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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1968-03-20 MEMORANDUM 8 MIT: i0cm-mmmity Applicatima W.-, rlasnnLing 'Board, xei�ers 7 Pal t plommair Direetor ):)Mq,p z march ".8, x,968 Enclosed iv a draft of the CSP applicetion for the City of Xthmrm, which, If aT .,);c.oved by this Board, will be -submIf ted. to the Council :?w approval and it mss be subml-Vced then 'to. the Ff--derma CYvFeYrmm-Zwr, fvm- their mnnidQration. Pleasp� look it over, aad if you have arly, que-ations or polvvb2 ;bat mig]hi: have to be clarified, please bring thm up at the rnaecing of the Boa-Td vhep this progrwa will be d.iecussed® PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca Regular Meeting March 20, 1968 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman Schmidt, Vice Chairman Reps, Mrs. Margaret Hamilton, Mrs. Anne Jones, Messrs. Korf, Parkes and Putney. ALSO: Mayor Kiely; Urban Renewal Administrator R. Daley and members of staff, H. S. Brown, D. Teichman and M. Kreisky; City Engineer H. Schlieder; Alderman R. Nordheimer; Atty. D. Boardman Lee, Jaycee representative, R. Clayton; F. Baldwin; E.O.C. representative G. Shaeffer, P. Dubois, T. Jones, Rev. Johnson; students R. Cannon, J. Williams and J. Goldman; Ithaca Journal City Editor J. Langdon and W.H.C.U. representative D. Stewart; and Gregory Kasprzak, Planning Director. MEETING called to order at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES of the last regular meeting, on February 2, 1968, were approved as submitted. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 1. Mayor Kiely addressed the group, saying he hoped for expedient action on two items, or at least some gesture from the Board indicating they concur, a. regarding the existing parking situation on 99 block of Cayuga Street (Atlantic and Mobil proposals). b. relative to using urban renewal as a means of improving the way of life for citizens--to upgrade homes, or to make money available to citizens at a low rate of interest to permit them to do the job themselves. He cited, for example, the area of Clinton and Corn Streets and Cleveland Avenue. He said that HUD required that suitable housing be provided for the residents while rehabilitation is in progress, and also they would prefer the work be expanded to take in a larger area, such as that bounder} by Court, Meadow, Corn Streets and Six Mile Creek. Aided by Urban Renewal Director R. Daley, he displayed maps showing the extent of blight in the area under discussion and that it is beginning to encroach on sound housing. The maps were prepared from the 1960 Census and updated by the windshield survey method for the purpose of showing what conditions are and to provide a guide to determine the nature of the problems. Common Council heard a rent control petition earlier in the month and indicated a definite interest in this area. The Planning Board was asked to prepare an application for federal funds for use in this area to learn exactly what the needs are. Mr. Daly feels the majority of the buildings will be rehabilitated rather than demolished. He asked that staff provide him with a per- centage figure of owner occupied versus tenant occupied dwellings. The Planning Board chairman thanked the Mayor and offered to consider the items at next Board meeting. 2. Attorney D. Boardman Lee addressed the Board on the subject of planning, asking what the citizens of the City of Ithaca have to show for the Planning Board's last 20 years of work and what is planned for the future. He suggested "Beautification" as an idea for consideration, which he believes, if adopted and properly promoted, would be the answer. Seven items which he called attention to are (a) the lack of a city forrester and the need to plant trees in the city, (b) the unsightliness of utility poles and the desirability of their being placed underground, (c) concern over lack of attention to city dump, (d) inadequate number of city parks, (e) railroad turn- around, (f) annexation of surrounding territories (Cayuga Heights), and (g) the need for new City Charter. Mr. Parkes advanced the information that he had written to HUD regarding funds to be' used for beautification. He also said that Ithaca's capital program includes $2,000,000 of projects which will be contributive directly or indirectly to this cause and could be considered as beautification program for which Federal financial assistance could be sought. Attorney Lee suggested reading the publication "Junkyards, Geraniums, Juris- prudence." 3. Chairman Schmidt asked if there were others present who wished to speak. A question and answer period followed: Paul Dubois said it is ludicrous to suggest reconstruction clearance in the Collegetown area. Robert Cannon asked what role Cornell University is playing in the redevelopment pro- grams and if they are contributing. He was told that Cornell University loaned money for use in the development of the downtown area (which fell through). Tom Jones, resident and student, wondered if additional money is available for low- income housing and asked why plans have not been carried out for con- struction of 80 units for which the money is available. Mayor Kiely answered that the Housing Authority has given assurance that they will immediately find places to build the 80 units. They have agreed to reconsider South Hill. Mr. Korf said that 36 units were proposed by the developer for South Hill, which was turned down because members of the South Hill Civic Association were unhappy about it. This would account for a portion of the 80 units for which the Housing Authority is still looking for sites. Mr. Jones then asked for permission to attend the meetings of the Housing Authority. Janet Williams, student, asked what the Housing Authority will do in the future if the suggested sites continue to be turned down, and was told the city cannot move ahead with the program unless places are found for the people who will be displaced while the rehabilitation program is being carried out. Mayor Kiely said the Housing and Planning people came out with inde- pendent surveys indicating that an additional 81 units are needed. The surveys were run by two separate bodies, therefore are believed to be accurate. 2 Rev. Johnson (South Side), asked if the housing is intended as rentals only, or if the citizens will be permitted to buy them. Mr. Daley answered that Turnkey housing will be available for purchase but the others will not. Jack Goldman, student, stated that according to discussion at South Side House, 51% of- existing land is now owned by Cornell University and is tax-exempt and asked why the city doesn't approach Cornell University for a site for housing. Mr. Parkes told him that Cornell University has no open land within the city. Janet Williams wished to know the approximate number of sites available and why the South Hill Civic Association has anything to do with it. Chairman Schmidt explained that traffic control is impossible with high-density problems. if Paul Dubois asked why the Building Code is not enforced and/it is being changed. Mr. Kasprzak told him the Code is being enforced right now, then asked if penalty is punishable at all. Mr. Nordheimer said it has been suggested to the Codes and Ordinance Committee of the Common Council that the Building Commissioner wants certain aspects of the Code up- dated. Regarding enforcement, the Building staff is limited to one commissioner, his deputy and three inspectors, and he admitted that if the prosecutor's office doesn't want to enforce it, the Building Commissioner is left frustrated. At the end of the discussion, Chairman Schmidt expressed thanks to the citizens for attending the meeting and participating in the discussion. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Kasprzak read the following: 1. a letter from W. Ronald Clayton, Vice President of the Jaycees, offering a donation of a kiosk adjacent to the Tompkins County Library, and requesting, if approved by the Planning Board, a letter to this effect giving recommendations for finalizing the undertaking. Mr. Clayton then presented a model of a kiosk, designed by Robert Boehleoke, design of which isn't final. Discussion followed relative to location, cost, care, etc. of the kiosk. Mr. Putney MOVED, 10approval in principle, assuming approval by the Library Association and architect." Seconded by Mr. Parkes. CARRIED. 2. a letter from E. E. Towlson, District Engineer for New York State Department of Transportation asking for clarification of a proposed street (extension of Park Street) and stating his office needed the information in order to progress their study of the relocation of Route 96 through the City of Ithaca. John Reps asked if we have any information regarding the State's plans and said the city should demand the same kind of information as furnished to other bodies who have been made aware of plans which affect the city. Mr. Kasprzak answered that we have never had any feedbacks from the state office. Mr. Reps asked what the city's obligation is and said he thinks the reply to Mr. Towlson's letter should be very tart. 3, He believes Mayor Kiely should approach the district office, then Albany. He further said the state's attitude is unacceptable, that we should prepare our plan, then be prepared to fight for it. Mr. Reps MOVED, "to request Mayor Kiely to extend invitation to District Engineer to explain to the City of Ithaca bodies the status of their proposals." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. Mr. Reps also suggested that the Board enlist the aid of Tom Niederkorn and perhaps Oliver Winston, to help with a traffic plan. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Codes and Ordinances Committee a. Mr. Kasprzak read a letter from Robert R. Brill, Manager of the Cooperative Consumer's Society, requesting the re-zoning of the 400 block of Center Street to B-2 classification as they own a couple of properties in the block and wish to expand their off-street parking facilities. There are seven houses in the block zoned R-3, one house facing Titus Avenue. According to Mr. Parkes, the long-range idea of planning suggests refusing rezoning as there would be conflict with plans for the future of Ithaca. Mr. Putney recommended refusing the request for rezoning. Mr. Schmidt asked, assuming the Board denies the request, can the Co-op appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals for spot zoning? Mrs. Hamilton said the change of traffic pattern should be one reason for not rezoning. Also, the Board feels existing residential area should be protected from further encroachment of commercial activity. f :i'Z' Y Mr. Parkes MOVED, "recommendation to Board of Zoning Appeals to deny the request." Seconded by Mrs. Hamilton. CARRIED. b. Mr. Kasprzak read a letter from Howard Crandall, 408 Hector Street, who suggested rezoning the 300 and 400 blocks of west side of Hector Street from R-1 to R-2, thereby making development of the property economically feasible. A similar letter was received from Charles Wilson, regarding the same general area. The Codes and Ordinances Coiittee looked the property over and found the terrain very steep. After a brief discussion of the problems involved, Mr. Reps MOVED, "recommending holding further discussion of the matter until the Board's next meeting." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. 2. Housing and Redevelopment Committee Mr. Kasprzak read a letter received by Mayor Kiely from James S. Graham, President of Ithaca Enterprises, Inc. , requesting that immediate plans be authorized to allow the Southwest Park area to be utilized as an industrial-recreation site. Mr. Korf presented a memo to the Board outlining the Committee's feelings on the matter (see report of the Committee and-that the request to use the Southwest Park for industrial- recreational facility be ,denied." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Contract with T. Niederkorn - Downtown U.R. II A short discussion on the matter preceded the following motion: MOVED by Mr. Parkes, "that the Downtown II and Collegetown proposals be tabled and that a report be made to Common Council concerning the status of the same," Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. It was then recommended that the $1300 encumbered from 1967 budget be used to start the design for the location of a highway and an interchange of Routes 96 and 13 or for any other project. Mr. Kasprzak was directed to discuss with Tom Niederkorn and Mayor Kiely what he would be willing to do and how much, and report back to the Board. 2. CRP Application - (on agenda for next Board meeting) NEW BUSINESS: none MISCELLANEOUS: l;-"ASPO Conference - Mr. Reps MOVED, "to send Director Kasprzak to the Conference in San Francisco in May." Seconded by.Mr. gorf. CAERIED. 2. Resolution on Miss Crysler's Retirement - "WHEREAS, Bertha Louise Crysler will retire on April 1, 1968, after having served the City of Ithaca continuously since August 14, 1944, a period of more than twenty-three years, and WHEREAS, during this period of time she has served the city faithfully as a secretary in the offices of the City Assessor, Building Commissioner, and Planning Board, and WHEREAS, it is the opinion of this Planning Board that Bertha has been a faithful and loyal city employee during her entire period of service, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board does hereby congratulate Bertha on her long service to the City of Ithaca and extends to her its best wishes for good health and happiness in her retirement." Mr. Kasprzak MOVED, "to include resolution in Minutes of Planning Board and mail original of Resolution to Miss Crysler." Seconded by Mrs. Hamilton. CARRIED. 3. Invitation from Taxpayer Association - Mr. Kasprzak informed the Board he had accepted the invitation to speak to the Association at their meeting on March 28, at the Veteran of Foreign Wars Building. 4. Re-establishment of Assistant Planner position - Mr. Putney MOVED, "to request the Common Council to change the title of Junior Planner-Draftsman to an Assistant Planner in the city's Compensation Plan at the same grade." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. CARRIED. 5 5. Mr. Kasprzak notified the Board that he had received an invitation from Mr. Oliver Winston to meet with his group who wish to present to the Board their proposal for the region. The Board agreed to attend at a mutually agreeable time, also to invite members of Greater Ithaca Regional Planning Board. MEETING ADJOURNED at 11:15 p.m. Gregory Kasprzak 4.5.68 Planning Director