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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. /jhp P&DComm#2/Notes.M21