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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.02.27 PAB Final Minutes1 PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD Wednesday, February 27, 2019 Old Jail Conference Room 125 E. Court Street, Ithaca NY 14850 FINAL MEETING MINUTES Members Attending: Guests: None Call to Order: Chair David Herrick convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. Agenda Review/Changes: None Draft Minutes Approval: Martha Armstrong moved approval of the Jan. 23, 2019, minutes. John Czamanske seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously by the members present. TCDPS 2019 Draft Work Program and 2018 Accomplishments – Katie Borgella Commissioner Katie Borgella reviewed the Department of Planning and Sustainability’s draft work program for the year as well as a list of departmental accomplishments for 2018 with PAB members. Highlights from 2018 included ongoing updates to the County Energy Strategy and Strategic Tourism Plan, the launch of the Business Energy Advisors (BEA) program, improved outreach to municipalities and underserved populations, and in- roads made in expanding the Community Housing Development Fund as well as pursuing other resources for affordable housing in the County. Planning and Sustainability Department staff have identified nine key planning initiatives for 2019 and will focus on the following topic areas: comprehensive planning, county government planning and operations, economic development, energy and greenhouse gas emissions, housing, municipal support and engagement, natural resources, tourism, and transportation. Staff will continue to work on the BEA Program, greening of the County fleet and electric vehicle management, Energy Strategy update, Community Housing Development Fund, Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail, and the Natural Infrastructure Capital Program, among other projects. In 2019, the County will also undertake a formal five-year review of the 2015 Comprehensive Plan, coordinate and support the Incremental Development Alliance in efforts to foster infill development, and interweave development of the County’s Resiliency and Hazard Mitigation Plans through funding from the New York Department of State and FEMA. Monika Roth inquired about the term Tourism Business Improvement District, and Martha Armstrong expressed interest in hearing any lessons learned to improve outreach to underrepresented populations. Anna  Representation Name  Representation Martha Armstrong P Economic Development C.J. Randall P Local Planning (non-urban) Joe Bowes P Housing Marcus Riehl P Natural Environment Tim Carey E Education #1 Monika Roth P Agriculture John Czamanske P At-Large Leslie Schill P Education #2 Fernando de Aragón P Transportation Kathy Schlather P Human Services Yamila Fournier P Built Environment Andy Zepp P Land Preservation/Public Land Mgmt. David Herrick P Facilities/Infrastructure Deborah Dawson P Associate Member Rod Howe E Historical/Cultural Resources Dooley Kiefer P Associate Member David Kay P Local Planning (urban) Others Present Anna Kelles P HED/PEEQ Katie Borgella P Commissioner G. Lincoln Morse P Business Kristin McCarthy P Administrative Assistant Gay Nicholson P At-Large Megan McDonald P Deputy Commissioner 2 Kelles commented on the need to make the County workforce more inclusive. She would also like to foster strong ties between TCAD and the new Housing and Economic Development Committee. Katie remarked that the County partners with TCAD on workforce development. Members also discussed harmful algal blooms and their interest in connecting this concern with efforts related to stormwater runoff, road ditches, resiliency, and securing state funding resources. Rescheduling of Remaining 2019 PAB Meetings – Megan McDonald Members voted on final options for a new PAB meeting date, selecting the second Tuesday, 4:00-5:30pm, as the day and time. The new schedule will start in April, with meetings still held in the Old Jail conference room. There will be no March meeting. Megan McDonald will follow up with a group email summarizing the changes. Commissioner’s Report – Katie Borgella • Department received final reimbursement from FEMA for Ludlowville streambank stabilization project. • Staff are working with the County Information Technology Services Department to update U.S. Census maps. Deadline to submit changes to the U.S. Census Bureau is May 22nd. • Environmental Management Council is holding its spring outreach event on March 12th at TCPL. • The Towns and Villages Parks and Trails Grant Program opens March 4th. • The Municipal Housing Affordability Grant Program is already accepting applications and will be reviewing the first round on March 11th. • Two grant cycles will be held in 2019 for the Community Housing Development Fund. Member Reports • Gay Nicholson updated the group on an appeal filed with the Town of Lansing Zoning Board of Appeals requesting that a building permit issued to the Lansing Rod & Gun Club, allowing relocation of a shooting range and construction of two traphouses and a warming hut, be rescinded. She expressed frustration with getting no traction or even discussion of the topic at the municipal level, nor help from NYSDEC or the EPA, and thought it time to explore the issue at the County or State level. Anna and Deborah Dawson offered to reach out to other County departments, as well as Scott Foley of NYSDEC and the Tompkins County Progressives, on her behalf. • C.J. Randall accepted a new position as planning director at the Town of Lansing, which she does not anticipate will affect her continued service as a PAB member. • Legislative committees continue fine-tuning their goals for the year. Deborah shared that water quality, including its intersection with agriculture and farms, will most likely make the list for PEEQ. Gay mentioned that she has spoken with younger farmers in the area who are trying to do right by the environment, but are frustrated by the lack of incentives to help them continue to use best management practices. Deborah asked her to forward the contact information for some of the farmers as their feedback would be useful for the committee to hear. Adjournment: Chair Dave Herrick declared the meeting adjourned at 10:31 am.