HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOC Minutes 2023-12-14 TOWN OF ITHACA CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE (COC)
Meeting of December 14, 2023 —5:30 pm
Shirley A. Raffensperger Board Room, Town Hall
Minutes
Members present: Rob Rosen, Chair, Eva Hoffmann, Bill Goodman& Chris Jung.
Member excused: Eric Levine, Ariel Casper(resigned effective 11/10/2023).
Staff Present: C.J. Randall, Director of Planning; Chris Balestra, Senior Planner; Susan Brock,
Attorney for the Town; Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; Daniel Thaete, Director
of Engineering.
Guests: Bill Arms, Planning Board Member
The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m.
1. Member comments/concerns. Rob introduced guest Bill Arms, attending as the
incoming Planning Board liaison to the committee. It was noted that this was the last
meeting for longtime member Bill Goodman. He was thanked for his 16 years of service,
remembered for his work on many regulations, including the dock law, mural/sign
ordinances, short-term rental/registry language, and most recently, updates to the
telecommunications law. There was a gathering after the meeting to honor Bill.
2. Review minutes from November 9, 2023, COC meeting. Rob moved to approve the
November 9, 2023, minutes with minor changes provided by the attorney; Eva seconded.
4 Ayes.
3. Continued review of initial draft of Subdivision of Land Regulations. C.J. and Chris
lead the continued review of the draft subdivision regulations. The document was shared
on screen and the committee began line by line, starting with Article 1. The proposed
language additions shown in red on the document were each explained in detail,with the
history and justification behind the changes.Additional committee and staff suggested
changes or recommendations were as follows:
Pg.1 §232-2. Policy
C. The term "environmentally sensitive areas" is not defined,but it is used elsewhere
in the Town Code. Look at the stormwater management law and other sections of
Town Code and expand the list to the draft subdivision regulations to be consistent
with how environmentally sensitive areas is described(e.g., add "including wetlands,
steep slopes, etc.").
E. Remove the comma after"to all buildings."
F.Add"Zoning" after"Chapter 270". Examples (illustrative) of alternative
subdivision designs should be provided,possibly in a separate guide. Members asked
for clarification of what alternative subdivision design means. CJ explained the intent.
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G. Change all references in the document from"conservation"to "cluster," including
the title in G. Committee asked for clarification in the terms. CJ explained that
conservation and cluster were interchangeable in meaning, and Susan Brock
explained that NYS Town Law uses the term"cluster." COC decided to use the NYS
Town Law terminology.
Dan asked why the cluster subdivision approach was the preferred approach. The
cluster style and town history was discussed in detail, and no specific changes were
proposed.
Marty noted multiple references to the Town Planning Department, Town Planner, Town
Planner Designee, Director of Planning, along with Building Inspector, and other titles
that are either inconsistent or no longer used. CJ mentioned that much of the draft
regulations were taken from the existing regulations, which contain the outdated
references. She will go back through the document and make all titles current and
consistent.
Pg.2 §234-3. Supersession. This section is new. Susan Brock noted that she would
review the section—it could be taken out of the Code and placed in a local law to reduce
confusion for applicants. The COC will decide what to do about this later.
Pg. 2,3 §234-4. Interpretation and relationship to other regulations and actions.
C.1.Public provisions. Delete the sentence "These regulations are not intended to
interfere with, abrogate, or annul any other ordinance, rule, regulation, statute, or
other provision of law."
F. This paragraph needs to be clarified and possibly re-written. The intent was to
essentially say"you cannot buy land that hasn't been legally subdivided,"but the
proposed language is clunky. Potential re-write (still clunky): "Whenever an applicant
submits a proposed subdivision application to the town, and before any contract for
the sale or, or any offer to sell any proposed lot in such subdivision is made, and
before any permit for the erection of a structure in such proposed subdivision shall be
granted, the applicant shall apply, in writing,for approval of such subdivision, in
accordance with this section." Clarify that proposed means that the subdivision has
been submitted to the town for approval, not a conceptual design from a real estate
company or an idea by the property owner.
Pg.3 §234-5 Applicability
A. Remove"the corporate limits" at the end of the first line.
D. Decision to keep this in the Applicability section. But proposed change to first
sentence to delete the first few words, so the sentence reads "The subdivision
application process and fees do not apply to a subdivision or re-subdivision creating
no more than two lots..."The rest of the paragraph should be broken up into several
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sentences or re-worded, so it is more succinct.Also, who signs the duly recorded re-
subdivision map before it gets filed with the county?Director of Planning?
The committee concluded the review of Article 1 of the draft regulations and will resume
review with Article II (page 3 of the printed draft) at the January 2024 COC meeting.
4. Other business:
2024 COC meeting schedule. The committee agreed to keep the schedule and meet the
second Thursday of each month in 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the town board room.
• Next meeting: January 11, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
• Agenda: Continued review of initial draft Subdivision of Land Regulations,
Article II.
Bill thanked COC members and staff for their help for all the years of his service and
expressed well wishes for the future. Susan and Eva also thanked Bill for his dedication,
good listening skills, and his ability to give everyone an opportunity to be heard.
A motion to adjourn was made by Bill G., seconded by Chris J. at 6:55 p.m. Unanimous.
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