HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Hearing- Amendment to Zoning Ordinances 11/11/1992VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of Public Hearings duly published and posted, held
November 11, 1992, at 7:00 P.M. in the Village Hall, to consider
The Draft GEIS and
Adoption of a Proposed Local Law No. 3 of 1992, entitled, Amendment
to Zoning Ordinance - Planned Unit Development.
PRESENT: Mayor Anderson; Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Janis, Kira,
Perry, Pimentel; Attorney Mariette Geldenhuys.
of OTHERS PRESENT: Approximately 45 Villagers.
Mayor Anderson opened the Hearing at 7:05 P.M., and summarized the
Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement, which is required by
the State. The use of the generic EI statement sets out general
guidelines to serve as many areas in the Village as could be used
within the PUD project. When and if a specific proposal comes in
to use PUD, and passes, the environmental reviews of a specific
nature to that project will have to be completed and be a part of
that requirement as well. Mayor Anderson also summarized the
Planned Unit Development statement. This EI statement has noted
several potential environmental impacts, if we should use PUD type
of zoning.
1- greater variety
of housing types could be
put up; 2-
possibility
to set aside open
spaces; 3- non - residential
land uses
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IPare possible, in certain limited circumstances, and possible
increase of vehicular traffic; 4- loss of green space as it is at
present time; 5- financial difficulty could cause a developer to
stop before completion; 6 -open space areas might become a
maintenance liability to the Village, etc. The possibility of
additional amendments to the ordinance could follow. This entire
document was mailed to the State as per their regulations on
October 9, 1992, and was mailed to all of the parties that were
supposed to receive it, and more than 30 days have elapsed, so we
can now hold a public meeting to discuss this Environmental Impact
statement and the proposed amendment to the Village Zoning
Ordinance. If adopted by the Village Board, the amendment would set
of forth procedures and standards for the establishment of a Planned
Unit Development district.
Mayor Anderson opened the meeting to privilege of the floor.
Ellen Harrison voiced concerns over commercial aspects of the PUD,
meaning that if it was selling, milk, bread, etc., for the
convenience of the residents, rather than for the public, then that
would be much better than opening up convenience stores to the
general public, which would incur more traffic in the Village.
Is this set forth in the regulations of the PUD, and would the
Village have the final discretion over what is to be a commercial
use, etc. The Mayor said that the Board would have the final say.
IL James Burlitch's concerns were the appropriateness of Trustees
voting on this measure when they have vested interest in the PUD.
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IpSuch Trustees ought to disqualify themselves from voting and making
the decision of the PUD. Marilyn Strassberg's concerns were
relative to intersections, and having a traffic light installed,
given to the density of probable traffic in this area, also
possibility of turning lanes, etc. The Mayor said that we will
definitely have to have a full scale traffic survey done. Ellen
Harrison - density of allowable development of proposed PUD is the
same as residential density now. Does this make the point that
there are other allowable uses.. recreational uses, commercial uses,
etc.,would you consider trading off some of the housing for these
other uses? Paul Zarnowski's concerns with regard to PUD: does
this restrict building single family housing or allow multiple
housing..Mayor- we have no restriction in the Village at present
which allows only single family housing; Janis -this ordinance would
not change the density, could change configuration, but not
density. Zarnowski- will this change character of neighborhood? I
am opposed to PUD in neighborhood, prefer single family houses.
Would prefer that the Village purchase the property and pay with
taxes, rather than PUD projects. Pimentel -to Zarnowski -how would
you reword this proposal..you do have the opportunity to give your
written comments, there is a 10 day period in which we will receive
all comments- by November 21st. Shayle Searle said that the survey
that they were talking about said that the taxes would double for
many, many years, obviously this would be opposed by the
Villagers..Zarnowski..suggested we do not have to buy all the land,
just because it is there.. comment from audience, stated that
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1PCornell would only sell it as a single piece of land "..Tom Davis -
feels that the term dwelling unit needs clarification... his
feeling.is that dwelling is one family only. Mayor said that 20
acres refers to 30 or more structures, possibly 60 families..no
dwelling could be less than 700 sq.ft. Bill Camp- agreed that
Trustees should refrain from voting if they have vested interest..
also that the PUD is definitely going to have an impact on the
Village..the Village has had a history of being tough on
zoning..and it is like a contract, and when you buy a house in the
Village, you are under the assumption that the rules are not going
to change to such an extent. He feels that it is unfair to the
Villagers. Also, you are setting yourself up for lawsuits in
toputting this new zoning into effect, -he feels. "I am against the
PUD, and was against it when I was on the Board ". He also stated
that he didn't recall the survey exactly, but didn't recall leaving
it as a single family ... Bill Ward- I would like to express that I
am in favor of it, having been a resident for 45 years, and in the
neighborhood of the PUD, and I feel that the Board and others who
have been working on the EI statement, etc., have done a very good
job, there are some clarifications that could be made, but I did
want the Board to know that "as one home owner for a number of
years, I am in favor of it." Wendy Alberg- Advocates open
spaces..big parcel of land, such as Savage Farm could be set aside
for a park..Janis -are you suggesting buying it as a park? Alberg-
Yes, because in
50 to
100 years it
would
be an
asset.
Betty
Matyas -we have 13
acres
at the Cayuga
Heights
School
that we
use as
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a park from time to time. She feels we should think about using
the school as the center of our community rather than buying the
land. James Burlitch- scared that the potential of five such
operations within one area ...it is too big. Wendy Alberg -was
there any consideration to rezoning only part of the property?
Possibly Cornell would not sell it, and it would remain open space
for a long time. Mayor said that would be considered spot zoning,
which could be a problem. Camp- Have you enumerated which parcel
of land would be... can people amalgamate property? Mayor -I
believe if we stand by the 20 acres,..Savage Farm site and the
Palmer Woods, I don't know where there is that much area that could
be joined together under different ownerships. Camp- what about
of Remington Road, isn't that part of Cornell. Mayor - the additional
land is Route 13..Dr. Humphrey- Palmer,Woods, does Cornell own
that, or was it given to the University to be forever wild. Mayor -
was given to Cornell for whatever use they desire. Tom Davis- we
all recognize that there is a relationship between Savage Farm and
PUD, what would be the objection to making it 100 acres, Mayor- I
think it is something we could look at- specific zoning, spot
zoning, etc. Ron Zaslow - There is nothing in this document that
forces them to turn anything into greenspace... if we increase it,
then the Village would have a say as to where the greenspace is.
why was 20 acres chosen? Mayor - I donft have an answer on this.
Pimentel -we have some additional parcels that would fit
approximately
20
acre
unit, if we
go onto 40
or 50 or
100, then we
obviously end
up
with
one parcel,
and I am in
favor of
greenspace
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with remaining pieces of land..if we make it 100 acres, why fuss
with PUD at all..I was hoping that we would get greenspace here and
other places in the Village, and that was my position for arguing
for 20 acres. Mayor - another way for greenspace is for someone to
come in with cluster housing. It is possible for cluster housing
since July of this year, 6 -10 lots, one can demand that they show
you how they develop cluster housing. Ellen Harrison- could you
disallow the conventional subdivision, they have presented you the
cluster plan..Mayor ... we have not tested this out ... I believe we
do not have to accept this. Ellen- what is the advantage of the
PUD over cluster housing- Pimentel -I guess I was looking at a better
assessment of the EI statement, I mean more than just trees and
birds, I mean economic, social, and other dimensions in this
development, giving us a little more guidance, when we are
evaluating a particular development. This would give us the
opportunity to really study the problem and develop something that
would have more structure, than we would working ad hoc ... this is
my personal opinion. John Munschauer -I have lived in this Village
for forty years. If I have to face up to changing my lifestyle,
the Savage Farms is very appealing to me—as I read this document
I am very impressed with the control the Board will have over all
the things that the people are worried about here. Girard
oberrender- having lived here 20,years, it would be nice to retire
to the same area. You do not have to leave your neighborhood and
will be around your friends, etc. Younger people seem to have the
concerns that older persons would bring down the neighborhood. I
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am for the plan, as it is for the more mature citizen. Paul
Zarnowski -does it say anywhere in here that it is just for
retirement , or is it for anyone? Mayor -it doesn't, they just have
to prove to us that it is something that the community needs.
Ellen -under current regulations in the Town of Ithaca, in a sub-
division, 10% of the land is to be reserved for open spaces.. is
there any such provision in the Village for the same regulation?
Mayor- No..Ellen, I would suppose that this is something that could
be considered in the zoning regulations. Might be appropriate to
also put it in the PUD, 10% as open space .... Ken Myers .... I would
like to suggest that those that are concerned about the quality of
the development..when you have a large PUD, would like to suggest
that there are many roadblocks that could be put into place to
obstruct the granting of approval to construct this development..I
have been a party to a number of investments in large
developments ... and where there is a problem between the locality
and the developers that has gone on for years, in some cases five
or six years, and then they gave up the ghost.
The developer may have invested to the extent of several million
dollars. The Board by virtue of its PUD, and generic EI,( read it
carefully) , has final approval over all of it. The community should
be assured that 40 -50% will more than likely remain greenspace. I
would suggest that you look at the impact buying this property
would have on your taxes, maintenance, etc., and I feel that this
proposal (PUD) would be a bonanza..Harlan Banks -I own an extra lot,
and wouldn't give you a nickel for it. It really would be nice,
but 2 am not going to consider buying it for the Village....
Mayor- We would like to receive any comments or statements in
writing; however, they must be postmarked the 21st of November, or
hand carried in. Legally, postmarked by 21st of November. Meeting
adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
fa
to
Patricia Stone
Secretary