HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PEDC-2023-06-21
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
City of Ithaca
Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting
June 21, 2023
Draft Minutes
Committee Members Attending: Rob Gearhart, Chair; Alderpersons
Cynthia Brock, Phoebe Brown, and
Tiffany Kumar, and Ducson Nguyen
Committee Members Absent: None
Other Elected Officials Attending: Mayor Laura Lewis
Alderperson Jorge DeFendini
Staff Attending: Lisa Nicholas, Director, Planning
and Development Department;
Megan Wilson, Deputy Director;
Planning and Development; and
Deborah Grunder, Executive
Assistant
Others Attending: Chief of Staff Deb Mohlenhoff,
Superintendent of Public Works
Michael Thorne
1) Call to Order/Agenda Review
Chair Gearhart read the emergency evacuation procedures and then
called the meeting to order at 6:04p.m. There were no changes to the
agenda.
The May PEDC Minutes will not be voted on at this meeting. They will
be presented again at July’s meeting.
2) Public Comment/Written Comments
Theresa Alt, Eddy Street, spoke on unsanctioned encampments. Suggest
changing the colors on the maps. She also stated to end CITTAP. Allow the
program for housing only.
Zach Winn, 229 S. Geneva Street, spoke on unsanctioned encampments.
More people will enter Ithaca to camp because it’s being allowed.
Response to public speakers:
Alderperson Brock thanked Theresa Alt for speaking to which she agrees
that CIITAP should be abolished. For clarification, there are no campers
currently in the “red” zone,
Alderperson Brown also thanked Theresa Alt. She always learns something
from you.
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
3) Special Order of Business
a) Public Hearing – Proposed Amendment to Off-Street Parking
Requirements in Select B Zones
Alderperson Brock moved to open the public hearing; Alderperson Kumar
seconded the motion. Carried 5-0.
Avi Smith, Argos Inn, spoke in favor of this proposed zoning amendment.
Alderperson Kumar moved to close the public hearing; Alderperson Nguyen
seconded the motion. Carried 5-0.
b) Public Hearing – Proposed Amendments to Off-Street Parking
Requirements in B-2b Zones
Alderperson Kumar moved to open the public hearing; Alderperson Nguyen
seconded the motion. Carried 5-0.
No one from the public was present to speak.
Alderperson Kumar moved to close the public hearing; Alderperson Nguyen
seconded the motion. Carried 5-0.
4) Announcements, Updates, Reports
a) CCA Overview and Schedule – A Presentation
Rebecca Evans, Acting Sustainability Director, provided a
presentation on Community Choice Aggregation. That presentation
is included with these minutes.
In July, it is expected that this will come back for a request to
circulate, return to PEDC in August with a vote to Council in
September.
Alderperson Brock thanked Rebecca for her presentation. The one
important component is the delivery of electricity. Electricity will be
coming in and going out. There will be a lot of congestion. This is
not usually done this way.
Evans stated the NYSEG is on board with this program. They have
made improvements to the grid and its storage.
Alderperson Brown thanked both Alderperson Brock and Rebecca
Evans. She stated that explanations need to be given clearly so
that the typical layperson can understand.
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
5) Action Items (Voting to Send to Council)
a) B-Zone Amendments
An Ordinance to Amend The Municipal Code Of The City Of
Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the Off-
Street Parking Requirements in the B-1a, B-4, and B-5 Zoning
Districts - Declaration of Lead Agency
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart; seconded by Alderperson
Nguyen. Carried 5-0.
WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176-6 of the City Code
require that a lead agency be established for conducting
environmental review of projects in accordance with local
and state environmental law, and
WHEREAS, State Law specifies that, for actions governed by
local environmental review, the lead agency shall be that
local agency which has primary responsibility for approving
and funding or carrying out the action, and
WHEREAS, the proposed zoning amendment is an “Unlisted”
Action pursuant to the City Environmental Quality Review
(CEQR) Ordinance, which requires environmental review under
CEQR; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca does
hereby declare itself lead agency for the environmental
review of the proposal to amending the Municipal Code of the
City of Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning,” to amend the
off-street parking requirements in the B-1a, B-4, and B-5
zoning districts.
An Ordinance to Amend The Municipal Code Of The City Of
Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the Off-
Street Parking Requirements in the B-1a, B-4, and B-5 Zoning
Districts - Declaration of Environmental Significance
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart; seconded by Alderperson
Nguyen. Carried 5-0.
WHEREAS, The Common Council is considering a proposal to
amend the Municipal Code of the City Of Ithaca, Chapter 325,
Entitled “Zoning,” to amend the off-street parking
requirements in the B-1a, B-4, and B-5 zoning districts, and
WHEREAS, the appropriate environmental review has been
conducted, including the preparation of a Short
Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF), dated May 30, 2023,
and
WHEREAS, the proposed action is an “Unlisted” Action under
the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, acting as
lead agency, has reviewed the SEAF prepared by planning
staff; now, therefore, be it
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
RESOLVED, that this Common Council, as lead agency in this
matter, hereby adopts as its own the findings and
conclusions more fully set forth on the Full Environmental
Assessment Form, dated May 30, 2023, and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Common Council, as lead agency in this
matter, hereby determines that the proposed action at issue
will not have a significant effect on the environment, and
that further environmental review is unnecessary, and be it
further
RESOLVED, that this resolution constitutes notice of this
negative declaration and that the City Clerk is hereby
directed to file a copy of the same, together with any
attachments, in the City Clerk’s Office, and forward the
same to any other parties as required by law.
An Ordinance Amending The Municipal Code Of The City Of
Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the Off-
Street Parking Requirements in the B-1a, B-4, and B-5
Zoning Districts
ORDINANCE NO.
Moved by Alderperson Nguyen; seconded by Alderperson Kumar.
Carried 5-0.
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the City of Ithaca Common
Council that Chapter 325, Zoning, of the City Municipal
Code be amended as follows:
Section 1.
Chapter 325-8, District Regulations, is hereby amended to
removal all minimum off-street parking requirements in
the B-1a, B-4, and B-5 zoning districts.
Section 2.
The City Planning and Development Board, the City Clerk
and the Planning Department shall amend the district
regulations chart in accordance with the amendments made
herewith.
Section 3.
Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence,
clause, phrase or portion of this ordinance is held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 4.
Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect
immediately and in accordance with law after publication
of notice as provided in the Ithaca City Charter.
Conversation:
Many landowners have stated that there is not an off-street
parking requirement. A review of this suggestion found that it
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
will have no significant county-wide or inter-community impact as
was also stated by the Tompkins County Planning and
Sustainability.
An Ordinance to Amend The Municipal Code Of The City Of
Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the Zoning
District Boundaries of the Mixed Use 2 (MU-2) District -
Declaration of Lead Agency
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart; seconded by Alderperson
Brock. Carried 5-0.
WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176-6 of the City Code
require that a lead agency be established for conducting
environmental review of projects in accordance with local
and state environmental law, and
WHEREAS, State Law specifies that, for actions governed by
local environmental review, the lead agency shall be that
local agency which has primary responsibility for approving
and funding or carrying out the action, and
WHEREAS, the proposed zoning amendment is an “Unlisted”
Action pursuant to the City Environmental Quality Review
(CEQR) Ordinance, which requires environmental review under
CEQR; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca does
hereby declare itself lead agency for the environmental
review of the proposal to amending the Municipal Code of the
City of Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning,” to amend the
zoning district boundaries of the Mixed Use 2 (MU-2)
District.
An Ordinance to Amend The Municipal Code Of The City Of
Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the Zoning
District Boundaries of the Mixed Use 2 (MU-2) District -
Declaration of Environmental Significance
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart; seconded by Alderperson
Brock. Carried 5-0.
WHEREAS, The Common Council is considering a proposal to
amend the Municipal Code of the City Of Ithaca, Chapter 325,
Entitled “Zoning,” to amend the zoning district boundaries
of the Mixed Use 2 (MU-2) District, and
WHEREAS, the appropriate environmental review has been
conducted, including the preparation of a Short
Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF), dated May 30, 2023,
and
WHEREAS, the proposed action is an “Unlisted” Action under
the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, acting as
lead agency, has reviewed the SEAF prepared by planning
staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this Common Council, as lead agency in this
matter, hereby adopts as its own the findings and
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
conclusions more fully set forth on the Full Environmental
Assessment Form, dated May 30, 2023, and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Common Council, as lead agency in this
matter, hereby determines that the proposed action at issue
will not have a significant effect on the environment, and
that further environmental review is unnecessary, and be it
further
RESOLVED, that this resolution constitutes notice of this
negative declaration and that the City Clerk is hereby
directed to file a copy of the same, together with any
attachments, in the City Clerk’s Office, and forward the
same to any other parties as required by law.
An Ordinance Amending The Municipal Code Of The City Of
Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the
Zoning District Boundaries of the Mixed Use 2 (MU-2)
District
ORDINANCE NO.
Moved by Alderperson Gearhart; seconded by Alderperson
Kumar. Carried 5-0.
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the City of Ithaca Common
Council that Chapter 325, Zoning, of t he City Municipal
Code be amended as follows:
Section 1.
The Official Zoning Map of the City of Ithaca is hereby
amended to change the designation from B-2b to MU-2 for
the following tax parcels: 63.-8-11, 63.-8-12, 63.-8-13,
and 63.-8-14. The boundaries are shown on the attached
map entitled “Proposed Mixed Use 2 (MU-2) Zoning
Amendment,” dated May 30, 2023.
Section 2.
The City Planning and Development Board, the City Clerk
and the Planning Department shall amend the official
zoning map in accordance with the amendments made
herewith.
Section 3.
Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence,
clause, phrase or portion of this ordinance is held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 4.
Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect
immediately and in accordance with law after publication
of notice as provided in the Ithaca City Charter.
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
6) Discussion Items & Request to Circulate
a) Draft Unsanctioned Encampments Policy – Presentation
Lisa Nicholas, Director, Planning and Development,
presented a slide show on what the City is doing and why.
This policy is land use policy not homelessness driven. A
copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.
Alderperson DeFendini thanked Nicholas for her
presentation and the entire working group for time and effort
that has been put into this.
Alderperson Brock asked If the policy makes clear where camping
is allowed, is this enough to move this policy forward?
Alderperson Brown thanked the group for all their work on
this. She further stated that she likes the idea of this being a
pilot policy,
Alderperson Nguyen reiterated the others’ comments. He
too likes the idea of using the pilot policy focus. The use of
outreach workers is key in handling the campers. We need
to coordinate with the County. Hiring a homeless
coordinator position will be a great addition.
Alderperson Brown questioned why the verbal, written, and
citation notices are presented by the police and not an
outreach coordinator? This makes it criminalized.
Alderperson Nguyen further asked whether issuing citations will
be effective.
Alderperson Brock did point out that we as a City have tried
not make these encampments as criminal. We are doing all
we can to avoid any police interaction. If we want this policy
to be run by outreach workers, the City must hire our own
outreach workers.
Alderperson DeFendini voiced that he agrees with
Alderperson Nguyen that issuing citations will not work.
Director Nichols thanked everyone for their comments. She made
it clear red zones do not currently have encampments on them.
The discussion switched to the use of additional lands to be
added to red or amber zones,
A future decision would be to act on is the use of the Black
Diamond Trail as a red zone.
Alderperson Brock stated we should deter Floral Avenue as
an amber zone due to the proximity of family homes.
Alderperson Brock stated the end Cherry Street is not
zoned for housing use. It being too close to the railroad
makes it unattractive for living.
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
Alderperson Brown stated that maybe we should create a
“temporary” yellow zone for individual steps as they grow
out of homelessness.
Alderperson DeFendini stated we want the best quality of
life for each individual and should have a very good focus
when trying to decrease the number of homeless
individuals.
Pilot Policy Discussion Points:
Is there general agreement with the enforcement protocol?
Alderperson Nguyen stated to not involve police initially.
Alderperson DeFendini agreed with not involving police until
much later if at all. Anxiety increases in the presence of law
enforcement.
Alderperson Brown stated she would like the campers to be
approached with community outreach workers. These
workers are known to the community.
Alderperson Brock is not comfortable adding any more
colored zones such as the yellow zone that was suggested.
Director Nicholas asked whether the police inclusion be
removed before circulated or circulated as written?
Alderperson Nguyen votes to circulate without the police inclusion.
Alderperson Kumar would also like to circulate without the
last three steps. She further stated that it will take more
than three attempts to vacate the premises.
Alderperson Brown stated that many other words could be used
instead of the word enforcement.
Our presentation is crucial to get our thoughts across.
Michael Thorne thanked Alderperson Brock for mentioning the
gorge rangers. There needs to be an action, maybe not by the
police but by someone in authority.
Alderperson Brown that this camping has been happening for a
long time now. Why the urgency for this policy?
Michael Thorne stated that camping has reached a high volume.
The camps can be very unsafe and dangerous. The City needs to
take some control.
Alderperson Brock stated that although this is a land use policy,
we need to recognize that law enforcement and outreach workers
work hand-and-hand.
Alderperson Brock moved to circulate as written highlighting areas
that are concerning and need help identifying these particular
issues; seconded by Alderperson Brown.
Approved at the
August 16, 2023 PEDC Meeting
7) Review and Approval of Minutes
a) April 2023
Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Kumar.
Passed unanimously.
May 2023 Minutes will be brought back next month. They were
incomplete.
8) Adjournment
Alderperson Brown moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by
Alderperson Brock. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.