Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1990-02-27 e C MINUTES Planning and Development Board February 27, 1990 PRESENT: S. Adams, R. Berg, S. Blumenthal (Chair), M. Cochran, J. Schroeder, A. Yale. Staff: Deputy Director P. Mazzarella, J. Meigs, P. Weed, L. Chatterton. Also, Applicants, Other Interested Parties, Media. 1. Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. 2. Privilege of the Floor: No requests made. 3. Final Subdivision Approvals and Public Hearings. a) Sunrise Road/Cafferillo. Berg, seconded by Yale, moved to open a public hearing. No one appeared to speak, and on motion by Yale, seconded by Cochran, the hearing was closed. Cochran, seconded by Schroeder, moved final subdivision approval, and the motion was carried unanimously. b) Spencer Street/Johnson. Cochran, seconded by Berg, moved to open a public hearing. No one appeared to speak, and on motion by Schroeder, seconded by Yale, the hearing was closed. Cochran, seconded by Berg, moved final subdivision approval, and the motion was carried unanimously. 4. Preliminary Subdivision a) Pivirotto - extension of time for final review. Mr. Meigs reported that the applicant has requested an extension of time for final review of his subdivision until June 1 in order to further review the alignment of the Taylor Place extension and the possibility of altering it to bypass a grove of evergreen trees on adjacent property which the Board would like to see included in a proposed neighborhood park. Cochran, seconded by Schroeder, moved to grant this extension, and the motion passed 5-0-1 (Adams) . b) Elmcrest Circle/Little. Mr. Meigs explained this application for a side lot line adjustment to better accommodate a driveway, and consolidation of two additional lots to remove lot deficiencies in order to accommodate a new house. Schroeder, seconded by Yale, moved Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance, and the motion was carried unanimously. Schroeder, seconded by Cochran, moved preliminary subdivision approval, and the motion was unanimously carried. The applicant was informed that there will be a public hearing on this project at the March 27 Board meeting. 5. Site Develo-onent Plan Reviews and Public Hearincrs a) Field House Dynameter Parking Lot, Cornell University. Peter Weed recommended preliminary approval in concept with conditions. He commented that there was insufficient information concerning the Planning & Development Board Minutes - February 27, 1990 Page 2 handling of site storm drainage, and a zoning variance is needed for the reduced size of parking stalls. Cochran, seconded by Schroeder, moved to open a public hearing. No one appeared to speak, and on motion by Yale, seconded by Schroeder, the hearing was closed. During discussion about environmental review, it was requested that a buffer of three trees be planted on the east side of the parking lot as a condition for final approval. Yale, seconded by Schroeder moved a Negative Declaration of Environmental Significance, and the motion passed 6-0. Schroeder, seconded by Cochran, moved preliminary approval and considered to be the final site development plan with conditions, and the motion was carried unanimously. b) Central Library Addition, Cornell University. Mr. Weed focused on major issues and raised concerns about ground water, blasting, protection of existing trees, traffic impacts on the community, placement of the Sheldon Memorial and bollards. He recommended preliminary approval in concept. Yale, seconded by Schroeder, moved to open a public hearing. No one appeared to speak, and on motion by Berg, seconded by Schroeder, the hearing was closed. The Board agreed that there was not enough environmental information for a negative declaration and, thus, could not grant site development plan approval. Since this entire area is being considered for historic designation Schroeder, seconded by Adams, moved. that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission be requested to give formal input regarding the bollards, possible relocation of the Sheldon Memorial, and exterior changes along Stimson Hall. The motion was passed unanimously. 6. Site Development Plan Review - modification a) 358 Floral Avenue/LoPinto. Mr. Weed raised the question as to whether the additional revisions made to this project which received the Board's final approval on January 23 constitutes a modification of the approved site plan which would require resubmission of the site development plan. Revisions included incorporating a greater turning radius at the south entrance of the project that would allow Ithaca public transit buses to enter the project and turn around; this would also permit fire department access to the site. Deputy Director Mazzarella recommended that the Board approve the revisions noting that the project comprises the housing component of the Community Development Block grant application whereby 50 percent of the units would be subsidized for low income housing. Cochran, seconded by Berg, moved approval of the revisions, and the motion was carried unanimously. Planning & Development Board Minutes - February 27, 1990 Page 3 7. New Business a) Cornell Central Campus Local Historic Designati After a brief summary of the buildings and area proposed for designation, Leslie Chatterton presented the following four resolutions for the Board's consideration. Re: Board of Planning and Development Report on Local Designation; Cornell University Arts Quad. WHEREAS, following the public hearing held on February 22, 1990, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate the Cornell University Arts Quadrangle with boundaries as delineated on the attached map, and WHEREAS, in accordance with provisions and procedures set forth in Section 32.6C of the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance, the Board of Planning and Development is charged with filing a report with the Council with respect to the relation of a proposed local designation to the master plan, the zoning laws, projected public improvements and any plans for the renewal of the site or area involved, and WHEREAS, the Board of Planning and Development has reviewed the prepared report, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Planning and Development finds that local designation of the Cornell University Arts Quad does not conflict with the master plan, the zoning laws, projected public improvements and any plans for the renewal of the site or area involved. Re: Board of Planning and Development Report on Local Designation; Cornell University campus buildings the Foundry, Sage Chapel, Barnes Hall and Sage Hall. WHEREAS, following the public hearing held on February 22, 1990, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to de�ignate buildings on the Cornell University campus; the Foundry, Sage Chapel, Barnes Hall and Sage Hall, and WHEREAS, in accordance with provisions and procedure3 set forth in Section 32.6C of the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance, the Board of Planning and Development is charged with filing a report with the Council with respect to the relation of a proposed 1pcal designation to the master plan, the zoning laws, projected public improvements and any plans for the renewal of the site or area involved, and WHEREAS, the Board of Planning and Development has reviewed the prepared report, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Planning and Development finds that local designation of the Foundry, Sage Chapel, Barnes Hall and Sage Hall does not conflict with the master Planning Development ent Board � Minutes - February 27, 1990 Page 4 plan, the zoning laws, projected public improvements and any plans for the renewal of the site or area involved. Re: Recommendation of Local Designation of Cornell University Arts Quad- WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on February 22, 1990 to consider local designation of the Cornell University Arts Quadrangle, and WHEREAS, no objections to local designation were delivered at the public hearing, and WHEREAS,following the public hearing the Commission, as lead agency, made a negative declaration with respect to potential adverse impact of local designation based on information presented on the environmental assessment, and WHEREAS, following the Commission's determination that resources in the proposed designation meet the definition of Landmark, as specified in Section 32.3 of Chapter 43 of the Municipal Code, (Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Ordinance), the Commission voted to designate the Cornell University Arts Quad with boundaries as shown on the attached map, and WHEREAS, local designation provides an additional measure of protection for historic and architectural resources of importance to the local community, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Ithaca Board of Planning and Development recommends that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca approve local designation of the Cornell University Arts Quad. Re: Recommendation for Local Designation of Cornell University Central Campus Buildings, the Foundry, Sage Chapel, Barnes Hall and Sage Hall. WHEREAS, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on February 22, 1990 to consider local designation of buildings on the Cornell University campus, the Foundry, Sage Chapel, Barnes Hall and Sage Hall, and WHEREAS, no objections to local designation were delivered at the public hearing, and WHEREAS, following the public hearing the Commission, as lead agency, made a negative declaration with respect to potential adverse impact of local designation based on information presented on the environmental assessment, and WHEREAS, following the Commission's determination that resources in the proposed designation meet the definition of Landmark, as specified in Section 32.3 of Chapter 32 of the Municipal Code, (Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Ordinance), the Commission voted to designate the Foundry, Sage Chapel, Barnes Hall and Sage Hall with boundaries as shown on the attached map, and Planning & Development Board Minutes - February 27, 1990 Page 5 WHEREAS, local designation does not conflict with the master plan, existing zoning, projected public improvements or any plans for renewal of the site and area involved, and WHEREAS, local designation provides an additional measure of protection for historic and architectural resources of importance to the local community, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Ithaca Board of Planning and Development recommends that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca approve local designation of Cornell University central campus buildings, the Foundry, Sage Chapel, Barnes Hall and Sage Hall. Because the Board felt that there was no conflict with the master plan or zoning laws, and there are no proposed public improvements pending nor plans for renewal of the site or area, Berg, seconded by Schroeder, moved to pass all four resolutions and the motion was carried unanimously. b) Cascadilla Boathouse Environmental Quality Bond Act Application and long-range plan -- report. Ms. Chatterton reported that the Boathouse has recently received National Register Listing and an application is being prepared to request funds for restoration and rehabilitation. She indicated that any preliminary planning efforts would be looked upon favorably, and a conditions assessment has been solicited in order to assist in formulating a project budget. c) Central Business District Building Height - proposed limit. Schroeder requested that the Board consider the following resolution which is intended to lower the maximum building height in the downtown B-3 zoning district. After some discussion the Board agreed that zoning should be reworked around heights, and ideally they would like to see the building height downtown lowered to 60 feet. WHEREAS, the sense of identity provided by Ithaca's downtown historic urban context promises to be a crucial resource in overall broad strategies to revitalize the central business district, and WHEREAS, the great majority of buildings in the downtown B-3 zoning district range from 40 to 60 feet in height, which is far below the current district maximum of 100 feet, and WHEREAS, the Common Council on February 7, 1990 authorized an application to the New York State Council on the Arts for an urban design study which will propose new design guidelines to ensure that any new downtown construction strengthens, rather than detracts from, the central business district's urban identity and cohesion, and WHEREAS, the Common Council on February 7, 1990 also authorized an application for a Certified Local Government Subgrant for undertaking a broad survey of Ithaca's downtown, a survey which may Planning & Development Board Minutes - February 27, 1990 Page 6 result in the naming of portions of the Ithaca Commons as a local historic district, and WHEREAS, it is not in the best interests of the City of Ithaca or its central business district for major changes to the character of the existing downtown urban fabric to occur while these two new studies are being pursued, and WHEREAS, city planning department staff members have recommended a lower B-3 zoning district maximum building height both for aesthetic reasons and because of doubt that the existing downtown infrastructure is adequate for new 100-foot tall buildings, and WHEREAS, a new maximum building height of 75 feet in the B-3 zoning district would address the above concerns while still allowing the B-3 district and the adjacent B-2c district (which currently has a maximum building height of 75 feet) to contain the tallest buildings allowed anywhere in the City of Ithaca, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Planning and Development recommends that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca lower the maximum building height permitted in the B-3 zoning district from 100 feet to 75 feet. Moved by Schroeder, seconded by Cochran, passed unanimously. d) Inlet Island Park - highway location. Because of planning considerations and implications, the Board requested clarification regarding the rationale behind a proposed new highway through the middle of the park. Staff was directed to write a letter to Council requesting information from DoT or to obtain a report from the Mayor. e) Urban Design Study - report. Mr. Mazzarella notified the Board that the Planning Department is applying for a $20,000 grant from New York State Council on the Arts for an urban design study of the central business district. Roger Trancik from Cornell has agreed to participate in project which would encompass (roughly) the Tuning Fork to Meadow Street, from Court St. to Clinton St. 8. Planning and Development Department 1990 Work Proms After minor revisions under Economic Development regarding the central business district urban design plan and needs assessment program development, Blumenthal, seconded by Adams, moved approval of the work program, and the motion was carried unanimously. 9. Zoning Appeals Report. Approval of memorandum as amended was moved by Schroeder, seconded by Berg, and unanimously passed. Planning & Development Board Minutes - February 27, 1990 Page 7 10. Reports: a) Committees of the Board Economic Development and Transportation: Next bike planning meeting is March 22; parking in the 3rd & 4th wards is being addressed. Land Use and Facilities Planning: Targeting specific areas downtown for an arts facility. b) Director -- No report. c) Chair. Report on meeting with Dan Hoffman regarding dividing responsibilities with Planning and Development Committee. d) Board of Public Works. Elimination of sidewalks on west side of Hudson St. from Hillview to Hudson Place for a Class II bikeway. e) Planning and Development Committee. Recreational river designation of Fall Creek--a public hearing is scheduled for March 8. Also, establishment of a bike commission. 11. Miscellaneous Resolutions of Appreciation to former members Daley, Gooding and Killeen moved by Cochran, seconded by Berg, and passed 6-0. A mid-month meeting was scheduled for March 13 to discuss general planning issues. Meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m. PDBOARD/27Feb90.min