HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1974-03-26 PLANNING BOARD,MINUTES
City of Ithaca
Regular Meeting March 26, 1974 7:30 P.M..
PRESENT: Chm. Doney, Mrs. Benson, Messrs. Conway, Moran, Schickel and Stein.
ALSO: Director Van Cort, 'Aldermen JonesandMeyer; Bldg. Comm'r Jones; Robert
Woodworth; and members of the press and radio.
ABSENT: Mr. Brock.
Chm. Doney called the meeting to ,order at 7:30 P.M.
Mr. Conway MOVED and Mr. Stein seconded, approval of the minutes of the meeting
of February 26, 1974.
ZONING:
a. Appeal 1042: This was a request for exception to Sec. 7, Col. 13 of Zoning
Ordinance, at 402 Chestnut Street, in R-1 district. The appellants, Winthrop and
Andrea Weatherby are requesting an exception in .order to build an apartment in a
garage. This building is located at 402 Chestnut l reet,. :in a R-1 district. Itis' on
West Hill, at the intersection of Chestnut and:Hickory. Bldg. Comm'r. Jones ex-
Plained that there were two exceptions-involved- 1) the lot is undersize, and' 2) the
garage is too close to the lot line. He went on to describe that the garage is five
feet from the vacant lot between that lot and the property. The lot size is.-13,920 ;
sq. ft. , whereas the ordinance would require that it be 15,000 sq.-ft. Director
Van Cort said that after having gone out to look at the site, it seemed to be a
reasonable idea, and would not be detrimental to the appearance of the neighborhood.
Mr. Schickel MOVED that both exceptions be granted, Mr. .Stein seconded. Four
members voted for, one against, while one abstained. The motion CARRIED.
b.. Appeal 1043: This was a request for exception to Sec. 7, Cols. 7-8 of Zoning
. Ordinance, at 207 William Street, in R-3 district. The appellant, Ignatio Cerano of
1362 Mecklenburg Road is requesting an exception to the above, off-street parking
requirement, minimum lot size, width of street line, front and side yards. Director
Van Cort pointed out that the difficulty encountered here is that it has already been
done. He added that he .had gone to look at the site. It is a basement apartment, the
lot size is insufficient -under the present zoning law. Bldg. Comm'r Jones described
how, through routine inspection, it was discovered that an additional building unit had
been added on to the building without permission. He went on to say that the ordinance
states that the responsibility for a building permit lies with the owner or his
authorized agent. The Building Commissioner further stated that cease and desist
order can be issued. Mr. Stein MOVED and Mr. Moran seconded that the Planning Board
recommend denial of Appeal #1043. Mr. Conway amended that the Planning Board should
recommend strong enforcement of the Ordinance regarding this type of-violation. Mr.
Stein accepted the amendment. The amended motion recommending denial CARRIED
unanimously.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Mr. Howard Schlieder, City Engineer asked for permission to speak on proposed
subdivision on Taylor Place. The Board therefore moved the subdivision approval to
the beginning of the agenda in order to give those concerned a chance to speak I1r.
Schlieder explained. that this was a resubmission of a subdivision which had been
previously approved. He then asked for the Board's approval of the request. After
examination of the submitted map, and a brief discussion, Mr. Moran MOVED that the?
Board accept the request for preliminary subdivision. Mr. Stein seconded. The
motion CARRIED unanimously,
COMMUtiICATIONS: None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Ithaca 114all Progress Report: D rector Van Cort stated that the Mall Steering
Committee had spoken to over 90% ov merchants and owners. Over 70% are completely in
favor, 5% completely against, and the remainder, undecided. Amendments to the Local
Finance Law necessary for 20-year mall bonding are in the appropriate committee of the
State Assembly and Senate. Construction and approval have been referred to the BPW
which is due to take action March 27, 19 4 on approval of plans, and request .to
Council for establishment of a capital project.
Mr. Van Cort stated that the Board would probably also pass a resolution. of
intent concerning the tax district, and hat design drawings and specifications Y*ere
complete and were submitted the previous week. The drawings were now under review by
the BPW, a copy was available to those interested in the Planning Office. The only
change in design was that the aprons proposed at intersections of State and Cayuga
Streets and State and Aurora Streets were eliminated at the suggestion of the traffic
consultant and at the recommendation of the Board of Public Works. All the project
seems to be moving very well and subsequ nt to BPW action Council is expected to 'vote
the necessary resolutions and approvals at their April 3 meeting.
In answer to a question addressed by one of the members of the public, Mr. Van
Cort mentioned that the Rothschild-Caldwell project was in its final stages and
awaiting final. signing. Chm. Doney outlned briefly the history of' the Rothschild-
Caldwell project. Mr. Stein added that he Urban Renewal Agency controls the land in
question and proposals for the project were closed approximately three years ago.
b. Progress Report on Cayuga Inlet Stuff: Director Van Cort explained that in
the Fall, work had begun with a group of students on preparing a master plan for this
area in the city in order to make recomin ndations on land use planning and highway
location. Robert Woodworth, one of the students involved, explained that the group
had put together and designed a number of maps pointing out different areas of interest
relevant to the Cayuga Inlet. He then d scribed each map as follows:
Map 1: Historic Development - This map showed the historic development of the
area.,Director Van Cort discussed briefly the transition of Cayuga Inlet from a
utilitarian area in its primitive, malaria-laden stage, to the aesthetic, recrea-
tional area which it is becoming today.
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4ap 2: Land Use - This map displayed how the commercial activities and resi-
dential areas are mixed, sometimes not very favorably. -
Map 3: Conditions - This map outlined the condition on certain structures and
showed that many residential structures are not in good condition in part because of
the influence of ,commercial and transportation uses.
Map 4: Valuations -' This map showed the assessed valuations of those properties
with an a.v. of over $15,000, excluding residential properties.
Nia,p 5: Type of Commercial Activity - This map showed that the area is very much
a car-oriented section of the city.
Map 6: ?,Tater Accessibility This map examines the water's -edge. in the area,
demonstrating that many of the older properties afford little or no access to the
water, thus not taking advantage of this valuable resource.
T.Tap 7: Neighborhood Breakdown a This map divides the study areas :,'Lnto several
different use groups, some primarily commercial and industrial, and others recrea-
tional oriented.
r4ap 8: Projected Land Use - This 'map shows the probable development pattern
without any governmental action based on existing trendstowardfut%;re°-commercial. `and
industrial uses.
Map q: Projected Land Use 2 u This map is a proposed general land use plan which
takes fuller advantage of the area's waterfront and commercial recreational potentia
This is the map that is recommended to the Board by the study group.
Maps 10 thru 12: Highway Analysis :a This series of maps showed the several
different highway locations examined by the study group with the benefits and problems
involved in each. Planning Director Van Cort explained that most of the alternatives
were outside of the corridor already designated by the Department of Transportation.
He noted that in all likelihood the •study would probably have to keep any problems
for the highway within that corridor in order to avoid a 5=-year delay. One of the
proposals was discussed with the Department of Transportation earlier that day and
their initial reaction had been that it could not be considered to be within the
corridor. This location had slight advantage over the others in the way it distributed
traffic in the existing local street system but wc.uld not be considered if it would
cause a delay in the project.
uap l3: _ Schematic Site Plan Proposals—This map showed how certain areas in
the marine zone could be developedforhousing• and commercial recreational.
Mr. Doney thanked the study team for their assistance in giving the presentation
and commended them on their excellent work. It was unanimously agreed that it be
noted that the Board was most grateful for their valuable contribution. The study
'was referred to the General Plan & Capital Improvement Committee for review and
recommendations.
c. 1701' Program Progress Report: Chm. Doney reminded everyone of the sub-
mittal. in November concerning this matter. The Executive Committee of the Planning
13oard Diet today to discuss recent developments. Mr. Stein summarized these briefly
as follows: He stated that the proposal which the Planning Board had approved in
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November was for a study to be done by t e staff with 7/8 State and Federal funding
for around �>;10,000 of housing and community development programs for the City of
Ithaca in the post categorical grant era. This proposal had been submitted to the
Office of Planning Services and been referred by them to the Office for Local Govern-
ment, who had subsequently called the planning director expressing some interest in
the proposal. Van Cort and Mrs. Williams had recently gone to Albany to discuss the
proposal with the Office for Local Government. The results of that discussion were
that the State would be interested in having the Planning Department engage a con-
sultant to do a study of the governmental structure in .Ithaca as it related to
housing and community development. The Executive Committee had met and discussed
this recommended change but had concurred that the Planning Board should stay within
the area of programs rather than structural. It was therefore decided that the
consultants who had been contacted woul be advised by Van Cort that the study should
be on programs rather than. structural ad that the proposals could be for a study
within the neighborhood of $10,000415, 00 with the city paying 1/8 share. Chm.
Doney recommended that the Board forward a synopsis of the State's reply to the
Planning and Development Committee of Con Council and that the department should
continue work on the proposal. The con ensus of the Board was that this was the
proper course of action.
NY4 BUSINESS:
a. Landmarks Designation a St. Ja es African :Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
.fir. Van Cort explained the proposed designation that had been approved by the
Landmarks Preservation Commission and referred to the Common Council which referred
it to the Planning Board. The church is located on Cleveland Avenue. Van Cort
read the brief history of the church and, gave reasons why he felt it merited reco-
mmendation as a landmark. Mrs. Benson ?COVED that it be recommended to Council for
designation; Mr. Stein seconded. The m tion CARRIED unanimously.
b. Proposed resolution for minor lair change for the Ithaca Urban Renewal
Agency.- Mr. Van Cort explained that the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency needed a minor
plan change as part of the Rothschild-Ce.ldwell development. He also noted that
Common Council and the Urban Renewal Agency had already approved the change. The
following resolution was then MOVED by P . Moran, seconded by NIr. Conway:
`WHEREAS, It has become necessary for the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency to revise
the Urban Renewal Plan for the Center-Ithaca Urban Renewal Project (N.Y.R.-112)
and it is required by Federal and State law that said plan change must be
approved by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca; and
"IRIEREAS, The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency at a special meeting on the 30th day
of May, 1973 duly approved by resolution (#211), a copy of which is attached '
hereto and made a part hereof, the proposed changes to the Urban Renewal Plan
for the Center-Ithaca Urban Renewal. Projedt N.Y.R.-112,. and
"WHEREAS, The Common Council of th . City of Ithaca at a regular meeting of the
Common Council on June 6, 1973 duly approved a resolution, a copy of which is
attached hereto and made a part hereof, the proposed changes to the Urban
Renewal Plan for the Center-Ithaca Urban Renewal Project Y.Y.R.-112, and
"WHEREAS, The City of Ithaca Planning Board deems it necessary and in the best
interest of the City to amend R2134C--2 paragraph a-2,
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`'Iiow, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That this Planning Board (considering the action
taken on May 30, 1973 by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and by the Common Council
of the City of Ithaca on June 7, 1973) does hereby approve the amendment to the
presently existing page R-213-3 of said Urban Renewal Plan be amended by deleting
paragraph a-2) "Public Parking7parking lot or structure, except that air space
above may be used for commercial use as defined above." and substituting for
a-2) Public Parking - parking lot or a structure either free standing or in
combination with commercial use.
"That this Resolution take effect fourteen (14) days after approval of t:�e
Common Council'.
CARRIED unanimously.
c. Ap ruval for Assistant _Planner Meigs to attend N.Y.S. Preservation Conference
on April 26, 27, 28 in Rochester, IJew York. A![r. Van Cort described the reasons why
he felt it would be beneficial for Tk1r. Meigs to attend this Conference and asked the
Board's approval on this issue. 'Mr. 'Moran MOVED that approval be granted, Mr. Schickel
seconded, the motion CARRIED unanimously.
MISCELLATdEOUS:
1. ",fir. Van Cort announced that Frank Liguori wishes to know if the city would be
interested in sharing the cost for getting current aerials. The aerials would be
flown at 2000-scale at a cost of approximately $400.00. Mr. Stein objected to the
fact that the city should have to pay. He suggested that Mr. Liguori should provide
the pictures with county funds. He recommended suggesting that the county pay for_.
such .costs in the future. This suggestion was agreeably received by the Board.
2. Chairman Doney described a list compiled by Director Van Cort of all the
projects the Department is presently working on. It was not distributed but it was .
conveyed that the list was available to anyone interested.
3. It was suggested that Mr. Van Cort communicate As soon as possible with the
members of the hoard as to the Agenda for the upcoming meeting and that the chairman
of the Codes & (`rdinances Committee should be notified if any zoning cases are
received in time for their review.
ADJOURNINiENT: 10:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
`i. Matthys Val Cort
Planning Director
4.11.74
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