HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2000-03-24COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 1:30 P.M. March 24, 2000
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (7) Vaughan, Pryor, Taylor, Manos, Farrell,
Blumenthal, Hershey
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Assistant City Attorney – Dunn
Environmental/Landscape Planner – Cornish
Economic Development Planner – Lee
Planning and Development Director – Van Cort
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to
the American flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
2.1 Extension for the Preparation of the Final Generic
Environmental Impact Statement for the Southwest Area Land
Use Plan
By Alderperson Pryor : Seconded by Alderperson Manos
WHEREAS, the Common Council is both the applicant and the
lead agency for the environmental review for the Southwest
Area Land Use Plan, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has submitted a Draft Generic
Environmental Impact Statement (dGEIS) for the Southwest
Area Land Use Plan, and
WHEREAS, there has been significant interest by the public
in this dGEIS, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council, as lead agency, determined to
hold a public hearing on the dGEIS which was held on January
24, 2000 and January 25, 2000, and
WHEREAS, a large number of both oral and written comments
regarding a variety of environmental issues have been
received by the Common Council, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council has contracted with The Chazen
Companies to prepare the Final Generic Environmental Impact
Statement (fGEIS), and
WHEREAS, The Chazen Companies requires additional time to
adequately prepare the fGEIS; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 617.8 (e)(2)(i) of the
State Environmental Quality Review Regulations the Common
Council determines that an additional 90 days (until
June 8, 2000) is necessary to adequately prepare the Final
Generic Environmental Impact Statement.
Carried Unanimously
Economic Development Planner Lee introduced Stuart
Messinger, Consultant, The Chazen Companies, who explained
the last phase of the final GEIS process.
March 24, 2000
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Mr. Messinger explained the difference between substantive
and non-substantive comments. A draft of the FEIS will be
ready in approximately 4-6 weeks. Mr. Messinger further
explained that the consultant’s recommendations are not
final, and can be changed. He explained that substantively
similar comments are combined into a “master comment” and a
single response is provided. The broad categories of
subjects are traffic, visual impacts, storm water run-off
and flooding, flora and fauna, financial impacts to the
community, economic impacts, effect on community services,
alternative site plans, aesthetics, site-planning issues,
open space, community character, and procedural/legal
issues.
Mr. Messinger further explained a handout distributed by
Economic Development Planner Lee with additional comments.
After further review with staff, it was decided that these
comments were not substantive.
2.2 Acceptance of Substantive Comments for Response in the
Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the
Southwest Area Land Use Plan
By Alderperson Blumenthal : Seconded by Alderperson Manos
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has submitted a Draft Generic
Environmental Impact Statement (dGEIS) for the Southwest
Area Land Use Plan, and
WHEREAS, there has been significant interest by the public
in this dGEIS, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council, as lead agency, received
written comments regarding the draft GEIS for a period of 60
days from December 20, 1999 until 4:30 p.m. on February 17,
2000, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council, as lead agency, also determined
to hold a public hearing on the dGEIS which was held on
January 24, 2000 and January 25, 2000, and
WHEREAS, a large number of both oral and written comments
regarding a variety of environmental issues have been
received by the Common Council, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council has contracted with The Chazen
Companies to prepare the Final Generic Environmental Impact
Statement (fGEIS), and
WHEREAS, The Chazen Companies has made recommendations
regarding the substantive and non-substantive status of all
the comments compiled during the public comment period; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that Common Council, acting as lead agency,
accepts the recommendations of substantive comments as
indicated by The Chazen Companies for the preparation of the
Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement.
Carried Unanimously
Alderperson Pryor recommended the review of the Old Elmira
Road, Meadow Street, and South Meadow Street intersection.
March 24, 2000
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Mayor Cohen inquired about the “passed by percentage”
question. Mr. Messinger stated that this is being studied
further by another company.
Alderperson Manos asked how much additional funding will be
needed. Mr. Messinger stated that an additional $25,000
will be needed. Alderperson Manos asked how Widewaters
would be handled. Mr. Messinger responded that they need to
obtain a permit through the SEQR process.
Mr. Messinger applauded the city for being been very
accomodating to the public. He noted that most public
hearings are usually 3 hours long, not 12 hours in addition
to all of the written comments. Mr. Messinger stated that
this is his first time meeting with a group to discuss
substantive vs. non-substantive issues. CEQR does not
require public hearings because written comments tend to be
much more substantive.
Alderpersons Pryor and Manos thanked the consultants and
staff for providing them with valuable information.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 2:20 P.M.
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen
City Clerk Mayor