HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1989-11-28 C'
NINIMS
Planning and Development Board
November 28, 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 7:35 p.m. It was agreed to hold the
next Board meeting on December 19 at 7:30 p.m.
2. Privilege of the Floor: No requests made.
3. Site Develo-anent Plan Review and Public Hearing:
A. 127 West State Street. Staff landscape architect, Peter Weed,
described this project which includes the demolition of an existing
two-story building and construction of a new three-story office
building. He requested that the developer protect the existing
Japanese Pagoda tree and planter and suggested a bond for
replacement if the tree is damaged or destroyed during construction.
He noted that the submitted plans did not include the location of
the rooftop HVAC unit, which may exceed ambient noise levels,
omitted building material details, and inadequately addressed
surface drainage. Mr. Weed also commented on the fact that the
proposed building would block out solar light for the Ithaca Journal
building directly to the east and also suggested a possible joint
project with the Elks Club involving landscaping on the west side.
Mr. Weed recommended preliminary approval in concept, with
conditions. Cookingham, seconded by Cochran, moved to open a public
hearing. No one appeared to speak, and on motion by Daley, seconded
by Yale, the public hearing was closed. Yale, seconded by Cochran,
moved Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance, and the
motion was carried unanimously.
Mr. Robert Colbert, developer for the project, addressed the Board.
He said that the Ithaca Journal has been contacted regarding the
proposed project and has responded favorably. He commented that the
100-block of State Street sorely needs improvement and that all of
his buildings are clean, well-operated, and have high standards.
He addressed the drainage question by showing photographs and
claimed that there is no drainage problem. Mr. Jagat Sharma,
architect, answered questions regarding the building material and
facade treatment. The former owner of the building, Mr. Francese,
came before the board and maintained that there has never been a
site drainage problem.
Cochran, seconded by Daley, moved final site development plan
approval with the following conditions: Provide a bond acceptable
to the city for the replacement of the existing 8" caliper Japanese
Pagoda Tree (Sophora japonica) in the event it is damaged or
destroyed during construction; exploration of exterior landscaping
Planning & Development Board
Minutes - November 28, 1989
Page 2
on the west side of the building, if feasible; staff review and
approval of final detail on proposed building materials,
specifically selected brick and color, window glazing type and
tint, finish and pattern of "architectural concrete" band. The
motion was carried unanimously.
B. 735 West Clinton Street/Ithaco, Inc. Mr. Weed recommended
preliminary approval on the proposed addition to the existing Ithaco
facility, considered final, with conditions. Cochran, seconded by
Daley, moved to open a public hearing. No one appeared to speak,
and on motion by Cookingham, seconded by Yale, the hearing was
closed. Yale, seconded by Daley, moved Negative Declaration of
Environmental Significance, and the motion was carried unanimously.
Cochran, seconded by Daley, moved final site development plan
approval with conditions, and the motion was carried unanimously.
Conditions include submitting plans for staff review and approval
illustrating the following additional site work: Close central curb
cut, install raised grass band area on north, landscape along
building and gravel beds to include shrubbery and trees on north
side of green raised band, install concrete sidewalk from proposed
building entry to Cherry St., submit plans for proposed building
colors and finishes for the entire complex. Some Board members felt
that landscaping in this area should be referred to the Board of
Public Works and the Shade Tree Committee.
C. Floral Avenue/INHS Mutual Housing Association. Mr. Weed showed
the site plan for a 14-unit project proposed to be constructed by
INNS between Floral Avenue and Chestnut Street. Concerns were
raised during discussion of environmental review of this project.
These included preservation of hackberry trees, erosion control,
blasting, and use of construction fencing to protect the ravine.
Mr. Weed recommended preliminary approval, considered final, with
conditions. Cookingham, seconded by Cochran, moved to open a public
hearing. No one appeared to speak, and on motion by Daley, seconded
by Cochran, the public hearing was closed. Cookingham, seconded by
Gooding, moved Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance,
and the motion passed 5-0-2 (Blumenthal, Daley abstained) .
Yale, seconded by Killeen, moved final site development plan
approval with conditions as stated in Peter Weed's memorandum of
November 28, 1989, and agreed to by Kathy Wolf, and the motion
passed 5-0-2 (Blumenthal, Daley abstained) .
D. Jessup Road/Cornell University. North Campus sidewalk and
landscape improvement project (three phases) . Staff recommended
preliminary approval, considered final, with conditions after a
brief discussion involving chemicals used for de-icing walkways.
Cookingham, seconded by Daley, moved to open a public hearing. No
Planning & Development Board
Minutes - November 28, 1989
Page 3
one appeared to speak, and on motion by Daley, seconded by Yale, the
hearing was closed. Cookingham, seconded by Cochran moved Negative
Declaration of Environmental Significance, and the motion carried
unanimously.
Daley, seconded by Cochran, moved final site development plan
approval with conditions as stated in Peter Weed's memorandum of
November 28, 1989, and the motion was carried unanimously.
4. Proposed Subdivision/113-115 Morris Ave./Drapino & Mazzanoble.
There was debate about whether the Board should discuss this
application for a lot-line adjustment because the applicants were
not present. Cookingham, seconded by Killeen, moved Negative
Declaration of Environmental Significance, and the motion was
carried unanimously. Then Killeen, seconded by Cochran, moved
preliminary subdivision approval, and the motion passed 4-3.
5. Cochran, seconded by Cookingham, moved approval of the draft
memorandum to the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding Appeals 1944 and
1945, and the motion was carried unanimously.
6. Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment: Addition of the R-2c zone
regulations. After some discussion regarding the effect of the
proposed zoning ordinance on density, Cochran, seconded by Gooding,
moved to approve amendments and send on to Council, and the motion
passed 6-1 (Daley) .
7. CAC Resolution: Relieving Traffic Congestion. This resolution was
referred to the Board from Council. There was discussion about the
importance of some of the suggested solutions especially with regard
to improving mass transit. Gooding, seconded by Daley, moved to
endorse the resolution, and the motion was carried unanimously.
8. Nominations to the National and State Reaisters of Historic Places.
After discussion, Blumenthal, seconded by Daley, moved to endorse
the nomination of the Cascadilla Boathouse and to write a letter to
the Commissioner stating that the Planning Board was unable to
respond regarding the Jamieson and McKinney Block and Ithaca Gas &
Electric Corporation Building nominations due to lack of time for
sufficient review. The motion was carried unanimously.
9. Reports_
a) Committees of the Board. Mr. Yale reported on the November 15
Board meeting about conditions in the central business district and
recommended to approve Paul Mazzarella's letter to the Mayor and
Common Council in concept. He noted that he would like Common
Council to quickly demonstrate a sense of commitment to a
revitalized downtown. He also reported on the 14-person working
group for bicycling; they will be meeting next month to look at maps
Planning & Development Board
Minutes - November 28, 1989
Page 4
and come up with a plan. Mr. Cochran reported an upcoming December
17 meeting to develop a housing agenda.
Mr. Daley reported that the Northside city lands committee met
regarding development of green space along the creek and a buffer
along Route 13. He was not optimistic that the Department of Public
Works could be moved in time for occupancy by the -E,. ,
Sciencenter or Senior Citizens Center.
b) Director--No report.
c) Chair. Ms. Blumenthal inquired about equalization of tax
assessments and potential impacts on the city.
d) Planning & Development Committee. Mr. Killeen mentioned the
height of buildings downtown with regard to zoning amendments. He
also touched on the hydropower issue and New York State recreational
river designation of Fall Creek and its possible impact on future
subdivisions.
e) Board of Public Works. Mr. Daley reported on the Parking Study
Committee, possible location of a new garage, and elimination of
free parking downtown.
10. Approval of Minutes. Daley, seconded by Cooki.ngham, moved to
approve the minutes of August 22, September 5, September 26 and
October 24 (with amendments) . The motion was carried unanimously.
11. Miscellaneous. Mr. Weed reported on the Stewart/Edgemoor Parking
Lot project. It was determined by the Building Commissioner that it
was not a permitted use, and also did not meet zoning requirements
for parking stall size. There was some discussion regarding site
plan review procedures, and it was agreed to discuss this again at a
future meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 11:55 p.m.
EPJ-PDBOARD/Novmbr28.min