HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PLED-1994-03-21 PLANNING COMMITTEE
March 21, 1994
Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Common Council Chambers
MINUTES
Present:
Committee Members: John Schroeder,Chair;Pam Mackesey; Diann Sams; Roey Thorpe.
Staff. H.Matthys Van Cort,Director of Planning and Development; Charles Guttman,
City Attorney; Richard Eckstrom,Building Commissioner, Doug Foster,Planning Staff.
Others: Howard Botwinick,Donald G.Tall,Phyllis Longo,Tracy Farrell,Michael J.
Vitucci,Robin R. Bellinder and Patt Frantz,press.
• Director's Report.
Van Cort commented on a recent article in The Ithaca Journal regarding a grant
application to install sidewalks on Elmira Road. He explained that there had been
some controversy regarding the construction of sidewalks on Elmira Road when
the proposal was last considered by the Planning and Development Board.
Property owners along the road had opposed the sidewalks primarily because of
the expense involved, and because at that time the nation was in an economic
recession.
L Meadow Street Rezoning Study.
Schroeder moved the Meadow Street Rezoning Study to the beginning of the
agenda because there were a number of members of the public interested in being
heard on this item. He circulated copies of a memorandum concerning the study
by Herman Sieverding dated February 15, 1993. Schroeder explained the content
of the memo and the proposed study outline.
Members of the public, including Farrell, Vitucci,Bellinder, Botwinick and Frantz,
spoke in favor of preserving the Washington Park residential neighborhood.
Several made reference to a student study completed last year which pointed out
the importance of preserving this residential area.
Planning Committee Minutes
March 21, 1994 Meeting 2
Van Cort said that the Department of Planning and Development was deeply
committed to the preservation of the City's residential neighborhoods, and that
substantial sums of money and effort had been expended in preserving them. The
City's record of achievement in cooperation with Ithaca Neighborhood Housing
Services is evidence of its commitment to preservation of residential areas. Van
Cort said he would prepare for the Committee's consideration an outline of the
Meadow Street Study, a plan for community participation in the study and a
schedule for its completion. He emphasized that there were many other time-
consuming projects which had been assigned to the Planning Department in recent
months which compete with the Meadow Street Study for staff resources.
Schroeder requested that the study be completed by the end of the 1994 calendar
year.
IL Revision of Planning and Development Board Ordinance.
Schroeder explained the recent passage of a state law which sets forth a proposed
structure for local planning boards which, however, can be modified by local law.
He explained that the Planning and Development Board, as well as the Planning
Committee,had previously expressed an interest in superseding some provisions of
this state law so that Ithaca's Planning and Development Board could continue to
operate with much the same structure and procedures as it has in the past. Some
time was spent discussing the Planning and Development Board's role relative to
that of the Common Council regarding the adoption of comprehensive plans for
the City. Committee members agreed it was advisable to continue to use the
Planning and Development Board to initiate, prepare and adopt comprehensive
plans. The local law's revisions to the ordinance controlling the Planning and
Development Board would include, among the Board's powers and duties,
"Initiating, preparing and adopting a comprehensive plan for the city for
subsequent adoption by the Common Council. After some further discussion,
Mackesey moved and Sams seconded that the proposed local law be enacted by
Council. Passed unanimously.
III. Marquees,Canopies and Sunscreens.
Schroeder and Guttman explained the proposed amendments to sections 170-9 and
Chapter A352 of the Municipal Code, which control the height and dimensions of
and signage on marquees, canopies and sunscreens. Eckstrom, Guttman and Van
Cort were involved in the preparation of these amendments and were in accord on
the proposed changes. After a brief discussion, Thorpe moved and Mackesey
seconded that the two proposed amendments controlling marquees, canopies and
sunscreens be adopted by the Common Council. Passed unanimously. It was
agreed that Guttman would discuss a third ordinance change, regarding
encroachment fees,with the Budget and Administration Committee. A spot on the
Planning Committee agenda will be held open for this third item.
Planning Committee Minutes
March 21, 1994 Meeting 3
IV. Building Permit Amendments.
Eckstrom explained the proposed revision to section 146-7, which would require
that an amended building permit be obtained when changes are made to the subject
construction project. After a brief discussion, in which Committee members
expressed their desire that the Building Commissioner be given adequate
enforcement power, Mackesey moved and Sams seconded that the proposed
amendment be approved by Common Council. Passed unanimously.
V. Proposed Minor Expansion of CBD-60 Zoning District.
Van Cort explained the proposed map change which would slightly expand the
area designated as CBD-60. Specifically, it is proposed that two or three
properties on East Seneca Street, now in the R2A zone, be included in the CBD-
60 zone. Committee members felt more time was necessary to discuss this
proposal and to gather additional information. Van Cort said he would bring maps
of the proposed change for the Committee's consideration at its next meeting.
VI. Inlet Island Land Use Plan Appraisals.
Schroeder reported that the City has received all of the letter appraisals it
requested from Midland Appraisal Company. After a discussion in executive
session, Mackesey moved and Thorpe seconded that staff be directed to prepare,
subject to the concurrence of the Budget and Administration Committee,
additional appraisals for properties located in the Six Mile Creek watershed area.
Passed unanimously.
VIL Residential Parking Permits.
Van Cort explained that the City had on several previous occasions requested
authority from the state legislature to enact a local resident parking permit system
that could be used in selected neighborhoods in the City. This authorization had
not been approved by the state legislature. Because of a change in the membership
of the Assembly Transportation Committee, the senate and assembly will this year
consider passage of state enabling legislation which would allow local governments
to enact such systems within their jurisdictions. After a brief discussion during
which Committee members expressed support for the idea of having such
authority, Mackesey moved and Thorpe seconded that Common Council pass a
resolution in support of enabling legislation which would allow municipalities in
New York State to establish resident parking permit zones within their borders.
Passed unanimously.
VIII. Review of Major Ongoing Planning Issues.
a. Development of Allan Treman Marina Master Plan. Schroeder explained
the history of the"Festival Lands,"which State Parks now wishes to
acquire from the City of Ithaca. He also discussed State Park's ongoing
development of a master plan for the Allan Treman State Marina Park and
the"Festival Lands"parcel. The Committee took no action.
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