HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2022-11-17 Town of Ithaca Planning Committee
Thursday, November 17, 2022
(3:00 PM Aurora Conference Room and on Zoom)
Minutes
Committee members: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Rod Howe & Margaret Johnson
Board/Staff members: Director of Planning, Susan Ritter; Director of Code Enforcement, Marty
Mosely, Mike Smith, Planner; Justin McNeal, Town Civil Engineer.
Guests: None
1. Persons to be heard: None
2. Committee announcements and concerns: None
3. Approval of October meeting minutes: Rod moved; Margaret seconded. The October 20, 2022,
minutes were approved as presented.
4. Consider Solar Law draft amendments: Sue prepared a memo which summarized 3 outstanding
issues to be addressed.
The committee agreed to changing back the large-scale solar installation threshold to 10 acres. There
was discussion on ensuring an adequate setback in the LDR zones, no changes to the language was
proposed.
Reference the NYS Ag Markets Solar Project Guidelines document or simplify and include within the
law itself similar to the language provided from the Town of Victor? The Committee was comfortable
with the sections provided(4 pages) to be included within the law for full-scale projects however
requested the more detailed Environmental Monitor (EM)paragraph from the Ag & Market document to
be included in the proposed section L and add in "at the discretion of the town" after shall hire or
designate in the first sentence (rather then add the EM definition into the zoning law). The
decommissioning section may be duplicative and can be removed if so after comparing to the language
already outlined. The committee asked for the Ag & Markets as an agency reference can be removed in
the decommissioning section. They will still become involved if an issue arises where its deemed
necessary by the EM and leave the County Soil and Water agency.
An overlay map with important soils corresponding with the Town Zoning Map was provided for
reference for the committee. It was agreed to delete 5 (d) in design standards for full-scale photovoltaic
solar energy systems due to adding the more robust language added above.
The committee was comfortable with the language and amendments moving forward to the attorney for
legal review along with a carbon copy to the Planning and Conservation Boards for information
5. Added to agenda- consideration of amendments proposed to the building height and size of
detached garage/accessory buildings: Marty prepared a memo which outlined an outstanding request
made in Management Team to investigate to see if the maximum height of detached garages/accessory
buildings should be increased and if the sizes should be increased, due to frequent appeals to these
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sections coming before the ZBA and being granted. Proposed modifications to increase the height of
detached garages/accessory building limitations from 15 to 20 feet in height(25 proposed in some zones
but 20 was ultimately decided on) and increasing the yard regulations total footprint for detached
garages/accessory from 600 to 780 were presented and approved by the committee. These would apply
to certain zones as outlined in the memo (Conservation Zone, Lakefront Residential, Low Density
Residential, Medium Density Residential and High Density Residential). Rich had a come clarifying
language he would share with Marty for the Ag zone excerpt that was included for reference. The
revised language does not need to come back to the Planning Committee again before it goes for action
at the town board.
6. Staff updates and reports: Sue reported:
The LHC zoning district law amendments are moving forward at the town board level. Three
property owners have expressed interest in applying for the zone in the future.
There is still potential interest of a seasonal lodging PDZ in place of the large expired Holochuck
subdivision on Trumansburg Road.
The apartment complex project on the northeast side of the town near Arrowood Drive is still
interested in developing once the sewer issues are resolved.
The Chain Works property has changed from Emerson to a multi owner arraignment, and the
name has changed to South Works.
7. Next meeting date and upcoming agenda items: December 15t', 2022.
The Planning Committee meeting concluded at 4:57 pm.
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