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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1980-12-02 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD TUESDAY , DECEMBER 2 , 1,980 *December The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday , 21. 1980 , in Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , at 7 : 30 p . m . PRESENT : Chairman Henry Aron , Vice - Chairman Montgomery May , Barbara Schultz , Bernard Stanton , James Baker , Carolyn Grigorov , Edward Mazza , Liese Bronfenbrenner , Lawrence P . Fabbroni ( Town Engineer ) , Barbara . Z . Restaino ( Town Planner ) , Nancy M . Fuller ( Secretary ) . ALSO PRESENT : John Kaminsky , 222 . Coddington Road ; Johann W . Gebauer , 117 Ridgecrest Road ; Richard Sullivan , 253 Applegate Road ; Megan Stevens , WICB - TV ; Bruce Ryan , WTKO News , Chairman Aron declared the meeting duly opened at 7 : 40 p . m . and noted that a quorum was present . Chairman Aron spoke to the members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board and stated that he was very happy to be back in the Chair after a couple of months ' absence due to illness , however , that he was saddened to be chairing his last meeting of the Board . Mr . Aron stated that it had been a very great help and comfort to him , personally , to receive all the good wishes of the Board members and others connected with the Town of Ithaca during his absence . He told the Board that their thoughts and their gift of the delightfully amusing booklet , " Stop Me Before I Plan Again " were very much appreciated . Mr . Aron thanked each one of the Board members personally and individually Oand as a whole . He thanked the members for the wonderful cooperation that they have given to him as Chairman and applauded them for the wonderful work they have done . Mr . Aron said that he could not really find the words to say without a lump in his throat . Mr . Aron stated that it was not only a pleasure being with the Board members for over four years but also an honor and an experience about which he has felt very good . Mr . Aron said that since , in December , the Planning Board will only have one moeting. , this will be his last meeting with the Board , however , he will endeavor to sit over there in the audience from time to time when the new Chairman will take over and be an interested spectator . Mr . Aron said that he thanked all the Board members from the bottom of his heart for everything that we have all accomplished together . Mr . Aron concluded stating that he was looking forward to continued service to the Town of Ithaca when , in January 1981 , he will become a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals . INFORMATIONAL DISCUSSION OF PETITION TO AMEND THE TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING ORDINANCE TO CREATE A NEW ZONE TO PERMIT WITHOUT APPLICATION TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS THE USE OF SINGLE FAMILY OR MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENCES FOR ROOMING HOUSES . SUCH DISTRICT MAY BE DESIGNATED R- 9a , WITH THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE REZONED BEING IN THE VICINITY OF ITHACA COLLEGE . RICHARD AND PHYLLIS SULLIVAN , ROBERT J . HINES , ESQ . , AS ATTORNEY , Mr . Richard Sullivan appeared before the Board and stated that he has withdrawn his request for amendment of the Zoning Ordinance , Following Mr . Sullivan ' s withdrawal of his request , the Board discussed the matter of rooming houses in general . The Board discussed the definition of a " rooming house " and Mrs . Restaino pointed out that the New York State Panning Board - 2 - December 2 , 1980 definition of a rooming house appears under the multiple residence code . Mr . Aron asked if there were any questions from the public who had come .to partake in the informational discussion . Messrs . Kaminsky and Gebauer said that they were wondering just what area was to have been discussed . Town Engineer Lawrence Fabbroni described the area as being along Coddiington Road and abutting Ithaca College land and including a portion of Ithaca College lands . He stated that , according to the request that had been made , - but - now withdrawn , Parcels No . 6 - 41 - 1 - 13 through 27 , and Parcels No . 6 - 54 - 7 - 43 , 44 , 45 ., 1 , 45 . 2 , 46 , 47 , 48 , and 49 , were included . Mr . Sullivan indicated that it was now his intention to apply to the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals with respect to his property only , at 242 Coddington Road , pursuant to Article III , Section 4 , paragraph 10 , of the Ordinance . Chairman Aron declared the matter of the informal discussion of the Sullivan request duly closed . REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR Mr . Fabbroni stated that building is off with respect to one - and two - family homes , however , November 1980 saw . the issuance of a building permit for one three - family structure in Eastwood Commons . Mr . Fabbroni also noted that chimneys and additions were also off when we would expect these normally at this time of year . Mr . Fabbroni :reported that there were nine permits issued in November of ' 1980 for $ 313 , 300 . 00 in improvements , as compared to 12 permits issued in November of 1979 for $ 394 , 900 . 00 in improvements . REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER Mr . Fabbroni reported that he is buttoning up projects for the winter . He stated that the Town is working on the feasibility study for transit for East Ithaca ; the feasibility study of locating the corridor from East Hill Plaza to the Cornell area and the north leg of that from Route 366 to Hanshaw Road area . He reported that traffic studies have been completed and that he is involved with a transportation report . Mr . Fabbroni stated that he is making recommendations to a larger committee involving Cornell , the County , and Town Civic Associations representatives and that he eventually sees a report and recommendation to this Board before veryi . long , he hoped , in January or February of 1981 . He stated that the matter is moving quite rapidly and commented that Cornell University would like to identify these corridors within a three -month time frame , and added that they have develop - ment in the area of Ellis Hollow to Route 366 . Mr . Fabbroni commented that the first phase might happen next summer . Mr . Fabbroni discussed the reloca - tion of Pine Tree Road to its future . alignment . He stated that he would have much more detail and more complete information in the way of a report soon . He added that he believed there .is progress and positive movement . Mr . Stanton stated that the bike traffic on Warren Road is scary and asked if this can be prevented or a lane for it . He commented that he feared that some day some one is going to be hurt . Mr . Fabbroni stated that when we upgrade the walkway along the area near the North Bridge that might be some relief . Mrs . Bronfenbrenner stated that there is not space for a walkway and Planning Board - 3 - December 2 , 1980 commented that it is also very steep . Mr . Fabbroni agreed that it was a bad situation . He pointed out that the Forest Home Walkway should be used as the way to walk a bike up that way . REPORT OF THE TOWN PLANNER Mrs . Restaino stated that she had very little to report , however , she would remind the . Board of the December 8th , 1980 , informational hearing by the Town Board on the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance . Mrs . Restaino . r. epor. ted that a conference took place with the School Board about reopening the DeWitt Junior High School park discussions . Mrs . Restaino reported that Cornell University is going to sign the license for the Lehigh Valley Railroad right of way , adding that this is a . big step . Mrs . Restaino stated that this , also , is her last meeting with the Planning Board since she will be leaving the Town of Ithaca to commence studies at the Maxwell School in Syracuse . She stated that it is her hope to obtain a Masters Degree in Public Administration . Mrs . Restaino stated that she is very sad to be leaving this Board , it having a very good experi - ence working with -the members . Mrs . Restaino wished each member of the Board the best of luck in the future and added that she will come back too and sit in the audience with Mr . Aron . XECUTIVE SESSION MOTION by Mr . Montgomery May , seconded by Mr . James Baker : RESOLVED , that. the Town of Ithaca Planning Board enter and hereby does enter into Executive Session for the purposes of discussion of the Planning Board vacancy occurring upon the retirement of Mr . Aron prior to the expira - tion of his term on. December 31 , 1981 , and the Board ' s recommendation to the Town Board ; and for discussion of the matter of Chairperson and Vice - Chair - person for the Planning Board for 1981 . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Stanton , Baker , Grigorov , Mazza , Br. onfenbrenner . Nay - None . The Chair declared the MOTION to be carried unanimously . The Planning Board entered into Executive Session at 8 : 15 p . m . In that Executive Session the Board members discussed the willingness of Mr . May , presently the Planning Board Vice - Chairman , to assume the duties of the Chair , and the willingness of Planning Board member Mrs . Carolyn Grigorov to assume the duties of the Vice - Chairman . The Board discussed the Planning Board vacancy occurring upon Mr . Aron ' s $retirement and noted that three persons have expressed their willingness to serve on the Town of Ithaca by letter , being : 1 . Mr . David L . Klein , 131 West Haven Road . 2 . Mr . M . David Jennings , 593 Sheffield Road , 3 . Mrs . Eva B . Hoffmann , 4 Sugarbush Lane ( a former member of the Board ) . Planning Board - 4 - December 2 , 1980 The Board noted that both Mr . Klein and Mr . Jennings are residents of the West Hill area of the Town of Ithaca , as is Mr . Aron , and noted also that Mrs . Hoffmann served with distinction on the Board for some six months prior to resigning; because of sabbatic leave and that Mrs . Hoffmann has com- pleted graduate work in Planning at Cornell . At 8 : 30 p . m . , Chairman Aron declared the meeting in open session . The representatives of the news _ media returned . Mr . Aron staged that , as is . known , he is retiring from the Planning Board , therefore , there is a vacancy . The Planning Board discussed the receipt of three resumes from three highly qualified residents of the Town of Ithaca who have stated their desire to serve on. the Board . The Planning Board members expressed their pleasure at finding that so many fine persons were interested in serving and their hope that it is the result of the excellent work being done by the Board . Mr . Aron stated that the expressions of interest in the Board and the resumes were received from : 1 . David L . Klein , 131 West Haven Road . 2 . M . David Jennings , 593 Sheffield Road . 3 . Eva B . Hoffmann , 4 Sugarbush Lane . Mr . Aron noted that both Mr . Klein and Mr . Jennings live on West Hill , and Mrs . Hoffmann was an effective and dedicated member of the Planning Board 0i 1977 . The Boar. d . , discussed :lits serious attempt to assure that various neigh - borhoods in the Town of Ithaca are represented on the Planning Board over the years . MOTION by Mr . Edward Mazza , seconded by Mr . Bernard Stanton : RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board the appointment of either David L . Klein or M . David Jennings , as a member of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board to fill the unexpired term of Henry Aron through. December 31 , 1981 , both gentlemen having equally excellent qualifications , as does Mrs . Eva B . Hoffman , in fact all three applicants have equally excellent qualifications and the Planning Board would heartily recommend all three . However , in keeping with the Planning Board ' s long standing desire to have the various neighborhoods of the Town of Ithaca represented on its Board , the Planning Board does recommend with equal favor the appointment of either Mr . Klein or Mr . Jennings since both are residents of the West Hill neighborhood which has been represented by Mr . Aron , and Mrs . Hoffmann is a resident of the East Ithaca neighborhood which is well served by Mrs . Grigorov and Mr . May . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . ye - Aron , May , Schultz , Stanton , Baker , Grigorov , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner . WAay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . The Planning Board discussed its recommendation to the Town Board for Chairperson for the year 1981 . Mr . Aron stated that Mr . Montgomery May has Planning Board - 5 - December 2 , 1980 served as Vice - Chairman of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for two years and his efforts on behalf of ' the Town and the Planning Board have been of lthe highest quality and that during his absence Mr . May has taken his place and has conducted the meetings in a wonderful and expedient manner . The Board members agreed that Mr . May has served with unselfish dedication , expertise and good humour . MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mr . Edward Mazza : RESOLVED , that the . Town of Ithaca Planning Board recommend and hereby does recommend most heartily to the Town Board the appointment of Mr . Montgomery May as Chairperson of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for the year 1981 . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , Schultz , Stanton , Baker , Grigorov , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner . Nay - None . Abstain - May . The MOTION was declared to be carried . The Planning Board discussed its recommendation to the Town Board for Vice - Chairperson for the year 1981 . Mr . Aron stated that Mrs . Grigorov has been a hard -working , dedicated and effective member of the Planning Board for three years since her appointment by the Town Board on December 30 , 1977 . The Board members concurred with Mr . Aron ' s statement . MOTION by Mr . Henry Aron , seconded by Mr . Bernard Stanton : RESOLVED , that. the Town of Ithaca Planning Board recommend and hereby does recommend most enthusiastically to the Town Board the appointment of Mrs . Carolyn Grigorov as Vice - Chairperson of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for the year 1981 . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - Aron , May , Schultz , Stanton , Baker , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner . Nay - None . Abstain - Grigorov . The MOTION was declared to be carried . ONE FINAL NOTE Mr . May stated that , on behalf of the Planning Board , he wanted to thank Mr . Aron very much for his outstanding service to the Board . He stated that Mr . Aron ' s efforts were appreciated very much . Mr . May wished Mr . Aron lots of luck , good health , and good wishes for his term on the Zoning Board of Appeals . Mr . May ' s statement was greeted by applause from the Planning Board members . The Board members also expressed their warm regards to Mrs . Restaino and wished her well in her future endeavors . ADJOURNMENT Upon Motion , the December 2 , 1980 , meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board - 6 - December 2 , 1980 A ' Planning Board was duly adjourned . Respectfully submitted , Nancy M . Fuller , Secretary .