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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1973-03-27 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES City of Ithaca Regular Meeting March 27, 1973 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Chm. Doney, Pairs. Benson, Messrs. Austin,, Clynes, Schickel, Shaw and Stein. ALSO: Dir. Meigs, Consultant Friedlander, Bldg. Comm. Jones, Aldermen Jones, Meyer; . Slattery and Spano, E. Roberts, J. Ciaschi, H. Crane (Exxon Co. ) , M. Kish (Cayuga Oil Co. ), C. Todd (Nationwide), and members of the press and radio. MINUTES of the last Regular meeting of the Board, February 27, 1973, and of the Special meeting, March 14, 1973; were approved as published. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: a) Harold Crane, representative of Exxon Company, requested approval by the Board of exception to the zoning ordinance and variance to the sign ordinance for the purpose of replacing the "Esso" logo with the new "Exxon" logo on existing poles at the following six locations: 335 E. State St. , B-4 district, BZA Appeal 1002; 902 W. State St. , B-4 district, BZA Appeal 1003; 302 S. Cayuga St. , B-4 district, BZA Appeal 1004; 507 S. Meadow St. , B-1 district, BZA Appeal 1005; 214 N. Meadow St. , B-4 district, BZA Appeal 1006; and 202 E. Falls St. , B-2 district, BZA Appeal 1007. The existing stations have been in the city for some time, and at some of the addresses the locations of the sign poles do not comply with the new sign ordinance which requires a minimum front yard of 10 feet inside the property line. The appellant claims he cannot comply with the sign ordinance and be competitive with other gas companies in the city. Mr. Meigs read,a letter from the attorney representing the Exxon Company in which he requested amendment of the appeal to request interpretation of the sign ordinance so that no exception and variance would be required. Alderman Meyer, asked if there were any possibility of dealing with the appeals individually. Mr. Austin MOVED,"Due to the nature of the request, the fact that the existing signs will be reduced in size approximately 4 sq. ft. , and no additional signs will be erected., the Board recommend approving the request for exception." Seconded by Mr. Clynes. Mr. Meigs said the intent of the sign ordinance was to work with the changing* situa- tion so that if anybody had to change a sign, he would be required to comply with the ordinance and gradually show the way for others. There is no provision permitting re- placement of signs without compliance with the ordinance. Mr. Clynes said he could think of no reason the Board should oppose the changing of the signs. VOTE: Ayes -- 6; Chm. Doney asked to go on record as opposing the blanket approach of handling the appeals. BZA Appeal 1001 - Request by-Joseph and Cordelia Scaglione for a variance to Sec. 7, Col. 2 of the zoning ordinance at 311 E. Lincoln St. , in a R-3 district. The appeal was for -the purpose of conducting an insurance office on the premises under permitted uses. Mr. Schickel MOVED, "The Board recommend the variance, as requested, be approved." Seconded by Asir. Clynes. Unanimously CARRIED. COMMUNICATIONS: a) Mr. Meigs presented a memo from Supt, of Public Works Dingman to the Board"At its last regular meeting the Board of Public Works, by resolution, requested the Planning Board to develop a design for a sign to be used at the entrance to the golf course. Also, by resolution, they requested that the Planning Board develop a design for signs to be used at all city parks." Alderman Jones asked if the Board is aware of signs being developed by Bob Cutia for the Youth Bureau. Alderman Meyer expressed concern that there is no sign at all at the golf course and said the issue described in the memo is separate from the graphic system mentioned by Tars. Jones. Signs for all city parks, as well as at the golf course and on Rte. 13, were discussed, and the type of sign to be used---perhaps a wooden plank-type sign similar to those in Baker Park and the New York State parks. Gilbert Andrews of Ithaca, who constructs the wooden signs for the local state parks, said a sign such as desired at the golf course would cost $200-$400. Mrs. Meyer said two signs, one at the entrance to the golf course and the other to be seen on the highway, are needed. The second one could be a wooden one, or it might be like other signs used by the state. She said Mr. Dingman has been investigating something about state signs and should be checked with as to whether the city or state will erect the signs, as placement might depend on this. Mr. Meigs was directed to get information concerning the signs and return to the Board so they may respond to the request of the Board of Public Works. b) Mr. Meigs presented a memo dated 3/20/73 from the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission to the Mayor, Common Council, Planning Board and Building Commissioner: "After the advertised public hearing on the subject , held at 7:30 p.m. , March 19, 1973, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to Recommend that Common Council officially designate the Station Restaurant, 806-810 West Buffalo St. , Ithaca, as a Historic Landmark of the City of Ithaca. "Of the eleven persons present and speaking at the hearing, all felt that the Station is worthy of preservation. One or two of these, however, felt that this designation should not, and need not necessarily, stand in the way of progress on the proposed highway corridors for Routes 13 and 96; they felt the need for these highways; and felt that the Station and highways could co-exist, especially if care is taken so that the highways are sensitively designed." Mr. Meigs informed the Board that Common Council will require a recommendation con- cerning the item from the Planning Board prior to its April 4 meeting. Mr. Clynes said he was surprised at the county's concern; that at a meeting of city, county, State DoT and BOR representatives on March 8th at which he was present, what he took to be working drawings were shown of a new bridge across the Inlet which would dis- rupt very little; they show the westerly route going through the old freight house 2 location but not touching the Station Restaurant, Route 13 corridor wasn't in any plan and he does not think it should be brought to bear on this item; in fact concerning Route 13, he was left with the feeling "we may never see it." Mr. Stein expressed concern with the county's statement which appeared in the Ithaca Journal. He feels the county gave the wrong impression--that controversy is imagined which does not exist, and which distorts discussion of the issue. He believes there is less possibility, not more, of conflict concerning Route 13 corridors. Mr. Austin wondered what the net effect would be if the Station Restaurant were declared a Historic Landmark; if the state decide to put Route 13 through the location. Mr. Roberts said the state could still put a highway through the location, even if it were declared a Historic Landmark. The planner for the state highway would have to follow the requirements of the National Act, and would have to justify that there is no other way to get the highway through Ithaca. If this were decided, then no landmark designation could save the restaurant. The designation of the Station as a Landmark by the city has no legal consequence except the city feels this is an important building and asks the highway department to think twice about it when making their plans. Mr. Shaw said there are ve-y apt to be forces at work stronger than the federal legislation referred to; if Ithaca, or the Ithaca area, again chooses up sides about the route of the highway, with the Historical site perhaps the pivot point of discussion, we could get into a hassle. He recalled the feeling of the state, "if they ever make up their minds in Ithaca," and said the solving of the Rte. 13 corridor has precedence over a landmark designation. Mrs. Meyer said the city has to declare where it stands on the issues and perhaps it could be discussed when ,he Environmental Impact Study is complete. Ir. Ciaschi, owner of the Station Restaurant, told of the effort he had made since purchasing the restauran-. in 1964, in restoring it, and told of the number of people it attracts and the constar.? requests for information, and the interest from outside of the area. Mr. Schickel said no concern was expressed about it until Mr. Ciaschi had built it up, and it is importarl how he feels about it. IAs. Stein MOVED; "The Planning Board supports designation of -the Station Restaurant as a Historic Landmar;�." Seconded by Messrs. Schickel and Austin. Unanimously CARRIED. Mrs. Benson asked if there is a key or plan for choosing potential landmarks to be designated by the city and Mr. Roberts said this project has been in progress since the formation of the Co-mission and should be completed by Autumn of 1973. COIiITTEE REPORTS: a) Item No" On Agenda -- General Plan and Capital Improvements Committee: Chm. Shaw recalled that at the January meeting of the Board Mr. Austin had expressed the need for the Board's support for additional access to West Hill area by means of another bridge across the Inlet. Mr. Shaw said the Committee has met and were joined by Messrs. Hemming, Chm. of the ad hoc committee named by the county, and Austin, to discuss what part the Board. could play in helping to solve the problem. More recently the Route 13 corridor has 3 again become 'news' ; Mr. Shaw feels this is more of a county-based program and that the city board is. in no position to take positive leadership in solving the problem of bridging the Inlet; that in view of the current discussions regarding Rte. 13 corridor, now is not the appropriate time to carry this into the limelight. In relationship to the state, he feels the city is only a part of the county. Mr. Clynes said there is more than one corridor being considered. for Rte. 13; the crossing bridge will be state-funded and expensive; the project has high priority; the bridge would not be at Court St. , but rather at Buffalo St. at grade; one corner of the Kentucky Chicken property would be disturbed, then there would be an abrupt right bend, missing Pete's grocery and the building next to it, on the other side of Taughannock Blvd. it would go through city property and thence across the Channel. Mr. Meigs added that DoT's thinking is that both. Buffalo and Court Streets would be used respectively for .east- and west-bound traffic (2 lanes in each direction) ; the road would tie into 89 at the base of the hill and go up more or less along the line of the Power Company right-of-way; it would be located behind Cass Park and not elevated between . the Channel and the hill; at the east end, city speed limits would be enforced; 96 has priority with the state and would definitely be state-funded. He added that Mr. Shub of NYSDoT is not too concerned about the Station Restaurant and has indicated he feels the highway and the Station could"live with each other." OLD BUSINESS: a) Park Improvements - Mr. Meigs informed the Board that funding and work.to be done on Conway, MacDaniels, DeWitt and South Hill Parks has been approved and work directed to be done by Common Council at its March 21 Special meeting, with the exception that decision was reserved regarding Conway Park as there are still some discussions going o,: between groups within the area, this office and other agencies, but it is hoped we will have those recommendations to Common Council at its April 4 meeting. b) Rte. 13 '& 96/BOR Land - This subject was covered previously under Item 4b, except for the nature of the exchange of lands which the New York State Department of Transporta- tion might use for one or both of the highways. In that regard, some areas have been identified which the city would consider for possible exchange when NYSDoT decides to use the landpurchased by BOR funds. When this happens, the city will have to replace that which is taken with land of equivalent value. The matter is being worked on by city anrl . other officials. Mr. Stein said the resolution was passed by the Common Council to replace the land with land of equal value, and that the planning staff are in the process of looking; for additional land. He asked that planning staff also look in the East Hill area which has no city-owned recreation space to see if there is any land which might be acquired for totlots in that area or which might be consdiered as part of replacement. c) CRP - Mr. Meigs reported that with Council Council having approved the Community Renewal Program, staff is now prepared to assemble it and submit official copies to HUD. He will obtain estimates for reproduction of the copies which need to be distributed. Mr. Friedlander distributed copies of the revised 4 pages of the second draft of the Surzaary Report which is being prepared and asked the Board to review them. He expects to have the entire Summary Report put together in mock layout by the time of the April Board meeting. 4 NEW BUSINESS: None. MISCELLANEOUS: a) Zoning Cases - Reviewed above under Special Order of Business. b) Department Budget for 1973 - Mr. Meigs infor-ed the Board the final budgets for 1973 are to receive final approval by April 15. Mr. Doney advised that a meeting of the Executive & Liaison Committee would be held with Messrs. Meigs and Van Cort, if possible, within the coming week to review the budget. HEETING ADJOURNED 9:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, i J's athan C. Meigs 3.9.73 Planning Director 5