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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2007-09-06 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board September 6, 2007 Final Minutes PRESENT: Melissa Anthony, Diane Conneman, Lenore Durkee, Michael Goettel,James Hamilton, Brent Katzmann,Jon Meigs, Larry Sallinger, Susan McCutcheon STAFF: Susan Ritter OTHERS PRESENT: Stephen Wagner, Adrian Williams, Bill Stonnenstuhl, Larry Fabbroni, Bernie Carr, Erik Whitney, Traudel Lucente, Rocco Lucente, David Tyler, Adam Schaye Persons To Be Heard: Dave Tyler, Attorney: Read letter from J. Fitzpatrick, Director of the Lab of Ornithology, regarding discussions with Mr. Lucente involving donation of land, 25 acres, to Sapsucker Woods preserve to act as an ecological buffer to development. Read from Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan which calls for "balanced land use." The tax implications of the donation were discussed. There would be no donation with the moratorium, and no addition to Salem Park. Larry Fabbroni, Engineer: Several handouts were distributed, including 30 July 2007 memo from Jon Kanter to Town Board and Planning Board regarding his meeting with Mark Whitmore and Robert Wesley, several wetland data sheets, as well as bird and plant studies conducted by Terrestrial Environmental Specialists on behalf of Rocco Lucente. He also indicated that there was a lack of data to support the Environmental Management Council's Resolution 03-2007 supporting no further development in UNA-106. In summary, Mr. Fabbroni questioned the designation of the UNA, referenced the three designs submitted to date for stormwater management at Briarwood II as evidence of adequate concern and protection against future stormwater events in the area. Bernie Carr, Terrestrial Environmental Specialists: Introduced himself as the one responsible for the 1993 wetland delineation; indicated that the wetlands south of Sapsucker Woods have been created by storm water drainage activity by the Town. He has found that the wetlands have stayed the same over the years. After reading the letter from Nancy Ostman, Robert Wesley, and Mark Whitmore, he returned to the site to look at plants and habitat. Lopseed was found, but that is common; no evidence of hawk nesting was found. Eric Whitney, Engineer: Analyzed drainage using a hydrologic model in conjunction with data inputs used/ by the Town, with the same antecedent rainfall value. Because of the fragipan soil conditions, the area has about a .tin/hr. percolation rate, thus resulting in no infiltration. Mr. Fabbroni incorporated Dr. Todd Walter's storm event measures, resulting in only minor changes to the system design, such as enlarged orifices. Bill Sonnestuhl, Winston Drive resident: Referenced TB 93 Comprehensive Plan as proposing a possible Conservation Zone; suggested that the town was in discussions with the developer and because of that the rezoning to Conservation was tabled. Expressed concern that the recent SEQR offered little opportunity for input by residents as they were "unaware until late in the process." Also concerned about the downstream impacts of the proposed drainage plan. Mr. Sonnestuhl also argued that the intent of the UNA designation needs to be taken in the context of a broader ecological model: consider this space as a corridor rather than look for specific plant and animal species dwelling therein. Lastly, he encouraged the Town to take an objective approach and to seek outside, arms' length viewpoints. Adrian Williams, area resident: Urged Conservation Board to support moratorium; referenced letter from Nancy Ostman/Wesley/Whitmore as important, and questioned the hydrologic report; reference the EMC resolution; this is the last open space in the NE; read excerpt from proposed moratorium local law, particular attention to section "J." Read letter from Nancy Ostman and Robert Wesley; encouraged the Board to look at this issue in broad terms of ecological integrity of Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, and for the Town to take more time to fully understand the issue and potential impacts. Trish Page, Landscape Architect, Muriel Street resident: Lives downstream, expressed concerns of residents regarding stormwater; cited experience of 6" of water in her basement after neighbor filled in ditch and caused trees to die. She suggested that there has been no comprehensive drainage plan for development of the northeast; Town of Ithaca staff says development will increase problem, but still going ahead with the proposal. Argued that the proposed design does not take into account "volumetric" increases, only peak flow events, and suggested that the SEQR process needs to be re-opened. In light of the fact that the area is not a DEC designated wetland, no buffer exists, and she questioned the safety of the proposed detention basins, and Town's liability. Concerned with the impacts on plants in vicinity of Lab of Ornithology, and increases in honeysuckle and poison ivy. Need buffers between the development and wetlands. Stephen Wagner: Encouraged support for the moratorium, as more time is needed to review all available information; responded to Mr. Tyler's presentation as "apocalyptic". 2 Adam Schaye, Attorney: Doesn't doubt that the problems concerning stormwater, as expressed by area homeowners, are happening, but this is not because of Briarwood II; argued that it is the Town's responsibility to approve a stormwater drainage plan that works: this is not a conservation issue. The plan should go through the back and forth of the planning process. The proposed gift (land donation) provides a buffer to the Sanctuary. Conservation Board discussion: Larry Sallinger: Not in favor of the resolution supporting the moratorium; some statements in the moratorium law as written are not adequately supported. James Hamilton: The Conservation Zone designation requires large lots and doesn't solve ecological problems, in fact, a developer "could still build McMansions"; Planning Board resolution includes a list of conditions which carefully demand that development not make a mess. If there is a biological corridor, it is causing wildlife to have to jump over fences. He mentioned that he had walked the area noting deer trails and finding the wetlands dry and spongy. James noticed that under the proposed law, the exemption would still allow the developer to build one to two houses without any environmental review. Planning Board resolution contingent on huge list of requirements - doesn't think moratorium will help. Conservation zoning will not solve problem. Lenore Durkee: Expressed dismay that there has already been lots of disturbance to the area, but felt that this parcel is already past redemption- moratorium is not going to solve anything. Mike Goettel: Noted that he has found nothing compelling enough to warrant the moratorium. Conservation Board Chair, Diane Conneman, asked what position the Board wished to take. In the end there was no motion to bring the resolution to a vote. Members Concerns: Brent announced that on Saturday, 6th of October, the annual Green Building Open House was to be held featuring 26 local sites; also that a new store, "Home Green Home", was opening on the Commons offering more sustainable options for home furnishings and accessories including earth friendly paints, organic fabrics and bedding, furniture produced by local crafts people from reclaimed materials. Lenore: referenced letter from Toxic Targeting -June 13, 2001 - to DEC, regarding Cornell University dumping radioactive waste into lake. Conservation Board determined that this is a Lansing issue but would like to know more. Lenore suggested 3 that members visit the Toxic Targeting website. General discussion ensued re: drainage, wetlands protection and Conservation Zoning. Melissa asked about permeable pavement. CB members agreed to revisit in the future an idea of creating a broader resolution to the Town Board regarding coordinating drainage plans with the Towns of Lansing and Dryden and Village of Lansing. Diane: Will share conclusion of hydro study with Conservation Board members. Chair and Coordinator Reports: Chair: Diane called attention to photos of the Weidemaier property (corner of Slaterville and Burns Road) and the extensive illegal grading and soil disturbance that has occurred on the site. Town officials and NYS DEC representatives are investigating the activity. Depending on amount of filling that is determined to have occurred, the issue may need to be brought to the Planning Board. At a minimum, the activity will need ZBA approval, and because the property is in a Unique Natural Area, the CB will definitely have an opportunity to provide comments. Sue reported on Ithaca College plans for the Athletic Event Center. The proposal calls for filling of 3 out of 5 acres of wetlands present on the site and compensating for this loss elsewhere. IC is in the process of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement. August minutes of the Conservation Board were approved as amended. Scenic Resource Committee: It was agreed that this discussion on the proposed report to the Town Board wait until the October CB meeting. Diane encouraged Board members to send comments to Scenic Resource Committee members before the October meeting. Regular Reports and Updates: ERC: 1) visited Montessori School Site -no problem with project "Field of Dreams". The proposal to create a little area for children to play will be done in a non-impactful manner. 2) Ithaca College - request to install a temporary metrological tower to measure wind speed with intent to possibly install a future turbine on property. ERC to visit site and other Board members are welcome. Concerns were raised about the broader footprint of this structure due to guy wires and resultant clearing of trees. 3) South Hill Business Campus requesting permission to install a liquid nitrogen storage tank 28' high on the southeast corner of their building. The ERC did not find the project to pose any environmental problems. 4 Environmental Management Council (EMC): Larry: No August meeting was held. July meeting focused on resolution in support of UNA-106/Sapsucker Woods. Larry presented dock information. Six Mile Creek Monitoring Program: James: Six Mile Creek monitors met on August 27th to discuss July 30th sampling. Found low E. coli rates and mysteriously low soluble phosphate. Of 4 teams sampling benthic macro-invertebrates, 3 of the sites found healthy critters, with the 4th site yet to be analyzed. There will be a volunteer monitoring symposium in December. USGS gauge on 6-Mile Creek near Bethel Grove needs recalibration. Natural Areas Commission: Jon: Plaque commemorating Richard Fischer was removed (vandalized) including the post it was mounted on, but is now back in place. Wondered if it would be timely for Conservation Board to weigh in on City water supply issue; keeping Six Mile Creek as the water supply would have the effect of encouraging maintenance of dams, infrastructure and ensure protection of Six Mile Creek water quality. Other Business Next month, Sue will provide a summary of the issues/subject of Stormwater management in order to lead a discussion that will orient CB members in advance of the local stormwater law review. Lenore Durkee agreed to write a brief article requesting nominations for the 2007 Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award. 5