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Home My WebLink AboutMN-CC-1980-04-21COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS `) CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 7:30 P.M. April 2/, 1980 PRESENT: Mayor - Bordoni Aldermen (10) - Banfield, Boothroyd, Boronkay, Dennis, Gutenberger, Holman, Nichols, Saccucci, Schuler, Slattery OTHERS PRESENT: Urban Renewal Agency Members (5) - Bordoni, Dennis, Stein, Jones, Reed Di- rector, Planning F Development - Van Cort Asst. Fire Chief - Reeves City Attorney - Shapiro Chief of Police - Ilerson Planning Staff (5) - Bottge, Evans, Fadula, Sieverding, Dolan City Clerk - Rundle Deputy City Clerk - Paolangeli PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: av:?rBor oni le all in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Ithaca Center Pro "ect I`Iayor Bordoni opened the meeting, commenting hat the ure of it meeting was to consider approval of the developer's designoconccepthof I: a 4 -story building for retail, office, housing and open space. Relative I- to this he said there were two resolutions from the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and two resolutions from the Common Council. Should approval be given by both the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and the Common Council, developers will come back to the Common Council with the final design drawings before the final design approval. Mayor Bordoni turned the meeting over to Mr. Van Cort, Director of Planning and Development, who gave a brief history and update on the pro; Oct. Scott McRobb of McRobb and Goldberg, addressed the meeting, reporting th�it the current scheme includes 65 units of residential housing with rents within existing or comparative housing on the market, one floor, 25,rj00 sq, ft., of office space and 10- 15,000 sq. ft. on the sub- ground level. He said the project would create jobs for 150 persons when com- pleted. He reported having several sessions with the city consultants who have approved the overall scheme. He commented that they are con - ccr'n.ed with the use of the site and the appearance or facade. Ile said they will continue to listen and try to do what they can which is reasonable in the project. Werner Seligman, project architect, presented drawings, model and slides to show the changes which have occurred in the scheme since it was first prosented to the Common Council in September 1979. CWHNIENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: WiTl. Burbank, 222 Utica Street, Chairman of the Ithaca City Environmental Commission, addressed the Council, saying it is very important that the city work out a legal agreement with the developer to maintain the open community space for the use of the greater Ithaca community. IIe expressed cone :ern that the Farmers Market has been relegated to a weird position, and feels the city should ensure that it remain a part of the downtown, centrally located. IIe also expressed concern that the building be energy efficient as far as humanly possible. Kenneth Cooper, 509 Cascadilla Street, expressed concern with community 9.1-o"ps using the open area, and felt special design consideration should be given to maintain the open -space concept. Carol Chock, 2613 Danby Road commented that she liked the concept of small stores open space and market area, but was concerned about the front line of the building. -2- April 21, 1980 Alfred Leonardo, 104 Third Street, commented that there should be two or three apartments accessible to the handicapped. He was assured that half of the apartments would be directly accessible to the handicapped. Mathew Sola, 403 College Avenue, commented that he doesn't foresee a massive 4 -story building from which no apartments have windows. Thomas Kick, 2 Bean Hill Lane, Lansing, President of the Y.M.C.A., addressed the Council saying his only thought was that the scheme would include the Y.M.C.A. where the parking ramp is. He feels the space cot accommodate both, and hoped it would be considered in the vote. Discussion followed concerning the proposed Y.M.C.A. Kenneth Vineberg, 135 The Commons, spoke regarding the Y.M.C.A. proposal, saying he doesn't understand the Mayor's objection. Irevelieveitthe "Y" would draw business to the downtown, thus g make office space and apartment space very desirable. John Schroeder, 618 Stewart Avenue, commented he is very impressed with the design, and asked if the designers consider local Ithaca craftsmen giving their expertise to the facade of the building relating to the 19th century architecture of the rest of The Commons. Mr. Leonardo commented that the Farmers Market drew more people to the downtown on the one day per week when they were on The Commons. Mrs. Leonardo asked if the disabled veterans building would not be suitable for the Y.M.C.A. Jane Bent, 443 N. Aurora Street, expressed concern about the Farmers Market being shoved under the parking ramp. Also, she spoke concerning the straight facade of the front of the building, saying an indentation at the entrance would be more interesting. Mr. Vineberg suggested using the front of Rothschild's store for the Farmers Market. Susan Fritts, 111 DeWitt Place, commented that she would like more oncern - -the use of alternative sources of emphasis placed on energy c energy - -solar panes, etc., and perhpas make this a pilot project in Ithaca. The public discussion closed at 9:3S p.m. Discussion between the Urban Council Goldberg, on the presentation by McRobb Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency: Resolution Move— b- CClarence Reed: Seconded by Alderman Dennis WHEREAS, the designated conditional preferred redevelopers of Ithaca Center have made presentations on the design concept of Ithaca Center before numerous public bodies, meetings and hearings, and WHEREAS, the development concept as presented is acceptable to the IURA; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,. That the designated conditional preferr redevelopers be permitted to begin the design development stage for ty en Ithaca Center, with design drawings to be brought back to the IURA h appropriate. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Resolution By Alderman Dennis: Seconded by Clarence Reed: WI {EREAS, the YNICA has made a proposal to build a facility under the -3- April 2f, 190 Green Street Parking Garage in conjunction with development of Ithaca Center, and WHEREAS, there are numerous logistical, economic and design problems associated with that proposal; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the YMCA's proposal be rejected, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mayor and Director of Planning and Development are hereby requested to assist the YMCA in every means practical in developing a facility in an alternate location in downtown Ithaca. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Common Council: Resolution By P_lderman Nichols: Seconded by Alderman Boothroyd WHEREAS, the designated conditional preferred redevelopers of Ithaca 4 Center have made presentations on the design concept of Ithaca Center + before numerous public bodies, meetings and hearings, and WIIEREAS, the development concept as presented is acceptable to this Common Council; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the designated conditional preferred redevelopers be permitted to begin the design development stage for Ithaca Center, with design drawings to be brought back to Common Council for approval or disapproval when appropriate, or no later than June 20, 1980. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Common Council does hereby confirm the action of the IURA in permitting the designated conditional preferred redevelopers to begin the design development stage for the Ithaca Center, with design drawings to be brought back to IURA and Common Council for approval or disapproval when appropriate, or no later than June 20, 1980. Discussion followed on the floor. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Carried Unanimously Resolution By Alderman Nichols: Seconded by Alderman Gutenberger I,'I-Lt;REAS, the YMCA has made a proposal to build a facility under the Green Street Parking Garage in conjunction with development of Ithaca Center, and IVIF.REAS, there are numerous logistical, economical and design problems associated with that proposal; NOt'i, THEREFORE, BF. IT RESOLVED, That this Common Council hereby affirms the TURA's action in rejecting the YMCA's proposal, and hereby directs the Mayor and Director of Planning and Development to assist the YMCA in every means practical in developing a facility in an alternate loca- tion in do�Wntown Ithaca. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: Un a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:38 p.m. os�.ph A. Run le, City Clerk Rymond Bordoni, Mayor