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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2023-07-20 Town of Ithaca Planning Committee Thursday, July 20, 2023 (3:00 PM Aurora Conference Room and on Zoom) Minutes Committee members: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Rod Howe; Margaret Johnson. Board/Staff members: Director of Planning C.J. Randall; Town Civil Engineer Sam Jilson; Director of Codes Marty Moseley (3:15). Guests: Sandra Schmitz via Zoom. 1. Persons to be heard: None 2. Committee announcements and concerns: Rod asked to add proposed RaNic Planned Development Zone to the end of the meeting for an update. 3. Approval of May meeting minutes: Rod moved; Margaret seconded. The May 18, 2023, minutes were approved with two minor changes. 4. Consider request for a Limited Historic Commercial Overlay District for Hayt's Chapel and Schoolhouse 1296-1298 Trumansburg Road. Property owner Alexa Schmitz submitted a Narrative Description and Justification for the request along with a proposed Preservation Plan and Inspection Report with photos.Alexa and her husband were unable to attend the meeting; Sandra Schmitz joined via Zoom videoconference on the applicant's behalf. It was noted that this historic property has been used as a long-term and short-term rental property without permit or restrictions.Applying for enactment of Limited Historic Commercial Overlay District would permit and formalize milestones and deliverables to preserve the historic nature of the property. Upon review of the documents provided, the committee asked for a revised draft Narrative and Preservation plan with the addition or clarification of the following: Add the text"number of days" after"unlimited" on page 1. Proposed Use. Under Feasibility, the committee wanted clarity on the number of sleeping units and total proposed occupancy (set up for 2 adults, 2 children currently per Sandra). Note was made that this will be determined ultimately by the Codes department. Page 2, the statement that "It will also permit more members of the public each year to appreciate the historic structures"was asked to be clarified as the use of the buildings is not proposed to be changed from its previous use, possibly this means compared to the base zoning restrictions. There should be consistency between the items noted for immediate correction and the Preservation Plan(some are under the within 2-year timeline but noted elsewhere in the inspection report as immediate) as well as the specific materials proposed to be used in the repairs. Clarify timeline under 121 Long Term property maintenance "regular inspection and maintenance". Who classifies the "professional" to inspect the exterior every 5 years. Next steps for the applicants: Director of Codes Marty Moseley will set up a meeting with the applicant and C.J, Director of Planning to go over the comments and anticipated revisions. The application will 1 come back to the Planning Committee in August for a potential recommendation to the Town Board for re-zoning. The Applicant would then apply to the Planning Board for a Special Permit before operating permits could be issued. 5. Update: Tompkins Green Energy Network(TGEN) Master Implementation Plan. Rod reported that a DER(distributed energy resources)plan was received and will go to the Town Board in August. Initially it was anticipated that the Master Implementation Plan would come back to the Planning Committee for review,however at this time it is solely the DER Plan that will go to the Town Board with a memo from the Sustainability Planner to explain. The DER plan may need an additional meeting for attorney review prior to town board adoption. 6. Update: City of Ithaca Draft Encampment Policy. A draft document and map were emailed to the committee members prior to the meeting. The map was briefly shown on screen by a committee member and appears to cover a city owned property within the town. It was suggested that Rod contact the city and request a representative to briefly present and explain the draft policy to the town board. 7. Update: East Shore Drive Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Corridor Project. C.J. updated the committee that the proposals for the R.O.W. survey/mapping (Erdman Anthony&Associates) and the Feasibility Study (Barton & Loguidice) have been approved by the Town Board and a kickoff meeting will be scheduled soon, noting multi agency and interdepartmental coordination needed as well. Funding for the project was awarded by NYS Assemblymember Anna Kelles, who recently visited Town Hall in person. It was mentioned that the project could be put on the town website for public awareness. 8. Update: Financial Feasibility Analysis of Residential Development or South Hill Traditional Neighborhood Development(TND). C.J. updated that the (up to IOK) grant fund assistance application from the County to offset the cost of this analysis was approved recently. There is a new affordable housing scenario needed (if the County funding is accepted) which was not specifically written into the Camoin Associates proposal/scope of work that was previously approved. C.J. asked the committee their thoughts on requesting a revision to the Camoin Scope of work. The other option could be to decline the funding from the County. Rich noted the desire for an effective outcome for the project if an additional large piece or deliverable is added. The total cost of the study as previously approved was $19,500. C.J. will reach out to Camoin to clarify if they will add the affordable housing piece to the current proposal and report back to the committee as well as get more clarification with the county as to the desired outcome of the additional piece and proposed draft language for the amendment to the scope. 9. Staff updates and reports. Rod noted there has been some concern in the Village of Cayuga Heights over the marketing material for the proposed sale of the RaNic Golf course. He asked if there were any Town concerns about the wording or description of the proposed PDZ. Staff and committee members read the listing and although approval of the PDZ and future plans are implied, the language describing where the project is in the process is generally accurate and did not cause significant concern at this time. The existing zoning possibilities and Town Comprehensive Plan language was briefly discussed. C.J. updated that the Longview facility has been in contact for possible upgrades to their facility. Sewer capacity in the area was mentioned and the owners will apply to the Planning Board once the details are 2 formalized. Tareyton Drive property-still awaiting information, water and sewer issues as well as park land conveyance. Maplewood II is still being discussed, water connection with city or town and upgrades needed to the water main to be determined. Southworks is hiring for a Development Services Manager and an RFP is out for architectural services for the residential area in the town ("The Woods") as the first development focus-this will be a project that needs close coordination with the City of Ithaca for infrastructure and other concerns. Potentially, the GEIS would need to re-opened if the new development exceeds any previously approved thresholds. 11. Next meeting date and upcoming agenda items: August 17th, 2023 3:00 p.m. possible revised LHCOD application for Hayt's Chapel and Schoolhouse. The Town of Ithaca Planning Committee meeting concluded at 4:10 pm. 3