Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2024-01-16 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD Shirley A. Raffensperger Board Room,Town Hall 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca,New York 14850 Tuesday,January 16,2024 6:30 P.M. Members of the public are welcome to attend in-person at Town Hall or virtually via Zoom. The public will have an opportunity to see and hear the meeting live and provide comments in-person or through Zoom at httys:Hus06web.zoom.us/e/83643764382. If the public would like to attend the meeting for viewing purposes only,it is recommended to watch the livestream video on YouTube(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc9vycXkJ6klVIibihCy7NO/live). AGENDA 1. Consideration of Sketch Plan review and Concurrence with the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board as Lead Agency to coordinate the environmental review of the proposed Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreational Facility,located at Robison Alumni Fields on Tower Road on the Cornell University central campus. The project involves replacing the Robison Alumni Fields with a 90,000+/-square foot, 56-foot-tall indoor fieldhouse building and a new synthetic outdoor field hockey field along with new sidewalks and pedestrian connections, stormwater facilities, landscaping,lighting, and other site improvements. The project will be largely located within the City of Ithaca with a portion in the Town of Ithaca. This is a Type I Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. There are no decisions or approvals at this meeting,other than the Town of Ithaca Planning Board concurrence with the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board's intent to be lead agency in the environmental review of the project. Cornell University, Owner; Kimberly Michaels, TWM, a Fisher Associates Landscape Architecture Studio,Applicant/Agent. 2. Nomination and Election of Vice-Chair for 2024. 3. Persons to be heard. 4. Approval of Minutes. 5. Other Business. 6. Adjournment. C.J. Randall Director of Planning 607-273-1747 NOTE:IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PLANNING BOARD IS UNABLE TO ATTEND,PLEASE NOTIFY CHRIS BALESTRA AT 607-273-1747 or CBALESTRA(a),TOWN.ITHACA.NY.US. (A quorum of four(4)members is necessary to conduct Planning Board business.) Accessing Meeting Materials Online Site Plan and Subdivision applications and associated project materials are accessible electronically on the Town's website at https://www.town.ithaca.ny.us/meeting-calendar-agendas/under the calendar meeting date. TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD January 16, 2024 Minutes Present: Fred Wilcox, Chair: Members:Ariel Casper, Caitlin Cameron, Kelda McGurk, Bill Arms, Liz Bageant, and Cindy Kaufman CJ Randall, Director of Planning; Christine Balestra, Senior Planner; Guy Krogh,Attorney for the Town; Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; David O'Shea, Civil Engineer and Ashley Colbert, Deputy Town Clerk Mr. Wilcox opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. 1. Consideration of Sketch Plan review and Concurrence with the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board as Lead Agency to coordinate the environmental review of the proposed Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreational Facility, located at Robison Alumni Fields on Tower Road on the Cornell University central campus. The project involves replacing the Robison Alumni Fields with a 90,000+/- square foot, 56-foot-tall indoor fieldhouse building and a new synthetic outdoor field hockey field along with new sidewalks and pedestrian connections, stormwater facilities, landscaping, lighting, and other site improvements. The project will be largely located within the City of Ithaca with a portion in the Town of Ithaca. This is a Type I Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. There are no decisions or approvals at this meeting, other than the Town of Ithaca Planning Board concurrence with the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board's intent to be lead agency in the environmental review of the project. Cornell University, Owner; Kimberly Michaels, TWM, a Fisher Associates Landscape Architecture Studio,Applicant/Agent. Overview Ms. Michaels and Dr. Moore gave a presentation on the proposed Meinig Fieldhouse (Fieldhouse) project which will replace the two fields at Alumni Field. Roughly 80 percent of the project falls within the City of Ithaca and 20 percent in the Town of Ithaca. There is increased demand for playing fields and practice space that is not being met and this project will provide year-round indoor practice and competition fields for both lacrosse and football, additional fields for practices, changing rooms, storage space and a viewing deck that will seat 300 people. The outdoor field for field hockey will be synthetic astro turf as opposed to crushed rubber, allowing increased usage during and after rains, as the field will not be muddy. PB 2024-01-16 (Filed 1/30) Pg. 1 Questions Ms. Bageant asked what the planting plan would look like and if they could give some detail on what it might look like. Ms. Michaels responded that the rendering submitted is preliminary and more details will be provided as the project takes final shape. That said, the planting plan does detail the types of plants being proposed. Ms. Cameron had a few questions: Will there be a loss of parking spaces, as there are a lot of complaints regarding the lack of parking on campus?Will there be solar panels as part of this project?Will there be any change in grade from Tower Rd. to the fields, as there is quite a steep slope there?Will the reconstruction of the circulation and sidewalks be more accessible? Ms. Michaels responded that the final number of parking spaces has not been determined yet, but it will be less than what is currently there due to the walkways and the emergency access connection from Tower Road. Solar is being discussed along with other options. There will be some grade changes with the project and a diagram will be provided showing all ADA accessible routes and all entry points. Ms. Bageant asked whether the building is at the same level as the parking lot or if it is slightly lower. Ms. Michaels confirmed that it is slightly lower. Ms. Cameron asked if there were plans for swales or other low impact stormwater design features or were storm drains planned. Ms. Michaels responded that the stormwater system will include swales and drainage inlets, used in conjunction with the existing stormwater practices in the southeast corner of the site. Ms. Cameron commented on the snow storage indicated in the materials and she wanted to encourage them to keep looking at the snow storage options so it doesn't impact the stormwater management that will be in place. Mr. Wilcox stated that he has lived in Ithaca a long time and played and practiced on different fields at Cornell. He is really saddened by the loss of open space on campus, but at the same time understands the need, and that over time athletic facilities will either be replaced or move off campus. Mr. Wilcox noted that a recent Ithaca Voice article had some incorrect information; that the Town of Ithaca Planning Board will also consider site plan approval (not just the City of Ithaca PB 2024-01-16 (Filed 1/30) Pg. 2 Planning and Development Board), but no approvals will happen until the environmental assessment is completed. Ms. Balestra explained the Town's role in the environmental review for the new members of the board, with the City acting as Lead Agency in the SEQR review. PB Resolution 2024-01: SEQR Lead Agency Concurrence Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse City of Ithaca (TP No. 31.-1-1.2) Town of Ithaca(TP No. 67.-1-13.2) Whereas: 1. Cornell University is proposing the Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center facility along Tower Road on the Cornell University Campus. The project involves replacing the Robison Alumni Fields with a 90,000+/-square foot, 56-foot-tall indoor fieldhouse building and new synthetic turf outdoor field hockey field, along with new sidewalks and pedestrian connections, stormwater facilities, landscaping, lighting, and other site improvements, 2. Approximately 80%of the Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center project is located within the City of Ithaca. The overall project area totals 7+/- acres,with 5.8+/-acres in the City of Ithaca(including the proposed outdoor synthetic turf field hockey field,approximately 74,000+/-square feet of the proposed fieldhouse building,most of the proposed paving, landscaping, lighting and stormwater management facilities)and 2.1+/-acres in the Town of Ithaca(including approximately 16,000+/-square feet of the proposed fieldhouse building, some paving,landscaping,lighting, and stormwater facilities), 3. Development of the project will require special permit and site plan approval from the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, area variances from the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals, approvals from the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board, and potentially other approvals from State and County agencies, 4. The Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center project is a Type I action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act(6 NYCRR Part 617)and will be conducted as a coordinated review amongst the various agencies that have discretionary decision authority to approve certain aspects of the project, and 5. In a letter dated December 21,2023,the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board indicated its intent to serve as the lead agency for the environmental review of the Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center project; Now,therefore be it Resolved: That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby concurs with the designation of the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board as lead agency under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act(6 NYCRR Part 617)for the purpose of overseeing the environmental review of the Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center project. PB 2024-01-16 (Filed 1/30) Pg. 3 Moved: Bill Arms Seconded: Cindy Kaufman Vote: ayes—Wilcox,Casper,Bageant,McGurk, Cameron, Kaufinan, and Arms 2. Nomination and Election of Vice-Chair for 2024 Mr. Wilcox explained the role and duties of the Chair and stated that he hoped the Vice Chair would be interested in becoming the Chair when he retires next year. He stated that due to his traveling, the Vice Chair would be needed for many meetings. Discussion followed with Ms. Bageant stating that she travels a lot for work, and she doesn't have a lot of control over her schedule and didn't think she would be a good fit. Ms. Cameron stated that she was considering it,but she felt she was too new to the Board. Mr. Casper stated that he could not commit to a second 7-year term,but he would be willing to act as Vice Chair until someone else felt ready to take on the role. No decision was made, and the discussion will continue at the next meeting. 3. Persons to be heard—None 4. Approval of Minutes The September 19, 2023, minutes were referred to Ms. Brock and Ms. Rosa for clarification on Ms. Brock's statements regarding past litigation. Motion made to approve the December 19, 2023, minutes made by Mr. Wilcox, seconded by Ms. Bageant, unanimous with Ms. Cameron abstaining. 5. Other Business Ms. Balestra and Ms. Randall went through upcoming agenda items and major projects in the queue. The meeting was adjourned upon a motion by Mr. Casper, seconded by Mr.Arms, unanimous. Submitted by Ashley Colbert, Deputy Town Clerk PB 2024-01-16 (Filed 1/30) Pg.4 Moved: Bill Arms Seconded: Cindy Kaufman Vote: ayes--Wilcox,Casper, Bageant, McGurk,Cameron, Kaufman,and Arms 2. Nomination and Election of Vice-Chair for 2024 Mr. Wilcox explained the role and duties of the Chair and stated that he hoped the Vice Chair would be interested in becoming the Chair when he retires next year. He stated that due to his traveling, the Vice Chair would be needed for many meetings. Discussion followed with Ms. Bageant stating that she travels a lot for work, and she doesn't have a lot of control over her schedule and didn't think she would be a good fit. Ms. Cameron stated that she was considering it, but she felt she was too new to the Board. Mr. Casper stated that he could not commit to a second 7-year term,but he would be willing to act as Vice Chair until someone else felt ready to take on the role. No decision was made, and the discussion will continue at the next meeting. 3. Persons to be heard-None 4. Approval of Minutes The September 19, 2023, minutes were referred to Ms. Brock and Ms. Rosa for clarification on Ms. Brock's statements regarding past litigation. Motion made to approve the December 19, 2023, minutes made by Mr. Wilcox, seconded by Ms. Bageant,unanimous with Ms. Cameron abstaining. 5. Other Business Ms. Balestra and Ms. Randall went through upcoming agenda items and major projects in the queue. The meeting was adjourned upon a motion by Mr. Casper, seconded by Mr.Arms, unanimous. Submitted by g&-&IA4t Ashley Colbert, D uty Town Clerk PB 2024-01-16(Filed 1/30) Pg. 4