HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2010-03-04 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
March 4, 2010 7.30 p.m.
Final minutes
Members present: Jon Meigs, Diane Conneman, James Hamilton, Tony Ingraham,
Nirav Patel, Kristine Shaw, Andrew Goodell, Eva Hoffmann
Staff: Darby Kiley
Guests: Aaron Donato, Larissa Smith, both from Cornell; also, from Ithaca High School:
Katie Parks, Devin Case, Sarah Plotkin, Eric Boe, Lydia Froncek, Maddy Froncek,
Margo Young, Thomas Stout, Colin Raymond, Carlye Gordon
Persons to be heard: The Ithaca High School students were there for a course to
observe local government in action. They asked one or two questions at the end of the
meeting.
Members' Concerns: Nirav asked about the salt use policy on the East Hill
Recreationway. He was unclear about the amount of salt use and the efficacy of its
application, as he has noticed a lot of senior citizens walking there and ice is a hazard
on the walkway.
Chair and Coordinator Reports:
Chair: Diane met with the Town Board Public Works Committee which has been
reformulated to consist of Rich DePaolo, Susan Riha, and Bill Goodman, in addition to
town staff members.
• Diane brought up invasive species control policy, including tertiary treatment.
• She also discussed ditches; Susan Riha mentioned grassy swales as an erosion
control practice.
• Rich DePaolo said they should keep working on the invasive species issue, and
they will pursue the question of getting a certified pesticide applicator.
Coordinator: Darby reported on information from the Planning Board Meeting on March
2:
• Subdivision approval granted for 3 lots at 247 Dubois Road;
• site plan approval granted for IC backstop replacement;
• site plan approval granted for conversion of IC compost facility into maintenance
storage.
Darby is working with the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization on a
grant funded project for a Fall Creek Watershed analysis and management plan. A
stakeholder meeting will be held on March 10 to discuss projects, threats and
opportunities.
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Business: The minutes for the February meeting were approved as read.
Discussion of Comprehensive Plan Items:
• Diane felt that it is important for us to outline for the Town what we think is important,
particularly with regard to invasive species, especially when they threaten natural
areas.
o James suggested we focus on the water tank issue.
o Diane said that we need to focus long-term on how we manage invasives on
Town properties. Darby noted that some of our preserves are new and there
hasn't been much thought about their management. The Town needs to develop
management plans for properties set aside by developers as Town park land, as
well as for donated lands.
o James felt there should be someone in the Town parks department overseeing
invasive species management. He noted Japanese knotweed as another very
prolific invasive exotic plant affecting the area.
o Eva noted another problem regarding donated land, citing Dress Woods as an
example. Bill Dress cared for many native species on his land and the Town has
an obligation to maintain the quality of the plant communities on land donated to
it.
o Tony asked what is the responsibility of developers regarding invasives and how
long do they have that responsibility. He suggested that the Town take a more
comprehensive view of the invasives issue, beyond Town lands to the Town as a
whole. Nirav was doubtful that measures identified in the Comprehensive Plan
would stop the spread of invasives. Without the cooperation of everyone around'
it's hard to do anything about it. It's an issue for landowners economically as it
affects their land values.
o Eva noted that a lot of people haven't heard about these issues.
o Nirav asked whether there are funds dedicated to control of invasives in parks in
the public works budget. Diane said there is not, but that there is money
dedicated to mowing, etc. Nirav suggested that developers contribute a small
percentage to a dedicated fund for control of invasives. This was felt to be a good
recommendation.
• Diane shared a map reflecting Comprehensive Plan Committee members' thoughts
regarding where development should be promoted.
o Jon suggested looking at current zoning; Diane said that most areas indicated
are already zoned for medium to low density development, except Mecklenburg
Road.
o The Troy Road area was discussed.
o Nirav asked what incentives would or could be given. Diane noted that within a
zoning area, the Town can set up certain incentives. The Comprehensive Plan
could recommend zoning changes.
o Tony suggested stepping outside of the box regarding West Hill development,
considering traffic, infrastructure, environmental impacts, etc. vis a vis studies
already having been begun or for which funds have been authorized. The
Planning Board is constrained to make determinations within existing law and
zoning and cannot take a larger view.
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o CB members noted that the notion of nodal development, along Trumansburg
Road for instance, is vague, as there is little employment in the area; residents
are mostly commuters. Expansion of development in this area will only increase
the already unacceptable traffic problems in that part of the Town and in the city.
Regular Reports and Updates:
Environmental Review Committee: No report
Scenic Resources Committee: The SRC met on February 19 and made a number of
decisions regarding the proposed interpretive sign for East Shore Park:
• They reviewed the latest sign mockup, approved the body copy, and decided the
sign will be in a landscape orientation format. They agreed on the headline to
read, "Cayuga Lake View."
• Three graphic elements were agreed upon, including a skyline panorama
drawing, a map of Cayuga Lake, and the Town best views map.
• The sign should be mounted as rectangular, landscape-oriented, with a double
post similar to that illustrated in Fossil Industries materials they have received.
• They developed objectives for the three graphic elements, as well as for their
labels and captions.
R. Fischer Award Committee: The committee selected the late A. Carl Leopold as
recipient of the award. After discussion at the CB meeting, a motion was passed
unanimously (moved by James, seconded by Kristine), reading, "We award the 2009 7tn
annual Fischer Commemorative Award to A. Carl Leopold, founding president of the
Finger Lakes Land Trust."
It was suggested that we plant a short tree or shrub at East Shore Park. Eva suggested
that a commemorative planting be done at the entrance to a Land Trust preserve in the
Town. Jon said he would look into it. Diane will talk with Rich. We will probably conduct
the dedication in May.
Tompkins County EMC: The last meeting was cancelled due to the snowstorm.
Sixmile Creek Volunteer Monitors: James reported that they had their quarterly
volunteer meeting on Feb. 15, 2009.
• They discussed the need for better risk assessment to determine what effect that
hydrofracking might have on well water.
• Steve Penningroth pointed out that "of the 259 chemicals used in hydrofracking
injection fluid, only 128 have to be tested in the effluent of a sewage treatment
plant that handles industrial waste." "...gas drillers can inject their waste pretty
much anywhere they want to."
• Steve wants to shift chemical tests on most volunteer water samples away from
nutrients towards parameters that prove pre-drilling health, such as conductivity,
dissolved oxygen, and hardness.
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• Three sampling dates were set, for March 15, June 15, and Aug. 30. Next
quarterly meeting will be May 24 at Coop. Extension.
• Barry Goodrich showed plans for erosion control riprap to be installed this
summer.
City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission: No report
Comprehensive Plan: Diane said that we are working towards an invasives removal
work session with Rich. Larissa Smith is working on a fact sheet.
Other Business: Discussion of CB membership: two people are interested, but they are
not Town residents. Perhaps they could become associate members.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9.06 p.m.
These draft minutes generated by Tony Ingraham.
These minutes were approved on April 1, 2010.
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