HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2022-08-02 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
Tuesday,August 2, 2022 7:00 P.M.
Due to COVID-19 and Executive Order No. 11.8 signed by Governor Hochul on 7/14/22 allowing continuation of
virtual meetings,this meeting will be held via the Zoom audio/visual application with no in-person attendance
permitted. Members of the public may call in on a cell phone or landline at(929)436-2866 and enter the Meeting
ID: 836 4376 4382, or join the meeting by computer on Zoom at httns://usO6web.zoom.us/i/83643764382.
If the public would like to attend the meeting for viewing purposes only,it is recommended to watch the livestream
video on YouTube (httys://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC9vvcXkJ6k]VIibihCv7NO/live).
AGENDA
1. SEQR Determination: Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Renovations—Special Permit.
2. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed renovations to the Cornell
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course,located at 213-215 Warren Road. The project involves installing new
stormwater drainage lines and sand drainage trenches,replacing selected sand bunkers with turf, creating
expanded detention areas, and other improvements to increase the overall function and drainage capacity
of the course. This is an Unlisted Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is
subject to environmental review. Cornell University, Owner; Michael Stewart, Cornell University
Facilities Management,Applicant/Agent.
3. Persons to be heard.
4. Other Business.
5. Adjournment.
Susan Ritter
Director of Planning
607-273-1747
NOTE:IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLE TO ATTEND,PLEASE NOTIFY
CHRIS BALESTRA AT 607-273-1747 or CBALESTRA(a),TOWN.ITHACA.NY.US.
(A quorum of four(4)members is necessary to conduct Planning Board business.)
Accessing Meeting Materials Online
Site Plan and Subdivision applications and associated project materials are accessible electronically on the Town's website at
https://www.town.ithaca.ny.us/meeting-calendar-agendas/under the calendar meeting date.
TOWN OF ITHACA
............... N E W Y 0 R K
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING
215 N.Tioga St 14850
607,273-1747
vmw.town.fthac n us
............................................9--y—
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE BY MAIL AND POSTING & PUBLICATION
STATE OF NEWYORK ) SS.:
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS )
1, Abby Homer, Administrative Assistant for the Town of Ithaca being duly sworn, depose and say, that
deponent is not a party tote actions, is over 21 years of age with a professional address of 215 North Tioga
Street, Ithaca, New York.
That on the 26th day of July 2022, deponent served the within Notice upon the property owners within
500 ft. of the properties and projects identified below for:
Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed renovations to the Cornell Robert Trent Jones Golf
Course, located at 213-215 Warren Road. The project involves installing new stonnwater drainage lines and sand
drainage trenches, replacing selected sand bunkers with turf, creating expanded detention areas, and other
improvements to increase the overall function and drainage capacity of the course.
By depositing same enclosed in a postpaid addressed wrapper, in a post office under the exclusive care
and custody of the United States Post Office Department within the State of New York, and that the attached
notice has been duly posted on the sign board of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca on July 27, 2022, and the
notice has been duly published in the official newspaper,Ithaca Journal on July 27, 2022.
(\i
14-Aoo'
Abby H orv@r, Administrative Assistant
Sworn to before me on 2022.
BECKY L.JORDAN
NOTARY PUBLIC,STATE OF NEW YORK
Registration No.0006186381
Tompkins County
Notary PU qCommission
.........
TOWN OF ITHACA
NEW YORK
Notice of Planning Board Action Near You
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
You are receiving this notice because you own or live on a property within 500'feet of the proposed action.
This is an effort to inform you and give you an opportunity to learn more and comment if you would like.
TOWN OF ITC A PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday,August 2, 2022,at 7:00 P.M. on the following matter:
Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed renovations to the Cornell Robert Trent Jones Golf Course,
located at 213-215 Warren Road. The project involves installing new ston-nwater drainage lines and sand
drainage trenches, replacing selected sand bunkers with turf, creating expanded detention areas, and other
improvements to increase the overall function and drainage capacity of the course.This is an Unlisted Action
under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. Cornell
University, Owner; Michael Stewart, Cornell University Facilities Management, Applicant/Agent.
Due to COVID-19 and Executive Order No. 11.8 signed by Governor Hochul on 7/14/22 allowing continuation of
virtual meetings, this meeting will be held via the Zoom audio/visual application with no in-person attendance
permitted. Members of the public may call in on a cell phone or landline at (929) 436-2866 and enter the Meeting
ID: 836 4376 4382, or join the meeting by computer on Zoom at tq!pg;LM§Q§web zoom,u 643764382,
If the public would like to attend the meeting for viewing purposes only, it is recommended to watch the livestrearn,
video on YouTube(
Any person wishing to address the board will be heard. In addition, comments can be sent via email to
townclmk( "town i't'hacq/j!y,1,us1 up to the end of business the day of the meeting and all comments will be forwarded
to the board. Additional information is available at.w..w..w,.t o w n it a..c q...,ny Ps.
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MEETING OF THE TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
August 2, 2022
Minutes
PRESENT: Greg Lindquist, Acting Chair; Members Cindy Kaufman, Yvonne Fogarty, Ariel
Casper, Bill Arms and Liz Bageant Absent: Liebe Meier Swain and Fred Wilcox
Marty Moseley, Codes; Chris Balestra, Planning; Susan Brock, Counsel; Dan Thaete and
David O'Shea, Engineering; and Becky Jordan, Deputy Town Clerk
Motion to appoint Mr. Lindquist Acting Chair made by Ms. Kaufman, seconded by Mr. Casper,
vote: ayes - unanimous.
Mr. Lindquist opened the meeting and announced the first agenda item.
Agenda Item 1 Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed renovations to the Cornell
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, located at 213-215 Warren Road. The project involves
installing new stormwater drainage lines and sand drainage trenches, replacing selected sand
bunkers with turf, creating expanded detention areas, and other improvements to increase the
overall function and drainage capacity of the course. This is an Unlisted Action under the State
Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. Cornell University,
Owner; Michael Stewart, Cornell University Facilities Management, Applicant/Agent
Mr. Arms recused himself, saying his property backs up to the property in question.
Michael Stewart, Applicant/Cornell University project manager Campus Life, Carl Schimenti,
Turf expert and Jonathan Spurr, Civil Engineer with LaBella were present and gave an overview
of the project.
The project consists of improving and updating drainage issues on the course by using retention
ponds and changing drainage paths and all that requires a special pen-nit for the cut and fill
processes associated with that goal.
Ms. Fogarty asked about the amount of fill being brought in.
Mr. Spurr responded that it would be 3300 cubic yards of cut to create the detention areas and
limited grading as most of the project is underground utilities.
Ms. Kaufman asked what triggered the need for a special permit and what type of problems
could occur.
Mr. Stewart responded that the depressions and retention ponds are the better environmental
practices for handling drainage, rather than simply increasing the size of the pipes underground
and sending it offsite. That is cheaper, but not as environmentally sound.
Mr. Spurr added that anything over 250 yards of soil are disturbed requires the permit, and that is
just a Town regulation.
Ms. Fogarty asked about the submitted plan, that had alternative options listed and whether the
Board is approving a permit simply based on the amount of fill being removed or on a plan.
Mr. Lindquist responded that it is just for the amount of fill being removed and the alternatives
would lower the amount, and therefore would not need to be determined now.
Mr. Thaete gave a detailed explanation of the review his department did on the plan and said
they are actually going above and beyond what the State requires and this is an environmentally
friendly plan and sound.
Minor changes were made to the SEQR form.
PB Resolution 2022-024: SEQR
Special Permit
Cornell Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Renovations
Tax Parcel No. 68:1-9
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, August 2, 2022
Whereas:
1. This action is Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed renovations to the Cornell
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, located at 213-215 Warren Road. The project involves
installing new
stormwater drainage lines and sand drainage trenches, replacing selected sand bunkers with
turf, creating expanded detention areas, and other improvements to increase the overall
function and drainage capacity of the course. This is an Unlisted Action under the State
Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. Cornell
University, Owner; Michael Stewart, Cornell University Facilities Management,
Applicant/Agent, and
2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is the lead agency in
the environmental review with respect to Special Permit, and
3. The Planning Board, on August 2, 2022, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short
Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) Part 1, submitted by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3
prepared by Town Planning staff, a set of drawings titled"Robert Trent Jones Golf Course
Renovations, 213 Warren Road, Ithaca, New York, 1.4850" dated June 15, 2022,prepared by
LaBella, and other application materials, and
4. The Town Planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental
significance with respect to the proposed Special Permit;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of
environmental significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law
and 6 NYCRR Part 617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced
action as proposed, based on the information in the EAF Part I and for the reasons set forth in
the EAF Parts 2 and 3, and, therefore, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be
required.
Moved: Ariel Casper Seconded: Yvonne Fogarty
Vote: ayes— Fogarty, Kaufman, Casper. Bageant and Lindquist.
Abstained—Arms
PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Lindquist opened the public hearing at 7:39 p.m., adding that statements received today
would be added to the record.
Cynthia Lunine spoke about her concerns regarding losing the flowing water in her backyard and
the effect on the fauna and birds who depend on the worms that come to the surface in heavier
rains. She was also concerned about a"striping" effect in the grass and truck traffic.
Mr. Spurr responded that there are options for replacing the grass or sod and he was told by the
Brittain's that the lines are actually old agricultural drainage strips, but they would be deciding
on the method when they chose a contractor.
Mr. Lindquist responded that road closures would be under the Town's control and the applicant
stated that truck traffic would not be directly onto Warren Rd.
Clover Drinkwater spoke in strong support of the project, saying that she lives off the ninth hole
and it is always wet and as a neighbor and a golfer"the sooner the better."
PB RESOLUTION 2022-025: Special Permit
Cornell Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Renovations
Tax Parcel No. 68.4-9
Town of Ithaca Planning Board, August 2, 2022
Whereas:
5. This action is Consideration of Special Permit for the proposed renovations to the Cornell
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, located at 213-215 Warren Road. The project involves
installing new
stormwater drainage lines and sand drainage trenches, replacing selected sand bunkers with
turf, creating expanded detention areas, and other improvements to increase the overall
function and drainage capacity of the course. This is an Unlisted Action under the State
Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. Cornell
University, Owner; Michael Stewart, Cornell University Facilities Management,
Applicant/Agent, and
6. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting as lead
agency in the environmental review with respect to the project, has, on August 2, 2022, made
a negative determination of environmental significance, after having reviewed and accepted
as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the applicant, and
Parts 2 and 3,prepared by Town Planning staff, and
7. The Planning Board, at a Public Hearing held on August 2, 2022, has reviewed, and accepted
as adequate a set of drawings titled"Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Renovations, 21.3
Warren Road, Ithaca, New York, 14850" dated June 15, 2022,prepared by LaBella, along
with other application materials; now therefore be it
Resolved:
1. That the Planning Board hereby finds that the special permit standards of Article XXIV
Section 270-200, Subsections A—H, of the Town of Ithaca Code,have been met,
specifically that:
A.The project will be suitable for the property on which it is proposed, considering the
property's size, location, and physical site characteristics.
• The golf course has existed on the property for many years. The existing drainage
system that was installed on the course is 80 years old and in need or repair. The
proposed system is a replacement in kind and will work with the site's existing
physical characteristics.
B. The proposed structure design and site layout are compatible with the surrounding
area.
• There are no proposed new structures and no changes to the site layout, other than
removal of sand bunkers.
C. Operations in connection with the proposed use do not create any more noise, fumes,
vibration, illumination, or other potential nuisances than the operation of any permitted
use in the particular zone.
• The golf course use will not change. The proposed drainage work will create
temporary noise impacts which will cease when the work is completed.
D.Community infrastructure and services, such as police, fire and other protective
services, roadways, schools, and water and sewer facilities are currently, or will be, of
adequate capacity to accommodate the proposed use.
• There are no changes to existing infrastructure and services. All infrastructure to
accommodate the use is in place and is of adequate capacity.
E. The proposed use, structure design, and site layout will comply with all the provisions
of the Town Code and with the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan.
F. The site layout, with proposed vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian access, traffic
circulation, and parking and loading facilities, is sufficient for the proposed use and is
safely designed for emergency vehicles.
• There are no proposed changes to the existing site layout. All existing vehicular,
bicycle, and pedestrian areas will remain unchanged after completion of the project.
G. The project includes sufficient landscaping and/or other forms of buffering to protect
surrounding land uses. Existing vegetation is preserved to the extent possible.
• There are no changes to existing vegetation, other than the removal of tree stumps.
The golf course is fully landscaped and contains many trees, shrubs, and grasses
that will remain.
H. To the extent deemed relevant by the Planning Board, the proposed use or structure
complies with all the criteria applicable to site plan review set forth in Chapter 270,
Zoning.
• Site Plan approval is not required with Special Permit when associated with a fill
permit. This criterion is not applicable to the project.
2. That,pursuant to Town Code Section 270-17.E, the Planning Board hereby finds that the
plan adequately protects the property and surrounding properties from significant adverse
consequences of such deposit or removal, including, when completed, adverse drainage,
erosion, visual or other adverse impacts, taking into account the distance of the operation
from neighboring property and public ways, the possible detriment of such use to the future
development of the land in question, and significant nuisance or detriment of the operation
to neighboring landowners and to the community as a whole, and
3. That the Planning Board hereby grants Special Permit for the proposed drainage
improvements to the Cornell Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, with the following conditions:
a. All. Town of Ithaca Engineering Department comments and concerns listed in the
Engineering Memorandum last revised 7/11/22 must be addressed prior to earth
disturbance/construction, and
b. The SWPPP must be approved by the Engineering Department and implemented
prior to construction.
Moved: Yvonne Fogarty Seconded: Cindy Kaufman
Vote: ayes—Lindquist, Kaufman, Fogarty, Casper and Bageant.
Abstained -Arms
Other business:
Next meeting August 16, one returning applicant, sketch plan PDZ RaNic, and discussion of
minutes. Fred will be back in attendance; Cindy and Liebe will be absent.
Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m, upon motion by Yvonne Fogarty, seconded by Cindy Kaufman,
unanimous.
Submitted by
Yda%&
Becky Jor(lai , )eputy Town Clerk