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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1971-10-26 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES City of Ithaca Regular Meeting October 26, 1971 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Vice Chairman Doney, Messrs. Austin, Burns, Hemming, and Shaw (arrived late). ALSO: Director Meigs, Planning Committee of Council members Jones and Slattery, R. Fellows, D. Evans, NIr. & Mrs. W. Ewald, E. Roberts, H.S. Brown and members of the press and radio. ABSENT: Chairman Putney, Mr. Conley. MINUTES of the last Regular meeting of the Board, September 28, 1971, were approved as published. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: Mr. Slattery reported that at the last Youth Bureau Board meeting, as a result of discussion regarding Cass Park and the need for a plan to guide future development in Southwest Park, a resolution was passed that a master plan be developed for the Southwest Park; Supt. of Public Works Dingman, who was present at the Youth Bureau meeting and whose department is taking care of the streets, park development, etc. , had asked for a plan for the future. Mr. Meigs was directed to prepare a master plan and then refer it to the Community Facilities &' Services Committee for its review. COMMUNICATIONS: None. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Codes & Ordinances: A meeting of the Committee was scheduled at 4:00 P.M. today for the purpose of reviewing the item of designation of DeWitt Park as a Historic District. However, a quorum was not present and a recommendation could not be made to the Board. ._ Therefore, the entire Board considered the matter. Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission Chairman Roberts briefly reviewed the creation of the ILPC, its rules of procedure, and its decision to select DeWitt Park area as the area most appropriate and worthy of designation as a historic area because` of its uniqueness in containing many of Ithaca°s historic buildings which should be maintained in the spirit or character which is the intent of a historic district. He informed the Board that the Commission can only review and recommend; it cannot dictate to the City, nor is it intended to enable the City to enforce any designation which is affirmed by the Common Council upon Tompkins County or any other agency. The;., effect of the Landmarks Ordinance with respect to owners of property within a designs ted Historic District is to require them to submit plans for demolition or exterior alteration to the Commission for review; in the event changes are proposed which would; tc d to alter the historic aspect of the district, the Commission would then negotiate'; with the owner, making suggestions for modification of his proposal which would both serve his purposes and maintain the essential character of the district; or it could offer help in locating suitable tenants or uses, or fund sources for repair and rehabilitation of historic structures. The Commission cannot change the interior of buildings, but can attempt to control the exterior changes to preserve the facade. Mr. Roberts believes the designation of the area as a historic district will ultimately improve the value of the district and surrounding area, and have a positive impact on their economic value to the city. Mr. Austin disagreed on this point. Mr. Roberts said that designation of the area as a historic district would in- crease the possibility of obtaining federal and state funds for assistance in restora- tion and preservation of buildings, which could be a deciding factor for perspective owners. Mr. Fellows, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the First Baptist Church of Ithaca, then informed the Board that the church is sympathetic to the desire for a historic district, and is presently working with the Commission in an attempt to solve its problems but must go on record at this time as being opposed to designation of DeWitt Park as a historic district because they feel it would make their decision more difficult. He said the church has a structural problem in the tower which has moved 6 inches and in the front wall of the church which has moved 3 inches and settled about 2 1/2 inches. Further, it has not been decided whether or not the existing building's facilities are adequate for the mission of the church. It has been learned that about 8 feet beneath the church is a layer of silt and organic matter which is causing the building to shift. The trustees have been given an estimate for the cost of stabilization of the tower and front wall. They expect to hold a meeting very soon regarding their problems for the purpose of trying to come to a decision regarding their future action. He said that one party who had shown interest in buying the church, with intentions of demolishing the present structure, lost interest when he found out about the possible designation. Mr. Burns said that if the city is going to preserve an area of the city, obviously this is the natural area to have designated. He feels that if it is not done at this time, it may be too late in a few years as no one can foresee what may happen to it in the meantime. He asked Mr. Roberts what the feeling is of other persons in the area. Mr. Roberts said Mr. Saperstone is in favor of the designation, the Presbyterian Church authorities have expressed concern over the problems of the Baptist Church, Tompkins County opposes the designation, and other property owners are in favor of designation. Mr. Meigs pointed out that the area is the major historic area in the city, if there is any feeling whatsoever for history and the more attractive facets of the past in the city, and that feeling has been expressed quite well in the last three or four months in the form of petitions for the preservation of Boardman House, reaction to historic exhibits, letters in the newspaper, etc. He also presented letters from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, an organization chartered by Congress in 1949 and active all over the country in efforts to preserve what is worthwhile in our national heritage. The letters, from Trust officials who have recently visited Ithaca, strongly support efforts to maintain this "small but important part in downtown Ithaca. which is already losing too much of its vital historic qualities and character." Mr. Burns MOVED, "Planning Board recommends to Common Council that the DeWitt Park area, as designated on the map (accompanying the Commission's designation notice to Council) be officially designated as a Historic District." Seconded by Mr. Shaw. 2 Mr. Burns then amended the motion to include, "and a copy of the transcript of the Board's discussion be sent to the Common Council." Seconded by Mr. Shaw. VOTE: Ayes - 3, opposed by Mr. Austin. CARRIED b. General Plan & Capital Improvements: Mr. Meigs informed the Board that the Cor!mittee forwarded a list of projects, including four for 1972 (Southwest Parkway, Southwest Parkway bridge, widening of Giles Street and Elmira Road improverient), to the Review Cormittee for recommendation to Common Council as follows: that $65,000 be appropriated next year for study and plan of a West Hill Access Route (instead of a -Southwest Parkway on a specific alinement) by a highway consultant or Dept. of Public Works and that this project be given first priority ($65,000 represents 5% of the total estimated cost for. the entire project and is a cash commitment required to enable bonding of the remainder); that Elmira Road Improvement be given 2nd priority; and Giles Street Widening be given; 3rd priority. There will be about 20 projects with #1 priority (mostly in the Depart ment of Public'Works), and a few projects having nos. 2, 3 and 4 priority. The Capital Improvements Review Committee recommended to Common Council and Finance Committee that , consideration be given to undertaking more of these projects than has been done in the past, with a limited amount of money, since the need for the projects does not go away. Within the last couple of years, Engineering was requested by Council to make a study of the Southwest Parkway but to date a full study has not been made. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None. MISCELLANEOUS: a. Report on Area Transportation Survey Meeting: Mr. Meigs reported he had attended the October 14 meeting in the County Planning office where progress of the Area Transporta- tion Study was presented. It was reported that due to budget cuts, the work on the study has not progressed as fast as hoped for. Nearly all of the inventory and docu- mentation surveys are completed. It is hoped the study will be completed by the end of 1972 or early in 1973• Regarding work on routes 13 and 96, the State engineer predicted that construction will begin in 4 or 5 years. MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:12 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ,,onathan C. Meigs 11.1.71 Planning Director 3