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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1989-07-25 MTN[TPF.$ Planning and Development Board July 25, 1989 PRESENT: S. Blumenthal (Chair), A. Yale, S. Killeen, T. Cookingham, D. Gooding. Staff: Director H. M. Van Cort, P. Weed, J. Meigs, P. Mazzarella. Also, Applicants, Other Interested Parties, Press. 1. Meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. 2. Public Hearings: A. Site Plan Review- Ta[upkins County Mental Health Services Building, Tioga and Green Streets. Public Hearing opened on motion by Cookingham, seconded by Killeen; no member of the public appeared to speak, and on motion by Cookingham, seconded by Gooding, the hearing was closed. B. Site Plan Review—South Hill Recreationway. Public Hearing opened on motion by Yale, seconded by Killeen. Mr. Greg Pogson of 105 Crescent Place appeared to ask questions and voice his concerns about the close proximity of the entrances to the trail on Hudson Street and Crescent Place and especially possible dangers. He inquired whether the grade and paving of the trail are conducive to wheelchair accessibility. He was also concerned about misuse of the: trail by motorized vehicles and placement of bollards to deter them. Ms. Blumenthal stated that discussion of these issues would be delayed until the Town of Ithaca planners were present. Then Cookingham, seconded by Gooding, moved to close the hearing. 3. Privilege of the Floor: No requests made. 4. Proposed Subdivision: 422 Taylor Place/Pivirotto. Action on this project was deferred until comments arereceived from the City Attorney about acquiring public access to the conservation easement, and City Engineering regarding placement of Taylor Place extension. There was some discussion regarding how resolution of the open space exactions in this subdivision will impact future development especially on West Hill when the master plan is implemented. 5. Site Plan Review A. Maple Avenue Apartments/143 Maple Avenue. Cookingham, seconded by Yale, MOVED that the Board accept the Conservation Advisory Council's recommendation for a Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance contingent upon resolution of drainage and sidewalk/roadway visibility problems, and presentation and implementation of adequate erosion and sedimentation control plans (particularly during construction) . The motion PASSED 5-0. Then Cookingham, seconded by Killeen, MOVED to grant preliminary site plan approval conditional on submission and City Engineering Planning & Development Board Minutes - 7/25/89 Page 2 approval of drainage calculations, soil percolation rates and storm design details, and landscaping modifications as suggested in Peter Weed's memorandum of July 20, 1989. The motion PASSED 5-0. The Board agreed to defer final approval until the conditions of the preliminary approval are met. B. Tompkins County Mental Health Services Building. The County's plans for a six-story, brick building with a one-story, lower wing were presented. A preliminary site plan was described. There was discussion concerning landscaping and the impacts of this project on pedestrian access and the confused traffic patterns on Green Street. Cookingham, seconded by Killeen, MOVED to grant preliminary approval, in concept, of the site development plan conditional on resubmission of plans for final approval and full consideration of issues raised in Peter Weed's memo of July 25, 1989, and the motion PASSED 4-0-1 (Yale). C. South Hill Recreationway. George Frantz described the six-foot wide path within the City including proposed landscaping and " drainage improvements. This design responds to many of the concerns expressed regarding the initial proposal by reducing the surface width of the segment in the City (the base will be eight feet throughout), reducing the amount/length of oiled-stone "paving," and reducing further the amount of vegetation to be removed. There was discussion about the path being wheelchair accessible. Neighbors spoke about their concerns regarding increased usage, maintenance and policing of the trail. Mr. Frantz assured that there will be signs posted regarding use of the trail including exclusion of motorized vehicles. (except for maintenance and emergency vehicles), and bollards will be installed to maintain safety in particular areas. Trail will be patrolled and maintained primarily by the Town. In response to specific concerns, Mr. Frantz stated that signs will be posted to distinguish more clearly Renzetti and Cottage as private roads, and suggested possibly installing bollards on Renzetti and Cottage if people continue to park there. He encouraged adjacent property owners to call the Town if problems arise in the future. Yale, seconded by Killeen, MOVED Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance contingent upon DEC approval for use of bottom ash. Motion PASSED 5-0. After discussion about providing a handicap-accessible trail and consideration of an eight-foot trail with an oiled stone surface, Killeen, seconded by Gooding, MOVED to propose approval of a path six-feet wide and paved with bottom ash (cinders) . Vote 3-2 (defeated) Planning & Development Board Minutes - 7/25/89 Page 3 . After further discussion, Yale, seconded by Killeen, MOVED that the approved width of the path be six feet and that the approved surface be cinders, compacted with a roller, on the condition that the Town and the City monitor the accessibility of the trail to wheelchairs and, if deemed appropriate, explore a potential cooperative arrangement to pave the trail. Mr. Yale also asked that the Board introduce a resolution to Council indicating its ambition to develop wheelchair accessible trails through woodland areas within the city in the near term. The motion PASSED 5-0. Killeen, seconded by Cookingham, MOVED to recommend preliminary site development plan approval of the segment of the path in the City, as specified in the preceding motion, with conditions and suggested modifications as stated in Peter Weed's memo dated July 20, 1989, and the motion PASSED 5-0. Then Cookingham, seconded by Killeen, MOVED to grant final site development plan approval, with conditions stated in previous motion, and the motion PASSED 5-0. 6. Senior Citizen Council--Presentation. The Tompkins County Senior Citizens' Council of 213 S. Geneva St. wishes to relocate and- came before the Board for support and assistance in locating either land and/or a 10,000-12,000 square foot building with a parking area for approximately 100 vehicles. They expressed interest in the City- owned property between Franklin and Meadow Streets. They recognize that the Sciencenter has submitted a similar request and have suggested that a cooperative arrangement between the Senior Citizens' Council and Sciencenter could be very compatible. 7. A. Zoning Appeals. Consideration of Appeal No. 1915, Oak Hill Manor's request for a Special Permit to allow the Waldorf School of the Finger Lakes at 602 Hudson Street to operate a child day care center school at the Speno mansion. The Building Commissioner has advised that the Special Permit is not subject to site plan review because the building permit requested is for interior changes. Cookingham, seconded by Killeen, MOVED to recommend approval of the appeal for a Special Permit conditional on prompt action to provide required parking, and the motion PASSED 5-0`. Then Killeen, seconded by Cookingham, MOVED to approve the memorandum to the Board of Zoning Appeals as amended, and the motion PASSED 5-0. B. Planning Board input to BZA. Discussion deferred until next Board meeting. 8. West Hill Master Plan Environmental Review. Mr. Mazzarella reported that Common Council approved the Planning Board's request to be Planning & Development Board Minutes - 7/25/89 Page 4 designated lead agency for the environmental review. It was suggested that a separate meeting be held including Board of Public Works, Conservation Advisory Council and Common Council to identify specific issues. A meeting was set for Monday, August 14 at 4:30. Subdivision Parks: Mr. Mazzareila briefed the Board on the most recent revision of the proposed subdivision regulations amendment to permit cash payment in lieu of reserving land for parks. The payment formula now proposed differentiates between zones depending on permitted levels of residential development. He asked that the Board act to pass this version on for Council consideration, without extended Board debate, suggesting that any substantive concerns could be addressed in that forum. There was brief discussion concerning how such payments would be used, and the appropriateness of assessing the maximum against a property being developed for non- residential use. Then Blumenthal, seconded by Cookingham, MOVED to approve draft #6 of this subdivision regulation amendment as presented, and the motion PASSED 4-1 (Killeen). 9. Director's Report. After a brief discussion Yale, seconded by Cookingham, MOVED approval of the 1990 Planning Department budget, and the motion PASSED 4-0-1 (Gooding). 12. Approval of Minutes. Cookingham moved to approve April 25 minutes, seconded by Killeen. Cookingham moved to approve May 9 minutes with one minor change, seconded by Killeen. Killeen moved to approve May 23 minutes as amended, seconded by Cookingham. Killeen moved to approve June 13 minutes, seconded by Cookingham. Killeen moved to approve June 27 minutes, seconded by. Gooding. All motions passed. unanimously. 13. Liaison Reports. Planning and Development Conidttee. Killeen reported on various concerns including transportation issues, and rental housing task force. 14. Chairman's Report. Committee assignments have been made. Meeting adjourned at 12:30 a.m.