Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1974-06-25 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES City .of Ithaca Regular Meeting June 25, 197+ 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Mrs. Benson, Messrs. Brock, Doney (arrived late), Moran and Stein. ALSO: Planning Director Van Cort, Alderwoman Jones, Bldg. Comm'r Jones and members of the press and radio: Vice Chm. Stein presided over the first part of the meeting in the absence of Chm. .Doney. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Stein MOVED and Mrs. 'Benson seconded, approval of the minutes of the meeting of- May 28, 1974. Mr. Brock offered an Pmgndment to the letter from Wilcox Press within said minutes, in that the word "brown" (first line of second paragraph) should be changed:to "grown." The amendment was accepted and the motion CARRIED unanimously. ZONING: a. BZA Appeal 1051,-Request for a Variance by Douglas Ridley, Charles Currey, Robert O'Brien and David Taube at 106 E. Court Street in R-3 District. Planning Director Van Cort explained that this concerned the old'Bank of Newburgh building on Court Street, opposite DeWitt Park. Messrs. Ridley, Currey, O'Brien and Taube have requested a use variance to permit the establishmentof professional offices in a building in an R-3 zone, and also a variance�n parking.regulations. Mr. Vari Cort explained that they had no on-street parking, but had commitments for off-street parking. At this point, Mr. Stein introduced -Mr. David Taube and Charles Currey, the attorney representing his case. Atty. Currey then presented the board members with drawings of the building in question and went on describe the matter further. He explained the function of the two drawings: one showed the building as it will appear once completed, and showed a use map of the area; the other described the lay- out of the inside offices. He emphasized the fact that there were no plans whatsoever for industrial use of the building, that it was to be strictly for the use of pro- fessional offices. He then mentioned that this building was a landmark building within the federal historic area. At this time, Mr. Taube read several excerpts of articles referring to the historic aspects of the building in question and emphasizing its importance as a historic building. He further offered a brief statement made by 1•1r. Jacobs, referring to the unique qualities of the building as a historic structure. He gave a few details on the background of the building, explaining some of its uses in the past, leading up to its present use. He presented the members of the b•.)ard with two photographs--one showing the building as it once stood, in a state of deterioration after having been vacated by the bank,, and a more recent photograph showing -it almost as it stands today. He added that they have spoken with members of the Landmarks Commission, who are in agreement with the changes which they propose to make. He added that these changes would be very minor ones which would not in any way alter the building's appearance, nor would the use of the building interfere with the historic significance of the surrounding area. Mr. Moran MOVED, and Mrs. Benson seconded, -that ."due to the building's historic significance and excellent design, and due to the fact its proposed use will further the efforts toward historic preservation in Ithaca, the Planning Board recommend that the variance be granted." The motion CARRIED unanimously. b. BZA Appeal 1052--Request for a Variance by Knights of Columbus at 302'W. Green Street in R-2 District. Planning Director Van Cort explained that the owners of the property wish to build an accessory building which would enclose trash and garage to keep it under cover. The building is located on the corner of Green and Albany Streets. Bldg. Comm'r Jones explained that and r present regulations, the building should be five feet from theside yard, but that the accessory structure would be only, 2'6" from the side yard. Their hardship claim is lack of space for storage of trash and garbage.: Mr. Jones further added that this accessory building will be attached to the original building and also built f cinder blocks. It was pointed out that the os.Tners of the adjacent property wouldhave to be notified by letter as required by law and thus would be aware of the si uation.' Mrs. Benson MOVED, and Mr. Moran seconded, "the Planning Board recommends that the variance be granted to allo?.,r construction of the accessory building." The motion CARRIED unanimously. SP.ECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None. COMMUNICATIONS: None. COMMI`1'TEE REPORTS: None. OLD BUSINESS: a. Resolution concerning Junior Planner Position, Planning Director Van Cort stated that Mrs. Rcsalind Williams has worked for the Planning Department for over two years and has performed very well as a junior planner. He added that she also does a substantial amount of work which is not generally considered to be in the "Junior" classification. Mr. Van Cort explained that he, as well as others, have felt that Mrs. Williams deserves to h we a higher classification, but that in their attempts to accomplish this, they have encountered numerous difficulties,. He ex- plained that he is recommending that she be promoted to Assistant Planner, but for this to happen, the Board must approve the promotion. He stated that he contacted the Civil Service Commission and was informed of the steps required to establish- a new position. He detailed these steps as follows: The Board must submit to the Commission a new position duties statement (description of .anticipated duties to be performed.by the person in that position), the Commission classifies it, thus creating a position for Mrs. Williams to move into; she in turn submits an application for the new position, and is appointed with the approval of Common Council. The Commission then requests an examination from Albany. Mr. Van Cort emphasized that the Planning Board must request her promotion to this new.position. In reply to I4Irs. Benson's question, Mr. Van Cort indicated that any qualified applicant may take the exam and compete with Mrs. Williams, but that during her provisional appointment to the new position, she retains her status as permanent junior planner, without loss of any benefits. Mr. Stein read a resolution to the Board and recommended, in view of the back- ground, it might be advisable to omit nention of Mrs. Williams, and simply request the establishment of a new position. After extensive discussion, it was agreed that the resolution request the establishment of an assistant planner position to be filled provisionally, by Mrs. Rosalind Williams. This discussion revealed that the Planning Department appeared to be experiencing too many difficulties regarding personnel. matters, and it was suggested that thi matter be seriously studied. Y b. Request from the Conmion Council for recorcmendation on sale of land to Wilcox Press. Director Van Cort explained that several. months ago v'ilcox Press wrote a letter to the City Clerk asking if they could buy the land adjacent to their preser building off State Street. He explained that the land in question is a 6' wide strii of land which runs North-South adjacent to the Wilcox property and that Wilcox Press wishes to expand onto that piece of land. The matter was referred to the Planning Board by Council. Van Cort added that he had made.a recommendation on the matter, because it had originally been referred to the Planning Department and that it was now before the Board on a second referral from Council. He described his recommenda- tion as being that lie saw no reason why the request should be`-.denied. He also reminded the Board that the letter from Wilcox Press appeared in the Planning Board minutes of May 28 Ivir. Stein MOVED "recommendation of approval of this request for sale of land, with the suggestion that the matter cf the need for state legislative approval be responded to by the City Attorney at the Council meeting.Q4 Seconded by Mr. Brock. The motion .CARRIED unanimously. I . Southside Center P12.LLround Resolution. Director Van Cort stated that he had a meeting a few weeks previously with Lawrence Tumposky, a representative of the New York State Division of housing and Community Renewal at which they discussed a program which provides 75 funding for acquisition of neighborhood parks to serve the existing urban neighborhoods. Van Cort said the application was fairly simple and he expected that approval could be gotten within 2 months for money for the Southside Center Playground project. He added that they also looked at a number of possible sites on which the Board should make a .recommendation in the coming months. Among these were: Auburn Park, Southside Center Park, CYO property, two parcels on University Avenue, and finally, the parcel on the Southeast corner of Stewart and. Buffalo Streets--all suggested as possible public open spaces in the area. Mr. Van Cort explained that while the representative did no+ comment specifically on any of these, he was generally optimistic. nor. Van Cort s.-.-.ted that the Board's recommendation of the resolution was required. Mr. Doney read the resolution at this Point. Mr. Brock ,MOVED, and Mrs. Benson seconded, "recommendation of the resolution by the Board.'7 The motion CARRIED unanimously. Resolution of Planning Board "WHEREAS, we have reviewed the proposal for establishment of a neighborhood park as identified in the Application for. StateOGrant-In-Aid, Part I - Initial Submission, and "WHEREAS, the plan for the proposed neighborhood park is in general conformity with the existing comprehensive plan for the overall development of the municipality, and WHEREAS, the proposed neighborhood park is in general conformity with other plans for municipal mark development, and WHEREAS, the proposed neighborhood park is .located in or convenient to a densely populated area as defined in regulations governing the Neighborhood Park Land Acquisition Program, and WHEREAS, other municipal agencies concerned with park development have been con- sulted, identified as: Ithaca Youth Bureau, Department of Public Works, and WHEREAS, the existing zoning of the site proposed for neighborhood park develop- ment and surrounding environs is adequate, 3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING BOARD, That -approval of the pro- posed neighborhood park�.as detailed .in the Part I submission is recommended. And I so move.' Ithaca City Planning Board Reviewing Agency Henry E. Doney Chairman d. Summer Work Program--possibility of need to make budget transfer. Each member was presented with an amendment to the summer work program. Nm. Van Cort explained that there was no longer any reason to be concerned with this matter, as an alternative solution had been found. e. Sale of land ad acent to Purit_ Ice Cream---a referral_ by Common Council for Further information an_d study. Van Cort explained that this question had been referred to the Board a second time bec use of problems which were n(-_rationed by Fire Chief weaver and other staff members at the July city staff meeting. Mr. Brock MOVED that "the departme t pursue this matter and report back as soon" as possible so that the Board can make recommendation." Mr. Doney recommended that it be referred to the General Plan & Ca ital Improvements Committee--all were in 'favor. At this point, Mr. Stein noted that the planning department should have the responsibility of contacting the various departments involved in city land decisions. f. Bikewayro aa�rin of Ti Ray as consulta; t,.. Mr. Van Cort stated that Council has transferred $800.00 from the General Fund Contingency Account to Planning Department Fees & Professional Services Account to enable Tim Ray's use of a grant from his national. fraternity to work on bikeways in and around Ithaca. He added that the Planning Department will be administering the grant to Mr. Ray. At this time, Mr. Van Cort informed the Board members that two summer employees have been hired and that he expects to hire one more, at most. He added that he has informed Judith Benedict- that he wishes to employ her as permanent junior planner. NEW BUSINESS a. Request for preliminary approv 1 of Ruuspakka-Haag subdivision--S.E. corner of Buffalo St. and Stewart Ave. Mr. Va Cort explained that this concerned the land which lies along Buffalo St. between Qurry St. and Stewart Ave. There are now two structures on a single parcel - one : ]ea tment building on the up-hill side, and a Victorian mansion on the down--hill side. It has been proposed to divide the property into two parcels because the owner now wishes to sell. There are tro parties interested in buying the separate parcels, and in order to achieve this the land must be subdivided. Under the present regul tion this constitutes a subdivision and must be brought to the Planning Board for approval. Mr. Doney suggested that this matter be brought back to the Board for prelim nary approval. 14ISChLLANEOUS o . a'. Mr. Doney acquainted the Board ith the fact that there were no garbage cans at; Cass. Park. Mr. Stein agreed to present this information at the Board of Public `tiorks meeting. b. Mr. Brock pointed out that there is a. road which intersects Quarry and Valentine Place south. of State Street. He added that the city is presently engaged in some sortoflandfill operation there and that what used to be a passable way along the creek has now become impassable as what is poured over the edge goes down into the creek. He wishes to know whether this situation can be alleviated. 1r. Stein agreed to bring it up at the Board of Public Works meeting. c. Mr. Stein asked to be informed on the purchase of two bus shelters. Alderwoman Jones gave a brief description of the shelters and added that there may be a need for two additional shelters, but that no funds have been requested for such as yet. ADJOURNMENT: 9:35 P,Psi. Respectfully submitted, e.H. Matthys Van Cort Planning Director 7.19.74 5