HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1969-05-21 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS
City of Ithaca
Regular Meeting May 21, 1968 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Schmidt, Mrs. Jones, Mrs, Hamilton, Messrs. Putney, Korf and
Parkes.
ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, City Engineer Schlieder and representatives
of press and radio.
ABSENT: Mr. Reps.
MINUTES of the Special Meeting held April 23, 1969 and of the last Regular Meeting
held April 30, 1969, were approved as published.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None.
COMMUNICATIONS: Director Kasprzak read a memorandum from G. Blean, City Clerk,
requesting consideration and recommendation by the Planning Board of .the establish—
ment, by the Board of Public Works, of Pier Road as a public roadway from Willow
Avenue westerly approximately 827 feet; the roadway, as laid out, to be 66 feet wide
adjacent to the southerly boundary of the City's golf course.
The brief discussion which followed revealed that half of the 66 ft. right-of-
way should perhaps be donated by the property owners and half from the City. Area
can be served with water; however the sewer service presents a serious problem in
that pumping will be necessary. Mr. Putney MOVED, "to refer the matter to Director
Kasprzak and Community Facilities and Services Committee for study." Seconded by
Mrs. Jones. Unanimously CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Director Kasprzak's report concerning:
(a) S. Aurora Street - Mr. Kasprzak reported that he had talked to County
Planning Director Frank Liguori regarding the problem and that a meeting
has been set up on May 27, 1969 to include the following: Mr. Hoffermaltz
(State of New York) , Mr. Desch (Town of Ithaca) , Messrs. Stevenson, Highway
Engineer and Liguori (Tompkins County) , and Messrs. Schlieder, City Engineer
and Kasprzak (City Planner) for further study of the matter. Mr. Kasprzak
suggested that perhaps a person can be hired to completely study the matter
and prepare a detailed proposal for Rt. 96, or S. Aurora Street. .
Mr. Kasprzak was directed to contact several qualified persons (Messrs. Bruce
Malcom, Donald Belcher, Ta Liang) in an effort to choose one to perform the
study. Mr. Liguori plans to contact the Town of Ithaca, Board of Supervisors,
requesting to approve funds to be used for the study. The City Planning
Board indicated they will share in the cost. Information from previous
studies may be used in determining the solution to the Aurora Street problem.
Mr. Parkes MOVED, "that Director Kasprzak continue to work toward a solution
of the problem and report back to the Board." Seconded by Mrs. Jones.
Unanimously CARRIED.
(b) Columbia Street School - Director Kasprzak reported that the school property
consists of three-fourths of an acre (more or less) of land, existing building
is in extremely poor condition internally and externally, pedestrian access,
is good although it is surrounded by steep grades, therefore not easily
accessible by the vehicular traffic. The area is zoned R-3, with single
family residences. At present, there is no neighborhood park in the area
with the exception of the School property on Hudson Street.
Mrs. Jones MOVED, "to recommend the purchase of the property by the
City (for suggested token sum of $1.00 inasmuch as it will cost the City
about $5,000 to demolish the existing structure) for use as a neighborhood
play area, this recommendation is on the basis of the size and topography
of area, absence of neighborhood facilities, access to the property,
present zoning and general character of the neighborhood." Seconded by
Mr. Korf. Unanimously CARRIED.
2. City Engineer Schlieder requested approval by the Board of grades for Sunrise Rd.
(maximum 11% from Westfield Rd. to Taylor Place) on land owned by Mr. W. E.
Mordoff. Mr, Parkes MOVED, "to approve the 11% grade," Seconded by Mr. Putney,
Unanimously CARRIED,
NEW BUSINESS:
University Avenue Proposal - Mr. Steven Peterson, a student of Cornell University,
presented an idea which he has developed for study of the area of University Avenue,
to include: investigation of programs for possible development, a physical urban
design development plan, illustrative design proposals suggesting possible solutionp
to the area and a written report of the investigation. The study will also focus on
the potential of this area for housing and recreation and attempt to offer suggestions
to improve the street as a future major traffic carrier. He estimated the study will
cost $3,000 and requested the City of Ithaca to contribute a $1,000 share, the
remainder of the cost to be financed federally. Mr. Peterson plans to execute thea::
study as soon as possible.
Mx. Pinney MOVED, "to direct Mr. Kasprzak to contact Common Council asking them
to approve the project and recommending a contract to entered into with Mr. Peterson,
contingent upon his receiving the balance of $2000 of funds." Seconded by Mrs. Jones.
Unanimously CARRIED,
MISCELLANEOUS:
1. Review of Zoning Case - Robert J. Shannon requested Special Permit to allow
erection-of a 157 sq. ft. sign in B--4 zone on S. Meadow Street to advertise a
gasoline station and car wash. Mr. Parkes MOVED, "that until the City develops
a general policy regarding sign control, with view toward beautification of thI
City, the Board must fall back upon existing safeguard, which at the moment is:
the Zoning Ordinance. Included in it are restrictions on sign regulation. The
Board therefore concludes that the Special Permit be not recommended."
Seconded by Mrs. Jones. Unanimously CARRIED.
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2. Impact Study - Director Kasprzak asked for comments from the Bo,�:ax°d regarding the
Impact Study which had been distributed to them for study and comment. Mr.
Parkes called attention to lack of sufficient reference in the text to Table I
on page 13, and noted that a heading in Table I of the Appendix, page 26, was
not clear.
flEETING ADJOURNED at 9;30 p.m.
Gregory Kasprzak
Planning Director
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