HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1975-01-28 CITY OF ITHACA
TOMPKINS COUNTY
NEW YORK
THE CITY PLANNINQ BOARD
ITI-IACA, NEW YORK 14850
AR 2-1713 January 23 1975
Planning Board
City of Ithaca
Ithaca, New York
Dear Planning Board Members:
Enclosed with your copy of last month's minutes and the agenda for thio
month's meeting you will find a copy of Chapters 31, 32, 34 and 35 of the
newly codified Municipal Code. These chapters deal with subdivisions,
historic preservation, signs and swimming pools respectively. The City Clerk
assures us that there has been no change other than renumbering, and smoothing
out language, in these chapters as previously adopted by the Common Council,
but we have been asked by Council to make a recommendation to them on these
items. The Planning Board's Codes & Ordinances Committee will make recommenda-
tion to the Board (see Agenda item 7, a).
Agenda Item 7, b refers to a request by Attorney William Sullivan for a
change in the chart regulation of the Zoning Ordinance which would allow
professional offices in a B-1 zone. The Codes & Ordinances Committee of the
Board will have a report on this for your consideration.
Item 8, a of the Agenda will be. a progress report on the Community
Development Act. The planning staff has been meeting regularly with the ad hoc
Community Development. Committee and many professional and citizen groups toward
preparation of the Community Development appli2ation. We are within a week or
two of having a draft application ready for consideration and action by Council.
I will report to you on the progress of this application.
The Planning .Department was asked by the Common Council to work on plan
design of a children's pool to complement the Olympic pool in Cass Park. An
ad hoc Children's Pool Committee has visited recreational centers in the area
and is ready to choose a designer for the project. The Board's policy approval
Of these steps would seem appropriate.
A study of waterways in the City of Ithaca which was an item in the 197+
work program has been referred to the Planning Board bv_ the Commcn Council for
action. The staff has Drenared a studv DroDosal using 1701' funds for a studv
of waterways in the Ithaca urban area. We have met with the New York State
Office of Planning Services on the nronosal and have been encouraged by that
office to proceed with the apDlication. The revised nronosal and work Droaram
will be sent under separate cover. Your action and referral to the Common Council
at this time would be aDDreciated.
Very tr lv yours,
u rrl-h h C3, Ma.tthvs Van Cort
PLANNING BOARD MIATIJTES
City of Ithaca
Regular Meeting: January 2$, 1975 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chm. Doney, Mrs. Benson, Mrs. Meyer, Messrs. Hildreth, Moran, and Stein.
ALSO: Dep. Bldg. CommIr Edison Jones, Alderwomen Anne Jones and Ethel Nichols,
and members. of the press and radio.
Chairman Doney called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
Mr. Moran hOVEM, and Mrs. Benson seconded, "approval of the Minutes of the
Regular meeting of December. 17, 1971+." The motion CARRIED unanimously.
Mrs. Nancy Meyer was introduced as the. new member of the Board, representing
the Common Council. The 1975 Committee Assignments were announced as follows:
EKECUTIVE & LIAISON COMMI'T'TEE -.. Doney, Stein, Benson
HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 1 ever Benson, Moran
GENERAL PLAN Pt CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE - Stein, Hildreth, Doney, Meyer
CODES & ORDINANCES COD91ITTEE - Benson, Saggese, Hildreth, Moran
C01,11UNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES CO"!MITTEE - Moran; Saggese, Stein
ZONING CASES: None.
Mr. Stein explained that Bldg. Comm°r. Jones was present to question the
density requirement in an R-3 zone as specified in the-Zoning. Ordinance. The
ordinance states that the minimum lot size in such a zone is 3250 S.F. ; further, it
requires 1000 S.F. per d7-relling unit and 500 S.F. per room let for profit. For
conversion from single-family to multiple=-dwelling unit, the ordinance requires
1500 S.F. per dwelling unit plus 1000 S.F. per room. Mr. Jones asked whether the
conversion required the initial 3250 S.F. plus 1500 S.F. per added unit, or
required solely 1500 S.F. per unit. Agreeing with the latter interaretation, Mr.
Stein said he understood the legislative intent of the Zoning Ordinance language
to require 3250 S.E. as a, minimu.LL lot size; 3250 S.F. for a two-unit dwelling; and
4500 S.F. for a three-unit dwelling, etc. The matter was referred to Common-_Qounc-il,;
the question was to be settled at the next Board meeting.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Dan Hoffman, a citizen speaking from the floor, asked whether the Planning
Board would consider the question of the economic and ent) onmental impact of shopping
centers in the outlying areas of Ithaca, particularly the Fairgrounds project. It
was decided that the General Plan and Capital Improvements Committee would look into
this matter and. would bring it up at the next meeting.
C.01,P�UNICATIONS:
Communications from the City Clerk were discussed under Committee Reports.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Codes & Ordinances Committee:
a. A letter from the Clerk explained that Mr. William Sullivan recommended
that permitted uses in R-3 zones be ex ended to include professional offices of
lawyers, architects, accountants, and n. eers. Currently only doctor and dentist
offices are permitted in this zone. A advised by the Planning Staff., the Codes &
Ordinances Committee recommended that he R-3 permitted uses not be changed. The
committee noted that there was no shor age of office space in the city. Mr Hildreth
MOVED, and Mr. Doney seconded, 97that t e Board recommend to the Council that per-
mitted uses in the R-3 zone remain the same." In a brief discussion, Mr. Stein
said there was a need to question the uitability of medical offices, which are now
allowed, in an R-3 zone. tors. Benson nd Mr. Van Cort responded that there was a'
need for community medical facilities. Pars. Meyer suggested that there might be -a
need for mixed uses in the city., Pers. ienson responded that there was a, greater need
to keep residences in the center city. Mr. Doney said there was no need to open up
more offices and there was a need to i vestigate possible size requirements of
doctors' offices in an R--3 zone. The otion CARRIED unanimously.
b. A letter from the Clerk reco ended new codification of Sections 31, 32, 34
and 35 of the Zoning Ordinance. V n Cort explained that these represented only.
minor wording changes. The Codes u Or finances Committee recommended recommendation
of the changes. Mrs. Benson MOVED, a d ^tr. Stein seconded, "that the recommendation
be approved.'` The motion CARRIED ,una imously.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Progress Report on Children' Pool: Mr. Van Cort said that a committee
comprised of Alderwoman Jones, Mr. Do ey,, Mr. Stein, Mr. Robert Cutia and himself
will recommend the installation of a hildren`s swimming pool in Cass Park. Mrs.
Jones explained that this was a; fully funded capital project for 1975. She recom-
mended that the Board urge expeditiou action. Mr. Moran MOVED, and Mrs. Benson
seconded, "that the pool committee pr Geed and report progress to the Planning;
Board." The motion CARRIED unanimous y.
b. Community Development A_ct; 4Tr. Van Cort reported that the first of two
required public hearings had been hel�3, that the draft application for CDA funds had
been written, and that another meetin., was scheduled for Thursday, February 6. He
explained that after the hearing, the draft will go to the Council for consideration,
and that the Council is the final fr er'of the application. The tentative applica-
tion includes the following:
1. A housing assistance progr ,which would provide money for loans and
grant program for owner-occ pied houses. This would assist lower-,income
families in upgrading their houses and in keeping shelter costs within 25
percent of their income.
2. A neighborhood facilities p ogram, to include day-care and health programs.
The committee recommends mo ey be spent for physical facilities, not
programs.
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3. Money for land-banking, needed to build for future use as small housing
.sites.
4. Park facilities, and money for lard acquisition.
5. Historic preservation revolving loan fund.
6. Neighborhood improvement related to the housing program, to take care of
trees, curbs, sidewalks, etc.
7. Economic development program to provide job opportunities and increase the
tax basey downtown commercial and industrial development.
8. Administration of program.
9. Ten percent contingency budget.
Mrs. Jones noted that a neighborhood facility can also be a preservation site.
Answering Firs. Benson, Mw. Van Cort explained that first year economic development
money would fund studies. Mss. Benson suggested that the criteria of 25 percent of income
for housing not- be looked into in light of the current economic picture.
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N7W BUSINESS:
I^'aterways Study: Mr. Van Cort explained that a study proposal has been written
at Council's recommendation to look into the aesthetic, economic., industrial and
commercial aspects of Ithaca's waterways. Nov the Planning Staff is asking for 701
funds to support the study. Mrs. Benson MOVED, and Mr. Moran seconded, "that the
Board recommend to Council approval of funds requested by the Planning Department
for the study of Ithaca's waterways." I,1r. Stein noted that the project, with 701
funds, would not cost the city any money. ?'fir. Doney questioned whether other
projects would need to be postponed to allow the Planning Department to complete this
study. The motion CARRIED unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Mr. Van Cort said he would write a letter of appreciation to Stephen Brock.
ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Stein MOVrD, and Mr. Moran seconded, "that the meeting adjourn.P4
The motion CARRIED unanimously. 9:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
,F
H. Matthys Van Cort
2.20,75 Planning Director
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