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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1970-09-23 Planning Board Proceedings City of Ithaca Regular Meeting September 23, 1970 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Chairman Putney, trice Chairman Doney, Messrs. Reps, Korf, Conley and Schmidt (arrived late). ALSO: Acting Director J. Meigs, Planning Tech. G. Lawrence, Mr. & Mrs. W. Ewald; D. Stewart, R. Lynch, P. Walsh and A. Walsh representing press and radio. ABSENT: R. Burns. MINUTES of the last Regular meeting of the Board, July 22, 1970, were approved as published. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None. COMMUNICATIONS: The following communications were presented to the Board by Acting Director Meigs: 1. N.Y.S.D.O.T. Project Information Retort 1, Relocation of Rt_. 13--Mr. Meigs read memo from Tompkins County Director of Planning Liguori, dated September 15, inviting him to attend a meeting of technicians, local public officials, and, agency representatives to be held on Friday, September 25, 1970 at the offices of County Planning, to discuss proposals for alternates for the relocation of Rt. 13 (Appalachian Development Highway) from the City of Ithaca to the City of Cortland or vicinity. The New York State Department of Transporta- tion's Project Information Report No. 1 was made available for study and comment. Mr. Meigs also read a letter from the Regional Office of the New York State Department of Transportation, dated September lb, 1970, notifying him that on Thursday, October 159 1970 a Corridor Public Hearing will be held in the auditorium of the Dryden Senior High School to discuss Improvement of Rt. 13 (Appalachian Development Highway) Ithaca to Cortland, Tompkins and Cortland Counties. The Planning Board is asked to express its views on the project. Mr. Doney MOVED, "the Board_ directs Mr. Meigs to attend both of these meetings, if possible, and report back to the Board." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. 2. Comprehensive Area Transportation Study and Memo of Understanding--Acting Director Meigs read a copy of the letter. to Mayor Johns from N.Y.S.D.O.T. notifying him of the meeting which would take place on September 11, 1970, in the Tompkins County Planning Office; of the N.Y.S.D.O.T. , Division of Planning representatives and representatives of local government units having land use and transportation planning responsibilities. The purpose of the meeting was to organize a Policy Coordinating Committee to provide direction and leadership for the development of a transportation study for the Ithaca-Tompkins County area which will be a cooperative program of transportation planning and its goal will be a comprehensive transportation plan which will meet the increasing travel needs of people in this area. Chairman Putney and Mr. Meigs attended the meeting as representatives of the City. Mr. Meigs reported that he will serve as a technical advisory group member to the committee. Mr. Meigs then presented a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding indicating the mutual understanding that exists between local jurisdictions (city, county, and Town of Ithaca) and the N.Y.S. Department of 'Transportation to work cooperatively in the development of a comprehensive, regional, transportation plan, as part of a continuing process, and to cooperate in the implementation of that plan. Mr. Meigs also informed the Board that there are a couple of copies of the Preliminary Prospectus for a Comprehensive Transportation Study In the Ithaca Area available for examination by the Board. Mr. Schmidt expressed concern about truck traffic dovk Rt. 96, across the city, and out Rt. 79 and asked why reasonable action is not taken or suggestions made to control the situation. It was pointed out that this is a State highway over which the city has no Jurisdiction. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Planning Board urge Common_ Council to take appropriate Action to establish control of traffic on Rt. 96 dozen, and Rt. 79 out of the city." Seconded by Mr. Conley. CARRIED. 3. No. 9 Fire Station building disposition--Acting Director Meigs called attention to a Resolution passed, at the September 2 meeting of Cominon Council, that the Planning Board be requested to re-examine the matter regarding disposition of No. 9 Fire Station and report thereon to the Council in the next 60 days, if possible. Mr. Schmidt informed the Board that originally, after a one-year study was made, the plan called for demolition of the building. Mr. Reps MOND, "Planning Board request Mr. Meigs to summarize the original report for the Board to examine at its next Regular meeting so that they may take action at that time." Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED. 4. Acting Director Meigs informed the Board of a request by Common Council, as a result of a Resolution passed at its September 2 meeting, that all department heads, ex- cluding the Fire Chief and Chief of Police, make a report to the Council at its October meeting on what effect a 10% cut in their respective payroll budgets for the year 1971 would have on their respective operations. After a brief discussion of the department's program and personnel requirements for the coming year, and the commitment of services to carry out the city's share of the CRP Program, the Board decided it could not make a 10% cut in the payroll budget and still carry out the programs as planned. Mr. Meigs was directed to present this information to the Common Council. 5. Report on the 1971 Department Budget--Acting Director Meigs informed the Board that submission of proposed budget for 1971 to City Controller Russell was requested by September 15. Because of absence from the city of members of the Planning Board for various reasons, including vacations, during the month of August, there was no meeting held . that month in which the Board might discuss the budget; therefore, Mr. Meigs, with the aid of Chairman_ Putney, prepared and submitted a proposed budget, eliminating the position of Junior Planner from the Schedule of Salaries in an attempt to meet the issue of budget re- duction. During discussion of the matter, it was noted that the final request figure, including Junior Planner's salary, is a 10% reduction .from the approved budget for the current year. Therefore, Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "the original budget for 1970 be submitted." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Executive & Liaison Committee--Chairman Putney reported that the Board, as Committee of the Whole, met on Friday, August 21, 1970, for the purpose of accepting the resignation of Director Kasprzak which had been presented at the July 22 Regular meeting. 2 The Committee accepted the resignation. A memo from Director Kasprzak to Mr. Schmidt, representative of the Board, was not received by the Board for presentation or action at that meeting. Mr. Schmidt was absent from the meeting and presented the memo at the Regular September 23rd meeting. AZr. Putney directed that copies be made of the memo, which included suggestions regarding the Planning Department and position of Planning Director, and mailed to each member of Common Council, the Mayor, and each member of the Planning Board, for their information and action. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Initiation of selection of consultants to conduct CRP Program--A brief discussion was held. Acting Director Meigs informed the Board that to date nothing has been received regarding the proposed contract which was returned to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for execution by the Federal Government. Chairman Putney requested that Mr. Meigs be directed to contact Mr. Charles J. Horan of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the purpose of learning what, if anything, can be done to effect reinstate- ment of the funds which were subtracted from the original request, and to find out the extent of the services expected of -the Planning Department personnel. The Board directed Mr. Meigs to ask for examples of work done by the consultants ex- pressing interest in the job, to write to previous clients of the consultants regarding; their work, and to write to interested applicants to inform them that the Board is making a check and will contact them in the near future regarding interviews. The Executive and Liaison Committee of the Planning Board, with the help of Mr. Reps, will examine the information regarding consultants and interview the applicants in order to choose the consultant(s) who will conduct the CRP Program. When the interviewing stage is' arrived at, the Committee will attempt to learn what principals of the consulting firm will be involved and the amount of time they will spend on the project. At this time, Mr. Reps MOVED, "Planning; Board appoint Jonathan Meigs, Assistant Planner, as Acting Planning Director." Seconded by Mr. Korf. CARRIED. 2. Underground utilities hearing;--Acting Director MeiF,.s reported that he attended the hearing held by the N.Y. State Public Services Commission on Wednesday, September 11, 1970, at which the subject was the placement of underground utilities facilities in existing developments. The Board directed Mr. Meigs to submit a brief written report of the hearing to the Board, and also to attend further hearings if, in his judr-,ement, he felt it necessary and report back to the Board. 2. Cass Park/Festival--In the September 9 Special meeting- of the Common Council, Resolution was passed authorizing John Russell, City Controller, to gather information including, but not limited to, all financial information relative to the fundin^ of the Inlet Park Development Project; to attempt to persuade federal and state officials con- cerned with the project to appear before Corson Council for the purpose of explaining all possible alternatives regarding; the project; to seek out all possible avenues of financial assistance to the City for this project which shall include, but not be limited to, Tompkins County Board of Representatives; and that he report his findin?s regarding this project back to the Council within 45 days. Acting Director Meigs reported that Mr. Russell has contacted the State and they have informed him they will participate in the project, as it stands, to the extent of one-half of the cost overrun. Mr. Conley informed the Board that the State has asked for a time limit on the construction of the project. Mr. Conley MOVED, "Planning Board reaffirms their 3 interest in seeing the development of Inlet Park carried out as originally stated, and desire this information be conveyed to Common Council." Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED, 4. U.D.C. Merle Avenue site annexation--Mir. Schmidt MOVED, "Planninr. Board reaffirms its attitude of being; in favor of annexation.yr Seconded by Mr. Reps. CARRIED. Opposed. by Chairman Putney. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Discussion of position of Planning; Director--Following: a brief discussion, Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Planning Board institute search for Planninf. Director.' Seconded by Mr, Korf. CARRIED. Acting Director Meigs was directed to contact Civil Service in an effort to obtain, if there exists one, a list of those eligible for the position of Planning Director; and to advertise in the ASPO-TAB, Jobs in Plannin;r, Journal. 2. Part-time help--Acting Director Meigs reported that there have been many applicants requesting part-time work in the department; he also informed the Board that currently there is more than enough work to keep hire busy in the office. Therewith, the Board authorized him to solicit applications from qualified applicants, and to consult with the Board during, the process of selection. 3. Mr. Korf presented a three-part resolution which was discussed and revised with instructions that the following be relayed to Common Council: Mr. Korf MOVED, "BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Planning Board hereby affirms its conviction that a City Planning Department staffed with professionally trained city planners and backed fully in its planning operations by all city officers is essential to the economic interests as well as other interests of Ithaca citizens." Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED. Mr. Korf then MOVED, "Planning Board transmit a letter, signed by all members, to former Director Kasprzak as follows: The City of Ithaca Planning Board hereby affirms its deep appreciation to the recent City Planning, Director, Mr. Gregory Kasprzak, and to the current staff of the Planning Department, and expresses its confidence that the staff will be able to conduct the Department's affairs until such time as a new Planning Director can be found." Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED. MISCELLANEOUS: r 1> Review of Zoning Cases--Acting Director Meigs presented the following zoning cases to the Board: (a) Request for an Exception to the requirements of Section 7, Cols. 5 & 6 of the Zoning Ordinance, for the property at 124-126 W. State St, (B.Z.A. Case 896). The request was not received by the Planning Board in time for adequate investigation and consideration before the Board's Regular September meeting;. The Board took no action for this reason. It was felt that insufficient information was presented. (See Official Planning Board File. ) (b) Request for Variance to the requirements of Section 7, Col. 2 of the Zoning Ordinance, for the property at 407 Elmwood Ave. (B,Z.A. Case 895)• The request was not received by the Planning; Board in time for adequate investigation 4 and consideration before the Board's ReCular September meetinF. For this reason, and since insufficient information was presented, the Board took no action. No statement of grounds of hardship was made, nor does there appear to be any hardship involved in using; the property for its original residential use. (See Official Planning; Board File. ) MEETING ADJOURNED 10:05 P.M. Jonathan C. Meigs 9.28.70 Acting Planning Director 5