HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1966-09-26 I,a=LNG BOARD PROCEEDINGS
City of Ithaca, N. Y.
Regular Meeting September 26, 1966 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Stallman, Mrs. Nordheimer, Messrs. Alo, Colbert, Feld, Schmidt,
Carpenter.
ALSO: Assistant Planner Kasprzak, Members of South Hill Civic Association, Mrs.
Harding and Mrs. Stein, Representatives of East Hill Civic Association,
J. Congdon and Jim Carrier, Press Representatives, and Bill Greenwald,
summer Planning Office employee.
MEETING called to order at 7:35 p.m.
MINUTES of the last regular meeting, August 22, 1966 were duly approved.
COlkg4UNICATIONS: 1. Correspondence - None.
2. Voices from the Public - East Hill Civic Association - At this time Chairman
Stallman introduced Urs. ing of East ill ivc Association. Mrs. Harding spoke
briefly, referring to the past cooperation received from the planning staff on th3
development plan for East Hill. She then expressed hope that future development and
completion of the plan will be just as satisfactory as it has been in the initial
stages. Mrs. Harding also hoped, that the staff could be assigned to complete the
plan for East Hill. Mr. Stallman explained that shortage of professional staff will
not permit planning assistance to the Civic Association. However, when the problem
of staff is resolved we will gladly give you a hand in completing the plan, mean-
while we will do all we can to help you. A short discussion followed wherein matters
of traffic problems on East Hill were discussed, and the future comprehensive plai
for the area as well as its alignment with the City of Ithaca General Plan. The
discussion was ended by Mr. Stallman suggesting that Acting Planning Director and East
Hill Civic Association representatives meet to discuss possible line of action on the
East Hill development plan.
3. Resolution by Member of Planning Board - D.4r. Feldt requested permission to speak &
proposed four 4 resolutions for consideration by the members of the Planning Board.
a. Mr. Feldt MOVED: "that very high praise be expressed to Mr. Gregory Kasprzak, Act-
ing City Planning Director for the outstanding performance, in continuing the function-
ing of the planning office, in the face of extenuating circumstazces.11 This was
unanimously seconded by the Planning Board.
b. further, Mr. Feldt MOVED: "That complete support be given to Mr. Stallman in his
discussions with Common Council and Finance Committee on the matter of salary increase
and hiring of a new Planning Director." Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. At this time NN.
Alo expressed a thought that if the salary of the city planner be raised then othc;r
city officials will have to be considered. Then Mr. Stallman suggested that the Plan-
ning Board support the salary analysis for all the city officials, within the bm ds
of propriety. Mr. Schmidt expressed an amendment to Mr. Fedltfs motion:- 'I and that
due consideration be given to all other city officials." Seconded by Dir. Alo, who also
moved: "that this motion be carried to the Common Council and Finance Committee through
the membership, in both organizations, of Mr. Stallman." CARRIED.
c. further, Mr. Feldt MOVED: "that a committee of three (3) be formed to study the
problem of professional planning staff in the City of Ithaca and possibility of coali-
tion of the two Boards, City and Regional,, " Seconded by Mrs. Nordheimer. CARRIED.
(Committee members, Stallman, Feldt and Nordheimer)
d. further,, Mr. Feldt MOVED: "that a menfoer of '-.he Planning Board be delegated to
Cornell with a suggestion that a stippen,-1 be esu'ablished for a Fellow in Planning or
other related field for a part time help in the City Planning office." Seconded by
Mrs. Nordheimer. CARRIED. 11r. Feldt was delegated to contact Cornell. At this point
Mr. Feldt explained what the share of expenses might be: Cornell would contribute
tuition and fees stippend while City would contribute an assistantship stippend for a
part-time wol-ker in the City Planning office. This in result would improve "town--
gown" relationship. It was also suggested that the Regional Planning Board be invited
to participate in this venture, This resolution was unanimously supported by all.
C0I0RITTEE REPORTS:
1. Capital Improvements - Mr. Schmidt reported that 10 projects (attached) have been
reviewed by his committee as planning prc-c sats to Capitol Improvement Review Commit-
tee for their consideration. At this poi-1.;-1 a short discussion followed analysing
each proposal in turn. Then Mr. Schmidt : .',;E',: ;that the first nine (9) projects be.
accepted as proposed while the tenth (S. Aurora ; %reet project) be refered for further
and alternative study." Seconded by Mr. Feldt. CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
STAFF PROGRESS REPORTS: 1. Inlet Valley Development - The Assistant Planner intro-
duced Mr. Nilliam Greenwald, summer employee, who then proceeded to outline the project
that he was engaged on during the summer. I!r. G ,eenwald omitted, to save time, the
description of land uses in the area and concentrated on the more important item -
circulation. He explained the ?Jest State Street bridge over the Flood Channel and its
alignment with the present 17. State Street, W. Buffalo Street, proposed Route 96 and
the future traffic problems that might occur if the New York State's plan for this
area is adopted as proposed by them. He then proceeded to explain the Cityls Planning
Office proposal for the same area giving a better alignment of the streets and smoother
traffic flow in years to come. The proposal entailes the alignment of the bridge with
W. Buffalo Street rather than with 'gib. State Street. This would permit future Route
96 to cross 17. Buffalo Street at Bright angles and flow into W. State Street resulting
in simpler and smoother traffic situation. A discussion ensued supporting the plan
proposed by the Planning office. Mr. Carpenter suggested that Mrs. Constaice Cook,
the areas representative in the State Assembly, be contacted for suggestions on how to
approach this situation at State lever It was then decided that some action must be
taken on this matter. Mr. Feldt MOVED: "that Mr. Carpenter be authorized to go to
Syracuse with Mrs. C. Cook and try to change the location of the W. State Street
bridge." Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIrD.
'*.26.66 _ 2
NFV BUSINESS:
1. 0`'f-street Parking requirements for the Elderly Housing - Mr. Kasprzak sugges-.,3d
that sane leniency on parking requirements for the elderly housing be considered ,:ince
most of the occupants do not own cars in any case. Mr. Stallman MOVED: "that :-his
be referred to the committee on Codes and Ordinances for further study." Seconder by
Mrs. Nordheimer. CARRIED.
MISCELLANEOUS:
1. Ccnsultantfs Statement - Mr. Kasprzak presented the monthly statement throug'
September 26, 1966, for services rendered by Egner & Niederkorn Associates for th
total sum of r)'567.36. Mr. Schmidt hWED: "that the city be authorized to pay thi
amount." Seconded by i.2rs. Nordheimer. CARRIFL.
2. Employment of Assistants: I11r. Ka.sperzak read two (2) letters from prospectiv
and interested candidates for the position of the Assistant Planner. Mr. Feldt t—n
MOVED: "that these letters be referred to the Selection Committee." Seconded by I-
Alo. CARRIED.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 10:10 p.m.
Gr gorY asp rza
A sistant Planner
9.26.66 -- 3 -
CMITTEE REPORT
31 J.- Capital S.mprcvements Proposals
,0: Ithaca Planning Board.
PROM: General Plan & Capital Improvements Committee
DA'L'E: September 23, 1966
Several items hive been discussed by the committee for possible iclusion
In the 3.967-1972. Capital Improvements Program. The General Plan & Improve=
;iei:ts Ccramittee of 'he Planning Board t:�s re:vieued these items an-- srlaiiitte
following propor als for consideration=
Palk Acqu s:,.tioa: Fund — 85D000 per year, continuing yearl� thi 7h 1971.
i r _s itcga was rc.coma.ended both in 1965-69 and 3.96070 Capital I.mprovmants
report in the section "Conmittee Cmimerts and Reco-n-mendations." This re-
serve fuad would be used for the purchase of new parklands and developnernts
costs,
w, Warren Place Rxerasion o (between Elm and Hoak Place.) — $39,000 project
over at least a 3 (.three) year period beginning in 1967, Out of l—ds total
about $3--,,500 has already been spent in 1966 for the purchase of right—
of way and othe•.- im.tial costs. The addition of this roadway would open
d velopa:.nt in -,',he _'uture and staged construction could be undertaken as the
demands oecame neselsary. This item could be postponed to later date if
absolutely necessar,A,
i, Taylor Placa Ad'ition — $365,,000 to be staged over 5 (five) years begins
r:f.::ag in 1967. The ievelopment of this roadway would be completed similarly
to Warren Placei by staging construction and completing stages as residential
development occurs.
4o Giles Street Wld(�ning (between Van Natta's Dam and State Street) - $1502000
project to be done 111 1968,, The width of Giles Street would be increased from
261 of roadway surface to 341. The introduction of this propoaalis tined -with
the Water and Seiver Oepartments request to provide seer facilities and a
pumphouse along Oiler Street.
So Court Street Extension (from Fulton Street to Route 96)- $320,000 scheduled
for 1969. This proposal is in consonancewith the circulation section of the
General Plan, The addition of this wrte,nsion will replace the Seneca Street
bridge and conceivali.y connect Route 96�
The preceding it(ma are proposala that were included in ;she 1966-70 prc-gram
by the General Fian & Capital Improvements Committee. The Polloming items
are additional proposals presented for consideration by the Planning Board for
the 19671971 Capita:_ Improvements Program.
6, Fall Creek Neigh),orhood Park - $30,000 scheduled for 1971. This proposal
is within the frame iX Ithaca General Plan/ also the need for such has in-ceased
since the construction of Route 13. The 2 - 3 acre park will be financed frcm
the Park Reserve Fund.
7, Central Fire Station Parking - $35,000 scheduled for 1967-88. This would
be an enlargement of existing parking lot towards state street via purchase
of "Marshall property*"
8, Pier Road Parkin; Lot - $60,000 scheduled for 1971. To provide parking
for approximately 150 - 200 cars. This lot would serve the Lake Shore Park
Development., Golf Course and possible vacationers park can p site.
9. "Scamp Street" (between So Albany and Flood Channel) _ $125,000 scheduled
for 1970 and staged aver a 5(five) year period with money evenly distributed
throughout the five , ears° The first years cost of about $26,000 'would link
a 02 99 ?
S. Albany and S. Mealow Streets. This street would aid in the development
of the West Hill as well as facilitate circulation of the east-rest traffic.
10. South Aurora Street - Problem. Money has been alocated under bonded
construction o howev ar nothing has been executed, no final plans made: and
no date has been ase fined for cccmencarent of wozir,
9.x.66 3
Special Committee on Alignment and Location
of Flood Channel Bridge at blest State Street.
r'INUTES
Special Meeting October 5, 1966
PRESENT: Chairman and City Planning Board representative, J. R. Carpenter, also
Messrs. A. C. Stallman, City Planning Board representative; R. C. Smith and
R. O. Dingman from the Dept. of Public ?Torks; Noel Desch, Town of Ithaca
Planning Board; Gregory Kasprzak, Assistant Planner; T. Niederkorn, Plan-
ning Consultant; rT. S. E. Gre .nwald, Planning Staff; R. T4. Saccucci, Ward
Alderman; J. P. Bozzone, ?Vest Hill Civic Assoc; 'Vest End Business repres-en-
tatives: A. Shull, F. Saturn, A. L. Hull, J. F. Daino, J. 0. Ciaschi,
P. Allen, R. ?Vilcox, R. J. McCarthy, A. V. IvicPherson, R. J. Bruce, and
C. V. Brown.
CALL TO ORDER 4:10 p.m.
The purpose and background of the meeting was explained by the Chairman, Mr.
Carpenter. '-Then the City Planning Board's regular meeting was held on September t16,
1966, heir. Carpenter said, the '-Test End Development Plan was presented by the City
Planning Staff. At that time, it was explained that the bridge proposed by the
State Department of Public Works, over the Flood Channel at W. State Street was net
in complete agreement with the thinking of the planning staff, which ideas were
strongly supported by the City Planning Board. Because of this disagreement, Mr.
Carpenter was delegated to determine what, if anything, can be done to change the
alignment of the said bridge. A few days later Mr. Carpenter met vi th Mr. Thomas
Niederkorn, City's Planning Consultant, Gregory Kasprzak, Assistant Planner and Nom.
Constance Cook, City's Representative in the State lssembly9 At this meeting a
decision was made that if City of Ithaca proposes to do anything about the State13
alignment of the '-d. State Street bridge, the City would have to act as a 'funited
frontt'. For this reason the present meeting was called. Pending its organization,
a "united front'? would be presented to the State in opposition to its plans for the
?Vest State Street bridge. Othervlrise no action ,would be taken on the part of the
City, expressing acceptance of State plans.
At this point Hir. Carpenter requested Assistant Planner Gregory Kasprzak to ex-
plain the plans prepared by the City's Planning Office and indicate ih ere they dif-
fer from the plans prepared by the State office. Fir. Kasprzak first explained how
the Staters alignment of the bridge accepted the alignment of ;fest State Street at
more or less the existing angle. If such an alignment were accepted, ',J. Buffalo St.
would have to either be dead ended or join .Vest State Street at a difficult angle
and its location in relation to the new bridge would be rather precarious. In addi-
tion the arterial route 96, at its presently proposed future location, would further
complicate the situation by having to cross 'T. Buffalo and W. State Streets on the
east side of the Flood Channel. The junction of all these streets and highways
would tend to slow down the traffic and make access and exit extremely difficult.
The City'o Planning Office proposal was relatively simple, and would function without
confusion. The proposal was to realign the east abutment of the Flood Bridge with
W. Buffalo Street xhile the west abutment would remain in relatively the same loca-
tion as proposed by the State. When route 96 is constructed, its location would
remain as in State's proposal, resulting in one 90° intersection at T. Buffalo Street
and then gently curving into '.J. State Street. This proposal would permit easy flaw
of traffic in north-south and east-west directions and generally give a better traffic
distribution to '"(est Hill residents and northward to Trumansburg. Mr. Greenwald, by
way of explanation, enumerated the advantages of future traffic flows between, Cornell
University, Ithaca Festival Site, 'Test Hill and Southwards toward Elmira and Route 96.
In the discussion that followed, members of the Special Committee expressed their
thoughts on the situation in question. Mr. Hull opposed sending the delegation to
the State, since this, in his view,tirJould delay the construction of the Flood Channel
endangering the whole area in case of a flood similar to that in 1935. Mr. Dingman
supported Mr. Hull's point of view since, he said, he recently visited the State's
Department of Public ''Torks Office at Syracuse and was convinced that nothing could
be done to change the State's mind on the subject of the bridge. In addition, in his
opinion, Dir. Dingman said, the problem of Route 96 and 7. Buffalo Street can be resol-
ved later since the State's proposal calls for Route 96 to join 17. State Street at a
different level. This, he reasoned, would allow the east-west traffic to flow freely
without interupting the north-south movement.
Messrs. Stallman, Carpen er, Smith and Niederkorn voiced support for the Cityts
solution to the problem, especially in a long range aspect. They also upheld the
suggestion, from the Assistant Planner, that this vlras the latest any action could be
taken before the bridge contract is let, possibly in November 1966, Further, they
advised that all the merits and drawbacks should be considered before voting on
action to be undertaken.
The decision resulting from the votes taken was to accept the State's proposa1
as presented to the City.
Mr. Stallman thanked everybody for participation and for their gentlemanly
approach to the problem. The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p. m.
l
Gr2gory Kasprzak
Assistant Planner
10.5.66 - 2