Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1988-03-23COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS 71 CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Special Meeting 7:00 P.M. March 23, 1988 PRESENT: Mayor Gutenberger Alderpersons (9) - Booth, Cummings, Johnson, Killeen, Nichols, Hoffman, Peterson, Romanowski, Schlather (arrived at 7:40 p.m.) ABSENT: Alderperson Lytel (excused) OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk - Paolangeli Planning $ Development Director - Van Cort Historic Preservation /Neighborhood Planner - Chatterton .PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Gutenberger led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Ln Mayor Gutenberger explained the purpose of the Special Council Nq meeting and handed out letters from Catherine Penner, President Lo of the Cornell Heights Neighborhood Association and John Burness, Vice President, Cornell University. CO Mayor Gutenberger stated that at a meeting on March 21, the Q Cornell Heights Neighborhood Association passed a resolution asking Common 'ouncil to request from the State of New York a three montl, ostponement of the upcoming hearing for historic designation of the Cornell Heights neighborhood. Cornell University is also requesting a postponement to allow the neighborhood and the University to continue the discussions. He further stated that he called the Common Council meeting tonight to request concurrence with the neighborhood and the University request for a three month postponement. Barbara Ebert, Director of Historic Ithaca of Tompkins County, stated that while she applauds the Cornell Heights Neighborhood Association and Cornell University in their efforts to discuss their respective short and long term plans for the Cornell Heights neighborhood, she must also respectfully submit that the issue of designation of a Historic District does not relate to the zoning and planning concerns that the community and Cornell University are in discussion about. She stated that if one is to use historic designation as a zoning or planning tool, one in effect perverts the nature of the case. She feels very strongly that if one says that the neighborhood is eligible to be on the National Register of Historic Places, then it is eligible and if one says that it is not eligible, then again it is not eligible. If one says we're going to discuss whether or not we want to put it on there because we have some zoning and planning concerns then that is an entirely separate and distinct issue. Even though she understands the rationale of both parties bringing this before Council she encouraged Council to think about what is being said by this action. Richard Penner, 121 Kelvin Place, stated to Council that the neighborhood . strongly supports in every way the City's proposal for a historic designation. The neighborhood is very impressed with the work and professionalism that went into the report and hopes it goes forward. But there are other concerns as well in the neighborhood. The neighborhood's hope is that a postponement will allow this proposal to go forward and that when it does Cornell will withdraw its opposition to it. 72 -2- March 23, 1988 John Burness, Vice President for University Relations, Cornell University, stated that there has been a series of meetings between Cornell and the officers of the Civic Association and perhaps for the first time there is an opportunity to address some very important long standing issues between the University and its direct neighbors. Mr. Burness stressed the point that according to reports the University has received, a request for a delay at this time to allow these discussion to proceed would have no pre- judicial effect as viewed by the State Board. He thinks it is possible with additional discussions with the Civic Association and with the City that we can find a way to strike some agreements that would have long term implications and commitments in terms. of the University's development in and around the Cornell Heights area. _Joseph Ballantyne, 116 Kelvin Place, Vice President of the Civic Association, spoke to Council in favor of the postpone- ment on historic designation. He stated that the vote of the Civic Association was based on two major points. The first was the association's judgment that a three month post- ponement would not prejudice the case either way when it comes up in Albany. The second is the assessment of the ,i_,ighborhood that it is possible that the discussions that take place in that interim could achieve some goals which go substantially beyond those that might be achieved through the historic designation. Resolution Request for a 90 -Day Postponement of Hearing on the Designation of Cornell Heights as a State Historic District By Alderperson Killeen: Seconded by Alderperson Romanowski RESOLVED, That this Common Council requests a 90 -day postpone- ment of the hearing on Designation of Cornell Heights as a State Historic District. Discussion followed on the floor. Alderperson Booth stated that he is puzzled as to why Cornell sees a significant advantage in delaying this process and that he is also puzzled by what the neighborhood sees the State designation is going to achieve. His understanding of the state designation is that it has relevance only in terms of state actions which involve State agencies spending money and building things and giving permits, etc. However, he is not opposed to the delay. Ms. Chatterton responded that what we are talking about is State and National registration as it affects projects funded, licensed or proposed by any State or Federal agency. Those projects have to undergo a review process similar to the environ- mental review process, the results of which are not necessarily binding . it's a process which provides for expression of mitigating measures. Further discussion followed on the floor. Mayor Gutenberger stated that it is important to point out to the Association and to Cornell University that if there was an agreement locally, including Council and the Landmarks Preservation Commission as far as any change in boundaries, the State is not bound by any agreements that might be arrived at locally. The area has to rise and fall on its own historic merit. Alderperson Nichols stated that he sees no harm in a three month delay. However, he believes that if it is a historic district it should Gtand nr fai -1 o- its own merits ncco -ding; to the study that was done. 19 -3- March 23, 1988 Mayor Gutenberger stated for the record that the State, on the City's behalf, put a lot of time and effort into this matter. They are prepared to make the presentation. The concern is that we have the State staff go through all this and then we postpone it. The person that he spoke with at the State office today said that concern should not be a City concern. They have done their work and a three month postponement is not going to change the amount of work they have already done. The State office has an application and documented opposition so that anything that was done locally to reduce the opposition would be welcome to the State. Finally, in regards to the postponement, the quote was "there is absolutely nothing at stake and the City is not at risk in asking for a postponement." Alderperson Cummings thanked the Mayor, Cornell and the Neighbor- hood Association for coming together for discussions on this issue. She stated however, that she believes that the neighbor- hood would be in the strongest position by going for nomination based on the historic merits of the structure. She further LD stated that she would be voting against the resolution for d- postponement based on past experience in dealing with Cornell. LO She believes that the historic preservation merits of that district stand on their own. Request for designation by the neighborhood and by the City is not an adversarial action M but a long over -due prudent pursuit and she supports it. Q She feels the neighborhood would be in the strongest position to designate it as it has been professionally recommended and then neg::; ate. Alderperson Hoffman expressed concern that neither representa- tive from the Sth Ward have been involved in the process. He stated that he was also disappointed that there has not been a chance for the Landmark Preservation Commission to render an opinion on the proposed postponement as that group has worked very hard on this designation and would have a lot to say about what is being proposed tonight. He feels the City is being asked to take a step back from a process that had a certain amount of momentum. He stated the City would be in a much better position to negotiate and bargain once we have the State designation. Further discussion followed on the floor. Alderperson 'teen stated for the record that in voting to accomoda d accede to the neighborhood wishes, he feels no pry;. at is being established in anyway to under- cut the histori,: designation process as it applies to other neighborhoods of the city or as it will be applied and is being applied. He stated he is curious as to what the essence of the discussions will be in this neighborhood. It should not be, by any means, at the expense of other neighborhoods in the City. fie will support this motion but he is concerned about the implications of it and could have to reverse his position at some point in the future if certain indications begin to arise. The question of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a roll call vote which resulted as follows: Nichols - Aye Johnson - Aye Romanowski - Aye Killeen - Aye Hoffman - Nay Schlather - Nay Peterson - Aye Cummings - Nay Booth - Aye Ayes (6) Nays (3) Carried 73 74 -4- March 23, 1988 ADJOURNMENT On a motion the meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M. Callista F. Paolangeli. City Clerk fGutenberge ohn C. May