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. )
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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
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