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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PLED-2016-09-14 Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting City of Ithaca Planning & Economic Development Committee Wednesday, September 14, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street Minutes Committee Members Attending: Joseph (Seph) Murtagh, Chair; Graham Kerslick, Ducson Nguyen, Cynthia Brock, and Josephine Martell Committee Members Absent: None Other Elected Officials Attending: None Staff Attending: JoAnn Cornish, Director, Department of Planning, Building, Zoning, and Economic Development; Nels Bohn, Director, Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA); Lisa Nicholas, Senior Planner; Jennifer Kusznir, Senior Planner; Deborah Grunder, Executive Assistant Others Attending: Phil Maguire and Tom Schickel, Maguire TMPUD Application Chair Seph Murtagh called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 1) Call to Order/Agenda Review No changes were made to the agenda. 2) Public Comment and Response from Committee Members No one from the public wished to speak during the public comment. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting 3) Action Items (Voting to Send on to Council) a) Art in Glow Mural Resolution to Select Artwork for a Mural Installation on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail Moved by Alderperson Nguyen; seconded by Alderperson B rock. Carried Unanimously. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Public Art Commission (PAC) has been established to, among other duties, review and advise the Common Council on proposals for the exhibition and display of public art in the City’s public spaces, and WHEREAS, in 2010, the PAC created a mural and street art program to beautify blank walls within the city, while providing local artists from all sections of the community an opportunity to showcase their work, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works approved several locations for future murals and street art by resolution on May 19, 2010 and added the Cayuga Waterfront Trail to this list on September 12, 2016, and WHEREAS, McKenzie Jones Rounds, on behalf of the Ithaca Festival, has submitted a proposal for Art in Glow, a glow in the dark mural featuring a dandelion and the Festival slogan, to be installed on the surface of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail as part of the PAC’s Mural and Street Art Program, and WHEREAS, after discussing the project with the Ithaca Festival staff, the PAC agreed that the section of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail adjacent to the NYS DOT property would be an appropriate location for the proposed glow in the dark mural, and WHEREAS, the PAC held a public comment period on the mural design and location at its meeting on August 24, 2016 to gather input on the proposed installation, and the public responses to the proposal have been mostly positive, and WHEREAS, the mural will be privately funded, and the installation will be budget-neutral to the City, and WHEREAS, while a quorum was not present for this discussion at the August 24th meeting, all PAC members in attendance recommended that the Common Council approve the Ithaca Festival’s 2016 Art in Glow project for installation on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council selects the Ithaca Festival’s 2016 Art in Glow project featuring a dandelion and the Festival slogan to be installed on the portion of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail adjacent to the NYS DOT property and to be added to the City of Ithaca’s public art collection; and be it further RESOLVED, that the selected artist may proceed with the installation of her mural upon the execution of an agreement with the City as reviewed by the City Attorney. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting b) Fall Creek Block Party, Neighborhood Improvement Incentive Fund (NIIF) Planning & Economic Development Committee September 14, 2016 RESOLUTION: Request for Neighborhood Improvement Incentive Funds for the Fall Creek Neighborhood Block Party, September 2016 Moved by Alderperson Martell; Seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. Passed unanimously. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council established the Neighborhood Improvement Incentive Fund in 1995 to provide financial assistance to city residents seeking to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods, and WHEREAS, the fund is intended to support residents' interest in community improvement and to encourage, not replace volunteerism, and WHEREAS, the funds are intended to be used for projects or events that provide a general neighborhood benefit and not for the limited benefit of individuals or a select few residents, and WHEREAS, activities specified by the Common Council as eligible for the funding include but are not limited to neighborhood clean-ups, plantings in public places, and neighborhood events like block parties or meetings, and WHEREAS, neighborhood groups are required to submit a completed application specifying other project donations, estimated volunteer hours, estimated costs to be covered by the fund and signatures of residents in the immediate neighborhood, and WHEREAS, to streamline the process the Common Council has delegated authority to approve applications to the Planning & Economic Development Committee, and WHEREAS, each neighborhood group is eligible to receive up to $300 per year as a reimbursement award payable on the submission of original receipts or invoices for approved activities, and WHEREAS, the City cannot reimburse residents for sales tax expenses, and WHEREAS, on behalf of neighborhood residents, Helen Ann Yunis has submitted an application for up to $300 in reimbursement funds to off-set expenses from the Fall Creek neighborhood’s annual block party, and WHEREAS, notice of the block party was circulated throughout the neighborhood via flyers and the neighborhood listserv, and the event provided an opportunity for socializing with diverse groups of residents; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Planning and Economic Development Committee approves the funding request from Helen Ann Yunis in an amount not to exceed $300 for reimbursement upon presentation of original invoices and/or receipts. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting c) Restore NY Grant Resolution Proposed Substitute Resolution Planning & Economic Development Committee September 14, 2016 Authorize Restore NY4 Funding Application Moved by Alderperson Nguyen; Seconded by Alderperson Kerslick. Passed unanimously. Alderperson Brock asked about the handling of the selection. Not much information was available for review. Nels Bohn stated that the timeline for this project was very tight. N ine (9) projects applied. After review only two (2) moved forward. He further stated that there is a lot of information to review in addition to the projects. The time restraint was an issue. Alderperson Kerslick asked Nels Bohn to explain how the sco ring was done and determined since both properties received a very close score. The project selected scored a little bit higher due to the number of housing units to be included. This project also fit more favorably in the neighborhood. More state fund ing sources were also or will be utilized. All projects will remain on the tax rolls. Chair Murtagh asked about any contamination on the property. He also asked about the Harold Square project. This is a project that’s been in the making for a long time. This project has secured funding from another funding source that took them out of the running. Whereas, the 2015-16 New York State budget enacted the Restore New York’s Communities Initiative (“Restore NY4”) to revitalize urban areas and stabilize neighborhoods and authorized the Empire State Development Corporation (“ESDC”) to implement the $50 million program, and Whereas, on June 20, 2016 ESDC issued a request for proposals to provide municipalities with financial assistance for revitalization of commercial and residential properties, and Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting Whereas, the goals of the Restore NY program are to (1) revitalize urban centers, (2) induce commercial investment, and (3) improve the local housing stock, and Whereas, Restore NY4 funding is available only for projects involving the demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned or surplus properties, and Whereas, cities with populations under 40,000 are eligible to submit one project, which may contain multiple properties, not to exceed a request for $500,000 in funding, and Whereas, only projects identified in an Intent to Apply form that was due by July 13, 2016 are eligible for possible Restore NY4 funding, and Whereas, on June 30, 2016 the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) issued a call for proposals and received 9 property proposals, and Whereas, the IURA Economic Development Committee (EDC) reviewed proposals against Restore NY4 scoring criteria and for community benefit and recommended the following two competing candidate projects be submitted on the mandatory Intent To Apply form: • State Street Historic Buildings Rehabilitation - rehabilitation of properties located at 129 E. State Street, 121 W. State Street and 310 W. State Street • Seneca/Corn Street Buildings Rehabilitation – rehabilitation of properties located at 109 N. Corn Street and 413-15 W. Seneca Street, and Whereas, on July 21st, 2016, ESDC determined that each of the two candidate projects were eligible for Restore NY4, and Whereas, IURA requested detailed project information from each sponsor by August 31, 2016, and Whereas, on September 13, 2016, the IURA Economic Development Committee recommended selection of the following Restore NY4 application to maximize community benefit and competiveness for funding: (Select one) • State Street Historic Buildings Rehabilitation project or • Seneca/Corn Street Buildings Rehabilitation project, and, Whereas, the Restore NY4 funding application is due by October 2, 2016, and Whereas, applications must include a municipal resolution in support of the application, proof Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting that a public hearing was held on proposed application, and a site control affidavit for projects located on non-municipally owned property, and Whereas, the property owners have agreed to provide the full 10% required local match contribution, so no City match funds are required; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby endorses submission of an application for the Seneca/Corn Street Buildings Rehabilitation project for up to $500,000 in grant funding from the Restore NY4 program, and be it further RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby finds the proposed project is consistent with the City comprehensive plan and Urban Rene wal Plan; that the proposed financing is appropriate for the specific project; that the project facilitates effective and efficient use of the existing and future public resources so as to promote both economic development and preservation of community resources; and the project develops and enhances infrastructure and/or facilities in a manner that will attract, create, and sustain employment opportunities where applicable, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Mayor, upon advice from the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to take all actions necessary to submit a Restore NY4 application in accordance with this resolution, including, but not limited to, certification of the application, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Mayor is authorized to modify the proposal to address any unforeseen feasibility issues that arise that would impact competitiveness of the application, and RESOLVED, that, if awarded, the Mayor, upon advise from the City Attorney, is hereby authorized to execute an agreement with ESDC, and any other documents necessary to receive the Restore NY grant, as well as agreements with individual property owners to implement the project, and be it further RESOLVED, the IURA is hereby authorized to administer and implement the City’s Restore NY 4 grant award. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting 4) Special Order of Business a) Public Hearing: Maguire TMPUD Application Prior to the public hearing, the developer provided a summary of the project. It’s a three phase project. Moving the Ford, Lincoln, Nissan to a new location, renovate the existing Ford location and move the Subaru dealership . The current site named Carpenter Business Park has been an unused site for many years due to the issues on the site namely the power lines impede any development as well as the railroad tracks. They have reached out and received feedback from a number of stakeholders. DOT has been in the works. The Farmer’s Market will benefit due to the large population in the area. Walk ability is greater with this project. Solar charging stations will be available to all electric cars in the City. There is a letter of understanding with Project Growing Hope. It offers the Community Gardens many benefits. The design of the car dealership is not your typical car dealership. Its intent is to present a much-needed project that provides solar energy, etc. This project will utilize 100% of all parking available. Alderperson Kerslick moved to open the public hearing; Alderperson Brock seconded it. Rene Garcia, Fifth Street. He moved to Ithaca in 1992 from Guatemala. He lives on Cayuga Street. His concern is the life of our children being able to play without worrying about their safety. Randy Murphy, 312 Fourth Street, appreciates that Maguire is a local family and business and the good that they have done for this area. He referred to a traffic policy that was approved by Council in 2015. This project has all the requirements of this policy. Christopher Trudeau, 130 East Spencer Street, asked Council to vote this project down. It is a low generator of tax revenue. The ‘green’ features suggested don’t make this project ‘green.’ Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting Joel Harlan, Newfield. He has been around for a very long time. People are afraid of change. They are in the twilight zone. We need to improve this community. He is in favor of this project. We just need to do this, and not listen to all the naysayers. David West, 225 Cleveland Avenue. This does not comply with the Comprehensive Plan. This will never be walkable or safe to ride a bike. He encourages the City to stop this project. Now. Adam Rogers, 121 Parkside Gardens, a Maguire employee. He states that car dealerships have a bad rap. He hasn’t seen any other dealership willing to do what this dealership is. He is in favor of this project. Fred Wilcox, 212 Second Street, read a collective message from the Northside Community Group that this project is not needed here. Joe David, 222 Elmira Road, owns a business in Ithaca. Over the years, he has seen many plans come and go. If we don’t allow this project, we wi ll regret it. We need to give this family a chance. Please consider it. I think we need it. Lester Sowell, 721 East Shore Drive, Lives in the Town of Ithaca and is originally from Elmira. We are fortunate to live here. Elmira businesses are closing. He moved here for the diversity. He supports it 100% and asks that the City support it as well. Jaekah Chase, Fifth Street, She thanked everyone for being here to hear both sides. She pointed out the number of existing properties in this area – Stewart Park, Farmers Market, etc. People are not interested in going to a deli on Route 13 or charge their electric cars. Common Council should not allow an eight-acre car dealership or an extension of Fifth Street. Daniel Fuson, 213 Second Street, it’s not productive for all of us to be at odds. Things are getting really bad weather wise. We do know that the planet is declining. This is what needs to be focused on. We need to come together as a community. We need to decrease the number of cars we use. Let’s give a much better value on life. Tali Fuson, 213 Second Street, emphasized that this project is a detriment to this community. It will disrupt the neighborhood. The cotton wood trees to be removed doesn’t make sense. She would like to see the gardens stay there, maybe an apple orchard, and possibly a similar site like Press Bay Alley. Diana Ozolius, 722 Cliff Street, opposes the Maguire project. The waterfront area has just been opened up due to the creation of the waterfront trail. She is not opposed to development, but smart development. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting Andreas Ozolius, 722 Cliff Street, Car dealerships or the empire of car dealerships isn’t what we need. The Farmer’s Market is accessible now because people park on Buffalo Street and walk from there. Judy Swann, 329 Hook Place, stated she gave up driving a car four years ago. We don’t need this project here in Ithaca. Dan Hoffman, 415 Elm Street, spoke on behalf of the Community Gardens. Community Gardens can currently lose their lease with the City at a moment’s notice. The ability for the Community Gardens to stay is a good thing. He stated, in his view, this property isn’t Waterfront property. Roland Conover, 109 Millard Hill Road, Newfield. He is currently an assistant manager of the Hyundai dealership. He has been given the chance to raise and take care of his family. He completely supports this project. James Lukasavage, 417 S. Aurora Street, Due to the topography of Ithaca, the pollution from automobiles settles in the value. He stated the number of chemicals from automobiles is detrimental. Joanne Trutko, 310 Elmwood Avenue, is a customer of Maguire but also a member of Community Gardens. She is disheartened about this project. Andrew Miller, 318 North Plain Street. He grew up in Lansing and now lives in downtown Ithaca. We talk about the traffic issues, but he feels the cars we speak of are those who are leaving Ithaca to go to work because of the lack of jobs in Ithaca. Jasper Adams, a graduate of Ithaca College who studied environme ntal studies. He came to Maguire with no experience in car dealership. He believes in global warning. With this proposal Maguire is mindful of this. Theresa Alt, 206 Eddy Street, strongly opposes this project. She urges the City to make sure it meets all the current zoning laws. Mayor Myrick joined the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Phoebe Brown, 520 Alice Miller Way, she isn’t mad at Maguire. She doesn’t drive. She would like to see the community come together. Maguire needs to talk to the neighborhoods that are being edged out. She would much rather see a group debate something else. Armin Heurich, 114 Monroe Street. A Northside neighborhood resident. There isn’t’ a single Northside resident here tonight that is in favor of this project. No one from Maguire ever talked to these residents. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting Danite Fish, 412 Hector Street, she is able to stay in Ithaca and raise her son because of Maguire. She currently works at Maguire and is proud of that fact. Maguire does a lot for the community. Kyle O’Connor, 3218 Wilkens Road, works for Maguire and states they are a reputable employer. He has been able to raise his children, two of which went to Ithaca College. They (Maguire) are here for the long haul. He encourages the City to approve this project. Stephanie Bailey, Third Street, and Angela McEnerney, 131 Hopkins Road appreciate some of the suggestions in this project, but Maguire has other land to develop. Although this may not be right on the waterfront it will have an effect on it. Affordable housing is a much more of a need. Ryan Curtis, 6340 Carmen Road, Trumansburg is proposed to this project on this specific location. Raul Briones, 9398 Iradell Road, works at Maguire and supports this project. Dan Apeel, 527 Linn Street, does not support this project. VJ, is a Farmers Market vendor and feels that this project will help the market with their parking needs. Alderperson Kerslick moved to close the public hearing; Alderperson Brock seconded it. The public hearing was closed. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting 5) Discussion (with possible action) a) Maguire TMPUD Application Chair Murtagh thanked all that came out to voice their opinion. There has also been an incredible amount of response from the community. He was very impressed with the amount of positive comments from Maguire employees. He further stated that this is not about how Maguire is as an employer, but what is best for this area. Alderperson Kerslick appreciates all the comments tonight and that were sent in. As the way it stands now, he doesn’t think this meets the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. Alderperson Nguyen thanked everyone that came to voice their opinions. He wouldn’t necessarily write off a car dealership in this area, just not one of this size. There is a trend across the country of mixed use development. Alderperson Brock also thanked everyone for their comments. This isn’t a yes or no vote at this time. We have this time to work together to come up with something for this site. She too isn’t opposed to car dealerships. She is very mindful of what car dealerships have in a community. She does think it’s a transition to the Waterfront Zone. It is the acres of parking that is of concern. With any other business, cars would come and go and would not remained parked for the entire duration of the day. The site would remain stagnant. She is willing and interested in working with the property owner that is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Alderperson Kerslick stated he isn’t against car dealerships, but this business has changed over time. Alderperson Brock stated that as long as the petroleum business remains at its current location and in such close proximity of this site, she is not in favor of housing being developed at this site. Alderperson McGonigal reminded his colleagues that there are only three industrial zones in Ithaca. This site is suited more for this use than housing. He stated that this site is also in close proximity to one of the busiest highways in the county. What he would like to see is more conversation of porous material being used. Alderperson Nguyen stated he’s not opposed to an industrial use of this site, but would much rather see affordable housing. Alderperson Martell thanked all who came out to voice their opinions. Even though the comments made by the current employees are admirable, it isn’t about that. It’s about what is best for the site. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting Mayor Myrick stated urban development can be very complicated . He stated that he would like to work with the property owner to come up with something that will work well for all. Phil Maguire thanked all for coming and voicing their opinion regardless of whether it was in favor or against. He apologized for not contacting the Northside Neighborhood. He further stated that when they purchased this property, it was zoned completely different. Now it is zoned TMPUD which is very complicated. He asked why that along Route 13 other areas are zoned differently than this particular parcel. Mayor Myrick left the meeting. Chair Murtagh asked the committee what they would like to do. There has been a lot of comment here tonight. It is a lot to take in and absorb. Alderperson Kerslick stated he would be fine revisiting this next month. Alderperson Brock stated she would also like to refrain from a vote tonight. It’s pretty uncommon that a vote of this nature be made the same night as the public hearing. Chair Murtagh stated we will revisit this next month Alderperson Kerslick moved to table the resolution before us ; seconded by Alderperson Brock. Carried 4-1 (Murtagh) Alderperson Brock stated that it is the parking that concerns her most. JoAnn Cornish stated that an analysis should be done to compare this project and the Comprehensive Plan. Does the project reflect that of the Comprehensive Pla n? 6) Announcements, Updates, Reports Alderperson Nguyen thanked the three staff members for attendin g the Northside Community Group meeting. Alderperson Kerslick thanked JoAnn Cornish for attending the Collegetown meeting. JoAnn Cornish stated that the Commons fountain has been started and should be done by November. Approved at the October 12, 2016 PEDC Meeting 7) Review and Approval of Minutes a) August 2016 Moved by Alderperson Kerslick; seconded by Alderperson Brock. Passed unanimously. 8) Adjournment Moved by Alderperson Kerslick; seconded by Alderperson Nguyen. Passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.