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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1976-12-28 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD MINUTES - CITY OF ITHACA Regular Meeting, 28 December 1976, Common Council Chamber, City Hall PRESENT: Chairperson LeG. Benson, N. Meyer, D. Fuller, R. Hildreth, S. Stein ALSO: Mrs. Detweiler, Mr. B4ypcos, Mr. Van Cort, Prof. Pauk, Mr. Hoard, Ms. Gellerman, Mr. Walsh 1. Call to order. The Chairperson called the meeting to order. 2 . Mr. Hildreth MOVED acceptance of the last meeting' s minutes. Ms. Meyer seconded. Minutes accepted. 3. Public hearing. The first item covered was the public hearing on Mrs. Detweiler' s subdivision. Her attorney asked Professor Pauk, a neighbor, if he had any objections to the subdivision. He did not. He owns the property adjacent to the one in question, on the east boundary. The attorney noted that the case has already been brough before the BZA. He also presented an engineer' s plan for the subdivision. Mr. Van Cort noted that the plot conforms to regulations for subdivision. The Chairperson requested further public input; there was none. She then declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Stein MOVED the following: RESOLVED that the Board grant Final Approval of the proposed Subdivision of property at 229-231 Valley Road into two parcels, each containing one dwelling unit. Seconded by Mr. Fuller. CARRIED unanimously. 4 . Chairperson' s report. At the December STERPB meeting, several projects were passed including a resolution which was a request to BOR from the School Board for a county and school board recreational area. They requested $142,000 which would be matched by the same amount in local funds. The money is for Phase II of the master plan and involves topsoil ,seeding and blacktop for the play fields around Boynton Junior High. Ms. Meyer asked whether school reorganiza- tion and use of these funds was an issue" at the December meeting. Ms. Benson replied that it was not. Ms. Meyer asked what kinds of time factors were involved. Ms. Benson replied that this request must go to the State level. She presumed it would be resolved before the - reorganization.question is 'settled. Ms . Meyer thought it odd that the school board was willing to spend $142 ,000 of local money for a playground at the same time they are planning to close neighborhood schools. Mr. Stein was incredulous. Ms. Meyer also noted that the playground in question -vas not in the City of Ithaca, but in the Town. They a-re planning-,:a pond and path whichschool children could not use during school hours. The school board feels the present park is not safe because of holes . Mr. Fuller suggested investigating whether the school board should be getting involved in improving. playgrounds and parks if they are in financial trouble. Mr. Stein said the park was probably a good idea, but not at a time when the school board is threatening to close schools because of its financial difficulties. Planning & Development Board Minutes - 2 23 December 1977 Ms. Benson said it was interesting that the proposed facilities would be outside the City. If East Hill School is closed, there will not be any playground space ,in that neighborhoods. Mr. Stein MOVED to refer the issue to executive committee with the power to act. Ms. Meyer seconded. CARRIED unanimously. Ms. Meyer added that she would like to have some interaction with school administration. 5. Special Order of Business. None 5. Zoning Cases. Appeal 11.45 : Request for a Use Variance at 102 Adams Street (the former Ithaca Calendar.-Clock Factory) in an R-3 zone to permit utilization of approximately 1,000 square feet for a retail bakery. Owner has previously been given variances for several other non-residential uses in this building. Mr. Van Cort, in his recommendation that the Planning and Development Board recommend approval of the variance, noted that the bakery, which would employ at least four persons, had sufficient off-street parking , as well .as off-street loading space. He stated that each tenant in the building must appeal to the BZA for a variance, and that several had been granted. The Planning staff recommended approval on the conditionthat the proprietors consult with the landmarks commission before making any changes affecting the outside of the building, including signage. He explained that this building may possibly be designated an historic building. Appellant noted that he had spoken with Ms. Sisler of Historic Ithaca, and that she had no objections to the bakery' s presence in the building. Mr. Fuller MOVED that the Board recommend approval of the appeal. Ms. Meyer seconded. CARRIED unanimously. Appeal 1146: Request for Use and ARea Variances to allow expansion of a nonconforming use (gymnastics center) at 119 Third Street, in an R-3 zone. The proposed addition",Qould reduce the rear yard of the property to less than 12 feet. 41. 5% of the lot would be covered by the addition; the maximum coverage allowed in an R-3 zone is 35%. Present use includes four apartments. The amount of off-street parking necessary is diffi- cult to determine, but the staff felt that approximately 24 spaces should be provided. The staff did recommend approval , however, conditional on providing at least 24 off-street spaces. Appellant noted that the center has 200 members, and provides recreational facilities for youth at no expense to taxpayers. He felt that the parking requirement would not be realistic, as most clients deliver their children and pick them up, requiring; parking for only a few minutes. Many children walk to the center. Ms. Meyer verified the fact that there are never many cars parked outside the center. She wondered, however, if the design of the addition could be modified so that it would be more compatible with the existing 'Tudor-style' structure. The contractor replied that this might be a financial Planning & Development Board Minutes - 3 23 December 1977 hardship for the center. Mr. Van Cort suggested that the addition might also be moved closer to the street. Mr. Hoard felt it would be esthetically better to leave the addition where planned. Ms. Meyer MOVED that the Board recommend approval of the variance. Mr. Stein seconded. CARRIED unanimously. 7. Communications. In response to a communication from the Board of Public Works concerning changes to the wall illegally erected on the corner of Eddy Street and Dryden Road,Mr. Van Cort said that the staff had spoken with the property owner, Mr. Lambrou, and with other Collegetown merchants and that they were working on a plan for the wall which would be acceptable to Lambrou and the merchants and which would also be in conformance with regulations. He noted that discussions with the businessmen had been harmonious. 8. Committee Reports. None 9. old business. Mr. Van Cort distributed a list of persons on the Ad Hoc Citizens Advisory Committee on Residential Zoning and noted that the committee has met once. Mr. Stein remarked that parts of the City do not have neighborhood or civic associations , such as Southside, and that it was difficult to get representation from these areas for such committees. Mr. Van Cort explained that he was hoping Mrs. M. Jones could represent both Northside and Southside, as she is active in the AME Zion Church, whose membership encompasses residents of both areas. He said the staff was trying to locate a representative for Titus Flats, Cornell Heights, and the Spencer Road area. He said the committee would begin releasing recommenda- tions on zoning in April. Mr. Van Cort reported on the progress of the school district reorgani- zation. He said that a staff member has beeon on..I:the 75 member school reorganization task force. The School District is expecting to hold several public hearings. Then the Mayor.'s task force will meet again. He said the staff had given much thought to the issue of neighborhood schools and their effect on neighborhoods. He noted that elementary schools provided a focal point for neighborhoods, and that closing schools would adversely affect those neighborhoods. He said that closing schools would have a significant effect on taxing jurisdic- tions. He said the process seemed to be heading toward closing at least East Hill School. Ms.Meyer remarked that this could have drastic negative effects on the East Hill area. She felt loss of the school would be a great loss to the neighborhood. Ms. Benson reminded the Board that the school was preserved in the first place because the neighborhood wanted to keep itself together. She felt the issue should be referred to executive committee with the power to act, to put pressure on the School Board to keep East Hill open. Mr. Van Cort noted that the School Board did not consider. East Hill a neighborhood school because 50% of its students come from outside of walking distance , but 50% of students -walk to school as well, and he felt this qualified East Hill as a neighborhood school with a very effective magnet program. Ms. Benson remarked that it was Planning & Development Board Minutes - 4 - 23 December 1977 interesting that schools with the highest percentage of enrollment and the lowest per pupil maintenance costs , are threatened with closing. 10. New Business. Reporting on the Apartment Licensing Ordinance, Mr. Van Cort distributed copies of the ordinance to Board members. The draft calls for a one-year cycle of inspections. Those attending a previous public hearing thought this was too frequent, and that a two-year cycle would be more realistic, if it were strictly enforced. when public meetings are completed, the City Attorney will re-draft the ordinance. The Chairperson asked if there was any other business to be covered. There was none. Mr. Fuller MOVED adjournment of the meeting at 8 :55 p.m.