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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2008-01-10Approved by ILPC — 3/13/08 Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission January 10, 2008 Present: Alphonse Pieper, Chair Nancy Brcak George Holets Susan Stein Lynn Truame Mary Tomlan, Common Council Liaison Leslie Chatterton, Staff Megan Gilbert, Staff Chair A. Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. I. PUBLIC HEARING None. II. PLEASURE OF THE CHAIR A. Administrative Matters Chair A. Pieper welcomed newly-appointed Common Council Liaison Mary Tomlan. M. Tomlan explained her role as Common Council liaison to commission members. Chair A. Pieper then welcomed the returning members of the commission and thanked them for their continued membership. The Commission then discussed filling the final vacancy. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 4, 2007 On a motion by L. Truame, seconded by N. Brcak, the October 4, 2007 minutes were approved with corrections by vote of the ILPC. B. December 18, 2007 On a motion by S. Stein, seconded by G. Holets, the December 18, 2007 minutes were approved with corrections by vote of the ILPC, with N. Brcak abstaining. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Former Ithaca Gas Works – response to community L. Chatterton reported that she is still working to craft a response based on the discussion at the November 2007 meeting. The commission discussed that the response needs to emphasize that it is not an either/or situation in that it is possible for the site to be properly cleaned up and the building to be preserved. The response should also note that this situation has occurred elsewhere. The commission discussed the North Hampton situation presented at the November meeting and suggested that this case be used as an example in the response. As for now, the clean up has been delayed due to the need for the school district to relocate to an alternate site. 1 ILPC Minutes Meeting Held December 18, 2007 2 B. Letter to property owners The letter to property owners was last mailed in 2006, so this upcoming year may be a good time to re-send the letters. L. Chatterton will e-mail the letter to commission members so changes can be suggested. The letter to property owners in the Cornell Heights, DeWitt Park, and University Hill historic districts was last mailed in the summer of 2007. The last mailing to property owners in the East Hill historic district was in March 2006. C. Certified Local Government Annual Report L. Chatterton reported that staff has been working on the 2006-2007 Certified Local Government Annual Report. She reviewed some statistics about the cases that have come before the commission within the past year. The commission then discussed a question about desired trainings for the upcoming year, and members noted that they would like some training on legal and procedural review, CLG overview, and technical issues and materials. V. NEW BUSINESS A. 302 Wait Avenue Staff discussed an application from 302 Wait Avenue with the commission. Commission members agreed that the application was incomplete and could not be considered as presented. B. Programs & Issues for 2008 1. Cascadilla Boathouse The Cornell Historic Preservation Planning Alumni would like their annual work weekend to focus on the Cascadilla Boathouse. The students planning the weekend envision an ongoing project for current students and alumni. Aside from the Cornell students, alumni, and faculty, others may be willing to donate their expertise to the project. It would be good to work on the property so that a more public use is possible. With a more public use and a volunteer work force, the project will be more competitive for grants. The work weekend has not been schedule yet, but it appears that it would be sometime in mid-March or April. As owner, the City would be responsible for making sure the projects are what the City would like to see done and for addressing liability issues. In terms of the tasks that could be completed, the historic structure report prepared by John Bero of Bero Associates in Rochester outlines the three phases for the rehabilitation of the boathouse. It may be possible to pick out discreet projects from this report. ILPC Minutes Meeting Held December 18, 2007 3 2. Cornell Avenue The commission discussed John Schroeder’s proposed rehabilitation of Cornell Avenue. This would include improved lighting, reconstruction of the stone wall at Llenroc, and replacement of the rectory fence. J. Schroeder has suggested a possible partnership between the City, Cornell, and Delta Phi. As next steps, the commission could ask the City to clarify who is responsible for the crumbling stone wall. A formal communication to the Common Council or to the City Attorney’s Office would also be an option. 3. Article on Preservation and Sustainability Staff distributed an article from Preservation regarding preservation and sustainability. There will be a discussion at the February meeting once commission members have had the opportunity to read the article. The commission also discussed writing a statement on the issue or inviting a speaker. L. Truame offered to compile some related information that she has and bring it to the next meeting. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m. by Chair A. Pieper. Respectfully Submitted, Leslie A. Chatterton, Secretary Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission