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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CAC-1987CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL Ithaca, New York 14850 January 21, 1987 Present: Commissioners (4) Anthony, Baker, Miller, Semmler Liaisons (1) Peterson The meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller in the Conference Room. The minutes of the last meeting were approved after the following amendment was made: Paragraph 5, first three lines should read: "At this point, Chairman Miller introduced Paul Glover, who has received a grant from the Alternatives Fund to do a 3 -month study on the impact of Rt. 96 alternatives, and, related to that, planning & growth of Tompkins County. It was again........." Chairman Miller reported on her activities concerning Wilcox Press, i.e., she has requested an ordinance that can be enforced concerning odors; she has also been in contact with Assistant Attorney General Doug Ward requesting sample legislation. John Semmler requested an informal discussion of the "low salt/ no salt" question. He has completed a write -up of thinking on this issue and will give it to the City Clerk to be distributed by mail to CAC members for individual input. Ashley reported that Fire Chief Olmstead is taking a course which will prevent him from attending our meeting until the April Meeting. She reported that he told her that there may be $80,000 to $100,000 appropriated for a study of the training center site based on the passage of the Environmental Bond issue. The question of election of officers came up and was put aside since a quorum was not present. It was however decided that the existing slate of officers would be nominated and a vote is to take place at the February meeting. A brief discussion of the SEAF for the "Functional Family" zoning question ensued and it was decided that the CAC agreed with a negative declaration. The question of representation on the Shade Tree Committee was decided to mean that the Shade Tree Committee will be sending a representative to be a member of the CAC; this was applauded. The meeting then turned to the "Old Business" listed on the Agenda. Carolyn said that the Six Mile Creek group has monthly meetings and that (cont.) A - . Page 2 - January 21, 1987 CAC Minutes the major activity of the committee at the moment is to create a map of this large area (almost 600 acres) for immediate practical use as well as to be used as a planning document. Carolyn also reported on the Cascadilla Creek Beautification project; she said that it is the #1 project for the Ithaca Centennial Commission. They plan to replace creek walls where they are caved into the stream, replace lilacs, and are considering bridge restoration. There followed a rather lengthy discussion of the proposed demolition of the railroad abutment near Buttermilk Falls State Park. Ashley had contacted Andrew Mazzella, head of the Finger Lakes Parks Commission. He said that the idea came from DOT and seemed to have approval from city officials. The Parks Commission itself had previous plans to use the old bridge structure as part of a "hike and bike" trail that they hope to build, connecting to Treman State Park. It was pointed out that that would also access Cass Park and other city properties. Steve Baker had interviewed Jon Meigs on this same subject. He indicated that it has been discussed by the Design Review Board. There could be removal (and replacement) of one of the sides in order to widen the road if there were lots of money; if dollars are limited, one side might be removed all together. DOT has a concern for safety. The CAC requested that Ashley invite Andy Mazzella to meet with us; it was thought that he could help inform us, and that we could, perhaps, support the Parks Commission. The meeting adjourned shortly after 9:30 p.m. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL Ithaca, New York 14850 February 18, 1987 Present: Commissioners (4) Anthony, McShane, Miller, Semmler Liaisons (1) Peterson The meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller in the Conference Room. The minutes of the last meeting were approved. It was noted by our chairman that we should add to the meeting agenda discussion of John Semmler's exposition on the CAC and the subject of using less salt on city streets. Chairman Miller also brought up the fact that no EAF had been seen by CAC for the zoning change in Collegetown. It was decided that a letter of complaint should go to the mayor. At this point Chairman Miller introduced Professor Marvin Adleman, who is the Chairman of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee (STAC) for the city. Professor Adleman briefed the CAC on the membership, history, mission, and concerns of the STAC, which has only recently (1986) been reconstituted. He told us that his group was in a "period of discovery" at the present time, taking inventories, etc. He reported that there are no "pruners" on the city payrolls at the present time, and that, in fact, he himself directs the annual pruning done on the Commons "limb by limb." It was decided that the CAC and the STAC would share meeting agendas and minutes and in general "keep in touch." Next Chairman Miller introduced Andy Mazzella who has been Regional Director of the Finger Lakes State Parks for the last ten years. He discussed and described at length their proposed Hike and Bike Trail. He indicated that they do not have a final route at this time and their only interest in the railroad abutment previously discussed by CAC was a slight saving in dollars. Phase 1 of this project would be from Buttermilk to Cass Park and the marina; Phase 2 would be from Buttermilk to Lower Treman. The Council then turned to the business of election of officers. The existing slate of officers, i.e., Chairman: Ashley Miller; Vice Chairman: John Semmler; and Secretary: Toni Anthony, was presented to the Council for vote. There was a unanimous affirmative vote - these officers will serve until December 31, 1987. It was also decided to designate John McShane as the official Spokesman for the CAC. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL March 18, 1987 Present: Commissioners (4) Semmler, Miller, Baker, McShane Liaisons (1) Peterson The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 by Chairperson Ashley Miller and the minutes of February 18, 1987 were unanimously approved. The members present welcomed Betsy Larlington, a prospective member awaiting appointment by the mayor. Carolyn peterson reported that brochures on hazardous household waste had been ordered for the brochure rack in front of City Hall. She also reported that Common Council had passed a resolution directing the Planning staff to research ways of controlling the length and speed of the trains through the Octopus, as well as pre - emptive signaling. It was suggested that the CAC's submitted op -ed piece for the "Ithaca Journal" on roadsalt be retrieved and re- submitted next year. A request was made to the Chairperson to contact hYSEG for their latest report on coal tar deposits at three locations within the city. A lengthy discussion was held on the upcoming changes in Route 96, what it would mean for the city, and the GAC's role in this controversy. It was agreed that the CAC would review the DEIS, due from NYSDOT in late Spring or early Summer and would make a statement at the following Public Hearing. In an effort to clarify all plans being considered for Route 96, the Planning Department will be asked to make a presentation on this at the April meeting. At the CAC's request, the Planning Department forwarded a College - town Re- Zoning EQR application, after the fact, reporting confusion of language in the 1985 city Environmental Quality Review ordinance revision. The phrase in question is in Article C of Section 36.6: "Any department recieving an Environmental Assesment Form, shall within five days of its receipt, etc." City Planner van Cort felt that this regulation did not apply since technically the Planning Department did not "recieve" an EAF. It was suggested a wording change of "recieving or initiating" be taken up with the Charter and Ordinance Committee. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL Ithaca, New York 14850 April 15, 1987 Present: Commissioners (5) Anthony, BakerjDarlington, McShane, and Miller Liaisons (1) Peterson The meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller in the 4th floor Conference Room. The meeting agenda and the minutes of the March 18, 1987 meeting were distributed. Thys van Cort, City Planner was in attendance and Chairman Miller asked him to make his "Route 96 Presentation" as the first order of business. Mr. van Cort had drawings of Plans A, B, and C and very carefully pointed out their similarities and differences. He took a great deal of time answering questions and reviewing the history of the problem. His presentation was very well received by the members. Chairman Miller asked Betsy Darlington to report on the Stewart Park gabions. She said that she had talked to several people and that Jack Dougherty had told her that the project "was on hold" and that any new gabions would "have to be approved by the Stewart Park Committee." Chairman Miller showed the group a number of Short Environmental Assessment Forms and one LEIF (the one received after the fact, in response to CAC's objections). Chairman Miller announced that Fire Chief Olmstead will be CAC's guest at the May meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:40. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL Ithaca, New York 14850 May 20, 1987 Present: Commissioners (4) Anthony, Baker, Darlington, and Miller Liaisons (1) Peterson The meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller in the 4th floor Conference Room. The minutes of the April 15, 1987 meeting were approved. The chairman reminded the group of the presentation of the Neiderkorn report, as well as the public meeting scheduled for early June. Chairman Miller also suggested that the Council make a contribution to the Shade Tree Commission and there was some discussion of making a contribution to the recycling effort as well. Chairman Miller announced that while she will be able to continue as a Council member she wishes to be relieved of the Chairmanship July 1, 1987. At this point Fire Chief Olmstead made a detailed presentation of the conditions at Ithaca's Fire Training Center and other matters regarding disposal of hazardous wastes. The Council thanked the Chief for his careful presentation and adjourned at approximately 10:00 p.m. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL Ithaca, New York 14850 June 17, 1987 Present: Commissioners (5) Anthony, Baker, Darlington, McShane, and Miller Liaisons (0) The meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller in the 4th Floor Conference Room. The minutes of the May 20, 1987 meeting were distributed and a tentative agenda made up for the evening's meeting. The only items that CAC had time to consider were the proposed Theory Center building on the South side of the Cornell campus (Cascadilla Gorge) and a review of the "new" Stewart Park plans presented by Commissioner Darlington, who is our SPAG representative. After a good deal of tentative discussions and attempts at interpretations of newspaper articles and hearsay reports, it was decided that the CAC would write a letter to Earl Flansburgh, Chairman of the Buildings and Properties Committee of the Cornell Board of Trustees requesting that there be no encroachment on the gorge. A copy of this letter is appended to these minutes. Commissioner Darlington explained some of the details of the Trowbridge Stewart Park Plan and there was some inconclusive discussion. It was decided that the CAC would donate $50.00 for a tree to be placed in McDaniels Park on West Hill; this tree is to be given in recognition of the work of Ithaca Recycles and will symbolize natural resources saved by recycling efforts. The meeting adjourned just before ten o'clock. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL City of Ithaca Ithaca, New York 14850 September 17, 1987 Present: Commissioners (4): Anthony, Baker, Miller, and Semmler Liaisons (1): Peterson The meeting started with an informal discussion of Stewart Park and tracing of Council actions in October 1984. It was decided that at that time CAC had only addressed environmental issues and had focused on the wetlands issue. There was a short discussion of the upcoming Environmental Conference in Cortland. Tentative plans were made for Commissioners Baker and Miller to attend, along with Carolyn Peterson. The "new business" section centered on environmentally - related items in the upcoming DPW budget. It was decided to have expanded discussions on the "No- salt" policy and Chairman Miller requested that each member bring in "concrete" suggestions concerning ways to educate Ithaca's winter drivers. All agreed that it is essential to have the presence of Mark Albanese for these discussions. Carolyn had a letter explaining that the City Council has already approved the exchange of lands necessary for marina expansion, although some technicality has apparently held up the interim plans. Chairman Miller reported that she had tried to call Dan Collins from NYSEG for an update on Coal Tar at IAWWTP, but he had not returned her call. He had promised a report in mid - August. Although there were no representatives of the Shade Tree Commission present, Carolyn reported that it has been meeting regularly and that the makeup of the group is'excellent. They are proposing an Inventory of Trees and also making up a list of desirable trees for planting. The CAC will be provided with a list of their goals. Carolyn announced that only four of the sixty "odor logs" (Wilcox Press) distributed in May have been returned. She also alluded to past and future discussions of a "No Smoking" Ordinance for public (city) places. CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL Ithaca, New York 14850 December 16, 1987 Present: Commissioners (5) Anthony, Baker, Darlington, Farrell, and Miller. Liaison (1) Peterson The meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller in the 4th Floor Conference Room. The minutes of the last meeting were distributed, read, and approved. Chairman Miller announced that the LEAF has to be redone for the Alienation Proceedings discussed earlier. Chairman Miller also announced that she would not be serving on the CAC after 1987 because of her change of residence. Commissioner Darlington reported on the SPAG meeting and indicated that they ha nded (a)acceptance of the "goals" and that the resourceX (',.be used as guidelines for the future; (b) the establishment of a Par s Commission; (c) that the Niederkorn Plan be rescinded, and (d) that the stabilization of the current buildings should proceed as quickly as possible. �� This meeting was also attended by Eric Broberg and Barbara Hotchkiss as observers, although both indicated that they would probably be willing to serve as members. The major business of the evening was a painstaking review of the SEAF and LEAF submitted by the Farmers' Market. Anna Steinkraus, president of the Ithaca Farmers' Market Cooperative, Inc. and Charles J. Guttman, Attorney at Law, attended the meeting and were available for discussion and explanation. After this intensive examination the CAC voted unanimously that the project would result in no major impacts and that the CAC supported a Negative Declaration. Although there was no time for discussion of the Shade Tree Ordinance it was decided that the City Clerk will be asked to circulate copies of this ordinance to the CAC. The meeting adjourned at 10 :25.