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