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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1969-10-15 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca Regular Meeting October 159 1969 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman Sclimidt, Vice Chairman Reps, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Jones, Messrs. Parkes, Putney and Korf. ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, Assistant Planner Meigs, Alderman Nordheimer, Housing Authority Director Armstrong, Housing Authority Chairman Cunningham, Robert Kelly, Architect for Ithaca Housing Authority, City Engineer Schlieder, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent P. Hannan, Mr. Frank Baldwin, District Attorney McHugh, Mrs. Wm. Hunt, Mrs. Walter Ewald, Mr. John MacLean and members of the press and radio. MINUTES of the Regular Meeting, September 17, 1969, were approved as published. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Letter from Mr. J. Greenberger - Director Kasprzak read a letter from Mr. Joseph Greenberger, in which he outlined a suggestion for a decked mall, in combination with a short elevated highway leading from S. Aurora Street to E. State Street from where it would taper gradually into Route 13. Director Kasprzak was directed to answer the communication, informing Mr. Greenberger of the Board's interest and expressing their thanks. 2. Letter from the Common Council - Director Kasprzak read a memo from Allan Feldt, Chairman of Charter and Ordinance Committee of the Common Council, relative to under- ground wiring, which was attached to an outline of provisions of a proposed ordinance which has been considered by the committee and referring the outline to the Planning Board for further study, discussion and proposals. Alderman Nordheimer, vice chairman of the committee which conducted the research and formulated the above outline, presented briefly some of the information gathered concerning the underground wiring facilities, citing Southhampton, L.I. as an example of a city which has converted to underground facilities, and explaining that the city franchises use of streets, the Public Service Commission applies the rate, there exists no effective tariff provision or enabling legislation from Albany, the property owner bears special tariff rate, etc. Mr. Korf MOVED, "to refer the outline to Codes and Ordinance Committee of the Board for study." Seconded by Mr. Putney. Unanimo;>,sly CARRIED. 3. Letter from J. C. Burns - Director Kasprzak read a letter from Mr. J. C. Burns., Realtoz-, on behalf of Mr. John D. MacLean, who recently purchased property on West Hill, known as Westwood Knoll Subdivision, from Mr. James S. Knapp, and who requested final ayj; roval of the subdivision by October 15, 1969, if possible, claiming that conditions have been met on which final approval is based. Mr. Knapp previously received tentative approval of the subdivision from the Planning Board. Mr. Putney MOVED, "the request be sent to Codes and Ordinance Committee of the Planning Board for study during the interval before the public hearing to be held November 19, 1969•" Seconded by Mrs. Jones. Unanimously CARRIED. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Codes and Ordinance - a) Sudre Request. Director Kasprzak read a letter from John C. Barney (Buyoucas & Barney, Attorneys at Law) on behalf of Raoul Sudre, requesting the Planning Board to give final approval of the Westwood Knoll Lots 22 and 23, on which conditional approval was given several years ago. The Director also read a memo from City Engineer Schlieder wherein he notified the Board that grading, and design of sanitary sewer and storm drains for Lots 22 and 23 were approved. After a brief Algcussion the Board declared Lots 22 and 23 not a subdivision and that final approval would be contingent, after the hearing on November 19, 1969, on final approval of the entire subdivision owned by Mr. MacLean. All parcels will be listed .for the hearing.. b) Marion Request - Mr. Parkes, Chairman of Codes & Ordinance Committee of the Board, read letter from Mr. Russell I. Marion requesting preliminary approval for street location across the Koupf property which was purchased to replace the right-of-way taken by the Flood Project. Attached to Mr. I4iarion's letter was a map which is not accurate or up-to-date. The Committee recommended that Mr. Marion be contacted and requested to submit a complete up-to-date drawing to the Board for their inspection. (See official file of Planning Board. ) Mr. Korf MOVED, "the Board accept the Committee Report." Seconded by Mr. Putney. Unanimously CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS: Ithlca He sing Authority - Review of Plans for Public Hearing. Director Kaspr�ak read a letter from Mr. David Armstrong, Director of Ithaca Housing Authority informing the Board that the Authority has completed the Schematic Phase of Project NY54-1, the elderly project on Titus Flats and general occupancy on a tract referred to as Hancock Street, and requested permission for their project architect, Mr. Robert Kelly; to present this phase to the Planning Board at their October 15th meeting for their approval and transmittal of such approval to Common Council. Director Armstrong introduced Mr. Kelly to the Board, requesting that, after the presentation, the Board approve the project, either that same night or within 20 days from that date. The housing for the elderly would be located on property at the intersection of Wood and South Plain Streets, in the vicinity of Fairgrounds Shopping Plaza. Mr. Kelly explained that it would consist of 15 stories (14 floors of efficiency apartments, in addition to the first floor which would be made up of a community room, administrative offices, utilities room, lobby containing two elevators (passenger and service) and two stairways. The main entrance is planned off S. Plain Street, 25 percent parking facilities are provided for, with space for additional, if necessary. (At 9:45 p.m. , Mr. Putney left the meeting. ) 2 The elderly housing will have 165 efficiency- units while the general occupancy will have 58 units; consisting of 28 four-bedroom units and 30 three-bedroom units. The latter, including the community building, will be placed uniformly over the three blocks that Ithaca Housing Authority owns in the Hancock Street area. In the discussion that followed, Board members questioned the site positioning of buildings in the general occupancy housing and were wondering if this could not be accomplished in a more pleasing manner. Also, the Board members felt that the project should have been presented to them previously rather than require them to make a decision on such a short notice without having an opportunity to offer suggestions, etc. The Board concluded that Mr. Reps and Tars. Jones will meet with Mr. Armstrong as soon as possible to determine how soon the Board's action is required and if any changes can be incorporated into the site layout. A special meeting will be called if the action of the Board is required before next regular meeting. 2. Capital Improvements Pro�e�7 cts. Mr. Meigs presented the list of the projects for the current submission. Since the projects were submitted in the last ,year's capital programming and no new projects were added for this ,year, the Board reaffirmed the previous listings. MOVED by Mr. Reps and seconded by Mr. Parkes. CARRIED. MISCELLANEOUS: 1. Review of Zoning Cases - a) Request for a Variance at 1005-1007 N. Aurora Street (B.Z.A. Case #861). The attorney for the appellant presented the case stating that: 1) the structure is residential in character, thus fitting into the neighborhood; 2) the maintenance of the structure is much better when occupied than when standing vacant; 3) he has to apply for a variance since the use exists without previous approval under the Zoning Ordinance; 4) claims that there is no noise from the present use of the property which is printing operation in an R-3 classification. After a brief discussion the Board empowered the Codes and Ordinances Committee to review the case and act on its behalf, forwarding the recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals. b) Request for a Variance at 201 Cleveland Avenue (B.Z.A. Case #841). Lloyd' s Secretarial Service has applied for a variance to a "Home Occupation," stipulations under Section 2 of the Ordinance; requesting that more than two employees be allowed on the premises who are not family re- lated. , There being no objections to this request, Mrs. Hamilton MOVED, "that the request be granted." Seconded by Mrs. Jones. CARRIED. MEETING ADJOURNED at 12:10 a.m. 'Gregory Kasprzak 10,30.69 Planning Director 3