDR) to the Multiple Residential Zone. Rich asked for reference back to the Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use map and a sketch of the proposal when it becomes available. Plans for a future phase of the Maplewood Apartments project are on indefinite hold. Rod provided an update on the proposed City/Town Historic Preservation Ordinance/Law with the proposal for a combined Landmarks Preservation Commission. An earlier draft was reviewed by the committee, however, due to the time lapse and new membership, it was agreed to re-visit again prior to Town Board action. 7. Next meeting date and upcoming agenda items: next meeting February 20th, 2022. Topics: Town sidewalk priorities; draft Inlet Valley Zoning Overlay. The Planning Committee meeting concluded at 4:56 pm.