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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1973-07-10 A , TOWN OF TTHACA PLANNING BOARD JULY 10 , 1973 A regular meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board was held on Tuesday , July 10 , 1973 , in the Town Offices at 108 East Green Street , Ithaca , New York , at 7 : 30 pm . PRESENT : Chairwoman Barbara Holcomb , Robert Christianson , RobertScannellMaurice Harris , Daniel Baker , Peter Francese ( Planning Consultant)' Ken Kroohs , ( Planning Engineer) , Sandra McCullough (Student Planner) , Reynolds Metz (Assistant Zoning Officer) , ABSENT : Arnold Albrecht , Sam Slack , Jack Lowe , ALSO PRESENT : Mr . Anthony Leonardo , Mr , Leo Passi , and members of the Press and Radio . Chairwoman Holcomb opened the meeting at 7 : 35 p . m . APPROVAL OF MINUTES . MOTION by Mrs . Holcombe seconded by Mr . Harris , RESOLVED , that the Planning Board Minutes of February 20 March 8 , April 3 , April 24 , May 15 , 1973 , be approved as submitted . There was no further discussion and a vote was called for •' all members present voted aye . The Motion carried . REPORT OF PLANNING CONSULTANT , Mr . Francese had no report but asked about the status of Groff Associates ' development for elderly housing on Judd Falls Rd . Mrs . Holcomb stated that in the original Resolution by.-, the Town Board granting tax stabilization toiGroff Assoc . there was a contingency based on approval of tax stabilization from the County and the School . The School Board passed a Resolution unanimously granting tax stabilization , but the County turned the proposal down by an 8 to 7 vote . The matter was brought to the Town Board at their meeting last night , July 9 , 1973 . Supervisor Schwan had received an opinion from the State Attorney stating that we ( the Tom ( are the assessing authority and could bind the County and the School Board . The Town Board , therefore , passed a new Resolution eliminating the paragraph that stated approval was continent upon the other two Boards . There has been added a subsequent hold harmless " clause for the Town . The Planning Board has heard nothing from Groff Assoc . since they called and said they could not meet their deadline . REPORT OF THE ZONING OFFICER . Mr . Metz had no report . However , Mr . Francese informed Mr . Metz that he had received several telephone calls regarding the fence on the property of Mrs . Myrtle Hewitt , stating that it was too high . He stated that he had told them to contact Mr . Cowan or Mr . Metz . / y } Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 2- July 10 , 1973 REPORT OF PARE COUNCIL , • No report . REPORT OF COUNTY PLANNING OFFICE . No report . QUESTION RE ROBERT J , YOUNG PROPERTY AT 111 NORTHVIEW ROAD , Mrs . Holcomb asked what is the present side yard requirement in an R> 15 zone ? Mr . Metz stated that it was 151 and 31 for an acces - sory building . Mrs . Holcomb referred to a letter from Mr . Armand Adams , attorney , dated July 5 , 1973 , as attorney for Mr . Robert J . Young , 111 Northview Road , said letter being attached to the official Minutes of this meeting and filed in the Official Minute Book of the Planning Board in the Office of the Town Clerk . Mrs . Holcomb stated that this request concerns a proposed division of an existing single lot on Northview Road . The owner is selling his house and would like to reserve the rest for himself . After discussion of the proposal and the letter with attached sketch , Mr . Scannell stated that in answer to the letter he would say that there are no problems that he can see withing granting this request . Mrs . Holcomb asked if she should write a letter to Mr . Adams and so state and add that the side yard requirements are only 151 so that the property line could be straightened if they wish . • Approval was given for this procedure . RELOCATION OF ROUTE 13 and ROUTE 96 . Mr . Kroohs stated that since the Planning Board sent in their comments on the Environmental Impact Statement to the DOT , the County has been pushing a route that would swing 96 South of the Hospital between the Hospital and the I . O . O . F . Mrs . Holcomb noted one problem tbat , is where a present power line runs . Mr . Scannell stated that he was not convinced that we have to have a grade separation at the proposed hospital intersection . DISCUSSION OF REQUIREMEWS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS , Ms . Sandra McCullough presented her plans for proposed neighborhood parks in the Town . Ms . McCullough stated that she has marked on a map of the Town ( including the City) all of the existing recreational areas ® o City parks , school playgrounds , Cornell recreational facilities , open spaces , Town parks (proposed Coy Glen and Lick Brook) and possible neighborhood parks (areas where we should consider neighborhood parks ) . She noted that up in the Northeast we have a parcel of land that Cornell leased to the Town at the end of Tareyton Rd . It is presently not used and the Town is mowing it . The children do not use it for play areas . She stated that shelhad thought of it in terms of possible tennis courts , volleyball , basketball , etc . Ms . McCullough also referred to the Tudor Rd . ® Park Lane park area 1 Town of Ithaca Planning Board ® 3 � July 10 , 1973 which is dust a piece of cleaned and graded land . She noted that the area residents came in last year with a proposal for additional equipment and services but nothing has been done . In the South Hill neighborhood , Ms . McCullough pointed out the old railroad bed owed by NYSEG . She suggested that this might be used for bicycle paths . Ms . McCullough continued and stated that what the Town needs are small neighborhood parks where children can play without crossing major streets . Ms . McCullough has talked with Mrs . Cathy Valentino , Chairman of the Town of Ithaca Park Council , about the possibility of a special City bus from the Northeast area to Cass Park to go at a certain time every day . Ms . McCullough noted now that the problens involved with the Town having a �park system are ( 1) Enforcement of rules and Liability ; ( 2) Maintenance ; ( 3 ) Acquisition - of Land . Ms . McCullough also suggested that the Town consider having neighborhood input into park planning . This kind of input could be received from the various neighborhood associations . Mr . Francese was of the opinion that neighborhood associations • are usually dormant until there is P ° a crisisB9 0 Mr . Harris commented that when the Northeast Park area was put in he was one of only five people who worked on it nobody helped . Mr . Scannell felt strongly that if something is provided for the people of Ithaca they will be happy to pay the taxes to maintain it % but not provide volunteer time and services . He thinks that the Town should put some equipment on these vacant lands . Mr . Baker asked about the Coy Glen area having an active play area so that there would be one park possibility at each end of the Town . There now followed a discussion of deeded land from a developer to the Town or just set aside land . Mro Scannell recalled the Beacon Hills ' land up on South Hill as a possible way to et some park land up there , Mrs . Holcomb stated that there would be a legal question as to whether we could require them to reserve land to the Town for a Park in addition to all their open spaces . Ms McCullough repeated that the problem of policing parks is a real one . Mr . Scannell stated again that the Town Board really has to realize that this is a big Town and requires the services of a big town . Ms McCullough stated that the question is _a do we hold off until there is a police force ? The consensus of the Planning Board was that we do not , Town of Ithaca Planning Board July 10 , 1973 Mr . Francese suggested that a park area could be a part of the new area that will be up on South Hill along the Danby Road where all the development is coming , Land should be acquired in the vicinity of future activity . Mrs , Holcomb talked about Town Board reaction to having a Town Park Policy . With reference to the residents ` proposals for the Eastern Heights Park the Town Board threw up its hands because it is so difficult to make decisions in re individual parks without having a general Town Park Policy , They were saying that they need some sort of guidelines as to what is required by the Town in each park . It was Mrs . Holcomb ' s opinion that the Town cannot proceed on parks until there are Town responsibilities spelled out , Mr . Scannell stated that as far as locations go , it should come from the Planning Board and also from the Park Council . Mrs . Holcomb felt that the Town Board would be happy to look at anything that the Park Council brings to them . But , the Park Council still has no Charter . The Town Board says not to wait for the Attorney to get around to their charter . As this discussion ended , it was agreed that Ms . McCullough would work on parks this summer with the Park Council , PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION WITH MR. LEONARDO FOR PROPOSED SUBDIVISION ON DANBY ROAD , Mr . Leonardo appeared before the Planning Board with Mr . Leo Passi , his contractor . The proposed subdivision is on Danby Road just South of the L ' Auberge restaurant . It comprises 20 acres . They are proposing a 60 ' road, and would ask that . the area be zoned to R- 15 so that they could cut down on the lot size requirement . Mrs . Holcomb noted that one problem is that the proposed sub- division is on a proposed road , a situation not allowed under the zoning ordinance . Mr . Passi stated that they have a house under construction and they have a buyer . Mr Kroohs asked how many lots there might be at the R- 15 density , He was told there would be four lots off the cul " de - sac ® Mri Passi stated that sewer and water are available , Mr . Kroohs stated that he could see no reason why discussion cannot be at the R- 15 stage , The approval for such a subdivision would become final the day the new ordinance is accepted . Mrs . Holcomb noted another alternative , If the contractor t could set up this first lot in such a way that as soon as it were rezoned then it could be divided . Mr , Passi said that the first lot might remain 30 , 000 sq , ft , anyway since it would be a corner lot and people do not like to be too close to a main highway and they plan a large set back for the y Town of Ithaca Planning Board m5 - July 10 , 1973 house , Mr Kroohs suggested that Mr Leonardo come in and present the Planning Board with an R® 15 subdivision , There were no objections to this suggestion , The discussion ended with Mrs . Holcomb summarizing as follows : Mr . Leonardo presently has a building permit on an R- 30 lot for his house . The rest of the subdivision will be planned as though it were going to exist under the new ordinance as an R- 1 zone with water and sewer , Mr , Leonardo and Mr . Passi will return at a later date . DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED ACCEPTANCE OF FIDLER ROAD AS A TOWN ROAD , Mrs . Holcomb stated that at a special meeting of the Town Board on June 25 , 1973 , the following Resolution was passed : " RESOLVED , that the Town o� Ithaca shall expend from the water benefit fund a sum not to exceed $ 900 , 00 for the installation of a hydrant on Christopher Laney that a letter shall be sent to Arthur A . Prince and Otto B . Schoenfeld indicating that this is a hydrant that should have been installed by them as the developers of Christopher Laney that no further approval of any plan submitted by Arthur A . Prince or Otto B . Schoenfeld shall be given by the Town of Ithaca Planning Board until such time as the Town of Ithaca is in receipt of a check from each of them for half the amount expended to install the hydrant , " Mrs , Holcomb stated that it was her opinion that this Resolu® tion applies to this proposal by ,_Arthur A . Prince for an existing road . to become a Town Road , Mrs , Holcomb noted also that the Planning Board has approved this road and Mr . Morey (Highway Superintendent) has looked at it , The Town Board has said that they will not accept it until Mr . Prince gets in the hydrants on Christopher Lane , The Planning Board has completed their part , DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE 4m MOBILE HOME RESIDENCE DISTRICT , The Planning Board discussed at length Article V , Mobile Home Residence District (Rm3 ) with Mr . Francese and Mr , Kroohs . All nota= tions were made on the Draft copies . ADJOURNMENT , The Planning Board Meeting adjourned at 10 : 10 p . m , Respectfully submitted , Nancy M. Fuller , Secretary . i e . M ADAMS & THEISEN ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT ' LAW .,r 2131217 5' A VIN OS BANK BLDG. Lk ITHACA, NEW YQRKO 14860 ARMAND •L ' AOAMs . - TELEPHONE (607) 272- 9442 _ - HENRY W. THMSEN . . July 5, ' 1973 P. Mrts : : Bakbara Holcomb Town ' Planning Board - 108..; East ' Green Street Ithaca , `. New York. 14850 ' Steven Herman - Tompkins "county Health * Dept ; Ott '128T ` Trumansburg; Road : . Ithaca' New -York 14850 Dear Mrs ;: Holcomb and Mr , ,'Hermane% Re : Robert J . Young ' 111 . Noirthview Road 11 P Mra[d Mrs , '_Robert. J' a . Young;4 owners of property at 111 Northview Road desire to subdivide 4the property' and sell the house and southeasterly. . side, of ,fiche lot and.' retain for future, ' development the northwesterly portion , - The :to,tal ` : present premises comprise 51 ; 440 . square . feet . The parcel to- be- sold ' is' 301020 square - feet and 'the retained parcel is 2' 1 , 120 . square ' feet.: P. • The retained ' cel will have * A frontage , front, and rear of 100 feet:; but the , center' ' f ,the' lot will be' somewhat narrower:, There are 'no ! ' deed ., testrictions ,which would prohibit ' subdivislon of the lot ; . I desire to knot :if "•there : :are -or , may be any objections . to the subdivision or anything which_: would' prevent the Youngs ..from :liter building on the 21 , 120 , square foot pareeI if they ' coi:form ', with Town. Zoning . rules for set , back and side areas , I believe that the preinises . are now ' se.rved by public water and Is Amap of , proposed , subdvision is enclosed; Very truly :,yoursIt ,. ; ADAMS &� THE ISSN Pk L� - ALA :hc Armand L , Adams E ne , ' J ,