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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1972-06-27 J PLANNING BOARD MINUTES City of Ithaca Regular Meeting June 27, 1972 7:30 P.M: PRESENT: Chm DoneY, V. Chm. Shaw, Messrs. Schmidt and Stein. ALSO: Planning Director Meigs; Planning & Development Committee members Jones, Slattery, Henderson and Spencer; Mayor Conley, Attorneys Weinstein and Williamson, E. Downing, J. Katzen, J. Barringer, J. Ellis (WHCU). ABSENT: Messrs. Burns, Austin and Ewanicki. MINUTES of the last Regular meeting of the Board, May 23, were approved as published. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: a) Attly Williamson, Park Displays, requested the Board to consider (1) allowing signs in B-4 districts and districts less restrictive than B-4, and (2) permitting the use of billboards without limitations in distance between the boards. b) Mayor E. Conley requested the Board (1) study the situation at 801 E. State Street where the house number has been painted on the front of the house in 8-ft. high numbers, and (2) recommend rezoning of the former DeWitt High School property from B-1 to B-2 to allow a restaurant to be part of the complex, on the basis that the city should go out of its way , to attract businesses and increase the tax base. The Mayor said that will be part of his recommendation to Common Council. j Mrs. Elaine Downing then spoke, emphasizing the restaurant in the DeWitt building would be a different type than existing ones, in that it would specialize in natural foods; she said no changes nxe being made to the outside of the building to alter the historic value. She pointed out that the.site had been zoned B-1 even though it had always been used for a school. F. Weinstein, Att'y for the Hotel and Restaurant Assoc. , pointed out that Mr. Downing originally requested a variance which was denied by the BZA, and that this is another instance whereby denial of a variance is itself an excuse for an attempt to circumvent the zoning procedure by requesting a change of zoning. He said that if the parcel were rezoned': to B-2, it would be opening it up to stores, lodges, restaurants, theatres, etc. which is quite a broad spectrum. He said the building is situated within 500' of county property and- therefore rezoning requires review by the County Planning Board; that the City Planning Board:, in the Ithaca General Plan which it recommended as a plan for development of the community, ` recommended that commercial areas be pushed west of Albany St. ; recommended the area around. DeWitt Park be preserved as historical district; said the Board should obtain a legal opinion re spot zoning; and claimed that rezoning of this parcel for the benefit of one person rather than the whole community is against zoning. He said the matter is of too great im- portance to pass recommendation to Common Council without review by the Board or its Codes & Ordinances Committee. Mr. Meigs pointed out that the General Plan encourages intensified residential and commercial development in-this neighborhood, end that a theater already exists as a non- conforming use next to the school. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Planning Board refers the natter of rezoning DeWitt School block to Codes & Ordinances Committee for review prior to 7/25/72." Seconded by Mr. Shaw. CARRIED. Mr. DoneY informed Mrs. Downing that the Board has not had specific information from Mr. Downing for the Committee to review, and requested that, before the Committee meets, they would like something in writing from Mr. Downing, Mr. Weinstein and others as to what the specific issues are. COMMUNICATIONS: a) Memo from G. Blean - The natter regarding conversion of the Old Ladies' Home on S. Aurora St. 'and Hillview Place into a 42-dwelling unit complextbithout first having secured necessary building permit was referred to the Board by Council. The Board questioned the natter being referred to there rather than to the Building Commissioner and Mr. Meigs informed them the Building Commissioner has already handled the matter. Mrs. Jones explained that Council referred the matter to Planning Board because of the way in which it was being handled--nobody has seen how this particular piece of land is going to be totally used--it provides no sidewalks, no accommodations for cars. She asked if the Planning Board has anything to suggest re ingress and egress. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Planning Board asks Mr. Meigs to work with the Building Commissioner to resolve potential traffic problems in the area." Seconded by Mr. Shaw. CARRIED. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. OLD BUSINESS: a) Sign Ordinance - Mr. Meigs reported that the Board's comments on the ordinance had been passed on to Common Council, and largely incorporated in the current revision, but the revised edition has not as yet been received by the Board. Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Planning Board recommends to Common Council that Sec. 16 of the proposed City of Ithaca Sign Ordinance be changed to 4 ,years from time of enactment of the Ordinance (August 31, 1976), reducing the time allowed for old signs to be torn down as 4 ,years is a reasonable time to amortize signs without serious damage to owners." Seconded by Mr. Shaw. CARRIED. Regarding Att'y Williamson's request concerning signs, Mr. Shaw stated that he reacted favorably to Att'y Williamson's comments. It was pointed out that, in the original, bill- boards were outlawed and that "every 3001" is a concession. Mr. Shaw MOVED, "Planning Board recommends to Common Council reconsideration of the wording of Sec. 5F, and that it be modified only to the extent of 'not less than 100' from each other' ." The motion did not receive a second. Mr. Schmidt then MOVED, "Planning Board recommends to Common Council that Sec. 5F be restated that no billboards shall be erected or maintained within 300 linear feet of any other billboardoneach side of the street or highway." Seconded by Mr. Stein. This recommendation was made with intent of mitigating the severity of the limitation when bill- board properties are opposite. VOTE - Ayes - 2, Nay - Mr. Shaw. CARRIED. The Board did not wish to make a. recommendation concerning billboard signs in zones less restricted than B-4. 2 i Mr. Schmidt MOVED, "Plan-.i ..g Board endorses this Ordinance and recommends its adoption by Con-mon Council with the Boards two exceptions." Seconded by Mr. Stein. CARRIED. b) Community _Renewal Pra;;ram_ - Nir. Friedlander, consultant, was unable to be present, therefore P .�Aleigs °Lported that at the meeting held on Sunday, June 25 at the Southside Center with 15-20 interested people, the CRP was reviewed and some detailed discussion held on the possibility of a Neighborhood Development Program in the area. The feeling of the people at the meeting, as was the case in a previous meeting, was they felt that more de- tailed information is necessary in order that they be able to say, "we want it," or "we cont want it." Mr. Meigs agreed to prepare a detailed suggested first-,year action program_ for a limit. d area of Southside, showing ,what types of things can be done for rehabilitation action, redevelopment, etc. This wil". be presented at another meeting in the Southside within a m:)nth or so. 14 t Fr ecalander is expected in the office later this week or next to discuss the Beta-Lls which the staff are p esently working on. There have been several more inputs from the staff and consultants on the CRP. Mr. Me-gs will distribute there to the' Board and the Advisory Committee, which hopefully will meet within the next 10 dais with 1-11•. FrIedlander present and possibly other members of the- firm. b-1) Invoice M_^. R"e'.gs recommended payment of the invoice received from Raymond, Parish & Pine, in the amount of $3,192 for services rendered from May 15 to June 20, as he feels it is justified. Mr. Shaw MOVED;, "Planning Board recommends payment of the invoice as sub- mitted." Seconded by Mr. Stein. CARRIED. c) Downtown Development - M.:�. Meigs reported that a public presentation was held at the high school a couple of weeks ago at which downtown merchants expressed considerable interest in continuing with design and determining financing methods, and continuing to work with the city in develo.ing t ni_s mall. ;:;.e "Hip Pocket Committee" (Downtown Development Committee), Mayor, SSupt� :.;f Public ;..r- •ks , Planning Director and businessmen have met; it develops that the bMsinessmen part4_ularly a..'e very interested in doing as much of this work as possible ca their ovra �v;ith c,ty assistance where posr�ible. They are hesitant to accept el any assistance on pa-�t oi' 1-,he L-.-,ban Rene::al Agency which was one proposal which was made. They feel they have Lhe a'> 1ie;.y end desire to go ahead with it themselves. Mr. Daley and Mayor Conley met wii..n bond .ng att,rneys La New York City and found it will require heavy legal work. N1rs. Jones saic Common Council would recognize this very loose arrangement with the understanding that -,hey Z„zt to,,e1;'.-1.er their ideas and present same to Council. The businessmen, ore anxi ias t-^ go ahead but have to know trhat the parking arrangement will be before they cei-L stars.. Ther wisil to meet with the Community Facilities & Services Committee of Planning Board to discuss the parking. There was discussion of selection of an architect for the design of the mall which was . put to the H:.t Pocs ct Committee to sce if t':.e;y could make any recommendations. Raymond, Parish & Pine, Inc. will be considered for this inasmuch as they are working on the CRP which covers this portion of the city--also for the traffic study which is required and has been recommended by the u.1jt. of Public Works. The consultants did prepare an estimate of the requirements for the traffic study and possible cost for such a study. They are doing this without additional charge to the city, but as a service and serving their own interest if they are chosen as consultant to the city, . 3 Mr. Stein expressed the opinion that we should encourage local professionals to work on this and asked if we are contributing staff, funds, etc. Mr. Meigs said that staff will puIt in time on this later. The Planning Board and staff should provide a strong service role. d) Mobile Home Ordinance - Mr. Meigs pointed out to the Board that recommendations of subsections c and d of Sec. 5.06 are things which the Planning Board would normally do, as is the final approval of a Mobile Home Park. He said he feels approval power of design plan belongs in the Planning Board and that he had recommended this to Common Council through the Codes & Ordinances Committee. Mr. Stein MOVED, 9PPlanning Board recommends that Section 5.06 of the proposed Mobile Home Ordinance be rewritten so that responsibility for final approval rests with the Planning Board in a manner similar to subdivision approvals.91 Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. CARRIED. y1r. Schmidt MOVED, 14Plannirg Board endorses and recormiends to Common Council approval of the proposed Mobile Home Ordinance contingent upon the proposes' change, and after review' by the Board of Public Works and any subsequent changes recon ended by them.1° Seconded by Mr. Shaw. CARRIED. e) Mr. Meigs reported that Dr. Weiner expects to be present at the next meeting of the Board for approval of the site platin for his proposed Mobile Home Park. f) Workable Program - Mr. Meigs reported that he had received a letter from HUD notify- ing him that they will reevaluate the Workable Program after June 30, 1972 to determine if a two-year recertification can be made. Mr. Meigs has not been able to contact HUD repre- sentatives on this point, but he discussed it with Mr. Daley who felt that HUD is making an administrative review based on State's revisions and that we probably will be notified within a month or two that it is extended for two ,years. NEW BUSINESS: None. MISCELLANEOUS: None. MEETING ADJOURNED 9:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, J5nathan C. Meigs 7.11.72 Planning Director 4