HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2017-03-07 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
Town Planning Board Members Present: Liebe Meier Swain, Linda Collins, Joseph Haefeli, John
Beach, Yvonne Fogarty, Jon Bosak
Town Staff Present: Susan Ritter, Director of Planning; Dan Thaete, Town Engineer; Bruce Bates,
Director of Code Enforcement; Susan Brock,Attorney for the Town; Debra DeAugistine, Deputy
Town Clerk
Call to Order
Ms_Meier Swain called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM
SEQR Determination: Moyer 2-Lot Subdivision, 699 Coddington Road
Mr_Moyer said they want to divide off an acre and a half from an eight-acre parcel to build a
secondary residence_They want to use the secondary residence as the primary residence and use the
existing residence for family that is moving back to town_
Regarding the county's GML letter, Ms. Brock explained that the county doesn't want there to be
another curb cut for another driveway to the future house_
Mr_Moyer said he has an existing grass lane, in addition to the existing driveway, and he would like
to continue to have access to it as he currently does_ If he has to have a shared driveway, so be it.
Mr_Thaete said the county was planning to fill and cut through the intersection and make it more
level so it's no longer a blind intersection_The county's plan has changed several times, so he had no
idea when the work is going to happen_
Mr_Moyer said from discussions he's had with the county's representative, they're at least 18 months
away from starting any work, and that's one of the reasons he wanted to get this project going now,
rather than being hampered by their construction_
Mr_Thaete said Mr_Moyer has an existing driveway and a grass lane now and a right to use that
access; when he applies for a building permit, they'll ask the county for clarification_
PB Resolution No. 2017.018: SEAR, Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval, Moyer 2-Lot
Subdivision, 699 Coddington Road, Tax Parcel No. 48--l-12.1
Moved by John Beach; seconded by Linda Collins
WHEREAS:
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1_ This is consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 2-lot
subdivision located at 699 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 48.-1-12.1, Low
Density Residential and Conservation Zones_ The proposal involves subdividing 1.406 +/- acres
from the southern corner of the 7.85 +/- acre property for a future residence_ The 1.406 +/- acre
parcel contains an existing barn and shed_ Aden Moyer, Owner/Applicant; and
2_ This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is acting in an uncoor-
dinated environmental review with respect to the project; and
3_ The Planning Board on March 7, 2017, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a survey map
entitled "Survey Map No. 699 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York,"
prepared by T.G. Miller, P.C., dated 10/11/2016, and other application materials; and
4_ Town planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental significance
with respect to the proposed Subdivision Approval;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental
significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part
617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced action as proposed,
based on the information in the EAF Part I and for the reasons set forth in the EAF Parts 2 and 3,
and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required_
Vote
Ayes: Meier Swain, Collins, Haefeli, Beach, Fogarty, Bosak
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 2-lot
subdivision located at 699 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 48.-1-12.1, Low Density
Residential and Conservation Zones_ The proposal involves subdividing 1.406 +/- acres from the
southern corner of the 7.85 +/- acre property for a future residence_ The 1.406 +/- acre parcel
contains an existing barn and shed_ Aden Moyer, Owner/Applicant
Ms_Meier Swain opened the public hearing at 7:21 p.m.
A woman spoke, saying her mother owns the property on the Burns Road side of Mr. Moyer's lot,
and she wanted to be informed of where the house will be.
Mr_Moyer said he would put it behind the barn near the back of the lot where his garden currently is.
Ms_Meier Swain closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m.
In support of the county's request, Mr. Bosak suggested prohibiting any additional driveways along
the frontage of the parcel on either lot, but not requiring a shared driveway as the county suggested_ If
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Page 3 of 13
we allow a separate curb cut now, and it later gets in the way of their plans, it will be a problem_ He
also noted how close that property is to the curve in the road_
Ms. Collins said she travels down Burns Road daily and that it's a very dangerous intersection. She
would not be in favor of their being another official curb cut. She understands Mr. Moyer's wanting
to keep the grass lane, but once a house is built on the lot, there will be a lot more traffic in and out
than there is now, and she wouldn't be in favor of the lane being used as the primary drive for a
second house_
Mr. Haefeli agreed, saying a shared driveway would be safer.
Mr. Moyer said he wants the grass lane to remain, but does not intend to make it a driveway_ He
agreed that no additional driveways would be installed_
The board agreed with Mr_Bosak that "no new curb cuts" should be allowed, but that the whole issue
of the grass lane should remain to be resolved with the county and that there should not be a
requirement for a shared driveway_
Mr. Bates suggested that a possible remedy could be to require permission from the county for a
designated driveway before any additional structure is built He thought that this should be the case
even if they plan to use the existing driveway as a shared driveway to the new structure_
Mr. Thaete said the DOT has presented an acquisition map that shows a gravel drive and a grass
drive. They've classified it as a drive_ He agreed with Mr. Bates that prior to building permit, Mr.
Moyer should confirm with the county that he has access_
PB Resolution No. 2017.019: Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval, Moyer 2-Lot
Subdivision, 699 Coddington Road, Tax Parcel No. 48--l-12.1
Moved by Yvonne Fogarty; seconded by Joseph Haefeli
WHEREAS:
1_ This is consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 2-lot
subdivision located at 699 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 48.-1-12.1, Low
Density Residential and Conservation Zones_ The proposal involves subdividing 1.406 +/- acres
from the southern corner of the 7.85 +/- acre property for a future residence_ The 1.406 +/- acre
parcel contains an existing barn and shed_ Aden Moyer, Owner/Applicant; and
2_ This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting in an uncoordi-
nated environmental review with respect to the project, has on March 7, 2017, made a negative
determination of environmental significance, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate a
Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the applicant, and Parts 2 and 3
prepared by the Town Planning staff; and
Planning Board Minutes 03.07.2017
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3_ The Planning Board on March 7, 2017, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a survey map
entitled "Survey Map No. 699 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York,"
prepared by T.G. Miller, P.C., dated 10/11/2016, and other application materials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1_ That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary and
Final Subdivision Approval, as shown on the Preliminary and Final Subdivision Checklists, hav-
ing determined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in a significant alteration
of neither the purpose of subdivision control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town
Board, and
2_ That the Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the
proposed subdivision located at 699 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 48.-1-12.1,
as shown on the survey map entitled "Survey Map No. 699 Coddington Road, Town of Ithaca,
Tompkins County, New York," subject to the following conditions:
a_ granting of any necessary variances by the Zoning Board of Appeals, prior to signing of the
plat by the Chairperson of the Planning Board, and
b_ submission for signing by the Chairperson of the Planning Board of an original and three
dark lined prints of the final subdivision plat, prior to filing with the Tompkins County
Clerk's Office, and submission of a receipt of filing to the Town of Ithaca Planning Depart-
ment, and
c. prior to the issuance of any building permits for parcel B, submission to the town codes and
planning departments of any legally necessary approvals for driveway access to Coddington
Road.
Vote
Ayes: Meier Swain, Collins, Haefeli, Beach, Fogarty, Bosak
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing: Consideration of Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed Sleep Inn Hotel located
at 635 Elmira Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 35.-1-2 1, Neighborhood Commercial Zone_The
proposal involves demolishing the existing structures to allow the construction of a 3-story, 37,000 +�-
square foot hotel_ The facility will include 70 hotel rooms, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor
gazebo, 70 parking spaces, stormwater facilities, outdoor lighting, and landscaping_ Ahir Hotels
Corp_, Owner/Applicant; Adam M. Fishel, PE, Marathon Engineering,Agent
Mr_ Fishel said the ZBA granted all the variances needed for the project_The key changes they've
made since preliminary approval are that they added the landscaping along the back and on the west
side of the building to help screen it they revised the lighting plan to provide better, more uniform,
lower-intensity lighting across the site; they've added a few bollard lights across the front of the
building for accent light and they've reduced the number of wall packs,but raised their height to
provide better light The layout and stormwater provisions have stayed the same. They've added some
Planning Board Minutes 03.07.2017
Page 5 of 13
landscaping along the front of the building in the form of taller evergreens to break up the building
mass, as requested by the planning board at preliminary site plan approval_
Ms_ Collins added that the board requested a four-sided design of the building, and she's pleased to
see that it has been provided_
Mr_ Fishel provided building material samples for the board to look over.
Ms_ Fogarty was concerned about large vehicles, such as buses, parking on site.
Mr_ Fishel said coach-style buses, such as the Cornell bus, will drop people off,but will not park on
site.
Ms_ Fogarty asked about fire protection_
Mr. Fishel said they've met the fire department's requirement for a new hydrant and that the pressure
has been deemed adequate for fire suppression within the building; they're not relying on pumper
trucks to supply water_
Mr_ Bates added that the project has to meet all the requirements of the building code_
Ms_ Fogarty asked about parking spots_
Mr_ Fishel said there are 70 parking spots_
Ms_Balestra said it meets the town zoning code in terms of parking requirements, which is one space
per room.
Mr_ Beach said he realized that anything dealing with highway issues are under the purview of the
state DOT_ He still has concern about making a left-hand turn out of the property, especially at the
evening rush time.
Mr_ Fishel said this came up at preliminary: they looked at the DOT data on peak counts compared
with check in and check-out times, and the peaks don't align.
Mr_ Bosak shared Mr. Beach's concern, and said it's difficult anywhere along that stretch of the road
because of the timing of the light a mile or so down the road. He acquiesced that the board can't
require anything_The consequence could be that people who stay there will not be repeat visitors_
Ms_ Fogarty expressed continued concern about the traffic, the parking lot with fire trucks and buses,
and the size of the building_She also had concern about the back slope going down to the wetlands_
Ms_Brock said the fire department signed off on it.
Mr_ Haefeli said he trusts that they know what they can and can't do.
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Ms_ Collins said she could not remember why the board was concerned about fencing in back of the
building and asked for an explanation of why we wanted a visual barrier_She wondered whether the
split rail is the right kind of fence_
Mr_ Haefeli said someone unwittingly stumbling down the slope in the darkness was a concern_We
also didn't want to block it off with a wall of wood, which is why we asked for a timber guide rail.
Mr_ Fishel said the split rail is along the rear of the building and it wraps around to the west to
provide that barrier for folks walking back there_ It will be lit; there are wall packs on the building_ So
they're proposing a split rail fence with cautionary signage_
Mr_ Bosak said his understanding of the proceedings for the meeting was to make sure they met all
the conditions set previously, and that's it.
Ms_Balestra said all the conditions for final site plan approval have been met
Mr_ Haefeli said he noticed that the lighting, as specified, has three different color temperatures, and
although it's not in our lighting code yet, we talked about steering away from cool colors because of
their effects on the environment and circadian rhythms_That needs to get fixed in our lighting law_
Ms_ Ritter suggested he write something up about his concerns and send it to the planning depart-
ment so the issues can be considered as we update our lighting law_
Mr_ Haefeli pointed out that all the fixtures specified have warm versions_
Mr_ Fishel said this is what the lighting vendor supplied_They feel it meets the safety standards for
lighting a hotel parking lot and the perimeters and that it meets the franchise's lighting criteria.
Mr_ Haefeli asked about signage_
Ms_Balestra said they'll be coming back in the future for a free-standing sign_
Ms_Meier Swain opened the public hearing at 8:14 p.m.; hearing no one, she closed the public
hearing at 8:15 p.m.
PB Resolution No. 2017.020: Final Site Plan Approval, Sleep Inn Hotel, 635 Elmira Road, Tax
Parcel No. 35.-l-21
Moved by John Beach; seconded by Joseph Haefeli
WHEREAS:
1_ This action is consideration of Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed Sleep Inn Hotel located
at 635 Elmira Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 35_-1.21, Neighborhood Commercial Zone_
The proposal involves demolishing the existing structures to allow the construction of a 3-story,
37,000 +/- square foot hotel. The facility will include 70 hotel rooms, an indoor swimming pool,
Planning Board Minutes 03.07.2017
Page 7 of 13
an outdoor gazebo, 70 parking spaces, stormwater facilities, outdoor Lighting, and Landscaping_
Ahir Hotels Corp_, Owner/Applicant; Adam M. Fishel, PE, Marathon Engineering, Agent, and
2_ This is a Type I Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, on October 4, 2016, acting
as lead agency in coordinating the environmental review with respect to this project, made a nega-
tive determination of environmental significance, after reviewing and accepting as adequate a Full
Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3, prepared by
Town Planning staff, and other application materials, and
3_ The Planning Board, at a public hearing held on March 7, 2017, has reviewed and accepted as
adequate a narrative, a survey map prepared by Thew Associates Land Surveyors, titled
"ATLA/NSPS Land Title Survey, Lands of Thomas L. and Mary D. McGuire, Tax Parcel No. 35.-
1.21, Town of Ithaca, County of Tompkins, State of New York," dated 4/15/2016, plans pre-
pared by Marathon Engineering titled "Site Development Plans for Sleep Inn Hotel, 635 Elmira
Road (NYS Route 13, 3 & 96), Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York," including: sheets
G1_0, C-2.0, C-3.0, C-3_1, C-4.0, C-5.0, C-6.0 and C-6_1, revised 2/09/17, C-62, C-6.3 and C-
6.4, dated 04/22/16, C-65, revised 2/09/17, C-7.0, revised 08/11/16, C-7_1, revised 06/23/16,
C-72, revised 08/11/16, and C-8.0, revised 08/11/16; exterior elevation sheets prepared by Hex9
Architects, one titled "Sleep Inn and Suites, 635 Elmira Road, Ithaca, NY," dated November 28,
2016, and the other titled "Sleep Inn And Suites Proposed Elevations," date-stamped February
14, 2017; and other application materials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Planning Board hereby grants Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed Sleep Inn Hotel, as
referenced on plans Listed in Whereas#3 above, subject to the following conditions:
a_ Before a building permit is issued, revision of the Landscaping Schedule on the Lighting and
Landscaping Plan (Sheet C-5.0), to show a replacement tree species for the Picea Abies (Nor-
way Spruce)with a similar, non-invasive tree species,
b_ Before a building permit is issued, submission of two Large-sized (24" x 36") sets of the final
approved site plan drawings, revised as above, signed and sealed by the registered land survey-
or(s), engineer(s), architect(s), or landscape architect(s) who prepared the site plan materials,
c. Before a building permit is issued, submission for approval by the Town of Ithaca Public
Works Department and Bolton Point of the appropriate permits for water service associated
with the new development(per#1 under "Water," in letter from Daniel Thaete, Town Engi-
neer, dated 8/01/2016),
d_ Before a building permit is issued, submission for approval by the Town of Ithaca Public
Works Department of Bolton Point of the appropriate permits for sewer service associated
with the new development(per#1 under "Sewer," in letter from Daniel Thaete, Town Engi-
neer, dated 8/01/2016),
e_ Before a building permit is issued:
(i) Submission of a stormwater "Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement" be-
tween the owner of the Sleep Inn and the Town of Ithaca, satisfactory to the Attorney
for the Town and the Town of Ithaca Public Works Department,
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Page 8 of 13
(ii) Submission of a drainage easement or other mechanism to assure the Town of Ithaca
access to all stormwater facilities, satisfactory to the Attorney for the Town and Town
Public Works Department,
(iii) Town Board authorization to allow the Town Supervisor to sign any necessary ease-
ments and the stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement associ-
ated with the project, and
(iv) Filing and full execution of any necessary easements and the stormwater Operation,
Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement with the Tompkins County Clerk Office,
I. Before a building permit is issued, submission to the Planning Department of a copy of the
NYSDOT highway work permit for the new curb cut off of Elmira Road/NYS Route 13, and
for the water and any sewer infrastructure located within the NYS DOT's right-of-way,
g_ Before any earthwork activities may happen, submission to the Town of Ithaca Public Works
Department of a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the approved State Pollution Discharge Elimina-
tion System (SPDES) permit related to the project(per "Stormwater Management/SWPPP" in
letter from Daniel Thaete, Town Engineer, dated 8/01/2016), and
It. Before a certificate of occupancy may be issued, submission to the Planning Department of
proof of receipt of all necessary permits from county, state, and/or federal agencies_
Vote
Ayes: Collins, Haefeli, Beach, Bosak
Nays: Meier Swain, Fogarty
AGENDA ITEM
SEQR Determination: NYSEG Communications Towers, 210 Maple Avenue and 1260 Trumans-
burg Road
Joseph Papa, attorney from the Murray Law Firm, and Pete Stritzinger, NYSEG, were present
Mr. Papa said these facilities will improve the reliability of the delivery of electricity to this area of the
town_They will also improve the efficiency of using renewable energy_They're proposing a 100-foot
mast on each property_ Each mast will have communications antennas; on the top will be WiMax
antennas that will connect to the wooden poles in the vicinity to transmit information on the various
fluctuations in the delivery of the energy to the user. They will recognize when a power line goes
down and will be able to pinpoint where that happened_ That information is sent through a chain of
substations back to a central location_ In case of a power failure, the communications antenna has
walky-talky service so the representative in the filed can communicate with central dispatch_
Mr. Stritzinger said that in their sister company, Rochester Gas& Electric (RG&E), eighty percent of
the territory is being served by WiMax technology_State-side, all the divisions of NYSEG and RG&E
are being served by land mobile radio communication for energy control center dispatches and
communications to the field units that service everything from the meters to the transmission lines_
Ms_ Fogarty asked whether this technology interferes with internet connections_
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Mr_ Stritzinger said it does not: the technologies they're using are coordinated technologies, the land
mobile radio is a VHF system coordinated through the FCC, each of the microwave lengths are
coordinated through the FCC, and the WiMAX is a lightly coordinated license_There is an FCC
ruling and project underway to have a spectrum-access system put in place to regulate the spectrum
usage to avoid potential interference issues. So every technology they're using is being regulated and is
afforded some protection against harmful interference either by them as a licensee or by other
licensees that operate in a neighboring spectrum_
Mr_ Bosak asked what the frequencies and wattages are.
Mr_ Stritzinger responded that the WiMax operates in the 3.65 to 3.7 GHz range_With the new FCC
rules, there will be a Citizens Broadband Radio Service initiative that will open up another 100 MHz
of spectrum, starting at 3.55 GHz_The emissions limits is 1 watt per 1 MHz of spectrum, and
currently they are using 10 MHz of spectrum, so that would be a 10-watt emissions_Their VHF
network operates in the 150 to 170 MHz range_They are currently undertaking a lifecycle replace-
ment project that will enable them to put smaller tower infrastructures in and service larger geograph-
ical areas with the new digital mobile radio system_
Mr_ Bosak noted that at location B, there is a 555-foot temporary access road that was not included in
the description of the project
Mr_ Stritzinger said that it is most likely for the access to the tower location through the substation for
construction efforts_
Ms_Balestra said it will go straight through the fenced area. There's a 15-foot wide temporary access
easement that starts at Trumansburg Road and goes straight through the existing compound to the
back of the property where the monopole will be.
Mr_ Bosak had concerns about the viewsheds_ His conclusion about location A is that that site is
already so ugly, you can't hurt it. The viewsheds for location B are supposed to show the site with a
pole and without a pole, but the existing views show that there's already a pole with communications
equipment on it; the before pole is shorter than the after pole_ From the description, there's no pole;
in reality, there's an existing pole that will be replaced with a bigger pole_ He noted that the pole
wasn't there in September. If our approval is required for this pole, why wasn't it required for that
pole?
Ms_Balestra said she asked the same question in an email to the applicant and never received a
response_
Mr_ Stritzinger said he is not sure how the poles fall into the permitting effort, but the process of
getting a pole placed at one of the substations is generally a call to one of their substation operations
supervisors_Any time there's a pole needed, it's done through an internal process request. He doesn't
see the back office practices that go into it
Mr_ Papa suggested that the pole was put up for test purposes_
Mr_ Stritzinger said that a typical wooden pole is 45 to 50 feet; the proposed monopole is 100 feet
Planning Board Minutes 03.07.2017
Page 10 of 13
Mr_ Bosak asked why we need to approve this one when we did not need to approve that one.
Ms_Brock said she had the same question_
Ms_Balestra said we had no information about the existing pole_The applicant had been in contact
with staff months ago regarding the two projects in front of us, but we had no knowledge of the
existing pole_
Ms_ Ritter noted that there's not much we can do at this point.
Ms_Brock agreed, and said that the application should be the removal of the existing temporary pole
and installation of a new pole_
To a question from Ms. Fogarty, Mr. Stritzinger said there's no need to light the pole.
PB Resolution No. 2017.021: SEAR, Preliminary Site Plan Approval, NYSEG Communications
Towers, 210 Maple Avenue, Tax Parcel No. 63.-1.5, 1260 Trumansburg Road, Tax Parcel No. 24.-
4-5.1
4:4.5.1
Moved by John Beach; seconded by Yvonne Fogarty
WHEREAS:
1_ The Planning Board's action is consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the proposed
NYSEG Communications Tower projects located at:
A. 210 Maple Avenue, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 63.-1-5, Low Density Residential Zone,
Cornell University, Owner; New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG),Applicant; The Mur-
ray Law Firm, PLLC, Agent The proposal involves the installation of one 100-foot tall public
utility communications mast at the existing substation on Maple Avenue, along with a 6' x 6'
concrete equipment pad,VHF whip antennas, a WiMax antenna array, microwave dish an-
tennas and other appurtenances; and
B. 1260 Trumansburg Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24_45.1, Medium Density Residen-
tial Zone, New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), Owner/Applicant; The Murray Law
Firm, PLLC,Agent The proposal involves removal of a temporary 50-foot test monopole and
the installation of one 100-foot tall public utility communications mast at the existing substa-
tion on Trumansburg Road, along with a 6' x 10' equipment shelter,VHF whip antennas, a
WiMax antenna array, microwave dish antennas, and other appurtenances;
2_ This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is acting in an uncoor-
dinated environmental review with respect to the projects;
3_ The Planning Board, on March 7, 2017, has reviewed and accepted as adequate:
A. A Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) Part 1 for the Maple Avenue site, submitted
by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3 prepared by Town Planning staff, a narrative, visual analysis,
plans prepared by Infinigy, titled "NYSEG New Communications Tower, East Ithaca, 210
Planning Board Minutes 03.07.2017
Page 11 of 13
Maple Avenue, Ithaca, New York, 14850" including sheets Tl, Cl through C6, and El
through E4, dated 10/14/16, and other application materials; and
B. A Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) Part 1 for the Trumansburg Road site,
submitted by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3 prepared by Town Planning staff, a narrative,visual
analysis, plans prepared by Infinigy, titled "NYSEG New Communications Tower, County
Hospital, 1259 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, New York, 14850" including sheets Tl, Cl
through C8, and El through E4, dated 11/08/16, and other application materials;
4_ The Town Planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental signifi-
cance with respect to the proposals;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental
significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part
617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced proposals,based on the
information in the EAF Part 1 and for the reasons set forth in the EAF Parts 2 and 3, and, therefore,
a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be required_
Vote
Ayes: Meier Swain, Collins, Haefeli, Beach, Fogarty, Bosak
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing: Consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the proposed NYSEG Com-
munication Towers project involving:
A. 210 Maple Avenue, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 63.-1-5, Low Density Residential Zone, Cornell
University, Owner; New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), Applicant; The Murray Law Firm,
PLLC, Agent The proposal involves the installation of one 100-foot tall public utility communica-
tions mast at the existing substation on Maple Avenue, along with a 6' x 6' concrete equipment pad,
VHF whip antennas, a WiMax antenna array, microwave dish antennas and other appurtenances;
and
B. 1260 Trumansburg Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24_45.1, Medium Density Residential
Zone, New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), Owner/Applicant; The Murray Law Firm, PLLC,
Agent The proposal involves the installation of one 100-foot tall public utility communications mast
at the existing substation on Trumansburg Road, along with a 6' x 10' equipment shelter,VHF whip
antennas, a WiMax antenna array, microwave dish antennas, and other appurtenances_
Ms_Meier Swain opened the public hearing at 9:03 p.m.; hearing no one, she closed the public
hearing at 9:03 p.m.
PB Resolution No. 2017.022: Preliminary Site Plan Approval, NYSEG Communications Towers,
210 Maple Avenue, Tax Parcel No. 61-1-5, 1260 Trumansburg Road, Tax Parcel No. 24.4.5.1
Moved by Jon Bosak; seconded by Liebe Meier Swain
Planning Board Minutes 03.07.2017
Page 12 of 13
WHEREAS:
1_ The Planning Board's action is consideration of Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the proposed
NYSEG Communications Tower projects located at:
A. 210 Maple Avenue,Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 63:1.5, Low Density Residential Zone, Cornell
University, Owner;New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG),Applicant;The Murray Law Firm,
PLLC,Agent The proposal involves the installation of one 100-foot tall public utility communi-
cations mast at the existing substation on Maple Avenue, along with a 6' x 6' concrete equipment
pad,VHF whip antennas, a WiMax antenna array, microwave dish antennas and other appurte-
nances; and
B. 1260 Trumansburg Road,Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.24_45_1, Medium Density Residential
Zone,New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), Owner/Applicant; The Murray Law Firm,
PLLC Agent The proposal involves removal of a temporary 50-foot test monopole and the instal-
lation of one 100-foot tall public utility communications mast at the existing substation on Tru-
mansburg Road, along with a 6' x 10' equipment shelter,VHF whip antennas, a WiMax antenna
array, microwave dish antennas, and other appurtenances;
2_ This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting in an uncoordinated
environmental review with respect to this project, has on March 7, 2017, made a negative determina-
tion of environmental significance, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate:
A. A Short Environmental Assessment Form(SEAF) Part 1 for the Maple Avenue site, submitted by
the applicant, Parts 2 and 3 prepared by Town Planning staff, and
B. A Short Environmental Assessment Form(SEAF) Part 1 for the Trumansburg Road site, submit-
ted by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3 prepared by Town Planning staff;
3_ The Planning Board, at a public hearing held on March 7, 2017, has reviewed and accepted as
adequate:
A. A narrative,visual analysis, plans prepared by Infinigy, titled "NYSEG New Communications
Tower, East Ithaca, 210 Maple Avenue, Ithaca, New York, 14850" including sheets Tl, Cl
through C6, and El through E4, dated 10/14/16, and other application materials, and
B. A narrative,visual analysis, plans prepared by Infinigy, titled "NYSEG New Communications
Tower, County Hospital, 1259 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, New York, 14850" including sheets
Tl, Cl through C8, and El through E4, dated 11/08/16, and other application materials;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1_ That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary Site
Plan Approval, as shown on the Preliminary and Final Site Plan Checklists, having determined
from the materials presented that such waiver will result in a significant alteration of neither the
purpose of site plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town Board, and
2_ The Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary Site Plan Approval for the proposed NYSEG Commu-
nications Tower projects located at 210 Maple Avenue and 1260 Trumansburg Road, as referenced on
plans listed in Whereas#3 A and B above, subject to the following conditions:
Planning Board Minutes 03-07-2017
Page 13 of 13
a. Before consideration of final site plan approval, granting of any necessary variances from the
Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals,
b. Before consideration of final site plan approval, submission to the Planning Department of a
set of revised drawings i) for the Trumansburg Road site that show the correct address for the
Trumansburg Road mast(1260 Trumansburg Road, not 1259 Trumansburg Road), and it)
for the Maple Avenue site that show the correct Property Owner (Cornell University, not
NYSEG), and
c. Before consideration of final site plan approval, submission to the Town of Ithaca Public
Works Department of the appropriate erosion and sedimentation control plans, per the re-
quirements of Town Code, Chapter 228-6.
Vote
Ayes: Meier Swain, Collins, Haefeli, Beach, Fogarty, Bosak
AGENDAITEM
Persons to be beard - No one came forward to address the board.
AGENDAITEM
PB Resolution No. 2017.023: Minutes of February 21, 2017
Moved by john Beach; seconded by Linda Collins
RESOLVED, the Planning Board approves the minutes of February 21, 2017, as amended.
Vote
Ayes: Meier Swain, Collins, Haefeli, Beach, Fogarty
Abstentions: Bosak
Adjournment
Upon a motion by Yvonne Fogarty, the meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dobta-DeAugistth�,-Deputy Town'f;'lerk
l