HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2024-05-16 Town of Ithaca Planning Committee
Thursday,May 16,2024
(3:00 PM Aurora Conference Room and on Zoom)
Minutes
Committee members present: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Rod Howe. Margaret Johnson joined via Zoom.
Board/Staff members: Director of Planning C.J. Randall; Director of Codes Marty Moseley.
Guests: Martin Kelly, Electrical& Codes Officer.
1. Persons to be heard: None.
2. Committee announcements and concerns: None
3.Approval of April meeting minutes: Rich moved, Rod seconded. The April 18, 2024, minutes were
approved as presented. 2-ate
4. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and potential modifications to Town Code 270 (Zoning). C.J.
summarized a memo that outlined the issues in the town related to publicly accessible electric vehicle charging
stations as a commercial enterprise and then also as a possible municipal program. The three levels of charging
stations were outlined and links were included for further reading on the Tompkins County initiative on Electric
Vehicle Charging as a Service,NYSERDA information, as well as a link to NYSEG's online load capacity
mapping system.
Marty explained that EV charging stations are not a use currently permitted in any zone of the Town; they are
defined in the Ithaca Energy Code Supplement(Chapter 144)but not in the Zoning Chapter 270 of the Town
Code. The Town currently interprets requests for EV charging stations under Article XVIL Vehicle Fueling and
repair Commercial Zones.
C.J's memo suggests considering defining EV charging stations as an accessory use in all Zoning districts and
allowing Level 1 & 2 charging stations as an accessory use in all Zoning districts on private property. Level 3
charging stations are also being recommended as an accessory use in all Zoning Districts, but with review by
Planning, Engineering, and Code Enforcement as installation will require coordination with the utility
(NYSEG) and potentially the Town's Distributed Energy Resources (DER) /Community Choice Aggregation
(CCA)program administrator. Staff propose an internal review of the design criteria and technical standards for
Level 3 EV stations; staff can recommend further review by the Planning Board(similar to how Sign Permits
undergo Design Review in Town Code 270-260).
Consideration of EV charging stations as a municipal program was also discussed. The County has a new
partnership initiative (Electric Vehicle Charging as a Service)to identify potential municipal locations and
procure municipal purchasing and contractors to increase the amount of publicly-accessible EV chargers.
Engineering,Public Works, and the Sustainability Planner have considered initial logistics and potential
locations; the Finance Officer can assist in selecting a finance mechanism if the town decides to participate and
purchase a station as an asset. The town would then purchase the energy and the revenue/costs incurred could
be calculated and recouped based on the amount of energy charged, the time spent using the charger or as a flat
per session fee. Rod noted once the County chooses a firm based on the RFP currently out for the initiative, the
Town could present any detailed questions before choosing to participate. E-Bike charging integration was
mentioned by Margaret as well. Rich did not want the cost of the infrastructure to be borne by the whole
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municipality if the use of the asset will not be townwide. Recouping the costs will need more discussion,
locating in a Disadvantaged Community could be a large benefit and allow equipment and any needed utility
upgrades to be procured at low cost.
Martin shared information about a new Level 4-super charging system and noted the Level 3 EV charging
systems can now be purchased by homeowners and installed at a relatively low cost. He passed out handouts of
the NYSEG and RGE EV for Disadvantaged Communities map of the City and Town as well as a NYSEG and
NYSERDA incentives to cover portions of the costs. He gave an example of how the Lake View Cemetery has
space and a good location to serve the charging needs of the area. If the regulations and incentives were in
place, EV charging could be a good commercial enterprise.
The committee was in favor of the suggestions to add the EV Charging station definition into the Zoning Law,
add the accessory use in all zones for Levels 1-3 with the additional internal criteria considerations for the Level
3 depending on footprint and demand similar to how the (solar projects or sign permits) are handled. C.J. will
work with Marty and present the formal language to the committee in June. All agreed it would be good to have
the language in place as there have been inquiries about the new DER/CCA (Distributed Energy
Resource/Community Choice Aggregation) and there are cost incentive programs by the energy supplier. Rich
noted to not overlook aesthetic criteria when drafting the language. Ample supply of electricity was a concern
as well, all levels would require a building permit and electrical inspections. The SEQR process could address
environmental concerns.
5. Staff updates and reports.
C.J. updated on the following:
The new NYS Wetland regulations will come into effect 1-1-2025. The Town wetland code is from the 1970's
and may need to be updated.
The FEMA Flood Rate Insurance Maps are being updated and the Town will need to adopt an updated Flood
Damage Prevention Local Law.A model law will be provided by NYSDEC as a template for municipalities.
Safe Streets for All project has upcoming virtual meeting on July 17th,the consultant team is attending the
downtown farmers market on July 27th and the website for the project will be live soon. The information will be
in the Town Newsletter.
There is a meeting upcoming for the Maplewood 11 project. It is expected that the draft PDZ and narrative will
be submitted to the Planning Committee in June.
The town consultant has been in contact with a landowner in the South Hill TND regarding a potential change
to the regulating plan.
6.Next meeting date and upcoming agenda items: June 20, 2024, 3:00 p.m. Potential agenda: EV charging
station zoning law changes, Town CIP, Maplewood 11 PDZ.
The Town of Ithaca Planning Committee meeting concluded at 3:32 p.m.
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