HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1971-08-24 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
City of Ithaca
Regular Meeting August 24, 1971 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Vice Chm. Doney, Messrs. Austin, Burns, Conley and Shaw.
ALSO: Planning Director Meigs, Jr. Planner Lawrence, Bldg. Commissioner Jones;
D. Slattery and A. Jones, Planning Board Committee of Council members; E. Yanof,
T. Wood, S. Tom, H. Amdur, Atty; 0. Ledger, Mr. & Mrs. W. Ewald, J. McCarthy,
D. Ross, E. Daniel, G. Heller, D. Bates, R. Krasnoff, J. Matilain, J. Allen,
W. Downing, and members of the press and radio.
ABSENT: Chm. Putney.
MINUTES of the last Regular meeting of the Board, July 27, 1971, were approved as published.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
a. Memo from City Clerk Blean - Director Meigs read a memo, dated August 13, 1971, from
Mr. B1ean in which he asked Mr. Meigs to refer to Common Council minutes, dated August 4,
1971, wherein the following items were referred to the Planning Board:
1. DeWitt Park Historic District - Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission recom-
mended that the Council designate an area, including DeWitt Park, as a Historic District
and Council referred the matter to the Planning Board for study and recommendation. In
the discussion which followed, Mr. Meigs explained that if a historic district were
designated, it would then be under the jurisdiction of the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation
Commission which would attempt to enforce some control over future changes to the ex-
teriors of properties in the district, with the intent of maintaining landmarks of
historic value to the city. Board members felt they needed to study the matter further.
Mr. Conley MOVED, "the subject be referred to the Codes & Ordinances Committee for
further review and that the Committee report back to the Board at its September meeting.,"
Seconded by Mr. Austin. CARRIED.
The Board also directed Mr. Meigs to inform the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation of
the meeting, after it has been arranged, so that any of its members or a representative
designated by the Commission may be present at the Committee meeting to answer questions
the Committee may wish to ask concerning the matter.
2. West Hill Fire Station - Council referred the matter of the need of a new fire
station to be located in the West Hill section of the City to the Planning Board, the
Public Safety Committee and the Board of Fire Commissioners, for study.
Mr. Conley MOVED, "the Planning Board ask the Public Safety Committee and Board of
Fire Commissioners to meet with its Community Facilities & Services Committee to study
the matter.4° Seconded by Mr. Burns. CARRIED.
The Board directed that the Planning staff obtain the basic information for the
consideration of the Committee. In addition, Mrs. Jones asked that the proposed project
be placed on the 'list of Capital Improvements.
3. (Item not on Agenda) - Request for approval for Cliff Park Subdivision -
Director Meigs read a letter from J. D. Gallagher Co. , Inc. , dated August 12, 1971, in
which approval of Phase Two of the Cliff Park Subdivision was requested. The letter
informed Mr. Meigs that all required work (sanitary sewers, storm drainage and rough
grading of the street) has been completed. Copies of an enlarged map of the subdivision
were enclosed, setting out three additional lots, fronting on Taylor Place, plus an
additional parcel located in the rear of said lots.
Mr. Meigs then read a copy of a memo to J. D. Gallagher Co. , Inc. from City Engineer
Schlieder of the same date in which he assured them their work, namely sanitary services,
storm drains and rough grading, is acceptable to him., but that before they can complete
the pavement, city forces must install an additional storm drain to handle water on an
adjacent plot of land, at no cost to the developer; hence there will be a delay in
pavement construction.
Mr. Austin MOVED, `'Planning Board approves Phase Two of the Cliff Park Subdivision
and, as recommended by him, refers the matter to Mr. Meigs to check out the details
against the Subdivision Regulations.t9 Seconded by Mr. Conley. CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a. Community Facilities & Services--Downtown Business District Parking Study - Chairman
Burns MOVED, "Community Facilities & Services Committee meet within the next couple of
weeks to discuss the Parking Study and report back to the Board at its September 28
meeting." Seconded by Mr. Austin. CARRIED.
Mr. Burns further requested all Board members to read the Study thoroughly and be
prepared to discuss it. In addition, he requested that a member of both the Urban
Renewal & Industrial Development Committee and Planning Board Committee of Council be
present at the Committee meeting. The Study is the result of the request to the
Planning Board by the Board of Public Works, Common Council and the Planning Board
Committee of Council to study the parking conditions in the Central Business District
and throughout the entire city.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Current Status of Director's Position - Vice Chm. Doney read a letter addressed to Chm.
Putney from Director Meigs, dated August 17, 1971, in which he expressed his thanks to
the Board for their decision to appoint him Planning Director and gave his assurance
that he will take up residence in the city by November 30, 1971. He hopes the matter
will be cleared with the City Finance Department so that his salary as Director becomes
effective August 2nd, the effective date of his appointment. (See Official Planning
Board files for complete letter. )
Mr. Conley MOVED, 49Since the requirement for the Planning Director to live in the
City (as interpreted and approved by the City Attorney) is satisfied by Mr. Meigs'
assurance that he will move into the City by November 30, 1971, and the Planning Board
finds this assurance acceptable, the Baord therefore reaffirms its decision to appoint
Jonathan Meigs to the position of Director of Planning, effective as of August 2, 1971,
the beginning of the first full pay period after the Board's action (as directed in its
memorandum of 2 August, 1971, to the City Clerk requesting him to advise the Mayor and
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Common Council). The salary shall be the minimum provided for the grade in the current
City Compensation Plan; the appointment is provisional, and the Board has requested
that a Civil Service examination be held for the position." Seconded by Mr. Burns.
CARRIED.
The secretary was directed to prepare a memo containing the resolution of the
Board which Pair. Conley will carry to the Finance Committee meeting on August 27, 1971.
b. As directed by Chin. Putney at the July 27th meeting of the Board, a letter of
appreciation to Mr. Schmidt for his services to the Board was prepared and Director
Meigs presented the letter to the Board for signature, after which the original will
be mailed to Mr. Schmidt and the letter included in the minutes of the meeting, as
follows:
"The City Planning Board takes this opportunity to express its members'
sincere appreciation for your services as chairman and member of the Board from
January 1966 to July 1971, and for your participation, as chairman, in the
activities of its Executive & Liaison, General Plan & Capital Improvement, and
Codes & Ordinances Con- ittees, and as member of the Housing & Redevelopment
Committee.
"Your concern with the city's long-range development goals and your contri-
bution in helping to solve the problems regarding city development have been
most valuable. Your leadership, support of planning ideals, and thoughtful
and forthright expression of support or opposition broadened and deepened dis-
cussion of matters before the Board. The members of the Board who have served
with you have certainly enjoyed the opportunity of working with you during
your terms of office."
C. (Item not on Agenda) - Workable Program Status - Director Meigs informed the Board that
the staff is currently working on the Workable Program which is due in the HUD offices
on October 1, 1971 for recertification. HUD has assured Mr. Meigs , by telephone, that it
may be delayed a week, therefore allowing Common Council the opportunity to review and, ,
hopefully, approve it at their October 6th meeting.
Mr. Burns MOVED, "the Committee of the Whole Board meet prior to its Regular
meeting of September 28 to review the Program. Seconded by Mr. Austin. CARRIED.
It is therefore necessary that the departments or agencies involved be requested
to submit their material to this department by September 20, 1971 so that the final
program may be prepared for the Board's review prior to its Regular meeting of the 28th.
d. (Item not on Agenda) - Capital Improvements Review - Director Meigs informed the Board
that the Capital Improvements Review Committee has held an organizational meeting. He
said that at the time the proposed projects are ready for review, the General Plan &
Capital Improvements COmmittee of the Board should review them and give their views on
any additional projects which should be referred to the Capital Improvements Review
Committee.
Mr. Burns MOVED, "the General Plan & Capital Improvements Committee of the Board
meet for the review of the proposed projects sometime prior to the Regular September
meeting of the Board." Seconded by Mr. Austin. CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
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MISCELLANEOUS:
a. Zoning - The following zoning appeals were presented. for review of the Board:
1. BZA Appeal 875 - Request by Orson Ledger for an exception at 2.01 College Avenue to
install a new kitchen and bathroom on the second floor and to build five new bed-
rooms. Mr. Ledger made a previous appeal in June of this year (Appeal 9417-. At
that time he failed to meet the lot size requirement of 1,000 sq. ft. per coon in
conversions, or a total of 15,000 sq. ft.
Mr. Conley MOVED, "the case be referred to the Codes & Ordinances Committee for
site examination and review with power to recommend to the Board of Zoning; Appeals.`"
Seconded by Mr. Burns. CARRIED.
2. BZA Appeal 943 - Request by Ralph Perry for a, variance for use at 613-615 W. Green
St. , in an R-3 district - The applicant has not provided any additional information
or change of circumstances since his previous appeal. The information submitted
shows no plan or elevation of the proposed retail facility; does not indicate what
type of retail stores does not substantiate any claim of hardship, special circum
stances or unique conditions; does not indicate that the proposed vaguely-defined
use variance is necessary for the reasonable use of the property, or that it is the
minimum variance felt necessary to do so; and does not substantiate any claim that
it will be in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the Ordinance and
General Plan, and will not be detrimental to the neighborhood or the public welfare.
Mr. Conley MOVED, "the Planning Board RECOMMENDS the request for variance be
denied." Seconded by Mr. Austin. CARRIED.
3. BZA Appeal 952 - Request for exception to rent or sell two-family dwelling at 409
S. Geneva St. , in R-2 district - Even though the property did not meet the regula-
tions of the Zoning; Ordinance (frontage at street line and side-yard requirements),
in 1969 the Planning Board recommended approval of, and the Board of Zoning Appeals
granted, an exception to build a one-family dwelling; without obtaining permission,
and has since rented the building as a two-family dwelling.
Mr. Conley MOVED, "In accordance with planning objectives for the neighborhood
the Board RECOMMENDS denial of the request for exception to rent or sell the
structure as a two-family dwelling." Seconded by A4r. Austin. VQTE: Ayes - 4,
Opposed by Mr. Burns. CARRIED.
(in the 200 block of N. Cayuga St. )
4. BZA Appeal 953 - Request for a variance to convertsc oo eu.i ung, In o__apartments,
shops and office space. Mr. Shaw MOVED, "Planning; Board RECOMMENDS to the Board of
Zoning Appeals the granting of the variance for purposes requested." Seconded by
Mr. Conley. CARRIED.
5. BZA Appeal_954 - Request for a variance to operate a beauty shop at 1025 N. Tioga
St. in an R-3 district - It is the feeling of the Board that a beauty shop will
create additional parking; problems and will generate more traffic in the area than
the wig shop for which the Board of Zoning; Appeals previously granted a variance.
Even though the applicant claims the dig-Inn is presently in operation and has
presented no known problems to the area and the addition of the beauty shop will
not change the exterior area, the Board has already received a copy of a complaint
by a home owner on -Lincoln Street who claims that more parking problems have been
created in a residential .district.
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Mr. Shaw MOVED, "the Planning Board continues to uphold the Ordinance, giving
consideration to the character of the district which is a residential area of the
city, and it RECOMMENDS denial of the request for variance." Seconded by Mr. Conley.'
CARRIED.
6. BZA Appeal 955 - Request for a variance by Cornell Radio Guild, Inc. to use the
first floor of 227-229 Linden Avenue for a recreational club. Cornell Radio Guild,
Inc. which is in the process of purchasing the property formerly belonging to
Linden Hills Apartments, Inc. , and, in compliance with the decision of the Board
of Zoning Appeals of February 1, 1971, is applying for a variance for use of part
of the first floor of the structure for a recreational club.
Mr. Austin MOVED, "the Planning Board RECO13 ENDS to the Board of Zoning Appeals
that the variance be granted as req_uested.97 Seconded by Mr. Burns. CARRIED.
b. Director Meigs informed the Board that, starting August 26 and continuing to September
8, he will be out-of-town taking vacation.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 10:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan C. Meigs
8.27.71 Planning Director
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