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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1968-04-17 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca Regular Meeting April 17, 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 G. Kasprzak; Housing Authority Director D. Armstrong; Alderman W. H. Sullivan; City Engineer H. Schlieder; M. Kreisky, H. S. Brown, M. Esolen, Atty. Mathew McHugh, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Schickel, M. Milford, B. McGee, I. McGee, C. Hernda, Jr. , G. Esolen, Ithaca Journal City Editor Jerry Langdon and WTKO reporter Mike Robinson. MEETING called to order at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES of the last regular meeting, on March 20, 1968, were approved as published, with the following correction: page 4, Committee Reports, 1. Codes & Ordinances Committee, a. Mr. Parkes MOVED, "recommendation to the Planning Board to deny the request." SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: none COMMUNICATIONS: Director Kasprzak read the following: 1. a letter from Atty. J. Clynes, representing Vincent Giordano and Frank Ferrara, owners of property at 623-625-627-631-631 1/2-633 W. Green St. and 205-207-209 S. Meadow St. , and 228 and 232 Cleveland Ave. , requesting that the zoning of the area be changed from B-1 to B-2; also, a letter from R. Comstock, Chairman of Board of Zoning Appeals, asking the Planning Board to consider whether or not these areas should be rezoned and asking for an immediate review of the zoning in these areas. In the discussion which followed, Mr. Kasprzak brought up the following items: 1) that the area has been desig- nated residential in the General Plan of 1964, 2) the operation of the intended business is a 24-hour operation and this would be unfair to the adjacent residences, and 3) the traffic problem, now bad, would increase and become more complicated for the city to handle, Mr. Parkes explained some of the problems the Zoning Review Committee are en- countering in reviewing the present Ordinance as it pertains to changes that are taking place, i.e. , expansion of commercial use. Mr. Wm. Sullivan, alderman of the lst ward, recommended the re-zoning of the west side of the block bounded by W. Green, S. Meadow and Cleveland Ave. Mr. Putney MOVED, "to refer the matter to the Codes and Ordinances Committee for study." Seconded by J. Reps. CARRIED. 2. the following resolution: "Therefore: Historic Ithaca, Inc. asks that special consideration be given by the City of Ithaca to the future of the De Witt Park area so that it can continue to be a dignified and attractive community center, useful for pub lic gatherings, suitable for memorials, and a fitting foreground for the rich and im- posing collection of cultural and governmental structures which now surround it. We request that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca recognize the significance and the need for action to insure appropriate development of the De Witt Park area, and ask that this matter be referred to the City Planning Board for study and recommendations." which has been forwarded to the Planning Board from the Common: Council requesting an opinion on Historic Ithaca Inc. 's concern regarding their desire to preserve the Old Court House, in connection with the proposal for a joint City-County Public Safety Building which is to occupy the site of the Old Court House. Mr. Reps commented that it is the feeling of, the City of Ithaca that a 4-story building could be constructed adjacent to the court house which might be more economical to build with the advantage of not requiring demoli�r tion of the Old Court House. He wondered if there would be a possibility of State Aid for rehabilitation of old court houses. He also mentioned that there will be a defic- iency in required parking accommodations. Mrs, Jones pointed out that Historic Ithaca, Inc. offers two alternatives; also, if nothing is to be done, this would be the time to designate the building as a historical site. Alderman Sullivan said the City agreed to the Joint Facility in 1965 and is committed to the program if the County agrees. Mr. Reps MOVED, 10to communicate to the Board of Supervisors and Common Council that the City Planning Board supports the concept of the joint city-county Public Safety Building; however, the Board proposes that before final action in this matter is taken the architect be requested to restudy the design of such structure so as to permit the retention of the Old Court House and the construction of a multi-story building which would be in architectural harmony with the existing County Security Building and other structures about the DeWitt Park area." Seconded by Mr. Putney. CARRIED. 3. a letter from Atty. Mathew McHugh, representing Gerald P. Schickel, requesting an opportunity to be heard at the Planning Board Meeting of April 17. Mr. McHugh then presented his request, on behalf of Mr. Schickel, who wishes to purchase a small parcel of land, containing a barn, on West Hill from Mrs. Elizabeth Mordoff. The parcel of land has only 20-feet frontage (instead of required 75 feet) and Atty. McHugh asked for the Planning Board's reaction to his suggestion of applying to the Board of Zoning Appeals for an Exception. Also, he asked that the requirements of the Subdivision Law be waived in this case. Mr. Putney MOVED, "that the Board approves the transaction related to the sale of land to Mr. G. P. Schickel and that the Subdivision Requirements are hereby waived in this case only." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. The Board also instructed Director Kasprzak to give favorable recommendation when the case goes to the Board of Zoning Appeals for an Exception to a width at the street requirement of the Zoning Ordinance. 4. a resolution from the Ithaca Housing Authority to the Planning Board (see Minutes file) requesting approval to enable the Authority to recommend to the Common Council the adaption of South Hill Turnkey Site. Director Kasprzak then introduced the new Director of the Housing Authority, David Armstrong, to the Board. 2 Mr. Kasprzak explained to Mr. Armstrong that the State requires the Planning Board to accept the total project and plans and Mr. Armstrong told him these would be forth- coming as soon as the bidding is over, and a developer is chosen. Gary Eselon, speaking "on behalf of a considerable number of interested people," said that the Ithaca Housing Authority resolution, as read, differed in wording from previous resolution, omitting reference to number of units proposed and asking for only site approval, and asked for explanation. Mr. Armstrong then read a letter received from the Housing Assistance Office outlining its requirements. He also said that Mr. Quigley; owner of the South Hill site, has offered to donate to the City or Housing Authority an additional piece of land which adjoins the site to enable more units to be constructed. Mr. Putney MOVED, "that the Board approves the South Hill site only, presently owned by Tuscorora Building Products, Inc. of Syracuse, as suitable for Turnkey Housing contemplated by Ithaca Housing Authority." Seconded by Mr. Reps. CARRIED. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. HousinNand Redevelopment Committee - Mr. Korf presented the recommendations made by the Committee after their review of the area suggested by Urban Renewal for possible redevelopment, for the following reasons: "l. The nucleus of this area has been designated for redevelopment in the preparation of General Plan in 1964. 2. Mayor Kiely, when speaking to the Board at its January and March meetings, re- quested that this area be considered for a redevelopment. 3. This general area meets redevelopment requirements as set forth by Department of Housing and Urban Development of the Federal Government. 4. Preliminary studies, as determined by 1960 census figures, indicate that this area is suitable for this type of study. 5. From general observations the deterioration of the area is rapidly expanding. 6. Information obtained from this study will provide data both to the Planning Board and the Common Council to make decisions on future Programs. 7. Final boundaries for the purpose of survey and planning application will be de- termined after this study is complete." He then MOVED, "that the area suggested be adopted for study for possible redevelopment in the City of Ithaca." Seconded by Mrs. Hamilton. Unanimously approved. 2. General Plan and Capital Improvement Committee - a) Recreation Studer for the City of Ithaca. Mr. Reps presented the views of the Committee as follows: "1. This study is necessary for the inclusion in the General Plan and such study has not been made in the past. 2. The Mayor has requested that such study be made so that future decisions on the need for recreational land could be made. 3 3. The firm of Egner and Niederkorn Associates, Inc. be requested to make such a study. 4. That the $1300 that has been encumbered for a present contract with Egner and Niederkorn to prepore U.R. Downtown II be transferred to this study and Council be requested to appropriate or transfer additional money to complete the study. It is anticipated that such study would cost about $3000." and MOVED, "that the Board requests that Council be asked to provide the additional $1700 needed for the study to be performed." Seconded by Mr. Parkes. CARRIED. b) Request from the Council to prepare City Street Plan. Mr. Reps MOVED, "to communicate to the Council, that the Committee also considered the request from the Council regarding the city's street plan and agrees that such a plan would be of benefit to the city. However, the committee feels that since at the present, a State Highway Plan through the city is being considered by the State Department of Transportation which is as yet in preliminary stages and that a street plan is a necessary part of the city's General Plant'' it would be appropriate for the city to prepare the city-wide street plan related to and,- in conjunction with both of the above. The Board wishes to inform the Council that preliminary plans related to State Highways and city arterials are being prepared. The Board considers it appropriate that the city staff continue to prepare the total package. Every effort is being made to complete this study as soon as possible." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Tabled Request for Rezoning Lands in the West Hill Area - During the discussion of this item, Mr. Parkes proposed density control zoning in R-1 districts on difficult terrain, or modification of the zoning regulations. It was decided the matter requires further study and Mr. Parkes was directed to formulate criteria on the subject for presentation to the Board at its next meeting. 2. CRP Application - Director Kasprzak informed the Board that the CRP Application has been returned to him for corrections which he will make, and that it will be ready for submission to the Board at its next meeting. NEW BUSINESS: none MISCELLANEOUS: 1. Application for the Position of Assistant Planner —Director Kasprzak read a letter of application from Peter Francese who will accept the position. Mr. Reps MOVED, "to request Council to approve the appointment of Mr. Francese, at $8,878, which is step 3 of grade 35." Seconded by Mr'. Parkes CARRIED. 2. Summer Help - Mr. Korf MOVED, "that Director Kasprzak be directed to hire what- ever help he needs for the summer season." Seconded by Mr. Reps. CARRIED. 3. Mr. M. Milford from Mayor's Advisory Committee offered any assistance he and his Committee on Neighborhood Improvement can give to Planning Board with any problems needing citizens' participation. MEETING ADJOURNED at 10:30 p.m. Gregory Kasprzak 5.1.68 Planning Director 4 '' 4THACA ; HOUSING AUTHORITY C i t y H a Ithaca, N.Y. RESOLUTION: ADOPTION OF SOUTH HILL TURNKEY SITE WHEREAS, this Authority has previously indicated that they would study various sites in Ithaca as possible locations for Turnkey construction of low income housing, and WHEREAS, this Authority has studied the location on South Hill, owned by Tuscarora Building Products , Inca of Syracuse, New York, encompassing approximately two and one half acres as a posible Turnkey site, and WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that the Housing Authority obtain additional proposals from other developers in conformity with the New York State and Federal laws applicable for the Turnkey development of the above site, and WHEREAS, Tuscarora Building Products , Inc. has indicated a willingness to provide this site by option, purchase or other means for Turnkey development, for a successful bidder, now there- fore be it RESOLVED, that the aforementioned site be and the same hereby is approved for the appropriate number of units to be determined, and be it further, RESOLVED, that the Executive Director and/or the Chairman of the Ithaca Housing Authority move this resolution to the Planning Board of the City of Ithaci+ for immediate approval to enable said body to make it' s recommendations in the near future to the Common Council of the City of Ithaca. Elester Cunni ham, Secretary