HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PLED-1994-09-19 CJV
PLANNING COMMITTEE
September 19, 1994
Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Common Council Chambers
MINUTES
Present:
Committee Members: John Schroeder,Chair, Pam Mackesey; Diann Sams; Roey
Thorpe
Non-Voting Committee Member: Benjamin Nichols,Mayor
Other Council Members: John Efroymson; Rick Gray; John Johnson
Staff: H.Matthys Van Cort,Director,Planning and Development
New York State DoT Representatives: Mary Jane Meier,Diana Miller,Ed Wilday
Others: Betsy Darlington,Tracy Farrell,Pat Frantz,Tom Gibender,Paul Glover,Dan
Hoffman,Ralph Jones,David Nutter,press
• Public Comment on Planning Issues.
Paul Glover addressed the Committee. It is his opinion that the proposal for the
Route 96 improvements to be discussed at tonight's meeting is worse than the
existing condition. He feels that his plan, which he calls "Plan A+," would be
better.
Betsy Darlington said that she felt there was some merit in Glover's statement, and
that she was afraid that the intersection of Clinton/Meadow would be a problem.
She also expressed reservations regarding the Fulton/Meadow one-way pair.
Tracy Farrell spoke regarding neighborhood impacts east of Meadow Street. She
had a series of requests and questions,including the following:
• That bump-outs be designed east of Meadow Street at each intersection.
• What is the resolution of the question regarding the hundred foot rule, that is,
how far does NYS DoT's jurisdiction continue east of Meadow Street?
• Will permanent cross-walks be installed as part of the project?
• Will there be on-street parking on Court, Buffalo, Seneca, State, Green and
Clinton Streets?
Planning Committee Minutes 2
September 19, 1994
• Will there be pedestrian signals on Meadow Street?
• Will Park and Ride facilities be a part of the project?
• Will traffic counts be performed east of Meadow, so that any negative project
traffic impacts can be mitigated?
Tom Gibender, of Enfield, suggested that the Fulton/Meadow pair be continued
southward so that it would alleviate traffic on Elmira Road. He suggested that
there should be an intersection between Route 89 and the dead-end section of Park
Road, which would allow people in Cass Park to get onto West Hill. He would
like to see signs installed on West Hill directing motorists from 79 to 96, without
going to the bottom of the hill.
David Nutter requested that the trees on Fulton Street be saved. He decried the
lack of bicycle accommodation on Fulton Street, noting that the western curb of
Fulton Street is being moved to the east. He requested that bicycle actuated
signals be made a part of the project signalization. Finally,he asked that the storm
drain inlets be redesigned so that they do not go as far into the traffic lane as they
are now proposed.
Dan Hoffman addressed the Committee as a member of the Greenstar Board of
Directors. Hoffman noted that Greenstar's access to Buffalo Street has been
reduced by the Project. He requested that entrance and exits from the Greenstar
Property be included in the project. He said that the loss of this primary access
would be a serious problem for the cooperative store.
Ralph Jones, the president of the West Hill Civic Association, asked that City
speed limits be strictly enforced during construction of the Route 96 Project in
order to control speeding by traffic detouring through the West Hill residential
neighborhoods.
Pat Frantz then addressed the Committee. It is her opinion that the Octopus is
being moved to the intersection of Taughannock Boulevard and Buffalo Street.
She also feels that the lack of access from Cass Park to the Hospital is a serious
deficiency.
L Route 96 Project: Discussion of All Outstanding Issues.
A wide ranging discussion of the Route 96 Project followed. The Committee first
discussed DoT's requirement that the western curb of Fulton Street be moved
eastward in order to provide wider clearance for the railroad trains. Committee
members asked that an attempt be made to pursue a variance for leaving the curb
in its present location.
Planning Committee Minutes 3
September 19, 1994
In response to a question by a Council member,Van Cort said that the Glover plan
would not work for a number of reasons, including that it would require a six to
ten year delay, that it does not have a one-way pair on Meadow and Fulton
Streets, and that it shows Seneca Street as a two-way street without any
explanation of how it could be made to dovetail with the one-way operation of
Seneca Street to the east.
a. Approval of Resolutions--Route 96.
• Resolution Approving Arterial Plans and Specifications: The Committee had
no comment on this resolution.
• Resolution Regarding Future Encroachments: The Committee asked that staff
obtain a definition of encroachments as used in this resolution. The Committee
wanted the resolution modified to reflect the fact that while the City would
give no permits, it was permissible for the State to grant them after City or
private citizen requests.
• Resolution Regarding Incorporation of Municipal Work -- Sculptural Piers:
The Committee directed that the resolution be modified to indicate that the
City's financial share in the improvements of the sculptural piers was limited to
$20,000,just as the State's share was limited to$20,000.
• Resolution Regarding Incorporation of Municipal Work -- Landscaping in
Island Areas: The Committee had no comment on this resolution.
• Resolution for Maintenance of Sidewalks: The Committee had no comment.
• Resolution and Agreement -- Maintain Roadways wherein Federal Funds are
Involved: The Committee directed that the resolution be redrafted regarding
Taughannock Boulevard. The new resolution should indicate that the Route
89 bridge over the flood control channel is owned by the New York State
DoT, and that DoT has responsibility for its maintenance. The City will own
and control from the intersection of Buffalo Street and Taughannock
Boulevard to the Route 89 bridge abutment. In addition, the City will own the
small triangle formed by the current alignment of old Taughannock Boulevard,
the new Route 89, and the new connection between old Taughannock
Boulevard and Route 89.
• Resolution and Agreement for Maintenance of Parking Lot: The Committee
asked that the resolution be redrafted to reflect the fact that DoT will deed the
parking lot to the City at the completion of the project.
b. Possible City-Funded "Betterments" &Improvements.
The status of the Clinton Street widening was discussed. The exact configuration
of the modification of the south side of Clinton Street is still under negotiation
with NYS DoT.
The Committee then discussed the location of the curb bump outs on the east side
of Meadow Street. Curb bump outs are included in the drawings on the east side
of Meadow Street as follows:
r '
Planning Committee Minutes 4
September 19, 1994
• Cleveland Avenue: no bump outs. It may be possible that DoT would
allow the City to install them, depending on the level of service on
Cleveland Avenue.
• Green Street: both sides of Green Street have bump outs.
• State Street: there is a bump out on the north side of the intersection.
• Seneca Street: none.
• Buffalo Street: none.
• Court Street: there is a bump out on the north side of the intersection.
• Cascadilla Street none.
It was noted that there are numerous bump outs on the west side of Meadow.
The Committee then discussed the issue of law which gives NYS DoT control
over streets within 100 feet of arterial highways. Committee members felt that the
hundred feet should be measured from the center line of the arterial. Previously,
debate had been around the question whether it was measured from the edge of
curb, the edge of right-of-way, or the stop line. DoT staff agreed to look into this
question.
c. Reuse of Historic Seneca Bridge Trusses.
There was a brief discussion of this item. DoT has agreed to salvage and store the
trusses. The City prefers that they be reused in the Black Diamond Trail
bicycle/pedestrian bridge that will span the Cayuga Inlet west of the fish ladder and
railroad bridge.
d. List of Unanswered Questions and Unresolved Issues.
The Committee discussed the question of access to Greenstar. Thorpe said she felt
this was a very important consideration. Van Cort told the Committee that he
made numerous attempts to work with Greenstar, and they had not contacted him
regarding either the alterations in their building or the question of access to their
property. Van Cort said he would try again to work with Greenstar on this
problem.
The issue of audible pedestrian crossing signals was discussed. The Committee
continues to be strongly in favor of their installation in the project. Schroeder said
that he would prepare a consolidated master list of all outstanding Route 96
Project issues that need to be resolved before the October 17, 1994, Planning
Committee meeting.
II. Route 13 Project: Discussion of All Outstanding Issues.
a. Discussion of`Advance Detail Plans'for Entire Project.
The Committee discussed the Route 13 plans. Most Committee members felt that
despite their opposition to the four-lane highway, they would approve the short
portion of the project within the city, because of environmental mitigation
{
Planning Committee Minutes 5
September 19, 1994
measures incorporated into the project and because it did not make sense to keep
the highway at two-lanes for a short stretch just inside the City line. Doing so
would result in a short two-lane constriction between the existing four-lane road in
the City and the new four-lane road the State will build outside the City. The City
has no control over State highway construction outside City limits.
b. Final Approval Resolutions for Portion of Project Inside City.
Sams moved, and Thorpe seconded that the City approve the advance detail plans
for the portion of the Route 13 Project inside the City,provided that the resolution
contains adequate "whereas" clauses explaining the environmental mitigation
measures. Approved unanimously.
III. City Recommendations for Canal Recreationway Plan.
Schroeder explained the process by which the City had been asked to comment on
the Canal Recreationway Plan, and briefly answered questions on the items
included in the resolution. Mackesey moved, Thorpe seconded that the plan
recommendations be approved. Passed unanimously.
wb\planning committee\P&DS 19.doc-- 11/15/94