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
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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)
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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
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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.