HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1972-03-28 1
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
City of Ithaca
Regular Meeting March 28, 1972 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chm. Doney, Vice Chm. Shaw, Messrs. Austin, Burns, Schmidt and Stein.
ALSO: Planning Director Meigs, Mayor Conley, Building Commissioner Jones; Mrs. Jones,
Mr. Slattery and Mr. Spencer, members of Planning & Development Committee of
Council; Carol Epstein and Susan Carson, WVBR; Janet Cantrell, Southside Assoc. ;
Fred Yahn, Ithaca Journal; Messrs. Swartwood and Herron, representing Mobil Oil
Corp.
ABSENT: Mr. Ewanicki.
The Minutes of the last Regular meeting of the Board, February 22, 1972, were approved as
published.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
a) Consultant's Invoice - Director Meigs presented an invoice from Raymond, Parish and
Pine, Inc. in the amount of $4,674 for services rendered through Feb. 29, 1972, and recom-
mended approval of the invoice which brings the amount paid-to-date to $20,000, out of a
$67,700 contract total. It was MOVED by Mr. Shaw, seconded by Mr. Burns, "the invoice for
services rendered by Raymond, Parish & Pine, Inc. be approved for payment." CARRIED.
b) (Item not on Agenda) - Director Meigs read a letter from Bernard and Sally Carpenter
who reside at 1+41Floral Ave. , expressing interest in purchasing a portion of land presently
owned by the City of Ithaca adjacent to their property (approximately 45' x 2301 ), on which
they propose to construct a two-car garage. The portion in question is part of a larger lot,
and a drainage ditch separates the portion they wish to purchase from the remainder.
It was noted that it is the policy of Common Council not to discuss sale of a specific
piece of city property until they have received a listing of all city-owned properties from
the Department of Public Works, and the Planning Board has made its recommendation. The
Department of Public Works is currently working on the project, but it may be some months
before completion due to many reasons, such as confusion of deeds. Chm. Doney directed
Mr. Meigs to request a preliminary map or listing for use of the Board until the final one
is ready.
Mr. Austin observed that if the Board approves the sale of one portion of the lot,
perhaps a Pandora's Box will be opened, and other adjacent property owners will wish to
purchase portions also.
Mr. Meigs recommended the Carpenter request be referred to Committee since the Board
of Public Works has made its recommendation concerning the matter to the Common Council and
it is expected the Council will refer it to the Planning Board for its recommendation.
Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Mr.. Meigs be directed to acknowledge the Carpenter letter and action
be tabled until the Board receives the property listing from the Department of Public Works,."
Seconded by Mr. Burns.
In further discussion, Mr. Stein suggested an amendment to the motion, "if the pre-
liminary property listing is received from the Department of Public Works, the matter be
referred to the Community Facilities & Services Committee for review and report back their
recommendation at the subsequent meeting of the Planning Board." The amendment was accepted
by Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Burns, and CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Executive & Liaison Committee - Chm. Doney referred to the February Planning Board
meeting at which the appointment of Mr. Meigs to the position of Planning Director was
approved, after which Alderwoman Jones transmitted the information to Common Council at its
March 1, 1972 meeting. The Council, in Executive Session, resolved that the Human Services
and Planning & Development Committees of Council be requested to meet with the Planning
Board and discuss the qualifications of Mr. Meigs as Planning Director and report back to:
Council.
After an Executive Session of the Planning Board, its resolution was forwarded to
Common Council, "MOVED, Mr. Jonathan Meigs be appointed Director of Planning effective
February 18, 1972 at an annual salary of $12,083." Chm. Doney explained that the figure of
$12,083 was contained in a Compensation Plan published by the Finance Department which, it
has since been learned, was erroneous. However, during the discussion which followed, it
was noted that Mr. Meigs has been performing the duties of the position of Director since
before the beginning of the year and that, because of non-residence in the city it was not
possible to appoint him Director at that time. However, had it been possible to do so, he
would have received a raise the beginning of the year. Therefore, the Board wish to re-
affirm their above motion. It was suggested by Mr. Stein that the Board transmit an
explanation of the reasons for their stand to Common Council.
OLD BUSINESS:
a) Wilcox Press bill - Director Meigs reported he had transmitted to Wilcox infermatiiin
worked up by Junior Planner Lawrence with an accounting of the amount of changes we feel are
our responsibility, or were caused by our errors, changes, additions, etc. Their representa-
tive agreed to review the information and, if possible, contact Mr. Meigs prior to the
Planning Board meeting of March 28, but Mr. Meigs has not yet heard from him so it is
expected he will contact Mr. Meigs within the next few days. The Board directed Mr. Meigs
to follow through on the matter.
b) CRP - Director Meigs informed the Board that the surveys done over a period of a
couple of months have been completed and are being prepared for forwarding to an agency for .
computer processing. Upon checking prices it was found that the Office of Computer Services
at Cornell University will do the job for approximately $200 which Mr. Meigs feels is
reasonable; therefore, -he will have the job done by that agency. Mr. Austin asked if it is .
the responsibility of the Board to hire this done and Mr. Meigs answered that it is*
Mr. Stein observed that the Planning Board obviously has responsibility for the CRP
but that in carrying out this responsibility the Board does not have adequate information
concerning the CRP, does not know what is really going on, and he believes a greater degree
of communication would be beneficial to everyone. Mr. Meigs was directed to arrange with
the consultant that he be present at the next Regular meeting of the Board, April 25, 1972,
Mrs. Jones asked if there shouldn't be a member of the Planning Board on the CRP
Advisory Committees Mr. Stein was designated as representative of the Board on the Commit-
tee.
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Mr. Meigs was asked to give copies of the Design Study to Mr. Schmidt, and any others
on the Board or Committee who do not already have it.
c) Letters of Appreciation to former Chm. Richard Putney and former member Raymond
Hemming for services on the Board were approved and signed by t1hose members who had worked
with them and will be mailed to them.
d) Junior Planner positions - Director Meigs informed the Board that the applications
received for the positions have been screened and those applicants who appear to be best
qualified have been contacted for the purpose of arranging interviews. Four persons have
been interviewed to date, two others will be interviewed later in the week, and at that
point there should be enough information available for the Board to choose a person to fill
the position currently vacant. It was then noted that Junior Planner Lawrence plans to
leave the city in mid-June, therefore there will be another vacancy. It was the feeling of
the Board that two junior planners should be hired as soon as possible in order to allow
one to phase into Mr. Lawrence's position, and to augment the Department's capability to
carry out work on the CRP and other major programs at hand.
e) Weiner Trailer Park - Director Meigs informed the Board that in its Regular meeting,
Feb. 22, 1972, the Planning Board approved in concept the development of mobile homes on
the Weiner site and directed that the report of its Housing & Redevelopment Committee be
forwarded to Common Council for its discussion and action. Later, the Planning Board's
Executive Committee met with industrial neighbors who had questions concerning the pro-
posal and results of this meeting were forwarded to Common Council.
The proposal for development of a mobile home park on Dr. Weiner's property south of
West Clinton St. was considered at the March 1 meeting of Common Council with the result
that the Charter & Ordinance Committee were requested to develop a mobile home park Ordinance
and present it to Council at its earliest convenience. In addition, the proposal was
referred to the Charter & Ordinance and the Planning & Development Committees for joint
study and report.
It is expected that when an ordinance is completed and adopted for use by the City, it
will operate in a manner similar to that of the Subdivision Regulations, thus allowing the
Planning Board an opportunity to review the proposals.
f) Sale of City Land - Station Restaurant - Director TMeigs informed the Beard that the
owner of the restaurant would like to purchase some adjacent city-owned property which he
proposes to use for parking. Appraisals have been made by two realtors who have indicated
to Atty. Gersh that a fair market value would be $10,180 and a fair rental value $1,108 per
year. At its March 8th meeting, the Board of Public Works resolved that the matter be
referred to the Building & Grounds Committee for further study, and that the City Attorney
continue his negotiations for sale of the two strips of land involved.
Mr. Meigs informed the Board that the matter involves land purchased with B.O.R. funds;
if the city realizes a return on the land, it must be paid back to the Federal government
or an equivalent amount of land at some other location must be exchanged.
The Board questioned the City Attorney being asked to negotiate the sale of the land
if it is going to be put up for public bid. They feel they should look at the land and
study its eventual use before they can make a recommendation. (By a previous decision of
Common Council, the Planning Board is required to make a recommendation on proposals for
sale of city-owned property. )
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Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "the Planning Board withhold action until further study of the
matter has been made by the Planning; Director."
Mr. Stein suggested an amendment, "the Planning Director send communication to the
appropriate person(s) that the Planning Board wish to study the matter, and until the Board
have accomplished this and made a recommendation, they request that further action be
delayed; further, the matter is referred to Community Facilities & Services for study."
The amendment was accepted, seconded by Mr. Burns and CARRIED.
g) S. Tioga St. Closing;/DPW Traffic Study - Director Meigs read the conclusions of the
Supt. of Public Works concerning the traffic study made of the proposed closing of the 100
block of S. Tioga St. in connection with the urban renewal project for the development of
the hotel block. According to the study, "the closing of the 100 block of S. Tioga St.
would:
1) Dictate that the 300 block of E. State Street be made one-way eastbound.
2) Require signalization and improvement of the Tuning Fork.
3) Overload the intersection of E. Seneca Street and N. Aurora Street. As an
alternative a new and complete route must be found for traffic now using the
100 block of S. Tioga Street."
It was resolved by the Board of Public Works that the study be referred to its Parking_
& Traffic Committee, the Planning Board and the Planning & Development Committee of the
Council for review and report.
Mr. Meigs reported that he had asked the Department of Public Works for a copy of the
study and upon reading it, feels it has planning; implications which should be considered in
going further with proposals for both the parking garage and the mail. He feels the
Planning; Board should take an interest and have some discussions on the matter,
Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Planning Board pledge its support to the Downtown Businessmen's
Association and to all groups working for the improvement of the Central Business District."
Seconded by Mr. Austin. CARRIED.
Mr. Stein observed that the Board should make some response to Mr. Dingman's report,
that the nature of the planning considerations should be outlined, together with problems
raised for which Common Council would like to have solutions recommended.
Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "this report be referred to Community Facilities & Services Committee
to review for planning implications and report back at the April meeting of the Board."
Seconded by Mr. Stein. CARRIED.
h) (Item not on Agenda) - Williams Glen Rd. - Director Meigs informed the Board that at
the March 22nd meeting; of the Board of Public Works, James D. Parkes, 105 Williams Glen Rd. y
presented and read a petition signed by eight residents and property owners on Williams
Glen Rd. requesting the City to join with the Town of Ithaca to cooperatively improve
Williams Glen Road up to a standard acceptable for its dedication to the City. This matter ,
has been presented to the Planning Board for information. He noted a similar petition was
being presented to the Town since a large portion of this street was in the Town. The
Board of Public Works referred the petition to its Highway Committee for study and report.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) HUD - Director Meigs reported to the Board that his meeting of March 15th with HUD
officials covered several areas including the city's application for Recertification of
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the Workable Program, the CRP, the matter of new communities, and neighborhood facilities.
He now has an understanding of requirements which still exist and which the city must
satisfy in order to get the Workable Program recertified. He summarized for HUD the
current status of the CRP. He, Building Commissioner Jones and HUD representatives toured
the north and south sides and southwest area of the city to determine which areas of the
city might be appropriate for new communities, NDP or code enforcement programs and got an
insight into what can be done under the various programs.
A subsequent meeting attended by the Mayor, Urban Renewal and Planning Board repre-
sentatives and the CRP consultant discussed these matters further, and it was decided to
continue investigation of the feasibility and desirability of the programs with HUD and
other agencies.
Mayor Conley spoke briefly to the Board regarding the various programs and his desire
to have the planning staff, with assistance from Urban Renewal staff and others who may be
involved, initiate applications for participation in these programs, if further determined
that they are desirable for the city. He urged that this determination be made as soon as
possible in order to meet the needs which may be shown to exist, and to take advantage of
the funding resource while it exists.
MISCELLANEOUS:
a) Zoning Appeals -
1) BZA Agpeal 975. - .Request by Mobil Oil Corp. for an Exception to install two 25'2" x
251211 x 141 high flat canopies at 540 W. State St. at N. Meadow St• , in a B-1+ dis-
trict - The request to install the canopies in conjunction with proposed pump island
rehabilitation for the purpose of converting to self-service operation was reviewed
th the Board. Mr. Austin MOVED, "the Exception be approved by the Planning Board."'
Seconded by Mr. Burns. CARRIED.
2) BZA Appeal 969 - Request by Rhomac Aviation, Inc. for a S ep cial Permit to use a pre..
existing wall sign at 210 Center St. , in an R-3 district - The Board RECOMMEND this,
appeal be denied. The Board strongly condemns a process by which a Special Permit
is used to legitimize an action which has already been taken without first obtaining
the necessary legal approvals from the city. This procedure is completely contrary
to the goals of planning and the intent of the Zoning Ordinance which is aimed at
providing an orderly framework for change, growth and development of the city. It
is noted that, in addition to the pre-existence of the sign to the date of considera-
tion by the Planning Board, it is also in excess of the 5 sq. ft. allowed by the
Zoning Ordinance in a residential area. Further, it is illuminated which is not
permitted in a residential area.
Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Planning Board recommend disapproval of BZA Appeal 969 for
the above reasons." Seconded by Mr. Austin. CARRIED.
MEETING ADJOURNED 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jttdthan C. Meigs
4.3.72 Planning Director
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