HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2012-08-02 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
7:00 p.m., August 2, 2012
Final Minutes
Members present: Kristine Shaw, Chair; James Hamilton; Vladimir Micic; Andy Goodell; Susan
Perri; Diane Conneman; Jon Meigs; Nirav Patel; Tony Ingraham; Eva Hoffmann; Ellie Stewart;
Aaron Donato.
Staff: Mike Smith.
Guest: David Romm.
Persons to be heard: Mr. Romm was present for discussion of a citizen request regarding the
zoning designation of an area on East Shore Drive, to be taken up later in the meeting.
Member Concerns: Tony announced the airing of his TV show `A Walk in the Park' focused on
environmental issues, and his online blog at Ithacafingerlakes.com.
Diane reported that she had posted signs on a portion of the East Ithaca Recreation Way aimed
at citizens who wished to support efforts to suppress invasive species, pointing out that pulling
garlic mustard plants and leaving them in piles along the trail didn't eliminate the potential that
their seed, which remains viable, could spread infestation; uprooted plants should be bagged and
disposed of offsite to make this effort effective.
Chair Report: Kristine had nothing to report.
Coordinator Report: Mike reported on the Gourd Workshop project being proposed at
EcoVillage; on the College Crossings project proposed at the corner of Danby Road and King
Road East, previously approved, now coming for approval for mixed residential and commercial
use, in essentially the same layout; on the Frandsen Subdivision proposal on Park Lane being
resubmitted in revised format, somewhat less-intensive; on the next stage of Cornell Plantations
Gardens project, the gardens to showcase its peony collection; and the upcoming Town
Newsletter, for which articles should be submitted by August 23ra
Diane suggested an article on timber harvesting in Conservation Zones, since we have been
addressing this topic.
Kristine suggested announcing the Conservation Board Facebook page as a reference and
resource.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the May meeting were approved with minor changes. Minutes
of the June meeting were approved as amended.
Continue reviewing the draft Conservation Zone timber harvesting flyer and fact sheet:
James suggested adding "the Conservation Board urges you to make such a(sustainable
forestry)plan with the help of a qualified forester"to the `front' of the card. Tony felt that
would confuse the message.
It was decided to shorten the sentence at the bottom to "See the law online at " since the
`address' side of the card could be simplified by not listing all possible exemptions, but rather
rewording the prefatory clause to indicate that some of the actions which homeowners/property
owners are most likely to consider `normal' or necessary, because limited in extent or required
for permitted development, do not require a permit, and to list a few examples.
It was also decided to add a sentence from the `Creating A Forest Management Plan' section of
the draft brochure "Local Timber Harvesting in the Town of Ithaca"which had been prepared by
intern Steven Albonesi, and to commend Steven for putting this together.
A decision on producing and disseminating this brochure will be considered by the
Conservation Board.
Kristine will prepare a revised draft of the card for the Board.
Discuss rezoning request for properties on East Shore Drive from Multiple Residence and
Medium Density Residential Zones to Conservation Zone: By agreement, the Board took up the
matter for which Mr. Romm was present, zoning of the East Shore Drive area, in relation to the
development future suggested by the current(and draft proposed) Comprehensive Plan. A group
of nine residents of the 1000 block of East Shore Drive, including Mr. Romm, feel that the area
east of East Shore Drive should implement its current Comprehensive Plan designation, as a
Conservation area, in the new Comprehensive Plan, and, further, that its current zoning (Medium
Density Residential and Multiple Residential) is undesirable, given its present largely-
undeveloped state, which makes a positive contribution to their neighborhood. They are asking
the Town Board to "consider a change in the zoning now to protect and conserve this unique
environment" and ask the Conservation Board's input on the matter.
Conservation Board discussion noted that the area is part of the larger Renwick Slope UNA
(UNA 102) identified by the County, and that the eastern portion, downhill from Route 13, lies
in Cayuga Heights; its conservation, scenic value and potential might be most fully realized if
both municipalities worked together for that purpose.
Kristine volunteered to draft a letter to the Town Board expressing the Conservation Board's
opinion on the matter, to be circulated before the September meeting.
Regular reports and updates:
• Environmental Review Committee: No report.
• Scenic Resources Committee: Tony reported that the fabricator of the sign for Lake
Shore Park has agreed to meet our $1000.00 budget, including shipping. They will be
submitting a color sample for approval.
• Communications Committee: James reported that the Town Board supports a three-
month trial of our Facebook page, as prepared by Susan, who will oversee the site. Tony
felt that a more attractive photo of Town Hall should be used.
• Coy Glen Conservation Zone Committee: Ellie noted that the Committee had selected a
name for the proposed zone which encompasses the three UNAs that it includes:
Southwest Glens and Creeks; and that some slight modifications had been made to the
proposed boundaries. The latest revision of the draft report has been sent to Conservation
Board members online; comments are welcome. James reported that he, Diane and Jon
had made a brief tour of part of the Culver Creek area for familiarization. Other
Conservation Board members are encouraged to do the same; contact Jon to arrange a
visit.
• Tompkins County EMC: Nothing.
• Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program: James presented a detailed report noting
that sampling continues, and a sampling focused on Benthic Micro Invertebrates will be
conducted in the Fall.
• City of Ithaca Natural Areas Commission: Jon reported that the NAC chair had spoken
to the person who had taken the initiative to suppress invasive plan species (such as
honeysuckle and Norway maple), along the South Hill Recreation Way, and convinced
him to desist from such unapproved and unmonitored activity.
• Comprehensive Plan: Diane reported that the Town Agricultural Committee has some
concerns about the proposed reduction in allowed residential density in Ag zones. The
whole draft is now online for public review. Kristine will forward the Conservation
Board comments, already prepared, to the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
• Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Academy: James reported that participants had
weeded an exclosure (fenced area to exclude deer) in the South Hill Swamp Conservation
Zone which contains the rare dwarf cherry trees —only a few inches tall —and found that
the number of dwarf cherry trees had increased from the last census, in 2009.
Other business: Nothing.
Review 2012 Work Goals/Set September Agenda:
Items for September:
- East Shore Conservation Zone—draft resolution
- Town use of herbicides —Kristine to initiate discussion with Town staff and officials
- Southwest Glens and Creeks
Adjournment: 9:20 pm
Minutes prepared by Jon Meigs