HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1972-04-25 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting City of Ithaca 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chm. Doney, Messrs. Austin, Burns, Ewanicki, Schmidt and Shaw.
ALSO: Director Meigs; B. Friedlander, C.R.P. Consultant; Bldg. Comm. Jones; A. Jones,
D. Slattery and J. Spencer, members of Planning & Development Committee of
Council; Suzanne Hammond and Barbara Aller, Ithaca College; Janet Cantrell, South-
side Assoc. ; Thomas Parker; J. Ellis, WHCU; F. Yahn, Ithaca Journal.
The Minutes of the last Regular meeting of the Board, March 28, 1972, were approved as pub-
lished.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
a) Representative of Raymond, Parish &Pine - Director Meigs informed the Board that a
new Jr. Planner, Mrs. Williams, has been added to staff and is presently developing informa-
tion which will be needed if the city decides to make application for a Neighborhood
Development Program in conjunction with the Community Renewal Program.
Brent Friedlander, consultant, explained in some detail the Community Renewal Program7-
the progress to-date and what is remaining to be done in order to complete the program.
The background work on the CRP is all underway and much of it is near completion, the basic
family and structural survey work is now being tabulated, the studies of administrative and
social resources are underway simultaneous with base analysis which is in draft form. Diss
cussion of actions indicated by the basic analyses is a little ahead of itself, essentially
on the basis of information gathered so far, conversations held, etc. , on some tentative
proposals. The two areas of greatest need and possibility for action are the south and
north sides of the city. It is the feeling that attention to these areas has to be fairly
comprehensive. Also, it is shown that code enforcement and rehabilitation are desirable in
large portions of the 7 areas studied.
We have been dealing primarily with physical conditions and generalities; we have not
gotten into what public facilities are needed, or rehabilitation--this can't be done until ',-
the information is back from the survey tabulation.
The deadline is November 1972 and no problems are foreseen as far as meeting it.
Surveys took longer than expected but we have a reasonably accurate estimate as to when we,,
will receive the material.
By the time we get to the Neighborhood Development Program, there may not still be NDP
in existence--it may be combined with other programs. Presently, the Federal government io
still funding some NDPs and may for some time. f an application gets started, but the
Fells cut off NDP funding, it can usually e co erted to some other program later on, one
which approaches the same problems a dirent way. There is now such a change under con
sideration in Congress, called Community Development Program.
Mr. Friedlander then answered questions of the Board:
How will decisions be made as we get into the program? Within limited framework of
Planning Board, CRP Advisory Committee, city officials, etc. Some initial ideas will be
discussed. Once enough material is assembled, it should be presented to the neighborhood
at a stage where there can be considerable neighborhood input.
What is foreseen timing of such a presentation to Southside or Northside? As soon as
surveys are tabulated, we look at them in relation to the areas and prepare tentative de-
tailed proposals. It may be a month or 6 weeks.
Have any of these neighborhoods been made aware of these plans? Southside has some
knowledge through Southside organizations who have indicated they are in the midst of sur
veying the neighborhood with slightly different objectives, of finding out how much interest
exists in neighborhood development and involvement. There has been a lot of interest in
improvement within the neighborhood for some time, and even if they should reject the CRP
proposals, it provides them with a way of approaching the problem.
We are half-way through the project and people are beginning to be informed of that
development so that they may respond; how do you view the whole thing as far as what the
CRP will be doing in the community? Essentially, we suggest to the staff, the Planning
Board, Advisory Committee, etc. how best to convey ideas to people, get their reactions and
input. Within the relatively limited time span, the number of action possibilities are
limited, but after the submission of the main report in November, long-range actions it
suggests can be further investigated; this is the major thrust of the CRP. There will be
some secondary input through the questionnaires. After this is reviewed, a series of
meetings with each neighborhood, in turn, will be conducted.
Who has the responsibility for setting up and carrying out these meetings? Planning
Board and planning staff have to make decisions on time and place, material covered, etc.
in each round.
Isn't one section of the CRP concerned with citizen participation? It deals with
citizen participation after the final report,of which the consultant will help prepare the
draft. Citizen participation during the initial CRP preparation will be mainly concerned
with setting up a system for continuing input, not primarily with participation in any
early action program. .
Should the Planning Board have a series of public meetings, give information to the
press, etc.? The consultant will make suggestions through memorandums and verbally to the
Planning Director as administrator of the program, and to the Planning Board as to how we
feel the program should be handled. We have to prepare the basic proposals before we talk.
to the people, then take into account their input in developing more detailed programs.
Mr. Stein suggested that the consultant begin as soon as is reasonable to present some
kind of program to the Board, Common Council, and the community. Mr. Friedlander replied
that the surveys should be ready within a couple of weeks, then a proposed program, de-
tailing some of the problems and possible corrective actions will be prepared. The con-
sultant will be responsible for the background data being done, including study area analysis
within 2 months, or by the end of July. Discussions with the groups will run probably to
the end of August. The remainder of the time will be spent in review and in getting the
final report put together.
Mr. Stein suggested that whatever documents are prepared be distributed for review.
COMMUNICATIONS:
a) Tompkins County Department of Planning - Director Meigs informed the Board that he .,
will reply to Commissioner Liguori's letter, thanking him for the invitation to attend the ,
Tompkins County Planning Board meetings on the first Wednesday of each month, but due to a
conflict with a previous commitment (Common Council meetings), he will be unable to attend.'
Mr. Liguori indicated his Board would be receptive to having a representative of the City
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Board to the County Board. Therefore, Chm. Doney said he would make a recommendation to
the Mayor.
b) Requests of Common Council -
1) Workable Program - Director Meigs reported that the requirements for completion
of our Application for Recertification of the Workable Program to HUD's specifi-
cations have been complied with and sent to HUD.
2) Rt. 13 Traffic Signs - Director Meigs reported having met with representatives
of the N.Y.S. DoT, one of whom is responsible for matters of this sort and who
informed him that the signs in question (prohibiting left turns onto Meadow from
some of the exits) were put there at the requirement of the State, by the State
on State property; they relate to the State highway and there is essentially
nothing the city can do about them. Mrs. Jones said that Mr. Ames (the official
referred to) indicated agreement to allow the city to install a traffic light a
the main entrance to Westons' on Meadow Street. She said the city has put money
into the budget to take care of this.
3) Capital Improvements Review Committee Appointments - Director Meigs informed the
Board that Common Council have designated their representatives to the Committee;
the Board of Public Works, as indicated by Mr. Ewanicki, have recommended to the
Mayor their choice of representatives; and Mr. Meigs asked the Planning Board
to select two members, to be recommended to the Mayor. Chm. Doney asked for
volunteers and Mr. Shaw responded. Mr. Doney indicated that he will select a
second representative and transmit the recommendation to the Mayor.
Item Not on Agenda - Director Meigs presented an invoice from Raymond, Parish &
Pine, Inc. in the amount of $7,296 for services rendered through the middle of
April, bringing the amount paid-to-date to $27,296. It was MOVED by Mr. Stein, :
seconded by Mr. Schmidt, "the invoice for services rendered by Raymond, Parish &
Pine, Inc. be referred to the Board's Executive Committee for review and action,"
CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Community Facilities & Services - Chm. Stein reported the Committee's findings on
the following:
1) Carpenter Request for Sale of City Land--a portion approximately 45' x 230'
adjacent to Carpenter residence at 441 Floral Ave. on which they propose to con-
struct a two-car garage. The Committee -reviewed the request and feels that there
is no apparent need to sell the land requested by the Carpenters for the primary
reason that they do own land adjacent to their house on the north, which could
be used for the construction of a garage. Based on the facts known to the
Committee at the time of the meeting, therefore, the Committee recommends that
the Planning Board not recommend the sale of the parcel requested by the
Carpenters. (See Official Planning Board file for complete report. ) It was
MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Mr. Burns, "the Board accepts the Committee
Report recommendation."
Mr. Meigs then informed the Board that as a result of a brief conversation :;
with Sally Carpenter, he learned from her the reason they had not considered
building on the north side of their house, with access through the living room,
was that there are trees and utility poles there which they felt would be both
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expensive and bothersome to remove, and normally one prefers to have garage
access through other than the living room of the house. Also, Mr. Meigs got the
impression they are reserving their adjacent property for other development.
Therefore, Mr. Meigs stated that he had changed his mind personally, based on
these indications, but would recommend the size of the portion to be sold to be
changed somewhat to allow easement from the top of the drainage ditch in order
to allow for city maintenance. He reported that the city engineer and BPW had
indicated they could see no other use for the portion of city land involved.
Mr. Stein and Mr. Burns then withdrew their notion and Mr. Stein MOVED, "the
request be returned to the Community Facilities and Services Conmittee, in light
of additional information which has cone to the Board, for review." Seconded by
Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED.
2) Station Restaurant - Request for Sale of City Land--The Committee met to con-
sider the proposal of Mr. Ciaschi to purchase land adjacent to his restaurant
which is part of the Lehigh Valley Railroad land purchased by the city for the
Cass Park development with Federal Recreation Funds. After reviewing the maps
of the area and making a site inspection, the Committee made the recommendation
that the city retain the major portion of the area concerned (i.e. , north of the
Station), but investigate the possibility of reaching a reasonable agreement to
lease it to Mr. Ciaschi; and that the 'city proceed to set up for sale through
public auction or bid the two narrow strips adjacent to the southern portion of:
the Ciaschi property on the east and west. It is further recommended that the
normal procedures for sale of city property involving establishment of a reason-
able upset price be complied with. (See Official Planning Board file for com-
plete report. ) It was MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Mr. Schmidt, "the Com-
mittee Report recommendation be accepted by the Board." CARRIED.
3) S. Ti- oaa St. Closing/DPW Traffic Studer--Mr. Stein reported that the Committee
still has the matter under advisement and therefore had no recommendation at
this meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
a) Wilcox Press Bill - Director Meigs presented a letter from Wm. Riley, Sales Manager
of Wilcox Press, Inc. , dated 4/12/72 in which he submitted, for consideration and payment,:
a breakdown of costs accrued in the printing of the General Plan Booklet and General Plan
Summary based on examination of all available records, time cards, galley proofs, Xerox
page proofs and silver prints of the Booklet and Summary. The adjusted bill is in the
amount of $5,960.70 ($5,1+1+5.19 - General Plan Booklet, $515 - General Plan Summary). The
original bill submitted in November 1971 was in the amount of $7,785.49. The bid on the job
was in the amount of $4,050.55.
Mr. Shaw MOVED, "the Board approves payment of the adjusted bill for printing of the
General Plan and Summary in the amount of $5,960.70." Seconded by Mr. Austin.
VOTE: Ayes - 5; opposed by Mr. Stein. CARRIED.
b) Jr. Planners' Positions - Director Meigs informed the Board that one Jr. Planner
(Mrs. Rosalind Williams) has been hired and in reviewing applications to fill the remaining
vacancy, there are a couple interested in working part-time. One of these is recommended
by Director Meigs and the Executive Committee as having exceptional qualifications and
experience. They feel that he can accomplish in the 25 hours per week which he wishes to .
work, as much as a beginning Jr. Planner on a 35-hour-per-week basis. He is asking for
$4.25 per hour which is above the minimum rate for the classification, in order to reach
his minimum requirements. Also, the Committee requested that a determination be made as to
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whether or not a part-time employee is entitled to receive benefits.
Mr. Stein MOVED, "the Board recommends, through the appropriate channels, the appoint-
ment of a Jr. Planner on a 25-hour per week basis at the rate of $4.25 per hour." Seconded
by Mr. Shaw. CARRIED.
Mr. Meigs also informed the Board that it will be possible to hire another junior plan-
ner on a half-time basis to complete the planning staff.
MISCELLANEOUS:
a) Zoning Cases:
1) BZA Appeal 976_ - Rem Gest by Rhomac Aviation., Inc. for a Variance for a 1 1/2' x
16-1121 illuminates: wall a at 210 _Ce ter St. . in_ an R-3 district. It is the
feeling of the Board that a 5 sq.-ft. unlighted sign would be adequate to
advertise the business. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "the Board RECOMMENDS this appeal be
denied." Seconded by Mr. Ewanicki. CARRIED.
2) BZA Appeal 978 - Rerjuest by Bruno Mazza for a Variance toep rmit the erection of
a new Pay Less Gasoline Station at 508-510 N. Meadow_ St. , in a B-1 district; an
an Exception toep rmit the erection of signs in excess of 25 sq_ ft• and an off cc
and control building within_ 13'7'` of the rear property line - Mr. Stein MOVED,
"the request be referred to the Codes & Ordinances Committee for review of
details of the proposal and report back to the Board at its May 22 meeting."
Seconded by Mr. Ewanicki. CARRIED.
3) KA An•) al 979 - Request by Ralph Perry for a Variance so that premises at 613-'
615 W.ydreen St. in an R-3 district may be utilized for a variety of uses - It`
was MOVED by Mr. Ewanicki, seconded by Mr. Burns, "the request be referred to
the Codes & Ordinances Committee for review and report back at its May 22
meeting." CARRIED.
4) BZA Appeal 980 - Request b Harold Fries and Roy Rizzo for a Special Permit to
erect 7 wall suns and 1 illuminated r ound sign (48 sq. ft ) which total 208
sq.. ft. at 217-219 Elmira Rd. , in a B-4 district - It was the feeling of the
Board that the building itself, combined with the allowable 50 sq. ft. of sign,`
should be adequate advertisement to motorists. It was MOVED by Mr. Schmidt,
seconded by Mr. Shaw, "the Board RECOMMENDS denial of the request." CARRIED.
b) Items Not on Agenda, -
1)
genda -1) Request by Thomas Parker for preliminary approval of subdivision located on land
in the 100 block of Crescent Place. Mr. Parker wishes to divide the property
into 3 lots, build 3 one-family houses for sale. The entrance to Crescent Placg
is off Hudson Street. It was MOVED by Mr. Ewanicki, seconded by Mr. Schmidt,
"the Board grants conditional approval of the subdivision." CARRIED.
2) Director Meigs read, for the information of the Board, a letter from the N.Y.
State Electric & Gas Corp. dated 4/24/72, which is a copy of a letter to M. J.
Leary, Chm. of Buildings & Properties, in which they state that the temporary
regulator located at the foot of West Hill in the intersection of Elm and Hector
Streets must be replaced by a permanent facility before the 1972-73 heating
season to insure uninterrupted service to their customers on West Hill. They
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are requesting that nutually agreeable arrangements be made for their purchase
of the former Water Pump Building to house the gas distribution equipment
necessary to maintain adequate service. The company will appear at the May
Planning Board meeting to explain their need and request Planning Board approval
of sale of this city property,
3) Director Meigs informed the Board that according to Common Council Minutes, the
Sign Ordinance is to be discussed at the next meeting of Council on May 3, 1972.
Then the ordinance will be referred to the Planning Board for its review.
MEETING ADJOURNED 10:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan C. Meigs
Planning Director
5.1.72
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