HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1989-03-28 Approved 4/25/89
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Planning and Development Board
March 28, 1989
PRESENT: S. Blumenthal (Chair), A. Yale, S. Jackson, S. Killeen,
J. Daley, T. Cookingham, M. Sampson. Staff: Director H. M. Van
Cort, J. Meigs. Also, Applicants, Other Interested Parties, Press.
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:42 p.m. Chair informed the
public that the Board would not discuss site plan review of the
proposed ice hockey rink at this meeting.
2. Public Hearings:
Final Subdivision Approval -- 126-30 Chestnut Street/Jordan. Public
Hearing opened on motion by Daley, seconded by Jackson; no member of
the public appeared to speak, and on motion by Jackson, seconded by
Daley, the hearing was closed.
There was no discussion regarding the minor lot line change. Daley,
seconded by Killeen, MOVED that the Board grant Final Subdivision
Approval subject to receipt of final documentation, including
certification of reconsolidation of the small triangular parcels
with the main lots gaining them, and the motion was PASSED 7-0.
Final Subdivision Approval -- 216-18 Second Street/Martin. Public
Hearing opened on motion by Daley, seconded by Cookingham; no member
of the public appeared to speak, and on motion by Daley, seconded
by Killeen, the hearing was closed.
There was a very brief discussion; then Daley, seconded by Killeen,
MOVED that the Board grant Final Subdivision Approval subject to
receipt of final documentation, and the motion was PASSED 7-0.
Final documentation required in this case includes certification of
recombination of the minor parcels created, resolution of the zoning
issues raised by the Building Commissioner, and certification from
the City Engineer that the curb cuts for the new parcels meet city
requirements.
_Final Subdivision Approval -- 140 Coddington Road/Wells. Public
Hearing opened on motion by Daley, seconded by Cookingham; no member
of the public appeared to speak, and on motion by Daley, seconded
by Killeen, the hearing was closed.
After brief discussion, Cookingham, seconded by Daley, MOVED that
the Board grant Final Cluster Subdivision Approval subject to
receipt and satisfactory review of final documentation, and the
motion was PASSED 7-0. Final documentation required consists of a
final plat and detailed final plans as specified under Section 30.28
C2 of the City Code, together with appropriate legal documents
fully describing the parcels created and the conditions to which
they are subject in terms of rights-of-way, common areas, and site
buffer areas; compliance with City regulations, standards and
requirements for vehicular access, storm drainage, water and sewer
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Minutes - 3/28/89
Page 2
service; and offers of cession for the street and, if desired,
common areas.
3. Privilege of the Floor: No requests made.
4. Cluster Housing Proposal submission requirements. After some
discussions regarding criteria for review of proposals, Yale,
seconded by Daley, MOVED to defer adoption or further discussion of
draft of regulations until next month when all Board members have
had time to thoroughly review the materials, and the motion was
PASSED 7-0.
5. Proposed Subdivision -- 422 Taylor Place/Pivirotto. Mr. Pivirotto's
attorney, Mr. Mazza, presented a revised subdivision plan for 8 lots
which take into consideration neighbors' concerns by reducing the
number of lots, making them larger and more in keeping with the
character of the neighborhood. There was some discussion about the
City Engineer's comments in which he suggests that the proposed cul-
de-sac be eliminated. Discussion of environmental review revealed
that the CAC felt that they were not given ample time to administer
a thorough review and, thus, could not make a recommendation given
the many inconsistencies between the State and City EAFs. It was
agreed that it would be beneficial to have the City Engineer review
and comment on the revised proposal.
Major issues raised by community and Board members included:
elevation and grade of Taylor P1. and the cul-de-sac, drainage and
erosion, public open space vs. large lots, and exaction of land or
money for park.
There was some feeling by Board members that use of cluster
regulations might mitigate some of the problems that people seem to
have with this project; however, several neighbors spoke in favor of
the revised plan presented tonight as being quite in keeping with
what they would like to see in the neighborhood. Several of the
points raised might be addressed by exploring other design
alternatives.
Chair recommended a committee meeting on April 6, 1989 at 4:30 p.m.
to address specific issues before the next Board meeting. Further
discussion of environmental review was deferred until next meeting.
Concerned community members who spoke were: Chris Black, 409 Taylor
Pl.; Joan Lawrence, 325 Warren Pl.; Eric Dicke, 106 Westfield Dr.;
John Hinchcliff, 202 Sunrise Rd.; Rich Wright, 416 Taylor P1.
6. Proposed Subdivision -- Taylor Place-Westwood Knoll/Garcia.
Discussion of environmental review based on CAC recommendation to
declare significant environmental impact. Mr. Garcia agreed that
it would be appropriate for the Board to request an Environmental
Impact Statement. There was brief discussion concerning P&D Board
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Minutes - 3/28/89
Page 3
as lead agency. Issues identified for scoping session were removal
of vegetation, erosion and drainage, stream protection, bird and
wildlife habitat destruction, visual impact, open space, and traffic
inpact. Mr. Garcia asked that Board members come to scoping session
with an idea of what the City should consider as being significant
to address (is protection of birds, trees, hackbercy bushes more
valuable than providing housing) .
Jackson, seconded by Daley, MOVED to declare Positive Declaration of
Environmental Significance and request an Environmental Impact
Statement, and the motion was PASSED 7-0. Scoping session was
scheduled for April 11, 1989 at 3:30 p.m.
7. Proposed Subdivision -- 105 Williams Glen Road/Bobrow-Rogers. Mr.
Bobrow discussed the minor lot line adjustment. They have
purchased vacant property adjacent to their present hone and would
like to increase the size of the new lot to one acre by transferring
part of their original lot. There was discussion concerning zoning
and building permit complications because the new home they are
planning to build for themselves on the vacant lot is situated on
the City/Town border, and part of the house will be used for an
office. The City Building Commissioner and the Town Zoning Officer
are aware of the interjurisdictional elements of the project, which
are independent of the subdivision.
Jackson, seconded by Daley, MOVED to declare Negative Declaration of
Environmental Significance, and the motion was PASSED 6-0.
Daley, seconded by Cookingham, MOVED to grant Preliminary
Subdivision Approval, and the motion was PASSED 6-0.
Final Public Hearing for this project is next month.
8. Proposed Subdivision -- Deer Creek/Sorra. Mr. Meigs reported that
Mr. Borra had indicated willingness to consider modifying his
proposal to take into account the concerns expressed in previous
discussion, and to comply with the West Hill Master Plan. Mr. Borra
may submit a revised plan along these lines next month.
9. Proposed Subdivision -- Floral Avenue/LoPinto. Ms. Blumenthal
stated she received verbal notification from Mr. LoPinto (telephone
call on March 27) that he has withdrawn his proposal due to
financial uncertainties. He is still exploring other alternatives,
such as regular multiple dwelling development.
10. South Hill Recreation Way -- Director Van Cort briefly defined lead
agency status, and said that the City is not an involved agency.
The P&D Committee of Council requested the Board's comments on the
project itself. The proposed Town trail would be eight feet wide to
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Minutes - 3/28/89
Page 4
allow access for life safety and maintenance vehicles; at some
points vegetation would be cleared for a total width of 12 feet.
Town Planner S. Beeners replied to Board questions, and said the
Town's EAF has been revised to take into consideration the CAC's
comments and questions on the initial EAF. The Town wants to move
forward with the environmental review process this month, if
possible; the State is an involved agency also, because it is
providing funding assistance.
The Board had legal questions concerning easements, zoning, site
plan review and building permits. It was generally agreed that the
Planning Board has an interest, but cannot report to Council on this
matter because their authority is uncertain. It was agreed that, at
this time, the concerns and questions raised by the Board should
represent the Board's feedback to the Town; and if site plan review
is determined to be necessary, that will be dealt with.
11. Recreational Designation of Fall Creek. Presentation of application
submitted by Citizens Against Hydropower at Ithaca Falls. Margaret
Fabrizio described the proposal for recreational designation of
portions of Fall Creek under the New York State Wild, Scenic and
Recreational River System Act. The proposed boundaries would go
through the City as well as the Town of Ithaca and the Town of
Dryden. Ms. Fabrizio also described how the Department of
Environmental Conservation handles submissions procedurally, and
said that a public hearing would be held before final boundaries are
set. The Board felt that they have major questions about the
effect on land use in the vicinity of the designated area and
possible implications for property owners seeking building permits
in the interim, before final boundaries are set.
12. Community Development Application. Glenn Goldwyn discussed the
proposal to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. Then Jackson, seconded by Blumenthal, MOVED that the
Board endorse the application and adopt the following RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, The Planning & Development Board has reviewed the programs
and projects contained within the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency's
draft of the City of Ithaca's Community Development Block Grant
application for 1989/1990, and
WHEREAS, The Board concurs with the IURA's recommendations and is
supportive of the affordable housing initiatives, public facility
expansion and economic development for job creation support
contained in the application,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Planning & Development Board
endorses the proposed application for Community Development funds
and urges its passage by the Ithaca Common Council at their April 5,
1989 meeting.
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Minutes - 3/28/89
Page 5
After brief discussion, the motion was PASSED 5-0.
13. Miller Street Rezoning. Killeen MOVED, seconded by Blumenthal, to
recommend changing the zoning of land on the north side of Miller
Street from R-3b to R-2b, and after some discussion the motion was
PASSED 5-0.
14. Zoning Appeals. Killeen MOVED, seconded by Daley, to approve the
committee recommendations and comments on zoning appeals as reported
in the memorandum distributed, and the motion was PASSED 5-0.
15. Liaison Reports.
A. Planning and Development Committee -- No report.
B. Board of Public Works -- No report.
16. Chairman's Report. Discussion of group home case awaiting comments
by the City Attorney. Ms. Blumenthal reminded the Board of the
meeting with Cornell on March 29 regarding the University's traffic
plans. There was general agreement with her concern that Cornell
seemed to be taking the lead in establishing the agenda and defining
the issues, though the initiative for these discussions was the
Board's; and that an effort should be made to adjust the focus and
orientation of further discussion to better reflect City priorities.
17. Director's Report -- No report.
18. Minutes of 2/28/89 were approved except for Item 19: Minutes of
1/31 were approved, minutes for 12/20/88 were not approved.
19. Meeting was adjourned at 11:50 p.m.
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