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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPW-2009-03-18BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Committee of the Whole Meeting 4:48 p.m. March 18, 2009 PRESENT: Mayor Peterson Commissioners (5) - Jenkins, Brock, Schlather, Tripp, Wykstra OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney - Hoffman Superintendent of Public Works - Gray Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer – Whitney Executive Assistant - Gehring Excused: Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Facilities - Ferrel DAC Liaison – Roberts Common Council Liaison – Zumoff Mayor’s Communications: Mayor Peterson stated that the Hangar Theatre representatives would arrive at 6:15 to give the Board more time for discussion with them. Water Supply DEIS Comments – Discussion JoAnn Cornish, Director of Planning and Development, Steve Eckler and Rick Gell from O’Brien & Gere joined the Board in the discussion. City Attorney Hoffman distributed written notes from his review of the responses to public comments from Section Two of the DEIS. Commissioner Schlather arrived at 4:53 p.m. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the comments received from the public and changes made in the responses in the FEIS. Mr. Eckler explained some of the specific processes in the SEQR requirements. Commissioner Jenkins arrived at 5:00 p.m. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the purity of water from Cayuga Lake and Six Mile Creek. Mr. Gell explained that testing was completed on water at both sources and results from the tests show that there are no significant differences between the two water sources. Mr. Eckler distributed the response to Section 2.4.3 and discussion continued on the floor regarding additional responses to public comments. Mayor Peterson requested continuation of this discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 1, 2009. The Board members agreed. Commissioner Tripp left the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Lead Agency Designation for the Hangar Theatre Renovations – Power to Act - Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins WHEREAS, 6 NYCRR Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review Law and Chapter 176.6 of the City Code, Environmental Quality Review, require that a lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of projects in accordance with local and state environmental law, and WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental review, the lead agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for approving and funding or carrying out the action, and Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Page 2 March 18, 2009 WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board has one pending application for site plan approval for the Hangar Theatre Rehabilitation and Addition, located on 801 Taughannock Boulevard by Trowbridge & Wolf LLP, Applicant for Owner, Hangar Theatre, in the City of Ithaca, and WHEREAS, the Planning Board has indicated its intention to act as lead agency for the environmental review of a proposed site plan for the renovations and addition to the Hangar Theatre; and WHEREAS, the applicant for the Hanger Theatre is proposing both site and building improvements to address drainage issues and to improve the circulation on site and the functionality of the building. Building improvements include raising the floor slab 10” above the existing grade, internal remodeling, installing new windows and doors on the west façade, a new main entrance vestibule at the primary entrance and new roofing, relocating the existing refreshments tent to the east side of the building, and adding a new awing to the west side, installing new lighting and signage, and constructing a 16 x 32’ addition on the east side of the building and a Black Box Theatre on the northwest corner of the site. Proposed site improvements include reorganizing the parking and vehicular circulation, installing a new curb cut and vehicle entrance on Park Road, paving the existing parking lot and entrance road, installing new walkways, including one connecting to the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, installing bike parking, relocating and redesigning the existing plaza, re-grading stormwater swales, removing and replacing trees, and installing durable no-mow turf grass and landscape plantings. The project is in the P-1 Zoning District, and WHEREAS, due to the location of the project on City park land, the Board of Public Works may be an involved agency for the purposes of environmental review of this action, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby consents to the designation of the Planning Board as lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed renovations and addition to the Hangar Theatre. Mayor Peterson stated that the last “whereas” clause in the resolution was incorrect and replaced it with the following amended clause: Amending Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins “WHEREAS, any proposed improvements to the building or the site require the approval of the Board of Public Works making the Board of Public Works an involved agency for the purposes of environmental review of this action now therefore be it “ A Vote on the Resolution As Amended Resulted as Follows: Ayes (5) – Schlather, Wykstra, Brock, Jenkins, Peterson Nayes (0) Abstentions (1) – Tripp Carried (5-0-1) A Vote on the Main Resolution Resulted as Follows: Ayes (5) – Schlather, Wykstra, Brock, Jenkins, Peterson Nayes (0) Abstentions (1) – Tripp Carried (5-0-1) Mayor Peterson introduced the representatives from the Hangar Theatre to the Board. Lisa Bushlow, Executive Director of Hangar Theatre Peter Flynn, Artistic Director Mike Ward, Volunteer, Co-Facility Renovation Committee Andrew Rappaport, Project Manager, HOLT Architects Peter Trowbridge, Principal, Trowbridge & Wolf Landscape Architects Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Page 3 March 18, 2009 Ms. Bushlow explained that the Hangar Theatre would like to raise $6 million for the renovations. She encouraged the Board members to take a tour of the site to get a better sense of what the Theatre is looking to accomplish. Mr. Rappaport explained that they have been working since 2006 to make the Hangar Theatre a safe, sustainable building. He stated that the original building was an airplane hangar, which did not have heat and it was built below the 100 year flood plain. He stated the goal is to raise the floor above the flood plain. He further stated that the roof will remain intact. He explained the entire building, including the stairs, would become ADA compliant and that new entrances will be created to accommodate larger crowds and the outside canopies will be relocated. He explained the main entrance would be shifted slightly to the west to create a more open area, and the restrooms will be enlarged. He stated that an addition of 16’ x 32’ on the back of the building would provide additional staff bathrooms and dressing rooms. Mr. Trowbridge stated that comments from Deputy Fire Chief Parsons and Traffic Engineer Logue have been considered in the proposed plans. He further stated that since the water table is so high, they need to make accommodations to run storm water away from the building. He stated that the current gravel parking lot will be paved and cross pitched to allow for drainage and run-off, and the number of parking spaces will increase. He noted that a link to the Cayuga Waterfront Trail would connect to the parking lot to provide pedestrian access from Cass Park. He stated there would be ten overflow parking spots installed at the back of the building. He explained that the Hangar Theatre would, in consultation with the City Forester, look to volunteer groups to plant new foliage and trees and assist in landscaping. He explained that the Hangar Theatre is interested in reusing any materials the city may have (i.e. light poles). Commissioner Schlather requested an update on the lease negotiations with the Hangar Theatre. Mayor Peterson stated one meeting had been held, and the city is supportive of continuing the lease. Commissioner Schlather asked for assurance that the negotiations will be concluded quickly since the improvements to the theater cannot begin until the lease is signed. City Attorney Hoffman stated that the City’s goal is to approve the lease by July 1, 2009. Ms. Bushlow stated the Theatre’s goal is to reach an informal agreement on lease terms by May 2009. Commissioner Schlather expressed his strong support for moving forward with the renovations to the Hangar Theatre. Lead Agency Designation for the Hotel Ithaca Air Space Above Green Street Garage – Power to Act – Resolution Resolution By Commissioner Schlather: Seconded by Commissioner Jenkins RESOLVED, That the Board of Public Works hereby consents to the designation of Common Council as lead agency for the environmental review of a proposal that the City enter into a Boundary Line Agreement in order to clarify air rights above the easterly portion of Green Street Parking Garage. Carried (5-0) (Commissioner Tripp Absent) City Attorney Hoffman explained that the developer of the hotel would like to create an overhang on the side of the hotel 15 feet above the east end of the Green Street Parking Garage. He stated that Mr. Rimland is requesting 12 feet of air rights beginning 15 feet above the parking garage. He stated that the land below the hotel and the parking garage is owned by Mr. Rimland. The City has the right to maintain the two decks of the parking garage, but ownership of the air rights above the top deck is not clear. He explained the proposed action is for the City and Mr. Rimland to enter into a Boundary Line Agreement. He requested that the Board consent to have Common Council act as Lead Agency as it pertains to this agreement and the environmental review. Board of Public Works Committee of the Whole Page 4 March 18, 2009 Brief discussion followed on the floor regarding the space required in order to maintain the garage and if 15 feet is sufficient for staff to maintain the garage with the use of tall equipment, such as cranes and snow plows. Supt. Gray stated that 15 feet is plenty of space. City Attorney Hoffman explained that the air rights will not extend past 12 feet away from the wall of the hotel. ADJOURNMENT On a motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. Kathrin D. Gehring Carolyn K. Peterson Executive Assistant Mayor