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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1968-11-20 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca Regular Meeting November 20, 1968 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman Schmidt, Vice Chairman Reps, Mrs. Jones, Messrs. Putney, Parkes and Korf. ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, Zoning Officer Van Marter, AISEC trainee D. Koppers, D. Teichman, Urban Renewal representative, M. Esolen, Mrs. J. Harding, S. Tsapis, and representatives of the press and radio, S. Strandberg, J. Casbolt and D. Stewart. ABSENT: Mrs. Hamilton. MINUTES of the last regular meeting of the Board, October 16, 1968, and the special meeting, September 26, 1968, were approved as corrected: September 26, 1968, page 2, item 1. Charge the user of the facility; not owner. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Attorney S. Tsapis expressed concern over a newspaper article which he claimed' stated that it was all right with Director Kasprzak that the New York State Electric and Gas Company install their lines above ground--that it is too expensive to bury them underground, and the soil in the area is too moist. The law provides that the city must require the Electric and Gas Company to bury lines, the cost could be spread over a wide basis. Mr. Tsapis requested a study be made and recommendations made to the Department of Public Works or other appropriate city body, asking that the burying of lines be considered in the future when new or replacement lines are installed. He further stated that he intends to present the same request to the Board of Public Works. Mr. Kasprzak informed Mr. Tsapis his comments were directed at a specific lova-, tion in the Inlet Park and that the Inlet Park Committee is aware of the plans for installing the lines at Inlet Park area. He also said that it is legal for the city to impose restrictions on new and replacement of lines. He said if the Board feels that their involvement in this case is necessary, they should notify Common Council to this effect and research into the problem. He said the ASPO Advisory Service may be helpful. Chairman Schmidt said the Town of Ithaca's interest and attention should be called to the results of the Electric and Gas Company's work in the west end of the city. Also, if a small developer must adhere to the rules for retaining beauty in the city, the large companies should be required to do the same. Mr. Putney said the New York State Electric and Gas Company admitted they would put the lines underground if they had to. Mr. Korf MOVED, "to write letter to Common Council asking them to utilize everything within their power to have the lines put underground." Seconded by Mr. Parkes. CARRIED unanimously. Mr. Kasprzak was directed to look into this problem and collect as much informa- tion as possible and transmit the sane to the Committee of the Common Council, City, Attorney and others involved in this matter. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Letter from ASPO regarding membership.--Director Kasprzak read letter from ASPO (American Society of Planning Officials) regarding membership in that organizaT tion. He explained that due to the gradual phasing out of the Greater Ithaca Regional Planning Board, it is probable that their membership in ASPO will be dis- continued. The City Board has no connection with ASPO, except through the GIRPB membership, nor is it a member of other planning associations. Director Kasprzak and Mr. Reps therefore recommend that the Ithaca Planning Board subscribe to member- ship in ASPO. The cost is $120 yearly, which entitles thea to receive informationai brochures regarding anything concerning planning, Jobs In Planning, Planning Advisory Service subscription, use of consulting service, 'etc. Mrs. Jones MOVED, "that the Ithaca Planning Board subscribe to membership in k ASPO." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED unanimously. 2. HUD regarding open-space landprogram.--Director Kasprzak reported that the HUD (Housing Urban Development) Department has requested additional information re- garding city's application for open-space land (Belle Sherman, Wood Street parks), some of which pertains to the GIRPB (Greater Ithaca Regional Planning Board). Chairman Schmidt directed Mr. Kasprzak to gather the information requested and transmit it to HUD. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Housing and Redevelopment Committee.--D. Teichman .of Urban Renewal explained the changes in Urban Renewal plans for blocks 99, 198, 199 as presented to the Committee with maps and description. The changes pertain to land uses and parcel . disposition in the three blocks and these changes are of minor nature. Mr. Korf MOVED, "it is the Committee's opinion that the changes be approved." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. A vote resulted in 6 yes votes, 0 no votes and 1 absent. (See file for full details. ) 2. Codes and Ordinances Committee.--Modification of R-1 Zoning. The Board haq requested Council to introduce an ordinance which would permit review of imaginative subdivision designs which will attempt to increase density without exceeding the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance relative to amount of units permitted under present requirements. The Council, after reviewing the proposal, has instructed the Board to re-examine the item concerning the control and responsibility for the lands owned. in common in the development. The Board has reviewed the item in question and offers a solution which will strengthen the regulation by creating an owner's association through the deed covenant or by the city accepting the open space land if it choose$ to do so. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Approval of Recreation Study.--After a brief discussion of the Recreation Plan submitted by the consultant at the October 16th meeting, Mr. Reps MOVED,"to accept the report and present it to Common Council for its acceptance as a guideline; in the future city development. ,, Seconded by Mrs. Jones. CARRIED. -2- Chairman Schmidt will write to the consultant and congratulate him on the well- prepared report. 2. Community Renewal Program - Application.--Director Kasprzak asked if the Board wished him to continue preparation of the CRP application for submission to the Council for approval. Mr. Reps MOVED, "to recommend to Council the Planning Board's' approval of the CRP Application." Seconded by Mr. Parkes. CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Southside Housing Study.--Mrs. Marilyn Esolen gave a brief summary of the findings which are presented in the study which she and her group prepared and which includes suggestions to the Council for future plans for the Southside area. 2. Report to the Board of Zoning Appeals.--The following requests were sub- witted and discussed: a. request for an Exception at 401 South Titus Avenue - to remove garage and add two additional units. Mr. Reps MOVED, "we do not recommend the Exception ,because it is in conflict with long-range planning objectives." Vote resulted in 5 yes, 1 opposed. b. request for an Exception and a Variance at 300 Hancock Street - made by owner of Victory Stores to install "serve yourself" gasoline pumps and sign in are4 zoned R-3. Mr. Parkes MOVED, "the Board recommends that this Variance and Exception be denied because it is in violation of long-range planning ob- jectives." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. c. request for Exception at 518 West State Street - Service building for T.V. -.� no side or rear yards. Mr. Parkes MOVED, "that the Planning Board has reviewed the request and finds no objections to the side yard requirements since it does not conflict with the long-range aspect of planning. However,' the rear yard requirement should be, and it is so recommended, reviewed by the Fire Chief for the purpose of fire access in case the area is built-up �n the future." MISCELLANEOUS: 1. Consultant's Statement.--Director Kasprzak presented the statement of Egnen ; `. and Niederkorn, Assoc. , Inc. for approval. Mr. Reps MOVED, "inasmuch as conditions' '8 of the contract with the consultants' firm have been fulfilled, the Board approves payment of the bill in the sum of $3,000.00." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. MEETING ADJOURNED at 11:19 p.m. G. Kasprzak Planning Director