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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1969-11-19 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca Regular Meeting November 19, 1969 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman Schmidt, Vice Chairman Rees, Mrs. Hamilton, Messrs. Korf and Parkes. ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, Asst. Planner Meigs, J. MacLean, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Hannan, Dr. and Mrs. C. L. Sprinkle, 'Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. LaFrance, Mr. and Mrs. W. Ewald, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Alden and members of the press and radio. PUBLIC HEARING: The Public Hearing for review of request for final approval of Westwood Knoll subdivision by John D. MacLean was declared open. There being no-one present who wished to be heard, the hearing adjourned at 7:40 p.m. MINUTES of the Regular meeting October 15, 1969, and Special meetings November 5, 1969 and November 12, 1969, were approved as published. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Director Kasprzak read a letter addressed. to Mayor Kiely from Richard E. Hughes, President, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, proposing the possibility of purchasing the land currently occupied by the Naval Reserve Center which is to be vacated, and requesting careful consideration of the proposal, as the Chamber of Commerce desires to locate a new community service building on this site. The land is owned by the City of Ithaca, the building by the Department of the Navy, but the question of demolition has not ,yet been resolved. A couple of pc)ssible uses by the city have been suggested: B.P.W. , and Youth Bureau Center. The Planning Board staff were directed to study possible utilization of the site and report back to the Board. 2. Director Kasprzak read a letter dated November 19, 1969 from Attorney Allan H. Treman and John S. Maloney, President, on behalf of Catholic Activities, Inc. , stating that an offer has been received by the Association from Kabeth Properties, Inc. of Avon, N. Y. to purchase the CYO property for the purpose of erecting up to 100 town house multiple dwellings in accordance with discussion with the Ithaca Housing Authority, and requesting the zoning of the property be changed from P-1 to R-3. Mr. Kasprzak was directed to answer the letter, including the reasons for turning down previous housing project proposal for this parcel of land and inform Mr. Treman that any further action will have to be initiated directly to the Common Council to whom the Planning Board previously made recommendation, and which has not been acted upon as yet. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Mr. Parkes presented report on underground utilities lines including the proposal by R. Nordheimer of Council's committee that a program be initiated to place all existing wiring underground by 1990. A few places already have ordinances in effect: Palo Alto, California; Southhampton_, L.I. , etc. To date little information is available regarding the subject. Mr. Black of New York State Electric and Gas Corp. has indicated willingness to meet with the committee for discussions. Mr. Kasprzak was directed to write to ASPO for any information or advice they can furnish regarding the subject. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Westwood Knoll Subdivision -s Mr. Reps MOVED, "the Board approve parcel 27, parcels 18 through 23 and parcels 29 through 33 as numbered on the map. Since Mr. MacLean indicated that his finances will not permit construction of utilities on parcels 5 through 12, these are not included in the approval. A condition is included in the approval that a temporary turn--around for Westwood Knoll and Taylor Place roadways at the south end of the property, be provided by Mr. MacLean.9P Seconded by Mr. Korf. Unanimously CARRIED. 2. Progress Report on University Avenue design study - A preliminary "final" report of the University Avenue design study was presented by Steven Peterson, who will make a final presentation at the December 17 meeting of the Planning Board. Among other things he suggested 1) the Fall Creek bridge could be more usefully exploited, 2) the entrance to University Avenue be opened up for perceptual clarity (no changes in road proposed) , 3) Route 13 major interchange -, proposed shifting main access from Cayuga to Aurora Street to connect Fall Street and University Avenue (linear entrance). In the brief discussion which followed it was decided to incorporate the study into the Master Plan to provide as wide exposure to the public as possible. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Ithaca Urban Area Transportation Study - Director Kasprzak read a proposed resolution for the purpose of conducting an Ithaca Urban Area. Transportation Study by the State of New York. Mr. Korf MOVED and Mrs. Hamilton seconded, "that the Planning Board approve: WHEREAS, there is an ever increasing need for improved traffic circulation particularly within and around the Ithaca Urban Area, and also in Tompkins County in general, and, WHEREAS, the existing highway systems are inadequate and tend to be hazardous because of the tremendous increase in motor traffic, and, WHEREAS, the extreme topography along the approach corridors of existing highways leading into the Ithaca area results in frequent catastrophic accidents, and, WHEREAS, only part of the arterial system needed in the Ithaca Urban Area has been com- pleted, and, WHEREAS, the State Department of Transportation has offered to develop studies and pre- pare a supplementary urban arterials report for the Ithaca Urban Area and Tompkins County in general, and, WHEREAS, the Planning Board of the City of Ithaca have recognized the urgent need for development of a supplementary urban arterial system, and are acting jointly and cooperatively to petition the State Department of Transportation for assistance, and, WHEREAS, it is economically and practically unfeasible for the City of Ithaca and the County of Tompkins to prepare a supplementary urban arterial report, and, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Planning Board of the City of Ithaca, New York hereby request the 2 New York State Department of Transportation to develop a supplementary urban arterial report for the Ithaca Urban Area and Tompkins County with the understanding that the Planning Board at this time does not commit itself to the exact location of streets, roads, and highways in the arterial system nor to any expenditures in the development of the report." Unanimously CARRIED. Planning Board feels that to attain an overall transportation solution for the city and surrounding area, the Council should also pass this resolution so that the State can proceed on the study without any further delay. This, of course, will provide, in addition to the solutions already obtained, a long range approach to the whole problem and permit the State to construct major highways in an orderly faehion. 2. Director Kasprzak informed. the Board that Steven. Peterson had requested the balance of payment for the University Avenue Study. Mr. Parkes MOVED, "the Board approves final payment to Mr. Peterson." Seconded by Mrs. Hamilton. CARRIED. MISCELLANEOUS° 1. Review of Zoning Cases - 1) Request for a Special Permit at 710 Hancock Street - B.Z.A. Case #843, to erect sign in excess of size permitted by Ordinance for H. Salt Esq,. , Fish and Chips by Roger Bassett. Mr. Parkes MOVED, B°the request for a Special Permit to Section 7, Col. 4 of the Zoning Ordinance has been reviewed in accordance with Section 12-C. The Board has reviewed this case and feels that since this is one of the major entrances to the city, a strict adherence to the Zoning Ordinance should be observed. Therefore, it is recommended that the case be denied." Seconded by Mr. Korf. Unani- mously CARRIED. 2) Request for a Variance and an Exception at 219-225 N. Aurora Street and 307 E. Buffalo Street - B.Z.A. Case #856, by Barbara Stewart for Merle Patterson, to eliminate Fixit Shop, replacing it by service bay; and to tear down 3-apartment house on E. Buffalo Street to provide additional storage and parking. Mr. Parkes MOVED, "the request fora Variance to Section 7, Cols. 2 and 14, of the Zoning Ordinance has been reviewed in accordance with Section 12-C. The Planning Board feels that the request is inconsistent with the existing ordinance and that it defeats the long range planning for the City of Ithaca. Since it is a nonconforming use and incompatible with the remainder of the neighborhood; also the expansion of the use will aggravate already critical situation of traffic; expansion into the residential use, etc. , it is therefore recommended that this request be denied.11 Seconded by Mr. Korf. Unanimously CARRIED. MEETING ADJOURNED at 10015 p.m. Gregory Kasprzak Planning Director 12.4.69 3