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Home My WebLink AboutCB Minutes 2003-07-17 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board July 17, 2003 Final Meeting Minutes PRESENT: Lenore Durkee, Diane Conneman, Eva Hoffmann, Brent Katzmann, Barney Unsworth, Elissa Wolfson, John Yntema ABSENT: Conrad Istock, Jon Meigs, Elissa Wolfson STAFF: Susan Ritter VISITORS: Larry Salinger, Peter Stein 1. No persons asked to be heard. 2. Member concerns: It was suggested that identifying badges be given to ERC members who are making site visits. In response to Brent's inquiry about the Fisher Award, Sue said that the proposal will be presented to the Town Board on August 7th. 3. Chair and Coordinator Reports: CHAIR: 1) Lenore called attention to the message from Jon Kanter that she forwarded to Board members regarding Ithaca College's plan for forest management/timber harvesting in the proposed South Hill Conservation Zone. This plan will eventually come to the CB for its consideration. 2) In the next two weeks, we will be interviewing three candidates for the open position on the CB. COORDINATOR: 1) Sue announced the forum on storm water management to be held Saturday, July 26. 2) The Country Club is planning some renovations, which is unlikely to require attention from the ERC. 3) No further word has come regarding the proposed development of the proposed Briarwood subdivision near Sapsucker Woods or the Remington Inn/Restaurant. Sue noted in passing that a developer near the Eldridge Wilderness (Southwoods subdivision) is advertising the favorable aspects of living near such an area. This led to a brief discussion on the problem of sprawl and how to prevent it. John pointed out that the Citizen's Planning Alliance is a group concerned with exactly this issue. Eva said that the Planning Board can require certain procedures from a developer, e.g. a cluster layout,but only if members are willing to consider it. She was surprised that some PB members were favorably inclined toward the current Schickel Road sub-division proposal. 4. The minutes were approved as amended. 5. a) Diane reported on the ERC visit to three sites (Elm Street Extension, East Shore Drive, and Schickel Road). The ERC noted several problems regarding the Elm Street sub-division, especially relating to the siting of the homes too near the ravines and how water supplies and sewage will be handled. Schickel Road sub-division seemed generally poorly planned with particular difficulties arising from the density of the development with loss of pervious surfaces and associated drainage problems. Cornell's property on East Shore Drive presented questions 1 as to the type of development planned for the site and whether the densely wooded site should be developed at all. The ERC comments are attached to these minutes. b) Barney reported on the June 1 lth meeting of the Tompkins County EMC. Andrew Zepp, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Land Trust addressed the group and, among other things, mentioned an FLLT poll indicating that one of the topic that ranks highest on people's agendas is scenic vistas. Two resolutions were also finalized. One supports a State Senate bill to expand "net metering" which allows homes or businesses who use renewable energy sources (wind, solar)to "bank"the excess produced. The second is a recommendation to the County to develop a plan reducing greenhouse gas emissions from County operations. Barney's report is attached to the minutes. c) Lenore brought the CB up-to-date on the buffer ordinance. Progress has been slow because Sue has needed time to learn a computer program that would allow the buffer committee to consider drainage areas as a criterion for determining buffer width on streams in the area. This is a sophisticated program which has been used by other municipalities with considerable success. Conrad offered a formula that he felt would make buffer width determinations more accurate as it would take factors (such as slope) into consideration. He also argued that a wetland ordinance might be easily melded into a buffer ordinance. Brent would like to examine this possibility further. Some of the committee thought that it might be better to bring the current buffer ordinance to completion and then see how a wetlands ordinance might fit into the scheme. Conrad will go out to some streams and work on the formula method and then the Committee will compare his results to those generated by the computer. The Committee will be meeting again in late August. 6. Many photos have been submitted for the viewshed project by CB members. Eva has asked that people submit only their particular favorites, so that the job of photo selection will be easier. Preferred are photos of areas that can be seen from public areas (roads, parks, etc.)that are accessible to all. 7. The Lighting Ordinance was discussed and a minor grammatical correction was made. Lenore pointed out that nowhere in the Ordinance is there mention of the problems that excessive lighting presents to animal reproduction and behavior. She offered an article from a 2001 issue of Audubon Magazine that describes many deleterious effects and suggested that this information should be incorporated into the Ordinance statement on need and purpose. Also, there is a question of the toxicity of mercury vapor for disposal purposes. Lenore will get an update on this matter. If the vapor is toxic, it would be important to include this point in the Ordinance. The Ordinance will be considered again at the next CB meeting. 8. The many problems associated with excess numbers of deer was again alluded to and suggested as a possible new project for the Conservation Board. It was agreed that education and communication with the public on all these matters must be an important and continuing duty of the Board. 9. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM. Submitted by Lenore Durkee for the Conservation Board 2 EMC7/9AttheJuly9thmeeting...I-MostoftheattentionwasdevotedtoTownofIthacaenvironmentalactivities,sinceSueRAtterspokeatlength,andeffectively,aboutTownconcernswithopenspace,andthewayswhichhavebeentakentopreserveit,tosteerdevelopmentintodesirablechannels,etc.2-SueandBarneyusedournewCBfolderasthebasisforthepresentation,followinguponeachofthe“MajorAreasofConcern”asoutlinedinthebrochure.Suebroughtalongup-to-date,large-sizecountymapswhichmadethediscussionmucheasiertofollow.BarneytouchedbrieflyontheTownleadershipwhichhasbroughttheenvironmentalprogramstotheirpresentstate,andtheTownfinancialpicture,whichissouniqueintoday’smunicipalenvironment.3-AsSuediscussedthecurrentconservationzoningandpurchaseofdevelopmentrightsactivitiesoftheTown,itbecameclearthatweareabletodevotestaffandRindstoprojectswhichothermunicipalitiessimplycannotundertakeatthistime.4-thiswasalsothemeetingforourQuarterlyReporttotheEMC.Acopyofthisreportisattached.BarneyUnsworth EMC6/11/03AttheJune11’s’meeting.1-ThegroupwasaddressedbyAndrewZepp,ExecutiveDirectoroftheFingerLakesLandTrust.Hequicklyreviewedtheir“AccomplishmentstoDate”,whicharecertainlyconsiderable(seeattachedhandout),anddiscussedthecurrentactivitiesoftheTrust,wheretheyareactiveatthispoint,etc.Aspartofastrategicplanningprocesstheyhavebeeninterviewingresidentsastowheretheirinterestslie.Ofthefour“resourceprioritieswhichhavebeenidentifiedsofar,itisinterestingtonotethatthetopicwhichseemstobehighonmostpeoples’agendais“Scenicvistas”SotheViewshedCommitteehasbeenrightallalong!2-TheEMCreviewedandfinalizedtworesolutionsatthismeeting...Thefirst,No.2-2003,urgestheStateSenatetoadoptS3055,whichisabilltoexpand“netmetering”,theprocessbywhichtheenergyproducedorconsumedatahomeorbusinesswhichhasitsownrenewableenergysourceisstored.Excesselectricityproducedbythismethodcausestheelectricmetertospinbackwardsand“banks”theexcessfortheconsumer.Currentlystatelawrequiresthatutilitiesmustpurchaseuptoonetenthofapercentoftheirdemandfromsmallsolarinstallations.Thisisastartinthewarongreenhousegasemissions,butaverysmallone.S3055wouldexpandnetmeteringtowindsystems,wind/solarhybridsystems,andlargersolarsystemswhichwouldraisethelimitfromonetenthofonepercenttoonepercentoftheutilitydemand.TheEMCwantstogetthebilloutofcommitteeandtotheSenatefloorforavote.Thesecondresolution,No.3-2003recommendsthattheCountyLegislatureadoptanactionplanforreducingglobalwarmingthroughimplementationofaprogramtoreduceCountygreenhousegasemissions.OurcountyisparticipatingintheCitiesforClimateProtectionProgram,andhasbeenstudyingwaystoreducethecountygasemissionssinceAprilof2001.The“actionplan”whichhasbeendevelopedhasagoalofreducinggreenhousegasesgeneratedbycountyoperationsby20percentby2008(with1998asthebaseyear).ThenextmoveisuptotheLegislature.4 • • .L • r..--.... -.-AZ --•.-- --.c - -:‘-S’-- I -—--.--..--— ----- -r.--- -2 -- TownofIthaca-QuarterlyReport77-ThenewpublicworksfacilityonSevenMileDriveisscheduledtoopenon8/8.Thiswillmakeitpossibletointegratewaterandsewerworkatonelocation,withno“contractingout”ofmaintenanceworktotheCityortootherorganizations,thusreducingtheircosts.Allhighway,parks,waterandsewerworkwillbecenteredhere.2-Workiscontinuingontherevisionstoourzoningordinance,whichtheTownhopestocompletein2003.ThiswillembodysomekeychangestotheTownconservationandagriculturezones,aswellasanewLakefrontResidenceZone.ThePlanningDepartmentiscompletingworkonaGETSforthisordinance.3-Workonanewmulti-usetrail,locatedintheEasternHeightsneighborhoodisbeingcompleted.ThiswilltieintotheEastHillRecreationwayand,eventually,beapartofthelargernetworkoftrailsinourcounty.Thisexpandingnetworkisagoodexampleofcooperationbymanyentitiestopreservethelocalenvironmentforthebenefitofall.4-Anoutdoor-lightingordinance,designedtoamelioratevisualpollution,isbeingconsideredbythevariousboardsbeforegoingtotheTownBoardforconsideration.-TheConservationBoardiscontinuingitsworkonastreambankprotectionordinancewhichwehopetohavereadyfjrconsiderationbythePlanningBoardinthesecondquarter.Thisispartofabroadeningconcernforwetlandspreservation. 000 T0MPKI[Ns(COUNTYENVJ[RONMIENTAILMANAGIEM]ENTCO1U[NCI[IL2xEastCourtStreetIthaca.NewYork4850-Telephone(ôoj)274-5560Fax(60;)274-5578DRAFTEMCRESOLUTIONNO.2-2003-RESOLUTIONINSUPPORTOFS3055,NETMETERINGLEGISLATIONFORNEWYORKSTATEWHEREAS,Inits“ClimateChange2001”report,theIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangefoundincreasingevidenceofglobalwarmingandthenegativeconsequencesofgreenhousegasesglobally,includingclimatechange,sealevelrise,lossofbiodiversity,stratosphericozonedepletion,desertification,anddeclinesinfreshwateravailabilityandairquality:andWHEREAS,Nationally,theelectricityindustryisthelargestsinglesourceofgreenhousegasemissions,generatingelectricityfromfossilfuelswhichcontributecarbondioxide,sulfurdioxide,nitrogenoxides,andmercuryintotheatmosphere;andWHEREAS,Alternativestofossilfuelgeneration,suchassolar,wind,andbiomass,arebecomingincreasinglyviable,andwouldhelptosignificantlyreducethegreenhousegasemissionsfromelectricitygeneration;and(WHEREAS,CurrentNewYorkLegislation(PublicLawsection66-i)onlyallowsfornetmeteringofsmallsolarinstallations,wherenetmeteringisamethodofmeteringtheenergyconsumedorprodiLcedatahomeorbusinessthathasitsownrenewableenergysource.Undernetmetering,excesselectricityproducedbythehomeorbusinesswillspintheexistingelectricmeterbackwards,effectivelybankingtheexcesselectricityuntilitisneededbytheconsumer;andWHEREAS,CurrleaislationrestrictstheappjicationofnetmeterjngtosmaLlsolarsystems,andfailstoprovideanincentiveforthedevelopmentofalternativeenergysystemswhichcouldsignificantlyreducegreenhousegasemissions;andWHEREAS,SenateBill3055wouldspecificallyexpandnetmeteringtowindsystems,wind/solarhybridsystems,solarinstallationsupto1000kw(fromthecurrent10kw),andincreasethelimitsontheamountofmeteredelectricitythatutilitieswouldhavetopurchasefromonetenthofapercenttoonepercentoftheutility’selectricdemand,providingincentivesforthedevelopmentofalternativeenergysystems;THEREFOREBEITRESOLVED.thattheTompkinsCountyEnvironmentalManagementCouncilS3055,andtheEnergyandTelecommunicationsCommitteetoallowafullvoteintheStaSëiiãfe.---riseF.ICisacitizenbo.,rdthata.hisestheCountyLegislatureon‘flattersre/aring-tothecnvrrori,ricntanddoesnornecessarilyexpresstheviewsoftheTompkinsCountyLegislature. 000 T0MPKJ[NS(C(OflU(NTY]ENV][]RiONM]EN’iFAJLMANAG]BM[IENTCOUNCIL:t2EastCourtStreetIthaca,NewYork4S5o-Telephone(ôoj)274-5560Fax(óoy)274-5578DRAFTEMCRESOLUTIONNO.3-2003-RESOLUTIONRECOMMENDINGADOPTIONOFTHELOCALACTIONPLANTOREDUCEGREENHOUSEGASEMISSIONSFORCOUNTYGOVERNMENTOPERATIONSWHEREAS,Localgovernmentactionstakentoreducegreenhousegasemissionsandincreaseenergyefficiencyprovidemultiplelocalbenefitsbydecreasingairpollution,reducingenergyexpendituresandsavingmoneyforcountygovernment,itsbusinessesanditscitizensandWHEREAS,onApril4,2001.TompkinsCountadoptedResolutionNo.69of2001toparticipateintheCitiesforClimateProtection(CçP)Campaign,aprojectoftheInternationalCouncilonLocalEnv&onmental1ninatijILI).aMWHEREAS,theCitiesforClimateProtectionCampaignisavoluntaryprogramformunicipalgovernmentstoidenti’sourcesofgreenhousegasemissionswithintheirjurisdictions,identifyopportunitiesandimplementaproactiveapproachtocombatingglobalwarmingatthelocallevelbyworkingthroughfivemilestones:1.Conductalocalemissionsinventoryandforecastofgreenhousegasemissions,2.Adoptanemissionsreductiontarget,3.DraftaLocalActionPlantoachievethetarget,4.Implementtheactionplan.5.Evaluateandreportonprogress,andWHEREAS,inSeptember2001,TompkinsCountyreachedMilestoneIoftheCCPcampaignbycompletingacounty-wideinventoryofgreenhousegasemissionsforthebaseyearof1998,thatincludesseparateinformationoncountygovernmentcontributions,knownasTheTompkinsCountyGreenhouseGasEmissionsInventoryReport,andWHEREAS,inAugust2002.TompkinsCountyreachedMilestone2oftheCCPcampaignbyadoptingthefollowingreductiontarget:TompkinsCountywill,by2008,reduceitsemissionsoJ’greenhousegasesgeneratedbycountyoperationsby20percentcomparedtothebaseyearofjand.WHEREAS,inAugust2002,TompkinsCountypledgedtodevelopalocalactionplantoachievetheemissionsreductiontarget,andWHEREAS,thisinitiativebyTompkinsCountyGovernmentcanbeusedasanexampleforcommunity-wideeffortstoreducegreenhousegasesinthefuture,nowthereforebeitRESOLVED,ThattheTompkinsCountyEMCrecommendstotheTompkinsCountyLegislaturethatitadopttheLocalActionPlantoReduceGreenhouseGasE.’nissionsJbrCoutztvGovernmentOperations,andRESOLVED,further,ThattheLegislaturedirecttheCountyAdministratortoappointacommitteetoimplementthestrategiesasoutlinedintheLocalActionPlantoReduceGreenhouseGasEmissionsforCountyGovernmentOperations.Note:Acommitteeofcountyemployeesshouldincluderepresentativesfromthefolloii-ingdepartments:Finance,Facilities,Purchasing,andITS,theL’MCs.1citizenhoardthatadvisestheCountyLegislatureox.xnanersrelatingtotheenvironment.,riddoesnotnecessarilyexpresstheviewsoftheTornpkinsCountyLegisl..turc. 000 FINGERLAKESLANDTRUSTACTIVITIESWITHINTOMPKINSCOUNTYJune2003AccomplisbmentstoDate:•Morethan2,500acresprotectedthrough28conservationeasementsand10naturepreserves•ElevenconservationeasementswithinSixMileCreekwatershed•Establishmentof450-acreLindsey-ParsonsBiodiversityPreserve•ProtectionofLickBrookGorgethroughdirectacquisitionaswellasaconservationeasement•Establishmentof111-acreEllisHollowPreserve•ProtectionofgloballyrarewetlandfensnearheadwatersofFallCreekthroughestablishmentoftheDorothyMcllroyBirdSanctuary(outsideofcounty)ActivitiesUnderway:•Expandedlandowneroutreach:-CascadillaandSixMileCreekwatersheds-FallCreekheadwaters-FingerLakesTrailCorridor•Strategicplanningprocess.Fourresourceprioritiesalreadyidentified:-—-------..Scenicvistas-Undevelopedshorelineandlakebluffs-Pristinewetlandsandwatercourses-Intactforestedlandscapes•CayugaWatershedCriticalAreasProject:efforttoidenti&andprioritizelandprotectionprioritieswithinCayugaBasin.Beingcompletedinconjunctionwithstrategicplanningprocess. TOWNOFITHACA215N.TiogaStreet,Ithaca,N.Y.14850TOWNCLERK273-1721HIGHWAY273-1656PARKS273-8035ENGINEERINGFAX(607)273-1704273-1747PLANNING273-1747ZONING273-I783TO:FROM:DATE:TOWNOFITHACAPLANNINGDEPARTMENTMEMORANDUMCONSERVATIONBOARDMEMBERSSUSANRITTER.ASSISTANTDIRECTOROFPLANNING51-.JULY10,2003RE:JULY17,2003MEETINGOFTHECONSERVATIONBOARDThisistoconfirmthatthenextmeetingoftheConservationBoard(CB)isThursday,July17that7:30p.m..Theagendaforthismeetingisenclosed(seethebackofthismemo),asaretheminutesfromtheJuneConservationBoardmeeting,foryourreview.AlsoenclosedaretheapplicationmaterialsfromCBcandidateHelenLang.Pleasecallmeat273-1747ifyouhaveanyquestions.SeeyouonThursday.Enclosures TOWNOFITHACACONSERVATIONBOARD7:30p.m.,Thursday,July17,2003AuroraStreetConferenceRoom215N.TiogaStreetIthaca,NewYork14850(Therearentranceishandicappedaccessible)(607)273-1747AGENDA7:30pm1.Personstobeheard7:35pm2.MembersConcerns7:45pm3.ChairandCoordinatorReports7:55pm4.Business:Approvalofminutesfrom6/5/038:00pm5.ReportsandUpdates•ERCReport(SubdivisionproposalsonElmSt.Ext,SchickelRoad,EastShoreDrive)•TompkinsCountyEMCReport(Barney)•StreamBuffer/WetlandsProtectionCommittee8:30pm6.Reviewandcontinuingdiscussionofviewshedsurveywork9:00pm7.BriefdiscussionofdraftLightingOrdinance9.20pm8.OtherBusiness9:30pm9.AdjournmentCBMembersand*AssociatesLenoreDurkee,ChairConradIstockBarneyUnsworthDianeConnernanBrentKatzmannElissaWolfsonEvaHoffmannJonMeigs*JohnYntema TownofIthacaConservationBoardJune5,2003Draft—MeetingMinutesPresent:DianeConnemen(actingChairperson),EvaHoffmann,ConradIstock,BrentKatzmann,BarneyUnsworth,EllissaWolfson,JohnYntemaAbsent:LenoreDurkee,JonMeigsStaff:SusanRitterVisitors:LarrySalinger,IHSStudentVisitorsDianeConnemancalledthemeetingtoorderat7:33p.PersonstobeheardThreemembersoftheIHSAPConservationBiologyclasswerepresenttoobservetheproceedingsoftheConservationBoardasfulfillmentforaclassroomassignment.MemberConcernsNoneChairReportDianeConnemansharedanexcerptfromane-mailshe’dreceivedfromEnglandregardingthecontrastinculturalviewsbetweentheU.S.andBritaintowardsdevelopmentrightsforprivatepropertyowners.Ineffect,whiletherearenoconstitutionalrestrictionstoanddevelopmentinEngland,thereisanActfrom1947thatessentially“nationalizes”developmentrights,prohibitinglandownersfromdevelopingtheirpropertieswithoutapermit.ItisassertedthattheabilitytosupportsuchasActcanbeattributedtoagenerallyheldbeliefamongBritsthatlandis“aheritagetopreservedandmaintained.”Thisiscontrastedtooursystemwhereeachmunicipalityisempoweredtoestablishitsownapproachtodevelopmentrightsandlanduses.DianealsoaddedtothemeetingagendatheneedtodiscussalternatedatesfortheJuly2003meetingoftheCB.CoordinatorReportSusanreportedonthestatusoftwoprojectsrecentlyreviewedbytheERC:CornellAthleticFieldsandtheRemingtonHotel.ApublichearingregardingapprovalforthePreliminarySitePlanfortheproposedCornellfieldswillbeheldduringthePlanningboardmeetingonJuly1.Duringthisdiscussion,EvaraisedconcernsaboutthepracticeofpilingsnowfromEastHillPlazaonanearbywatershed,Susanwasunawareofthepracticeorauthorizationandagreedtoexploreitfurther.RegardingtheRemingtonHotel,asketchplanforthisnewconstructiononEastShoreDriveisduetothePlanningBoardonJune17.Severalpreliminaryconcernswerecitedincludingsafeegressrelatedtotherailroadcrossingatthesite,theproposed35’heightofthestructureanditsinterferencewithlakeviewsfromEastShoreDrive.UpdatingtheCBontheJunemotiontohireGeriTierneytoconductdrainageareacalculationsfortheTownusingArcview’sSpatialAnalystsoftware,SuereportedthattheTownBoardhadagreedtothisallocationoffundsfromtheCB’sbudgetfor2003.Geri’sworkwillbegintheweekofJune9.SusanthenledadiscussionoftheissueofhangingdeltasintheCoyGlenConservationZone.TheCBconcludedthatwhilethesemaybeuniquenaturalfeatures,theyappeartobeintheZoneandnotinneedoffurtherprotection.MinutesTheMay1,2003CBmeetingminuteswereapprovedaswritten.ReportsandUpdatesERC:TheERCvisitedtheWiedmaierSubdivisiononRt79EastatBanksRoadandreportedthatnostrongobjectionswereaired.Itwasnoted,however,thatthedeveloperwasencouragedbytheERCat thePlanningBoardhearingtonotdisturbmajorplantingsandtotakestepstoprotecttheminorwatercoursethatcrossesthisproperty.EMC:BarneyUnsworthreportedthattheMaymeetingoftheEMCincludedapresentationbyProf.GaryEvans,CornellDeptofDesignandEnvironmentalAnalysisentitledTheInfluenceofthePhysicalEnvironmentonPsychologicalHealth.ThegeneralconclusionofProf.Evans’researchwasthatthereisahighcorrelationbetweenlocationofclassroomsandresidencesincrowded,noisyareasandthepresenceofhighbloodpressure,stressandshortenedattentionspansamongchildren.Thestudywasbased,inpart,onresearchconductedinelementaryschoolsnearChicago’sO’HareAirportandinahighriseapartmentbuildinginNewYorkCitybuiltaboveoneofthemajorthoroughfares.ThesefindingsappeartobecorroboratedbystudiesconductedbyProf.NancyWellsofchildreninruralenvironmentswhoexhibithighertoleranceofstressandadversityandelevatedattentionspans.BarneyencouragedmembersoftheCBtoattendfuturelecturesofProf.Evans.DavidWoodard,theEMCrepresentativefromCayugaHeights,reportedtotheEMConthedeercontrolstudy.Partofthestudy’sgoalistodeterminetherangeofthisherdtohelpdeterminethefeasibilityofcontrollingitspopulation.Over100deerhavebeentrapped.taggedandcollared.Sincethen,6femaleshavebeenre-trappedandsterilized.Thestudyhasbeencostlytoexecuteandhasyieldedlittleactionableresultstodateandmaybeonhold.Deerpopulationabundanceandforagingdamage,includingdamagetonativespeciesneededforsuccessfulreforestation,isagrowingproblemnotyetaddresseddirectlybytheCB.BarneyannouncedthatthereisanewCountyPlanner,CrystalBuck.ShejoinsHeatherMcDanielwhoisnowSeniorPlanner.BarneyalsoreportedthatCongressmanMauriceHincheyhasbeenactivelyworkingwiththeSouthUtahWildernessAlliancetoearnWildernessStatusunderfederalguidelinesforalargetractoflandhere.Hehas130co-signersonhisbilltodate.BarneyandSuearescheduledtomakeapresentationtotheEMCinJulyontheTown’sOpenSpacePlanandUniqueNaturalAreasdesignations.ViewshedSurveysAllmemberspresentsharedthespecificviewstheyhadchronicledintheirrespectiveareasoftheTownfollowingtheMaymeetingSInall,21potentialviewshedswereidentified.ViewsfromareasnotyetreportedonaretobereportedatthenextCBmeeting.Discussionensuedregardingthebestapproachtoidentifyingviewsthatdeservefurtherattentionandprioritizingthemforfurtherassessment.Evaencouragedstartingwiththemostaccessibleviews:thoseviewedfromtheroad.Elissasuggestedstartingwiththoseviewsfromplaceswhereitisrelativelyeasytostopandenjoytheview.ConradaskedaboutthepossibilityofhavingtheTownsetasidescenicpull-offs”toenabledriverstostop.EvaalsoaskedwhetherweshouldcatalogviewsinorfromEasternHeightsandotherTownparks.Finally,Elissaraisedtheconsiderationofapproachingprivatelandownerswherescenicviewsarecurrentlyenjoyed(e.g.,EcoVillage,CornellPlantations)differentlythanwemightapproachtheissueofviewsfrompublicthoroughfares.TheBoardmembersagreedtovisitTownparksintheirareaandtogettheremainingviewshedpicturesintoinventorysothatwemaycontinueourdiscussionsatthenextmeeting.RichardFischerAwardBriefdiscussionwasheldduringwhichJohnmadegrammaticalandspellingcorrectionstothedraftawardproposal(page2,eliminateetc.”fromnexttolastbulletandremovefirst‘e”from“judgement”infinalparagraph)andConradraisedaconcernaboutthebreadthofopennesstoparticipants.TheBoardagreedtohaveJonMeigsclarifyanddefinetheeligibilitytostatethateitherthenomineeorthenominatormustbearesidentoftheTown.JohnYntemamovedthattheconceptforthisawardbepresentedtotheTownBoardforreviewcontingentuponRichard’sapprovaloftheidea.Conradseconded.Noobjectionswereheard,motioncarried.DianeagreedtocallJonMeigsandaskhimtopresenttheideatoRichardandreporttheresultsofthisdiscussiontotheCBattheJulymeeting.2 WetlandsOrdinanceDianeConnemanintroducedtheideaofcreatingaseparateWetlandsOrdinanceandaskedBrenttoheadupthisprocessiftheCSdecidestopursueit.ConradraisedagaintheideaofrollingthisintotheStreamsideBufferOrdinancealreadywellunderdevelopment.SuesuggestedthattheCBdetermineifthescopeofwetlandsprotectionwarrantsaseparateordinance.ThisideawasencouragedbyBrentwhosuggestedthattheStreamsideBuffercommitteemeetinadvanceoftheAugustCBmeetingtoprepareadiscussionfortheCBregardingtherelationshipbetweenwetlandsprotectionandtheproposedStreamsideBufferOrdinance.DianeagreedtobringthissuggestiontoLenoreDurkeewhochairsthiscommittee.Barney,JohnandConrad(membersoftheStreamsideBufferOrdinancecommittee)allagreedtomeetifthisneedissodetermined.LightingOrdinanceBriefdiscussionwasheldregardingtheproposedLightingOrdinance.SuesuggestedthatMikeSmith,TownPlanningDepartmentauthorofthecurrentproposedordinance,cometoanupcomingCSmeetingtopresent/discussthisordinance.Membersagreed.Conradraisedconcernsabouttheapparentgenerosityofthegrandfatherclauseinthatitdoesnotdistinguishenoughbetweenbusinessesandresidentiallightingsituations.Membersagreedtocontinuereviewingtheordinance.Whilenospecifictimelineisestablished,theordinanceisreadytogototheCodesandOrdinancesCommitteefollowingCBreview.NewMemberTherearenowtwoapplicantsfortheopenpositionontheConservationBoard:LarrySalingerandGlennAllen.Diane,Eva,ElissaandBarneyagreedtoserveontheinterviewcommittee.InterviewsaretargetedforlateJune.ChangetoJulymeetingdateoftheConservationBoardDuetotheconfluenceofthe4thofJulyHolidayandtheregularlyscheduledCSmeeting(July3),BrentmovedthattheJuly3”meetingbecancelledandrescheduledforJuly17,2003.JohnandBarneysecondedthemotion.Noobjectionswereheard,themotioncarried.ThenextmeetingwillbeJuly17,2003at7:30pm.3 206TudorRd.Ithaca,NY14850June20,2003Ms.TeeAnnHunter,TownClerkTownofIthaca215N.TiogaSt.Ithaca,NY14850DearMs.Hunter:IaminterestedinapplyingtobecomeamemberoftheTownofIthacaConservationBoard.Ihavehadalifelonginterestinconservationandinenvironmentaleducation.AlthoughIhaveonlybeenaTownofIthacaresidentfortwoyears,IhavelivedintheIthacaareaforabout20years.MyqualificationsforthispositionincludeanM.S.degreefromCornellUniversityinNaturalResources,withaconcentrationinPolicyandPlanning.Ialsohaveundergraduatedegreesinbiologyandparalegalstudies.Additionally,Icompletedaone-yearinternshipatTheEcosystemsCenteroftheMarineBiologicalLaboratoryinWoodsHole,Massachusetts,AnumberofyearsagoIalsoworkedfortheNationalAudubonSocietyatwhatwasthencalledtheAudubonEcologyWorkshopinGreenwich,Connecticut.RecentlyIworkedforthelawfirmofLoPinto,Schlather,Solomon,andSalk,whereIprimarilydidlegalresearch.OccasionallythecasesIworkedoninvolvedenvironmental,development,orzoningissues.CurrentlyIamworkingasasubstituteparaprofessionalintheIthacaCitySchoolDistrict.IalsodoasubstantialamountofvolunteerworkasmediatorwiththeCommunityDisputeResolutionCenter,asatutorwithLiteracyVolunteersofTompkinsCounty,andasamemberoftheBoardofDirectorsoftheAlumniAssociationatTC3.Acopyofmyresumeisenclosed,andIwouldbegladtoprovideyouwithalistofreferencesifyouneedthem.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.Sincerely,/HelenLang -r HELENLANG206TudorRoadIthaca,NewYork14850(607)256-2468HelenLangalurn.bucknell.eduEDUCATION:MS.,CornellUniversity,1986,NaturalResources(ResourcePolicy&Planning)B.S.,BucknellUniversity,1980,BiologyNationalMeritScholarJ.F.SmithsonPrizeforPoetryA.A.S.,TompkinsCortlandCommunityCollege,1999,ParalegalProgramwithHighestHonorsWestPublishingAwardRECENTEXPERIENCE:Teacher’sAide(2003-Present)IthacaCitySchoolDistrict,Ithaca,NewYorkWorkasasubstituteinavarietyofclassroomandnon-classroomsituations.Tutor(2003-Present)LiteracyVolunteersofTompkinsCounty,Ithaca,NewYorkTrainedasatutorinAdultBasicEducationandinEnglishforSpeakersofOtherLanguages.Writer/Editor(2001-2002)WordsmythCollaboratory,Ithaca,NewYorkWorkedaspartofateamtoproduceTheMcGraw-HillChildren’sDictionary,McGraw-HillChildren’sPublishing,2003.Wroteandediteddictionaryentries.Researchedandcompiledhistoricalandgeographicalinformation.Editedsomecategoriesofwordsforscientificaccuracyandethnicsensitivityandaccuracy.Paralegal(1999-2001)LoPinto,Schlather,Solomon&Salk,Ithaca,NewYorkPerformedlegalresearchandwritingforlitigationattorneysinaprivatelawfirm.Organizedandmanagedextensivecasefiles.Mediator(Volunteer)(1998-Present)CommunityDisputeResolutionCenter,Ithaca,NewYorkTrainedinactivelisteningskills,conflictresolution,andtransformativemediationtechniques.Advancedtraininginchildcustodyandvisitationmediationandinparent/teenmediation.AdditionalexperienceasmediatorinIthacaCitySmallClaimsCourtandinTompkinsCountyFamilyCourt. SELECTEDPRIOREXPERIENCE:TeachingAssistant(1983-1986)CornellUniversity,Ithaca,NewYorkTaughtorassistedinvariousundergraduatediscussionandlaboratorycoursesinbiology,agriculture,andnaturalresources.Preparedclassroommaterials,leddiscussionandstudygroups,gradedexamsandtermpapers.Teacher(summer1983)Children’sSchoolofScience,WoodsHole,MassachusettsTaughtcoursesinfishingandinenvironmentalissuestochildrenages10-14.AssistantEditor,TheBiologicalBulletin(1981-1982)MarineBiologicalLaboratory,WoodsHole,MassachusettsResponsibleforallcopyandproductioneditingofarefereedscientificjournal.ManagedofficesinCoralGables,FloridaandWoodsHole,Massachusetts.Metalldeadlines.Intern-in-Science(1980-1981)TheEcosystemsCenter,MarineBiologicalLaboratory,WoodsHole,Massachusetts.Responsibleforallaspectsofresearchprojectonnitrogencyclinginblacklocusttreestands.TeachingAssistant(1977-1980)BiologyDepartment,BucknellUniversity,Lewisburg,PennsylvaniaRESEARCHPUBLICATIONS&EXPERIENCE:H.Lang.1986.EnergyUseAnalysisandPolicyinU.S.FreshMarketFruitandVegetableProduction.M.S.Thesis,CornellUniversity,Ithaca,NY.D.Pirnente],WenDazhong,S.Eigenbrode,H.Lang,D.Emerson,andM.Karasik.1986.Deforestation:interdependencyoffuelwoodandagriculture.Oikos46:404-412.I-I.MannerandH.Lang.1981.QuantitativeanalysisoftheinducedgrasslandsoftheBisniarckMountainsofPapuaNewGuinea.SingaporefofTrop.Geog.2(1):40-48.H.Lang.OrganicmatterandnitrogendynamicsinablacklocuststandinMassachusetts.PresentedatEcologicalSocietyofAmericameeting,AIBSConvention,Bloomington,IN,August,1981.FireecologyofsouthernFlorida.FieldworkatArchboldBiologicalStation,LakePlacid,Florida.Dataanalysisandliteraturereview. MEMORANDUMTO:PLANNINGBOARDMEMBERSFROM:ENVIRONMENTALREVIEWCOMMITTEEDATE:JULY9,2003RE:ERCCOMMENTSONSUBDIVISIONPROPOSALSOntheJuly7,2003theEnvironmentalReviewCommitteeoftheTownofIthacaConservationBoardmadesitevisitstothefollowingprojects:1.ElmStreetExtensionSubdivision--VincentLaneWalsh,applicant2.WestviewSubdivision—SchickelRoad,BorisSimkin,applicant3.Two-lotSubdivision,E.ShoreDrive,northofLakeSourceCoolingPlant,CornellU.,owner!applicant.Ourcommentsfollow:ELMSTREETEXTENSION:1.Thisheavilywoodedareaisfairlyflatintheareasproposedforhomesites.However,atleastthreesitesarelocatedtooclosetotheravinesofthetributarystreamfeedingCoyGlenCreek.Specialconsiderationmustbegiventotheplacementofsepticsystemsforthesehomes,sothatleachatedoesnotinadvertentlydraindownintotheravinesandintothecreek.Also,moreinformationmustbegivenastohowelectricityandwaterwillbesupplied.2.SincethispropertyiswithinaConservationZoneandisaUniqueNaturalArea,theownershouldsubmitacomprehensiveplanjustifyingtheuseofthisareafortheprojectandexplaininghowheintendstopreservethecharacteroftheUNA,especiallysincethislandwillbeinhishandsandinthehandsofvariousfamilymembers.Thereprobablyshouldbeanenvironmentalreviewforeachhousepriortoconstruction.WESTVIEWSUBDIVISION:1.Thecurrentplancallsforafairlydenseandunimaginativearrangementof33lotsoffSchickelRoad.Thelandisamixofgrassesandforbswithforestofcottonwoods,cherries,pines,maplesandash.Thepresenceofsomeofthesetreespeciessuggestthattheremaybeongoingregenerationofthewoodsandwewonderifalowerdensityplan,preservingsomeofthematuretrees,shrubsandherbsinthevicinity,mightresultinmoreinterestingandpleasingresidentialspaceaswellaspreserveimportanthabitat. 2.WearetoldthatthestreamseastofthepropertywilldivertmostwaterflowawayfromtheSubdivision.Sincetheprojecteddevelopmentwillreducethepermeablesurfacearearesultinginconsiderablerun-off,canthesestreamshandletheincreasedload?Stormwatermanagementmustbewellplanned.TWO-LOTSUBDIVISION,NEARLAKESOURCECOOLINGPLANT:I.Thisacreagehasafairlysteepslopeandisheavilywooded.Itwillbeachallengeforabuildertodevelopmultipleresidence-typehousing,thecurrentzoningdesignation,onthissite.Wewouldliketoknowhowthislandistreatedinlightofthenewzoningordinance.Alsotheproximityofpowerlinesontheeastedgeofthepropertycouldbeanegativefactor.DoesCornellhaveanythingtosayaboutlandusagehere?Istherepresentlyabuyerforthisland?Ifso,whatisbeingplanned?Permissiontosub-dividethelanddoesnotconstituteapprovalofwhateverconstructionisproposed.ItmightbebettertoLeavethewoodsalone.2