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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 1981-04-07 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD l r� APRIL 7 , 1981 The Town of Ithaca Planning Board met in regular session on Tuesday , April 7 , 1981 , in Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , N . Y . , at 7 : 30 p . m . PRESENT : Chairman Montgomery May , Barbara Schultz , James Baker , Bernard Stanton , David Klein , Edward Mazza , Liese Bronfenbrenner , Carolyn Grigorov , Lawrence Fabbroni ( Town Engineer ) , Lewis Cartee ( Building Inspector ) , Nancy Fuller ( Secretary ) . ALSO PRESENT : Stewart D . Knowlton , Douglas Knowlton , Victor Bagnardi , Steve Gaydosh , Bruce Ryan ( WTKO ) . Chairman May declared the meeting duly opened at 7 : 31 p . m . APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION by Mro Bernard Stanton , seconded by Mrs . Carolyn Grigorov : RESOLVED , that the Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting of February 3 , 1981 , be and hereby are approved as written . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - May , Schulte. , Baker , Stanton , Klein , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Grigorov . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . • MOTION b Mr . James Baker , seconded b Mrs . Barbara Schultz : Y Y RESOLVED , that the Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting of February 17 , 1981 , be and hereby are approved as written . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - May , Schultz , Baker , Stanton , Klein , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Grigorov . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR The Board members each having received a copy of his February 1981 and March 1981 reports , Mr . Cartee noted that 6 permits were issued in February for a total of $ 39 , 541 . 00 in improvements , as compared with $ 61 , 760 . 00 in improvements in February of 1980 ; 7 permits were issued in March for a total of $ 15 , 400 . 00 in improvements , as compared with $ 1 , 008 , 000 . 00 in improvements in March of 1980 . the Mr . Cartee reported that / process of bringing legal non - conforming signs under permit , as recommended by the Planning Board and approved by the Town ,Board , is moving along well . He reported that of the 19 such signs , 17 are now under permit , and that the process is obviously working quite well . He also stated that the Sign Ordinance is working very well . REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT Mr . Fabbroni reported on the status of the Cliff Street Pump Station upgrading noting that not a whole lot of work has been done , but that the Planning Board - 2 - April 7 , 1981 architectural work has been started and that the main work should be underway • the first part of next month . Mr . Fabbroni reported that he is anticipating painting the Ridgecrest Road tank this year which is up for discussion along with another one that Bolton Point has . These may be accomplished in - house . Referring to the " big sewer " project , that is , the upgrading of the City sewer plant facility , Mr . Fabbroni reported that the first draft of the engineering report has been received from . the City . He reported that the old sewer line at Biggs hospital building land is questionable and added that a pressure grouting system has been recommended , a recommendation on which the Town questioned the wisdom . He stated that the Town ' s recommenda- tion is to replace! that line completely because of the fact that modern plastic pipe is so much better . He commented that , most of the line goes through open country and for the most part it seemed best to just replace it completely . He noted that the line is comprised of old clay and spigot pipe . He said that it would involve about two miles with very little surface restoration , adding that once the line is past Candlewyck Apartments it is open country until you get to the new hospital parking lot . Mr . Fabbroni reported that the transit operations are going rather well , noting that the big month was February for both systems . He stated that the East Ithaca Transit carried as much as the Northeast Transit , with the rider - ship being about 5 , 000 for the month of February for both systems . Mr . Fabbroni stated that there is a heavy two -way flow in the East Ithaca System ( EIT ) and there may be a modification of the Northeast system ( NET ) in that • same way . Referring to the East Ithaca connector matter , Mr . Fabbroni commented that not too much :has happened , however , preliminary findings indicate that there would not be a continuous route . Mr . . Fabbroni described briefly the proposed routing which includes , in part , the east part of campus ( Cornell ) where it splits ; south connection between Pine Tree Road and another one north of Route 366 connecting up to Hanshaw Road . He indicated that there were some things to work out with the Cornell Plantations . He stated that in the next month we should see a draft report that this Board might like to look at at the May meeting . Moving on to Parks , Mr . Fabbroni reported that the DeWitt Junior High Park looks like a go , He stated that the soil tests look positive , adding that it is clay . Ile noted that it will drain through the outlet , He com- mented that Soil Conservation said that they have faith in it . Mr . Fabbroni reported that the zoning ordinance is coming along pretty well and it looks like two more meetings of the Town Board may do it - - April 13th and May 11th , with approval of the map and the ordinance happening at the May 11th meeting . PUBLIC HEARING : CONSIDERATION OF SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR PROPOSED ADDITION TO THE P & C MARKET' AND FOR AN ADDITION TO HOUSE A RACQUET BALL COURT , AT EAST HILL PLAZA , TAX PARCEL NO . 6 - 62 - 2 - 1 , 121 . STEWART D . KNOWLTON . Chairman May declared the Public Hearing in the above - noted matter duly opened at 7 : 50 p . m . , and accepted for the .record the Clerk ' s Affidavit of Posting and Publication of the Notice of Public Hearing in Town Hall and the Ithaca Journal on March 30 , 1981 , and April 2 , 1981 , respectively . Mr . Stewart Knowlton appeared before the Board and introduced his son , Douglas Knowlton , and his architect , Mr . Victor Bagnardi , who is designing planning Board - 3 - April 7 , 1981 the proposed racquet ball complex . Mr . Knowlton displayed a 1968 " photo - like " picture of East Hill Plaza * as it was proposed in 1968 , and noted that this picture depicted Mr . William . Dawson ' s concept andvery much like what is in place today . Mr . Knowlton also displayed a colored drawing of the Plaza which was like the plan sent to all Board members with their agenda and which showed the proposed P & C addition and the racquet ball complex . The entrance way into the P & C off Judd Falls Road was discussed . Mr . Knowlton pointed out that it is effectively closed off as per the request of Mr . Fabbroni that there be no through traffic down into the main parking area . Mr . Knowlton stated that it will really be employee parking and added that the P & C has agreed to this . Mr . May asked if this proposal were a store extension or a storage area . Mr . Knowlton replied that it was both - - a combination of each . Mr . Knowlton commented that the= P & C chain is very proud of this store . Mr . Fabbroni pointed out that the bins outside have been a real problem . Mr . Knowlton stated that he has been working with the P & C on " compactor " storage so that nothing gets outside . He commented that he thinks there is a chance to get this and this would solve the outside problem of hopper storage . Referring now to the other addition , Mr . Knowlton stated that the proposal is for an eight - court racquet ball complex , 106 ' x 116 ' , " T " - shaped , with a connecting corridor to the existing building . He displayed another •plan on the wall . and discussed the east side of the complex where the road is . He indicated the higher elevation and discussion followed on a new connection from the so - called " ring " road which is to be such as to improve safety . Mr . Knowlton noted that the building will be compatible with what is there now and with what they have built , adding that the proposed building will soften the appearance of the existing building . He stated that the proposed building will be 23 ' high and that it is their intent to make the complex a show place . He indicated that the racquet ball complex will also be a social club and there will be indl_ vidual memberships and family memberships . He added that the bus service is available now and that the Post Office branch is an added improvement . Mr . May inquired if Mr . Knowlton were looking for approval on phase 1 and phase 2 , as indicated on the plan , at this meeting . Mr . Knowlton replied that he was and stated that they are anticipating opening on September lst , that is , both of these proposed additions , and added that they are trying to make this happen by the time the students return in the fall . He stated that they are aiming for a May 5th start . Mr . May inquired if the part behind the racquet ball building also a is part ofpprhasnt Mr . Knowlton replied that it is . Mr . May pointed out that this is n6e/ a ' il. ding 116 ' x 120 , there is 42 ' x 70 ' for the Nautilus buil - ding . Mr . Knowlton displayed a third drawing and discussion followed on the elevations with Mr . Knowlton speaking of the softening effect of the building . • Mr . Stanton asked about the trees shown at the back of the proposed building , inquiring if they were in place . Mr . Knowlton replied that they were not , stating that that is parking area and turn - around now - - the trees are planned . Mrs . Grigorov asked if there were to be a dome or a flat roof . Mr . (Planning Board - 4 April 7 , 1981 Bagnardi stated that they are thinking about that . Mr . Klein asked how the backs of the buildings under discussion will • look that face toward the apartments . Mr . Knowlton stated that they will be finished building and there will be landscaping . He stated that the " plateau " site will be regraded and seeded . Mr . Knowlton stated that there will be landscaping on the site in conjunction with the new proposal even though some day it will be dug up . Ms . Susan Beeners asked if there could be introduced tree islands for the front area or is the Plaza too tight for parking . Mr . Knowlton stated that parking is no problem in terms of spaces and stated that they have thought about the parking area , which he described , for a long time . He stated that they are going to try to accomplish what Ms . Beeners suggested ; they are going to be doing something with the parking lot and commented that they have thought about greenery around the light poles but are concerned with drifting . Mr . Klein stated that he concurred with the emphasis of the landscaping the way it is shown . Mr . Fabbroni stated that he really could not see how greenery in the parking lot would interfere with the snow drifting if landscaping were done selectively and noted that if it were all in a line there might be a loss of 20 parking spaces which would be picked up on the edge . He noted that it is a big parking lot and it may control cars racing around . Mr . Fabbroni noted that he can see the results of the tree template on , the plan but he would like to know what kind of trees are planned stating that , at the least. , they should be 10 ' high and 12 " thick . Mr . Fabbroni stated that some minimum commitment is needed . Mr . Knowlton indicated the drawing and stated that one can see what they were going to do and that they will do it . He stated that they will develop a plan with Mr . Bagnardi and if it is not acceptable , they will change it . Mr . Fabbroni referred to the plan which shows the " ring " road and stated that he would like to work more "on the actual entrance from that road . He stated he is not altogether sure that parking in that area is good , adding that it is not such a great idea to have six to ten spots to the south of the ring road access point . Mr . Knowlton described the 60 - foot access way that they have reserved from Judd Falls Road to the proposed ring road . Mr . May expressed his concern for fire equipment accessibility to the stores and stated that there may be a need to have the lanes defined in front of the Plaza so that people no longer park out of the designated parking area . Mr . Knowlton concurred with Mr . May ' s concern and stated that they are trying desperately to solve the problem that he describes . He stated that they will do something but at this point he is at a loss to say what it will be since the people just keep parking there . Mr . May suggested that one way is a curb and another way is a line of planters . Referring to the Environmental Assessment Form ( Short Form ) that had been submitted to the Board by Mr . Knowlton wherein all questions had been answered in the negative and which was signed by Mr . Knowlton and dated • April 2 , 1981 , Mr . May stated that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is acting as lead agent in this matter . Mr . May noted that Mr . Fabbroni had reviewed the EAF , :signed it on April 3 , 1981 , and made the following recommendations : " More landscaping and definite species should be included ; at time of Pine Tree Road relocation , access must be limited allowing exits at only one point on Ellis Hollow , one on Summerhill Lane , and one on Judd Falls . Therewith , I recommend a negative declaration . " Planning Board - 5 - April 7 , 1981 Mr . Fabbroni commented that the main entrance will be resumed off Ellis Hollow Road: . He noted that this is all a part of the whole plan to • control access around this area . Mr . May wondered if Mr . Fabbroni were closing off the entry to the gas station . Mr . Fabbroni stated that he was not but he is discouraging exiting just anywhere . Mr . Fabbroni stated that when these .: road . concepts come into being and looking toward stages 3 and 4 of the Plaza development , he is looking to a positive commitment to controlling in and out access and to controlling out access to the other driveways positively , that is , something out there that says " You Cannot Enter " . Mr . Fabbroni stated that Judd Falls Road , when all this comes into being in three to five years , will be a little collector road for local circulation . Mr . May asked if there were any comments on the EAF . There were none . Mr . May stated that he would recommend that the Board accept it and make a declaration of negative impact . MOTION by Mrs . Carolyn Grigorov , seconded by Mr . James Baker : RESOLVED , that the Town . of Ithaca Planning Board , acting as lead agency in the review of the proposed addition to the P & C Market and an addition to house a racquet: ball complex with appendage , approve and hereby does approve the Environmental Assessment Form as completed ; and FURTHER RESOLVED , that pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act , Part 617 , this action is classified as Unlisted ; and FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board has determined from the Environmental Assessment Form and all pertinent information that the above - mentioned action will not significantly impact the environment and , therefore , will not require further environmental review . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - May , Schultz , Baker , Stanton , Klein , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Grigorov . Nay - None . The MOTION was declared to be carried unanimously . Chairman May :sated that that being the case , do we have a motion for phase 1 and phase 2 as outlined here tonight . Mr . Klein stated that his understanding of the way the ordinance is written indicates that the Planning Board may be entitled to " a final site plan before it makes approval . He stated that the Board could indicate that final approval might be forth - coming , adding that. there is an architect working on it and there will be plans forthcoming . heard Mr . Fabbroni stated that he had / no comment other than good will and commented that if he heard Mr . Klein correctly , unless there is more detail given , we do not know anything more than a softening effect at the Plaza . Mr . Bagnardi stated that he was not really sure yet either since they are , really not .. that far into drawings . Mr . May suggested that the Board could consider preliminary site plan approval at this time and consider final on the 21st of April . Mr . Knowlton stated that they would be ready with the details required . MOTION by Mrs . Barbara Schultz , seconded by Mr . Bernard Stanton : , `Planning Board - 6 April 7 , 1981 RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca grant and hereby does grant Preliminary Site Plan Approval for a proposed addition to * the P & C Market and for an addition to house a Racquet Ball Complex , with appendage , at thE� East Hill Plaza , Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 6 - 62 - 2 - 1 . 121 , shown as Phase 1 and Phase 2 on drawing no . . EHP - 381X , dated 3 / 7 / 81 , and drawing no . 381 - EHP - D , dated 3 / 12 / 81 . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - May , Schultz , Baker , Stanton , Klein , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Grigorov . Nay - None . DISCUSSION OF THE STATUS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING ORDINANCE AND REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED ZONING DESIGNATION MAP . Each member of the Board was presented with the most current draft of the proposed revisions to the Town Zoning Ordinance . The Board members reviewed the proposed zoning designation map and the proposed zoning schedule . Mr . Stanton stated that Mr . Fabbroni , the Town Engineer , and his staff should be commended for putting together the proposed zoning schedule . The Board members concurred with Mr . Stanton ' s statement . MOTION by Mr . Montgomery May , seconded by Mr . Bernard Stanton : RESOLVED , thatthe Town of Ithaca Planning Board compliment and hereby * does compliment the Town Engineer and the Town Engineer ' s staff on the proposed zoning designation map and the proposed zoning schedule , both of which appear to be very workable and self - explanatory documents . There being no further discussion , the Chair called for a vote . Aye - May , Schultz , Baker , Stanton , Klein , Mazza , Bronfenbrenner , Grigorov . Nay - None . The MOTION wa:N� declared to be carried unanimously . ADJOURNMENT Upon Motion , the April 7 , 1981 , meeting of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board was duly adjourned by the Chair at 9 : 40 p . m . Respectfully submitted , Nancy M . Fuller , Secretary .