HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2012-11-13Approved by ILPC: 12/11/12
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC)
Minutes – November 13, 2012
Present:
Sue Stein, Chair
Ed Finegan, Vice-Chair
Christine O’Malley
Michael McGandy
David Kramer
Stephen Gibian
Ashima Krishna
Ellen McCollister, Common Council Liaison
Lynn Truame, Staff
Charles Pyott, Staff
Chair Stein called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST
None.
III. NEW BUSINESS
• Resolution for Section 106 Review ― Ithaca Commons Redesign
L. Truame remarked that City Transportation Engineer Tim Logue had asked the Commission to
provide its input on the Commons Redesign project. L. Truame noted that Commission member S.
Gibian already expressed his concerns, via e-mail, with the project’s lighting system and the extent to
which it might disturb views of historic facades. Comments from other Commission members would be
welcome at this time.
L. Truame noted that the Commission should consider how seriously detrimental any potential impacts
may be to the historic character of the district.
S. Stein indicated she also has some concerns with the lighting system. It does not seem entirely
appropriate to the context of the Commons.
M. McGandy observed that Commission members could also provide their comments independently, as
individuals.
Commission members proceeded to make minor modifications to the language of the resolution.
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S. Gibian remarked that he could envision problems developing with the lighting cables, over the course
of time (e.g., drooping). He reiterated his concern with the lighting scheme.
RESOLUTION: Moved by E. Finegan, seconded by M. McGandy.
WHEREAS, there is a need to renovate the aging infrastructure of the Ithaca Commons pedestrian mall,
and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has retained a qualified consultant for a complete redesign of the
Commons, and
WHEREAS, the proposed redesign has been completed and approved with construction anticipated to
begin as soon as 2013, and
WHEREAS, the Commons is located within the Ithaca Downtown National Register Historic District,
but is not a locally designated historic district which would fall under the official purview of
the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC), and
WHEREAS, as part of the Section 106 review process, the ILPC has been asked to review the proposed
Commons redesign and comment on any potential negative impacts the project might have
on the historic district, and
WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed the proposed redesign and finds that it would not produce any
significant negative impacts on the historic district and, in fact, by virtue of the its being
more open in the center would be somewhat more compatible with the historic character of
this former street than is the current design, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the ILPC has identified no significant negative impacts on the Ithaca Downtown
Historic District that might result from the Commons redesign as currently proposed.
RECORD OF VOTE: 6-0-0
Yes
E. Finegan
M. McGandy
S. Gibian
D. Kramer
C. O’Malley
S. Stein
No
Abstain
• Design Guidelines
L. Truame requested comments on the draft of the Design Guidelines that was distributed. She noted
that Historic Ithaca’s comments had been received and that she would integrate those into the text. D.
Kramer requested that the Commission receive a copy of Historic Ithaca’s comments, which L. Truame
agreed to forward electronically. Commission members provided a number of edits and suggested
changes. M. McGandy offered to assist with editing and format changes. Commission members were
generally enthusiastic about the document.
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IV. OLD BUSINESS
• Stone Sidewalks: Update
L. Truame provided a re-cap of the meeting held on November 9, 2012 with the sidewalks subcommittee
of the Board of Public Works. She noted that the subcommittee was supportive of the retention of stone
walks where possible, particularly within the historic districts, and agreed that stone walks should
specifically be addressed within the City’s overall sidewalk policy, which they are currently revising.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
As moved by D. Kramer, and seconded by S. Gibian, Commission members unanimously approved the
following meeting minutes, with no modifications:
• October 9, 2012 (Regular Meeting)
VI. STAFF REPORT
None.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Stein.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn Truame, Historic Preservation Planner
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission