HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2024-04-18 Town of Ithaca Planning Committee
Thursday,April 18, 2024
(3:00 PM Aurora Conference Room and on Zoom)
Minutes
Committee members present: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Rod Howe. Margaret Johnson was excused.
Board/Staff members: Director of Planning C.J. Randall; Senior Planner Mike Smith; Senior Code
Enforcement Officer Dana Magnuson; Director of Codes Marty Moseley.
Guests: None
1. Persons to be heard: None.
2. Committee announcements and concerns: None
3. Approval of March meeting minutes: Rich moved; Rod seconded. The March 21, 2024,minutes were
approved as presented. 2-ayes.
4. Continued review and consideration of appraisals for two potential conservation easements and
recommendation to the Town Board. Senior Planner Mike Smith reported on discussions he had recently with
the two property owners considering the sale of the land's development rights. Both landowners are interested
in proceeding and the initial proposal to donate some of the value (no specific dollar amounts yet)to the town is
still the intent for both properties. The owner of the Hayts Road smaller parcel noted an intention to donate a
large portion of the proceeds from the potential sale to another charitable organization within a year, meaning
the intention to sell is firm. The other property owner on Sheffield Rd. is in the process of selling off the unused
farm lots and has a potential buyer for the property in question with the intent of the conservation easement
being already in place.
The Planning Committee was in favor of a recommendation to the Town Board to continue forward with the
process for potential purchase of development rights for the parcels appraised. Mike noted the Attorney for the
Town can put together the purchase offer language for both properties and the survey process can begin once
the Town Board has made their decision on formally moving forward or not. An informal summary of the
committee recommendation can be made at the upcoming Town Board meeting to gauge the board's interest in
engaging counsel to prepare documentation (which will indicate the value of any potential donations).
5. Continued discussion of potential historic preservation program implementation. The committee
reviewed and discussed the summary and next steps related to finalizing the framework for a joint City/Town
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission. Step I is public outreach and education for the new/revised law,
along with concurrent parallel review by the Town Board and Planning Committee. Appointment of the Town
commission members would follow and then the ordinance would need to be reviewed by NY SHPO. This
work is anticipated to be complete in the Yd Qtr. of 2024. Step 2 will be the Town applying to be a Certified
Local Government(CLG); this is anticipated in the 4d' Qtr. Of 2024.
In addition to the new chapter to the Town of Ithaca Code titled"Landmarks Preservation," Marty and Dana
recommended a few additional changes to town code chapters as follows:
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Chapter 125: Building Construction and Fire Prevention
Add definitions from the (draft)proposed Landmarks Law to § 125-3: Definitions.
Amend § 125-5A to add: "A building permit is required for any exterior work on a building or
structure designated as a landmark structure or on a building or structure located within an historic
district."
Chapter 270: Zoning
Add definitions from the (draft)proposed Landmarks Law to § 270-5: Definitions.
Add new § 270-2 16: Landmarks. (replacing section currently marked `Reserved'):
Integrate new process for officially designated landmarks or landmark districts to § 270-233: Permit
to build.
The committee had a few minor questions on how and to whom the public outreach would be done along with
the timing of both the amendments to the existing zoning chapters and adoption of the new law. C.J. and Rod
replied that the 2021 webinar presented by the City of Ithaca Historic Preservation Planner was informative and
can likely be the starting point of the broad public reintroduction with highlights on the changes made to the
current proposed language. The city has methods for target areas that will have direct notification by mail as
well, possibly a media release. Marty stated the zoning code changes would be after the local law and a
possible buffer in timing may be needed to allow for the changes to coincide.
6. Staff updates and reports. C.J. updated that the Maplewood II project is still in the financing process with
Cornell; the project is anticipated to appear before the Planning Committee in June.
No new progress on South Hill TND.
Tompkins County has an RFP out for the possibility of providing EV charging stations as a service around the
county. If there is one to be potentially located in the Town of Ithaca, a code change will be needed to clarify
vehicle fueling station" as they would not be related to the Town's vehicle fleet.
Holochuck property on West Hill, working with NYS Parks for a potential conservation/consolidation of a
portion of the property; no formal plans for remaining property yet.
Town Capital Improvement Plan is anticipated to come to the Planning Committee in June for input on the
Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and trails areas.
No new Cannabis applications or news on the ones. Properties still on the market for sale: Strawberry Hill and
RaNic Golf Course (Country Club of Ithaca).No new information on the SouthWorks property development.
Informal meeting with Conifer for the 50-acre parcel north of their current housing development; discussions
include affordable housing, single family,town homes, senior living concept.
7. Next meeting date and upcoming agenda items: May 16, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
Agenda: (June: CIP and Maplewood II PDZ)
The Town of Ithaca Planning Committee meeting concluded at 3:30 p.m.
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