HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 7-6-06 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
July 6, 2006
Final Minutes
PRESENT: Chris Benedict, Diane Conneman, Lenore Durkee, James Hamilton, Eva
Hofmann, Brent Katzmann, Susan McCutcheon, Jon Meigs, Larry Sallinger
STAFF: Sue Ritter
The meeting was called to order at 7.35 PM.
Diane extended an official welcome to our new Board member, Chris Benedict.
Chair report: Diane said that the COC meeting was devoted to considering the solar
panels ordinance, with substantial input from installers and other knowledgeable
persons. Work continues.
Coordinator report: The Briarwood Subdivision was discussed at the June 20th
Planning Board meeting. The developer has received SEAR approval (indicating that
the development would not have a major environmental impact). Traffic and flooding
were some of the main concerns expressed by neighboring residents at the meeting,
and Board members have indicated they would like to see additional details concerning
traffic calming and stormwater management facilities. At the July 18th meeting, the
developer hopes to get preliminary site plan approval.
The Finger Lakes Land Trust newsletter has announced that New York State will be
offering a tax refund to a maximum of$5000/year for property owners who have a
conservation easement. More details still need to be worked out.
Business: The minutes of the June 1 meeting were approved with minor corrections.
Discussion of Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program for Environmentally
Sensitive/Important Lands: The weaknesses and strengths of the draft proposal were
discussed.
Weaknesses: 1) "Spotty" conservation of isolated areas instead of striving to protect
contiguous areas. 2) no mention of incentives, such as tax benefits, to promote
participation in protection programs 3) a possible negative effect on the Town budget.
Revenue may be inadequate to protect everything 4) conflicts between preserving ag
land or land with scenic views or other features--which is deserving of funding?
Coordination with other programs needed.
Strengths: 1) a ranking system is utilized and defined 2) bonus points are awarded
when contiguous properties are involved 3) the programs gives permanent protection
to important resources.
The lengthy discussion that followed covered concerns about developing a program
that, instead of a piecemeal approach, combines the efforts of a number of interested
entities to determine areas worthy of protection and to rank them. The CB recognizes
the need to allow denser development where appropriate in some areas while letting
open space grow. There was general agreement that the draft plan is a good one, but
needs tweaking. It was suggested that the Town Board be asked about their interest in
seeing the program "tweaked", and to really determine their overall support for this
program (the proposed policy was drafted in 2001, and most of the current TB members
came into office after that). If they do, the CB is willing to work on the draft and offer
detailed comments on the document and the proposed program. Accordingly, the
following motion was made-
" The Conservation Board endorses the concept of the Town of Ithaca Natural Heritage
Preservation Program because it has the potential to be an effective instrument to
preserve important natural areas in the Town. The Board recommends that the Town
Board provide the appropriate resources to move it from a draft document to a viable
program". Hamilton made the motion which was seconded by Hoffmann and approved
with one "no" vote.
Update on Town trail projects and future plans:
In reference to a suggestion by James Hamilton made at the June 1 meeting to develop
walking paths along the routes of sewer and other utility lines, Sue distributed draft
maps showing the routes of pedestrian corridors proposed by in the draft Town
Transportation Plan, as well as a map for projected bicycle corridors. However, sewer
and other utility routes do not appear on these plans.
Regular reports and updates:
• ERC - none;
• Scenic Resources Committee - continues to work on the data base;
• EMC - no quorum, but a discussion of the effects of the forest tree caterpillar
infestation, north and east of the County. Sugar maples are at risk, although the
cold wet weather has slowed caterpillar development. No specific pesticide is
available;
• Six-Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program - a sampling scheduled for June 28
was done on June 27 to take advantage of a storm water event;
• City NAC - none;
• Fischer Award Committee - Brent reported some publicity on the event given on
WHCU. He praised Jon for nominating the PRI. He suggested that this event should
not be buried in the Conservation Board segment of the Town web site, but be
included under "Current Town Events" for greater accessibility. Sue will check on
this. Jon will ask where the tree could be planted and mentioned that Tutelo Park
might be a good site. He'll check on this. He also reminded Board members to be
on the lookout for potential future nominees.
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In view of the fact that the Ithaca Journal gave no coverage of the Fischer Award, Brent
wondered if it would be appropriate to ask the paper if it would accept prewritten articles
about such events as the Fischer Award?
Other business: It was decided to cancel the August meeting. If the ERC should have
proposals to examine during this hiatus, it will do so and send its report to the Planning
Board.
The meeting was adjourned at 9.25 PM.
Lenore Durkee
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