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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB minutes 2-2-06 Town Of Ithaca Conservation Board February 2, 2006 Final Meeting Minutes PRESENT: Diane Conneman, Lenore Durkee, James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Brent Katzmann, Susan McCutcheon, Jon Meigs, Larry Sallinger STAFF: Sue Ritter The meeting was called to order at 7:38PM. Chair Report: Diane reported that the Briarwood 49-Lot Subdivision (Lucente property near Sapsucker Woods) proposal has been resubmitted. Sue then distributed copies of the Preliminary Subdivision proposal to the ERC members for their consideration. Coordinator Report: The proposals for the LaTourelle facility and the miniature golf facility (preliminary site plan) on Elmira Road have been approved. The Pine Tree Road office building for Cornell is coming up for final approval (Feb. 7t"). The dock proposed at 1028 East Shore Drive has been modified and will need to go to the Planning board again. The ERC will be looking at this and another dock site on February 6. At the February 21st Planning Board meeting, the Cayuga Medical Center will present their demolition plans for the Biggs Building, which the hospital recently purchased. The age of the building and its deterioration along with the expense of asbestos removal has made demolition the best option. The Conifer Village senior apartments will be considered for final site plan approval on Feb. 21st A Cornell graduate of Natural Resources and skilled in carpentry is coordinating volunteers from a Cornell student environmental group to construct the chimney swift tower near the Pew Trail (the proposal initiated by Dick Fischer). Sue recently met with Home Depot representatives to see if the company would be interested in donating building materials. They are not likely to fund the entire project, so Diane suggested that Sue get an itemized price list, so that those items not donated can be shopped around elsewhere. A 10-acre parcel on Culver Road owned by Bill Dress is being sold to the Town. The acreage will be protected with forested areas and trails. The Finger Lakes Land Trust was an intermediary in this acquisition. The walkway along Hanshaw Road has been approved by the Town Board. As an aside, Sue reported on recent research that suggests collision with large windows are taking an increasing toll on bird populations. Because many new buildings in the Town and elsewhere have lots of big windows, this problem is likely to get worse. Sue distributed copies of the flyer describing the Cornell Heat and Power Project that will upgrade the university's present facilities and also generate needed power with significant reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases". Business: The minutes were approved as amended. Work Plan Priorities for 2006: Asked if there were additional ideas that might be added to the list, Lenore suggested that the CB might consider emphasizing the need for more underground power lines because the presence of utility poles almost everywhere detracts from the scenic beauty of this part of the state. Members pointed out that this might reasonably be included in the work of the Scenic Resources Committee. A lively discussion of the work plan priorities followed when members were asked to prioritize the ideas on the list. There were concerns expressed about how effective a Conservation Zone (CZ) designation was in protecting the land. Some members felt that the Natural Heritage Preservation Program (NHPP) should be carefully examined as an important step in regulating development in the Town. The Town Board is interested in formalizing the Program and the Town is already putting aside funds for the purchase of development rights for agricultural land. James mentioned problems with the subdivision at the Burns Rd./Rt. 79 intersection that includes a lot in the Six Mile Creek CZ. Jon suggested that if CZs are being mistreated, the Town needs to be alerted and Sue said that although the Town is currently short of employees to oversee erosion and sedimentation control, one can contact Soil and Water Conservation District personnel or the NYS DEC. These agencies are trying to encourage awareness of the regulations that govern development projects. Dan Walker or Kristie Rice are also good persons to contact for any kind of violation. Some felt that since the Coy Glen and Indian Creek CZ projects are underway and that the Scenic Views Committee is well along on its work, the NHPP might be moved up the list. Diane will regroup the items to reflect the thinking of the Board and will ask for a vote at the next meeting. Susan McCutcheon also suggested that we might ask Art Weaver to speak to the CB on the subject of renewable energy, as this was on the list of work priorities. (His web site is www.renovusenergy.com). Other possible visitors could be a representative from the Soil and Water Conservation District, the Finger Lakes Land Trust, or Susan Hoskins from Cornell regarding aerial mapping and what can be learned from maps. 2 Regular Reports and Updates: ERC--The Committee agreed that it was not necessary to make a site visit to the proposed Genex facility addition. They will be making visits as necessary to the sites of proposed new docks in order to understand the impact of dock building on the lake. Scenic Resources Committee--The members continue to meet regularly as they evaluate the criteria for judging scenic views. Fischer Award--No nominations have been received. It was moved by Brent and seconded by Lenore to extend the deadline to the end of February. Approved. The Committee will try again to publicize the Award through the media--the Ithaca Journal, the Ithaca Times, and perhaps Positive News. Tompkins County EMC--Larry attended the January 11 meeting which was dedicated to setting up committees. Larry will serve on the ERC. Starting April 1, the County will accept plastics 1-7 for recycling. It will also be possible to drop off computers, monitors, and other similar equipment. Some members expressed interest in promoting bagless grocery shopping. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program-- James attended the last meeting on January 23. The group has lost some members so that there was no chance to take samples during the flood watch periods in mid-January. The members will be alerted when the next heavy rains are predicted. Sampling data will be put on the Citizen Science web site. Meetings will now be held every other month. City of Ithaca NAC--Topics for the last meeting included issues on the future of the City's old water plant, controlling invasive species in the watershed, and guidelines for construction activities in the watershed that would minimize pollution of the stream and reduce erosion associated with such activities. On Monday, February 6, the development of the SW area will be discussed. The NAC is interested in what is being planned for this acreage, including treatment of existing vegetation on the site. The Town has ceded development of the area to the City. Jon suggests that we might have a speaker to bring us up-to-date on this subject. Update on Indian Creek/ Lake Slopes CZ--Sue reported that the COC wants to move forward formalizing the CZ. Several meetings are scheduled, e.g. a public meeting on Feb. 9, a decision by the Town Board to request a recommendation by the Planning Board on Feb. 13, a possible public hearing by the Planning Board on February 21, and possibly back to the Town Board to schedule a public hearing on March 13. The Hospital is concerned that the CZ designation, might prevent them from using some of their property for stormwater management purposes, ie. construction of a detention basin. Another developer is concerned about access to property described in their proposal. 3 Other business: James will write an article for the spring issue of the Town newsletter that will discuss the CB vacancy and invite interested persons to apply for membership on the Board. Meeting was adjourned at 9.30PM Lenore Durkee 4