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Home My WebLink AboutMN-PDB-1986-12-16 ,C�oFIT�� e9� ~ Approved 1/27/87 gpORA?EO CITY OF ITHACA 108 EAST GREEN STREET ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 DEPARTMENT OF TELEPHONE:272-1713 PLANNING&DEVELOPMENT CODE 607 H.MATTHYS VAN CORT,DIRECTOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD MINUTES-= December 16 1986: Present: Chair Blumenthal , M. Sampson, S. Jackson, R, Moran, S. Cummings, Director H. M. Van Cort, Deputy Director P. Mazzarella, Planner K. Evans. Interested parties, press, 1. Call to Order: Ms. Blumenthal called the meeting to order at 7:40` p,m. 2. Final Subdivision Approval - Obinsteel/Zaharis: Chestnut St, & Taylor Pl . Motion was made to open the public hearing (Jackson, seconded by Moran) , No one from the neighborhood was present to address the Board regarding final subdivision. The public hearing was closed by unanimous vote. George Dentes, Esq, was present representing Mr, Zaharis. Attorney Dentes stated that when the Board gave preliminary approval in November 1986 the Board requested a right of way on the parcel acquired by Mr. Zaharis After discussions with the Planning Depart- ment staff, Mr. Dentes is requesting the Planning and Development Board to approve this subdivision without the right of way require- ment. He explained that the 3 acre' lot has a long frontage on Taylor Pl . and at present there is no need for such a road, If Mr. Zaharis wishes to subdivide the parcel in the future, he would at that time agree to construction of a city road to provide the necessary access. Mr. Dentes believes it is premature to make that reservation now, George R. Pfann, Esq, who represents Mr. Kenneth Walker, an adja- cent land owner, is also requesting subdivision approval for his client's parcel ; both were present, Since these parcels adjoin and the two requests are similar, the Walker request was also addressed here, Mr, Pfann gave a brief history of the situation; it was believed that the County had reserved a right of way across the south line, Upon examination of the documents it was discovered that all of the rights had been released. Mr, Walker does not have any intention of subdividing his parcel further at this time, Location of the sewer line was discussed, Mr. Van Cort requested that Mr. Walker give the City an easement whereby the City would have access to the sewer line if and when it was needed (for entry and maintenance) . "An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program" Planning and Development Board -2- Minutes - December 16, 1986 (Continued) The Board at this time entered into Executive Session to discuss the City Attorney's ruling on exaction in this matter. After returning to open session, Chair Blumenthal then asked for a formal statement from the land owners regarding the right of way, Mr. Dentes presented a letter in which it was acknowledged that Mr, and Mrs. Zaharis,, their heirs and assigns, are subject to the subdivision regulations of the Municipal Code, and that any further subdivision would require Planning Board approval , He further offered to record this statement in the County Clerk's Office as part of the Deed. Mr. Pfann stated that a similar letter was presented on behalf of Mr. Walker, (Letter was read in part by Director Van Cort;) Mr, Pfann said he would prepare a letter indicating ten feet on either side of the line for a sewer ease ment. Zaharis request: Final subdivision approval was moved and .seconded (R. Moran and M. Sampson). Vote: 5-0-0. Final approval granted. Walker request: S. Jackson moved amended approval of the Walker subdivision subject to filing of the letter discussed above and to granting an easement to the City for the sewer line, Seconded by R. Moran. Vote: 5-0-0. Motion carried - final approval granted, 3. Zoning Appeals: Ms. Blumenthal reviewed this month's zoning cases_ with the Board. The appeals #1737, 1738 and 1-1. 87 do not involve long-range or city-wide planning issues, and refers them to the BZA for its action, without recommendation or comment. R, Moran moved, seconded by M. Sampson, to accept, Ms. Blumenthal 's report. Vote: 50--0. Motion carried, 4. Preliminary Subdivision: Cherry Street Industrial Park/Rock Stream Studios, Helen Jones reported to the Board that Rock Stream Studios (Robert W. McGuire, 1381 Mecklenburg Road, owner) had indicated a desire to lease 3/4 of an acre in the Cherry Street Industrial Park to construct a studio and offices, The firm now located on the Mecklenburg Road engages in metalfabrication producing audiokinetic sculpture for domestic and foreign markets. The firm requires 2,500 sq. ft. of space and proposes to build a 40x6Ox16 metal building. They employ five individuals now; they foresee employing eight individuals upon expansion; projected employment is for 12-14 employees within the next five years. Letters of commitment have been received by Mr. McGuire from two local banks to fund the project up to $80,000. The Board discussed the remaining land in CSIP, Mr. Jackson questioned the threshold of the number of jobs per acre and suggested this was lower than the required amount. Ms. Jones said the threshold was only a guide; it was a policy guideline established by the City, Planning and Development Board -3- Minutes December 16, 1986 (Continued) Mr. Moran moved, seconded by Mr. Sampson, to grant preliminary subdivision approval with the condition that growth projections be submitted in writing. Vote: 4-yes, 1-no (Jackson) . Motion carried 5. Farmers' Market: Mr. Jackson reported that Common Council at their December meeting authorized submission of a New York State Council on the Arts grant application for design study of the site, A site review by NYSCA has been conducted, . A final decision regarding funding will be made in February .1987, 6. Strategic Economic Plan., Mr, Jackson reported that Common Council voted to put $25,000 (of $45,000 requested ) into. restricted contin- gency. ontin„gency. Ms. Cummings stated that`:, in this request there seemed to be little support for this study; and that the Planning and Devel- opment Board should seek to determine whether there is support for the study in the business community; . , business support is needed . in order to create enthusiasm for this important study, She stated that individuals who feel strongly about this issue should hold one-on-one coversations: with. those who might be interested; this is critical. to successful fundis afa strategic economic plan; 7. Planning and Development Committee: Ms. Cummings reported on the Committee's agenda for the December meeting: P&D Department Work Program, Rock Stream Studios/Cherry Street Industrial Park, East Hill Zoning, and IURA - terms of appointment. The LURA terms of appointment topic was referred to the P&D Committee by Common Council , Presently- the five TURA members are appointed by the Mayor with approval of Council ; indefinite terms of office provide insulation against political and/or whimsical change, The P&D Committee will make a recommendation. to the Mayor after discussion of the issue. 8. Approval of Minutes: R, Moran, seconded by M. Sampson, moved approval of the November 1986 minutes. Vote: 4-0-1 (abstention- Jackson), Carried, 9, Mr, Moran requested that the Planning and Development Board schedule a discussion of the Route 96 alternatives in order to formulate a consensus regarding a specific choice. Such discussion should be held in the near future. 10. East Hill Zoning: Mr. Mazzarella referredto a memo addressed to Mayor Gutenberger and Council (12/2/86) outlining the proposed zoning changes for East Hill some of which have city-wide implications as well , Each change has been written up in a proposed Ordinance which_ will be reviewed at the Planning and Development Committee meeting in December; final changes/revisions will be made; ordinances will be Planning and Development Board -4- Minutes December 16, 1986 (Continued) passed on to Common Councilfor discussion at the January meeting, A public hearing will be called for in February 1987 at which time the ordinance changes will be voted on by Council , Deputy Director Mazzarella reviewed and explained each proposed change to the Board, The categories included: Zoning Map Change, B-2b Zoning District Regulations, R--3/R 1 Transition Regulations, Off-Site Parking, Parking in Front and Side Yards, Definition of Owner-Occupied Housing, and. Design Review Board, During the Board's discussion it was discovered that the Planning and Development Board. had not reviewed or made a recommendation on the definition of 'family' (Functional Family Unit) as proposed by the Charter and Ordinance Committee. This matter will have to be held over for discussion by the P&D Board at their January 27, 1987 meeting, 11, Availability of Housing; Mr, Mazzarell.a presented a list of seven proposed strategic objectives to address the housing availability issues; a list of proposed actions was presented to implement the strategic objectives The proposed actions were discussed with Mr. Mazzarella and Ms, Evans, Board members then voted on the proposed actions. 12, 1987 Department Work Program: Mr, Mazzarella reported that the changes requested by the Board to the Department Work Program for 1987 have been incorporated into the final report, S, Jackson, seconded by R. Moran, moved to approve the work program as presented. Vote: 5-0=0. Carried, 13. Adjournment; .10.30 p'.m, /skb