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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1970-02-16 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS City of Ithaca Regular Meeting February 16, 1970 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chairman Putney, Vice Chairman Doney, Messrs. Conley, Korf and Schmidt. ALSO: Planning Director Kasprzak, Mayor Johns, Alderman. Feldt, Attorney R. Clune, Architect R. Boehlecke, students L. Feldt and B. Scott, and T. Sherman, P. Crissey and D. Stewart representing press and radio, ABSENT: R. Burns, J. Reps (on assignment by Planning Board) MINUTES of the last regular meeting of the Board, January 21, 1970, were approved as published. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: 1. Belle Sherman Park--Misses Linda Feldt and Barbara Scott presented the request to the Board by children residing in the park area, expressing the opinion that the Belle Sherman Park should be left as a semi-wild area rather than creating a fully developed park. They like to use the park for picnics, ball playing, nature study, walks, etc. Chairman Putney thanked the girls for attending the meeting and assured them their interest would be considered. Mayor Johns stated that he felt the city made a mistake in acquiring the entire property if it does not intend to fully develop it. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "the matter be referred to Community Facilities and Services Committee for study." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Director Kasprzak read a petition referred from Common Council entitled, "Strawberry Fields Forever," which was signed by 87 children who reside in the Belle Sherman Park area, expressing their desire that the Belle Sherman Park be left as a semi-wild area and therefore not be developed further. (See Special Order of Business. ) 2. Director Kasprzak read the following: paragraph 3 FESTIVAL LEASE from page 3 of Common Council Proceedings of regular meeting held February 4, 1970 in which it was RESOLVED that the matter of status of the Ithaca Festival of Classics' lease of the old airport site be referred to the Planning Board and the Inlet Park Committee for investi- gation of the situation. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Schmidt informed the Board the Festival has not abandoned its project; however, it must seek funds from new sources in order to proceed with its plans. He considers the Festival is still in existence as much as at the beginning. Mayor Johns said the Festival could be given lease on another parcel of ;and, if necessary, whenever the Festival arrives at a -decision, but he feels the remainder of Inlet Park plans should go ahead as originally planned. Mr. Korf MOVED, "the matter be referred to Community Facilities and Services Committee for study." Seconded by Mr. Conley. CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Final presentation of University Avenue Study - The Board decided upon February 25, 1970 as the date on which Mr. Steven Peterson should make final presenta- tion of the University Avenue Design Study, either in the lecture room of Tompkins County Public Library or in the Common Council chambers of City Hall, and directed Mr. Kasprzak to make preparations for the meeting. Inasmuch as three members of the new Board are not familiar with the study, Director Kasprzak suggested that he arrange with Mr. Peterson to show a preview of the study to them prior to final presentation. This was agreed upon. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Rehabilitation of the south end of Cayuga Lake - Director Kasprzak reported that he had explored availability of resources to study and possibly rehabilitate the south end of Lake Cayuga. The following organizations have been contacted for advice: the Cayuga Lake Basin Board, the Federal Pollution Control Board which has an office in Rochester, N. Y. , and the Water Resources Center at Cornell University. Prof. Leonard Dworsky, Director of Water Resources Center at Cornell University expressed interest in the study of the problem and offered his services, if needed, to aid in the study. Mr. Kasprzak requested the Board to indicate their approval, on a preliminary basis, of the plan to explore the problem with a view toward obtaining assistance from the Federal Government in the form of a demonstration project on the lower end of Cayuga Like. He does not anticipate, initially, that any funds will be required from the city; if such funds are required, the Director will inform the Board. Mr. Doney then inquired if the planning staff have the time to devote to the study and Mr. Kasprzak assured him they have. Chairman Putney reminded Mr. Kasprzak that he desires the revised zoning ordinance to be completed by April and was assured that this will be done. Mr. Conley MOVED, "the Board authorizes Director Kasprzak to proceed with initial exploration of the project for rehabilitation of the south end of Cayuga Lake and directs him to report back to the Board." Seconded by Mr. Doney. CARRIED. MISCELLANEOUS: 1. Review of Zoning Cases - 1) Request for a variance and an exception at 219-225 N. Aurora Street and 307 E. Buffalo Street (former B.Z.A. Case #856) - Attorney Robert J. Clune as agent for Barbara Stewart, owner of the property, resubmitted application with additional information and plans (B.Z.A. Case #865) for review by the Planning Board. In the discussion which followed, Mr. Conley pointed out that Mr. Patterson plans to continue operation of the service station, that by granting the exception and variance, the entire corner would be cleaned up, parking would be all in one place off- street and there should be a gain to the city by way of taxes. He then MOVED, "that the variance and exception as requested be approved by the Planning Board on the con- dition that the parking lot be properly paved." Seconded by Mr. Doney. CARRIED. VOTE: Yes - Messrs. Conley and Doney No - Messrs. Korf and Schmidt Mr. Putney disqualified himself from voting due to Mrs. Stewart being related to Mrs. Putney. Mr. Reps was summoned from another meeting in the building and requested to vote on the issue. He voted "yes." CARRIED. 2 2) Request for exception to rear yard requirement at 126 E. Seneca Street - B.Z.A. Case #866. Security Mutual Fire Insurance Company urgently need additional floor space for operation of business, and unless addition extends to rear property line, additional floor space would be insufficient for present needs. This expansion would allow a 34 foot long addition to the existing structure, it would be two stories and of fire- proof construction. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "the Planning Board recommend approval of request for exception." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. 2. Director Kasprzak requested that members present, who hadn't already attended a presentation of the Master Plan, adjourn at the close of the Planning Board meeting. to Council chambers where it was being presented by Mr. Reps, Mrs. Monroe and PZr. Meigs. 3. Mr. Reps discovered he had a conflict on the third Monday evening of the month which had been designated as the date for the monthly meeting of the Board. It was decided to set the fourth Wednesday of the month as the date for the regular meeting of the Board, unless there again appears a conflict. 4. Director Kasprzak informed the Board that the ASPO National Planning Conference will be held April 4-9 in New York City and requested the Board to authorize either Planning Director or Assistant Planner to attend the conference. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "to send either Planning Director or Assistant Planner to New York City for the ASPO Conference on above dates." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:15 p.m. Gregory Kasprzak Planning Director 2.25.70 3