HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1974-09-24 -
MEMOR.ANDUM' '
TO: 'PlanningBoard
Y
FROM: H. It.; Van.-Cort
SUBJ: Agenda for September .197+ meeting
:.. .
DATE. September 20, .197 :.. .....''.;.._, ,
,
The following are brief descri%ions of the 'agenda items which will come
before you at the September meeting. While brief,. I hope that these descriptions
will facilitate discussions on these items since .we.are. faced with a very: long '
agenda. -
5. - COMMUNICATIONS: Referral by BPW on Plain St. Bridge and Monroe St. Bridge.
Supt. Dingman, on Aug. 16., forwarded an explanaton 'of .the DPW's Aug 14" . .
requestfor planning to study and advise them 'what, if any; need .exists for: -
vehicular pedestrian and/or utility bridges across Six Mile Creek at Plain St.:,
and across Cascadilla Creek at Monroe St. DPW's bridge consultant has recommended,
complete closing of,_the S. . Plain St. bridge, which in recent years- has been
pedestrian and utility only, and closing to vehicular traffic of the Monroe Str •
bridge: ` Some sentiment, .particularly from Titus Towers residents, has been -
expressed for, the maintenance of at least.a.pedestrian crossing at Plain, and a ".
vehicular bridge seems to have some merit., but no' sentiment. over Monore St. has
yet- surfaced. ` One possibility for. Plain St. . is to expand- the Fair Street Park ': -
in conjunction with the solution to this question.. :
This'item has .been brought to you for referral to"the. staff or committee
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a.- Executive Committee: Rec6mmendatilonon .1974 Budget Request:
The Executive Committee of the. Planning Board met to review and. make .a.. _
recommendation on .the Board's 1975 Budget Request. This request was submitted. to
the Finance Department on.September-13. . .It. ,,,is .attached for. your informat ion-and.
, t
approval. : -
b. General Plan & ,Capital Projects for 1975:'
Attached .is a list of. the capital projects proposed by the planning staff., for
1975 and-reviewed by the General Plan and: Capital Improvements Committee, which ` -
are submitted to the Planning Board for their consideration and recommendations.'-
Within the next couple of weeks, the planning staff will assign a Ipriority in terms
of :the city's planning goals to each capital project to be. considered by CIRC.
and refer. these recommendations to_the General Plan and Capital Improvements _
Committee and .the-CIRC. The General Plan.and Capital Improbements Committee. may,
be asked to act-on these recommendations before the. Planning Board meeting because
the CIRC's first review meeting will be held prior :to the Board's October meeting:
q.
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7. OLD _BUSINESSc -
a. Recommendation on sale of bed of -Hancock St west of Route 13•
In• response to a referral from Common Council the staff has investigated.,— ,
the merits of selling the bed of the unopened portion of Hancock Street west
of. Rte. 13. rhe � his investigation indicates that there are
no planning reasons why this land should not be sold as surplus property:
However, at this time one city department feelg that there are unresolved
problems which should be taken care of before the land is sold and for that
_ reason the staff recommends against selling until this problem isae-err_
b. Recommendation on .plan for'new city street to. link Cascadilla St. -,.Ex-
tension to to Third. St. west of Rte. 13• -
Responding to a request from the city engineer, staff this summer undertook
a study of a possible location for a new city street to link Cascadilla Street
Extension to Third St. west of Rte. 13. After investigating several alternatives
staff has a recommendation on a specific location. This matter can be referred
to committee or acted on by the Board. -
c. -Report of staff recommendation to Intergovernmental Relations Committee '
of Council on need and location for South Hill Fire Station.
In response to a request from the Intergovernmental Committee the staff has
a recommendation on the need and location for a fire station which was presented ,.
to the. Planning Board at its August meeting. The recommendations were made
after the following steps were taken:
Initial consultations included Fire Chief Charles "Weaver and the Town -of ,.
Ithaca
ownof -
Ithaca planners Barbara Holcomb and Larry Fabroni. A preliminary report was: :
written. That report was discussed at a meeting involving Donald Slattery,. Chief '.
Weaver, Thys Van Cort, Larry Fabbroni, Barbara Holcomb and Emanuel Carter (project
planner)
On August 8, 197411� final" report suggested the followings
. 1) The City does not yet need a South Hill fire station; 2)The Town does not
yet-need a South Hill fire- station; 3) South Hill has circulation problems on.
Clinton--Prospect, Aurora, Pleasant and Columbia Streets and the_Town of Ithaca'-
is experiencing-growth around East 'King Road and Rte. 96; 4) If city circulation: . . '
problems and Town growth rate continue, a South Hill fire station (at joint City
and Town expense) might be warranted. The probable location would. be near the
intersection of East King Rd. .and Rte. 96.
d. Report on proposal to rezone 300 block of S. ,Cayuga St. _
On July 23, 1974, the Planning Board-was requested.to study the desirability
of rezoning the southern half of the block bounded -by Clinton St. , S.- Cayuga St.
and Six-Mile Creek from R-3 tom - B zone. The .request was submitted.by
the lawyer of the owner of the property at 327-29 S. Cayuga St. , who claimed that
she could not sell her property under the present zoning:-
Unaware that the property was sold on August 20, 1974, the Codes and Ordinances
Committee, in its meeting of August- 2_2,that consideration be given to purchase by the: .
city of the properties at. 327-29 and 331 S. Cayuga St. for development as.a vest
pocket park.
Since 'the .original request was made, the. property at 327-29 S. Cayuga;St
has been sold, the structure on. that parcel has,.been .demolished, and the -new,
owner has indicated to the Building Commissioner that. he intendsito use this
lot to provide off-street parking for his tenants in the adjacent apartment.:
building. Because the problem which brought the request to the Planning Board,. ,-
has been temporarily resolved, and becaus-e. the,property at 331 S. Cayuga St.
houses a residence in good condition.as well as a business,. the.planning staff
recommends to the Boardthat no further actions be taken on the-rezoning request
anY plans fora park be shelved at this. .time: r
Assessed Valuation.- based on 8o% of 1965 market. value .
Property ' Land.' Structure Total'
327-29 S. Cayuga Ic800 .. `, 03700 b 51500
331 S. Cayuga 2+50 3600 6050
The ..property at 327-29-S. Cayuga St. was sold on August.' 20, 1974. for..$3�06.�.
e. Progress report on F1ood.Plain map.
The Flood Hazard Map submitted to the city'.by HUD is in the opinion of the
staff incomplete and. in many cases incorrect and. as a .result has been.:sent back `
to HUD forrevisions. .
f. Proposed,,-National Historic Register designation .for Station Restaurant
complex..:.
.NYSDoT has. informed us_.that an application has 'been made to enter the 'Station
Restaurant, and its: associated Freight Station (owned by the city), on the:
National Register of Historic Buildings. DoT is now discussing with FHWA whether
consideration of the potential impact of the Rte. 13 & 96 project on this complex
will require an addendum to the Environmental Impact Statement, with a concomitant `
delay in approval of the EIS of: perhaps. as. much as, a year, and thus "a ,similar
delay in project .completion, or whether the matter can be handled in the project. .
design stage, with no effec ive delay.. The Board, and other concerned city ..
agencies, may wish to urge MA to .accept the latter course, which will alloy
discussion and development of a considered and comprehensive response to thea'
situation_ , or it may be more appropriate to defer official reaction until DoT
and FHWA. have decided how it is to be- handled. The staff feelsi that resolution.
of the question early 'in the design phase would be best. ;.
8-. NEW BUSINESS. - -
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a. Preliminary report on Community: Development Act
The Community Development Act has been passed and signed. Applications for
funds for community development activities is required and must be. submitted no...
later than April 1975. , , A description of the eligible activities and requirements
of the bill will be discussed.
b. -Feasibility study of Cross-town Road by County Planning Dept.'
The- controversial'Cross-Town Road' proposal developed.by a consultant for the County
Planning Department contains alternative possibilities for a two-lane controlled-access
road between South and East Hills, most of which would be. located in the Town. The'
road -might eventually connect...to Rt. 13 in the vicinities of Buttermilk Falls and .
of Warren Rd. It would probably have a significant impact, as yet unclear, on the
city's development and quality of life. The city should definitely. be directly` ' '
involved in project discussion.
e. Report on trban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) application.
The staff in cooperation with members of the DPW and others, has prepared a-
preliminary application for a capital grant whichwill include new buses,. a,
special .bus .for the elderly, bus shelters, bus �Sro _
� signs. with route and
schedule information and4bus storage and maintenance facilit:�/�,. The FHWA has
responded to this application and has indicated what future steps must be taken by the
city to complete the application. Itis possible., that a commitment for funding
could be made' in the quarter beginning January 1975
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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
City of Ithaca
Regular MEeting September 24, 1974 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chm. Doney, Mrs. Benson, Messrs. Brock, Hildreth, Moran, Saggese and Stein.
ALSO: Planning Director Van Cort, Mrs. R. Williams, Aldermen Dennis, Jones and
Meyers, and members of the press and radio.
Chm. Doney called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
Mr. Hildreth MOVED and Mr. Brock seconded, "approval of the Minutes of the Regular
meeting of August 27, 197+.1' The motion CARRIED unanimously.
ZONI.iVG CASES: None.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None.
Chm. Doney explained that Mrs. Williams was present in order to speak on Agenda
item.8a (Community Development Act). He asked Board members whether they had any
objections to taking up that matter at this time. Since all were in favor, Item 8a on
the Agenda was taken up for discussion.
Preliminary Report on Community Development Act: Mrs. Williams explained that
the Community Development Act had been passed and signed. She said that an application
for funds for community development activities is required and must be submitted to
HUD no later than April 15• She further added that 75 days are required for approval,
and that the money will arrive thereafter. In reply to Mrs. Ienson's question, Mrs.
Williams stated that this money is from the Federal. government but will not be allowed
to be used for loans to private individuals or organizations. Mr. Van Cort added that
by the next meeting, there should be a complete outline of steps taken and those yet
to be taken. It was suggested that the appropriate Council committee should be
notified regarding Community Development procedures. The Board thanked Mrs. Williams.
COIr IUNICATIONS:
Mr. Van Cort explained that the department had received a communication from the
Board of Public Works regarding the bridges over Cascadilla and Six-Mile Creek.
Following a brief discussion Mr. Stein MOVED, and Mr. Brock seconded, that "this be
referred, with power to make recommendation, to the General Plan and Capital Improve-
ments Committee." Mrs. Meyer added that during discussion of this matter, consideration
should be given to the cost of retaining those bridges. The motion CARRIED unanimously.
At this time, Mr. Van Cort explained that Mr. McLaughlin of Purity Ice Cream was
present specifically to discuss Item 7a (Old Business) on the Agenda. With no ob-
jection from Board members, Item 7a was taken up at this time.
Recommendation on Sale of Bed of Hancock St. West of Rt. 13: Mr. Van Cort
introduced Mr. McLaughlin of Purity Ice Cream. Van Cort said that in response to a
referral from the Common Council, the staff had investigated the merits of selling the
bed of the unopened portion of Hancock Street west of Rt. 13. He went on to say that
this investigation indicated that there were no planning reasons why this land should
not be sold as surplus property. However, he added that certain factors were to be
consdiered before the land should be sold: -`
1) A 20' right-of-way should be retained for a sanitary sewer which is located
in the street.
2) A right-of-way will have to be retained for transmission line oi-med by New
York State Gas and Electric, loca ed in the street.
3) There is a fire hydrant within th. street right-of-way which, however, could
be moved at the buyer's expense.
4) A small part of the street at its extreme western end which may be needed for
a proposed street to connect Cascdil.l.a Street to Third Street Extension
should be retained by the city.
5) The Fire Department has recommend, d that the property not be sold until a bulk
yard adjacent to the street has bFen brought into compliance with the Fire
Prevention Code.
Van Cort read a memo from the fire c ief, describing his objection to the sale:
"I recommend that the unopened portion of Hancock Street west of Meadow Street
not be sold until there is a resolut'on of the matter of the non-conforming bulk
yard north of the street.
At present, Mr. Guentert, representee by Mr. Hines, is appealing a Fire Department
order to bring the plant into compli nce with the Fire Prevention Code. Main-
taining public ownership of Hancock treet will prevent increased exposure of
property from this hazard and theref re serve the public interest. At such time
as the bulk storage is discontinued it the yard is brought into compliance with
the law, I will be glad to withdraw my objection."
Due to these problems Mr. Van Cort stated that the staff recommends against selling
until the problems are resolved. Once settled, the land should be recommended for
sale as surplus land.
At this point Mr. McLaughlin spoke. Regarding the fire chief's concerns, he
stated that there is only fuel oil store in the building, and that he feels that it
is not a fire hazard. He said that Puri wants to fix up the street primarily for
parking purposes. He added that they ar interested in obtaining the street so that
if they do expand their building, they c n go to the 10-foot line on each side of the
sewer without having to get numerable variances. Under present conditions, variances
are required for further expansion. Mr. Van Cort then stated that he spoke with Mr.
Mc�_,aughlin and Mr. Hines and that the staff feels that these plans to expand would be
an acceptable land use. He added, howev ,r, -that the fire chief's objection is the -
main reason why- the Planning Department .s reluctant to recommend the sale of the land.
1(r. Stein MOVED, and Mr. Moran seconded, "that the Board recommend sale of this property
on the basis of planning considerations only, with the qualifications transmitted to
the Common Council as submitted by the F're Chief and other city departments, such
qualifications to be organized in a report approved by the General Plan Committee, to
be submitted to the Council." The motio; CARRIED unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a. Executive Committee: Chm. Doneexplained that the Executive Committee of
the Planning :Board meet to review and male a recommendation on the Board's 1975 Budget
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Rec+t:.-3t. Each member• was gi.en a copy of the Budge u` Request. Mr. 'Doney fi>rther added
t , this Request was submitted to the Finance Department on September 13. Mr. Ilan
Coit explained that the figures on the Request represented 1973 salaries still since
there had been no time to compute the 1974 salaries. He added that once the Request
had gone to the Finance Department, it will then go to the Budget & Administration
Committee and then to the -Council. This is expected by November.
b. General Plan &_Capital Improvements: Each Board member was given a list of
the capital projects proposed by the planning staff for 1975. Mr. Van Cort explained
that these projects would be reviewed by -the General Plan and Capital Improvements
Committee and submitted to the Planning Board for their consideration and recommenda-
tion. , FIe further added that within a few weeks, the planning staff will assign a
priority in terms of the city's planning goals to each capital project to be considered
b`r the Capital. Tmprovements Reviev Committee and refer these recommendations to the
General Plan and Capital Improvements Committee' and the CIRC. At the Board's request,
i.
Mr. Van Cart explained how the department went about deciding upon the priorities, and
he gave a brief description of each project listed'. Extensive discussion ensued re-
garding the priority assignment of certain- projects.
OLD BUSINESS:
b. Recommendation on Plan for Ne7r City Street- to Link Cascadilla St.- Extension
cj Third St. West of Rt. 13: Mr. Stein MOVED, and Mr. Doney seconded, 'that this
matter be referred to the General Planning Committee." 'The motion CARRIED unanimously.
c. Report of Staff Recommendation to Intergovernmental Relations Committee of
Council cii Need and Location for South Hill Fixe Station: Mr. Van Cort explained that
the recommendations have already gone to the committee after the following steps were
taken:
Initial consultations included Fire Chief Weaver and the Town of Ithaca planners,
Barbara Holcomb and Larry Fabroni, A preliminary report was. written. That
report was discussed at a meeting involving Donald Slattery, Chief Weaver, Thys
Van Cort, Larry Fabroni, Barbara Holcomb, and Emanuel Carter (project planner).
He added that all seemed satisfied.
Mr. Brock MOVED, and Mrs. Benson seconded, "that the Planning Board has read and
accepted the report." The motion CARRIED unanimously.
d. Report on Proposal to Rezone 300 Block of S. Cayuga Streets Chm. Doney went
o-var the request to study the desirability of rezoning the southern half of the block
bounded by Clinton St. , S. Cayuga St. , and Six-Mile Creek from an R-3 to a B zone.
He explained that the-request was submitted by the lawyer for the owner of the property
at 327-29 S. Cayuga ST. , who claimed that she could not sell her property under the
present zoning.
Mr. Doney further added that, unaware that the property was sold on Augt?Ft 20,
1974, the Codes and Ordinances Committee, in itsmeetingof August 22, recommended
that consideration be given to purchase by the city of the properties at 327-29 and.
33 S. Cayuga St. for development as a vest pocket park.
11r. Doney went on to say that since the original request was made, the property
at 327-29 S. Cayuga St. has been sold, the structure on that parcel has been demolished,
a°-.1 the new owner has indicated to the Building Commissioner that he intends to use
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this lot to provide off-street parkin; z'ox his tenaaics in the adjacent a;,artment
building. Because the problem which brought the request to the Planning Board h%s
been temporarily resolved, and because the property at 331 S. Cayuga St. houses a
residence in good condition as well as a "business, the planning staff recommends to
the Board that no further actions be taken on the rezoning request and that plans for
a park be shelved at this time.
e. Progress Report on Flood Plain M : Edi. Van Cort stated that this was simply
to inform the Board that the department istill actively involved in this matter. He
added that the Flood Hazard map submittedto the city by HUD is in the opinion of the
staff incomplete, and in many cases,. inco rect, and as a result has been sent back for
revisions.
f. Proposed National Historic Register Designation for Station Restaurant Complex:
Mr; Van Cort explained that the Board hasibeen informed by NYSDoT that an application
been made to enter the Station Restaurant, and its associated Freight Station (owned
by the city) on the National Register ofistoric Buildings. He added that DoT is now
discussing with Federal Highway Administration whether consideration of the potential
i')p°-.ct of the Rt. 13 and 96 project on this complex will require an addendum to the
Environmental Impact Statement, with a eo' comitant delay in project completion, or
whether the matter can be handled in the roject design stage, with no effective de-
lay. Mr. Van Cort stated that the staff 'feels that resolution of the question early in
;,ire design phase would be best. Mr. Ste* reemphasized the fact that the highway
project must move as quickly as possible. Mr. . Moran MOVED, and Mr. Brock seconded,
"that the Planning Board reiterate its previously taken position that the Rt. 96
relocation project is essential to the city and that this project should be built as
soon aa..possible, and that further, the Planning Board has gone on record as favoring
preservation of the Station Restaurant, and that any consideration given to the Freight
Station as a structureworthy of preservatiion could be accomplished in the design phase
of the project and need not further delay the planning stage." The motion CARRIED
unanimously.
NM? BUSINESS:
b. Feasibility -Study. of Cross-Town Road by County Planning Department Available
to Planning Board: Mr. Van Cort stated that a report on this matter is available to
Board members for their perusal. Mr. Doney suggested that once this report has been
reviewed by the staff, it should be refer ed to the General Plan Committee.
c. Permanent Appointment of Planning Director Van Cort: Mr. Doney explained to
the Board that Mr. Van Cort has been acting Planning Director for one and one-half
years and that a resolution to appoint him permanent Planning Director read as follows:
WVRESOLVED, that H. Matthys Van Cort �be appointed permanently to the position of
Planning Director in the City Planning Department at the annual salary of
$15,739.84,9 and that his appointment shall become effective August 1, 197+ and
shall be subject to the usual probationary period."
Mr. Doney further added that he was amon� the people reviewing the applicants for the
position, and that all reviewers agreed that Mr. Van Cort was deemed to be the best
applicant. Mr. Doney added that Mr. Van Cort°s record in the past year and one-half
suprorts their judgmentand that he enthusiastically endorses the resolution. Mrs.
Bet-_kon MOVED, and Mr. Brock seconded, "t at the resolution be accepted.:o CARRIED
unanimously.
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d. Appointment of Planning Board Representatives to CapitalImprovements Review
Committee: Mr. Doney informed the Board that Messrs. Saggese and Hildreth have been
approached and have agreed to serve on the Capital Improvements Review Committee.
e. Report on Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) : Mr. Van Cort
explained that the staff, in cooperation with members of the Department of Public Works
and others, has prepared a preliminary application for a capital grant which will
include new buses, a special blas for the elderly, bus shelters, bus stop signs with
route and schedule information and bus storage and maintenance facility. The Federal
Highway Association has responded to this application and has indicated what future
steps must be taken by the city to complete the application. Mr. Van Cort added that
things are moving very well and that if there are no unforeseen delays the money could
be available in the federal third auarter, beginning January 1975.
ADJOURIRENT: 11r. Brock MOVED, and Mr. Stein seconded, "that the meeting adjourn."
Motion CARRIED unanimously. 9:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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H. Matthys Van Cort
30.17.7+ Planning Director
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