HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1989-09-05 MINUTES
Planning and Development Board
September 5, 1989
PRESENT: S. Blumenthal (Chair), M. Cochran, T. Cookingham,
J. Daley, D. Gooding, S. Killeen, A. Yale. Staff: Director H. M.
Van Cort, Deputy Director P. Mazzarella, P. Weed. Also,
Applicants, Other Interested Parties, Media.
1. Meeting was called to order at 7:42 p.m.
2. Privilege of the Floor. No comments.
3. Subdivision: Parcel at First and Franklin Streets/Paolangeli.
Director Van Cort reported that after the August 22, 1989 meeting,
Peter Weed of the Department staff prepared a cluster plan for the
site, and subsequently on Friday, September 1, Mr. Paolangeli
submitted his own cluster proposal. Staff completed its review of
the environmental assessment for the conventional plat, and while
most questions are answered in the assessment, there is one area
which has not been adequately addressed: The entire site is in the
100-year flood plain, and no mitigating measures have been
identified in the long form regarding that issue. Since under local
environmental law any construction in the 100-year flood plain is a
Type 1 Action, staff recommended that the Board ask the applicant to
provide additional information on measures to mitigate any possible
impacts from construction in the flood plain. Director Van Cort
presented a flood plain map and explained the need for more
research regarding any possible negative impacts. In answer to a
question from Mr. Cookingham, staff responded that the city
ordinance adopted in 1987 is believed to reflect the state's model.
Mr. Mazzarella stated that the City of Ithaca is participating in
both the state's model and the federal program in which the federal
government made a study of the entire corporate area of Ithaca
including all streams and tributaries, defining the various flood
hazard area boundaries. Director Van Cort explained that in order
for the Board to move expeditiously on the matter, more information
would be requested under the assessment portion of the review.
Yale MOVED, seconded by Daley, that additional study of the effects
of the 100-year flood plain coinciding with the location of the
proposed project be undertaken through the environmental review
process so that the application will be complete. The motion PASSED
7-0.
Mr. Daley and resident Laura Lewis commented on the applicant's
behavior. Ms. Lewis felt intimidated by applicant's actions.
Chair Blumenthal halted further discussion between residents and the
applicant since it was not deemed productive. Marjorie Olds read a
prepared statement outlining concerns of the neighborhood with
regard to need for open green space, impact on the area, etc.
Planning & Development Board
Minutes
Page 2
Several suggestions were presented by staff and Mr. Daley as how
best to use the lot. The applicant presented his latest plan.
Since the amount of green space appeared to be of considerable
interest to all involved, Mr. Paolangeli offered to sell property to
the City for the green space. The possible rezoning of the proposed
subdivision was discussed. If R-2c zoning comes into effect, this
parcel may fit into the guidelines. It could be four months before
Common Council acts on this.
The Board then considered the proposal of moving Lake Avenue at the
expense of the developer. Further discussion resulted in the
request that Mr. Daley bring the proposal, with the consideration
that the City may pay the costs involved with moving Lake Avenue,
before the Board of Public Works on September 6. Daley MOVED,
seconded by Gooding, that the Board would prefer to look at a plan
that included moving Lake Avenue. The motion PASSED 7-0. Daley
MOVED, seconded by Cochran, to urge Common Council to speedily enact
R-2c zoning and then apply it to the Pogo parcel so that Mr.
Paolangeli could make use of it. The motion PASSED 7-0.
Applicant asked for guidance from the Board. Mr. Daley explained
that if Mr. Paolangeli wishes to proceed immediately, the feeling of
the Board is that he should look at something along the lines
suggested during the meeting; if he is willing to wait for Council
to approve the R-2c, it is also the feeling of the Board that he
would get an "optimistic" look at whatever proposal were presented
by him under R-2c zoning. If he wishes to wait until R2C is in
existence, it is an option he could be assured this Board would look
at with favor. Chair Blumenthal will contact Charter and Ordinance
Committee Chair Booth to inquire about how R-2c is proceeding.
Chair Blumenthal then commented that the concern about needing
direction from the Board that is raised by the applicant's lawyers
could be answered by stating the development issues that are not
satisfactorily met in the original submission to the Board. Those
concerns include: relationship of the development to the creek,
lack of easy and direct general public accessibility to green space,
utility of open space to the general public, inefficient use of side
yard space. Blumenthal MOVED, seconded by Daley, that the
development issues listed above make the original proposal
unsatisfactory to the Board. The motion PASSED 7-0.
Further questions and discussion regarding the applicant's cluster
proposal were postponed until�BPW has the opportunity to discuss the ,
possibility of relocating Lake Ave., which Mr. Daley will put on
their September 6 agenda. If there is new material to discuss, the
Paolangeli parcel will appear on the next Planning Board agenda.
Planning & Development Board
Minutes
Page 3
4. There was discussion about the necessity for the City Attorney's
presence at these meetings, or at least keeping the City Attorney's
office well informed of Board proceedings.
5. Site Plan Review: Center Ithaca Expansion. Discussion of
environmental review. The Conservation Advisory Council referred to
pedestrian safety, especially at night, loss of valuable parking
spaces, and aesthetic appeal of shop design and recommended a
positive declaration. Issues identifed for discussion were
security/safety (must be mitigated); jay-walking on Green St. and
pedestrian traffic (arcade location may help); large physical
change; no mitigation possible. It was determined that the major
issue is public safety/security which should be mitigated through
design. Killeen MOVED, seconded by Daley, Negative Declaration of
Environmental Significance contingent upon mitigation of the major
issue identified (public safety and the narrow passageway at night)
and the motion PASSED 7-0.
Doug Look, HOLT architect for the project, discussed ideas for site
plan which included a gate at Home Dairy alley, locking the arcades
at 10:00 PM and 24-hour security which incorporates cameras. It was
MOVED by Cochran, and seconded by Killeen, to grant preliminary
approval in concept with conditions as stipulated in Peter weed's
memorandum of August 18, 1989. The motion PASSED 7-0. Chair
Blumenthal also asked that the security plan be reviewed by the
Police Chief.
6. Miscellaneous. Cornell meeting date set for September 27. Brief
discussion about sign ordinance amendments (painted signs on
buildings and neon signs) . The Board asked staff to write to the
C&O Committee to examine/prevent installation of newspaper tubes.
Meeting adjourned 11:30 p.m.
EPJ-PDB0ARD/Septmbr5.min