Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2021-08-03 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD Shirley A. Raffensperger Board Room, Town Hall 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca,New York 14850 Tuesday,August 3, 2021 Members of the public are welcome to attend in-person at Town Hall or virtually via Zoom. Zoom link: httns://zoom.us/i/6750593272 AGENDA 7:00 P.M. SEQR Determination: T-Mobile Equipment Cabinets & Generator, 122 Christopher Lane. 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed improvements at the T-Mobile telecommunication facility located at 122 Christopher Lane(Town of Ithaca water tank),Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 72.-1-10,Medium Density Residential Zone. The project involves upgrades to the existing telecommunication equipment and the installation of a new equipment cabinets and 40 KW diesel generator. Town of Ithaca, Owner;Mark Roberts, QC Development,Applicant. 7:15 P.M. SEQR Determination: 5-Lot Subdivision, 545 —571 Sheffield Road. 7:15 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 5-lot subdivision located at 545 —571 Sheffield Road,Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24.-5-1,Agriculture Zone. The proposal involves subdividing the 127.5 +/- acre property into four residential lots,a 1.85 +/-acre lot containing an existing residence(Lot 1), a 2.35 +/-acre lot containing an existing barn, garage, and shop(Lot 2), a 2.14+/-acre lot containing an existing barn(Lot 3), and a 1.34+/-acre lot containing an existing residence(Lot 4). The remaining lands will continue in agriculture. Eastern Artificial Insem Corp (GENEX), Owner; Kyle Steele,Applicant. 5. Persons to be heard. 6. Approval of Minutes: July 20,2021 7. Other Business 8. 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(d1TOWN.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(htti)://www.town.ithaca.nv.us/meeting-agendas). TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Tuesday,August 3,2021 By direction of the Chairperson of the Planning Board,NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Public Hearings will be held by the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca on Tuesday,August 3,2021, at the following times and on the following matters: 7:00 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed improvements at the T-Mobile telecommunication facility located at 122 Christopher Lane (Town of Ithaca water tank),Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.72.-1-10,Medium Density Residential Zone. The project involves upgrades to the existing telecommunication equipment and the installation of a new equipment cabinets and 40 KW diesel generator. Town of Ithaca, Owner; Mark Roberts,QC Development,Applicant. 7:15 P.M. Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 5-lot subdivision located at 545 — 571 Sheffield Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24.-5-1, Agriculture Zone. The proposal involves subdividing the 127.5 +/- acre property into four residential lots,a 1.85+/-acre lot containing an existing residence(Lot 1),a 2.35 +/-acre lot containing an existing barn,garage,and shop(Lot 2),a 2.14+/-acre lot containing an existing barn(Lot 3), and a 1.34+/- acre lot containing an existing residence(Lot 4). The remaining lands will continue in agriculture. Eastern Artificial Insem Corp (GENEX), Owner; Kyle Steele,Applicant. Members of the public are welcome to attend in-person at Town Hall or virtually via Zoom (1-ittps://zoom.us/i/6750593272). Said Planning Board will at said time and said place hear all persons in support of such matters or objections thereto. Persons may appear by agent or in person. Individuals with visual impairments,hearing impairments or other special needs,will be provided with assistance as necessary,upon request.Persons desiring assistance must make such a request not less than 48 hours prior to the time of the public hearing. Susan Ritter Director of Planning 273-1747 Dated:Monday,July 26,2021 Publish: Wednesday,July 28,2021 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD August 3, 2021 MINUTES Board Members Present: Liebe Meier Swain, Chair; Fred Wilcox, Yvonne Fogarty, Greg Lindquist, Cindy Kaufman, and Ariel Casper. Absent: Margaret Johnson Town Staff. Chris Balestra, Planner; Marty Moseley, Director of Codes; Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Susan Ritter, Director of Planning; Becky Jordan, Deputy Town Clerk Ms. Meier Swain opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Agenda Item 1 Consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed improvements at the T-Mobile telecommunication facility located at 122 Christopher Lane (Town of Ithaca water tank), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 72.-1-10, Medium Density Residential Zone. The project involves upgrades to the existing telecommunication equipment and the installation of a new equipment cabinets and 40 KW diesel generator. Town of Ithaca, Owner; Mark Roberts, QC Development, Applicant. Overview Applicant, Mr. Mark Roberts gave a brief overview of the project. T-Mobile acquired Sprint. The process of bringing the two networks together involves installation of two new additional radio equipment cabinets and a 40 KW Diesel generator to the existing Sprint antennae facility as well as upgrades to the existing telecommunication equipment. The generator, for the purpose of power failure during emergency events, will be on a programmable automatic testing cycle to run for 30 minutes every couple of weeks. Discussion Mr. Lindquist asked if the lighting on Sheet C6 meets town lighting law. Mr. Roberts responded that it may be associated with the generator for emergency servicing but will check. Ms. Balestra added that it is security lighting, and all outdoor lighting must comply with the Towns outdoor lighting law. If it doesn't comply now, it will prior to the issuance of a building permit. Ms. Fogarty asked if the generator uses water. Mr. Roberts responded no, it is a diesel engine which will have a combination of coolant and water, but it doesn't use water in the sense of needing a connection to water. Mr. Wilcox asked why the request is not to take advantage of the opportunity to move equipment and have a set up similar to before the Town moved the water tank Mr. Roberts replied that this is just an incremental addition to what is already there. PB 2021-08-03 (Filed 9/14) Ms. Balestra added that the Town Engineer has been working closely with the applicant and supports the location and project as it stands. Mr. Roberts added that in his experience, equipment too close to water tanks can be in the way of tank maintenance and painting. Mr. Wilcox asked if the only time the generator will be on and make noise is when there is power failure. Mr. Roberts responded that the generator has a periodic testing cycle where it will fire up for 30 minutes. SEQR DETERMINATION Ms. Balestra commented that a Town Board lease amendment will be needed. For the record, nine antennas on the water tank were approved in 2002. Then the water tank was reconstructed and moved. Sprint was supposed to move all antennas over but only moved six of the nine. T-Mobile will be installing the remaining three antennas. PB Resolution 2021- 017: SEQR Preliminary & Final Site Plan Approval T-Mobile Equipment Cabinets,Emergency Generator Tax Parcel 72.4-10 August 3, 2021 Whereas: 1. This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed improvements at the T-Mobile telecommunication facility located at 122 Christopher Lane (Town of Ithaca water tank), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 72.-1-10, Medium Density Residential Zone. The project involves upgrades to the existing telecommunication equipment and the installation of new equipment cabinets and 40 KW diesel generator. Town of Ithaca, Owner; Mark Roberts, QC Development, Applicant. 2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board acting in an uncoordinated environmental review with respect to the project. 3. The Planning Board, on August 3, 2021, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a narrative, Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF)Part 1, submitted by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3 prepared by Town Planning staff, an aerial map, a set of drawings titled "T-Mobile Northeast LLC, site Number UP30688A_AL53XC850, Site Name: Triphammer WT, 122 Christopher Lane, Ithaca, New York,"prepared by T-Mobile Northeast LLC,Northeast Site Solutions, and Infinigy Engineering, dated 07/06/21; and other application materials; and 4. The Town Planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental significance with respect to the proposed Site Plan Approval; Now Therefore Be It Resolved: PB 2021-08-03 (Filed 9/14) That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part 617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced action as proposed, based on the information in the EAF Part 1 and for the reasons set forth in the EAF Parts 2 and 3, and, therefore, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. Moved: Yvonne Fogarty Seconded: Cindy Kaufman Vote: ayes—Lindquist, Fogarty, Wilcox, Casper, Meier Swain PUBLIC HEARING—Ms. Meier Swain opened the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. Ms. Jordan stated for the record that there were no attempts or requests to email, zoom, or phone from anyone wishing to address the Board. The public hearing was closed. PRELIMINARY AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL DETERMINATION Ms. Balestra suggested changes to the resolved condition 2A before the issuance of a building permit, full execution of a revised lease between Independent Wireless One Leased Realty Corporation or current entity name and Town of Ithaca. Ms. Brock advised the lease will need to be amended because the current lease attaches as an exhibit the drawing showing exactly what equipment is attached to the tower. Also, this project requires an increase in the area in which is being leased so the Town Board will need to look at that and determine if the rent will increase. At that time, we can update the lessee. The resolution should then read, full execution of a revised lease between Independent Wireless One Leased Realty Corporation and the Town of Ithaca. Recommended condition for lighting: The light shall comply with the Towns outdoor lighting law and any applicable lighting requirements in Town Code section 270-219 telecommunications facilities. Mr. Casper suggested the generator be programmed to run its test cycle along noise ordinance parameters such as a business day between 9:00 am—5:00 pm given the medium density residential zone. Mr. Wilcox suggested replacement of some trees. Ms. Balestra added that some Evergreen trees along the northeast corner that are dead or dying were part of the original approval. Recommended the Board consider requiring the applicant replace dead or dying Evergreen trees with new green trees of a non-invasive species. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall and winter and visual screening will be lost. Ms. Fogarty suggested replacement trees in kind should be at least 6 feet tall. PB Resolution 2021-018: Preliminary & Final Site Plan Approval T-Mobile Equipment Cabinets,Emergency Generator Tax Parcel 72.4-10 August 3, 2021 PB 2021-08-03 (Filed 9/14) Whereas: 1. This action is consideration of Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed improvements at the T-Mobile telecommunication facility located at 122 Christopher Lane (Town of Ithaca water tank), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 72.-1-10, Medium Density Residential Zone. The project involves upgrades to the existing telecommunication equipment and the installation of new equipment cabinets and 40 KW diesel generator. Town of Ithaca, Owner; Mark Roberts, QC Development, Applicant. 2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting in an uncoordinated environmental review with respect to the project, has, on August 3, 2021, made a negative determination of environmental significance, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the applicant, and Parts 2 and 3 prepared by Town Planning staff, and 3. The Planning Board, at a public hearing held on August 3, 2021, has reviewed, and accepted as adequate a narrative, an aerial map, a set of drawings titled"T-Mobile Northeast LLC, Site Number UP30688A_AL53XC850, Site Name: Triphammer WT, 122 Christopher Lane, Ithaca, New York,"prepared by T-Mobile Northeast LLC,Northeast Site Solutions, and Infinigy Engineering, dated 07/06/21; and other application materials; and Now Therefore Be It Resolved: 1. That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval, as shown on the Preliminary and Final Site Plan Checklists, having determined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in a significant alteration of neither the purpose of site plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town Board; and 2. That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed T-Mobile improvements located at 122 Christopher Lane, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 72.-1-10, as described in the set of site plan drawings noted in Whereas # 3 above, subject to the following conditions: a. Before the issuance of a building permit, full execution of a revised lease between Independent Wireless One Leased Realty Corporation and the Town of Ithaca, b. The proposed emergency generator must contain a sound enclosure (critical silencer), as referenced in the application and per manufacturer specifications, to mitigate any potential noise impacts to neighboring residences, and any scheduled maintenance for generator testing must occur between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, c. The light shown on the plans must comply with the Town of Ithaca Outdoor Lighting Law and any applicable requirements in Town Code Section 270-219 Telecommunications Facilities, and d. Before issuance of a building permit, submission of revised Sheet C-1 to delete note #6, and replacement of dead or dying evergreen trees along the northeast corner of the property with replacement evergreen trees of a non-invasive species, at least 6-feet tall at planting. PB 2021-08-03 (Filed 9/14) Moved: Yvonne Fogarty Seconded: Ariel Casper Vote: ayes—Lindquist, Fogarty, Wilcox, Casper, Meier Swain Agenda Item 2 Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 5-lot subdivision located at 545 — 571 Sheffield Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24.-5-1, Agriculture Zone. The proposal involves subdividing the 127.5 +/- acre property into four residential lots, a 1.85 +/- acre lot containing an existing residence (Lot 1), a 2.35 +/- acre lot containing an existing barn, garage, and shop (Lot 2), a 2.14 +/- acre lot containing an existing barn (Lot 3), and a 1.34 +/- acre lot containing an existing residence (Lot 4). The remaining lands will continue in agriculture. Eastern Artificial Insemination Corp (GENEX), Owner; Kyle Steele, Applicant. Overview Mr. Steele gave an overview of the proposal to subdivide the lots. He has been working with Mike Smith, Senior Planner. They've looked at lot sizes required by Town Code to make these abstract pieces best fit into the Towns Planning and Zoning regulations. The proposed layout makes the most amount of sense and gains the most amount of utility. Lots 1 and 4 will be single family home lots. Lots 2 and 3 have the agricultural structures. Discussion Mr. Wilcox inquired what the County 239 Review found?What unstated thing did they find in the road that he can't find on a map? Mr. Lindquist replied that after looking at various county maps and a visit to the site he did find that there is about two feet of an existing structure in the County right of way Ms. Balestra commented that Staff believe it to be the garage on Lot 2 along Sheffield Rd. A lot of these structures have been on this property since the 1940's & 1950's. Mr. Lindquist asked, can we legally approve a subdivision with a building sitting in the County ROW. Has Staff reached out to ask the County what exactly their review found? Ms. Balestra added that there was not a formal recommendation, the County was just letting us know. Ms. Balestra provided that the old military lot lines that were established around 1790 are not actual property lines. We don't often see military lines on subdivision plats but what we are seeing here are two military lots #41 and#48 that were given to soldiers following the Revolutionary War. Mr. Moseley is working on each proposed lot to minimize the amount of variance needed for side setbacks and area. Mr. Wilcox inquired whether the applicant is going to retain these lots personally? Mr. Steele responded, for the time being, yes. SEQR DETERMINATION PB 2021-08-03 (Filed 9/14) Ms. Fogarty pointed out that Part III of the Short Environmental Assessment Form, should correctly list the property as an artificial insemination facility for decades, not as a cattle farm as was prior to 1947. PB Resolution 2021- 019: SEQR Preliminary & Final Subdivision Approval GENEX-Steele Subdivision 545-571 Sheffield Road Tax Parcel No. 24.-5-1 Town of Ithaca Planning Board,August 3, 2021 Whereas: 1. This is consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 5-lot subdivision located at 545 —571 Sheffield Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24.-5-1, Agricultural Zone. The proposal involves subdividing the 127.5 +/- acre property into four residential lots, a 1.85 +/- acre lot containing an existing residence (Lot 1), a 2.35 +/- acre lot containing an existing barn, garage, and shop (Lot 2), a 2.14 +/- acre lot containing an existing barn (Lot 3), and a 1.34 +/- acre lot containing an existing residence (Lot 4). The remaining lands will continue in agriculture. Genex Cooperative Minnesota, Owner; Kyle Steele, Applicant; 2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is acting in an uncoordinated environmental review with respect to the project; 3. The Planning Board on August 3, 2021, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a narrative, a subdivision plat titled"Subdivision Map Lands of New York Artificial Breeders Co-Operative Inc., Known as Genex Cooperative Minnesota, Being Part of Military Lots No. 41 & 48, Town of Ithaca, County of Tompkins, State of New York, Part of Tax Map No. 24.-5-1,Part of Referenced Deed: L.301/P.98 (Second Parcel),"prepared by Reagan Land Surveying, dated 7/14/2021, and other application materials; and 4. Town planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental significance with respect to the proposed Subdivision Approval; Now Therefore Be It Resolved: That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part 617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced action as proposed, based on the information in the EAF Part 1 and for the reasons set forth in the EAF Parts 2 and 3, and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. Motion: Fred Wilcox Seconded: Greg Lindquist Votes: ayes - Lindquist, Fogarty, Wilcox, Casper, Meier Swain PUBLIC HEARING— 8:13 p.m. PB 2021-08-03 (Filed 9/14) No one from the public was present and Ms. Jordan stated for the record that there were no attempts or requests to email, zoom, or phone from anyone wishing to address the Board. PB Resolution 2021- 020: Preliminary & Final Subdivision Approval GENEX-Steele Subdivision 545-571 Sheffield Road Tax Parcel No. 24.-5-1 Town of Ithaca Planning Board,August 3, 2021 WHEREAS: This is consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 5-lot subdivision located at 545 —571 Sheffield Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24.-5-1, Agricultural Zone. The proposal involves subdividing the 127.5 +/- acre property into four residential lots, a 1.85 +/- acre lot containing an existing residence (Lot 1), a 2.35 +/- acre lot containing an existing barn, garage, and shop (Lot 2), a 2.14+/- acre lot containing an existing barn (Lot 3), and a 1.34 +/- acre lot containing an existing residence (Lot 4). The remaining lands will continue in agriculture. Genex Cooperative Minnesota, Owner; Kyle Steele, Applicant; 5. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting in an uncoordinated environmental review with respect to the project, has on August 3, 2021, made a negative determination of environmental significance, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the applicant, and Parts 2 and 3 prepared by the Town Planning staff, 6. The Planning Board on March August 3, 2021, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a narrative, a subdivision plat titled "Subdivision Map Lands of New York Artificial Breeders Co-Operative Inc., Known as Genex Cooperative Minnesota, Being Part of Military Lots No. 41 & 48, Town of Ithaca, County of Tompkins, State of New York, Part of Tax Map No. 24.-5-1,Part of Referenced Deed: L.301/P.98 (Second Parcel),"prepared by Reagan Land Surveying, dated 7/14/2021, and other application materials; Now Therefore Be It Resolved: 1. That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary & Final Subdivision Approval, as shown on the Preliminary& Final Subdivision Checklists, having determined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in a significant alteration of neither the purpose of subdivision control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town Board; and 2. That the Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary & Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed GENEX-Steele Subdivision, as shown on the plans noted in Whereas #3 above, subject to the following conditions: a. Receipt of any required variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and PB 2021-08-03 (Filed 9/14) b. Submission for signing by the Chairperson of the Planning Board of an original and three dark lined prints of the approved final subdivision plat, prior to filing with the Tompkins County Clerk Office; and submission of a copy of the receipt of filing to the Planning Department Motion: Fred Wilcox Seconded. Cindy Kaufinan Votes ayes- Lindquist, Fogarty, Wilcox, Casper, Meier Swain Agenda Item 3 Persons to be heard—None Agenda Item 4 Approval of Minutes: July 20, 2021 —Pulled Agenda Item 5 Other Business Ms Meier-Swain and Ms Fogarty will be absent August 11th Jamie Vanucchi has resigned from the Planning Board. Next meeting—CU Multidisciplinary Building will be back and Briar Patch Veterinary expansion project Meeting was adjourned at S 25 p in. upon a motion by Fred Wilcox,seconded by Cindy Kaufman, unanimous Submitted by di-I&I Pecky Jor Deputy Town Clerk PB 2021-08-03 (Filed 9/14)