HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1990-02-27 e
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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