HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PEDC-2020-11-18
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
City of Ithaca
Planning & Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, November 18, 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: Mayor Svante Myrick; Alderpersons George
McGonigal and Ducson Nguyen
Other Elected Officials Attending: None
Staff Attending: JoAnn Cornish, Director, Planning and
Development Department; Lisa Nicholas,
Deputy Director, Planning and Development
Department; Jennifer Kusznir, Senior
Planner; and Deborah Grunder, Executive
Assistant
Others Attending: Collegetown Innovation Project Group
Members: Kathryn Wolf, Phil Proujansky,
Herman Sieverding, John Novarr, and Arvind
Tikku
Tim Logue, Engineering; Nick Goldsmith,
Sustainability Coordinator; Donal Fitterer,
Cycle CNY Rep; and Connor Logue
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.
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
2) Public Comment
Chair Murtagh read into record comments from Theresa Alt and Teresa Halpert
regarding CIITAP. Those comments are included in these minutes.
Ann Sullivan thanked all who have continued to work in these challenging times.
She suggests taking our time, weighing all the benefits, and hold out for all you
can get. The housing included in the project should be ‘workforce’ housing close
to where people work.
3) Special Order of Business
a) Public Hearing – Dogs on the Commons
Alderperson Brock moved to open the public hearing; seconded by
Alderperson Lewis. Carried unanimously.
One comment was read into the record and is attached to these minutes.
Alderperson Smith moved to close the public hearing; seconded by
Alderperson Brock. Carried unanimously.
b) Presentation – Collegetown Innovation District Planned Unit
Development (PUD) – Application Link
https://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/11979/20201104-Collegetown-
Innovation-District-PUD-Application-
Katherine Wolf, Trowbridge, Wolf, & Michaels Landscape Architects,
presented this project to the committee which can be accessed at the above
link.
The project consists of five (5) sites and are identified as Dryden Center, The
Nines, Catherine Summit, Catherine North, and Catherine South. The project
proposed is to be a minimum of 720,355 square feet with construction to
begin in Fall 2021 and continue through Winter 2025.
The breakdown of the square footage consists of 440 housing units, 73,424
square feet of commercial office space, and 33,312 square feet of retail
space. High-tech industrial space and community space are also planned.
Ikon.5 is the project architect, TWMLA is the landscape architect, T.G. Miller,
P.C. is the civil engineer, and John G. Stopen Engineering, LLP is the
geotechnical engineer.
After the presentation came questions from the Committee:
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
Alderperson Lewis thanked the project team for their presentation. She
asked what outreach has been done with the neighborhoods.
John Novarr joined the conversation. He stated that there are definite plans
to discuss and present the plan to the neighborhoods. Th e team wanted to
present it to the City first.
Alderperson Fleming asked about the 360 jobs in addition to construction jobs
available from this project.
Phil Proujansky provided the team’s thinking as to the jobs created. Most
jobs will be mostly technology business or tech-savvy type jobs. Our goal is
to have people live and work in some of the same buildings.
Alderperson Fleming further questioned why the height of the building has
been changed from the beginning of the project.
Proujansky stated that it is an open floor plate building. We are at a higher
height limitation. We are trying to digital startup. There are a number of
companies that we work with that we think will be perfect for the location.
Alderperson Brock asked how the project group will target family housing
such as playgrounds, etc. Will they be for sale?
Proujansky stated the first two projects, Catherine North and South, are
mostly graduate student housing. Catherine Summit (the big building) is a
mixed-use building. They would love to see families take advantage of this
area. They are still in the works on creating the vision on exactly how that
building will function. There has been some reluctance from families in recent
years to live on College Avenue.
Alderperson Brock further stated she is still very interested in how all this will
be accomplished.
Alderperson Lewis asked about the amount of student housing. Where or
what is the assessment of the need for more student housing since Cornell
has a number of projects in the works for student housing?
Proujansky clarified that Lewis is referring specifically to Catherine North and
South not the entire project. There are roughly 440 units which are a mix of
unit types.
Alderperson Fleming asked what we would say to those who want to keep our
small, charming City the same.
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
Proujansky stated with the form-based zoning that is currently in place, it is
already set up for two-story development. There are already tall structures
that exist. We are providing public amenities for people to enjoy for a long
time.
Alderperson Lewis stated she certainly understands the challenge of
changing what has always been. It seems as though you are anticipating
young, tech-savvy individuals which makes me believe this just might be
rental housing rather than purchasable property.
Proujansky stated he doesn’t have a clear answer for that. As for parking,
what we have noticed is that there has been a revolution that young adults
are not using cars like they once did. The cars are stored outside of the
dense area of Collegetown.
John Novarr stated we have far more parking spaces for Collegetown Terrace
that are being utilized. Everything is getting a bit greener. We also have a
bus service to campus, Wegmans, etc. This shuttle could also be used by
this project.
Alderperson Nguyen stated there is a lot of things he likes about this project.
The street scape is beautiful. The work of the architects is top notch. His
concerns are the jobs that are assumed will not be available.
Proujansky stated they are not seeking an abatement. He and John have
been doing this for a very long time. We are bringing these companies here
because we have done it before.
Chair Murtagh stated he received a letter from the Historic Ithaca as to their
concern of the demolition debris and where it will go.
Herman Sieverding stated he has already in contact with them. We have
been working with Diane Cohen, Ithaca ReUse, to salvage as must as
possible.
Alderperson Brock is in agreement with Murtagh and Nguyen regarding the
housing development fund. She really needs to be convinced of job security.
Parking is a concern. What is the assurance that residents won’t pay for a
parking permit and just park in the near neighborhood?
Alderperson Brock thanked for the comments. She further stated the original
rationale for the PUD is to allow us to provide mixed uses.
Katherine Wolf stated that there are two mixed-use buildings.
Svante thanked the project team. It will be better. It will look better. This
Common Council will work hard with you. He agrees with Alderperson
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
Fleming as to the change of Collegetown. It’s the best time of your life that
you would want to do it again. Just because Collegetown is getting taller
doesn’t mean it’s not of character.
Alderperson Smith stated as an individual who has walked through
Collegetown for eight years he’s reminded of the successes made there.
Having a GreenStar grocery star is a huge plus. He is generally excited
about this project.
Alderperson McGonigal had a question for John Novarr. He is very
disappointed that you won’t be keeping the Nines that you stated you would
always keep. Is there any plan for a locally owned businesses and live
music?
John Novarr stated he didn’t have an answer at the moment. He believes that
local businesses is the way to go. We always try to use local people. He’s a
big fan of doing business with people he knows and has grown up with. The
only restauranteur he has anything to do with is Sam Epps. He is as local as
they come.
Chair Murtagh asked for the next steps. The next steps would be a public
information session and then back to this committee for more discussion and
a vote.
4) Announcements, Update, Reports
a) Energy Code Supplement (Green Building Policy)
Nick Goldsmith stated that this is just an update before we jump right into the
code language in December.
He highlighted what was written in the memo. There will be three documents
that will work together. The ordinance, the energy code supplement, and the
codified Town code.
Alderperson Brock thanked Goldsmith for this update. She would like to see
the legislation rather than the summary. She would like to see everything in
place when circulated for comment.
5) Action Items (Voting to Send onto Council)
a) Resolution to Approve Entering into an Agreement with Cycle CNY for
Mountain Bike Trails in Cass Park
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
Declaration to Act as Lead Agency for the Environmental Review of Cass Park Mountain
Bike Trails - Resolution
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Brock. Carried unanimously.
WHEREAS, State law and regulations and Section 176.6 of the City Code of the City of
Ithaca require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of certain
proposed actions, in accordance with applicable law, and
WHEREAS, State regulations and the City Code specify that the lead agency shall be that
agency which has primary responsibility for undertaking, approving or funding the action, and
WHEREAS, the City is considering entering into an agreement with Cycle CNY to allow for
the development of a short network of mountain trails in a portion of Cass Park (the Project);
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council does hereby declare itself Lead
Agency for the environmental review of the Cass Park mountain bike trails project.
Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance for the Cass Park Mountain Bike
Trails Project – Resolution
Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Smith. Carried unanimously.
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca is considering entering into an agreement with Cycle CNY to
allow for the development of a small network of mountain bike trails in a portion of Cass Park
(“the Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Project has been classified as a Unclassified action in accordance with
Section 176 of the City of Ithaca Code (CEQR) and also, in accordance with the NYS
Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR), and
WHEREAS, in accordance with SEQR and CEQR, the Common Council has declared itself to
be the lead agency for conducting environmental review of the Project, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, acting as Lead Agency, has reviewed
the Short Environmental Assessment Form; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Common Council, acting as lead agency in this matter, hereby
determines in accordance with SEQR and CEQR that the Project 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 requests
that staff provide notice of the same to all involved and interested agencies.
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
Resolution to Approve Entering into an Agreement with Cycle CNY for Mountain
Bike Trails in Cass Park
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Smith. Carried
unanimously.
WHEREAS, Cycle CNY and City staff have drafted an agreement to allow Cycle CNY
to develop a portion of Cass Park with mountain bike trails, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works reviewed this proposal and recommended
approval of it at their meeting on October 20, 2020, and
WHEREAS, Common Council, acting as Lead Agency, has determined that the
proposal will not have a significant negative environmental impact in accordance with
the City Environmental Quality Review ordinance and the NYS Environmental
Review Act, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Common Council finds that Cycle CNY’s plan to construct and
maintain mountain bike trails in a portion of Cass Park supports the broader public
recreational activities in Cass Park; and be it further
RESOLVED, that Common Council hereby approves an agreement with Cycle CNY to
this end and authorizes the Mayor to execute such an agreement after further review
by the City Attorney.
It was decided that this should be circulated for comments.
b) Dogs on the Commons
November 18, 2020
An Ordinance Amending The Municipal Code Of The City Of Ithaca,
Chapter 157, Entitled “Commons” To Allow for Leashed Dogs on
the Primary Commons
The ordinance to be considered shall be as follows:
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF ITHACA,
CHAPTER 157, ENTITLED “COMMONS” TO ALLOW FOR LEASHED DOGS ON
THE PRIMARY COMMONS
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
WHEREAS, Chapter 164-Article II of the City of Ithaca Code,
“Dogs and Other Animals”, states that in all areas of the City
it is illegal for dogs to not be restrained by an adequate
collar and leash when not on private property, AND
WHEREAS, Chapter 157, “Commons”, further states that on the
primary Commons no animals are permitted without a special
permit, with the exception of service animals providing
assistance to people with special needs and police working
dogs, and
WHEREAS, because the primary Commons is the only place in the
City of Ithaca where dogs are not permitted, many people are
not aware of this rule and bring their dogs onto the Commons,
and
WHEREAS, this inconsistency with the rest of the City creates
confusion among dog owners visiting the downtown area and makes
it difficult to enforce any rules regarding dogs; now
therefore,
BE IT NOW ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Common Council of the
City of Ithaca that Chapter 157 of the Municipal Code of the
City of Ithaca, entitled “Commons”, is hereby amended as
follows:
Section 1. Chapter 157, Section 157-15A, be amended to read as
follows:
§ 157-15. Dogs and other animals.
A. No animals are allowed on the Primary Commons except by special
permit. This provision does not apply to leashed dogs, as allowed by
Chapter 164-Article II-“Dogs”, and any service animals providing
assistance to people with special needs and police working dogs.
Section 2. Severability. Severability is intended throughout
and within the provisions of this local law. If any section,
subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this local
law is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of
competent jurisdiction, then that decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portion.
Section 3. Effective date. This ordinance shall take effect
immediately and in accordance with law upon publication of
notices as provided in the Ithaca City Charter.
Approved at the
June 16, 2021 PEDC Meeting
6) Review and Approval of Minutes
a) June 2020
Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Lewis. Carried
unanimously.
7) Adjournment
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Fleming. Carried
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.