HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1999-12-06COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 7:30 P.M December 6, 1999
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (7) – Marcham, Vaughan, Spielholz, Shenk, Manos,
Blumenthal, Farrell
OTHERS PRESENT:
Alderperson-Elect – Pryor
Alderperson-Elect - Glasstetter
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Planning and Development Director – Van Cort
Economic Development Director – McDonald
Landscape Planner – Cornish
Economic Development Planner - Lee
EXCUSED:
Alderperson Sams
Alderperson Taylor
Alderperson Hershey
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Southwest Area Draft GEIS Determination of Completeness – Discussion
Members of the Planning and Development Department were present to
explain the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process to
Council members. They stated that the City is currently on Step 8
of the SEQR process with the Southwest Area environmental review in
which Common Council, as the Lead Agency, determines the
adequacy/completeness of the Draft Generic Environmental Impact
Statement (GEIS) document for public review. In determining the
completeness of the document, Common Council must compare the draft
GEIS with the original scoping document to ensure that all the
issued raised have been addressed. Once completeness is determined
by the Lead Agency, a Notice of Completion will be filed with the
Environmental News Bulletin. Upon filing, copies of the draft GEIS
will be made available to the public and interested agencies for
review.
Once Common Council passes a resolution determining that the Draft
GEIS is complete, then a public comment period will begin. The
minimum time frame for a public comment period is 30 days, and the
maximum time frame is 60 days.
Mayor Cohen defined the term “complete” as it relates to the draft
GEIS, as a document which is not in final form, but has addressed
all of the issues raised in the scoping document. Changes can be
made to the draft statement until the acceptance of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
The next step in the SEQR process includes an optional public
hearing. All comments will be compiled at the end of the comment
period and Common Council, as Lead Agency, will determine whether
each one is or is not substantive. All substantive comments will
then be addressed in the final GEIS.
There will be an additional public comment period of 10 days
regarding the final GEIS once it has been prepared, accepted by the
Common Council, and filed with the appropriate authorities. At the
end of the 10 days, Common Council will adopt a findings statement
based on the draft and final GEIS.
December 6, 1999
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Planning and Development Director Van Cort defined the terms “Lead
Agency”, “Involved Agency”, and “Interested Agency”. He further
explained the Conservation Advisory Council’s role in the draft GEIS
review.
Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the advantages
and disadvantages of having the Conservation Advisory Council review
the draft GEIS prior to the determination of completeness.
Mayor Cohen requested that Council members identify specific areas
in the GEIS that they feel require additional attention.
Alderperson Farrell expressed concerns about traffic mitigation on
the Buffalo/Court Street corridor as well as West Clinton Street.
Alderperson Shenk noted that a decision was made not to change Park
Street into a one-way street, and the draft GEIS should reflect that
change. She further expressed concerns about the fill limitations
in a flood plain zone, and the service road near the levee.
Alderperson-Elect Pryor requested clarification on the traffic
counts completed on South Albany Street as they conflict with prior
counts taken for the Spencer Street traffic study.
Mayor Cohen announced that Common Council will hold another Special
Meeting on November 15, 1999 at 7:00 pm, in Common Council Chambers,
to consider the determination of completeness for the Draft GEIS.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Julie Conley Holcomb, Alan J. Cohen,
City Clerk Mayor