HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2012-03-01 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
March 1, 2012 7:00 p.m.
Final Minutes
Members present: Andrew Goodell, James Hamilton, Eva Hoffmann, Tony
Ingraham, Jon Meigs, Vladimir Micic, Nirav Patel, Susan Perri, Kristine Shaw, Ellie
Stewart
Staff: Mike Smith
Guests: Three high school students were visiting for class projects.
There were no persons to be heard.
Members Concerns: Eva, Diane and James attended the nyserda energy code training
on February 291h at Town Hall and provided a brief description.
Members signed up for taking minutes in 2012 as follows: April: Susan; May: Andy;
June: Diane; July: Vladimir; August: Jon; September: Nirav; October: Ellie; November:
Tony; December: Eva.
Chair and Coordinator Reports.
Chair: Kristine had nothing to report.
Coordinator: Mike reported that the Ithaca College Athletics and Events Center had a
few minor modifications to lighting, sidewalks, landscaping and sound system up for
Planning Board review. Eva wanted to be sure that the loudspeaker changes wouldn't
result in noise pollution; Mike found the engineering report on an added fifth loudspeaker
promised to allow better control of amplification without increasing decibels beyond the
audience in the bleachers.
Business:
The minutes for the 1/5/12 meeting were approved with minor revisions. Members found
more extensive editing needed for the 2/2/12 minutes, but after correcting several factual
errors, approved them with revised wording on the View Sign, Six Mile Creek, and work
goal plans.
Comprehensive Plan Discussion:
Members had several ideas for additions or revisions to the 1/23/12 draft of goals and
recommendations for the Natural Resources and Environment Section on the Comp
Plan.
Jon noted under NR-1-A that resource inventories should get more frequent updating
and revision than just each time the new comp plan comes out. He'd like the Town to
periodically review natural area data, with a focus on identifying changes and threats to
the environment that need to be addressed promptly. Jon also wants to revise NR-6-E to
identify Cayuga Lake as a "source of potable water." He'd like the air quality section, NR-
8, to include a ban on open burning. James wanted NR-2-D&E to mention a ban on
high-grade logging (ie, the harvesting of all the best and biggest trees in a woodlot) and
clear-cutting more specifically, as he doesn't see how current ordinances on tree
harvesting or tree preservation can effectively assure environmentally responsible land
use practices. Tony wants NR-4-B to add "wetlands" to the list of protected natural
areas. Vladimir would like all sections of the Comp Plan to recognize the importance of
public input to keep the Town informed of problems such as threats to wildlife or
particular natural areas. He'd like to see the public encouraged to report natural resource
issues. Jon noted that the Fischer Award might be used to encourage such public
participation. Eva wanted NR-6-1 to be expanded beyond opposing just "industrial waste"
at waste water treatment plants, as biological waste such as that coming from Cornell
could be equally dangerous. She also wanted the superiority of open ditches over closed
drain pipes in NR-6-L to be more clearly emphasized. The NR-8-C intent to "explore" a
ban on motor engine idling reminded Eva of New York City's regulation of busses in the
Port Authority Building. If those vehicles can stop their engines regularly, she and other
members agree that they should do it in Ithaca, too. Eva would also like to see noise
pollution regulated not just by decibel levels, but by other measures that would prohibit
annoying sounds like the high-pitched whine coming from recent modifications at
Cornell's Baker Institute's lab complex on Hungerford Hill Rd.
Coy Glen Conservation Zone update:
Ellie reported that the CGCZ committee met 2/28/12 with Sue Ritter and Mike Smith to
work out a time table for establishing the new zoning around Coy Glen. They will meet
on March 14 with Bill Goodman from the Town Board. A draft map of the proposed zone
boundaries was distributed to members, eliciting some comments that perhaps the small
branching creeks in the headwaters to the creek in Coy Glen found near Rt. 79 should
be included in the zone. Ellie hoped Tony would be able to present a convincing case for
this zoning change when it came time to present it to the public.
Regular Reports and Updates:
Environmental Review Committee: Nirav reported the ERC had met on 2/9/12 to discuss
the Conifer West Hill Senior Housing, the Biodiesel and Northview Water Tank projects.
There were no major issues or comments for any of these projects.
Scenic Resources Committee: Tony reported he and Eva met with Rich Schoch and Jeff
Hulbert in the Parks Dept. to discuss the view sign at East Shore Park and options for its
frame and installation. The rubble just under much of the park may complicate installing
the sign there. Quotes for two different sign support designs were obtained from Fossil
Industries, as well as from AccuFab. Sarah Fiorello at Cornell Plantations had some
suggestions on sign fabrication options. SRC met on 2/27/12 to discuss fabrication
choices, which they're continuing to investigate.
Communications Committee: James reports that Cayuga Compost was the only
nomination received for the 2011 Fischer Award. Mark Wittig, who manages the
composting operation on Agard Rd in Ulysses, lives in Odessa, so the award will be
addressed to Cayuga Compost since it's closer to Ithaca.
Tompkins County EMC: Kristine reports that the EMC made a thorough review of the
Cayuga Inlet dredging project. She also noted that the EMC had several important
reservations about Cornell's construction of a new Big Red Band facility on the steep
slope just south and adjacent to Schoellkopf Crescent. The storm water management
design there seems inadequate to protect the fragile terrain, and as part of the building
lot includes a Unique Natural Area on Cascadilla Creek's fragile north bank, more care
needs to be taken to assure stability at this site and in the area that will receive its storm
water runoff.
Sixmile Creek Volunteer Monitors: James reported that the creek would get sampled on
3/13/12, with some samples to be given an extra analysis for barium, strontium, and
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials. The annual monitor symposium will be held
3/20/12 at 6-8 PM in the Human Resources Building on State St. It will focus on Benthic
Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Stream Health, with hopes of recruiting more BMI
samplers.
City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission: Jon reported the NAC is investigating a
possible impact on the Sixmile Creek NA from a Varsol spill ten years ago at Therm, Inc.
Volatile Organic Compounds from that pollution have been detected in city sewers, and
they want to be sure that the natural areas are not polluted. The revision to the City's
Water Treatment Plant is also under review.
Comprehensive Plan: Diane noted that the Country Club site, now zoned residential,
was under consideration as an "area of special interest" for possible rezoning that would
take into consideration its situation adjacent to important natural areas. Another big
parcel of land off Troy Road was identified as a potential "New Neighborhood," where
clustered development could take advantage of public transportation. The Town's Comp
Committee planned to meet with the City's Comp Planners soon, as the City is also
working on a new comp plan.
There was no Other Business, but we did briefly consider a review of our 2012 Work
Goals for upcoming agendas. Invasives and timber harvesting were mentioned as
possible topics for next month. Mike will check with Rich Schoch (Town's Park
Maintenance Manager) to see Town policies on these for Town Parks and Trails. Ellie
thought the Coy Glen committee might be ready for more time on the agenda by May.
Nirav wanted more montly attention paid to Public Outreach efforts.
We adjourned at 8:52 PM.
These draft Minutes written by James Hamilton 3/2/12