HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1973-06-26 PLXHNING BOARD MINUTES
City of Ithaca
Regular Meeting June 26, 1973 7:30 P.r1.
PRESET'T: I.A. Shaw (presiding,), Mrs. Benson, Messrs. Austin, Clynes, Schickel and
Stein.
ALSO, Director Van Cort, Asst. Planner Meigs, payor Conley, Aldermen Nichols,
Jones, Meyer, Wallace, Boothroyd and Spano, J. Fane, T. Garvey, e. Wood
(G?IiCU), H. Allaben, C. Allaben, Jr. , E. Andrews, J. Cantrell, A. Steinberg,
I. Gutchess, D. Winters.
ABSENT: H. Doney.
The meeting was called to order at 7430 P.Hl. by Vice Chm. Shari who ures;ded in
the absence of Chairman Doney.
It was MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Mr. Austin, "the minutes of the last
Regular meeting of the Board, May 22, 1973, be approved as published." CARRIED.
SPECIAL ORDET? OF BUSINESS:
a) Hr. Aristotle Papayanakos, who called himself the Mayor of Colleoetoxm, came
to be heard on the East Hill study. Tae spoke strongly against any kind of urban
renewal program or other program that would involve the city's taking of private
property for development. He made the point that where the city plans to take
property, owners withhold investment, leading to deterioration of the area.
b) ;'fir. Jason Fane made tsie following 3 points,
(1) Parking - He stated that be is in contact with landlords with an aggre-
gate of about 150 rental parking spaces on Fast ':till, and he stated that
the owners never can rent all the spaces. This indicated to him that
there is not a shortage of parking on East Hill.
(2) Building Deterioration -- Mr. Fane stated that in his opinion by any
empirical measurement the condition of housing on East Mill was improving
rather than declining. Indicators included correction of building code
violations, frequency of repairs to buildings and painting of building
exteriors, etc.
(3) Increased Density - Mr. Fane applauded the Planning Boards efforts to
increase housing capacity on the East Tull, and he suggested that means
should be found for changing the Zoning Ordinance to allow for greater
density.
c; ter. Charles Allaben asked to be heard on the subject of Mr. Theron Johnson's
request for subdivision. Mr. Allaben asked how access would be gained to the
property to be sold. Planning 'Director Van Cort stated that Mr. Johnson had told
the Plannii,g Rnard th 3* ;r_ would be from Hillview. Place. 12r. Allaben also asked
whether the easement which provides access to Mr. Johnson's garage which is behind
the Heidt property would allow access to the piece of land to be sold. it was sug-
gested that Mr. Johnson should provide information to the Planning Board at their
next meeting concerning any problems which might arise with easements.
Carl Andrews, who is another neighbor of Mr. Johnson, stated that there might be
a problem with water run-off. He also pointed out that the woods on the property to
be sold helps provide a visual and sound barrier between his property and Norse Chain
Company. Both the adjoining owners were worried about removal of this protective
barrier. It was also stated that it seemed to the neighbors that at least part of
the land to be sold was on a fairly steep slope. After the discussion Mr. Clynes
MOVED, ''the Board gives preliminary approval of the subdivision." Seconded by Mr.
Stein, CARRIED unanimously.
It was noted that the Planning Department would try to find out the status of
""Fountain Place" as to whether it is a city street or city property.
C0124UNICATIONS<. None.
CO1,,11ITTEE REPORTS o
a) Housing & Redevelopment Committee, Mr. Van Cort reported on a committee
meeting held on June 19 for the discussion of the Southside and East Hill studies.
(1) A summary of the Southside Study is as follows-
(a) Data are being collected from all available records, reports, surveys,
etc.
(b) Determination is being made as to 7-.7hat actions are legal ,for the city
to undertake in relation to renes<7al and community development under
provisions of the New York State Law.
(c) Suitable program alternatives under restrictions of New York State
Law and the Revenue Sharing Act will be developed.
(d) The community will be involved in selection of program alternatives.
Mr. Shaw emphasized that for a housing rehabilitation program to be success-
ful it must be backed up by firm and impartial code enforcement.
Mr. Stein noted that the Common Council had passed a resolution supporting
the appropriation of funds for housing in the Southside.
(2) A summary of the East Mill Study is as follows-
(a) A strategy for providing adequate off-street parking is being
developed. Solutions will, if possible, be general enough to be
applicable to similar situations in other areas.
(b) fesearch is being done on methods for accommodating *yew housing
construction
(c) The need for recreational open---space__i.s t.o-__be considered when evalua•- .
tins proposals for other land uses.
b) Community Facilities & Services Committee:
(1) Mancini Ralty Inc. : Mr. Van Cort explained that there had not yet been a
committee meeting to discuss Mancini Realty's request for the establish-
ment of Park. Road as a public street. It was noted that there might be
complex legal issues involved and therefore a committee meeting was
needed to consider the request. A meeting of the Community Facilities &
Services Committee was scheduled for the fifth of July.
ZONING CASES: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
a) Rosalind Williams' appointment: Mr. Clynes MOVED an";d tor. Stein seconded,
`'resolved that T1rs. Rosalind Williams be appointed permanently to the position of
Junior Planner in the City Planning Department at an annual salary of "7581, that her
appointment shall become effective June 1, 1073, and that it shall be subject to the
usual probationary period." CARRIED unanimously.
b) Theron Johnson subdivision: (See item c under Special Order of Business.)
c) State Street 'Ma11: Progress Report: Mr. Van Cort reported that the State
Street Mall work was proceeding on schedule. Architects have been interviewed, and
an architect has been selected by the Mall Committee and subsequently hired by the
Common Council to do the design of the mall at a cost of no more than $24,000. The
Planning Department has nearly completed a survey of all owners and tenants with
property facing the mall.
d) Routes 96 s 13: Progress Report; Mr. Van Cort explained that in order to
meet the July 9th deadline for approval of corridors for 96 and 13, the Planning
Board would have to make its recommendation in tonight's meeting. Mr. Van Cort then
gave a brief overview of the work leading up to the corridor designation. Mayor
Conley noted that the only difference was that the State had not included in their
corridor the present alignment of 14eadow Street between Cascadilla and Clinton, but
he felt that if this became an important problem the city would deal with it in the
futures
Jon Meigs gave an exposition of the city's response to the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement, developed in cooperation with Tompkins County and 'Town of Ithaca
planners, a copy of which is attached to the official Planning Board minutes.
Mr. Austin MOVED, and Mr. Schickel seconded, that "the response be accepted."
Unanimously CARRIED.
Vice Chm. Shaw explained that although the Common Council has to take official
action on the corridor, the -Planning Board can make a recommendation to the Common
Council. Therefore 11r. Schickel ]MOVED, and Hr. Austin and Mrs. Benson seconded,
that ''the city approve the State's Corridor Recommendation Report." unanimously
CARRIED.
14EE?TIIIG ADJOURNED at 9:30 P.11. (MOVED by Mr. Clynes-, seconded by 11r. Austin, and
CAU-NRIED) .
Respectfully submitted,
E1. Hatthys Van Cort
7.16.73 Planning Director