HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1970-05-27 PLANNING BOARD PROCEEDINGS
City of Ithaca
Regular Muting May 27, 1970 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Putney, Vice Chairman Doney, Messrs. Conley, Korf, Reps and Schmidt.
ALSO: G. Kasprzak, Planning Director, Asst. Planner Meigs, Jr. Planner Monroe, Mr. and
Mrs. W. Ewald, A. Rosten and P. Porter, Rosten Construction; Atty. G. Pfann,
J. Parkes and C. M. Van Marter, Zoning Review Committee; and P. Walsh, Ithaca
Journal.
ABSENT: Mr. Burns.
Mr. Korf notified the Board he would be out-of-city during the coming month and would
return on July 1.
MINUTES of the last Regular meeting of the Board, April 22, 1970, were approved as
corrected and published. Director Kasprzak noted that Memorandum of May 18, 1970 to the
Board originated with Chairman Putney and not the Planning Director.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Letter from City Attorney.--For information of the Board, Director Kasprzak
read a letter from City Attorney Weinstein, modifying and clarifying his previous
letter of April 17 regarding Planning Board's power to require subdividers to place
utilities underground. Since his first letter to the Board on the subject, the
Planning Board adopted the Master Plan and while there is no law or cases in New York
State on the subject, it is the opinion of Atty. Weinstein that the city would be
sustained if the Planning Board, in accordance with its Master Plan, would require in
the future utility lines to be placed underground in subdivisions on an equal, not
selective, basis.
Mr. Reps disagrees with the City Attorney regarding reasons why the Board does or
does not have the right to enforce the requirement , but inasmuch as there is nothing
specific in the Master Plan, he believes Common Council should publish an ordinance on
underground utilities if that is their wish.
Director Kasprzak informed the Board the Planning staff is currently preparing a
report which will be presented to the Board at its next meeting.
Mr. Reps MOVED, "the report be referred to the Codes & Ordinances Committee for
presentation at the June meeting of the Board." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED.
2. Memorandum from City Clerk.--Director Kasprzak read a memo from City Clerk
Blean, addressed to Chief of Police, Supt. of Public Works and Planning Director,
directing attention to an item on page 1 of the Minutes of Common Council, dated May 6,
1970, entitled, "Elm Street Housing Development."
"Mr. Jas. Dormady and Mr. James R. Graves opposed the proposed housing project
and expressed their concern about resulting traffic problems it would cause on
Elm Street. Their letters which included their objections are on file in my
office if needed. You will note they were referred to you three department
heads for consideration."
Mr. Reps suggested the Planning Director give the letters his serious consideration.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Codes and Ordinances Committee.--Mr. Schmidt presented report on the Rosten
Subdivision on West Hill, Ithaca (see official file) , and MOVED, "the Board approve
the recommendations of the Committee.91 Seconded by Mr. Conley. CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Approval of bids - printing of Master Plan.--Mrs. Monroe reported that re-
quired public notice had been published in the Ithaca Journal, specifications had been
given to the interested printing companies., and the Wilcox Press is the low bidder.
Mr. Korf recommended having as many copies as possible printed.
Mr. Doney MOVED, 7°the Board buy 750 copies of the Master Plan from Wilcox Press
as the lowest bidder." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED.
2. Report on the Review of the Zoning Ordinance.--Atty. George Pfann presented
the highlights of the review to the Board, reminding them that in July 1968 the
Committee presented to the Board a second report of the review, including 14 points
they needed guidance on, and requested the Board to give that guidance, but that the
Committee had to proceed without it. He then briefly reviewed the 14 points.
Atty. Pfann recommended adopting a system of review and feedback, and would like
the ordinance written so that it would show the additions, deletions and corrections
made. He said additional detail will be prepared and submitted to the Board within
two weeks explaining the ordinance.
Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "the matter be referred to the Codes and Ordinances Committee."
Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED.
3. Report on Elmira Road Study.--Director Kasprzak reported that the Planning
staff is currently studying the Elmira Road problems. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "the study
be referred to the Housing and Redevelopment Committee." Seconded by Mr. Conley.
CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
MISCELLANEOUS:
1. Review of Zoning Cases.
(a) Request for Variance at 415 N. Tioga Street in R-3 zone, to extend existing
building. Mr. Reps MOVED, "the case be referred to committee, with power to recommend
to Board of Zoning Appeals." Seconded by Mr. Conley. CARRIED.
(b) Request for Exception at 1 Edgecliff Place, in R-2 district, to convert
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third floor to sleeping and studying quarters. No action taken by the Planning Board.
(c) Request for Exception to rear and side yard requirements at 517 W. State
Street. No action taken by the Planning Board.
2. Assistant Planner - permanent appointment.--Director Kasprzak reported that
Asst. Planner Meigs has passed his Civil Service examination and recommended that
permanent appointment be made by the Board.
Mr, Schmidt MOVED, "the Board permanently appoints Mr. Meigs to position of
Assistant Planner." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED.
Director Kasprzak reminded the Board that recommendation for appointment of two
members from the Board .to Capital Improvements Review Committee is required by June 1.
Chairman Putney suggested referring choice of appointments to the Mayor.
MEETING ADJOURNED 9:25 P.M.
G. Kasprzak
6.18.70 Planning Director
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