HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1967-03-27 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS
City of Ithaca, N.Y.
Regular Meeting March 27, 1967 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Vice-chairman Nordheimer; Messrs. Carpenter, Feldt, Parkes, Schmidt and
Alo.
ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, Superintendent of Department of Public Works
Dingman, Building Commissioner Van Marter, Director of Ithaca Housing
Authority Mrs. Blanchard, Mrs. A. Osborn, Citizens Advisory Council, Cory
and Virginia Millican, South Hill Civic Association, Jerry Langdon, Ithaca
Journal and Bud Garrity, WTKO.
MEETING called to order at 7:35 p.m.
MINUTES of the last regular meeting, February 27, 1967 were approved with the following
correction; delete the word "financial" from Mr. Schmidt's suggestion in the Codes and
Ordinances Committee Report (page 1).
C014MUNICATIONS:
1. Letter to Mayor Johns - Mr. Feldt read a letter to Mayor Johns regarding the action
he took with reference to the Planning Director's participation at the ASPO conference
at Houston, Texas. This trip was approved by the Planning Board at the last meeting.
A short discussion, on subjects of such trip, and whether the letter, signed by all
board members, should be sent to the mayor, or whether this matter should be discussed
with the mayor before the letter is dispatched, was held. Mr. Schmidt MOVED: "that a
meeting with Mayor Johns be arranged before the letter is signed and dispatched to him."
Seconded by Mr. Carpenter. CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Codes and Ordinances - a) Hudson Heights - Mrs. Nordheimer explained that the
project has been approved in principle at the October 31,. 1966 meeting of the Planning
Board and all that is required at this time is a review of the proposal and its com-
pliance with the conditions attached at last approval. The developer is proposing to
construct a caretakers' residence as indicated on the previously and currently sub-
mitted plans. There being no disagreement with the requirements of A.D.D. stipulations
of the Zoning Ordinance, Mr. Parkes MOVED: "that the request be approved as submitted."
Seconded by Mr. Feldt. CARRIED.
b) Parking requirements - The problem of compliance with parking needs in downtown area
has been explained by the committee chairman. The present zoning ordinance did not
conceive of retail stores of the magnitude proposed by Urban Renewal Agency; therefore
it has been suggested, as a corrective measure, that the ordinance restrictions be
suspended in the Urban Renewal I area. This then would be replaced by an experimental
arrangement upon the termination of which it would be possible to determine a new set
of parking requirements for a development of retail floor areas larger than those
commonly met in the downtown Ithaca area. A discussion revealed that such experiment
has many drawbacks and that the matter be studied further. Mr. Feldt MOVED: "that
this matter be referred back to the committee for further study and indication of
methods for solution of this problem. Further, a report on the De Leuw, Cather &
Company study be presented at the next Blahning Board meeting.`' Seconded by Mr. Schmidt.
CARRIED.
2. General Plan & Redeyelo)pment,;.;� ,$ale of Land. at Giles Street - Mr. Feldt reported that
Mr. D. J. Lucente reque6tea, through a letter to the Common Council which was then re-
ferred to the Planning Board, that lott 608, 702 and 704 Giles Street, also property
behind 705 Giles Street be offered for sale at a public auction. The committee has
reviewed the request and recommended against the sale of the above properties. (See
report dated 3.20.67. ) Mr. Van Marter explained that Mr. Lucente would require these
properties to comply with the zoning ordinance for the already constructed nine (9)
apartments at 708 Giles Street. Mr. Feldt MOVED: tPthat the request be denied and
that the committee report be sent to the Council explaining the reasons for such action."
Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
1: Consolidation of Departments in the City Hall - Mrs. Nordheimer explained that in
recent months considerable thought has been given to the need for coordination and
more direct line of communication between related departments in the City Hall to
provide smoothly functioning administrative structure. For this reason the proposal
before the Planning Board has been formulated as one of the methods to achieve a
coordinated and comprehensive city administration. This type of coordinated effort
will appraise present and future needs of the community and suggest ways of meeting
these needs.
The proposal under consideration suggests that the departments of Planning, Urban
Renewal and Housing Authority, also the Office of Building Commissioner, be placed under
one administrative head who in turn would be responsible to the major and the Common
Council.
The members present fully supported the proposal and suggested that further thought
be given to this matter by the board members. Mr. Alo did not support the proposal and
totally disassociated himself from further consideration of this matter. To insure
futther consideration and wider appraisal the proposal would be forwarded to the members
of the Common Council, the Administrative Counselors and the Committee studying
efficiency in the city administration.
STAFF REPORTS:
1. Building Commissions - Mr. Van Marter stated that his main concern at the present
time is the accommodation of new structures in the Urban Renewal Area under stipulations
of the existing zoning ordinance. He .urged that the problems of reviewing the zoning
ordinance be given higher priority.
2. Superintendent of Public Works - Mr. Dingman informed the Board that the flood
project is progressing smoothly and that the contract for the bridge over the flood
channel at W. State Street will be let soon. Other projects which are presently under-
way in the department are: widening of Dryden Road, parking needs in the Urban Renewal
area, etc. Mr. Schmidt requested information on the situation of the bridge at
Taughannock Boulevard and the status of the park road in the proposed Lake Shore Park.
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The matter of the bridge has not as yet been resolved and it would appear, at the
present time, that the city would have to construct the bridge. The matter of the
park road has been temporarily resolved through construction of the roadway in the
RR loop area and since it is not a concrete roadway it does not preclude a future
construction of more permanent park road as designed by the planning consultant.
3. Ithaca Housing Authority - Mrs. Blanchard reported that the Development Program
has been approved by the Federal Government and that the Authority is proceeding to
acquire the site for the housing project. Further, the Authority is considering; a
"Turnkey" proposal and will soon bring it before the Planning Board for its considera-
tion.
46 Planning Board - Mrs. Nordheimer spoke about a possibility of applying for the
CRP funds to make an inventory of the physical condition of the city. Then Pair.
Kasprzak referred to the projects presently being worked on in the office:
a) Capital Improvements - This is in final stages of preparation for the Council's
approval.
b) Mood Street Park - This requires a final review and submission to the State for
funds.
c) MacDaniels Park- This is also in the final stages of the negotiations for the
transfer of the land to the city.
d) B.O.R. - Planning staff, in conjunction with the consultant, are finalizing the
application for the Federal funds, to be used in the development of the Lake Shore
Park.
e) Urban Renewal project - Downtown II - This is slowly proceeding towards final
stages before presentation to the Board and then the Council.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:35 p.m.
Gregory Kasprzak
Planning Director
3.27.67
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