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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1980-02-26 MINUTES PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD February 26, 1930 PRESENT: Chairman Frank Moore, Sue Cummings Peter Holmes, John MacInnes, Rich Moran, Ethel Nichols, Ian Stewart ALSO PRESENT: Planning & Development Director Van Cort, Building Commissioner Hoard, Dr. Rueben Weiner, Tania Werbizky, Charles Barber, Dorothy Petrulis, Alex Turner, Members of the Press The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p. m by Chairman Moore. 1 . Approval of Minutes: Sue Cummings mentioned 2 items: Page 3, third sentence from the bottom; flood plan should be flood plain. Page 11 , East State Street Truck Traffic. Assignment should include not only E. State Street but more of Route 79, specifically downtown Green Street. On motion by Ms. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Stewart, the minutes as amended were unanimously approved. Ms. Nichols also mentioned some items of concern. She mentioned that the minutes indicate that a vote w_as 4-1 which she felt -was incorrect in light of the fact that there were 6 members of the Board present and that all members, including Common Council and BPW members, have full voting rights. She then read a description of the membership of the Board in the Adminis- trative Codes and asked that copies be sent to all Board members. Mr. Van Cort said he would be glad to do so. 2. Special Order of Business : (a) Mr. Moore stated that at the last meeting there was a certain degree of confusion in the minds of the Board concerning what historic designation meant with respect to signs. He then introduced Tania Werbizky, Vice-Chairman of the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission, to the Board. Ms. Werbizky stated she wanted to explain briefly the procedure that the Building Department and ILPC are using in dealing with appeals for historic sign status, in particular the one-page checklist that was distributed to the Board members. She said that with future sign appeals, a checklist will be completed. The checklist was a result of a meeting held on February 11 including City planning staff, ILPC staff, the Building Commissioner and staff, and ILPC members She mentioned that the ILPC was willing to take on this responsibility. She said that this procedure calls for four steps: Building Department, ILPC, Planning Board and finally the Board of Zoning Appeals. She explained that one side of the checklist explained what an historic sign is; criteria that ILPC will be considering; the back of the form asks for a brief statement from the applicant as to why this historic sign request is being made and outlines material that must be provided. She said this aided the ILPC in any sign request. Ms. Cummings asked if the checklist that they will be receiving will be coming to them with the agenda. Ms. Werbizky said the ILPC secretary was requested to do this. (b) Chairperson Moore then stated that the next item of business was the election of a Vice-Chairperson and opened the floor for nominations. Mr. MacInnes, seconded by Ms. Nichols, MOVED to nominate Sue Cummings as the new Planning Board Vice-Chairperson. Ms. Nichols then moved that the .nominations P & D Minutes Page 2 be closed and the secretary be instructed to cast a unanimous ballot for Sue Cummings, seconded by Mr. Stewart. Motion PASSED unanimously. 3. Chairperson's Report: None 4. ZONING CASES: Mr. Moore stated that Mr. Van Cort would introduce the cases. Mr. Van Cort mentioned the fact that the Planning Board only makes recommendations to the Board of Zoning Appeals;. the BZA makes the final determinations. SIGN APPEAL 2-1-80: Deferred from January: Variance to permit retention of existing Asiatic Garden restaurant sign at 114-118 West State Street. Sign has been given historic sign status by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission. Planning Director Van Cort then circulated a photograph and said there were several letters in support of the retention of the sign as an historic sign. Ms. Nichols mentioned that the sign was originally across from the Strand Theater, approximately where the phone company parking lot is now. Mr. Van Cort went on to say that the business was moved under Urban Renewal and the letters of support were not necessarily solicited by the owners. Mr. Moore then asked the nature of the violation of the sign. Building Commissioner Hoard stated that the sign projects 8' from the face of the building; maximum permitted projection is 18". There was no one present to speak for or against the sign. Mr. Van Cort then read a portion of a memorandum given to the Board from the ILPC and their deter- mination regarding the Asiatic sign. Mr. Moore asked if the violation could constitute a hazard. Ms. Werbizky explained that any sign granted a variance for reason of historic preservation is required to be restored within one year of the granting of the variance, and that the applicant is made aware of this requirement, Ms. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Holmes, MOVED to recommend approval , Motion PASSED with Ms. Nichols voting,NO; Mr. Stewart ABSTAINING. SIGN APPEAL 2-2-80: Deferred from January: Variance for sign at 602 W. Buffalo Street (Joe's Restaurant) . Appeal deferred until March at appellant's request, SIGN APPEAL 2-3-80 Cayuga Electric Sign, 307 W, Lincoln Street, was acted on in January and deferred at that time by the BZA. No further action required by the Board, SIGN APPEAL 2-6-80: Deferred from January Variance to permit retention of existing Chanticleer Restaurant sign at 101 W. State Street, Sign has been given historic sign status by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission. Mr, Van Cort read to the Board the ILPC's determination for Historic sign status to the Chanticleer from their memo of February 25: "On the basis of a late 1940's photo and other documentation, the Commission approved unanimously a motion to grant historic sign status to the Chanticleer neon rooster sign and canopy, on condition that the canopy lettering and detail be returned to as close to their original appearance and feeling as possible, as required by the Sign Ordinance amendment governing historic signs," P & D Minutes Page 3 A photo was passed around to the Board members, Mr. Moore asked Building Commissioner Hoard why this sign was out of conformance. Mr. Hoard stated that this sign projects 3' . No member from the public was present to speak for or against the sign. Mr. Stewart then mentioned that it was his feeling that giving a variance for historic quality was a matter requiring discrimination, and that the mere fact that a sign pre-dated 1950 is somewhat unimportant. He said he found the Asiatic Gardens sign not of -very -exquisite design; nevertheless the Chanticleer is another issue because it is somewhat special ; rather resplendent in its colors and is rather an exhuberant example of 1930-40's neon signage. He then mentioned that because he feels different about the Asiatic, he did not vote in one way or another, and wi.shed,to`'be shown as an abstention regarding the Asiatic Gardens vote. Mr. Van Cort then said that the staff recommendation was in favor of this appeal ; that they also recommended in favor of the Asiatic Gardens' appeal . Ms. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Moran, MOVED to recommend approval of this appeal . Motion PASSED unanimously, SIGN APPEAL 3-1-80: Variance to permit retention of the projecting Johnny's Big Red bear sign at 204-6 Dryden Road, in a B-2b zone. Appellant is seeking determination of this sign.'s historic status, and is requesting deferral for one month in order to document its age. SIGN APPEAL 3-2-80: Variance to permit retention of the existing Nate 's Floral Estates billboard at 402 S. Meadow Street, in a B-4 zone. Section 34.41F of the Ordinance expressly prohibits billboards anywhere within the City. I Mr. Van Cort asked Mr. Hoard for the dimensions on this. Mr. Hoard wasn't sure of the exact dimensions, but stated that it is a billboard and therefore in violation. fie stated that a billboard is defined as a sign on one piece of property that advertises something on another piece of property. He stated that this was the case here; that the billboard advertising Nate's Floral Estates was on the Smith Hardware property. Mr. Stewart asked Mr. Hoard to what extent this I billboard was unique; how many other billboards existed in the city. Mr. Hoard replied that all of the billboards in the. City have been cited. Dr. Weiner, Officer of Nate 's Floral Estates , said he felt that it wasn't truly a billboard but more of a directional sign. He said the location and size of the sign is placed so it can inform the public as to directions to the park. He said there was a 250' jog in W. Clinton Street at Meadow Street and that the sign was placed there shortly after the business opened because people could not find the park. He stated they were dependent on people seeing an attractive mobile home park; the park is providing tax revenues and property taxes of a significant degree to the City; providing housing; providing a means for people to move back into the City. He said without the sign placed as it is, people cannot find the park. When asked by Mr. Stewart if a smaller sign wouldn't work, Dr. Weiner replied that he still felt it would not be adequately seen. Ms. Cummings asked Mr. Hoard if the Commercial Park West sign, also placed at that intersection, is classified as a directional sign. Mr. Hoard stated that that sign is also in violation; that it is a directory but there is no provision in the Ordinance for it. Mr. Moore asked if Nate's Floral Estates was on that directory.. Dr. Weiner stated they were only industrial type businesses. Mr. Hoard stated that this was a problem and the directory sign is an example. Mr. Van Cort thought that one solution would be a group sign or a directory sign, like the Commercial Park West sign. He asked Mr. Hoard if shopping centers were - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - P & D Minutes Page 4 allowed to have directory signs with names of tenants. Mr. Hoard stated they were. He said that Dr. Weiner's sign would be legal if it were placed on one large p-i,ece of property. He then stated that the staff recommends against this appeal but felt that inclusion on a group sign, like the one that advertises the W. Clinton Street businesses would be appropriate. Ms. Cummings mentioned that in their discussion they were implying Nate's sign was a directional sign, but that it is an advertising sign as well . Dr. Weiner then introduced to the Board a letter written by Mrs. Albina Colangeli , owner of Smith's_ Hardware. The letter addressed to the Planning and Development Board read as follows: "As a neighbor of Nate's Floral Estates and an Ithaca taxpayer, I approve of their directional sign on my property. Asking for clarification, Mr. Moran asked if Dr. Weiner were to buy that strip of property, then the sign would be permissible. Mr. Van Cort said that it would not; that the sign would have to be on the property where the service is given. Ms. Cummings then MOVED to recommend DENIAL, seconded by Mr. Stewart. The vote was as follows: 6 in favor; Ms. Nichols ABSTAINING. Ms. Nichols mentioned she was abstaining because she intended to bring this to the Charter & Ordinance Committee to see, if there could be some alleviation of the law with respect to directional signs that clearly refer to a property that otherwise would not have direct access to a highway. Ms. Nichols then made a motion that the Planning and Development Board recommends that the Common Council consider amending the Sign Ordinance to permit larger directional signs where direct access to a given property is not possible from the main highway. After some discusi'on about size limitations and directional signs, Mr. Hoard stated that direction exit/entrance signs on premises can not exceed 6SF in area, except in B5 districts. Ms . Cummings stated that directional signs should not be intro- duced into Ms, Nichols' motion or even the concept of size. Mr. MacInnes then stated there were two issues to be considered here: can you put up a directional sign on someone else's land for your business and can a directional sign be bigger than 6SF. Mr. Moore then stated that the Planning Board does have their own internal committee procedures; and a committee such as Codes & Administration could see if there is a fundamental weakness in the sign ordinance looked at from the planning point of view. Mr. Moore stated that the decision remains as to the Board's recommendation to the BZA. Mr. Moran asked Ms. Nichols about her recommendation.. She stated that the committee can discuss it without a formal recommendation; that she would bring it up at the next committee meeting. SIGN APPEAL 3-3-80: Variance to permit retention of existing nonconforming Meadow Court Motel signs at 529 S. Meadow Street, in a B-=2a zone. Signs exceed allowed number, size, height and projection over right-of-way. Mr. Van Cort asked Mr. Hoard for photographs and mentioned that there were some additional facts that might help the Board. He stated that the appellant, Mrs, Dorothy Petrulis, President of ,Meadow Court Motel , was present. Mr. Moore asked in what respect the sign is in violation. Mr. Hoard replied that the complex of signs is more than 250SF in area. Mr. Van Cort stated that it also protruded over the right-of-way. Mrs. Petrulis in addressing the Board stated she felt it was an attractive sign, and has had favorable comments from neighbors. She said because they are a motel in the City, that it is necessary to have the sign visible so people can see it. She went on to say that because of the economy as it is, they've had a drop in the business and it will really hurt their business if the sign has to be removed. She said they support the city through taxes, free P & D Minutes Page 5 advertising, etc. and passed around a sample of their literature showing the sign. Mrs. Petrulis stated that when they bought the business they were unaware that the sign ordinance was in effect. When asked for a staff recommendation by Mr. Stewart, Mr. Van Cort said that they again remind the Board that hardship is not supposed to be considered and that staff recommends against i.t..,. Ms:. Nichols mentioned that in terms of planning, she wondered if there should be a B-2 zone on Meadow Street at that intersection. Mr. Hoard then suggested that perhaps the Planning Board could give the BZA some guidance on how the Planning Board interprets the zone as it relates to whether the Royal Court restaurant would be considered a separate business under the sign ordinance. After lengthy discussion, Ms. Cummings, seconded by Mr. Holmes, MOVED to recommend DENIAL. Mr. Moore then asked if this motion passed and the Board recommends denial ;'�then the appellant proposes to revise the sign; that they could make a new appeal . Mr. Hoard indicated that was correct. Mr. MacInnes asked a question of detail , in that one way this sign is out of node is that it overhangs the right-of-way on Meadow Street and who owns the right-of-way. Mr. Van Cort stated that it was a state numbered route, but wasn't sure who owned it. Mr. MacInnes further asked that since it overhangs the right-of-way, is it inevitable .that;the sign is going to have to be changed or can the Board change the variance to have a sign overhanging a state highway. Mr. Van ''Cort said that the sign overhangs the sidewalk, not the roadway. Ms. Nichols expressed sympathy for these people having their business in a B2 zone and said she felt it would be a good idea to study this whole matter of zoning on that block on Meadow St. to see why it is B2. Mr. Moore then asked for any further discussion on this motion. Not hearing any, he stated that if this motion to deny passes, it seems they could very easily express their interest in hearing another appeal based on conformance with criteria that would recognize its position as a commercial property where it now sits. In urging the Board to proceed with the vote, .Mr. Stewart stated that he was in agreement with Mr. Van Cort, that the administrative remedies in this case should be exhausted . first;, then if not acceptable, they could turn to more severe remedies which would be approaching Common Council for a change in the zoning law. The motion PASSED with five in favor; Ms. Nichols and Mr. Moran voting NO. 5. Communications: Mr. Moore read a letter dated February 25, 1980 from Will Burbank, Chairperson of the Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council, regarding their longstanding interest in bicycle transportation in Ithaca and request- ing the Planning Department to provide them with some technical assistance in developing further bike routes in the City. Mr. Moore stated that bicycle transportation in the City is a complicated issue and more serious than just erecting bicycle route signs. He thought perhaps this should be referred to the.,Transportation , Recreation & Public Facilities committee for study and that a letter be written to Mr. Burbank informing him of this. Alderperson Nichols also mentioned that Common Council did not allocate any money for bike routes in the 1980 budget. 6. Committee Reports: (a) Mr. Moore stated there was a report from the Urban Design & Historic Preservation Committee on the matter of City Graphics. Sue Cummings, Chairman of this committee, spoke before the Board. Ms. Cummings went on to say that the matter 'of city graphics has been around a long time and has come before her.-committe and the Board in many separate pieces. She said that initially they looked at the directional and identifying graphics P & D Minutes. Page 6 phase which involved signs identifying the Commons, parking areas , etc. and passed around photos to the Board indicating such. She stated that it was over a year ago that this material first came through; that this signage should be implemented. This is a program which would put up identifying signage in about 50locationsaround town directing people to the colleges, recreation areas,r,etc. She next brought up the subject of city stationery, which had also come before their committee. She said there is a system of stationery and business cards devised for all city positions, which was endorsed by the Planning and Development Board which passed it on to Common Council . The last item they dealt with was a directory system for City Hall . She said this was also attached onto the Board's recommendation for adoption. Ms. Cummings said the City Hall directory went to Common Council for approval of allocation of monies to implement it; Council said they would like to see the whole graphics program together. Alex Turner of Turner Design showed Council the whole program and then this material was referred to Council 's Budget & Administration Committee. She said that there have been requests from the Downtown Businessmen's Association for the signage to be implemented, particularly signage directing people into the Green Street parking ramp and the Commons; and to ask the Planning Department, Jon Meigs in particular, if this signage could be implemented. She stated that their committee has met with Alex Turner and that the Urban Design & Historic Preservation Committee would like to recommend that Common Council implement the City Graphics Program presented by Turner Design and asked the Planning Board to move to adopt this recommendation to send it on to Common Council . When asked by Mr. Moore if the program was all laid out, Ms. Cummings replied that the program was completely designed; Council has already endorsed payment costs for the design phase and work for the designing has been paid for. The City has committed itself to pay the $8,600 design fee. If it isn't implemented, the money is wasted. She said the implementation refers to producing and setting up the 50 signs; and refers to ordering city stationery replacement as the city runs out of its existing sta- tionery; reordering in the new design. Ms. Cummings said that the City Hall. directory is something which will probably come at the end of the implementation program,. since City Hall access is being rethought; to provide handicapped access. When asked by Mr. Moore if the signs would be conventional signs, Ms. Cummings said brown tinted plexiglass with white lettering would be used. Creation of the signs and installation was approximately $510; larger fee is for the directional and identifying graphics which would include the parking directions. Fifty signs, including all materials is $6,150 mounted and placed. Ms. Cummings said she and committee feels that it would be appropriate for the Board to recommend implementation and installation of all of the directional and identifying signs;that it would be best to install the complete system. Mr. Stewart_then asked for the planning staff's position on this. Mr. Van Cort said staff was strongly in favor of implementation. He stated that graphics around City Hall are totally inconsistent. Mr. Stewart brought up the fact about poor directions to the Commons, Mr. Van Cort said that the staff/planning Depart- ment hears alot from the downtown businesses that its difficult for people who aren't familiar with the area to find downtown, and the same applies to Cornell . He stated that Mr. Turner has worked out a schedule of locations as to where every sign would be placed and has worked closely with the staff on this. He stated there has to be a balance between visual clutter and directions. Mr. Moore stated that maybe some priority or order should be given in implementing the program. Ms. Cummings asked whether he thought it would be helpful for the Board to recommend what they consider priority order. Mr. Van Cort said he thought • P & D Minutes Page 7 that Council could easily direct only the signs leading to downtown be constructed in the first phase. Mr. Van Cort read to the Board the signs directing to downtown and the Commons; Green Street Parking; ' Golf Course; Stewart Park; Cass Park and one that directs people to historic information; signs to the College and the University, and Ithaca Falls. Ms. Nichols said she would bring this up at the Planning and Development Committee meeting this week. Ian Stewart then MOVED to endorse the entire program; seconded by Mr. Moran. The motion PASSED unanimously. (b) Mr. Moore in addressing Mr. Stewart, said that he had been nominated by previous Planning Board Chairman Stuart Stein as Chairman of the Codes & Administration Committee and as a member of the Economic Development Committee, and he thought it would be simpler for Mr. Stewart to assume Mr. Moore's assign- ments on'thes.e committees. Mr.' Moore went on to say that with committees, the question of how to really make them work can be quite difficult; that regular meetings once a month of the committees.might be a good idea on matters that have been recommended to them for further study. Chairman Moore said he would like the Board to consider opening the work of its committees to all interested members. Chairman Moore said that the Bikeways matter was referred to the Transportation & Recreation Committee, but the Planning Department would acknowledge Mr. Burbank's letter. He further stated that another matter that should be studied by the Codes & Administration Committee was the question of directional signage and billboards. 7. 01 de Bbtiness.: None 8. New Business: (a) Exposition Grounds: Presentation by a community group proposing construction of permanent facilities in Southwest Park for an annual Tompkins County Exposition, and other activities throughout the year. This item was deferred from the January meeting. Mr. Barber, President of the Tompkins County Expo Association.spoke before the Board. He informed the members that he had a film based on privately owned carnival activities that he wanted to show and later read a letter he was sending to the Mayor. Mr. Van Cort also showed members a map showing the location of Southwest Park. After the film presentation, Mr. Barber stated that the Tompkins County Agricultural and Horticultural Society a few years ago bought land near Etna; land that no one can find; and because of this they could not get a carnival to play there of any significant size. He further said that when they announced in the paper that they were folding, they went to them to see if the fair could be revised. They wanted to bring the fair back into the City of Ithaca and approached various merchant groups such as the Westend Businessmen's Association and the Elmira Road Merchant's Association and told them about their proposal . He went on to say that' they have letter's of recommendation from both of those groups. He said Elmira Road businesses have contacted them for advanced tickets;, that they now have requests for approximately $10,000 worth of advanced tickets. He said that if they were going to spend approximately $5 million over the next 4 years to build the fairgrounds, it would be best to build on city land; if they should go broke, the City would still get something. Mr. Barber stated that he has drawn a preliminary plan which was posted for the Board's use. Mr. Van Cort stated that the Southwest Park land was purchased by the City for development as a park with New York State money. He then read a letter he P & D Minutes Page 8 had written to the Mayor requesting of the City to rent to the Tompkins County Expo Association a portion of Southwest Park. He said they hoped to present the first fair September 3-7, 1980 and that it would cost approximately $500,000, $200,000 of which is already donated. Mr. Barber stated the Expo Association was not asking the City for money or anything else; only permission to use the land. They're proposing three permanent exhibit buildings; also a track and grandstand. After further discussion, Chairman Moore questioned the $500,000 figure and what the money was to be used for. Mr. Barber read a breakdown on the figure to the Board as follows: Fill - $154,651 ; Water & Sewer Service - $99,000; Exhibit Buildings - $60,000; Restroom fixtures & 2 restrooms - $20,000; Grandstand to seat 1000 people - $30,000; Quarter-mile dirt track - $5,654; Fencing/Midway area - $53,55. 0; 'Wood/safety fence in front of grandstand - $3,610; Landscaping, topsoil , grass - $73,000. Mr. Stewart asked that in long term use, does the City Planning Department have any alternative or viable use for this land. Mr. Van Cort showed :the Board a map showing flood land which cannot be developed because of flood hazards. He listed advantages and disadvantages of the proposal as follows: the county fair is a traditional city function; he said there may be some economic spin-offs, although he questioned the amount of time the land would be utilized; he said it may be a good site for a variety of commercial/recreation-type uses. Disadvantages were that he thought that State Legislative approval might be required; as far as approval i_s concerned, the Planning Board would not be the Board to give approval , that the-Board could_on'ly make a recommendation; approval would have to be given by some other agency, i .e. BPW with oversight by Council ; the lead agency which gives approval would have to do an environmental assessment --.again .a question of whether this is the highest and best use of the land and it would require extensive site preparation and other extensive cost considerations to be taken into account. .Mr. Van Cort then said that the Planning Board could take some action by referring this to a committee and for that committee to make a recommendation to the Board. Because of questions and thoughts on this issue, Chairman Moore suggested that it might be a good idea to refer this chiefly to the Economic Development Committee and secondarily to the Transportation, Recreation & Public Facilities Committee to put forth a joint effort on this matter and to develop the Board's position on this. Chairman Moore asked Mr. Barber if there were any examples that he could refer them to, i .e. similar operations in the Southern Tier. Mr. Barber stated there was the Broome County Fair in Whitney Point and Chemung County Fair in Elmira, Chairman Moore stated the committees would look into this and thanked Mr. Barber for his presentation. (b) Alderperson Nichols then took the floor. She stated that Council at the January meeting extended the moratorium on new liquor licenses for 6 months and received an Open Container ordinance, which it will vote on at the March meeting. She stated that the ordinance specifically deals with possession, transportation or consumption of alcoholic beverages on .any public street or public property except Cass Park or Stewart Park; that essentially it will not be possible to have open cans or bottles on a city street or in neighborhood parks. Mr. MacInnes asked if this will be written so it will be open to exception with a permit. Ms. Nichols said there would be exceptions such as street dances, public assemblies, etc. P & D Minutes Page 9 Ms. Nichols talked about a small change in the zoning law which will also 'be brought up at the March Council meeting; she said this change was in response to a matter on which the Planning Board had acted, and which caused some problems to the BZA regarding rebuilding after a fire. She said a few words are being added to the zoning law saying that -"after a fire, the building may not be rebuilt larger than it was or to have more occupants than it had if a variance was given to it to be in the condition that it was in. She said that is if a building which has a variance from the BZA sustains a fire, and then is to be rebuilt, it cannot be rebuilt to a more intensive use or size. After further discussion , Ms. Nichols asked if the Board might wish to take some action on this at this meeting, as their recommendation is needed and this item is on the Council 's agenda. Because of the short length of time before the Council meeting, Chairman Moore deferred action and referred this to the Codes & Administration Committee and asked that the staff involve themselves in this as well . Ms. Nichols went on to report that the School District sent a letter to other municipalities stating that it was offering the East Hill School for sale and stated that the Mayor authorized her in the name of the City to say to the School District that the City was interested. She stated that this should be put in the hands of the Neighborhood Development & Housing Committee for consi- deration of the impact of possible uses and future of the building. She said the City may or may not buy the building; status of it is that the School District agreed that the City's interest would now be considered and are allowing a reason- able amount of time for that to happen. Mr. Moore referred this to the Neighbor- hood Development & Housing Committee. Mr. Stewart said he thought that the remaining residential integrity of East Hill has another major challenge; . that is the potential conversion of Cornell's Sage Infirmary into a residential dormitory. He asked if the Board could direct the staff as well as a committee study to begin to work as soon as possible with. Cornell , concerning the neighborhood impacts_ of .more students, traffic, parking, etc. , stressing the urgency and the desirability of consulting Cornell officials. Mr. Van Cort said they would pursue this. Mr. Stewart said there was an active neighborhood association; and also suggested Mr. Van Cort contact Mr. John Marcham, one of the chairpeople, as well as Mr. Hanna. 9. Ms. Cummings proposed that the Board express its appreciation to Stuart Stein, who resigned as Chairman and member in January, due to other commitments. She then MOVED that the following official Resolution be adopted, entered in the official minutes, and conveyed to Mr. Stein: WHEREAS, Stuart W. Stein has contributed extensively to the improvement of the City of Ithaca by serving in official capacity on numerous public bodies, including service as member and Chairman of this Board from May 1973 through January 1979, and WHEREAS, that service was rendered in a dedicated, responsible, sympathetic and equitable manner, always mindful of the interests of all parties at interest, be it RESOLVED that the Board of Planning and Development of the City of Ithaca expresses deep and sincere appreciation to him for his knowledgeable and unstinting services to the community, and be it P & D Minutes Page 10 FURTHER RESOLVED that we wish Stu all the rewards and fulfillment of a long, active and happy future. Motion seconded by Mr. MacInnes and PASSED unanimously. 10. On mot ion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Moran, the meeting adjourned at 11 :20 p.m.