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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2008-06-05 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board June 5, 2008 Final Minutes Members Present: Diane Conneman, Mike Goettel, James Hamilton, ]on Meigs, Larry Sallinger Staff: Sue Ritter Guests: Tessa Flores, Adrian Williams, David and Rene from IHS government class Persons to be heard: Tessa Flores is considering applying for a position on the Conservation Board. Members' concerns: ]on has been reviewing Cornell's draft Master Plan for campus development, which will bring vast change to the east side of Town. As these huge designs for growth create an urban precinct on East Hill, the Conservation Board needs to be on its toes for what's coming, and ready to become actively involved. Mike reported problems with Cornell's work on fish ponds on Cascadilla Creek just upstream of Judd Falls. Mike reported that he will be moving away on June 30th. Diane attended the North East Drainage meeting, where many homes have drainage problems, some due to neighbors dumping water on them. Diane wondered why the Town's Public Works Department was putting drainage pipes along Simsbury Rd when best drainage practices indicate that swales and holding ponds were generally better for water quality, and might also be preferable in this area to pipes which only cause bigger flooding problems downstream. The workers at this site claimed the pipes would keep the road bed stable, and that swales over the pipes would slow down surface water runoff. The CB agreed that we should further investigate whether a general policy on roadside drainage solutions might prevent the shifting of stormwater flooding problems to downhill neighbors. Chair and Coordinator reports: Diane reported the wind energy law was making progress. There was much diversity of opinion among members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee as to where Town development should happen; the committee will be sponsoring a bus tour, tentatively scheduled for July 8, to view areas Board and Committee members may not be familiar with, as well as provide a clearer view of areas suitable for development. Sue noted that our suggestions for correcting wind tower diagrams in the law and for assuring the removal of non-functioning towers at owner's expense had been implemented. Cornell's Transportation Plan, in draft stage of the Environmental Impact Study, would be holding public meetings to see 1 if it was adequately responding to concerns identified at the scoping stage. The Stream Setback Law was again getting staff attention; visits to Town streams recently made the law seem applicable to smaller streams of 35 acre drainage area instead of the current 50 acres. Some progress had been made towards establishing a Conservation Zone in Coy Glen. Many projects would have to wait for the replacement of two departed members of the Town Board; the Planning Committee wouldn't meet till July. With minor revisions on the last page, the 5/1/08 minutes were approved. During discussion of the proposed Local Law for Storm Sewer System and Surface Waters Protection, Mike admired the way the Stormwater Management Officer had well-defined and yet flexible procedures for handling pollution problems. James objected to vagueness in the parts of the law defining "any court of competent jurisdiction" and wondered how the SMO could "terminate access" to the Town's storm sewer system. Perhaps leaving the law vague in these areas could help with the flexibility of its implementation. James also noted that the Oct. 2004 "Guidance manual for Program Development" members received with the law stressed that "complex detective work" would be required to detect illicit discharges polluting stormwater, and that the proposed law did not deal with such detection at all. Since the law was only a small step towards preventing pollution, James proposed that the CB's resolution recommending the law be revised to resolve "That the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board hereby recommends that the Town board adopt the Storm Sewer System and Surface Waters Protection local law to promote the ecological health and water quality of our streams and lakes." The CB agreed with this change of wording, Larry moved the Resolution be adopted; Mike seconded. All voted to adopt, though we were short of a quorum by one member, Diane agreed to see if we could effectively pass the resolution with Brent's accord as soon as he could be advised of our need for it. In discussion of proposed modifications to the language of the Town's Conservation Zone law, ]on presented three new definitions for the terms "Biological corridor," Ecologically Valuable," and "Wooded area." He also wants to revise the definition of "Yard," to make it clearer that yards may contain wooded areas and still be considered "open." Seven other passages in the law could be improved. Mike thought cultivated fields were also important parts of biological corridors, and would prefer the law to make a wider focus on all undisturbed areas, and not just woods. James noted that the proposed changes were intended to protect trees in conservation zones, but perhaps further changes to protect wetlands could be made as well. As four members absent made it impossible to resolve anything on this issue, we would discuss it further at our next meeting. 2 For the regular reports and updates, Larry explained that the ERC had met with Cornell to learn of its plans for a Plantations Welcome Center. Now at sketch plan stage, the 6,000 square feet 2-story structure would sit just south of the Knoll adjacent to the Gift Shop. With a green roof, the building would have at least Silver, perhaps Gold LEED Certification. Parking for the larger center would channel storm water runoff through a special system of rain gardens and bioswales that themselves would be set up for educational studies. The ERC likes the plan so far. A plan to replace a small cottage at 819 Taughannock Blvd did not look so good, however, and was complicated by different parts of the property being located in the City and Town. The SRC, waiting for the currently understaffed Planning Committee to respond to its call for action, had no report. The Tompkins County EMC, reported Larry, had resolved that the County support a Carbon Tax, though it wasn't clear how they could do so. The Six Mile Creek Volunteer Water Quality Monitors had nothing new to report. The City's NAC had met with the mayor and police for a Safety Meeting to determine how police should respond to calls from gorge rangers in Six Mile Creek requesting emergency help. ]on was impressed that such response should help rangers do a better job. Under Other Business, changes in lake dock laws would be considered at our July meeting. Tessa Flores, a guest today, could well become a new member. Jason Hamilton, from the IC committee that recently got the Fisher award, might become an associate member, even though he lives in the City instead of the Town. The meeting was adjourned at 9:27. 3