HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1976-07-09special BOARD OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MINU'T'ES - CITY OF ITHACA
Special Meeting, 9 July 1976
Present: Chairperson LeG. Benson., D.- Fuller, R. Hildreth, P. Saggese,
S. Stein
Also: J. Meigs , Carol Sisler, J. Twomey:. L. Epstein, J. Walker,
M. Garrett, H. M.. Van Cort
Absent: N. Meyer
A special meeting was called to discuss two zoning cases whose outcomes
would have serious economic repercussions for the property owners, should
the cases be put off for the Board"s regular .July meeting.
(a) Appeal 1122: Request for Area Variance to yard requirements at 423
East Lincoln Street, in an R-3 district.
Appellant has a permit to remodel the building, originally built c. 1840 by
Ezra Cornell for his father' s residence ard.pottery, to house four three-
.bedroom apartments. In the process, it became necessary to excavate along
the east wall to repair structural deterioration, necessitating replacement
of the porch giving access to the second floor. The porch would extend
into the Lake Street right-of-way because the building is within inches
of the east property line, and would have stairs up from the first-floor-
level walk from the parking area.. . To provide room for the stairs and for
furniture up them and into the entrances of the upper apartments, the
porch would have to extend into the r.o.w. almost its full depth of seven
feet. Mr. Hildreth asked if the porch would be open or closed, and if
it would obstruct motorists ' vision at the intersection of East Lincoln
and Lake. Appellant replied that it would be open, and Ms. Benson noted
that she uses that intersection daily and does not feel the porch would
be an obstruction. Some of the embankment was removed and will be
landscaped so that visibility will be better, !and the porch will be on
the second level only and some distance away from the corner. Appellant
wishes to have the apartments ready for occupancy by mid-August. Mr.
Fuller asked if the neighbors had been consulted, and Appellant replied
that the hearing was advertised, and that she was sending the required
notices. Ms. Sisler remarked that she would have to annually renew her
permit for the porch to occupy the right-of-way.
Mr. Fuller MOVED that the Board recommend approval of the appeal . Mr.
Hildreth seconded. A vote was called and the motion CARRIED unanimously.
(b) Appeal 1123 : Request for a Use Variance, and an Area Variance (parking)
for premises at 227-9 Linden Avenue, in an R-3 zone.
WVBR is requesting an Area Variance to install the Cornell Sunday Post as
their tenant. They believe they have found a tenant whose needs and work are
compatible with theirs and with the character of the neighborhood. Their
tenants would be doing only editorial and business work in the building,
not printing. They would not generate much traffic or business activity.
They claim they have a hardship in that they have to make mortgage payments
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while half of their 1building remains nrented . They are also requesting
an Area Variance for off-street parki g. They would like to give the Poll
four_ of the ten available spaces.
Ms. Benson noted that WVBR has had tr�f'he
ubl.e renting its space and has had
a rea.ltor working towards this end . thought this tenant would be
compatible with both the existing bus',5.ness and the neighborhood and
encouraged approval . Mr. Van Cort noted that the Planning and Development
staff also recommended approval.
Mr. Saggese ,MOVED approval of .both th Use Variance and the Area Variance.
Mr. Fuller seconded. Teh motion CA _ED unanimously.
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