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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. 2 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 3