HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1967-05-24 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS
City of Ithaca, N. Y.
Regular Meeting May 24, 1967 7:30 p.m.
(postponed from 5/17/67)
PRESENT: Chairman Stallman, Mrs. Nordheimer, Messrs. Carpenter, Schmidt, and
Alo.
ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, City Controller Russell, S. Mitchell,
Planning Staff; Mrs. Agda Osborne, Citizens' Advisory Committee;
Mrs. Barclay Jones, South Hill Civic Association; Mr. Roger Patch,
President of 89 Lumber Co. and Jerry Langdon, Ithaca Journal.
MEETING called to order at 7:35 p.m.
MINUT' S of the last regular meeting, April 24, 1967, were approved as prepared.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Codes and Ordinances - 1. Rezoning of 500 Block of North Meadow Street -
Mrs. Nordheimer, after reading the Committee Report, explained the prepared
maps on the area in question. She referred to existing land use and general
pattern presently developing, and this basically is: intra-city commercial
use stretching from West to East and inter-city running from North to South
within the city limits. The inter-city uses generally follow a heavy type of
development, i.e. warehousing on the North side and larger commercial and
automotive on the South side. The East-West use follows a smaller commercial
type services. Further, Mrs. Nordheimer explained that the Planning Staff and
Codes and Ordinances Committee are presently working on the zoning recommenda-
tions for the whole Inlet Valley area. Mrs. Nordheimer then MOVED: "that the
Planning Board recommend to the Common Council against rezoning at this time.
However, pending further work by the Planning Staff, the zoning recommendations
will be submitted to the Planning Board by the next meeting and Common Council
by July 5, 1967 meeting." Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED.
2. Clarification to Section 13 of Zoning Ordinance - Mrs. Nordheimer referred
to a memo from Building Commissioner requesting a review of the presently con-
fusing Paragraph 1 of Section 13 of the Zoning Ordinance. This generally refers
to responsibility for fines and penalty for violations on any premises and whose
responsibility should it be. Mrs. Nordheimer MOVED "that the Committee recommend,
with the approval of the Planning Board, that this matter be referred to the City
Attorney for clarification and suggestion that the word "tenant" be retained in
the wording of the Ordinance." Seconded by Mr. Carpenter. CARRIED.
3. Underground Utilities - This item was not included in the Committee Report
and no action is expected by this Board at this time. However, this matter has
been discussed at the Committee level and Mrs. Nordheimer requested that the
Planning Board as a whole give the Matter some thought. She then proceeded to
explain that in future subdivisions and any other type of construction, utilities
should be placed underground and this if possible, should be made a part of City
Ordinances. She also suggested that the companies supplying utilities within
the City should be contacted and the matter of placing utilities underground
further explored.
B. General Plan and Capital Improvements Committee - Sale of Property in the
Flood Channel Project Area - Mr. Schmidt read the Committee Report of May 22,
1967 to be found in the Committee file. Mrs. Nordheimer MOVED: "that the report
be adopted as read." Seconded. by Mr. Carpenter. A short discussion developed
on the method by which the City disposes of the land it owns. It has been
suggested to Mr. Patch who is interested in purchasing some of the city land
that he contact the City Attorney for the possible leasing of the equivalent
land taken from him by the Flood Channel Project. CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Urban Renewal Downtown II - Planning Director explained the status of the
project, Downtown II; also he added that Mayor Johns urged that the matter be
given first priority since the delay in completing this project is of some
concern to him. Mr. Kasprzak further suggested that a contract be negotiated
with a consultant on completion of this project in conjunction with the City
Planning Staff. Discussion that developed centered on who the consultant
should be. Should the Planning Board continue to hire the consultant that it
did on previous occasions or should a change be made at this time? It has
been concluded that the firm of Egner and Neiderkorn Associates, Inc. be re-
tained to complete the project since they are more familiar with it than a
completely new consultant would be. Mr. Schmidt MOVED: "that a contract for the
preparation of the survey and application for the Urban Renewal Downtown II be
negotiated between the City and the firm of Egner and Neiderkorn Associates Inc.
This contract to be negotiated so that the above survey and application be
executed by the City Planning Staff in conjunction with the said firm. The rate
of charge, for the service by the above firm, to be as approved by the City's
Common Council at the last meeting, May 3, 1967." Seconded by Mr. Carpenter.
CARRIED.
B. "MacDaniels" Park - Planning Director explained that an offer of sale of
about 2 acres of land for the token sum of $1.00 has been made in writing by
Mrs. Frances C. MacDaniels and that this offer requires Council's approval. The
Board members expressed satisfaction that the matter has finally been brought
to partial conclusion. It has been suggested that a letter be sent to MacDaniels
family expressing gratitude for the offer of the above land for use as
neighborhood pare. Also, a letter should be sent to the Council recommending
approval of the offer.
NEW BUSINESS:
Administrative Reorganization - Planning Director informed the Board that in
conversation with the departments of Urban Renewal, Ithaca Housing Authority
and Building Commissioner's office, the matter of said reorganization should
at this time be laid aside due to the fa.r+. tl,?.t G,a-c reoraa.rization would re-
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quire charter changes. Since this was not possible at this time, the matter
was postponed until such time as such change can be effectuated. In the interim
it has been suggested that all the departmental heads, in City Administration,
meet on a monthly basis to discuss and resolve any matters before them which
then would lead to smoother functioning of all departments in the City Hall.
The City Controller added that in the last two months a more satisfactory
cooperation has developed between the Planning Department and other City functions.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Summer Employment - Planning Director informed the Board that Mr. Courtney Riordon,
a student from Cornell, will not be able to take summer employment with the
Planning Board as approved by the Planning Board at the January 23rd meeting.
However, in his place he suggested that Mr. Gordon Jacobs be appointed in this
position at the same hourly rate. The Planning Board had no objection to this
change. Further he explained that Mr. Bill Giezentanner, a part--time employee,
will not stay with us during the summer. Therefore, it was suggested that Miss
Barbara Boyd who applied for employment be offered the summer position at an hourly
rate not to exceed $2.77 per hour. Preferably a lower rate should be offered.
Miss Boyd is a Cornell student at Environmental Housing, the College of Home
Economics. Mr. Alo MOVED: "that Planning Director be given the authority to
negotiate the hourly rate with Miss Boyd." Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:05 p.m.
gregory Kasprzak
Planning Director
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