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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