HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1972-06-20 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
f� June 20 , 1972
The regular meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board
was held on Tuesday , June 20 , 1972 , at 7030 p . m . in the Town
of Ithaca Offices , 108 E . Green Street , Ithaca , New York ,
PRESENT : Chairman Barbara Holcomb , Dan Baker , Arnold
Albreclt , :Maurice Harris , Robert Christianson , Robert Scannell ,
and Peter Francese ( Planning Consultant ) .
firs . Holcomb raported that the Town Board had decided that
the Denman proposal for street numbering would be a possible
item for next year ' s budget . She also reported that Attorney
Barney stated that the Town does not need a Gravel Pit Ordinance
before we file order concerning Coy Glen Gravel Pit . The
Planning Board and the Board on Zoning Appeals should get
together and decide on a list of restrictions to present to .
the Judge . IFirs . Holcomb and Peter Francese will present such
a list to the Board at our July 25 meeting .
A revised proposal was presented concerning the construction
of a maintenance building at Ithaca College , The College plans
to use the present riding area for a maintenance building , and
�. develop a new road off Coddington Rd . to alleviate traffic
problems . Peter Francese questioned the drainage , and will
checkon this . Robert Christianson made a motion that the
Planning Board give approval to the proposed maintenance building
plans of Ithaca Collega providing the Town Planner ' s personal
inspection verifies our feelings that their drainage plans are
adequate to prevent future problems for adjacent land owners .
The motion was seconded by Robert Scannell , and unanimously
approved . IP, was also suggested that aletter of recognition
expressing our appreciation for Ithaca College presenting their
plans to the Board be sent .
BEACON HILLS LTD . PROPOSAL : A presentation was made by
Beacon Hi is Ltd . fora proposal to cons ':. ruct a planned
unit development with 70 , 000 sq . feet of commercial space and
approximately 100 apartment units . This proposed development
would be on King Road East in the vicinity of Ridgecrest Rd .
Beacon Hills Ltd . is a planned unit development proposal for
800 units on a total of 175 acreis of residential land . The total
site proposal is for 15 acres , 10 acres of which are proposed
to be used for a neighborhood commercial area , The average
density will be 4 . 6 units / acre . It is planned to have 520
two bedroom units , anc'. 280 one bedroom units . Garages will be
provided for 1300 cars , talus guest parking spaces for 400 cars .
ttThe commercial area is proposed to include a small " country
� \ s2 _
store " , retail stores , and restaurant . Office area will also
be provided . A 40 � room motel is proposed to be included in
the PUD , as well as a club housrG .
A slide presentation was made by Frank Grosso of a similar
PUD in Connecticut . It was reported that the main access to
Beacon Hills will be via Ridgecrest Rd . A circular roa. d will
be provided around the project . The center of the development
will be a greenbelt area , including a 6 - hole golf course and
pond . Around the greenbelt will be clusters . Within each of
the clusters will be 8 to 10 units . There will be one exit onto
Troy Rd . and onto King Rd . and Ridgecrest . The development is
phased ; Phase I is planned to incorporate the greenbelt area
including the pond , golf course , and approximately 20 clusters ,
and part of the country store: and interior road . Phase II
will include part of the road , approximately 20 clusters , and
the remainder of the Country Store , and the Country Inn . Phase
III will complete the road and include approximately 15 clusters ,
and a few apartments . Phase IV will include 12 clusters and
apartments . This is preliminary plan and is flexible .
The objectives of such a PUD as Beacon Hills is to allow
- a maximum choice of housing ( size , cost , views ) with a variety
of economic choices . There is more usable open space and more
convenient commercial and service areas . PUD ' s also provide
for the preservation of site .
Beacon Hills is planned to rent at a medium income .
Every unit is on a portion of green area . It is planned to
retain all trees and natural topography possible , with a minimum
amount of regrading . There will be slow , minimal traffic flow .
Paved pedestrian paths will be provided for bikes and walking .
Robert Christianson raised a question concerning the
possibility of including in this PUD a school or church . There
is concern about the number of children such a development
would include , yet no provision is made for a school .
It was reported that PUD ' s usually develop in an area where there
presently exists a school .
A question was also raised concerning whether these units
were for sale or rent . It was reported that there would be a
combination of renting and sell -; ng . In cases of selling , Beacon
Hills would assume the responsibility for landscaping and snow
removal , etc .
Tile following stu e ^; ent was presented by Mr . James Carey
and was signed by 98 res i (.iOn rs : " We the undersigned residents
of the Town of Ithaca ; ) �.� F » se arcQndment of the zoning ordinances to
perm t construction o -!- ume 6JL - o 700 hous i ng uni is on the north
side of East King Rd . Tro , as reported in the June 14
issue of the Ithaca
i
- 3 -
Q 1
We also oppose rezoning the south side of East King Rd .
vvaest of the intersection with Ridgecrest Rd . , for business and
commercial purposes .
Wo believe the current R - 30 zoning ( residential ) for one
and two - family dwellings should be maintained on the above
lands .
With land already zoned by the Town of Ithaca for business
( A through E ) and multi - family usage on King Rd . , at the
intersection of Danby Rd . , we see no need for rezoning or
amending existing zoning ordinances for additional business ,
commercial , or multi - dwelling usage . "
Mrs . Holcomb reported that the major consideration in
this development concerns the water supply problem . The Town
has been allocated water ( to be shared with the Tillage of
Cayuga Heights and the Town of Dryden ) for 400 units this calendar
year , which have been mostly already promised to previous
proposed developments . At this time , the Planning Board has no
way of knowing what water will be available for Town development
next year .
Mr . Robert Cotts of Northview Rd . voiced his concern
that such a development as proposed by Beacon Hills would
increase the traffic flow by at least 1 , 000 cars a day ,
creating a further traffic problem . than presently exists .
Peter Francese reported that under the new Zoning Ordinance ,
the Planning Board has set a gross acre limit of cluster housing
of 3 . 0 units / acre . The proposed Beacon Hills gross acreage
would be 4 . 6 ,' acre , which must be cut down .
Mrs . Holcomb stated that she agreed with Robert Christianson ' s
recommendation that Beacon Hills should incorporated a school
in the project or at least allocate a portion of the land for
a school at some time in the future . The present school is not
adequate to include approximately 500 more children . It was
also suggested that the commercial development not be on the
opposite side of the road from the clusters . It should be
designed to serve that community only .
It was reported that the topography was one of reasons
for having the commercial area on that side of the road . It
was also reported that the Country Inn was proposed for guests
of residents of the community .
Robert Scannell , Irloturice Harris , Arnold Albrecht , and
Robert Christianson retorted th .0; they preferred the commercial
area on the opposite s dl .:. of th road from the clusters , as
is prf% sentTy proposed .
Farther informal c: a s r, ass i on was held concerning
recommendations for the << cov Hill proposal . The meeting was
adjourned at 11 : 00 p . m .
Respectfully submitted ,
Charlene Lawson , Secretary