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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-15 P&D Board - Project Review Commmittee Meeting AgendaTO: City of Ithaca Project Review Committee (Planning &Development Board) CITY OF ITHACA 108 E. Green St. — 3rd Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING, ZONING, & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOANN CORNISH, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT PHYLLISA A. DeSARNO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Telephone: Planning & Econ. Development – 607-274-6550 | Community Development/IURA – 607-274- 6559 E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org E-Mail: iura@cityofithaca.org Fax: 607-274-6558 Fax: 607-274-6558 FROM:Lisa Nicholas,Senior Planner DATE:April 16,2015 SUBJECT:Agenda for Project Review Committee Meeting:T UESDAY,APRIL 21,2015 Meeting scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.in the 3rd Floor Conference Room (behind Common Council Chambers), City Hall,108 E.Green St.,Ithaca.Please call Charles Pyott at 2746550,if you cannot attend or you require additional information. 9:30 Project:Retail Building/Restaurant Location:71925 S.Meadow St. Applicant:Douglas Druen for Texas Roadhouse Anticipated Board Action(s)in April:Declaration of Lead Agency,Public Hearing,&Determination of Environmental Significance Project Description:The applicant proposes to construct a 7,163SF retail building/restaurant on portion of the 3acre site,which contains three existing retail buildings (one of which will be removed).Site development also includes a concrete ramp to the main entrance,an outdoor waiting area,a rear loading and trash area,landscaping,lighting,and signage.The applicant is requesting to build a 43’long,3’high architectural wall as an alternative to the requirement in the Southwest Area Design Guidelines that a minimum of 60%of a lot’s street frontage should be occupied by building mass.In accordance with the guidelines,the Planning Board may allow a portion,not to exceed a third of the required 60%building frontage,to be occupied by an integrated architectural wall.This is an Unlisted Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance and the State Environmental Quality Review Act,and is subject to environmental review. 9:50 Project:Tompkins Financial Headquarters Location:118 &119 E.Seneca St. Applicant:Trowbridge Wolf Michaels,LLP for Tompkins Trust Company Anticipated Board Action(s)in April:No Action Review Only Project Description:The applicant proposes to construct a seven (7)story,110,000SF office building as a new corporate headquarters at 118 E.Seneca St.,and to relocate the existing drivethrough teller to the groundfloor parking area of 119 E.Seneca Street.The new building will have a groundfloor footprint of approximately 6,600 SF (66’x 100’)and will include retail services,building core,and other amenities related to the building.There will be 2025 parking spaces accommodated on site to the north of the groundfloor footprint and under the building overhang.Each floor plate above the ground floor will be 16,300 SF.The front of the building will be set back several feet from the street line to align with the Hilton Garden Inn.119 E.Seneca Street will include a new 985SF drivethrough teller building.Existing parking and drive aisles will be modified to create a teller window driveup lane,a vacuumactuated driveup teller station,and a throughlane for traffic.In addition to the drive lane associated with the teller stations,a new ATM will be added to the site.Both sites are in the CBD100 Zoning District.This is a Type I Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (“CEQRO”),§1764 B.(1)(h)[4]and (n), and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”),§617.4 (6.)(iv),and is subject to environmental review.The project requires DESIGN REVIEW. “An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification.” 1 of 3 10:10 Project:Lake Street Public Park Enhancements Location:401 Lake St. Applicant:City of Ithaca Anticipated Board Action(s)in April:Declaration of Lead Agency,Public Hearing,Determination of Environmental Significance,and Consideration of Preliminary &Final Site Plan Approval Project Description:The applicant proposes to undertake enhancements to improve the accessibility and functionality of the park.Proposed work includes adding a concrete walkway and falls overlook,installing metal guardrails behind the existing stone retaining wall,installing a movable gate for controlled access to the Ithaca Falls Natural Area,replacing the existing bike racks,adding an accessible curb ramp,improving the landscaping,and other site improvements.The project is in the P1 Zoning District and requires approvals from the Board of Public Works (BPW)and Common Council.This is a Type I Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (“CEQRO”),§1764 B.(h)[2]and [3],and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA),§617.4 (11),and is subject to environmental review. 10:20 Project:MixedUse Housing Location:210 Hancock St.(former Neighborhood Pride store) Applicant:Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) Anticipated Board Action(s)in April:Declaration of Lead Agency and Review of FEAF,Parts 2 &3 Project Description:The applicant proposes to redevelop the entire 2.01acre parcel currently containing the vacant former grocery store,a smaller commercial building,and a 110space parking lot.The applicant proposes to construct thirteen 2story townhomes and a 4story,approximately 65,000SF,mixeduse building with approximately 50 apartments and three groundfloor commercial spaces,totaling approximately 10,000 SF.70 parking spaces will be provided approximately one third of which will be on the ground floor of the apartment building.The applicant also proposes to convert portions of Adams St. and Lake Ave.(both of which are public streets)into “living streets”by making them narrower,providing green areas,and installing bike and pedestrian amenities.The project is in the B2a Zoning District and will likely require Subdivision in the future.The project will require the following approvals:a Flood Plan Development Permit,a Parking Variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA),approval from the Board of Public Works (BPW)for improvements to property in the public way,funding approval from the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA),and approval from Common Council.This is a Type I Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance,§1764 (h)(2),(k),and (n)and the State Environmental Quality Review Act,§617.4 (9),and is subject to environmental review. 10:40Project:Carey Building Renovations &Addition Location:314320 E.State St. Applicant:Carey Building Associates Anticipated Board Action(s)in April:Consideration of Project Changes/Conditions &Recommendation to BZA for Height Variance Project Description:Due to unforeseen code compliance issues,the floorto floor height between the third and fourth floors must be increased by 14”resulting in a building height of 83’instead of the originally approved 77’10”.The applicant must return to the BZA to request a new variance in order to exceed the CBD60 Zoning District’s maximum height restriction of 60 feet for the fivestory addition and request a variance for the addition to have a maximum height of 83’. “An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification.” 2 of 3 11:00 Zoning Appeals #2978:120.S.Aurora St.(Marriott Hotel)Sign Variance #2979:314320 E.State St.(Carey Building)Area Variance (height) #2980:406 W.Court St.(Christopher George Real Estate)Special Permit 11:10 Adjournment cc:Mayor Svante Myrick &Common Council Dr.Luvelle Brown,Superintendent,ICSD Jay Franklin,Tompkins County Assessment ACCESSING ONLINE DOCUMENTS SitePlan Review &Subdivision ApplicationDocuments (&Related Materials) SitePlan Review applicationdocumentsare accessible electronically via the“Document Center”on the City web site (www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter),under “Planning & Development”>“Site Plan Review Project Applications,”andin the relevantyear/month folder.Subdivision applicationmaterialscan be similarlylocated,but in the “Subdivision Applications”folder. ZoningAppeals ZoningAppeals are accessible electronically via the “Document Center”on theCity web site (www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter),under “Board ofZoning Appeals”>“Zoning Appeal Applications,”andin the relevant year’sfolder. “An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification.” 3 of 3 Page 1 of 2 City of Ithaca FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM (FEAF)Part III Project Name:Lake Street Park Enhancements Date Created:4/13/15 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The applicant proposes to undertake enhancements to improve the accessibility and functionality of the park.Proposed work includes adding a concrete walkway and falls overlook,installing metal guardrails behind the existing stone retaining wall,installing a movable gate for controlled access to the Ithaca Falls Natural Area,replacing the existing bike racks,adding an accessible curb ramp, improving the landscaping,and other site improvements.The project is in the P1 Zoning District and requires approvals from the Board of Public Works (BPW)and Common Council.This is a Type I Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (“CEQRO”),§1764 B.(h)[2] and [3],and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”),§617.4 (11),and is subject to environmental review. IMPACT ON LAND No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON WATER No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON DRAINAGE No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON AIR No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON PLANTS &ANIMALS No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON AESTHETIC RESOURCES No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON HISTORIC RESOURCES In a letter,dated September 17,2014,to Lynn Truame,Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) Community Development Planner,from Ruth L.Pierpont,Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation,it was determined “the proposed project will have No Effect upon cultural resources.” No impact anticipated. Page 2 of 2 IMPACT ON OPEN SPACE AREA No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON ENERGY No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON NOISE &ODORS No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH Soil disturbance/excavation is limited to placement of fence,gate,and guardrail footings,as well as sod removal.Other improvements will be built on top of the existing grade. The site is near the base of Fall Creek Gorge some of which has been impacted from contamination at the former Ithaca Gun Factory,a current Brownfields Remediation Site.In 2004, the EPA removed leadcontaminated soils from the base of the cliff to the east of the project site and under the former Ithaca Gun Factory site.A full description of the work was included in the application package titled,US Environmental Protection Agency Pollution Report,dated May 3,2004. Groundwater and soil data collected to date related to the Gun Hill remediation indicates the park is outside the boundaries of contamination. No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON GROWTH &CHARACTER OF COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD No impact anticipated. Prepared by:Lisa Nicholas,AICP,Senior Planner Page 1 of 6 City of Ithaca FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM (FEAF)Part III Project Name:210 Hancock Redevelopment Project Date Created:3/30/15 THIS IS A DRAFT DOCUMENT FOR DISCUSSION ONLY PROJECT DESCRIPTION The applicant proposes to redevelop the entire 2.01acre parcel currently containing the vacant former grocery store,a smaller commercial building,and a 110space parking lot.The applicant proposes to construct thirteen 2story townhomes and a 4story,approximately 65,000SF,mixed use building with approximately 50 apartments and three groundfloor commercial spaces,totaling approximately 10,000 SF.70 parking spaces will be provided approximately one third of which will be on the ground floor of the apartment building.The applicant also proposes to convert 0.77 acres of contiguous Cityowned rightof way (ROW)that include portions of Adams St.and Lake Ave. into “living streets”by making them narrower,providing green areas,and installing bike and pedestrian amenities.The project is in the B2a Zoning District and will likely require Subdivision in the future.The project will require the following approvals:a Flood Plan Development Permit,a Parking Variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA),approval from the Board of Public Works (BPW)for improvements to property in the public way,funding approval from the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA),and approval from Common Council.This is a Type I Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance,§1764 (h)(2),(k),and (n)and the State Environmental Quality Review Act,§617.4 (9),and is subject to environmental review. The Lead Agency needs the following information to evaluate potential impacts: 1. Limits of disturbance 2. Information about foundation type chosen will piles be driven? 3. Construction routing,staging,delivery plan,contractor parking,and pedestrian/bike access plan 4. Visual simulations IMPACT ON LAND Existing Conditions: The project site occupies a city block.It is bounded by Hancock and First Streets,both of which are connector streets from downtown neighborhoods to NYS Route 13.To the north,the site is bounded by Adams St.and to the east by Lake St.,both of which are lowtraffic roads.Lake St.is contiguous to a channelized portion of Cascadilla Creek that runs from the base of Cascadilla Gorge to its outlet at the Flood Control Channel.Conley Park is to the immediate north of the project site. The site has been developed for commercial use since as early as 1929,when it housed several buildings and two greenhouses known as Lockwood Gardens.It has been is its present configuration since 1961.(Site:Phase 1 A Cultural Resource Survey.)The majority of the existing 2.01acre project site is currently covered by an asphalt parking lot and two onestory masonry commercial buildings.The larger of the two existing buildings is the vacant Neighborhood Pride grocery store and the smaller is the home of the non profit Youth Advocate Programs,Inc. Approximately 97%of the site is currently impervious surface. Page 2 of 6 Proposed Project: Construction will be in three phases and last approximately 48 months/4 years.A 65,000SF 4story, mixeduse building with 53 units of housing on the upper floors and 10,000 SF of commercial space and 7,500 SF of covered parking on the ground floor,will be built along First Street.Twelve 2story townhomes will be built,three fronting Hancock St.,and 8 fronting Cascadilla St./Lake Ave.The interior of the site will provide parking organized around a central internal street bisecting the site and will serve all users of the project,as well as provide emergency access and service.Poor soil conditions may necessitate a pile foundation for the 4story building. The project proposes to eliminate vehicular traffic on a one block portion of Lake Avenue,and one half block of Adams Street adjacent to the site in favor of accessible recreation and greenspace along Cascadilla Creek and Conley Park. Drawings tilled “Existing Cover Types (10F2)”and “Proposed Cover Types (20F2),”dated 4/9/15 and prepared by T.G.Miller,P.C.,illustrate the existing and proposed pervious and impervious surfaces on both the project site and the contiguous 0.77 acres of City ROW.Overall impervious surface is reduced from 2.34 acres to 1.66 acres a decrease of 0.68 acres and 29%.Pervious surface is increased from 0.44 acres to 1.12 acres an increase of 0.68 acres and 154 % IMPACT ON WATER Existing Conditions: Proposed project: Analysis: Mitigations: IMPACT ON DRAINAGE Existing Conditions: As shown on the attached Boundary and Topographic Map,the site is within the flood zones identified by FEMA,Zone A3,which covers approximately 26%of the project site,in the area identified as the Area of 100Year Flood.Zone B,the remaining 74%of the site,is the Area Between Limits of 100year and 500Year Flood.Upon review of the FEMA Flood Insurance Study,the appropriate base flood water surface elevation for this site has been established at 391.5 feet (NGVD29),which varies between 0.5 and 4.5 feet above existing grades across the site.The floor elevations of the existing onsite buildings proposed for demolition are lower than this base flood level. Based on site topography,the parking lot drains in a westerly direction toward First Street.The extent of on site storm sewers is limited to two catchbasins in the southerly portion of the main parking area.These catchbasins are connected by relatively small diameter pipe (<12inch diameter)to the City’s storm sewer at the corner of Hancock and First Streets.Runoff collected in gutters and downspouts on the two existing building roofs is directed principally toward Adams Page 3 of 6 Street.The City’s storm sewer system in the immediate vicinity consists of curb inlets,catchbasins, and 12inch diameter pipe along both Hancock Street and Adams Street.Other than curbed gutters, there are no storm sewers on First Street or Lake Avenue.Run off collected in the Hancock Street system is ultimately discharged to an open channel at the intersection of Third Street and N. Meadow Street (NYS Route 13).The short length of storm pipe in the Adams Street system discharges into Cascadilla Creek,just upstream of the footbridge.The invert of the City system at Hancock Street is 385.7 feet or roughly 4 feet below the mean site elevation of 389.5 feet.At the east end of Adams Street,the invert of the City pipe is approximately 381 feet. Current site conditions within the limits of the adjacent street lines is over 92%impervious cover. The majority of the impervious area is attributable to the two commercial building roof tops and the large contiguous parking lot.The areas of pervious cover include small lawn panels at the northwest corner of the site and small landscaped beds at the entry to the vacant grocery store at 210 Hancock Street. Proposed Project: Once the existing onsite buildings are removed,the proposed grading design may allow for some expansion of the Zone A3 area along the northern boundary. All new building finish floors will be raised above the base flood elevation.The townhouses will be set 2 feet above the base flood elevation,and the commercial/mixeduse building will be set 1 foot above the base flood elevation.The proposed buildings include stoops,steps,and ramps to provide vertical circulation to the raised first floor.None of the proposed site improvements will encroach into the adjacent floodway of Cascadilla Creek. The applicant is projecting little if any impact to the base flood water surface elevation following completion of the project.The northern half of the mixeduse building footprint,which is located in the A3 Zone,will remain at or near existing ground elevations to provide parking below the upper floor residential uses.Raising the parking area by importing fill is not anticipated,thereby maintaining the storage potential of the flood plain.Additionally,the foundation and finish floor conditions of the townhouses will incorporate floodproofed crawl spaces with engineered openings to further minimize flood water damages and loss of flood plain. Drawings tilled “Existing Cover Types (10F2)”and “Proposed Cover Types (20F2),”dated 4/9/15 and prepared by T.G.Miller,P.C.,illustrate the existing and proposed pervious and impervious surface on both the project site and the contiguous 0.77 acres of City ROW.Overall impervious surface is reduced from 2.34 acres to 1.66 acres a decrease of 0.68 acres and 29%.Pervious surface is increased from 0.44 acres to 1.12 acres an increase of .68 acres and 154 % IMPACT ON AIR Construction Impacts:[Describe] No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON PLANTS &ANIMALS No impact anticipated. Page 4 of 6 IMPACT ON AESTHETIC RESOURCES See Impacts to Open Space.No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON HISTORIC RESOURCES No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON OPEN SPACE AREA Existing Conditions: The project site is contiguous to a channelized portion of Cascadilla Creek that runs from the base of Cascadilla Gorge to its outlet at the Flood Control Channel.This portion of Cascadilla Creek,running though the Fall Creek and Northside neighborhoods and beginning at Cayuga Street,is flanked by two parks and a narrow green buffer separating it from lowervolume residential streets.The creek is a unique feature of the neighborhood providing a valued element of nature in the urban landscape and is enjoyed by residents for passive recreation,fishing,and is used occasionally to launch paddle craft. Proposed Project: The project proposes to convert Lake Avenue and the portion of Adams Street east of Alice Miller Way into a greenway and bike and pedestrian path.This path would provide connection to the existing path at Conley Park directly to the north and ultimately to the Cayuga Waterfront Trail (CWT)via the improved NYS Rte.13 and Dey Street crossings currently under construction. The effect of this conversion will be a continuous twoblock park along Cascadilla Creek that can be expected to greatly enhance the beauty,value,and accessibility of this natural feature in the neighborhood. No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION The Trafffic Study and other information provided by the applicant are currently under review by the City Transportation Engineer. Existing Conditions: The project site occupies a city block.It is at the corner of Hancock and First Streets,both of which are connector streets from downtown neighborhoods to NYS Route 13.To the north,the site is bounded by Adams St.,and to the east by Lake St.,both of which have very low traffic volumes.The block has public sidewalks and a tree lawn with street trees on three sides and the site currently contains a 100+space asphalt parking lot with multiple curbcuts.Approximately 24 onstreet parking spaces are available on First,Hancock,and Lake Streets.Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT)operates a bus route with multiple stops on Hancock Street including one at the northwest corner of Hancock and First Streets. Page 5 of 6 Proposed Project: The project will remove two curbcuts on Hancock Street,one on First Street,one on Lake Avenue, and replace a single long expanse of dropcurb on Adams Street with a new vertical curb and two curbcuts.Lake Avenue and the portion of Adams Street east of Alice Miller Way will be converted to greenways with a bike/pedestrian pathway.This path would provide connection to the existing path at Conley Park directly to the north,and ultimately to the Cayuga Waterfront Trail via the improved crossings under construction at NYS Rte.13 and Dey Street.The applicant is proposing to build 55 parking spaces on the site,approximately one third of which will be on the ground floor of the mixeduse building.The applicant is seeking a variance for relief from the 86 parking spaces required in accordance with the regulations of the B1b zoning district.Public use and onstreet parking will continue to be provided on Lake Avenue.The project also proposes to construct a new covered bus stop at the corner of Hancock and First Streets. Construction Impacts: Construction will be in three phases and last approximately 48 months/4 years.The project is in a densely developed residential area.Construction activities,particularly staging and deliveries,may temporarily impact vehicular including TCAT bike,and pedestrian movements. Applicant to provide the following information: Construction staging,deliveries ,and contractor parking Construction routing Anticipated sidewalk,street closures,or interruption of bus service Traffic Volume Impacts:(if any) Mitigations: The applicant is making the following improvements intended to improved transportation: Conversion of Lake Ave.and a portion of Adams St.to a greenway with a bike/pedestrian pathway connecting to Conley Park to the north Consolidation of curbcuts Providing a new covered bus shelter Providing some covered parking IMPACT ON ENERGY The proposed buildings are designed to meet Energy Star 3.0 Certification.The applicant has indicated the intention to pursue LEED for Homes certification for both the mixeduse building and townhouses.The applicant is also studying the feasibility of installing solar PV panels on the multifamily building as the proposed flat roof is wellsuited to installing a large array. No impact anticipated. Page 6 of 6 IMPACT ON NOISE AND ODORS Construction will be in three phases and last approximately 48 months/4 years.The project is in a densely developed primarily residential.Construction activities will temporarily produce noise that will affect residents and businesses in the immediate area. The Lead Agency requires that the applicant limit noiseproducing construction activities to Monday Friday from 7:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH The applicant has submitted a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA),dated February 10, 2015 and prepared by Seeler Engineering,P.C.The investigation did not identify any Recognized Environmental Conditions (ROCs). The report noted the presence of fluorescent lighting and the potential presence of asbestos containing materials in the former grocery store.The former will require proper handling and disposal,while the later will require removal and disposal by a qualified licensed contractor. No impact anticipated. IMPACT ON GROWTH &CHARACTER OF COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD Issues: Height of 4story building in relation to residential structures on First St.(shadow study has been submitted) Commercial corridor on First Street,instead of Hancock Street Treatment of Lake Street (Lake St.is unique in the community) Relative density (32.1/acre =2.01 project site only AND 23.6/acres including conversion of 0.77 acres of City ROW) [Rough Comparison:Cascadilla Green:23/acre,Housing Authority Housing:+/20/acre] Mitigating Factors: (Re)establishing a residential use in a residential neighborhood Edge condition of neighborhood this project creates a stronger edge separating residential from other uses closer to Rte.13 Conversion of Lake Street as an amenity to Cascadilla Creek,and neighborhood and connection to Conley Park and CWT. As of right development:90%lot coverage Floodplain development maintain flood capacity =higher building The applicant has begun coordinating with local utility providers to assess potential impacts to the utility systems as a result of the construction of the proposed project.To date,no system capacity concerns have been raised. Prepared by:Lisa Nicholas,AICP,Senior Planner City of ..ILIIIL-JIlJll'I.4"'&,4 Board of Zoning Appeals Worksheet Appeal Number Use District Applicant Application Type: BZA-2980 R-2b Tracy L.Martineaal Permit Address 406 W. Court Street Date 05/05/15 Owner John and Charles Wells Column 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14/15 16 Column Title Existing Condition and Use Use Accessory Use Off-Street Parking Off-Street Loading Lot Area (Sq.Feet) Lot Width (Feet) Number of Height in Stories Feet %of Lot Coverage Front Yard Side Yard Other Side Yard Rear yard:%of depth Minimum or number of feet,Building whichever is less Hei ht Note Non- Conforming Conditions Proposed Condition and/or Use 2 Family WlHome Occupation 4400 44 2 28 36%10±12 o 38' or 38% Note Non- Conforming Conditions for Proposal Notes: Special Permit Required 2 OK OK OK OK Def.OK OK Def.OK