HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1995-12-05 DISPOSITION DATE
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TOWN OF ITHACA
Public Works Committee Minutes
December 5, 1995
Present: David Klein, Chair; Cathy Valentino; Ed Conley; Fred Noteboom; Dan Walker;
and Rich Schoch
Guests: JoAnn Cornish and Jonathan Kanter
The meeting began at 8:05
The minutes from the last meeting were approved.
There was a brief discussion regarding the Badger,which was purchased in 1996. Fred Noteboom
indicated that he is talking to John Barney, Town Attorney, about this.
There was also a discussion on the some of the drainage problems in the northeast, mainly
Maplewood Drive, Brandywine Drive and at the school. The Committee was informed of a
resolution to be put before the Board to cover expenses for basement flooding.
Highway/Parks Department Work Plan
Fred handed out a draft of the Highway/Parks Department Work Plan. He explained that he
will send the Agreement of Expenditures to the Board in January.
Fred talked to the Committee about hiring an engineering firm to inventory the Town roads
street signs. He said it will costs about $4,800, but there will be a very comprehensive report
along with the survey. Rich Schoch asked if this survey included the crosswalks, and Fred said
he was not sure. He will ask. The Public Works Committee feels this will be a worthwhile
endeavor.
The draft Plan was reviewed. David asked why Park Lane and Coy Glen Road were picked to
receive drainage upgrades, and not the northeast. Fred explained that the Park Lane area would
be done along with the road cut there. Coy Glen area has seen an increase of water flow since
Eco-Village has been constructed. Fred said we need to wait with drainage in the northeast for
the Town-wide plan. David asked if Brandywine Drive will be finished this year. Fred said yes,
but we will have to wait until spring to patch the driveways.
There was a brief discussion of the drainage problems at the end of Christopher Circle.
David then asked why Bluegrass Lane was slated to be paved in 1997. He felt that the road was
not worth being paved since only Cornell University has any property there. Fred explained that
the Town continues to put a lot of money into the road each year. David would like to have the
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road pulled from the paving plan, and it will be discussed at the Town Board meeting to see if the
road can be abandoned. Fred agreed with this, although stated that if the road was not going to
be abandoned,then it needs something done with it,so that we don't put money into it each year.
David said that we should consider hiring an architect to evaluate the space needs and draw up
a plan for expanding the Highway/Parks facility.
Fred indicated that next fall, we will push back the yard waste collection one week. This will
hopefully alleviate some of the complaints that the leaves are not down when we do the
collection. David asked if there are still problems with contractors, Rich indicated that the
contractors are putting out yard wastes after we have the collection. We will work on solutions
to this.
Jonathan Kanter asked about the possible new park. Rich explained that it was dependent on the
Comprehensive Plan. There was a discussion on the possible park or trail to begin construction
on. The Pew trail and the Maple Avenue connector were discussed. This led to a discussion on
the parking at the Maple Avenue entrance to the East Ithaca Recreation Way. Cathy Valentino
will talk to John Gutheburger about the parking there.
Drainage Site Plan Review
There was a discussion that before building permits are issued, a drainage plan is needed.
Dan cited an example of the problem: Sanctuary Drive. He explained that when the subdivision
was approved by the Planning Board, the developer stated that the houses would be a slabs (no
basement);when the building permits were issued, they had basements on them. Consequently
the drainage is being put in differently from what was approved by the Town Engineer.
Cathy felt that the Planning Board should look closer at the drainage of projects, and put
restrictions on the development. She also felt that the Director of Zoning should not allow
building permits until a drainage plan has been reviewed and in place. Dan feels that the
contractor should be asked to show how the drainage system will work. He felt that the Planning
Board should see the drainage plan, along with the Building Inspector. Jonathan explained that
some contractors do not know what will be built when a subdivision is being revised before the
Planning Board.
JoAnn Cornish felt that there was a missing step in the current plan. Dan agreed, stating that
when a building permit is being issued, it should be reviewed by the Engineering Department,
along with the Highway Department before approval.
It was agreed that a "boiler plate" needed to be written to incorporate the above discussion, for
building permits and brought before the Board to set policy.
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David asked about the sewer in the Sanctuary Drive area. Dan said it was six to eight feet deep,
and, if it is a new subdivision, Engineering issues the plans before a plumbing inspection.
David asked if the changes being made in the Sanctuary Drive area needed to be sent to the
Planning Board again. Dan said no, that the changes being made will work, but we would then
need easements (since it would be on private property). It was then discussed that we do not want
the easements,but there could be an arrangement made where the landowners would have to have
easements to have the rights to clean out the drainage lines (other than on their own land). This
would mean the landowner would be responsible for cost to cleaning them out. Cathy indicated
that the Town needs to make sure the deed clearly states that. Dan said a memo to the Director
of Zoning to make sure all easements are filed with the deed before the building permits are
issued. Dan offered to help review building plans. JoAnn felt that GIS will help alleviate some
of these problems.
The Public Works Committee recommends that the Planning Department, Planning Board, and
the Engineering Department all be able to review the plans.
Drainage on East Hill
Dan indicated that the Engineering Department is working on a plan for drainage on East Hill.
( This was brought about because the Town was sending water into the City and Homestead
Circle. Eastern Heights has problems too. There was a discussion on the lack of maintenance
of swales in that area. Fred said that the Highway/Parks Department temporarily fixed the
problem by putting a 24" over flow pipe in on Eastern Heights Drive and raising the grates on
the catch basins.
Drainage on the Northeast
Dan provided a map for the Committee to review. He explained that water has been diverted
across Maplewood Avenue, but that area is very flat. Fred indicated that the wet land up there
is being drained. Dan said they are working on locating drainage on the maps and then on
profiles for the map. David asked if this is Town-wide, and Dan said he is concentrating in the
Northeast. It was decided that a public information meeting should be held in late January.
Cathy will ask Mary to schedule something for Dewitt School.
David asked if there was any more discussions with Cornell University and the Arrowwood
project. Dan indicated that he has been talking with John Majeroni on this and Jonathan has been
talking to the Village of Lansing. Cathy said she will talk to the Mayor also.
Discussion of Possible Dog Parks in the Town of Ithaca
JoAnn passed out a information sheet. She explained that the model, from Berkeley California,
has the parks on about a 'V2 acre parcel. She felt that the Christopher Circle Water Tank may not
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be the best place for a pilot park; she suggested Eastern Heights Park, because it is more removed
from homes. She said that people would be responsible for their own dog wastes. Fred asked
about aggressive dogs, and JoAnn said she would have to look into this, although Berkeley makes
the owners responsible. Rich asked if a mulch surface would be used, and JoAnn said that
Berkeley uses this. It is easier to clean up.
It was felt that public input is needed, and a school site would be best.
Cathy asked about the need for ordinances. We will look into the City's ordinances.
Dan felt that the Water Tank area have some security issues that need to be looked at. David felt
that the fences should be six feet instead of four. JoAnn said that we need to look into the age of
children accompanying dogs in the parks.
It was felt that a one year trial park should be implemented. Cathy suggested putting an ad in the
paper to invite the public. It was also felt that Town Hall would be the best place for the public
meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
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