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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1968-02-24 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca Regular Meeting February 24 1968 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman Schmidt, Vice Chairman Reps, Mrs. Margaret Hamilton, Mrs. Anne Jones, Messrs. Korf, Parkes and Putney. ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, City Engineer Schlieder, Building Commissioner Van Marter, F. Baldwin, Atty. S. Tsapis, J. Gallagher, P. Noun, G. Weeks, S. Weeks, F. Schwartz, M. Mohn, D. Deutsche, G. Jacobs, J. Goldman, B. Lee, T. Monroe, Ithaca Journal City Editor J. Langdon, W.H.C.U. representative D. Stewart and W.T.K.O. representative M. Davis. MEETING called to order at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES of the last regular meeting, on January 17, 1968, were approved as submitted. Chairman Schmidt read a letter of resignation from Mr. Allen Feldt which was accepted with regrets. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Kasprzak read the following: 1. a letter addressed to Mayor Kiely from Ithaca Enterprises relative to authorization of utilization of Southwest Park area as an industrial recreation site. He recommended, and the Board agreed, that the letter be transmitted to the Housing and Redevelopment Committee for their consideration. 2. a letter received by him from Assemblywoman Cook in which she expressed her interest and views regarding proposed rezoning of the Inlet Valley area which had been the subject of some discussion a few months ago. Chairman Schmidt requested that Mr. Kasprzak respond to the letter. 3. a communication from Bureau of Census, U. S. Department of Commerce, in response to his request for inclusion of Ithaca in the 1970 block statistics program. The letter provided information regarding participation in the program, costs, etc. and outlined the conditions of the contract. Mr. Reps stated his belief that it is extremely important that the City of Ithaca acquire the desired block statistics and after a brief discussion, Mr. Reps MOVED "that the Board recommend to Common Council City of Ithaca participation in the Program." Unanimously CARRIED. 4. letter which he received from New York State Office of Planning Coordination in response to a request by a member of his staff for information on available grants- in-aid to communities for the development of a comprehensive plan and related studies. The reply sounded very encouraging and advised that there is a District Office in Syracuse to which the request is being referred and that we can contact them for further assistance if we wish. Chairman Schmidt directed Mr. Kasprzak to pursue the matter further and report back to the Board. 5. a response from Brisson/Haverty Associates, Inc. , Washington, D.C. , parking consultants, to whom he had written, requesting a copy of their latest brochure on parking needs and solutions. Mr. Parkes commented that he would like to look it over. 6. a letter from General Electric Company responding to his request for per- mission to preview the presentation "Municipal Myopia" in order to determine its suitability for the needs of Ithaca and the feasibility of purchasing the sound-slide show. They offer a 48-hour preview privilege for $12.50 which is deductible from the purchase price of $60.00 should the Board decide to purchase the show. Mrs. A. Jones MOVED "to send for the material on approval basis." Seconded by Mr. Putney. 7. a request from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) requesting submission of our application for Stage #2. Mr. Kasprzak informed the Board that he, J. Parkes and T. Niederkorn plan to meet on Thursday evening, February 22, in order to work toward completion of. the application. This item was given "top priority." COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Planning Board - Committee of the Whole: A memorandum to the Planning Board from the Committee of the Whole (filed in the Committee file) regarding the request for rezoning of the CYO property was read by Chairman Schmidt Tho then asked if there should be a motion, or discussion, and how the Board should thereafter proceed. Mr. Reps MOVED "to adopt the report and the resolution of the Committee of the Whole." The resolution was as follows: "The Committee of the Whole, of the Planning Board, recommends that the land now owned by Ithaca Catholic Activities, Inc. be not rezoned and that the Planning Board recommend to the Common Council that the City purchase the aforesaid land." Seconded by Mr. Korf. Mr. Kasprzak attempted to present a portion of the letters from the fifth grade class of the North East School but was interrupted by Atty. Tsapis who requested that facts from the closed meeting of the Committee of the Whole be presented, including costs to the City, as well as cost to the city for development of the particular project which his client has proposed to construct on the property in question. Chairman Schmidt replied that the Board would explore the questions asked and answer them one by one. i In response to the request received from Common Council, at the previous meeting of the Board that the Planning Board reconsider the matter and report back to them, Mr. Reps suggested submitting to the Council the Planning Board's recommendation, answering their questions item by item and appending the memorandum from the Committee of the Whole with a dollar figure of the costs, explaining that its in- corporation reflects an estimate only, and does not include costs for an interchange at Dey Street or a figure for annual additional operating expenses which the City " Would incur. pp,, k In reference to item 3 of the memorandum, Mr. Schlieder, City Engineer, said he would anticipate income returnable to the city in the form of taxes which would re- duce the cost factor. h` ij 2 b hZZ I N' Mr. Reps explained that the Committee of the Whole considered and acted accordingly because of their findings and he suggested revision of, or addition to certain items of the memorandum as follows: 1. Revise item 3 of memo to read: "additional turning and crossing movements by vehicles to, from and across Route 13 would create a minor traffic hazard and would reduce substantially the capacity of the highway at the Dey Street intersection." 2. Add new item 5: "the value of maintaining this site as open land as a buffer to the bird sanctuary to the north or as a potential addition to the recreational facilities now provided at the Municipal Golf Course." y 3. Revise present item 5 to become item 6: "if the City decides to purchase the property, then Federal funds could be sought; however, this might limit (, the use of the land to recreational or open space only." J Mr. Parkes recommended revision of wording of item 4 of the memorandum to read: "marina-oriented commercial or recreational." Mr. Reps stated that the Board has a responsibility to Common Council; Atty. Tsapis maintained that the responsibility is to the community: Dr. John Schwartz, C.U. , asked what the procedure is of recommendation to ! Common Council. Perry Noun, Ithaca College, asked opinion regarding item 1 of the memorandum, if the adjacent recreational use meant the bird sanctuary and contended that the sanctuary is not adjacent to the property. It was explained to him that the property acts as a buffer zone to the bird sanctuary, Mr. Weeks, graduate student of ornithology laboratory at C.U. , observed that the laboratory had a similar problem-"of disturbances from nearby housing--even though a fence of chain-link and barbed-wire had been erected and poison ivy is present, it is still impossible to keep children, dogs and cats out. He further stated that he believed the property in question had been set aside by the city as far back as 1913 for wild life area. Mr. Korf observed that a difference exists between residential population of children and the ones who come to Stewart Park at certain times of the year. Dr. Schwartz asked what a "buffer zonet1 is and it was explained that, as applies to this discussion, it is an area between a high-density area and a recreation area. Mr. Noun asked for further discussion of items 3 and 5 of the memorandum. Mr. Schlieder answered that item 3 refers to children going to schools who would have ;E to cross Rt. 13---if the entire area east of Pier Rd. and Rt. 1.3 were recommended for rezoning, he could possibly agree to the high expenditure by the city; however, he 1 doesn't feel the proposed development warrants the expenditure, In order to get to school, children would need to come to Dey St. as the possibility of crossing Rt. 13 i at any other place is unlikely; and New York State is set against this sort of thing. Regarding item 5, he said a swimming pool might be considered for this area. ;II 3 Mr. Reps agreed the proposed development would create a traffic hazard, that accidents would increase if the property were rezoned to permit a high-density development. Mr. Noun asked if a possibility of a compromise exists, V' Mr. Gallagher stated he wished to go on record as agreeing with Atty. Tsapis. He feels the next time he comes to a Board meeting where everything is predetermined, he doubts he will come to another meeting of this type. He requested a copy of the recommendations. Mr. Reps asked him if his attitude would be different if the Matter had been tossed to a committee of three instead of the Committee of the Whole. Mr, Gallagher answered that he didn't think there was sufficient time to talk to three people. Mr. Reps repeated his question but received no answer. f. Chairman Schmidt observed that the Committee was volunteering their time and services and that they attempted to do the best possible job, Atty, Tsapis replied that the Planning Board has a duty to the community, not only to Common Council, and that he opposes closed meetings. is t E; Mrs. Mohn said she believes the buffer zone is necessary to the sanctuary. Chairman Schmidt asked, if there were no further comments from the committee, that they vote. Motion CARRIED unanimously. 2. Housing & Redevelo went Committee: Mr. Kasprzak read a memo from Ithaca Housing Authority requesting the Board to hold a Special Meeting sometime between February 27 (date of Special Session of the Authority) and March 6 (Common Council Meeting) to consider and act on the proposal for Turnkey Housing on Coddi,ngton Rd. and asked what action the Board wished him to take. Mr. Schmidt said a public meeting of the Planning Board is required and added that an open meeting and public hearing are not the same. After an open meeting, recommendation is put to a vote again. During discussion, the question was asked, if the City doesn't wish to complete Turnkey proposal, can it sell or get rid of it, and it was determined that the Housing Authority has control over it. There is a provision that it can be sold to occupants; however, the policy is established by Housing Authority, not by the tenant. Mr. Schmidt said, assuming there is reason for the Planning Director to think the Board should meet, he will so inform the Board. It was decided Wednesday would be the best date if a meeting were decided upon. Mr. Reps asked if it were appropriate to inquire about McGraw Housing Inc, plans or if it would eventually come to the Board. Mr. Schmidt reported that a meeting had been held on Tuesday evening at which Messrs. Meyers and Hershberg spoke. McGraw Housing Inc. proposed a 4--story structure which would house 50 units. This proposal was not economically feasible. Through Mr. Meyers, a proposal was developed, doubling the density to 100 units, which would be economically feasible for this site, There- fore, McGraw Housing, Inc. wish to submit the proposed new concept of this structure to their Board and get their approval before presenting it to the Planning Board for study. 4 The new proposal is for a 10-story high-rise structure. Present zoning allows 4 stories. An architectural drawing is required before consideration can be given to it. The State would like to see this project started and will become 100% mortgager. Similar highs-rise structures have been erected in several other locali- ties in the State and work out very well. Mr. Baldwin recommended visiting a couple of these. Mr. Reps would like an opinion from the Fire Chief, and recommends scrutinizing high-rise very carefully. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Street Plan for Common Council's Request: Mr. Kasprzak read the request from Common Council for a street plan for present and future use of city streets. Mr. Schmidt directed Mr. Kasprzak to prepare the street plan, including underdeveloped West Hill. Mr. Reps asked if anything official had been received on highways proposed to - the State Park Commission and was told there was none. Mr. Reps commented that the State Department of Public Works operates in a remarkably offensive way, and that it is difficult to understand their procedure. MISCELLANEOUS: Mrs. Jones inquired as to what areas had been considered for designation by Council for beautification this summer by the boys under the Youth ,Bureau Program. Mr. Putney remarked that 6 Mile Creek needs attention. Mrs. Hamilton inquired about a bicycle path to Buttermilk Fells and was informed that it is not possible. Mr. Reps asked concerning the Urban Renewal plan (behind the Woolworth Building) for 6 Mile Creek and was told by Mr. Schmidt that these plans had not been changed and directed Mrs. Jones to check this with Mr. Daly, Mr. Korf said he would recommend 6 Mile Creek for attention. MEETING ADJOURNED at 10 p.m. / r' Gregory Kasprzak Planning Director 2.2868 S