HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2023-03-16 Town of Ithaca Planning Committee
Thursday, March 16, 2023
(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 C.J. Randall; Senior Planner Mike Smith; Town
Civil Engineer Justin McNeal; Director of Code Enforcement Marry Moseley (4:00 p.m. arrival)
Guests: via Zoom: Vicky Wu, Noah Demarest, Robert Mitchell, Bruce Brittain.
1. Committee announcements and concerns: None
2. Approval of February meeting minutes: Rod moved; Rich seconded. The February 16,
2023, minutes were approved with one minor correction.
3. Limited Historic Commercial Overlay District request-130 Forest Home Dr. Noah
Demarest and property owner Vicky Wu presented a draft request for Limited Historic
Commercial Zone designation. This document included a Narrative with a brief section on
historic significance, description of proposed limited commercial use, compatibility with
neighboring properties and uses section, and a description on how the proposed use will promote
preservation. The next section was a Conditions Assessment with of the overall exterior existing
conditions and a Preservation Plan for restoration/repair of deficiencies. Several photos were
also included for reference.
The committee went through each section as well as comments submitted by the Code
Enforcement Director to the Planning Director and committee members. The comments were
overall related to the need for a Deficiency List timeline or summary table to prioritize and
identify specifics (such as who, how often, replacement examples, etc.). The term "may need to
be" also was noted as being problematic. The Feasibility paragraph noted a parking space
deficiency that was brought up as well as items not contributing historic significance visible from
the exterior or not, being replaced or repaired-should those be listed in the report as ongoing
maintenance.
There was no opposition from the committee for the general request. It was suggested the
language be revised and resubmitted to the committee after meeting with the Director of Code
Enforcement(who arrived after the conclusion of this agenda item).
4. Persons to be heard: Bruce Brittain commented informally that he did not see any problem
with the continuation of the mixed residential/commercial existing use of 130 Forest Home
Drive as requested by the property owner. A past neighborhood concern of number of students
related to the apartment rentals was noted. He also mentioned there may be historic photos of
the building in the Cornell archives.
5. Prioritized Pedestrian Corridor needs and Prioritized Bicycle Corridor Needs maps. C.J.
explained she reviewed the committees' 2022 discussions on the 2007 Transportation Plan's
respective maps, Map 11: Prioritized Pedestrian Corridor Needs and Map 12: Prioritized Bicycle
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Corridor Needs. Some of the recommended projects therein are either no longer relevant or have
been completed.
C.J. passed out copies of the adopted Complete Streets Policy (adopted by the town on April 13,
2015) to committee members with questions on how it is being phased in and implemented into
design and where it ties into the broader effort. She stated this could be a framework or initiative
as well as a means by which the Town could inform the countywide Safe Streets 4 All Safety
Action Plan process just getting underway (or update the Town Transportation Plan in the
future). The policy and all the current funding, initiatives, and previous prioritization efforts
would be combined to develop an updated version of the aforementioned maps. In summary, C.J.
mentioned putting together a chart with project costs, prioritization, upcoming funding potential
and coordination with other municipalities that can be put into the Safe Streets for All (SS4A)
Action Plan.
Margaret was in favor of comparing the plans to the updated policy and then updating the plan
to align with the policy and mentioned there are sidewalk or walkway priorities also that done
correspond with streets to keep in mind with the transportation plan updates. She also recalled
the progress made with the priorities prior and the addition of a possible equity screen into the
criteria list to give more points for areas leading to and from low-income areas.
Road specifications/profiles were noted as an important factor as well as trails/parks and
preserves considerations. Layering all the above topics and factors together including the
Comprehensive Plan goals can inform further Transportation planning and implementation. C.J.
mentioned review of implementation status for the next meeting (a lookback what has been done
since the 2007 Transportation Plan as well as 2014 Comp Plan's Transportation section.) A draft
will be sent to the committee for comments.
Rich briefly reviewed the information and text from the 2007 Transportation Plan Pedestrian
Corridor needs map, noting the updates and revisions needed, similar to the previous discussion.
He referenced the minutes for details if needed but all agreed this was to be updated and
revisited. The short-term goal of 10 years was mentioned, is that still considered short.
Margaret noted in regard to the updating of the transportation plan, involving people outside the
Town Boards and committees would be beneficial. A vision for the committee structure is
needed, she suggested adding this to the agenda for the next meeting to get this started. Rod
noted fully starting the ad hoc committee in the fall. C.J. asked for a scope of work for the
project and all agreed that would begin with the Town Planning Committee.
6. Potential Conservation Easements (282 Hayts Road and Hayts/Sheffield/Bundy Rds.)
Mike Smith gave a summary of the information he provided to the committee regarding two new
applications to the town for potential participation in the Town's Agricultural Land Preservation
Program. The three existing properties participating in the program were noted, maps and
detailed information were provided by each applicant and staff. One initial appraisal cost
estimate was also included. State grant funding will be investigated.
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The Committee did not express any concerns or opposition about the applications moving
forward to the Town Board for preparation of formal appraisals for both properties and proceed
with the process.
7. Staff updates and reports: C.J. reported consultants are beginning to be sought and then
reviewed for the Safe Streets 4 All (SS4A) countywide Safety Action Plan. The formal request
process is being initiated by the City for the (mostly) countywide planning study. She alerted
Public Works and Engineering to the need for their involvement and input needed as well.
Nothing new on the RaNic PDZ has been submitted. C.J. will follow up.
Rod noted some beginning discussions for another potential new conservation/preserve area in
the South Hill area in the town. Communication with County Planning is taking place and
County grant funding will be looked into. More information will follow as details finalize, a
subdivision would be needed as well.
8. Next meeting date and upcoming agenda items: April 20'', 2023. Revised draft of Forest
Home Drive LHC Preservation Plan and application, Update on streets/transportation/sidewalk-
pedestrian needs/comp plan/park/trail priority chart(s), Transportation Plan update committee
structure and scope.
The Town of Ithaca Planning Committee meeting concluded at 5:00 pm.
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