HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1996-03-04 TOWN OF ITHACA
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
MARCH 4 , 1996
5 : 30 P . M .
At a Special Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York held at the Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street ,
Ithaca , New York there were present :
PRESENT : Catherine Valentino , Supervisor , Carolyn Grigorov ,
Councilwoman ; David Klein , Councilman ; John P . Wolff , Councilman ; Mary
Russell , Councilwoman .
EXCUSED : Edward Conley , Councilman ; Ellen Z . Harrison , Councilwoman .
ALSO PRESENT : John Barney , Attorney for the Town ; Joan Lent Noteboom ,
Town Clerk / Director of Administrative Services , Daniel Walker , Director
of Engineering ; Fred Noteboom , Highway Superintendent ; Jonathan Kanter ,
Director of Planning , Andrew Frost , Director of Building / Zoning ; Justice
Clarence Larkin ; Justice Raymond Bordoni ,
OTHERS PRESENT : Eva Hoffmann .
Call to Order : Supervisor Valentino called the meeting to order at 5 : 37
p . m . , and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance .
Supervisor Valentino - The purpose of this special meeting is to work on
the Town ' s Priority Work Plans . I have invited the Town Justice ' s to
come and comment about their courts .
Justice Larkin - Each town in the county has two judges , magistrates , or
justices , and some villages have one . Ithaca Town Court is the busiest
in the county . Justice Bordoni and I get arraignments from every other
town because Ithaca is in the center of the others . If , for example ,
another town doesn ' t have a justice available they call us . We make a
great deal of felony arraignments . A felony stays in our court until a
grand jury indicts , and then it goes up to the county court . The City
court can ' t hear felonies and is part of the New York State court system .
They are paid by the State , and they have seven clerks and two judges .
We are different , we do not exist to make money for the Town of Ithaca .
Through fines , penalties , and fees about 300 of what is sent to the state
comes back to the town . Last year , we sent an excess of $ 150 , 000 to the
state , the town received back $ 44 , 000 to $ 45 , 000 . Our courts closed and
disposed of approximately 3 , 000 cases . The cases are not all vehicle and
traffic , close to 600 were triple cases with many left open and not
disposed of . It is very time consuming , and we are greatly handicapped
by not having a court room . We don ' t even have offices in Town Hall ,
that is a handicap . Town of Dryden court has three court clerks , a court
room , and the town judges have offices . If they have a call during the
day , they can take care of it immediately . Town of Groton has a full -
time court clerk , Lansing has two , Ulysses has one . When we have a jury
trial or bench trial we should be able to record everything . Which is
very important . I have three cases pending appeals . Now , I have to
depend on my notes or my clerk ' s notes when I have to address these
TOWN BOARD HINUTES 2 MARCH 4 , 1996
appeals . It ' s a difficult thing to do , and sometimes you can ' t recall
the facts . We need a good tape recorder that will play back . If Justice
Bordoni or I have a bench trail , jury trail , or a private , felony , or
trial hearing it should all be on tape so the court is not accused of
doing something improperly . Justice Bordoni and I are both busy , we love
the work , and we are both dedicated to it . We want to serve the town
well and the people well .
Supervisor Valentino - Will you be able to use the tape recorder in the
space you are using now ?
Justice Larkin - I would have to carry it as there is no place to lock it
up during the day . We have been locked out of the court room many times ,
and our files have been locked out because of renovations for the
elevator installation . The copy machine won ' t work at times so we have
to copy papers later and mail them . The defendant gets a copy , the
lawyer gets a copy , you have to mail it all out and wait for them to sign
the documents and mail them back .
Councilwoman Grigorov - Maybe you can try to find a portable tape
recorder .
Justice Bordoni - I was asked earlier by some of the board members , how
am I coming with finishing former Justice Wallenbeck ' s cases . A lot of
bail money, was accumulated which requires research to find where it goes .
When someone calls asking for the return of bail we usually ask them for
a receipt . Sometimes after many years they don ' t have a receipt , so we
have to do research and find out exactly when it was paid , what receipt
was received , and check to see if the Sheriff ' s Department has a record
of the bail . If we do not find it we have to research records in the
vault or the basement . That means moving a four drawer file cabinet and
cardboard boxes , and establishing some sort of work surface to look at
the books and write . It would be nice to have everything all in one
area . I haven ' t been able to find 30 - 40 % of what I was looking for . At
the court housIe , when they put in the new elevator they took out space
that we used to keep our files , phone , forms , and copy machine . We tried
to get permission to move the filing cabinets downstairs to the jury
room , but we can ' t because state law demands that there be free space in
the jury room and the filing cabinets would take that space . Therefore ,
the filing cabinets are still upstairs and now when we go to court we
have to carry everything with us . These are some very critical and
important things we have to make sure are addressed in the new Town Hall
so we have, the needed space . We do not want to build something that is
not functional . Right now we are not very functional at the County court
house .
Supervisor Valentino - One of the things that surprised me when I started
in January was how much court business actually goes on at the Town Hall
in the day time .
Justice Bordoni - You mean the arraignments ?
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 3 MARCH 4 , 1996
pervisor Valentino - Yes , the arraignments and other court hearings .
zere is a great deal of day time court activity in the building .
Justice Larkin - The telephone ties up a lot of the Deputy Clerk ' s time
during the day and the records are not available to them . Justice Clerk
Judy Bernal or Justice Bordoni has them at home . Justice Sordoni is not
available during the day . It ' s very awkward .
Supervisor Valentino - Hopefully , it will not be for much longer because
we will have a new Town Hall .
Justice Larkin - I have court on Tuesday night at 7 : 00 p . m . , but I arrive
about 5 : 30 p . m . , and court lasts to about 9 : 00 - 9 : 30 p . m . . The public
is welcome to come .
Supervisor Valentino - Justice Larkin holds court on Tuesday ' s and
Justice Bordoni on Wednesday ' s .
Councilman Klein - How long do you have to keep your records , will you
need records storage in the new Town Hall ?
Justice Larkin - Permanently .
Iuncilman Klein - Could they be microfilmed ?
stice Larkin - That would be the Town ' s responsibility .
Mrs . Noteboom - Justice records are part of the Records Management
Program . At some point and time , we can dispose of some of them . There
are some records they do not have to keep forever , such as the original
ticket after the disposition of the case . We have to ask the 7th
Judicial District for permission to dispose of them even though it is on
the disposition listing prepared by SARA . A lot of things in the cellar
from former Justice Warren Bly and Judge Wallenbeck could be disposed of
through the program .
Justice Larkin - Not the tickets , I have them in my room upstairs . None
of my old tickets come here , but all the other old files do after the
case is closed .
Councilman Klein - It would be nice to move to the new Town Hall only
what was necessary .
Mrs . Noteboom - I wrote Judge Bly and Judge Wallenbeck asking if they
would please cooperate with the program and go through the boxes in the
cellar . That did not come a pass , so at some point in time , that would
be the thing to do .
ouncilman Wolff - We can scan them and file them on discs to keep them .
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 4 MARCH 4 , 1996
Mrs . Noteboom - We need space for the equipment , as well as a place to
file the discs .
Justice Bordoni - The materials and the supplies we need are provided on
a very timely basis . We read books to keep updated which are supplied by
the town . Doing research in this room and downstairs becomes awkward .
Councilwoman Grigorov - Have you had a chance to look at the court spaces
being proposed in the new Town Hall ?
Councilman Klein Assuming , 119 Court Street is where we are going to ,
there will be refinements to the plan and the Justices will be consulted .
Justice Bordoni - The Court Street site has no allowance for jury seating
and no place for an attorney to take a client to speak to them privately .
Councilman Klein al There is a conference room that could serve as a jury
room as well as a� conference room for the functions of the courts and
other first floor departments .
Attorney Barney - How often do we have jury trials ?
Justice Larkin - Jury trials are held on misdemeanors , however defendants
are entitled to one for violations . I had one with Attorney Wiggins
which lasted one night until 12 : 30 a . m . , and the following night until
12 : 00 a . m . , we had to adjourn , and then there were three sessions from
6 : 00 p . m . to 12 : 00 a . m . That was my only jury trial , but I have had
bench trials .
Attorney Barney - Justice Bordoni commented there was no place for the
jury to sit , but the question is , is it necessary to build a space to
accommodate jury seating by building another 40 to 50 square feet onto a
room when you havIe so few jury trails .
Justice Larkin - IWe would prefer not to have a jury trial , but if they
ask for one they are entitled to have one .
Attorney Barney - When you do have a jury trial it could be scheduled at
a time when the Town Board does not meet so the same room could be used .
Justice Larkin - What I think is more important is the overall size
because we draw a jury of 55 names plus the participants . There should
be plenty of room , that is an important feature , making sure we have
enough room to be with . As the Town grows there will be more court
activity .
WORK SESSION - 19, 96 PRIORITIES WORK PLAN
Attorney Barney - My priorities are driven by the Town ' s priorities . The
Town Planner and I have discussed working on the Zoning Ordinance
revision which was Committee . At the
s seen by the Codes and Ordinance
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 5 MARCH 4 , 1996
mmitteefs request , I have come up with a proposal which they are
easonably comfortable with . I think it would be useful for this Board
to see it and approve it .
Councilman Klein - The Codes and Ordinance Committee talked to Attorney
Barney about the zoning revision which means they will have less time to
spend on other matters . The program Attorney Barney spelled out for
revising the Zoning Ordinance seems to make sense . The revision will
largely be the focus of the COC for the year .
Councilwoman Grigorov - How does the Sign Ordinance fit into this ?
Attorney Barney - We are already working on a Sign Ordinance for the next
meeting .
Supervisor Valentino - Then you would be spending a majority of your time
on the Zoning Ordinance .
Councilman Klein - Assuming the Board will feel comfortable with that , '
that needs to be discussed . The COC will do what the Board wants it to
do , Again , we can not deal with a lot things , there is so much to be
done on the Zoning Ordinance that if there is other legislation to be
worked on the COC will n (* have time for the Zoning Ordinance .
torney Barney - Much of the legislation the COC has been dealing with
s been Zoning Ordinance related . This will put a rational approach to
t from beginning to end instead of picking up little pieces as we go
along .
Mr . Frost - We have a Zoning Ordinance that works , it does need change ,
but things will not be falling apart if it is not revised this year .
Councilman Klein - We are going to be working on the structure ,
revisions , and the documents . There will be a lot of areas to consider
about policy decisions and revisions that the COC will not be dealing
with . Those will be considered by the Town Board and Planning Board .
Mr . Kanter - There are also pieces of the zoning that could involve
follow ups to the Comprehensive Plan in terms of new zoning mechanisms .
They weren ' t part of the original ordinance , but they would further the
goals of the Comprehensive Plan .
Councilwoman Grigorov - During the discussions of the Zoning Ordinance
revisions we should consider the goals of the Comprehensive Plan .
Mr . Kanter - It ' s a mixture of things , updating , restructuring ,
clarifying , but also adopting new pieces of zoning that would be
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan .
I
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 6 MARCH 4 , 1996
Councilwoman Russell - As those pieces come up , will they be reviewed and
sent on to the Town Board and Planning Board as a whole ? How will that
work ?
Supervisor Valentino - If there were revisions they would have to be seen
by the Planning Board and the Town Board .
Attorney Barney - Initially , the Codes and Ordinance Committee would
provide the draft revisions to the Zoning Ordinance to see where they fit
into the present ordinance . It would make sense to get an understanding
from the Codes and Ordinance Committee whether that is the direction the
Town wants to go . If there is a dichotomy of feelings about it , then you
bring the issue to the Town Board and ask if they want it incorporated in
the Zoning Ordinance . Try to fit revisions at the place where they would
logically surface when drafting the Zoning Ordinance rather than trying
to do them separately , like the Transfer of Development Rights . I think
we have to have a rational process . Maybe it could be focused through
the Codes and Ordinance Committee as a vehicle , then those areas
requiring clear policy would be brought to the Town Board for policy
guidance .
Councilwoman Griglorov - What do you see as the Planning Committee ' s
function in this process ?
Attorney Barney - I think that would be whatever the Town Board would
like that to be .
Mr . Kanter - I have talked to the Codes and Ordinance Committee ,
Supervisor Valentino , and a number of Town Board Members . I would like
to get a clear direction of how you would like this to work because there
have been questions about how those two committees will coordinate . The
Six Mile Conservation District was a Planning Committee project until it
was sent to Codes and Ordinance Committee . We need to decide whether the
Planning Committee should continue working on this as well as the rural
residential district which they just started working on , or should they
work on other kinds of zoning . Should all work be focused through the
Codes and Ordinance Committee ? We have to decide if two groups can work
on pieces of it , or whether one group has to work on it .
Councilwoman Griglorov - It has to be the COC who establishes what is
happening , but they may ask the Planning Board to
look into something
more detailed ahead of time .
Councilman Klein I Historically , COC has not been a policy making board .
Everyone has their opinion in terms of what goes into legislation , but it
has been more like delegating the work , putting the pieces together ,
looking for problems , and then asking the applicable boards to deal with
the outcome . It really needs the input from the policy makers .
Attorney Barney - Having two committees working on the same thing may mix
the issues .
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 7 MARCH 4 , 1996
1p ervisor Valentino - I think that is a problem .
Councilwoman Russell - The role of the Planning Committee is to review
all the areas that are being defined by the Zoning Ordinance which need
boundaries . That ' s the area that can be discussed in a policy making
body . COC is more for review of the nuts and bolts of an ordinance .
Councilwoman Grigorov - Would COC be doing more of the details involving
policy as well ?
Councilwoman Russell - These areas will need to be defined . What is
going to be our rural residential zone ? What is going to be the other
conservation districts ? Will there be a sliding scale in the rural
residential zones ? Will it be 2 acres overall , or will it be 2 acres
closer into Town , or 3 acres further outside of Town ? Issues like that
could be discussed by the Planning Committee .
Councilwoman Grigorov - What happens after they have discussed it , does
it come back to us ?
Councilwoman Russell - There would be a need for further recommendation
from the COC ?
. Kanter - If it worked that way wouldn ' t the Planning Committee work
the boundaries until the Codes and Ordinances Committee has defined
e zone .
Councilwoman Grigorov - I do not want to have joint meetings all the time
to solve the problems .
Supervisor Valentino - Wouldn ' t setting the boundaries be something the
Planning Board would work on ?
Attorney Barney - Ultimately , the Zoning Ordinance draft would go to the
Planning Board for their recommendation . There is no question the
Planning Board could be delegated to define the initial cuts or where the
boundaries are , if the Town Board wished to do that .
Mr . Kanter - The Planning Board meeting lasts until about 10 : 00 p . m . just
doing the development projects . This additional work would add an hour
every meeting . They do meet twice a month regularly . " I think it is a
good idea to have the Planning Board do this work , they have a good
feeling for these things .
Supervisor Valentino - They have the most experience with it .
Councilwoman Grigorov - The Planning Board tried many times , finding time
to do that kind of work would be very hard .
i
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 8 MARCH 4 . 1996
Councilman Klein - Which is why the Comprehensive Planning Committee was
established , to gent that work done . The Planning Committee was to help
with these issues because the Planning Board was always so busy .
Attorney Barney - The Town Board needs to set the rules and we will
function in any frame work you establish . It might make sense to define
specific policy questions that they can research , such as two or three
acre ranges , or two rural residential zones within a certain number of
miles , or even Transfer of Development Rights . Do we even want it or do
we not want it , those kind of issues might be worth looking into .
Councilwoman Grigorov - That would come about from a request from the
COC ?
Attorney Barney - Yes , but if only that is the direction the Town Board
wants to move towards . Those requests can be formulated quickly so you
can ask them to do the work and make a recommendation .
Councilman Klein - The Transfer of Development Rights in the
Comprehensive Plan should be looked at or investigated . We do not want
to . spend a lot of time at the COC meetings debating issues the Planning
Committee and the Planning Board thinks are not good ideas . We also have
to look at the Planning Department to do a lot of the work to prepare the
various committees . Mr . Kanter deals with the COC , Planning Board ,
Conservation Board , and Planning Committee , he would be the common
denominator to thel job .
Mr . Kanter - Fortunately , we have two Board members who are on both the
Codes and Ordinance Committee and Planning Committee that should help in
getting these things running efficiently .
Supervisor Valentino - I like the idea of coordination between the COC
and Planning Committee on these issues .
Attorney Barney - We can protect the residential group when we start
talking about specific zones . Maybe the thing to do is begin with the
rural residential zone . I will prepare a draft for the Codes and
Ordinance Committee to look at , and then refer it to the Planning
Committee to ask if there are any changes or alternatives to consider .
Mr . Kanter - Some ,parts of the zoning may initially be out of order from
the original table of contents . If they looked like items that could
take several months for the Planning Committee to look at . Then we could
identify things like rural residential districts , or other conservation
districts .
Councilwoman Grigorov - The Planning Committee could help expedite this
whole process .
Mr . Kanter - The Planning Department ' s proposed 1996 work plan is longer
than what was needed , but I wanted to put in a status report . The plan
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 9 MARCH 4 , 1996
tscribes in more detail than the annual report the status of the 1995
rk plans . Many of the things we started in 1995 , the Environmental
Atlas and GIS , are at initial stages and will be ongoing work for several
years . Supervisor Valentino and I are talking about a three year or
longer work plan . That is why there is a lot of things listed .
Obviously not all of them can be done in 1996 , so I started to set time
frames over a three year period .
Supervisor Valentino - We talked about moving Storm Water Management up
on the priority list because of the January floods .
Councilman Klein - Storm Water Management is something that has been put
aside every year because other things come up , this involves the Highway ,
Engineering , Planning , and many departments . There are model ordinances .
Mr . Walker - The ordinance is not the first thing we need to do , we need
to study a plan . There is no sense having an ordinance until you decide
what you want to gain . The DEC model is a good plan .
Mr . Kanter - The Storm Water Management Plan is one of the things that we
need to do . Figure out exactly what it is going to be , who is going .*j °do
what , and how long it is going to take . It sounds like at least a one
year project . Some of it involves technical engineering studies and
f ormulas , as well as other general planning . The town needs to set up
gulations so the problem does not reoccur .
uncilman Klein - Where does it start ?
Mr . Walker - It starts with an ' engineering analysis of our current water
shed situation . The first part is related to the planning which starts
as a water shed and drainage plan evaluation . We have a number of
studies that have been done over the past few years , in the northeast and
south hill areas . There is not too much problem on the West Hill at this
point , but there has been a number of elements . Now we have the
planimetric base map showing the hydrology , and we have started mapping
water sheds in the town which have not been updated since about 1960 or
1970 .
Councilman Klein - Is this something that planning does not have to deal
with initially ?
Mr . Walker - Planning and engineering work together , there will be
resources from engineering and there will be resources from planning .
Developing the Geographic Information System will depend on time
available from a planning staffer or engineering staffer . I see it under
my direction because it is more an engineering issue . The land use issue
of how you control run off and then how you regulate it comes later , and
that falls under the Planning Board .
r . Noteboom - Ultimately , all of us are going to be involved . Highway
as a more practical point of view . We need to assess the current
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 10 MARCH 4 , 1996
situation before we could move ahead with any actual plans . Highway is
interested in where pipes will run , the more practical portion .
Councilman Klein - You probably already know where you have the problem
areas .
Mr . Noteboom - We are familiar with them , and we have learned about
others at times when things have happened . We are expecting some real
problem areas when Peregine Hollow develops .
Councilman Klein - You do not have a map of the drainage in the town , but
you can certainly identify some of the areas ?
Mr . Noteboom - We don ' t have a handle on what is in place in a lot of
areas in town . If we had all been here 25 years ago , we might know , but
we haven ' t been .
Mr . Walker - You can not separate the implementation , a new development
causes changes which can be a problem or it could be a resolution .
Mrs . Noteboom - That is why record management is so important , if someone
had kept those map records from 25 years ago we would know where the
drainage pipes are .
Councilwoman Russell - There isn ' t any map which shows where all the
pipes are ?
Mr . Walker - No , there is a lot of scattered information . For example ,
the Eastern Heights area in the 1970 ' s had a lot of flooding down
Slaterville Road and Pine Tree Road . The development of Eastern Heights
increased run offs and problems , then the State built new culverts and
the county changed the road drainage . The town did remedial work in 1976
or 1978 , we lined channels to come down the hill . Drainage structures
are not just something you can forget because they do not last forever .
Five years of water coming down a 10 - 15 % slope causes problems , this
needs to be maintained , including annual inspection and tree removal . We
do not have a map to go into work on those drainage pipes . When we track
down the records we have , we are finding we do not have the right to be
there . We have solved one of those areas on Quick ' s property because
they had debris there . The brush grew up and Mr . Quick said it was
flooding his driveway and asked us to come fix it . We asked fix what ,
and he said the diversion you built . We researched it by calling Larry
Fraboni who said we built the diversion pipe on the Quick property , but
we have never been there to mow the brush or maintain anything .
Councilman Klein - Is there some kind of easement there ?
Mr . Walker - There wasn ' t , but there is now .
Councilman Klein - Mr . Quirk gave it to you ?
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 11 MARCH 4 , 1996
. Walker - " Yes " .
Councilman Klein —Because 15 years ago , he didn ' t .
Mr . Walker - No , he had some kind of construction easement or permission
to build it but there was never any follow through .
Supervisor Valentino - That is a major problem we are finding , no
documentation from years ago .
Mr . Walker - The Northeast has all kinds of drainage in the back lots ,
but that was 20 some years ago , and no provisions were made to maintain
them . Now those are in back lots and people do not want us to cut down
their trees that are plugging the ditches .
Mr . Frost - It was a phenomena that seems to have occurred in other
governmental agencies in the 1970 ' s right up through the early 1980 ' s .
They do not look at the whole picture of maintenance and a lot of things
we are dealing with today shows no clear record , or records . just do not
exist .
Supervisor Valentino - I do not think all the swales they put into
Eastern Heights when it was built show up on some of the maps .
. Walker - They showed on the plans , but did not get built ?
r . Kanter - If they were built 20 - 25 years ago , they may not be there
any more .
Supervisor Valentino - Some of them are not there .
Councilman Klein - The swales , whether it is a road swale or back lot
swale do fill up .
Mr . Walker - It ' s not just the drainage , sewers back up . Supervisor
Valentino visited a site of a saturated sewer that was built in the
1960 ' s .
Councilman Klein - You filled it in , right ?
Mr . Walker - No , we had never maintained it . We could not get into the
area to unplug the clogs when we needed to . Right now we are doing the
clearing of the right - of - way . If we mowed it every year we would not
have the problems we have now . Now we are cutting down 16 - 18 inch willow
trees from the sewer right - of - ways . That is one of the biggest
priorities , understanding what we do have .
Supervisor Valentino - That will be our starting point then .
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 12 MARCH 4 , 1996
Councilman Klein I w During the Comprehensive Plan preparation we brought
a lot of maps together , obviously , this was not one of them , but it
sounds like that is what we have to start with .
Mr . Walker - There was a basic hydrologic map reviewed during preparation
of the Comprehensive Plan which shows the drainage device and major water
sheds , but there was no real characterization of the water sheds in the
analysis of the water sheds . We need to build a hydrologic model of our
town , which we have the capabilities and program to do . It is just a
matter of putting our energies together to get. it done .
Councilman Klein - This should be listed as a major priority for the
Engineering Department , and not so major a priority for the Planning
Department because they will only be involved paraphilia for a while .
Mr . Kanter - Staff resources could be significant with mapping ,
categorizing , and inventorying .
Supervisor Valentino - is the rest of the Board in agreement on the Storm
Water Management ?
Councilwoman Russell - When I was on the Conservation Board , it seemed
like every project we reviewed mentioned needing a Storm Water Management
plan to find out what the drainage is going to do for this site or what
kind of impact it is going to have on these properties , etc . . .
Councilman Klein Whenever we get a lot of heavy rain there are a number
of people that call and say there are areas that have problems . Every
year there are areas that have chronic problems .
Mr . Walker - The Environmental Protection Agency has issued water shed
rules and storm water management erosion rules and mandates that say any
project over 5 acres has to have an erosion plan and storm water
management plan . We have incorporated this into projects like EcoVillage
and any big projects we have been involved with . Case by case we have
been looking at those .
Mr . Kanter - The County is thinking about revising the rules of water
shed regulations . That will be happening fairly soon and is something we
should coordinate with them .
Mr . Walker - I think there are regulations which are a little different
from our stand point , they look more at pollutants rather than volumes of
water .
Mr . Kanter - Although , that is something we should look at in terms of
the overall drainage plan .
Councilwoman Russell - Bolton Point has a . lot of information and
extensive mapping .
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 13 MARCH 4 , 1996
. Walker - Not extensive mapping , they have matched the water sheds
at drain into Cayuga Lake based on the individual water user . They
have identified critical water sheds of water supplies in the county
which include Cayuga Lake from Bolton Point and other communities like
Trumansburg , and Six Mile Creek from the City of Ithaca , and from Fall
Creek from the Cornell University water plant . They have been focusing
on the water quality in those water sheds .
Councilwoman Russell - It seems like that map would be a starting point .
Mr . Walker - Yes , all those water sheds flow to the town , everything that
flows to the city goes through the town first .
Councilman Klein - Development of affordable housing is listed as a
priority for 1997 . Based on the several proposals for subdivisions ,
should that be looked at sooner ?
Mr . Kanter - We discussed hiring a housing agency who might have the
information readily available to provide a basis for making judgements
for what our needs are for affordable housing . They also could define
what affordable housing is for the Town of Ithaca . Right now there is
not enough staff time and expertise for something like this , but it is
one of those things we might be able to do with some of the planning
4 udy monies budgeted for this year .
. Frost - The County had an Affordable Housing Advisory Board that I
s a member of for several years which involved research and studies
involving people from Cornell , banks , contractors , and government . We
never really got very far . It seemed to be clear that " affordable " meant
different things to different people . The most constructive thing done
was developing methods for accessing money for people to build homes .
The County has done this research and did not get very far .
Mr . Kanter - We looked at marketing studies of County data and City data ,
but it was not necessarily relevant to the town . There is not a good
data base that has been put together for the town , so it is one thing we
thought we might try and do .
Mr . Frost - The Advisory Board concluded affordable housing within the
outskirts of the town or city is just the reverse of what you want in
terms of affordable housing . You want to know about central services ,
and businesses that go to the outskirts of the town or city so you can
focus on bringing it closer .
Mr . Kanter - The town seems to be the place where many people are
focusing on new housing developments because there is not a lot of land
left in the city . There is a lot of land in the town , unfortunately , a
lot of it is in steep slopes and agricultural areas which raises a lot of
her questions . Strictly focusing on the need for affordable housing is
e study we could begin this year .
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 14 MARCH 4 , 1996
Councilman Klein - How does this tie in with the agreement that former
Supervisor John Whitcomb and Mayor Nichols signed last year for mutually
beneficial planning studies that do not compete with each other . The
need is with the city population , and the city really does not have much
space left . Are their demographics worth studying , would the need be met
within the town , and where do you put it and make it work .
Supervisor Valentino - From previous work I have done for the union we
saw a picture of the whole county in relation to the people that would
need affordable housing . Cornell is the largest employer with about
10 , 000 employed . The people needing affordable housing all live beyond
the boundaries of the City . They live in the far reaches of the County ,
such as Trumansburg . They commute long distances through the Town of
Ithaca to get to work . It seems that it is important to develop
affordable housing that would bring these people back towards the center
of Ithaca . That would be the way to revitalize the City because these
people shop in othler areas where they live . It would be interesting to
see a study of those type of demographics .
Councilwoman Russell - There must be some sort of affordable housing in
the City . Are you saying there just isn ' t enough to accommodate the
need ?
Supervisor Valentino - There isn ' t really a lot of affordable housing in
the City .
Councilman Klein Because of the students the rental housing costs are
extremely high except for the subsidized housing .
Mr . Kanter - That is why there are certain aspects of these affordable
low income projects coming before the Town that are attractive because
they are not intended specifically for students . In fact the low income
housing credit program only allows students if the person also has a
family .
The proposals the Town has been seeing under the Low Income Housing
Credit Program are targeting young families or empty nesters . However ,
the proposal on the Raponi site could have single family houses for rent .
Mrs . Noteboom - Those young families won ' t want to live here because they
can ' t afford the prices in the stores .
Mr . Kanter - The Low Income Housing Credit Program provides renting
levels that would attract those families .
Mrs . Noteboom - The cost of living around Ithaca is why people live in
the other areas because it is cheaper to shop in those communities .
These people commute into Ithaca but purchase products outside of Ithaca .
That is sad because we are losing a lot of sales tax base .
TOWN BOARD HINUTES 15 MARCH 4 , 1996
uncilwoman Russell - For example , Wegman ' s prices in Ithaca are much
gher than they are in other communities .
Councilman Wolff - We could start by developing the demographics and a
needs study of what housing is already here .
Councilwoman Grigorov - When they do these studies do they actually talk
to people about wanting to live here if they could afford it , or if they
would rather stay out in the country ?
Hr . Kanter - Those surveys have not been done .
Supervisor Valentino - The city has done some studies on affordable
housing when we were studying the working poor problems . The city had
some good statistics from interviews .
Mrs . Noteboom - As much as Cornell University and Ithaca College help us
provide jobs they also hurt us with housing prices .
Councilman Wolff - I suspect some unconscious collusion among the
landowners . At least there is more diversity of landowners now . You
don ' t have just two or three landowners driving the prices anymore .
f ounW.
alker - In the City you do , eighty percent of the rental housing is
ned by half a dozen landowners .
cilman Klein - The consensus is that affordable housing is important .
Councilman Wolff - The next step would be to determine what type of
housing we would like to attract .
Hr . Frost - Another affordable way to live is in a mobile home , right now
we have one mobile home park , Collegeview . The Town of Ithaca is not
considered one of the most affordable places to live .
Councilwoman Russell - It might be worth examining whether these low
income housing programs are going to be cut .
Supervisor Valentino - Are these low income housing credits , State or
Federal ?
Hr . Kanter - The tax credit program is Federal , but it only has one more
year , it may be re - authorized . That one is popular with investors . It
does not actually take federal monies , except that people are getting
income tax write offs . That means there is less revenues coming in .
Councilman Wolff - Do you know of any housing programs specifically that
have been large benefactors of that tax credit program .
Kanter - We have a long list of ones that have been built in other
Ireas .
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 16 MARCH 4 , 1. 996
Councilman Klein The authorizations that are probably in jeopardy are
the ones that have visible funding sources , such as those which are
funded by HUD for construction of units . Since the tax credit program is
a " back door appro�Iach " , it is not an appropriation , it decreases revenue
to the government , but does not cause an actual expense to the
government .
Mr . Walker - It decreases a wealthy investors obligation .
Councilman Klein - Probably the affordable housing the town is interested
in , since we do not have a housing authority , is within a subsidized
program , but probably not within Section 8 housing . . . .
Councilman Wolff - Do we have Section 8 housing in the town ?
Mr . Frost - There are some rental houses that are Section 8 in the Town .
Eva Hoffmann - I used to work with Section 8 housing through the Economic
Opportunity Corporation for the County . There is Section 8 housing
outside of the City which includes the Town .
Mr . Kanter - There is rehabilitation monies available for rural areas .
The monies run through the County Small Cities Block Grant Program .
Funding may go down , but if you keep the existing housing stock in good
shape you will be able to keep people in the housing . It may not be
housing as close to the center as wanted , but it at least will not lose
people from the county because the housing stock is not good .
Councilwoman Grigorov - The housing that will be built in order to get
the tax credit will probably be built as cheaply as possible .
Supervisor Valentino - I am worried about the DeHarder proposal , the
Saddlewood Farms development seems to be much better .
Councilman Klein i A lot of the communities do get these block grants to
improve these housing stock , but the town has never applied for it . Was
it excluded ?
Mr . Kanter - No , it just seems that in the past it was something the town
was not interested in getting into . No one is totally excluded from the
town , but the individuals in the town would need to meet the guidelines .
Councilman Klein - Is that tied to per capita income ?
Mr . Walker - Per capita income in the Town is too high for people to
qualify for many of these projects .
Mr . Kanter - The county applies for these block grants on behalf of
smaller communities , everything else outside the city . They are using
the County ' s income figures to set those guidelines and that hurts the
town more since our residents have higher incomes than surrounding areas ,
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 17 MARCH 4 , 1996
t that is not saying that there might not be people in the town that
uld and would use these funds . Individuals can apply themselves
through the County for these funds . In general , this study could look at
the status of existing State and Federal programs and get a sketch of
where they are and where they appear to be going . We had talked about
some of the zoning mechanisms that would help provide incentives for
affordable housing , such as density bonuses .
Supervisor Valentino - We really need to get a better handle on getting
some kind of affordable housing plan , otherwise we are- going to end up
with a hit or miss system . We have 3 projects being discussed in the
Town right now .
Councilman Klein - Assuming Saddlewood Farms was approved and the
developers charged ahead , what if the market is not there anymore , what
have we allowed to be built ? Will this subdivision be deserted , go
bankrupt , or be turned into student housing ?
Councilman Wolff - You would think they wouldn ' t invest $ 21 million if
their research was not right .
Mr . Kanter - That is what the income credit program is about , getting
investors who think they are going to get a good tax write off . The
tvelopers are probably not putting in a lot of money .
uncilman Klein - They probably set up separate partnerships for each of
ese developments , so if one goes bankrupt the others would not .
Mr . Walker - These developers are not marketing housing , they are
marketing a financial project .
Supervisor Valentino - Maybe we can coordinate with the city and county
to get some kind of a plan , this should become a top priority .
Councilman Wolff - Won ' t some of the Board ' s discussions about these
proposals coming before us drive the need for better housing information ?
Supervisor Valentino - Those subdivisions are driving this discussion for
priorities .
Mr . Kanter - Transportation and Planning : The two big issues are the
Northeast Connector Study and the overall Transportation Plan . The
Northeast Connector Study is more immediate depending on what it involves
for staff time . The MPO may agree about what the study is going to
entail , and the scope of the study . Then we will hire a consultant and
have them do the study under the guidance of an oversight committee .
Then the Transportation Plan , depending on how things go with the
connector study , can begin in 1996 . If things progress well we could get
to some of the planning preparation this year . We really need to sit
wn and see what the Transportation Plan should be about .
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 18 MARCH 4 , 1996
Mr . Noteboom - The transportation system in New York City helps make
people get in and around . The harder you make it for people to get
around the less people will come into that area , then they go other
places outside the area . People will move there .
Mr . Frost - It almost seems self - destructive because the better you make
transportation the more people use it and the more problems it could
create .
Mr . Kanter - That is why one area of the Transportation Plan is not
extending public bus routes to areas where there is not enough people to
ride on the routes . You need increased population in outer areas so you
can extend bus routes to them .
Ms . Hoffmann - Bus routes or public transportation routes usually work
best when they are built along corridors of population . The idea is to
build in the areas where there are people living in multiple housing and
single family housing close to other populated areas .
Mr . Walker - We do not even have an official highway map , we have one
dated from the 1970 ' s , but it is not updated . An official highway map is
something the Planning Board and other town staff can help with because
they know where roads are . If this board wants a Transportation Plan
they need to approve it .
Mrs . Noteboom - How could you do a Storm Water Management Plan without
doing a Transportation Plan along with it ? You have to know where your
roads are going , how the drainage will go off of them , what ditches , what
roads , etc . . .
Mr . Walker - Roads do effect drainage , but it is more in the way they are
designed . The drainage plan can be done without a Transportation Plan .
Mr . Kanter - Theme may not necessarily be a lot of new roads in the town
because they cost a lot of money and there isn ' t State or Federal funds
anymore , and there are physical constraints on the land . There are only
certain places new roads could be built .
Mr . Walker - Therie are very few places where we need new roads . We need
to improve the transportation corridors . The Northeast Connector Study
is a very high priority . The Town Board has to push it through the MPO ,
if we do not get some aggressive action on the MPO side it will not
happen because the State does not wish to do its
Councilman Klein - Are they going ahead with the study though ?
Mr . Walker - They have been thinking about the study for three years . We
had Caldwell Hill, Road approved as a reconstruction effort for last year ,
( $ 260 , 000 ) on TIP . We said it was more important to plan the Northeast
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 19 MARCH 4 , 1996
rridor so we said we would take it off TIP if they created the study .
ey took the $ 260 , 000 and they are still thinking about setting up a
committee to do the study .
Councilman Klein - Past Supervisor Whitcomb had some correspondence with
the State because he was concerned they would do ekactly as they did with
the study .
Mr . Kanter - The State has flip flopped and said they will give us some
money , but not as much as was originally planned in the TIP . A study of
that magnitude implies that a road is going to be built somewhere , and
there is no money to build that type of federal highway . They have
indicated from $ 80 , 000 to $ 100 , 000 could be available for an area
planning study . It may recommend a new rcad alignment somewhere , but it
may also need other traffic mitigation measures .
The Northeast Connector Study will be done this year , if it isn ' t , then
it won ' t happen at all .
Mr . Walker - There are a very few places that need new roads . The
Northeast Connector Study shows that it probably would not happen in the
Town of Ithaca , it is more of a county master planning issue . When you
say we have a Transportation Plan , it is to say that we have a
the ansportation network that comes here and borders the Town of Dryden ,
ere the traffic should be going , but then it goes to the county . We do
f have a plan addressing problem areas . We had a study done as part of
comprehensive planning process by a consultant who evaluated all the
roads in the town and all the intersections , but it was not a popular
thing to do , so it didn ' t progress .
Supervisor Valentino - What do we do now ?
Mr . Walker - I think the Transportation Plan in the Town should be a high
priority . Probably the land use planning issues have the strongest
relation to the Transportation , and Public Works has to deal with the
Highway Department . The other problem area is on the West Hill because
we do not have any interconnection . I would like to see the Planning
Committee take the map we have and make a master plan to find the serious
issues and potential transportation routes . The MPO is the pipe line to
the intermunicipal cooperation throughout the county .
Councilman Klein - Ts there someone at the county level whose expertise
is in transportation ?
Mr . Kanter - We could probably get extensive data from David Boyd . The
County has a good GIS system already in effect and they have traffic
counters we could use .
ouncilman Klein - What can the Town Board do to help push the MPO ?
r . Walker - Be represented by an elected official on the Policy
i
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 20 MARCH 4 , 1996
Committee . The problem is the DOT likes to run these MPO ' s .
Supervisdr Valentino - Unfortunately , I will be unable to attend those
meetings until July .
Mr . Kanter - The Parks and Open Space Plan and development plans are
being considered through the Open Space and Greenways Committee of the
Conservation Board for initial review . Then it will be going to the
Planning Committee and Public Works Committee for more in depth review
and revisions . In your packets is a listing of potential parks and
developments to give you an idea of the range of different things that
could evolve and the cost that might be involved .
Councilwoman Russell - Does the Park and Open Space Plan prioritize these
projects ?
Mr . Kanter - It has not , but as we start working on them some of the
priorities would be determined by existing park lands .
Councilman Klein - Have we finished the improvements to the Eastern
Heights park ?
Mr . Walker - We have agreed on what to do , but it is not resolved yet .
We need to discuss this further with Attorney Barney .
Mr . Noteboom - The Eastern Heights Park improvements are scheduled to be
completed this year .
Councilwoman Russiell - Water front planning seems to be coming up as part
of the Cornell Lake Source Cooling Project .
Mr . Kanter - It is coming up , we are now working with the County , City ,
Chamber of Commerce , and Cornell on a water front plan . It ' s a joint
project and each group contributes . It is going to have some method of
enhancing public access . It is not going to take a lot of staff time as
there is a consultant under contract with the County to do the study .
Councilman Wolff - What enhancements may come out of this ?
Mr . Kanter - There is a pier that was proposed to be built at the
Farmer ' s Market area with private donations and volunteers - doing the
construction . It will have a small pier where boats can tie up to go to
the market .
Mr . Frost - ThIe Building / Zoning Department ' s priorities ate self
explanatory . The most important thing will be in retrieving information
and upgrading the computer system . We should be able to put in a
property tax addiress or parcel number and retrieve all the information
about the property through the Planning , Town Clerk , and so forth . It
will improve efficiency for most of us . In Building / Zoning ,, we are
dealing with people we do not know who are spending thousands of dollars
I
I
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 21 MARCH 4 , 1996
V change things . It takes a lot of time to resolve these things and
at is our biggest challenge . We have certain legal issues in town that
have been going on for years . The Board has been involved with them but
they do not get resolved very easily . There will be smaller things done
related to violation of codes which we prioritize by who complains , has
anyone complained , and then driving to the site to see what is going on
to resolve the issue . With time constraints we try to pick up everything
and treat everyone the same way . We have a record on what we have done
and have not done in case of an injury or death and we need backup to go
to court . Documentation is the main source of what goes on through the
Boards .
Supervisor Valentino - In general , I think the zoning enforcement is
pretty much on, top of things .
Councilman Klein Is there something we should do this year with the
sprinkler law ?
Hr . Frost - If you take the installation costs out of the equation of the
sprinkler local law there is no argument , sprinklers should put in the
buildings . The money dictates this issue . It is one of the most
difficult issues to be decided , but how do you put a price on a single
life . I do know how I would modify the sprinkler law if my opinion were
ked .
uncilman Klein - We talked about having a form publicizing that the law
will be going into effect .
Hr . Frost - We have sent a letter to about sixty people informing them
they had three years to comply with the law which goes into effect in
July of 19980 We encouraged these people to contact us with any
questions they may have . A list has been kept of the phone calls which
have been received , there were about eight . The calls were from people
who own small properties who have a . single house with three dwelling
units .
Stephen Lucente has spearheaded a coalition of landlords requesting
receiving a mailing list of the people we sent the letters to .
Subsequent conversations with him have not disclosed what that coalition
is doing . Our intent was to put together a form describing the law and
its requirements .
Councilman Klein - Since the law becomes effective in July 1998 , probably
people will be contacting you closer to that time . The concern is that
if certain landowners do the work , and then , just prior to the law
becoming effective the Town decides to modify the law those people would
be very upset to have spent the money for the sprinkler systems .
l . Frost - I would like to see some landowners pursue variances now .
e most significant building needing to meet the sprinklers requirements
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 22 MARCH 4 , 1996
is the Ithaca College Towers . They are planning to have the west tower
fitted with sprinklers this summer .
We do have a lot of buildings which were built in the 1950 ' s and 1960 ' s
which were not built in compliance to the State Building Code . The Town
adopted the State Building Code in June of 1960 . Last year the Town
Board informally stated they would not be willing to change the sprinkler
law .
Councilman Klein T I am sympathetic to the landowner who with a three
dwelling unit would have to retrofit the sprinklers , it would be very
expensive .
Mr . Frost - I would change the local law for buildings where the main
door for each apartment opens directly outside where there are no
interior doors or stairways , except where they were over two stories
high . I would modify it for a simple wood frame structure where there is
no more than three units . There are some units which are fire traps . I
would like to see a variance procedure established where we can maintain
a higher standard for buildings which have been built with lower
standards '.
Councilman Klein - Most owners will wait until 1998 to address this
problem , or they will sell the property before they have to comply .
Mr . Frost - We were the third municipality in the State to pass a 6
sprinkler local law , since that time 20 to 25 municipalities now have a
similar local law !
Mr . Walker - The engineering priorities are mostly carry overs from 1995 .
Water and sewer benefit assessments are a high topic priority . We will
be reviewing every tax parcel in the Town for general assessment and
water and sewer benefit assessments while working with the Town Clerk ' s
office .
Supervisor Valentino - Then there will be annual updates with the county
to make sure all changes have been made .
Mr . Walker - The technical manual for the Storm Water Management is a
priority , we do have a start on it . It will set up procedures for usage
during storm water impacts and it will have a land use and housing
section with a waiter shed plan and drainage evaluation . The benefits ,
policies , and procedures will be a manual in regards to issues on water
and sewer benefit assessments in conservation districts to maintain open
space . Our benefits assessment formula was written in 1972 by an
attorney . There are some weaknesses and it is hard to balance . The
project management files are being cleaned out upstairs under the Records
Management Program and we are about 50 % done . We have indexed all the
drawings but we do not have them in order as space is limited . We are
updating the highway records and the deeds to roads . We have a lot of
roads that we have been using with no proof that we own them . We are
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 23 MARCH 4 , 1996
t mrying to get all the records into one place . Hopefully , we will be
ving ahead on the Town Hall . We will be developing capital
provements plan for water and sewer . We do not have a lot of money to
spend , and we do not have a big need for water expansion right now . The
Water System Master Planning Committee meets twice a month , and the city
is looking for ways to improve this plan also .
Supervisor Valentino - If the City does certain things , that impact will
change what the Town should do , especially along East Shore Drive . It is
hard now to put a solid plan together until we know what the City will
do , as that may reduce our costs significantly .
Mr . Walker - There is a lot to running the Capital Plan because we are
dealing with other agencies to determine what costs will be for the next
few years . Contracts and agreements : The SJS agreement is at City Hall
with the Mayor . The city did not agree with what the Town Committee came
up with .
Supervisor Valentino - Is this on the repairs listing ?
Mr . Walker - Yes , the cost and share . The Route 366 Water Main Agreement
is not done so we need to find out where it stands with the other
entities .
he SCLIWC has a twenty year agreement , the major purpose of the
greement was to pay off the debt for building Bolton Point . The last
and payments will be made this August . There are areas of concerns in
maintaining the Town ' s rights for the investment to the water plant . The
agreement can continue the way it is , but there is some activity being
generated to encourage the formation of a water authority .
Supervisor Valentino - Fortunately , former Supervisor Shirley
Raffensperger is on the committee studying the idea of the authority .
Mr . Walker - In Data management we are trying to keep everyone updated on
the network and getting new networks in . We are checking into new
equipment and protocols .
Engineering will be ' providing support on the right - of - way inspection
improvement program . Mr . Noteboom will have student interns to complete
much of it . We have been talking about a Department of Public Works . We
do not need to drastically change how things are being done . We work
together very well so a Department of Public Works is not a high
priority .
Mr . Noteboom - They are all part of the same things because we have
right - of - ways in water , sewer , parks , and roads .
Mr . Walker - Land use and housing : The water shed plan and drainage
valuation is a top priority . The water distribution system has taken a
ack to seat other things over the years . Water System Master Plan
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 24 MARCH 4 , 1996
started with intermunicipal cooperation . The valve and hydrant
maintenance plan was a priority last year and 50 % of the things that
needed to be repaired were completed last year . We are going to complete
those this year . Tank maintenance program : The schedule is 50 % complete
and we do not need to maintain all the tanks . East Hill tank , East Shore
Drive main , and the Trumansburg Road water main replacement are the three
critical links in the water distribution system needing work . I want to
get a master plan done before we can commit funds . The sewer
transmission plan is a combination of the Town and City project that
links with the SJS agreement . The West Hill sewer that comes down from
the hospital has a leak .
Supervisor Valentino - Are the sewer lines on West Hill close to the
water mains ?
Mr . Walker - No , (they are quite separate , but we do have problems with
that plugging up , l It is an old slate tiled sewer .
Councilman Klein The DeWitt storm water pond is listed as being
redesigned , don ' t you mean reconstructed ? There is also design work to
be . completed on it by Engineering .
Mr . Walker - I am looking at some of the specific site plans that
Engineering will be designing .
Mr . Noteboom - That storm water pond will be done this year .
Councilman Klein - Engineering needs to complete that plan so it can be
done .
Mr . Noteboom - FEMA will be giving us approximately $ 13 , 000 for that area
because of the flood damage .
Councilman Klein Is the West Hill main going to be designed this year ?
Mr . Walker - Yes , we are going to have the design planning , with
construction in 1997 . The idea was for the sewer to be built because of
a potential major subdivision being built in the area . The sewer would
have been built in conjunction with the subdivision .
Mr . Kanter - Unfortunately , the market was not right for that development
to go on .
Mr . Noteboom - Highway is the nut and bolts operation , whatever everyone
plans and designs we build and maintain . All of our regular maintenance
programs are going to be kept in place with time to take care of this
year ' s storm damage . We are going to hire 4 to 6 more laborers this
summer to do flagging so others can perform other tasks . Many things in
the data base management area were consolidated for better understanding .
We have a number of new programs to develop which we will be made part of
the structure . By developing those will have a more consistent effort in
I
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 25 MARCH 4 , 1996
intaining our infrastructure .
Councilman Klein - Should you put off repaving Brandywine until the
drainage repairs are done ?
Hr . Noteboom - We plan to have that done before paving Brandywine . I am
not sure that this will help Brandywine or not , pipe there may be
difficult because of the ditch being on bed rock . The pipes that already
exist there work to capacity at high water times , so we need to install
larger capacity pipes before paving .
Hr . Walker - The biggest problem on Brandywine is that even if the
retention pond is working it still throws a certain amount of water out .
Hr . Noteboom - I would like to be able to respond to various citizens
complaints and needs in a more timely manner while continuing planned
work programs . There is always a cost and time factor for that .
Sometimes we are in between jobs or already doing something so we do not
always have a good handle on responding to complaints . Some of these
policies are made up by the board .
Councilman Klein - Are you tracking all the complaint calls ?
Ar . Noteboom - Yes , we use a log and fill out a sheet for every call with
19he name , phone number , etc .
mr . Frost - We try to keep people informed , even if it is every week or
month , just so they know we have not forgotten them .
Hr . Noteboom - We have discussed contracting certain jobs out . A
contractor will not have to pull their forces off one job to do some
other things . It is costing us money to pull some of our forces off one
job to . do another .
Supervisor Valentino - It is hard to know when someone calls to complain
how serious it is .
Hr . Noteboom - Sometimes it is not our problem , it may be the County ' s
responsibility .
Councilman Klein - What is the progress on the search for new health
insurance ?
Mrs . Noteboom - The health insurance is being worked on by Sherm DiSanto ,
Human Resource Specialist and Supervisor Valentino . It is one of the
priorities this year . I am more worried about the records management ,
the system we first put into place several years ago is breaking down
from a lack of space . The only records we can retrieve are the ones in
she archival vault and some of the records upstairs . I have asked
everal times for cooperation from the Justices to help me do that , but
o one wants to prioritize it to help go through the records . I am very
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 26 MARCH 4 , 1996
concerned about the new technology that everyone wants to invoke in 1996 .
SARA still recognizes the hard copies as the official document , and I get
nervous with all this new equipment and systems . I am afraid that the
official copy may get lost in the shuffle because they are not being sent
down to the archival vault as they should be . The indexing program
worries me as we just do not have adequate time . My Deputy ' s spend 75 %
of their time answering the phones and waiting on customers , so that does
not leave a lot of time to get the work done .
Councilman Klein - The indexing , how much could be done by having a third
person come in ?
Mrs . Noteboom - We need a computer system with the 6 . 1 windows so they
can share the information back and forth in the computers . We need to
play with it to find out how we want to develop the index . I was hoping
by the time we got into a new Town Hall the Records Management System
would be finished . Then we would know the indexing system well enough to
network and correlate the information . The record storage area would
have a library system for borrowing records with an " out " card . This
will eliminate the need for additional space and filing cabinets . It can
be . done if we have the cooperation , coordination and space to work on it .
Realistically , we probably will not finish the program this year . Sherm
DiSanto is doing a very good job with personnel , but we have a lot of
issues that need to be worked on . Supervisor Valentino agrees that the
personnel manual needs to be totally revised this year .
Mr . Walker - The new proposed Town Hall on Court Street will decrease the
hope for efficiency because of not having fully centralized records
management . We will work around it , but it will lead to some of the same
problems we have now because it will not be coordinated and centralized .
Supervisor Valentino - My priority is the health insurance planning .
Sherm DiSanto and I have appointments set up , and we are working on the
retirement policy . We are looking into a health plan similar to
Cornel
1 ' s . We will be coming to the Town Board with a proposal on that
issue and the personnel manual . The other high priority is the
accounting department . We definitely have to look at the software
package to see what problems there are . Very soon we are going to have
to get some staff trained on this software system . I will be monitoring
the Accounting Department very closely .
Councilman Klein - Have you dealt with any health insurance agents ?
Mrs . Noteboom - Yes , we have had interviews with two or three of them .
Mr . Walker - The newsletters about the new Town Hall will be mailed
tomorrow , residents should have them by Thursday .
Mrs . Noteboom - Next Tuesday night for the special election I will be
delivering absentee ballots to each of the polling places . Then each of
the Election Inspection Chairs will bring the ballots to Town Hall and I
TOWN BOARD MINUTES 27 MARCH 4 , 1996
will be opening them in the town board room between 6 : 00 and 6 : 30 . The
members of the press can hear the results then .
ADJOURNMENT : As there was no further business to come before the Town
board , Councilman Klein made a motion to adjourn , seconded by Councilman
Wolff .
The Supervisor adjourned the meeting at 9 : 20 p . m .
Respectfully --submitted ,
9Joan Lent Noteboom
Town Clerk
Minutes Transcribed by Deborah A . Kelley .
TOWN OF ITHACA
PROPOSED 1996 ENGINEERING PRIORITY WORK PLAN DATE
04 — Mar - 96
TEGORY ACTIVITY DEPT. COMMITTEE Rank STATUS
ABC
DMINISTRATION
1
Financial Management
Water and sewer benefit assessment Review ENG PW, Rn A Started
Manuals
Stormwater Management ENG PW A started
Benefit Assessment policies and procedures ENG PW A started
Records Management
Project management files ENG RMC A 50%
Maps and drawings P, E2 RMC A indexed/started
Utility record drawings ENG RMC A 25%
Update highway records of roads and easement Highway PW B started
Fling of records by tax parcel All RMC B
CAPITAL PROJECTS
New Town Hall ALL PW A pending
Develop CIP ENG PW B started
Highway Facility Design Highway PW C
CONTRACTS and AGREEMENTS
Revise SJS agreement Eng. SJS A started
RTE 366 Water Main Agreement TB, ENG PW A 80%
Revise SCLIWC intermunicipal Agreement TB, ENG PW B
ATA MANAGEMENT
Staff training on various applications ALL ADP A ongoing
Implement PC network between Planning & Eng Eng. ADP A started
HIGHWAY
Develop ROW inspection and improvement program HW PW B
Evaluate est of DPW ENG, HW PW C
Parks PW C
LAND USE/HOUSING
Watershed Plan & Drainage Evaluation P9 E0 PW, PC A
Develop Geographic Info System P, E PC, CB A
Transportation Master Plan P, E PC, PW A
Hydraulic Model of Water System Eng. PW B
Develop Environmental Atlas P, E PC, CS B
WATER
Water System Master Plan ENG PW A Started
Valve and Hydrant Maintenance ENG PW A 50%
Tank Maintenance Program ENG PW A 50%
Master Meter Installation ENG, BP PW A Designed
East Hill Tank Plan & Design ENG PW B
East Shore Dr. Main ENG PW B
Tburg Rd. Water Replacement ENG PW B
SEWER
Sewage Transmission Plan ENG PW, SJS A
West Hill Sewer Replacement ENG PW A
1996 Hicrhwav / Parks Work Plan
1 . Drainage and Storm Water Management Plan - - Priority
20 Implement Ten Year Pavement Plan .
3 . Evaluate Expansion of Highway/ Parks Facility ,
4 . Implement Signs Program .
50 Right - of - Way Maintenance Program ,
6 . Infrastructure and Data Base Development ,
7 . Continue Providing Yard Waste Collection .
S . Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) Compliance Upgrades at
All Park and Trail Facilities ,
9 , Public Safety Improvements to Infrastructure .
10 . Major Projects :
Eastern Heights Park Basketball Court
Dewitt Storm Water Pond Redesign .
Park Lane Road Cut
Sandbank Road Reconstruction
Other Flood Damage Repairs
South Hill Recreation Way Improvements
11 . Respond to Various Citizen Complaints and Needs in a Timely
Manner While Continuing Planned Work Program .
Breakdown of 1996 Highway / Parks Work Plan
1 . Drainage and Storm Water Management Plan - - Priority
a . Identify areas that need more immediate attention .
1 . Brandywine Drive piping .
20 Park Lane piping and all of Eastern Heights area .
3 . Dewitt Pond and adjoining areas .
b . Work with Planning and Engineering to develop Town - wide
needs and plan .
10 Check all existing drainage ways .
2 . Map Town - wide drainage areas .
3 . Develop maintenance plan and checklist .
4 . Develop priority plan to deal with problem areas .
2 . Implement Ten Year Pavement Plan .
a . Permanent Improvements
16 List of roads to pave .
I . Winthrop Drive
II . Simsbury Drive
III . Brandywine Drive
IV . Chase Lane
V . Sandra Place
2 . List job to be completed before paving .
I . clean ditches
II . Change pipe crossings
III . Raise manholes
IV . Raise shutoffs
V . Fix shoulders
VI . Center road and check slopes
b . Preventative maintenance
ii Include list of roads and trails ( See Appendix A )
I . Improve Drainage where possible .
II . Check manhole and water shut offs ,
repair when necessary .
III . Shim and repair base , where necessary
IV . Crack seal .
V . Cut brush and trees , where necessary
VI . Repair shoulders
VII . Stripping , where necessary
VIII . Crosswalk stripping
3 . Evaluate Expansion of Highway/ Parks Facility .
a . List Program and Space Needs
b . Develop Financial Plan
1 . Bond project
2 . Spread over # years .
I . Approach if spread over # years , how would it
work .
c . Grounds Maintenance and Improvements
1 . Drainage
d . Buildings
1 . Air quality
29 Reseal block walls
3 . Complete work shop improvements at Annex
4 . Implement Signs Program .
a . Roads and Trails .
a . Includes inventory replacement and additional
signage , where necessary
b . This is an area that we fill in with because our man
hours don ' t stretch far enough .
5 . Right - of - Way Maintenance Program .
a . Mow roadsides
b . Water and Sewer easements
c . Trails
6 . Infrastructure and Data Base Development .
a . Upgrade / Input Data on Computer Programs
1 , RSMS
2 , Highwayman Helper
3 . ZMap
b . Sign Inventory
i . Continue imputing data on computers
2 . Training to maximize use of programs .
3 . Continued training to move to making more people
computer literate .
7 . Continue Providing Yard Waste Collection .
a . Evaluate cost to provide services .
b . Strive to Improve Efficiency
i . Yard waste pickup
29 Drop off sites .
3 . Chip and Compost pickup
8 . Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) Compliance Upgrades at
All Park and Trail Facilities .
9 . Public Safety Improvements to Infrastructure .
a . Guide Rails .
b . Fencing .
c . Crosswalk
d . Pedestrian and Bicycle and Lanes .
e . Storm Drain - - Child Proofing
f . S .gnage
lie Warnings
g . Employee Training
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Appendix A
Oil and Stone Roads Slurry Seal Roads
Winston Court Sapsucker Woods Road
Updike Road Christopher Lane
Pearsall Place Burleigh Drive
Drew Road St . Catherine Circle
Calkins Road Sienna Drive
Hackberry Road Tareyton Drive
Maplewood Drive Seven Mile Drive
Sycamore Drive
Vera Circle
Poole Road
qty OF 1p
_ a TOWN OF ITHACA
,�,� �04'� 126 EAST SENECA STREET , ITHACA , N . Y . 14850
� Y
TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1747 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783
FAX (607) 273- 1704
MEMORANDUM
TO : Cathy Valentino
DATE : February 29 , 1996
FROM : Andrew S . Frost , Director of Building and Zoning ce)
SUBJECT : 1996 Priorities Work Plan
The following , albeit brief and perhaps repetitious , is a priority ' s work
plan as I see it .
Building / Zoning
1 ) Revise the Town ' s Sign Law . At the current time this is being
addressed by COC .
2 ) Update the Zoning Ordinance , particularly as it relates to home
occupations ( including professional uses ) , day care ( adult and
child ) , second dwelling units ( which would include definitions of
family and owner occupancy ) , satellite dishes , and ordinance
definitions .
General - Town Hall / Town Wide
3 ) Establish networking for town-wide information where , among other
items , all information for a parcel of land , ( planning , engineering ,
building , zoning , town clerk , etc . ) can be computer accessed by way
of tax parcel number and / or street address .
Ager :1a Item No. 17
Town Clerk/Director Administrative Services
1996 Priorities Work Plan
Town Clerk:
1 . Reorganization and review of Town of Ithaca contracts and agreements , including
but not limited to indexing and categorizing by name , date , and terms .
2 . Update and review of appointments to boards and committees as appointed by
Town Board .
3. Completion of indexing system of Town Board , Planning Board , Zoning Board of
Appeals , and Conservation Board minutes . Continue plan development using
indexing system for easier retrieval of information and elimination of excessive
duplicating .
4. Plan and implementation of the 175th Historical Anniversary Celebration .
Personnel :
1 . Review and revise Personnel Manual for active employees , retirees , and elected
officials .
2 . Implementation and finalization of outside payroll service .
3 . Review and consider format changes for Employee Evaluation Forms , (by end of
May) .
4 . Evaluate Violence in the Workplace responses .
5 . Complete analyzing and reviewing health insurance options .
6 . Development of training and education programs .
Accounting
1 . Develop guidelines for adherence to purchasing and procurement policies of Town
of Ithaca and State Comptroller .
2 . Further development of budgeting methods and time frames to insure adequate time
for all departments and Town Board members to prepare and provide their
information . Includes coordination of deadlines with the necessary Tompkins
County departments , i . e . Assessment .
Town Clerk/Director Administrative Services
1996 Priority Work Plan
Page 2 .
3 . Development of Policies and Procedures Manual with calendar outlining
revenues , disbursements , bond payments , and contract/agreement payments, etc.
4. Develop Capital Planning .
5 . Review and possible revision of financial reports .
6 . Ongoing review of computer accounting program to determine its efficiency and
whether it is adequate to meet the needs of the Town .
Respectfully submitted ,
Joan Lent Noteboom
Town Clerk/Director of Administrative Services
DRAFT
TOWN OF =ACA PLANNIi ,'G DEPARTNTIENT
PROPOSED 1996 PRIORITY WORK PLAN
(Draft - February 2, 1996)
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DRAFT
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING DEPARTMENT
PROPOSED 1996 PRIORITY WORK PLAN
Project / Program Dept. Committee Rank (A ,B ,C) Year
ADMINISTRATION
Development Review Manual P,E PC A 96
GENERAL PLANNING
Continue Development of G .I. S. P,E CB, ADP A
Acquire hardware / software 96
Initiate map & info database 96
Continue Devel. of Envir. Atlas P,E CB B 96-98
Cayuga Lake Waterfront Planning Ping. PC, CB, TB C 96
alysis of Scenic Views / Vistas (Plug.) CB C 96-97
Devel. Affordable Housing Strategy Ping. PC ? 97
UNA / CEA Designation Study P,E PC, CB, PB, TB C 97-98
Initiate Historic Res, Survey Ping. PC ? 97
Stormwater Mgmt. Plan E, P, Hwy. PW, CB ? ?
Devel. 5 Yr. Capital Plan E, P, Pks ., Hwy. PW, PC; TB ? ?
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
N. E. Connector Study P, E, Hwy. MPO, PC, PW, TB A 96-97
Transportation Plan P, E, Hwy. PC, PW, PB, TB A
Determine Scope of Work 96
Plan Preparation 97-98
t ranof Ithaca / Cornell Univ, P, E, Hwy. Town /Cornell B 96-98
sportation Comm . TransComm., TB
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REGULATORY (ZONING , BEGS. , ETC)
Zoning Ordinance Revisions P,E,Z PC, COC, TB A 96-97
(See Attachments for prel.
COC and Pln. Comm. ,priorities)
Enact Six Mile Creek Ping. TB A 96
Conservation District
Establish Conservation Ping. PC, COQ, CB, TB B 96-97
Districts in Other Areas
Establish Rural Res. District Ping. PC, COC, CB, TB B 96
Consider New "Institutional" Ping. PC, COC, TB ? 7
Zone
Define "Unbuildable" Land Ping. PB, PC, COC, CB, B 96
TB
MR, SLUD, Comm. /Ind. Rezonings Ping. COC, PB, TB B 96
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Complete Park, Rec. & Open Ping., Pks, CB, PW, PC, A 96
Space Plan Update pB, TB
Pew & Maple Ave. Trails P, E, Pks. PW, CB, TB ?
Design & Easemt. Ac s . 96
Construction 97-98
Plans for Chase Farm Park & Access P,E, Parks, Hwy. PW, PC C 96-97
Complete Inlet Valley Archeological Parks /Ping. PC, CB, PW C 96
Survey
Design Plan for Iacovelli Park Parks, E, P PW, PC, CB, TB C ?
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Buttermilk Gateway Trail (if P, E. Pks ., PW, CB, TB ?
ISTEA Grant comes through) City of Ithaca
Design 97
Construction 98
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AQNGOING PLANNING DEPT. ACTIVITIES
Ipport to Boards, Committees Ping. PB, TB, CB, ZBA
COC, PC
Public/Technical Assistance Ping.
Library Coding & Organization Ping.
Records Mgmt. / Filing P, E, Z
Development Reviews P, E, Z PB, CB, ZBA, TB - - - -
SEQR Reviews Ping. PB, ZBA, TB - - - -
MPO Planning Committee P, E MPO, TB - - - -
Staff Training/ Education Ping. - - - - - -
(Conferences, Workshops )
McName c\ Istaff\jon\ 96wkp1n.mem
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1995 Priority Work Plan Items Completed _
ADMINISTRATION:
Update development application form
Update development review spreadsheet
File records by street address (cross-reference w/ tax map #'s)
Update subdivision and site plan checklists
GENERAL PLANNING :
MPO Transport lion Planning:
Rt, 96 Mitigation/Park-an&ride Analysis
County Trail / Corridor Study (Completed in draft)
TIP Amendment
Airport Master Plan (partic. in Local Gov' t. Committee)
REGULATORY:
Cornell SLUR was enacted
I #
Fee4n-Lieu of Parkland. local law was enacted
Sunset provisions for Subdivisions and Site Plans were enacted
Building height requirements in Zoning were amended
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1995 Priority Work Plan Items in Progress
DNIINISTRATION:
Development Review Manual: Revised draft of staff responsibilities in devel. review
completed. Needs editing, review, then finalize.
GENERAL PLANNING :
Development of GIS : Needs assessment and research into possible hardware and software
completed in 1995 . 1996 Budget includes funds for acquisition of GIS.
Development of Environmental Atlas: Preliminary base maps for UNA' s and wetlands was
prepared. Will continue in 1996 and integrate into GIS when implemented.
Cayuga Lake Waterfront Planning: Town entered into agreement with County, City,
Chamber of Commerce and Cornell Univ. for joint study of waterfront area. County
obtained grant from NYS as part of effort. Study team was assembled and has met with
consultant to initiate study.
GULATORY:
Zoning Ordinance Revisions: Codes and Ordinances initiated comprehensive review of
current Zoning Ordinance and has identified preliminary priorities for revisions (see
attached list) . Will continue in 1996 .
Six Mile Creek Conservation District: A proposed Conservation District has been drafted
and revised several times . Public meetings were held. Final revisions and public hearings
will be held in 1996 .
Review of Status of MR, SLUD and Other Non-residential Districts: Analysis was
completed. COC has recommended several rezonings to conform to Comprehensive Plan.
Planning Board has held two public hearings . Additional public hearings to be held in
1996.
Define "Unbuildable" Land: Amendment to Subdivision Regulations has been drafted to
provide better guidance to Planning Board on determining location and number of
lots / dwelling units in subdivisions, based on consideration of site constraints , such as steep
slopes, erobable soils, wetlands, etc. Legal research, review and further revisions can be
pursued in 1996.
PARKS & OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT :
Parks, Rec. and Open Space Plan Update: Was completed in draft in 1995, and now should
undergo review by appropriate boards and committees and the public, necessary revisions,
5
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public hearings, and adoption in 1996.
Plans for Chase Farm Park and Access: Preliminary analysis and discussions with residents
of Chase Farm area were initiated in 1995 to determine possibility of through access from
end of Chase Lane to Ridgecrest and addition of small neighborhood park (elements of
Chase Farm Phase II that never came about). Landowners with affected parcels have shown
interest. Town Board should determine whether this is something that should be pursued
in 1996.
Plans for Baldwin Trail (now referred to as Wm. & Hannah Pew Trail) : Preliminary work
on obtaining easements was done in 1995, and an application for ISTEA Enhancement funds
was submitted to NYS, including extension of the Maple Avenue Trail. If grant comes
through (we should hear by April ' 96), design of these bicycle / pedestrian trails should be
considered a high priority for 1996. If the grant does not come through, then the Town
Board should determine the priority for 1996 or future years.
Inlet Valley Archeological Survey: Cornell continued site research in 1995 on the two town
parks on Seven Mile Drive and Bostwick Road to determine whether there are any
constraints to future park development. Final site work will be completed in Spring of
1996, and a final report with specific recommendations will be completed in June 1996.
6
TOWN OF ITHACA CODES & ORDINANCES COMMITTEE
CUMULATIVE LIST OF ZONING REVISION PRIORITIES
(Not Necessarily in Order of Priorities)
September 13, 1995
Home Occupations (Revise / update existing regs.) -
Adult Dav Care (Add new provisions)
Institutional Zone (Add new zone)
Industrial Zone (Revise existing zone)
Sign Ordinance (Revise / update )
Second Dwelling Unit in Residential Zones (Possibly change to special
approval)
Special Approvals (Planning Board vs . ZBA)
Site Plan Modification Thresholds (Minor modifications handled
administratively)
Parking Standards (Update for all uses / zones)
Gas Stations (Update standards : canopies, convenience stores, etc.)
- Use Variance Procedures (Should have Planning Board recommendation before
going to ZBA)
Design / architectural Standards (and possible need for Design/Arch. Review
Advisory Board)
Historic Preservation (Start with historic resources survey; then discuss
whether ordinance / review board desirable)
Definitions (Update and add new definitions where appropriate)
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING COMMITTEE
Updated List of Priorities for 1996
(Summary of Discussion at 2 / 5 / 96 Meeting)
(Not necessarily in order of priorities)
HIGHEST PRIORITIES
Rural Residential Districts: Study R-30 or other appropriate areas where lower
density zoning would be desirable
a. Start with areas adjacent to proposed Conservation Districts and
Agricultural Districts .
Agricultural zones: e . g. , more specific controls over uses / densities in AG
zoning districts; expand AG zones to other appropriate areas . Some areas can
be included in analysis of Rural . Residential as listed above. Have Agriculture
Committee discuss possible zoning changes, look at incentives to encourage
agriculture in Town. Planning Committee and Ag Committee can discuss in
future. The future of agriculture on the West Hill is especially relevant in light
of pending development pressures .
Possible open space preservation strategies, such as :
a, sewer and water assessment reductions for Conservation Districts,
conservation easements, agricultural land,
b , tax abatements for conservation easements,
ce purchase of development rights (PDR) or transfer of development rights
(TDR) .
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan Update : Planning Committee to review
when report is ready.
Conservation Districts : Prioritize / study additional areas for Conservation
zoning.
OTHER PRIORITIES
Residential zoning / housing:
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a. Second dwelling unit in residential zones (look at special approval
process instead of by right) .
b . Affordable housing: Do housing needs assessment to determine Town of
Ithaca needs (could be done by County or consultant) . Then look at
possible zoning strategies to promote affordable housing.
Historic resources survey: Work with Historic Ithaca, Cornell University or
others to provide inventory of historic resources in Town.
Scenic resources survey (scenic views /vistas) : Conservation Board is taking
lead on this inventory and has identified this as one of their top priorities for
1996.
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New Institutional and / or Educational zones (s) : Can use Cornell SLUR as a
basis (can work with City and Cornell on this ) . Not an urgent priority, but
keep in mind) .
Educate developers on Town' s review process - address possible negative
perception about developing within Ithaca. (Staff is completing Development
Review Manual which outlines entire review process; also consider possibility
of pampYilet for public distribution describing Town functions and services
available to the public.
OTHER SUBTECTS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR FUTURE
PLANNING COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT
Northeast Connector Study: This project is in the MPO' s Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP), but funding levels are being re-evaluated by the
state. The state is willing to commit study funds, but probably at a lower level
than originally determined. The MPO has set up a Study Group to establish
the scope of this study, and will be working with the state to initiate this
project in 1996 : Because of the magnitude and interest in this study, it is
suggested that this be the transportation priority for 1996 .
Transportation Plan / Amend Official Map : This will be a high priority project
for staff and Public Works Committee, working with Planning Committee.
Because of the effort that will be involved with the Northeast Connector Study,
it is suggested that the 1996 task for the overall Transportation Plan be to
identify II the scope and study process, with Plan work beginning in 1997.
Waterfront Plan: Work with County, City, Cornell and Chamber of Commerce
on study, of Cayuga Lake waterfront (e.g. , enhancing public access, recreational
facilities opportunities for water-related businesses, etc. ) .
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TOWN OF ITHACA
PLANNING DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
TO: CATHY VALENTINO, SUPERVISOR
FROM: JON KANTER, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING
RE: ROLE OF PLANNING COMMITTEE
DATE: JANUARY 4, 1996
Ellen Harrison, Carolyn Grigorov and I got together today to discuss the role of the
Planning Committee and its relationship to the Codes and Ordinances Committee.
Attached is a description prepared by Ellen, revised to reflect our collective thoughts
and recommendations, based on our meeting. We would be happy to discuss this
with you in more detail at your convenience.
Att.
cc: Ellen Harrison
Carolyn Grigorov
ROLE OF PLANNING COMMITTEE AND RELATION TO
CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE
The Planning Committee role is to promote the implementation of the Town Comprehensive Plan and to
recommend policies which flow from that document. In setting the Committee priorities, we, reviewed the
Plan and selected implementation of several key measures as our highest priority. One was the
development of a Conservation Zone which took most of our time over the past year. We are moving on
to consideration of a Rural Residential zone. The Planning Committee should thus be taking a 'big
picture" view of planning and development issues, targeting selected issues, discussing and developing
policy recommendations and then forwarding those on for codification and implementation.
Membership on the Planning Committee should include 3 members of the Town Board and the Chair (or
designee) of the Planning Board. We would suggest that a member of the Conservation Board also be
officially appointed by the Supervisor to serve as a liason to that group. At least one of the Town Board
members on the Planning Committee should also be on the Codes and Ordinances Committee, since there
is an important link between the two committees.
The Codes and Ordinances Committee should take the policy direction established by the Planning
Committee (or the Town Board as a whole) and flesh it out into appropriate legal vehicles. So, for
example, the Planning Committee is recommending that the policy regarding second dwelling units in
homes be redefined. The Planning Committee should develop its policy recommendation and then ask
Codes and Ordinances to look at how that policy might best be incorporated into the zoning ordinance,
subdivision regulations or elsewhere. In the case of the Conservation Zone, it is possible that the Planning
Committee may have spent too much time on some of the specifics of the language and drafting, and
could, perhaps, have sent the policy recommendations on to Codes and Ordinances sooner. Holding a
joint meeting of the two committees occasionally (as we did re the Conservation Zone) seems useful,
perhaps at the time the Planning Committee is °passing along" the policy recommendations to Codes and
Ordinances.
Liason with the Town Board and Planning Board deserves some consideration . For some substantial
policv issues, it seems that it might be important to get a reading from the full Town Board before a lot of
time is spent by Codes and Ordinances and potentially by the Planning Board on an issue that has not yet
been reviewed by the Town Board as a whole. It might be worthwhile for the Planning Committee to have
some time on the Town Board agenda every so often (our guess is that it would be no more frequent than
every 3 to 4 months) to actually discuss policy issues. So for example, once the Planning Committee has
discussed and developed a recommendation on second dwelling units, it might be brought to the Town
Board for discussion to be sure that the concepts put forward by the Planning Committee are likely to be
in line with what the Town Board favors. This would not likely entail voting on anything, and we would
recognize that public input and other factors may alter the policy recommendations over the course of
consideration of the issue by Codes and Ordinances, the Planning Board and the final Town Board review
and vote. Such a discussion relatively early in the formal review process (after development of policy
recommendations by the Planning Committee and before beginning to draft specific language) might save
considerable time in the long run.
EZH
January 1 , 1996
(Revised January 4, 1996)
[ fop
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FEB 14 f9..0
BARNEY , GROSSMAN , ROTH & DUBOW
ATTORNEYS AT LAW PLANNING, ZONING. ENGINEERING
SENECA BUILDING WEST
SUITE 400
JOHN C. BARNEY 1 19 EAST SENECA STREET
PETER G . GROSSMAN ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 FACSIMILE
NELSON E. ROTH (607) 272- 8806
DAVID A. DUBOW ( 607) 273- 6841 ( NOT FOR SERVICE OF PAPERS)
RANDALL B . MARCUS
HUGH C. KENT
February 13 , 1996
Mr. Jonathan Kanter
Director of Planning
Town of Ithaca
126 East Seneca Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Re : New Zoning Ordinance
Dear Jon:
You have asked for a brief memo on the process for attacking the task of drafting a
revised zoning ordinance for the Town and a preliminary estimate of costs if we were to be
involved in the process. The assumption, I believe, was that the primary agency for the revision
would be the Codes and Ordinances Committee of the Town (" COC") and the discussions below
are based on that assumption.
1 . Possible Program
COC has , as you know, already embarked on the revision process. Essentially, a
tentative table of contents has been developed outlining in very broad terms the initially proposed
elements of a revised ordinance (Copy attached). Using that table as a guide , the next step has
been for us to prepare draft language for one or two of the proposed Articles of the new
ordinance for review and comment by COC . Based on those comments, the Articles are rewritten
into semi-final form, and drafts of the next Articles can be prepared for consideration at the next
meeting. During the process Articles (particularly the definition section) that have been
previously reviewed can be revisited and updated to reflect issues that may arise as subsequent
Articles are studied. To date I believe we have reviewed essentially four Articles including the
ones dealing with definitions and (at the moment site specific) conservation zones. The process
was interrupted slightly in order to consider the Six Mile Valley Conservation District proposal
and then the year end rush and change in elected officials suspended further activities until
tonight.
We would suggest that the process begun last year be continued in essentially the same
manner. However, if the revision of the Ordinance is to be completed in our lifetimes, we would
suggest that
(a) The revision of the zoning ordinance be the only matter COC works on until an initial
draft of a complete ordinance has been prepared and reviewed by COC ; and
(b) Until COC completes that initial draft, other Town groups or bodies refrain from
working on matters that necessarily will require alteration of the general provisions of the
Ordinance .
The reason for these recommendations are that the interruption of COC ' s study of the
ordinance from time to time with other projects impedes the continuity of thought that is essential
to producing an internally consistent ordinance . and necessarily delays the entire process.
Further, if other groups are themselves working on essentially zoning matters of their own, there
is substantial duplication of effort with sometimes differing objectives. Once a draft ordinance
is prepared, it should be widely circulated to all groups and boards of the Town for input before
being again reviewed by COC and revisions made to reflect any suggestions received.
The next step would be submission of the proposed ordinance to the Planning Board for
review and recommendation to the Town Board.
The final step would be review and possible adoption of the revised ordinance by the
Town Board.
2 . Time to Complete .
If the foregoing suggested program were adopted, and if COC chose not to meet more
frequently than monthly, I would expect the process of initial COC review to take about eighteen
months. Realistically, if COC intensively reviews each Article, it seems likely that approximately
two Articles, on average, could be reviewed and substantially completed at each meeting.
If COC were willing to meet more frequently, the overall time frame could be reduced.
Once COC has completed an initial draft, probably two months would be an appropriate
period for circulation and comment, and two more months for COC to compile and react to the
comments making whatever changes seemed appropriate in the draft before sending it on.
The Planning Board should probably be allowed a couple of months for review and
revision, and another two months for the Town Board to review and act.
Thus, taken altogether, and if the process were not placed on a " fast track" the likely time
period to complete seems about two years. If COC were to meet twice monthly, that time period
could be shortened to perhaps sixteen months.
3 . Legal Costs
It is difficult to assign a specific amount of additional legal costs to the process, because
if another body m or group such as an outside consultant were to do the work, there would still,
presumably, . be the need for some legal input as to some of the issues that may be peculiar to
the Town arising out of some of the litigation conducted over the years, and some review and
comment of any draft and finished product. The amounts in that situation can' t really be
quantified without understanding of. the roles expected from your lawyers, but there would likely
be some substantial costs.
If, however, the program outlined in this letter is chosen, an approximate estimate of the
costs is as follows (not taking into account that some of these costs would be incurred anyway
even if the process were handled outside of our office) :
Assuming approximately 3 .5 hours of preparation for each meeting and approximately 2.5
hours at each meeting , the total cost of legal time of our office would be approximately $ 14,000.
Most of this amount would not affect generally the Town' s budget for legal fees if COC met
monthly, as it - would be money that in the past has been spent on other matters considered by
COC . If the COC meetings were to be accelerated, it would mean either increased legal costs
in the current year, or reduction of other services.
If there is any other information we might provide , I' d be happy to try and do so .
With best regards.
Very truly yours,
r
i
JCB :bc
Enc.
U
let j .
TOWN OF ITHACA
ZONING ORDINANCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I TITLE
Section 100 - TITLE
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
Section 200 - PURPOSE
ARTICLE III INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
Section 300 - INTERPRETATION
Section 301 - CONTROLLING REGULATION
Section 302 - DEFINED TERlIMS
ARTICLE IV ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES
Section 400 - ZONES
Section 401 - ZONE BOUNDARIES
Section 402 - PROHIBITION OF USES
ARTICLE V CONSERVATION ZONES
Section 500 - PURPOSE
Section 501 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 502 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 503 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 504 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 505 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 506 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 506 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 507 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 508 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
ARTICLE VI AGRICULTURAL ZONES
Section 600 - PURPOSE
Section 601 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 602 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 603 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 604 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 605 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 606 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 606 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 607 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
ncwwnc tc, wp5 NchUoallzw October 4 , 1995 6:43pm
Section 608 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
Section 609 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Section 610 - RADIO TRANSNUSSION TOWERS
ARTICLE VII LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Section 700 - PURPOSE
Section 701 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 702 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 703 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 704 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 705 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 706 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 706 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 707 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 708 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
ARTICLE VIII INIEDI NI DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Section 800 - PURPOSE
Section 801 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 802 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 803 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 804 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 805 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 806 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 806 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 807 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 808 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
ARTICLE IX HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Section 900 - PURPOSE
Section 901 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 902 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 903 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 904 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 905 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 906 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 906 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 907 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 908 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
2
ncwzonatc, wp5NthVocallaw Oaooer 4 , 1995 6:43pm
ARTICLE X MOBILE HOME PARK ZONES
Section 1000 - PURPOSE
Section 1001 - LOCATION
Section 1002 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1003 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1004 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1005 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 1006 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 1007 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 1008 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 1009 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 1010 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
Section 1011 - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 1012 - SITE PLAN APPROVAL
ARTICLE XI MULTIPLE RESIDENCE ZONES
Section 1100 - PURPOSE
Section 1101 - LOCATION
Section 1102 - PERM=ED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1103 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1104 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1105 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 1106 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 1107 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 1108 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 1109 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 1110 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
Section 1111 - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 1112 - SITE PLAN APPROVAL
ARTICLE XII BUSINESS ZONES GENERALLY
Section 1200 - PURPOSE
Section 1201 - COMMERCIAL TARGET AREA
Section 1203 - HEIGHT LD=ATIONS
Section 1204 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 1205 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 1206 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 1207 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
Section 1208 - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 1209 - SITE PLAN APPROVAL
3
ammacar, wp511ichUocalliw Oaober 4. 1995 6:43pm
Section 1210 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
ARTICLE XIII BUSINESS ZONES A
Section 1301 - PURPOSE
Section 1302 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1303 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1304 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1305 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
ARTICLE XIV BUSINESS ZONES B
Section 1401 - PURPOSE
Section 1402 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1403 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1404 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1405 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
ARTICLE XV BUSINESS ZONES C
Section 1501 - PURPOSE
Section 1502 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1503 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1504 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1505 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
ARTICLE XVI BUSINESS ZONES D
Section 1601 - PURPOSE
Section 1602 - PERNT= PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1603 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1604 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1605 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
ARTICLE XVII BUSINESS ZONES E
Section 1701 - PURPOSE
Section 1702 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1703 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1704 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1705 - PERMI'T'TED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
ARTICLE XVIII LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONES
Section 1800 - PURPOSE
4
newrone.tc, wp511iffiUonllaw October 4 , 1995 6:43pm
Section 1801 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1802 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1803 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1804 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 1805 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 1806 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 1807 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 1808 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 1809 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
Section 1810 - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 1811 - SITE PLAN APPROVAL
Section 1812 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
ARTICLE XIX INDUSTRIAL ZONFS
Section 1900 - PURPOSE
Section 1901 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 1902 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 1903 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 1904 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 1905 - HEIGHT LMITATIONS
Section 1906 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 1907 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 1908 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 1909 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
Section 1910 - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 1911 - SITE PLAN APPROVAL
Section 1912 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
ARTICLE XX INSTITUTIONAL ZONES
Section 2000 - PURPOSE
Section 2001 - LOCATION
Section 2002 - PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES
Section 2003 - USES AUTHORIZED BY SPECIAL PERMIT ONLY
Section 2004 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES
Section 2005 - PERMITTED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
Section 2006 - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Section 2007 - YARD REGULATIONS
Section 2008 - BUILDING COVERAGE
Section 2009 - SIZE AND AREA OF LOT
Section 2010 - SPECIAL PROPERTIES
5
acwzone tr, wp5 NEhUoallaw October 4. 1995 6:43pm
Section 2011 - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Section 2012 - SITE PLAN APPROVAL
Section 2013 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
ARTICLE XXI PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONES
Section 2100 - PURPOSE
Section 2101 - LOCATION
Section 2102 - PERMITTED USES
Section 2103 - SITE PLAN APPROVAL
Section 2104 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
ARTICLE X.YII PROCEDURES FOR CREATION OF NEW ZONES
Section 2200 - ZONES TO WHICH APPLICABLE
Section 2201 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 2202 - PROCEDURES FOR CREATION OF ZONE
ARTICLE XXLII SITE PLAIN REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES
Section 2300 - APPLICATIONS FOR REZONING
Section 2301 - SITE PLANS RELATED TO SPECIAL APPROVALS
Section 2302 - SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS
Section 2303 - FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS
Section 2304 - WAIVER OF REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO SITE PLAN
Section 2305 - GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Section 2306 - OTHER PROVISIONS
Section 2307 - FAILURE OF TIMELY ACTION BY TOWN BOARD OR
PLANNING BOARD
ARTICLE XXIV SPECIAL APPROVALS
Section 2400 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 2401 - GENERAL CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL
SPECIAL PERMITS
Section 2402 - PROCEDURE FOR SPECIAL PERMITS
Section 2403 - ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ARTICLE XXV NON-CONFORNI NG USES
Section 2500 - NONCONFORMING LOTS OF RECORD
Section 2501 - NONCONFORMING USES OF LAND
Section 2503 - NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
Section 2504 - NONCONFORMING USES OF STRUCTURES
Section 2505 - CONTINUATION OF CONSTRUCTION
6
aewwaatc, wp5 NthVonilaw October 4 , 1995 6:43pm
Section 2506 - ALTERATIONS IN USE
Section 2507 - ENLARGEMENT OF NON-CONFORMING STRUCTURE
Section 2507 - RESTORATION
Section 2508 - A1MORTIZATION OF CERTAIN NON-CONFORMING USES
Section 2509 - BOARD OF APPEALS DETERMINATION
ARTICLE XXVI FLOOD DAMAGE PROTECTION
Section 2600 - PURPOSE
Section 2601 - DEFINITIONS
Section 2602 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 2603 - ADMINISTRATION
Section 2604 - PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION
Section 2607 - VARIANCE PROCEDURE
ARTICLE XXVII SPECIAL REGULATIONS
Section 2700 - APPLICATION
Section 2701 - DISH ANTENNAE
Section 2702 - JUNK OR SALVAGE YARDS [CONSIDER MOVING TO ZONE
WHERE ALLOWED, E. G. INDUSTRIAL]
Section 2703 - EXTRACTION OR DEPOSIT OF FILL AND RELATED
PRODUCTS
Section 2704 - PUBLIC GARAGES AND GASOLINE SALES STATIONS
[CONSIDER MOVING TO ZONE WHERE ALLOWED, E. G.BUSINESS E]
Section 2705 - ABANDONED CELLAR HOLES AND BUILDINGS
ARTICLE XXVIII GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 2800 - EXISTING LOTS
Section 2801 - BUILDING FLOOR AREA
Section 2802 - TRAILERS
Section 2803 - FRONT YARD TRANSITION
Section 2804 - SIDE YARD ON CORNER LOT
Section 2805 - SIDE AND REAR YARD TRANSITION
Section 2806 - PORCHES AND CARPORTS
Section 2807 - FENCES AND WALLS
Section 2808 - PROJECTIONS IN YARDS
Section 2809 - REDUCTION OF LOT AREA
Section 2810 - MORE THAN ONE BUILDING ON A LOT
Section 2811 - PARKING FACILITIES
Section 2812 - APPROVAL OF COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Section 2813 - ELDER COTTAGES
7
PRELIM NARY : FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY DRAFT
(Fran Draft Parks , Recreation & Open Space Plan Update)
Table 5 - 1 . Proposed Future Parks , Improvements , and Estimated
Costs
Proposed Proposed Capital Estimated
Park Site Improvements to Site Cost
Inlet Valley Community 2 baseball/softball diamonds, 1 soccer field. 4 tennis courts, 1 basketball
Park Complex * ** (Tutelo & Saponi court, 5 ac. lawn areas, 2 mi. of walkways, 2 play structures, 2 comfort
sites with connection via Mancini land) stations, .5 mi. roads & 50 parking spaces, 4 2000 fL picnic pavilions, .
(25 ac.) 40 picnic tables, benches, signage, security lighting, landscape plantings $760,000
Vincenzo Iacovelli 1 ac. lawn area, walkways, benches, signage, play structure, basketball
Neighborhood Park * •• (3S ac.) court, security lighting, landscape plantings $809000
Chase Farts 12 ac. lawn area, walkways, benches, signage, play structure, basketball
Neighborhood Park (1S ac.) court, security lighting, landscape plantings 5759000
Westwood Hills/Woolf Lane 12 ac. lawn area, walkways, benches, signage, play structure, security $659000
Neighborhood Park ** (1 .7 ac.) lighting, landscape plantings
Dates Dr./Duboise Rd. Neighborhood I2 ac. lawn area, walkways, benches, signage, play structure, basketball
Park (1 .5 ac.) court, security lighting, landscape plantings $759000
Neighborhood Park to East of 12 ac. of lawn area, walkways, benches, signage, play structure, security
Fortner Odd Fellows Complex (1.5 ac.) lighting, landscape plantings $659000
Trumansburg Rd./Hopkins Rd. 12 ac. of lawn area, walkways, benches, signage, play structure, security
Neighborhood Park ( 1 .5 ac.) lighting, landscape plantings $659000
West Haven Rd./Mecklenburg Rd./Elm 1 ac. lawn area, walkways, benches, signage, play structure , basketball
St. Neighborhood Park (6S ac) court, security lighting, landscape plantings 5801000
Coy Glen Rd./Elm St./City 12 ac. of lawn area, walkways, benches, signage, play structure, security
Neighborhood Park ( 1 .5 ac.) lighting, landscape plantings 5659000
.Maple Ave./ Mitchell St. 12 ac. lawn area. walkways, benches, signage, play structure, basketball
Neighborhood Park (1S - 3 ac.) court, security lighting, landscape plantings $809000
West Hill Community Park 1 baseball/softball diamond, 1 soccer field, 4 tennis courts, 1 basketball
(20 ac.) court, 4 ac. lawn areas, 1 mi. walkways, 1 play structure, 1 comfort
station, 50 parking spaces, 2 20x30 fL picnic pavilions, 20 picnic tables,
benches, signage, security lighting, landscape plantings
$475,000
South Hill Community Park 1 baseball/softball diamond, 1 basketball court, 5 ac. lawn areas, .5 mi.
(10 ac.) walkways. 1 play structure, 1 comfort station, 20 parking spaces, 10,
picnic tables, benches, signage, security lighting, landscape plantings
$280,000
Tareyton Park Improvements *• Upgrade the existing ballfield to regulation standards. $35,000
A.D.A. Compliance Miscellaneous modifications to bring existing park facilities into
compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act standards
$50,000
TOTAL $2450,000
* Bold face type indicates that development of all or part of the proposed park is in 1996-2000 Parks Dept. Work Plan.
° * Town has acquired the site.
DRAFT
PRELIMIMARY : FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY
(Fran Draft Parks , Recreation & Open Space Plan Update ) DRAFT
Table 5-2. Future Bicycle/Pedestrian Paths and Estimated Costs
Proposed Path Proposed Route Length Estimated
Cost
East Ithaca Maple Ave. between east and south sections of path 0.3 mi. total:
Recreation Way 7600 Lf bikelanes; 530.000
Improvements 19600 Lf sidewalk 20.000
$50,000
Wm. & Hannah Pew East Ithaca Rea Way to NYS Rte. 79 via Honness, 1 .4 mi. total:
Trail Baldwin lands, Tudor Park & Park Lane 4,000 Lf bike/ped. paths; $759000
3 .500 Lf sidewalks; 400000
1 ,900 Lf bikelanes 35.000
$ 150,000
Upper South Hill Chase Ln. to Codd. Rd @ Hudson via Deer Rum, 5.3 mi. total:
Network Raponi & I.C. lands; Deer Run to Danby Rd. via 26.400 Lf bike/ped. paths. $500,000
So. Hill comm. park; east to Codd. Rd & So. Hill 42100 Lf sidewalks 50.000
Rec. Way via Troy Park "" 3550.000
Sapsucker Woods to Lab. of Ornithology to Cornell campus via Salem 2.7 mi. total:
Comell University Pk.Birchwood, Muriel & Blue Grass Ln., Hasbrouck 4,000 Lf bike/ped. paths; 5759000
Apts. and Fuertes Observatory 6.800 Lf sidewalks; 759000
5,000 Lf bikelanes 90.000
5240,000
Aurora St/Buttermilk Aurora St. to Upper Buttermilk Falls St. Pk. via 2.0 mi. total:
Falls Path Axiohm, Ithacare, Cayuga Vista, W. King Rd. 8.500 Lf bike/ped. paths. 51609000
2200 Lf sidewalk; 259000
2,200 Lf bikelanes 45.000
5230,000
So. Hill Rec. Way to So. Hill Rec. Way at Hudson St. to Buttermilk Falls 2. 1 mi. total:
Buttermilk Fls. St. Pk. St. Pk. via former DL&W RR grade. 109100 Lf bike/ped. paths; 5959000
Extension 750 Lf sidewalk 5.000
S1009000
Inlet Valley Path Saponi pant to future State Black Diamond trail via 1 .3 mi, total:
Tutelo park & Five Mile Drive. 5,300 Lf bike/ped paths; $ 1009000
1 ,600 Lf sidewalk; 20,000
500 Lf bikelanes 10.000
$ 130,000
Upper West Hill Path Vicui iry of Elm St. north to Hayts & Hopkins Rd. 3. 1 mi. total: $310,000
via new comm. park, w/ spur to hospital. 16.300 Lf bike/ped. path
Lower West Hill Path Woolf Ln. to Cass Park via Evergreen Ln.. hospital, 2.9 mi. total:
Cayuga Cliffs property and former LVRR grade, w/ 13.500 Lf bike/ped. paths; 32559000
spur north to LVRR grade at Indian Creek 2,100 Lf sidewalk; 25,000
600 Lf bikelanes 10.000
529Q000 *"
TOTAL 21 .1 miles 52,0509000
• Bold face type indicates that development of all or part of the proposed path is in 1996-2000 Parks Dept. Work Plan.
Assumes cost share with City City to assume a minimum of 50% of project cost.
•'*
Assumes 1,200 Lf of bike/ped. path along former LVRR grade to be built by State as part of Black Diamond Trail.
•' "" The portion of the path between Chase Lane & Whitetail Dr. is on 1996.2000 Work Plan.
DRAFT
TOWN OF ITHACA
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION
I � Joan Lent Noteboom being duly sworn , say that I am
the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York ;
that the following notice has been duly posted on the sign board
of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca and that the notice has
been duly published in the local newspaper : ( Ithaca Journal )
Notice of Public Hearing
SCLIWC Master Meter Agreement
Location of sign board used for posting : Town Clerk ' s Office
126 East Seneca Street
Date of Posting : February 27 , 1996 Ithaca , NY 14850
Date of Publication : March 1 , 1996
T wn Clerk , Town of Ithaca
STATE OF NEW YORK )
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS ) SS :
TOWN OF ITHACA )
Sworn to and subscribed before me this J_�l _[ � day of Warck
Mary J. Saxton
Notary Public, State of New York
Registration #01SA5044003 Notary 4wlic
Qualified in Tioga County
My Commission Expires May 22, 1997
i
jy OFIT�
TOWN OF ITHACA
4, ' 21044- 126 EAST SENECA STREET , ITHACA , N . Y . 14850
Y
TOWN CLERK 273- 1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1747 PLANNING 273- 1747 ZONING 273- 1783
FAX (607 ) 273- 1704
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TOWN OF ITHACA
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
will hold a public hearing at a regular meeting of the Town Board
on March 11 , 1996 , at 6 : 30 p . m . , at the Town Hall , 126 East Seneca
Street , Ithaca , New York in order that they may consider an
agreement ' for a capital project with the Southern Cayuga Lake
Intermunicpal Water Commission for the installation of master
meters on transmission lines , issuance of bonds for the same , and
execution of an agreement to participate in such project , all at a
maximum cost to the Town of Ithaca of $ 100 , 000 , and
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE , all citizens at the aforementioned
time and place shall be afforded the opportunity to voice their
approval or opposition of the said agreement .
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE , individuals with visual
impairments , hearing impairments or other special needs , will be
provided with assistance as necessary , upon request . Persons -
desiring assistance must make a request not less than 48 hours
prior to the time of the public hearing .
The Ithaca Journal
Joan Lent Noteboom
Town Clerk
February 27 , 1996
NOTICE ` OF PUBLIC
HEARING i
TOWN OF ITHACA
PLEASE ; TAKE: NOTICE, that
.the Town Board of •the:3own :
PUBLISH : Friday , March 1 , 1996 hearingcatargula1rmeetinigc
of the Town Board on March
11 , 1996, at 6:30 p m. at
the Town Hall, 126 East Sten-
eca Street Ithaca, New York
,. In order. that they may con-
sider an agreetnent for a
capital project with the
Southern Cayuga Lake Inter,
municipal Water Commission
for the Installotion'l of master
; meters ; on transmission . lines,
; Issuance . of. ::bonds'; for ' the
some,; and ezecutlon : of .an'
agreement `to - perticlpote in :
such ,,prolect„ all :at almoxi-
mum. cost , to t the ' Town of
Ithoco"of $ 100;000; and
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NCB- .
! TICE ;.all 'h' citizens t, dt ° the
aforementioned ' time and
place. shall : be ,afforded; the
opportunity to voice their ap
proval or opposition of . the
said ogreement.
PLEASE -TAKE FURTHER NO-
TICE; Individuals with visual
Impairments;-hearing impalr-
ments or other special needs,
will. .be provided with assts-
• tonce. as necessary, upon re-
quest., Persons desiring assis.
tance must make a request
not less than 48 hours prior
to the time of the public hear-
ing
Joan lent Noteboom
Town Clerk
March 1 , 1996
TOWN OF ITHACA
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION
I , Joan Lent Noteboom being duly sworn , say that I am
the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York ,
that the following notice has been duly posted on the sign board
of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca and that the notice has
been duly published in the local newspaper : ( Ithaca Journal )
Notice of Special Election
Location of sign board used for posting : Town Clerk ' s Office
126 East Seneca St .
Date of Posting : February 27 , 1996 Ithaca . NY 14850
Date of Publication : March 1 , 1996
To0i Clerk , Town of Ithaca
STATE OF NEW YORK )
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS ) SS :
TOWN OF ITHACA )
Sworn to and subscribed before me this o * 1 day of
Mary J. Saxton
Notary Public, State of New York
Registration #01SA5044003 Notary P i s
Qualified in Tioga County
My Commission Expires May 22, 1997
i
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jNOT777777111111,ICE OFs ' SPECIAL ;
e;F .qW1LECTIONii 3'
NQTICEj IS':HEREBY.gGIVEN
that o; Spe"ciglrElection ofifhe
refiidenta .ond;_ taxpayorb ' of;j
thetlTowrrof.Ithbcd mpkins ',
County;'.;NewaYor(<;�' will ' be
held in;slid=Town omthe}12th3
day of" in5rch,rrr1996, 1 6t ;
Jvhtch thetpolls will begkept
opp""en between':fhe'uhours,tof
" 12:00 noonrand, 8;04'p:m:
ti for.',, li,vpurppose'iiofI3ortng
uporiyt:the;, ,followin " Fro
PROP,OSITION'NO :1 ,
a5ficll tithe resolution;of {the
' town Board�of �tfie=Town t'oF
Ithacci••outhorizina the;oc ui-
sition 'of the premises of 119
West;4.Co6rtf,Street, Ithacb;
New�'Yo�k',�;i•'and ;tha""•: :con:
stroction :.thereon' of"al' new
Town.-'Hall -;at 4a�costb not:- to
exceed. $21000;000'.00 .' in;
elusiveFA nd {: purchoie
fcosts,"fsaid ''acquisition� end
;construI, n;*.t " , 411 financed
by'th'S"ex'penditure yof'all `of.
` the funds in the;Town;Building
Reser've`•. , E,und.�l f. ;ap rox-.
imately;K$;1350;000'.00, the;;
Wuancero�!Generalr':Obliga=`- `
tionst; Serial-; f}onils • mv.. the ,
amount 'of`-' not', more ' thbnt
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once ` from;currentkfundsi+ '
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7Road?ai Ithaca, , New York;
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isMcfs�No 6 `7;8tand�,9 �.
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fo,14850 f£Eorelectiont,districta i
Nos ' 4;S sand 1 •l o+(y [
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News York, �fofTelection dlelr
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C.Februbry;l6; 19.96,orwithal,
registration',".r p9stmar ked-=no:
Mister, than Februaryryjl'b, 1996;
and recefyed`by'the eoard;of .
f Elections no'Iater Chant :ebru
ary 21i;. 1�996, tshallbe quoi l
�iked'to�vote,7at,sych Specicltl
Election: �r t t � � z ^s
f8yy;orderroF.th�esTown Boa�di
ot�the' Town+ of'Ithcc6 r `
Dated iFebruary' rl2j }1996?f
Ithaeb; New, Yorkt rI t.� �• :
Joan{LentsNoteboom t
aMarc ;71 „1,996"'yt� .t���?
it
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qty OF 1 ,%
TOWN OF ITHACA
126 EAST SENECA STREET , ITHACA , N . Y . 14850
TOWN CLERK 273- 1721 HIGHWAY 273- 1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1747 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783
FAX (607) 273 . 1704
Legal Notice
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Election of the residents and
taxpayers of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County, New York , will be held
in said Town on the 12th day of March , 1996 , at which the polls will be
kept open between the hours of 12 : 00 noon and 8 : 00 p . m . for the purpose
of voting upon the following proposition :
Proposition No . 1
Shall the resolution of the Town Board of the
Town of Ithaca authorizing the acquisition of
the premises at 119 West Court Street , Ithaca ,
New York and the construction thereon of a
new Town Hall at a cost not to exceed
$2 , 000 , 000 . 00 inclusive of land purchase
costs , said acquisition and construction to be
financed by the expenditure of all of the funds
in the Town Building Reserve Fund of
approximately $ 1 , 350 , 000 . 00 , the issuance of
General Obligations Serial Bonds in the
amount of not more than $500 , 000 . 00 and the
balance from current funds , be approved ?
The polling places at such election will be as follows :
Board of Cooperative Educational Services , 555 Warren Road ,
Ithaca , New York , Smith Building , for election districts Nos . 6 , 7 , 8
and 9 .
Ellis Hollow Road Apartments , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road ,
Ithaca , New York , 14850 , for election districts Nos . 4 , 5 and
11 .
i
Ithaca Veteran Volunteer Fireman ' s Association Building ,
638 Elmira Road , Ithaca , New York , for election districts
Nos . 1 , 2 , 3 and 10 .
All electors of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County, New York , 6who are
registered voters of the Town on February 16 , 1996 or with a registration
postmarked no later than February 16 , 1996 and received by the Board of
Elections no later than February 21 , 1996 , shall be qualified to vote at
such Special Election .
By order of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca .
,Dated : February 12 , 1996
Ithaca , New York
Jo n Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
..v
i
i
TOWN OF ITHACA
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION
I , Joan Lent Noteboom , being duly sworn , say that I am
the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York ;
that the following notice has been duly posted on the sign board
of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca and that the notice has
been duly published in the local newspaper : ( Ithaca Journal )
Public Hearing Notice - Ithacare ST .tID# 7
Location of sign board used for posting : Town Clerk ' s Office
126 East Seneca Street
Date of Posting : February 28 , . 1996 Ithaca , NY 14850
Date of Publication : March 1 , 1996
Town lerk , Town of Ithaca
STATE OF NEW YORK )
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS ) SS :
TOWN OF ITHACA )
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of ` Qc �''('� l.
19 Mary J. Saxton
Notary Public, State of New York
Registration #01SA5044003
Qualified in Tioga County Notary P c
My Commission Expires May 22, 1997
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t < -t. ; asl ttr If r {F{ ( r
Th'e Ithaca' Journal° `Friday Ma
--r � 4 `Fr•'v er'tb '
A , .NOT ICE-' ' OF-'jP, UBLIC• '
}. :,: ;;' ^�`• TOWN OF;ITHACA ` :� s
�. . ;;,I'LEASEr;TAKE,,;:NQTICE�that
. ;tfie`;Town:tBobFdSofr.',tFe.;Town
rof.• I►hacawill: fiold` a public
„ . ;. FiearinggWat;a 'regular.,meetingg
u f_the:Tovin ,Board on' March
Ok 00 Of
.`
the Tov+n Hall;1.26':EOP. S�en
e, Street, . lthacc; New York
tosconsider:amamendmentfto
� Towmof Ithaca�localsL'ow No;
s ;•lof thecyeor• 1 �,94 c'reafing
s Sppaecial landiUse YDistrI t No,
a ch amendment{Rputho-
A ." rile srredocationPofethe>ypro�
O�`{p`osgiJ:1t17aCOCe;CenterI•Senior4
ivingfiCommuniy,buitding"£to°.
`tat�ewaed �location asshown
rr` dOliia�eVlaed;site PPlanwhich�
, •building{ is`� locafed• ;on�fhe�
it 4l of Dcnby,Rood ap
proxlmately2,000 Cs
I • , ,of,fhe enfranceito„Ithaca Col-
s ;lege;,on th&f428' t'ccre �o r,?
! `. tion� of�Town Hof lthbco ,4 OXI
' f!crcelajNo:�3,9g1 '1 3i�deaig.� '
Hated aasSpecialIt, nd Usea
� t> ,DisfricftNo:�7;' cnd ir,F�� =4
PIEASEa.TAKE�F,URTHERt�NO
•TICE; :all�scitizens :�at4ther 1.cforementioned„'fime , and,.
ce`. ahall};beafforded the°
opporlunily,fo"voice';fheir 'afr
provalr or:;opposition '• of the:;
�• : .;aaid .amendment �and: .., .., .
•PLEASETAKE3FISRTHER N0=4
„TICE,`•f Individuals°;V 1fC isual
r iinpairments; 'hearing`'Impair
ments`oriother ipeciaFheeclm
ill =6e�provideed�.with:assts
„toncet'as 'neceasary, upon re ;
ry ?} nee murst makes a rdques
` not lesstthgn"�48f11`o"uia ' rior.'t
sio�the time of�the puffbttl�.ic eor
tµj.tngr .r.,y�„ Y:.ti:2ir uv"15;•,'4';yby�si�u
it 3� �JoonYlent Noteboom�
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