HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PEDC-2020-08-19
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
City of Ithaca
Planning & Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 – 6:00 p.m.
Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street
Minutes
Committee Members Attending: Joseph (Seph) Murtagh, Chair; Cynthia
Brock, Stephen Smith, Donna Fleming, and
Laura Lewis
Committee Members Absent: Alderperson George McGonigal
Other Elected Officials Attending: None
Staff Attending: JoAnn Cornish, Director, Planning and
Development Department; Lisa Nicholas,
Deputy Director, Planning and Development
Department; Tim Logue, Director,
Engineering; and Deborah Grunder,
Executive Assistant
Others Attending:
Chair Seph Murtagh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1) Call to Order/Agenda Review
There were no changes to the agenda.
2) Public Comment
Chair Murtagh read into the record comments from four (4) members of the public all
that are attached to these minutes – Teresa Halpert (CIITAP), Theresa Alt (CIITAP),
David Nutter (NYSDOT West End Changes), and Robert Lynch (NYSDOT West End
Changes).
Response from Council:
Committee members decided to refrain from commenting until the topic comes up on
the agenda.
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
3) Announcements, Updates, Reports
No announcements, updates, or reports were provided .
4) Action Items (Voting to Send on to Council)
Deputy Director Lisa Nicholas stated the reason this is being brought forward is
due to the two waterfront projects currently being considered by the Planning and
Development Board. This concept is being provided for required mitigation by
DOT for these two projects.
Alderperson Lewis asked about the terminology in the resolution which states it is
a concept.
Engineering Director Tim Logue stated what he thinks DOT is bringing forward a
project but is seeking for the City’s input.
Alderperson Lewis stated that this concept hasn’t been shared with the residents
like the break-in-access was.
Alderperson Brock would like to see this be circulated to all those impacted in
order to provide their feedback before this is voted on. We need to know what
the impact will be to everyone in this area of the City. She would like to see the
‘resolved’ modified to reflect that.
Logue stated that the resolution being considered tonight doesn’t have to be
forwarded to Common Council. He believes DOT will take the input they receive
and go forward.
Alderperson Fleming asked for more rationale of this.
Louge stated that this area (Buffalo and Fulton) is the hub of the west end. The
signal schedule would help ease the traffic flow in this area. He does see some
benefit for this change. We, as a City, should make a list of comments and/or
questions to provide DOT as to the real impact.
Alderperson Brock stated that all the complexities of this, the mitigation, and the
costs associated with this should all be further considered. She suggests adding
a second Resolved stating that the Common Council will have another vote.
Chair Murtagh suggested to table this for a month. Moved by Alderperson Smith;
Seconded by Alderperson Fleming. Carried unanimously. This will be brought
back next month after canvassing the neighborhoods.
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
Alderperson McGonigal also agreed with tabling this.
Alderperson Brock asked for clarification that DOT is suggesting these changes
due to the two waterfront projects. If the projects were smaller, would this be
suggested?
Alderperson Brock also asked if this would be done again considering DOT has it
coming up.
Lisa Nicholas stated that the changes would have to be presented again.
a) NYSDOT Proposed Changes to the West End and Concept Approval
It was agreed to table this resolution until next month.
Proposed Planning Committee Resolution in Support of NYS DOT Region 3’s Concept for a West
End Couplet Involving Buffalo and Court Streets
August 14, 2020
WHEREAS: NYSDOT Region #3 Staff and Director have proposed a West End couplet comprised of
Buffalo and Court Streets involving the conversion of Buffalo St to one -way eastbound between Fulton
and Meadow, and either converting Court St to one -way westbound or otherwise increasing westbound
vehicular capacity, and
WHEREAS: Implementation of this concept along with two other items are considered by DOT to be
required mitigations for the City Harbor and Carpenter Circle Projects, beyond the mitigations requir ed by
the Lead Agency as described in the Negative Determination of Environmental Significance dated May
26, 2020, and
WHEREAS: Such additional required mitigations must be part of any permit application to DOT for the
proposed Break-in-Access (BIA) related to Carpenter Circle project and the proposed intersection
improvements related to City Harbor project, as well as all other vehicular and pedestrian improvement
related to both projects, primarily consisting of improved pedestrian crossings with a cent ral refuge,
sidewalks and lane restriping, and
WHEREAS: DOT believes that implementation of this concept it will address existing and future
deficiencies and safety issues within the network, and
WHEREAS: DOT’s preliminary analysis suggests that the proposed changes will result in a significant
reduction in travel times at the peak hours as well as a reduction in certain kinds of crashes, and
WHEREAS: the proposal is conceptual and will require additional analysis to determine, feasibility and
potential impacts, including impact to emergency response and traffic flow though adjacent residential
neighborhoods, and
WHEREAS: additional analysis must also investigate whether this concept is effective for the long-term
waterfront development scenario – which includes the DOT site and several other projects – and not only
City Harbor and Carpenter Circle, and
WHEREAS: Staff is gathering questions and comments to define the scope of the additional analysis, and
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
WHEREAS: In conversations with City staff, DOT Region 3 representatives have stated that portions of
these improvements could be added to an existing DOT capital project to repave sections of Fulton,
Meadow and Buffalo scheduled for 2023, and
WHEREAS: Future conversations will determine how much of the overall cost the capital project would
cover and from where any needed additional would be derived, and
WHEREAS: NYS DOT requests assurance from the City that they find the concept of a West End couplet
involving Buffalo and Court Street agreeable, subject to further analysis, outreach and identification of
any needed funding, now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That Common Council does approve of the concept of a West End couplet involving
Buffalo and Court Streets involving the conversion of Bu ffalo St to one-way eastbound between Fulton
and Meadow, and either converting Court St to one-way westbound or otherwise increasing westbound
vehicular capacity, subject to further study and outreach as defined above.
b) CIITAP / IDA Housing
To: Planning and Economic Development Committee
FROM: Jennifer Kusznir, Economic Development Planner
DATE: August 13, 2020
RE: Review of the City of Ithaca Community Investment Incentive Tax Abatement Program
(CIITAP)
The purpose of this memo is to provide information regarding a proposal to eliminate the City review process and
to amend the boundaries for the Community Investment Incentive Tax Abatement Program (CIITAP).
In 2018 the City amended the criteria for CIITAP applications to include diversity, l ocal labor, and housing
requirements. The Tompkins County IDA application also includes all of these criteria. The IDA’s workforce
housing policy addresses the concerns that were raised by the Common Council; however, it does not match the
requirements or the incentives that were established in the Council resolution. This inconsistency is confusing
and can result in project delays for applicants. Currently, an applicant must first complete the City application,
which includes a public information session and a review by the CIITAP committee (the Mayor, the Director of
Planning and Development, and the Director of Community Development for the IURA). Once this process is
complete and the applicant receives an endorsement from the City, the applicant mus t begin the IDA process,
which include an application, a public hearing, and review by the IDA. This process is complicated and
unnecessarily confusing and creates an opportunity for inconsistencies between the two reviewing bodies. There
are two options to address this problem. The first is to have the City notify the IDA that it endorses any projects
in the density district that meet our criteria and then just eliminate the City application process. Applicants would
then go directly to the IDA for tax abatements and the IDA would acknowledge the City’s endorsement of all
projects that have met our stated criteria. Since the IDA has adopted policies that address the issues that have been
identified by the Common Council, there is not a need to have these issues also addressed by the City.
Alternatively, if the City wishes to retain some portion of the review process, then staff recommends simplifying
the application to only include the original criteria of location, density, size, and municipal compl iance.
In addition to changes to the application process staff is also recommending that the Common Council consider
amending the boundaries of the City density district. In 2018 the boundary was expanded to include the
waterfront districts, except for the Cherry Street District. However, the portion of the Cherry Street District north
of Cecil Malone is zoned for mixed use development and there is development interest in this area, but the high
cost of construction makes these projects challenging. In order to support these projects and allow for the
development of this area, staff recommends expanding to the City density district to include the portion of the
Cherry Street district north of Cecil Malone Drive.
Enclosed for your consideration is a d raft resolution to amend the City CIITAP. For your reference I have also
enclosed the IDA policies for workforce housing, local labor, and diversity and inclusion.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding this information, feel free to contact me at 274-6410.
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
Chair Murtagh provided a summary of what is being asked about this.
Alderperson Fleming asked for clarification as to whether the IDA can follow their own regulations even
though the City has their own.
Chair Murtagh stated that it is possible that the IDA can make their own decision.
8/13/2020
Draft Resolution—Expansion of the Community Investment Incentive Tax
Abatement Program Boundaries and Amendment to the City CIITAP Process
Alderperson Lewis moved to separate the resolutions; s econded by
Alderperson Smith. Carried unanimously.
1. WHEREAS, in 2017, the City reviewed the Community Investment Incentive
Tax Abatement Program (CIITAP) in order to identify criteria that the City felt
were important for approving projects for tax abatements, and
2. WHEREAS, in 2018, the Common Council amended the CIITAP process to
add requirements for diversity, local labor, and workforce housing, and
3. WHEREAS, the current CIITAP process requires an applicant to complete the
City application and meet the minimum criteria for location, density, size,
municipal compliance, diversity, local labor, and workforce housing, and once
an endorsement is received they must begin the application process for the
Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), and
4. WHEREAS, given that the IDA application has similar requirements for
diversity, local labor, and workforce housing, which addresses all of the
issues that Council identified, it is redundant and confusing for applicants to
have two similar processes, and
5. WHEREAS, since the IDA is the agency that administers and monitors tax
abatements, the City acknowledges that they are the appropriate body to set
any criteria that requires ongoing monitoring, and a simplified application
process will be beneficial to applicants and to the City, and
6. WHEREAS, in 2018, the City amended the boundary of the City density
district, which is the required location for projects to be located within in order
to apply to CIITAP process, and
7. WHEREAS, the amended boundary included all of the newly created
waterfront zoning districts, with the exception of the Cherry Street District, and
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
8. WHEREAS, the portion of the Cherry Street District north of Cecil Malone is
zoned for mixed use development and there is development interest in this
area, but the high cost of construction makes these projects challenging,
therefore, be it now
1. RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council amends the City
Density District to include the portion of the Cherry Street zoning district
north of Cecil A Malone Drive, and be it further
2. RESOLVED, the City of Ithaca Common Council understands that the
City’s Community Incentive Investment Tax Abatement Program
continues to be a vital tool to encourage density in the City’s Density
District, and be it further
3. RESOLVED, that the City acknowledges that the IDA tax abatement
application includes similar criteria for local labor, diversity, and
workforce housing, and in order to reduce confusion and eliminate
redundancy, the City hereby amends the CIITAP criteria to remove the
housing, local labor, and diversity requirements and only retains criteria
for location, density, size, and municipal compliance.
Or
3. RESOLVED, that the City acknowledges that the IDA tax abatement
application includes similar criteria for local labor, diversity, and workforce
housing, and in order to reduce confusion and eliminate redundancy, the City
hereby requests that the IDA application include density, location, size, and
municipal compliance requirements for any City projects, and he reby
eliminates the City application process for tax abatement requests.
Chair Murtagh stated if we go back to the simpler CIITAP.
Alderperson McGonigal stated that it is very important to maintain the affordable housing
requirement and the local labor requirements. He doesn’t think the IDA cares as much as the
City.
Alderperson Lewis stated that Ann Coreman is now a member of the IDA as is she, which are
very much in favor of the use of local labor.
Alderperson Brock stated she is very reluctant to give these up just to move this forward.
Alderperson Fleming asked what it means to a developer to have the City’s endorsement if
they’ll get it from the IDA. They don’t need it to get the tax abatement.
Chair Murtagh stated in order for them to get the abatement it has to meet all the City
requirements.
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
Chair Murtagh stated he is hearing some reluctance to approve this.
He further stated that some of these developers are not experienced in building affordable
housing.
Chair Murtagh asked whether this could be done tonight or shall we give it more time for us
as well as the IDA.
It was decided to table this for another month to give Heather McDaniel more input.
Chair Murtagh asked how the committee feels about expanding the boundary limits.
Alderperson Brock is not in favor of it.
Planning Director JoAnn Cornish asked Jennifer Kusznir and/or Alderperson McGonigal if
they remember how and/or why the boundary limits were set as they are.
Both Kusznir and McGonigal agreed that we were looking for some more mixed use in that
area.
Alderperson Lewis is in favor of expanding the boundary. She moved to add an amendment
to increase the boundary limit to north of Cecil Malone Drive. Seconded by Alderperson
Smith. Failed 2-3.
Residential use will not be available south of Cecil Malone.
Alderperson McGonigal added that in his opinion it will be difficult to allow light industry use
south of Celine B. Malone.
Alderperson Brock added that railroad train cars will soon be stored in the Ithaca rail yard
which is south of Cecil B. Malone Drive.
Alderperson Lewis stated that land in this area is significantly less than in the core of the City.
c) Black Diamond Trail Trailhead in Cass Park
To: Planning & Economic Development Committee
From: Tim Logue, Director of Engineering
Date: June 26, 2020
Re: Black Diamond Trail trailhead in Cass Park
The New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservations (State Parks) adopted a master plan for the Black
Diamond Trail (BDT) in 2008. The first phase of construction has been
complete for a few years from Cass Park to Taughannock Falls State
Park. It is a wonderful asset and has proven to be extremely popular.
More recently, State Parks has expressed an interest in building a
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
trailhead at the southern end where the BDT meets the Cayuga
Waterfront Trail in Cass Park. State Parks proposes to be fully
responsible for construction and ongoing maintenance of the area,
which is otherwise on City parkland. State Parks is planning for
construction in 2021. The Board of Public Works recommended
approval of this item in March.
Please find attached the following materials for your review and
approval:
• Preliminary design drawings showing the context, site plan and
renderings for the trailhead
• A draft agreement with State Parks clarifying the ownership and
maintenance responsibilities for the trailhead
• A resolution for Common Council to approve the project and to
authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with State Parks
(or a substantially similar agreement should there be any final
edits based on final reviews by State Parks, the City attorney’s
office, DPW staff or the Ithaca Youth Bureau).
Alderperson Lewis asked for clarification on the parking spaces near the children’s
garden.
Tim Logue stated that that area is not impacted in any way.
Alderperson Brock added that these new amendments will be funded by NYS Parks.
The City is allowing it to happen.
Moved by Alderperson Lewis; seconded by Alderperson Fleming. Carried
unanimously.
Resolution to Enter into an Agreement with New York State for the Black Diamond
Trail trailhead in Cass Park
WHEREAS, in 2008, the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
(State Parks) adopted a Master Plan for the Black Diamond Trail, including environmental review in
accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review act;
WHEREAS, State Parks has submitted a plan for a trailhead in Cass Park for the Black Diamond Trail ;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works recommended approval of the trailhead and associated
agreement at their March 2020 meeting, and
Approved at the
January 20, 2021 PEDC Meeting
WHEREAS, City Code Chapter 170 “Use of City Real Property” vests in the Common Council sole
authority to grant approval of any agreement to make nontransitory use of City parkland, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that Common Council hereby finds that State Parks’ proposal to construct and maintain
the Black Diamond Trail trailhead supports the broader public recreational activities in Cass Park and
for the State’s Black Diamond trail; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Common Council hereby approves an agreement with State Parks to this end and
authorizes the Mayor to execute such an agreement in consultation with the City Attorney.
5) Review and Approval of Minutes
a) March 2020
Moved by Alderperson Brock as amended; seconded by Alderperson Smith.
Carried unanimously.
6) Adjournment
Moved by Alderperson Fleming; seconded by Alderperson Smith. Carried
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.