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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1975-12-16 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD MINUTES City of Ithaca Regular Meeting December 16, 1975 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Mrs. Benson, Messrs. Doney, Hildreth, Moran, Saggese and Stein. ALSO: Pl. & Dev. Dir. Van Cort, Bldg. Comm'r. Jones, Mr. Philip White, and members of the media. ABSENT: Mrs. Meyer. Chm. Doney called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. The Minutes of the Regular meeting of November 25, 1975 were approved as published. ZONING: (a) Appeal _1106. Mr. Philip White, Jr. applied for a use variance for his tenant at 110 S. Albany St. in a B-2 zone. For the last two years, the tenant, on a part-time basis, has done clean-up work on cars (vacuuming, polishing, rust removal, some body work, but no mechanical work) in a two-car garage at the back of the lot. According to the appellant there is no outside storage; there are no complaints by neighbors; and the property is surrounded by businesses that also store repair or servi.ce vehicles. The property. meets the area requirements except for a side-yard deficiency and a garage only two feet from the side- and rear-lot lines. The use does not qualify as a home occupation. The Pl. and Dev. staff recommends denial because the use may be a fire hazard, may not be compatible with the nearby residential area and has existed for two years without the required variance. Mr. Van Cort did note that the use is in accordance with the city Master Plan. Mr. Stein MOVED that "if the use in in accordance with the Master Plan and is not offensive to the neighborhood, the Pl. and Dev. Board recommends granting the variance for operations as described in Zoning Appeal 1106, for the present tenant only." Mr. Hildreth seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED unanimously. (b) Appeal 1107, for an area variance at 206 Prospect St. , in an R-2 zone. . The owner, Mr. Philip White, wants to convert the one five-bedroom apartment on the second floor to two apartments, one with one bedroom, the other with two bedrooms. The coverage, front and side yard sizes are deficient for such a change under the zoning ordinance. The change, however, would reduce the number of people living in the building. Mr. White commented that he felt the change would improve the character of the neighborhood. The Pl. and Dev. staff recommends approval of the variance. Mr. Stein noted that the building is a typical case of a very old building which just doesn't meet current zoning requirements. In response to Mr. Doney's question, Mr. White said there was room to park four cars, if they were "stacked" in the driveway. Mrs. Benson MOVED that "the variance be granted." Mr. Saggese seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED unanimously. (c) Appeal 1103, for a sign variance by Bern Furniture at 120 W. State St. The store wants to add the word "furniture" to its front sign, which currently is 48 S.F. where total signage is allowed to be 49.5 S.F. The proposed addition would make the entire sign about 75 S.F. Further, the current sign is larger if the heavy raceways under the letters, which act as underlining, are counted as part of the sign. The Pl. and Dev. staff recommends denial. Mrs. Benson noted that neighboring stores which have already brought their signs into conformance with the new sign ordinance (as required by 1979) are distressed with the size of the Bern sign. She MOVED "to deny the request." Mr. Stein seconded. The motion CARRIED unanimously. (d) Appeal 110 +, by Cole Muffler at 231 Elmira Road for a sign variance, to allow a pylon sign. The proposed sign would be 92 S.F. where only 50 S.F. is allowed. The Pl. and Dev. staff recommends that the Codes & Ordinances Committee meet with the company to discuss changing the sign. The Cole Company argued in its application that it needs the sign because (1) the shop is-:-:not on Elmira Road and needs exposure provided by a large sign, (2) the other neighboring signs are also quite large or larger, and (3) the proposed sign is the standard for the Cole Muffler chain. Mrs. Benson stated that a muffler company, which is not selling an "impulse Item", does not need this prominent a sign. She MOVED "to recommend denial of the variance." Mr. Moran seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED unanimously. (e) Appeal 1105, by Ithaca Savings at 300 N. Tioga St. for both a sign and zoning variance in order to erect two identical freestanding signs, where only one is allowed. The signs would have inadequate setback and would be within 18 inches of the right-of-way. It was stated that the sign was unaesthetic in design. The Pl. and Dev. staff recommends that the Codes & Ordinances Committee discuss the sign with the owner in order to come up with a compromise design. Mr. Stein MOVED that "the matter be referred to the C & 0 Committee to discuss with Ithaca Savings and be reported to the Planning Board at the next meeting." Mr. Moran seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED unanimously. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS: None. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Van Cort read a letter to the Pl. & Dev. Dept. from William C. Hennessy of NYSDoT, which acknowledged the Planning Dept. 's letter expressing concern with the design of the Route 96 relocation project. Pair. Hennessy's letter expressed a desire to include the views of the public in the decision-making process. COMMITTEE REPORTS: . Codes & Ordinances: Mrs. Benson reported that the committee, having met to discuss the two suggested amendments to the sign ordinance, recommended the following: (1) approval of the first amendment, which would prohibit attachment.. of a sign to any building which would impede access. . . . . . . .as per proposed amend- ment, and (2) further study of the second amendment, which would provide for marquees, canopies, sunscreens; . . . . . . . . . It was felt that this second matter still had too many unresolved questions. Mrs. It MOVED that the "recommendation of the C & 0 Committee be approved." Mr. Stein seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: None. -2- i NEW BUSINESS: (a) City-County communications. Mrs. Benson reported that at the last County Planning Board meeting, the Southern Tier East Regional Planning Board reported on its activities. Also, she stated that the Ad Hoc Youth Committee is trying to set up a county-wide youth program funded by the State. This proposal is a matter of concern to outlying regions of the county and involves complicated questions of local control. She passed along an invitation from the County to make the January 14 County Planning Board meeting a joint one with the City of Ithaca Planning Board to discuss the youth program and other issues. Mr. Doney recommended that all members who can attend this meeting do so, and requested that the staff send out special reminder notices. It was agreed that the Executive Committee would designate other items for the agenda of the joint meeting. Mrs. Benson mentioned that the Southwest Parkway, connecting Meadow St. with Floral Ave. would be an appropriate project to be undertaken with county, city and town cooperation. (b) Mr. Stein expressed the concern of the residents of E. State St. above the 900 block about its R-2 zoning status. He recommended that the Pl. and Dev. staff conduct a study of the possibility of changing the zoning further out the street to R-1 or creating a new zoning category to prevent the encroachment of multi-family housing developments. Mr. Stein MOVED that "the staff make such a study." Mr. Moran seconded. The motion CARRIED unanimously. (c) Mr. Stein discussed the need for a reevaluation of graphic design of signage in Ithaca's parking facilities. Mr. Stein MOVED that the city "seek consultants to provide a comprehensive design system for signs for parking facili- ties at a cost not to exceed $2000." Mr. Moran seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED unanimously. Mr. Stein noted that this move was not intended to infringe on the rights of the Board of Public Works. (d) Review of current. projects. Mr. Van Cort began to summarize the status of the current planning staff projects. It was generally felt that this process was cumbersome, and Mr. Stein recommended that, at the next meeting, Mr. Van Cort give a briefer report on only the most important planning projects. MISCELLANEOUS:- Chm. Doney noted-.that this. -was his last..-.meeting_ He told Board members how much he had enjoyed working with them over the years, and complimented the=Dixector_ for-his leadership since coming to .Ithaca: ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, H. Matthys Van Cort, Director Planning & Development 1.15.76 -3-