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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1969-02-19 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca Regular Meeting 7:30 p.m. u PRESENT: Chairman Schmidt, Mrs. Jones, Mrs, Hamilton and Messrs. Parkes and Korf. ALSO PRESENT: Planning Director Kasprzak, City Engineer Schlieder, Messrs. Fischer, Miller and Cutting, and members of the Press and Radio. ABSENT: Vice Chairman Reps and Mr. Putney. MINUTES of the last regular meeting of the Board, January 15, 1969, were approved as published. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 1. A presentation to the Cit;r of Ithaca Planning Board by Richard B. Fischer.-- Dr. Fischer, Professor, Nature, Conservation and Science Education, Cornell University, expressed concern about natural resources in the area of Six Mile Creek. This area is' used by many people, some of whom pick the flowers and others remove them to their own property. There appears not to be any precedent for protecting the flowers; therefore Dr. Fischer suggested designating the area as a "wild flower preserve." He suggested soliciting the support of the citizens to protect the flowers. He also suggested that the local organizations interested in preservation of nature might work on this projea . Mrs. Jones MOVED, "that Planning Board recommend to Common Council stuc1y� from a legal standpoint, designation of the area as a wild flower preserve." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. i COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Director Kasprzak read a memo from the City Clerk, Mr. Blean, directing the Board's attention to action taken by the Council at its meeting held on Feb. 5th wherea in it requested the Planning Board to consider the proposal of the Board of Public Worlds for connecting West Buffalo, with West State Street in the vicinity of the West State Street Bridge. Director Kasprzak requested the City Engineer to comment on same. Mr. Schlieder presented the proposal as follows: 1) Common Council has already taken action so that acquisition of a triangle of land be pushed ahead (Buffalo-Brindley-State Streets). 2) In order to purchase the entire triangle of land, it will be necessary to condemn that piece on which the diner is located. 3) Part of the acquired land will be used for a southwest diagonal Buffalo-Street connection east of the Octopus Bridge to replace the present south-north Brindley. Street, whose intersection with State Street is regarded as dangerous. 4) A traffic light at the New Buffalo Street is a possibility. 5) No traffic patterns will be changed, but the turn will be made easier; there will be two lanes of traffic. 6) After the road is completed the City can dispose of the excess land. Mr. Parkes MOVED, 19to recommend to the Common Council that the City tooluire all the parcels of land involved in the ROW for the Buffalo St. and that the nec°essary amount be consumed for construction of the road while the remainder to be held in reserve by the City for future determination as to its use. Also the CYO land be acquired and held in reserve in the same manner." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. Unanimously CARRIED. 2. Director Kasprzak read a copy of a letter written by E. J. Corcoran to T. B. Maxfield, Pres. , McGraw Housing, Inc. , in reply to his letter of January 27, 1969) informing hire that he objects to further deterioration of the neighborhood of the 200 block of S. Geneva Street. He cited the following reasons: insufficient parking, tax-exempt status, setbacks, and general care or lack of care of buildings and ground; A copy of this letter has also been presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals. (No action has been taken on this letter as the Planning Board has made judgments on this' matter at the last session of the Board. ) OLD BUSINESS: 1. Request for Annexation.--As a result of the matter having been referred to the Planning Director for study and report at the last meeting of the Board on January 15 1969, Mr. Kasprzak met with Mr. Ceracche, Mrs. Joan B. Harmon representing Mr. Hankin, Mr. Pat Hannan representing Board of Public Works, Alderman Feldt, Mr. L. Buysee (school), and T. Niederkorn to discuss the requests of Messrs. Ceracche and Hankin for annexation. The following reasons are given for annexation: 1) Town of Ithaca cannot provide services; therefore, the best thing is to annex to the municipality which can provide these services. 2) The two developers wish to construct approximately 464 units in this area (264 - Ceracche, and 200 - Hankin). 3) Possibility of future County water and sewer services is remote; also it will require cooperation of the City, which decision has not been made as yet. The need for annexation is here and now. 4) The capacity of the present water shed, etc. is capable of handling this additional; development. 5) Preference is for lower densities to be compatible with adjacent City development (R-1). Neither developer objects to R-1 zoning of their land. Total of 190 acres are involved in the request. Water and Sewer - Both areas require water and sewer facilities. The additional expense required to construct water facility is generally passed on to the consumer. Sanitary sewer is closer than the water. The present system is adequate at this time. Possibly a new pumping station would be necessary. According to Pat Hannan who approves the annexation, the present sewer system can handle the additional volume. 2 Roads - The annexation would create a problem on the gradual basis. Present street proposals are such that by the time West Hill and area in question develops, the streets will be constructed and in use. Fire and Police - Development of the area will create the need for more patrolmen. The present fire .equipment and protection coverage is adequate to take care of the addi- tional area. School Board - If the present development in West Hill area continues, a new elementary school will be necessary. It will not be annexed to the existing school but will be an entirely new and separate school. Therefore, an annexation may only speed up the execution of the overall program. Two questions which came up during the discussion are 1) is Ithaca going to grow , in spite of annexation or will it remain as is? and 2) will the Town of Ithaca object to "piecemeal annexation"? Mr. Schmidt said he would like an evaluation of the comparison of cost with assessed evaluation inasmuch as the reason for annexation is to broaden the tax base. '` The Council can question developers as to what the City would be getting. Mr. Korf MOVED, "that it be recommended to the Council that the annexation pro- ceedings be followed through and the land incorporated by the City as requested by the two individuals; however, the following conditions be attached before conclusion of the annexation: 1. the applicants to prepare development plans and have thea approved, and 2. City Assessor be requested to prepare possible tax addition to the City budget." Seconded by Mrs. Hamilton. CARRIED. MISCELLANEOUS: The following cases were presented by Director Kasprzak for recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals: 1) Request for an Exception at 117-123 North Aurora Street made by Grigor Grigorov, Contemporary Trends. Proposed development is in two phases; there is presently pro, vision for l truck (probably on Seneca Street) or two parking spaces; however, in order to develop balance of land in the future, it may not be possible to provide the above facilities. The rear yard requirement has been waived due to difficult shape of the lot. Mr. Korf MOVED, "Planning Board has reviewed the request and concludes that the exceptions be granted contingent upon the agreement by the Fire Chief that the wall' separating future construction and the movie theater does not contribute to a fire . hazard." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. Mr. Parkes voted No. CARRIED. 2) Request for a Special Permit at 315 Elmira Road made by D. Cutting for Cayuga Holding Corp. Inc. , for a sign the size of which will be in excess of 50 sq. ft. to advertise a Carrol's Restaurant. 3 Mr. Korf MOVED, "Planning Board has reviewed the request and concluded that this exception to the size of the sign offers no particular planning problems; therefore the Planning Board has no objection to the erection of the sign provided it does not exceed the 250 sq. ft. limitation." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. Mr. Parkes abstained` from voting. CARRIED. 3) Request for a Special Permit at 315 Elmira Road made by D. Cutting for Cayuga Holding Corp. Inc. , for a sign the size of which will be in excess of 50 sq. ft, to advertise a Pizza Hut. Recommendation by the Planning Board is the same as on the above request, #2. ` 4) Request for an Exception at 205 S. Meadow Street to size of sign made by Ithaca Roast Beef, Inc. regarding 6 signs on roof of structure. Mrs. Jones MOVED, "Planning Board has reviewed the request previously submitted as Case #813. Since no new facts have been presented in this renewed request, the . recommendation from the previous Case (#813) remains the same in this application.', Seconded by Mr. Parkes. CARRIED. 5) Request for an Exception at 211 Auburn Street made by Mr. John E. Schmitt to side_ ,. yard requirement to build staircase at side of building to provide access to second floor; therefore leaving side yard less than minimum required. Mr. Parkes MOVED," Planning Board has reviewed the request and finds that no objections exist on the part of this Board regarding this case provided it meets the fire access, etc. regulations. An opinion of the Fire Chief should be solicited." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. CARRIED. 6) Request for an Exception at 519-523 West State Street made by Ceracche and Company, Inc. Mr. Ceracche is increasing rear yard from previous 5 ft. to 6 ft. , having acquired additional land to the south. Mr. Korf MOVED, "Planning Board has reviewed the request and finds no ob- jections to granting this request and it is so recommended." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. CARRIED. G. Kasprza,k 3.14.69 Planning Director 4