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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1967-09-20 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca, N.Y. Regular Meeting September 20, 1967 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Vice Chairman Nordheimer, Messrs. Alo, Feldt, Parkes and Schmidt. ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, City Engineer Schlieder, Mrs. Barclay Jones, South Hill Civic Association; Mrs. Agd6` Osborne;- Citiztns Advisory Committee; and member of the press. ABSENT: Chairman Stallman and Mr. Carpenter. MEETING called to order at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES of the last regular meeting, August 30, 1967, were accepted as published. COMMUNICATIONS: A. Letter from Regional Water Resources - Mr. Kasprzak read a notice from E. Abbott, Chairman of the Cayuga Lake Basin Regional Water Resources Planning and Development Board, informing the Planning Board of a public meeting on results of a Flood Plan Information Report on the shoreline of Cayuga Lake recently completed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. The meeting will be held on September 28, 1967 at 2:00 p.m. in the Tompkins County Courthouse. After a brief discussion, the Board directed Mr. Kasprzak to attend the meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Codes and Ordinances - 1. Review of residential structures within I-1 zoning classification. As a result of a communication from the Building Department which was presented at the last meeting of the Board, and a letter from Mr. R. Hildreth, 321 N. Fulton Street, dated August 31, 1967, the Committee met and reviewed the request for consideration of Industrial classification require- ments as pertaining to existing residential structures. The Committee recommended that the definition of Industrial classification not be changed, that rezoning of the area in question not be considered, and that future requests on the non- conformity or exceptions in the I-1 classification for residential structures be referred to the Board of Zoning Appeals for consideration. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "to adopt the Committee Report." Seconded by Mr. Parkes. CARRIED by 3 (three) yes votes, 2 (two) no votes. Yes votes by: Schmidt, Nordheimer, Parkes. No votes by: Alo, Feldt (Mr. Feldt's no vote pertained mainly to the part two, rezoning of the area in question. ) In other matters the Committee recommends that; due to minimal response on the Rezoning of Inlet Valley area, presently under consideration by the Council and Planning Board, letters be sent to all individuals located in the area. This would hopefully provide sufficient feedback to assist the Planning Board in making final recommendations to the Common Council. Some hesitation was expressed as to the amount of money to be expended for mailing approximately- 500 letters and maps. Therefore, reconsideration of this matter was suggested by the Board. B. General Plan and Capital Improvements Com-ittee - 1968-1973 Planning Board Projects. Mr. Schmidt presented the Committee Report of proposed Capital Improve- ment Projects for the 1968-1973 Program (copy filed) as submitted by the General Plan and Capital Improvement Committee after review of the items. Mr. Schmidt expressed concern as to time element in estimating project costs. Mr. Feldt MOVED, "to approve the Committee Report." Seconded by Mr. Alo. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS: A. Downtown Parking Study - Mr. Parkes gave an account of the progress of the parking study since the last reporting. Two meetings have been held since then. The applicability;of city zoning was discussed. The following suggestions were reviewed as possible solutions to the parking problem: 1) abolish retail area parking requirements, 2) the city may consider building and operating parking garages, 3) the city may build and lease parking garages to the retail store owners, 4) assess retail owners for city built parking facility, and 5) create a city parking authority. A trip was made to Elmira, N. Y. to observe "Midtown Plaza and Centertown" parking projects which are leased to merchants who make them free to their customers who are spending a certain amount in their stores. A trip has been scheduled to be made in the near future to Cortland, N. Y. to inquire into the parking solutions in downtown areas. Mr. Schmidt expressed concern over the number of gas stations permitted within the city and the number of parking spaces curb cuts absorb to permit access to these stations, also suggested that a study be conducted to clarify this situation. Mr. Parkes stated that the DeLeuw, Cather and Associates Engineer's study of 1964 has been re-examined and found that 300 additional parking spaces will be needed on top of regular Zoning Ordinance requirement. Since that time the number, due to new construction, has increased to approximately 400 parking spaces needed to meet the demand for the downtown area. B. Wood Street Park - Mr. Kasprzak reported on his trip to New York City for .the purpose of inquiring about federal and state aid and he now has sufficient information that he can proceed with the final application. He also read context of a letter from the Ithaca Board of Education dated August 29, 1967 which makes the purchase of the park by the city an imperative action. "The Board of Education is placing its property at the corner of Wood and Meadow Streets on the open market. The school district wishes to give the City of Ithaca an opportunity to preserve this open land for recreational purposes should the City wish to purchase the property at the going market rate-. If the City does not wish to exercise this right, the property will be put up at a non-restricted public auction." -2 At the present time the City holds in the city attorney's office an option to purchase the Wood Street property. The Board urian-,mously supported filing the applications and purchasing the property for the city's use. STAFF REPORTS: A. Current projects in the office - Mr. Kasprzak reported on the projects currently underway in the departnent: 1. Community Renewal Program 2. Rezoning of the West End part of the city 3. Land use study 4. Capital Improvement Program 5. Economic Impact study of the Inlet Park Development 6. Neighborhood Analysis study MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:00 p.m. Y2 . t Gregory Kasprzak Planning Director 9.29.67