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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PEDC-2023-01-18Approved at the February 15 2023 Meeting City of Ithaca January 18, 2023 Planning and Economic Development Minutes Committee Members Attending: Rob Gearhart, Chair; Alderpersons Cynthia Brock, Phoebe Brown, Ducson Nguyen, and Tiffany Kumar Committee Members Absent: Other Elected Officials Attending: Mayor Laura Lewis Staff Attending: Lisa Nicholas, Director, Planning and Development Department; Megan Wilson, Deputy Director, Planning and Development Department; Tom Knipe, Deputy Director, Economic Development; and Deborah Grunder, Executive Assistant Others Attending: 1) Call to Order/Agenda Review Chair Gearhart read the emergency evacuation procedures and then called the meeting to order. 2) Public Comment No one from the public was present to speak, and no written comments were submitted. 3) Special Order of Business a) Presentation – Planning & Development 2022 Accomplishments and 2023 Goals Lisa Nicholas provided an overview of the accomplishments and goals for both the Planning and Building Divisions. Both are attached to these minutes. Alderperson Brock asked about the electrical inspector position. Nichols responded that the electrical inspector position’s salary is not as high as it could be. Brock also asked whether filling the other vacant positions will be difficult. Nichols responded that both vacant administrative positions are likely to be filled easier than the planner and code/housing inspector positions due to the salary scale. Alderperson Brown asked about the department’s diversity and inclusion plan Approved at the February 15 2023 Meeting when advertising these positions. Nichols responded that the department works closely with Human Resources. Alderperson Nguyen commented that even though diversity and inclusion is looked at, often the City culture does not fit the individual chosen for a position. Nguyen further stated that he is very interested in the comprehensive plan, namely the neighborhood plans. This also requires more staff which he is aware of. Brock agreed with Nguyen’s comments wanting to see the neighborhood plans developed and executed. Brown stated that a lot of things stalled during COVID, but the Waterfront Plan did not. Why is that? Nichols stated that many people were furloughed during the COVID pandemic, but development continued. Some things did slow down, but other things continued such as the legal requirements that must be met with all our boards and committees. Nichols further stated that many goals (priorities) are things that must be completed due to the delay in finishing them. Brock also asked whether the fees generated for property exterior maintenance fines are being looked at. Nichols responded that the Attorneys Office is working on that. Brock asked where we stand with the dredging project. Nichols responded that DEC is now stating that they don’t currently have the money to continue the process. 4) Announcements, Updates, Reports a) Unsanctioned Encampments – Working Group Update Director Nicholas reported that the working committee developing an unsanctioned encampments policy has met with St. John’s Community Service and other stakeholders in the provision of services and serving the needs of the broader homeless population beyond encampments, and a policy is being written up. She further stated that the group is close to having it. Director Nichols stated the group has been working with the Attorneys Office for legal proceedings, etc. There are many other things that go together with these encampments. Approved at the February 15 2023 Meeting Alderperson Brown stated she was glad to hear that the group knows there are other things happening besides encampments. Her concern is that encampments do not cover a variety of situations. We don’t want a band-aid fix, we want something that will last and sustain. We need to ask how sustainable it will be for the other homeless, unhoused populations who will not be a part of the encampment. b) ADU Update – Funding w/INHS Nicholas explained that in December, Council approved funding for ADUs. This money will be used to bring current ADUs up to date with code, etc. Working with INHS, the city applied for a grant and received $500,000 from the state to use towards renovations to bring existing ADUs up to code. Nicholas stated it was a very quick turnaround in the grant application, and it will help a lot of low-income homeowners. Alderperson Brock asked what exactly low income is and further stated that the average income for a single person in the Ithaca metropolitan area is $82,000. Director Nichols stated it is dependent on area median income and household size. She further commented that it is very difficult to be a low-income homeowner in this community. The city will be working with INHS, providing oversight while INHS directly administer the application process to determine qualified applicants, the scope of work, a nd the arrangement of contractors to carry out work. 5) Voting Items (to Council) a) No Voting Items 6) Discussion Items a) Short-Term Rentals – Discussion and Next Steps Megan Wilson, Deputy Director, Planning and Development, and Tom Knipe, Deputy Director, Economic Development were present at the meeting to explain and discuss next steps with short-term rentals here in Ithaca. As we all are aware, STRs are controversial. On the one hand, most folks don’t have a problem with their neighbor renting out an in -law unit or their home for occasional tourists and visitors. On the other hand, it deprives the market of Approved at the February 15 2023 Meeting needed housing. There have been noise, health, and safety concerns with some hosts. Many units are not in compliance with room-tax laws. This gives them unfair and illegal advantage over motels and hotels. Over the past year, the County has contracted with tracking firm Harmari to keep tabs on the STR market. The Town of Ithaca and the Village of Cayuga Heights have instituted STR regulations. The number of listings in those areas dropped by 40%. The Town has new operating permits and limitations on occupancy and rental periods. Any violators will incur hefty fines. Property owners both in favor and against STRs continue to be at odds as the County, the City of Ithaca, and other communities review their own legislation, and the City of Ithaca was preparing to take another crack at it last night. The City’s regulation, based on an analysis and report by Cornell planning student Josephine Klepeck Ennis, should focus on a permit requirement with three tiers – one for primary residence rentals, one for seasonal secondary residence rentals (secondary meaning like a summer vacation home or in-law apartment), and one for occasional (<14 day) secondary residence rentals. There will be a streamlined review and reduced fee. but are carefully monitored, usually by a third-party tech firm to make sure they don’t exceed the number of rental days allowed. This would follow the usual process — drafting a policy, bringing it forward to the PEDC for initial discussion, circulating the initial proposal for public and city staff comment, and then another visit to the PEDC for approval of legislation with possible revisions as needed then go to the full Common Council for approval and implementation into law. Director Nicholas stated that, as seen with the four- month phase-in period within the Town of Ithaca, there would have to be a grace period to allow STR providers to come into compliance. Staff and council are aware this could be contentious, and unlikely to accommodate everyone’s wishes. The goal is to serve a broad middle of the spectrum, people who might rent out their homes for weekend visitors or college graduation week parents, and supplement their income a bit, without turning housing blocks into rows of poorly maintained STRs. Alderperson Nguyen noted the impacts on the scarcity of the City’s affordable housing, like Brock, originally from Hawaii, spoke of how AirBnBs priced out Hawaiians from Hawaii and the need to regulate STRs tightly. The regulation, administration and potential enforcement options will be reviewed in the coming weeks. It will be back before the PEDC for discussion. The Planning Department would like to solicit public feedback to make sure they’re striking a fair balance and considering all factors in the proposed legislation. Approved at the February 15 2023 Meeting 7) Review and Approval of Minutes a) December 2022 Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. Passed unanimously. 8) Adjournment Alderperson Brock moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.