HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-12 Planning & EDC Meeting Agenda
MEETING NOTICE
City of Ithaca
Planning & Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – 6:00 p.m.
Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street
A. Agenda Review
B. Special Order of Business
C. Public Comment and Response from Committee Members
D. Announcements, Updates and Reports
1. CDBG and HOME Programs Funding – Public Hearing Announcement –
Hearing scheduled for March 22, 2012
2. Update on Projects
a. Comprehensive Plan
b. Commons Upgrade and Repair
c. Collegetown – Next Steps
3. Landmarks Ordinance
4. Planning Department Priority List – Updated and Attached
5. Intermunicipal Planning Update
E. Action Items
1. No Action Items
F. Discussion Items
1. Response to Hydrofracking – Advice of Counsel
G. Approval of Minutes
H. Adjournment
Questions about the agenda should be directed to Jennifer Dotson, Chairperson,
(jdotson@cityofithaca.org or 351-5458) or to the appropriate staff person at the Department of
Planning & Development (274-6550). Back-up material is available in the office of the Department of
Planning & Development. Please note that the order of agenda items is tentative and subject to
change.
If you have a disability and require accommodations in order to fully participate, please contact the
City Clerk at 274-6570 by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.
COI User Page 1 2/3/2012
TO: Planning Committee of Common Council
FROM JoAnn Cornish, Director of Planning and Development
DATE: February 2, 2012
RE: Department of Planning and Development 2012 Priority Projects and Work Plan
The Department of Planning & Development's 2012 Priority Projects and Work Plan are listed below for your
information.
A. Priority Projects – Planning
1. City Comprehensive Plan - Megan Wilson, Project Manager; Clarion Associates, Consultant
Complete Phase One Umbrella Plan
(Phase 2 being detailed neighborhood and thematic plans).
2. Dredging - Lisa Nicholas, Project Manage; EcoLogic, Consultant
Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Completed
Complete Final Environmental Impact Statement – In Progress
Complete Construction Documents and Specifications
Construct Sedimentation Basins
Begin Dredging
3. Commons Redesign Phase II - Jennifer Kusznir, Project Manager; Sasaki Associates, Consultant
Complete Design Development – In Progress
Present Final Design – In Progress
Prepare Construction Drawings
Prepare Bid Documents
Seek Funding
4. Work with interested parties on collective vision for Emerson site – In progress
B. Priority Projects – Development
1. NYS DOT Site Acquisition
Continue working with the County and the State to relocate the eight acre NYS DOT facility on
Third Street Extension to allow for waterfront development.
COI User Page 2 2/3/2012
2. Inlet Island Development
Continue efforts to acquire the parcel owned by New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (“NYSDEC”) – In progress
Once acquired, begin a Phase II Environmental Investigation and cleanup if necessary.
Continue working with the preferred developer and Common Council toward development of
Inlet Island.
3. Development of the Ithaca Gun Factory Site and the Adjacent Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Continue work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and
Fall Creek Redevelopment, LLC, to remediate the former Ithaca Gun Factory Site – In
Progress
Administer Grant Funding for remediation – In Progress
Start planning process for a park that includes the area at the base of the falls, the rim
trail, and the overlook area.
4. Completion of Cayuga Green and Associated Downtown Projects
Work with Bloomfield + Schon Partners on the 20-30 unit luxury apartments and future
condominiums, known as Cayuga Green 3 – In progress, contingent on funding
Continue to seek tenants for the remaining commercial space in Cayuga Garage and at
Cayuga Place – In progress
Continue working with Jeffrey Rimland to complete plans for the Hotel Ithaca project -
In progress, contingent on funding
5. Create a working group to plan and recommend next steps for Collegetown
6. Continue working towards establishing the Neighborhood Pride Grocery Store to
replace the P&C on Hancock Street in the City’s North side - In progress, contingent on
funding
7. Southwest Area – Hire Consultant to review and synopsize all completed studies and recommend
if/then scenarios for use of the City-owned 60 acres - Lisa Nicholas, Project Manager, Consultant to
be determined
PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED AS STAFF TIME ALLOWS
C. Policy/Legislation Projects
1. Revise the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance to include climate change considerations
(greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, solid waste management practices,
etc.).
2. Create a Conservation Zone(s).
3. Create a Stream Corridor Protection Zone(s).
4. Work on legislation to create a Planned Unit Development ordinance and/or overlay zone(s).
5. Work on policy for development in Unique Natural Areas.
6. Work on policy for development on steep slopes.
7. Consider creating a critical environmental area for the City-owned land in Six Mile Creek.
COI User Page 3 2/3/2012
8. Address undesirable loss of urban and natural forms by rezoning certain areas of the City.
9. Investigate legislation to regulate wood smoke emissions
10. Investigate legislation to allow raising chickens in the city.
11. Investigate use of City-owned land for community urban gardens/urban agriculture.
12. Coordinate with the City, Cornell University, and Delta Phi Fraternity to assess and correct damage to
both the street and sidewalk on Cornell Avenue, the limestone retaining wall on Cornell Avenue, and
the stone walls on the Baldwin Staircase.
D. Projects Identified by the Planning Department to be managed or completed:
13. Work with property owners and business owners (and potential property and business owners) to
invest in and improve properties in the West End.
14. Ongoing issues related to the NYSEG Coal Tar Remediation Site and the future of the Markles Flats
building.
15. Revise Subdivision Ordinance to be more in line with revisions to the Site Plan Review Ordinance
and the Environmental Review Ordinance.
E. In Progress
16. Revise the Community Incentive Investment Program Application/City Density Policy.
17. Work towards approval and implementation of the Stewart Park Rehabilitation Action Plan.
18. Investigate extending Cherry Street for additional development
19. Continue discussions on how to deal with backyard parking lots in multi-family residential zones.
20. Assist Common Council in determining natural gas drilling impacts on and in the City of Ithaca and
draft legislation if required.
21. Implement Martin Luther King Freedom Walkway.
22. Work with the Community Advisory Group (CAG) to monitor progress of the Ithaca Falls area and
associated contamination.
23. Develop Revisions to the Landmarks Ordinance.
24. Revise Site Plan Review Ordinance to include new stormwater regulations, pedestrian and bicycle
standards, planting and landscaping standards, increased public notification times, sustainability and
green building standards.
25. Complete City’s Historic Preservation Design Guidelines.
F. Projects of Interest
26. Encourage reuse of empty big box stores.
27. Work to find, encourage, and incentivize incubator businesses
G. Projects Completed in 2011
28. Collegetown Urban Plan and Conceptual Design Guidelines:
Form Based Code – Failed
Incentive Zoning - Failed
Design Review - Passed
Payment in Lieu of Parking – Failed
29. Completed Rich and Associates On-street Pay station Study
30. Revised Design Review Ordinance and Develop Citywide Design Guidelines.
31. Oversaw Implementation of NYSERDA Grant Funding to progress the City’s climate change and
energy sustainability initiatives
32. Completed review for Challenge Industries building and site
33. Completed review for Phase 1 of the new City of Ithaca Water Treatment Plant
34. Completed review of means restriction on area bridges
35. Completed review of the Cornell University Gates Building
36. Completed and submitted application for TIGER III grant – County Transportation
Improvements and Commons Reconstruction to serve as transportation hub and county
center.