HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1990-09-25 AfyYolei�d
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
Minutes
September 25 , 1990
PRESENT : S . Blumenthal , R. Berg , M. Cochran, T . Cookingham, J .
Schroeder, A. Yale. Staff: P . Weed . Also,
applicants .
1 . Meeting was called to order at 7 :35 p .m.. Chair reminded
Board members that their next meeting will be held on
October 23 .
2 . Privilege of the Floor: No requests made .
3 . Preliminary Site Development Plan Review: 408 N. Meadow St.
(alterations to Ithaca Bakery) . Peter Weed clarified for
the board that the public hearing for this project had been
held, but that the environmental review had not been
completed . He addressed the primary issues including vague
property descriptions and the relationship. between the
parcel and other adjacent parcels. Weed questioned lease
arrangements for the parcel immediately to the west of the
project site and access to the designated loading area. He
also discussed prop-osed reso_lotions for problems concerning
site storm drainage , a new, wider curb cut on Court Street ,
signage to ease traffic congestion in that area and
enhancement of the setting . Architect David Bravo—Cullen
claimed that the owners of Ithaca Stoveworks have agreed to
a right of way easement to the loading area. he then
di.s.cussed the building materials and described building
facade and. signage . Cookingham reported that the Codes and
Administration Committee felt positive about the
development proposal. Cookingham, seconded by Berg ,
recommended Negative Declaration of Environmental
Significance , and the motion was carried unanimously. There
was further discussion regarding whether final approval
could be given. Cookingham stated that the applicant should
provide the actual deed amendment providing access to the
loading area. Cookingham, seconded by Berg , moved
preliminary approval with conditions (see Communication of
Decision memorandum dated 9/26/90, Department file) ,
considered final after determination by staff , and the
motion was carried unanimously.
4. Site Development Plan Review — report: Downtown Development
Project/Wanzer Block. Cookingham reported that the public
hearing for the project was po-stponed because the property
had not been posted for the required ten days . He reported
on comments that the Codes and Administration Committee made
regarding design concepts. He stated that the purpose of
Codes Committee report was to determine the nature of the
Board ' s interest in the proposed architectural design.
There was discussion concerning the "monumental" aspects of
the buil.-dings , protection of community features , and
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Minutes - Sept. 25 , 1990
architectural materials and details. Weed noted that the
review process is midstream and that additional comment is
available in the fullness of time.
5 . Zoning Appeals Report. The Board ' s review of subject
appeals found no issues of city-wide significance , and Berg ,
seconded by Cookingham, moved to forward them to the Board
of Zoning Appeals without comment .
6 . Reports.
a) Committees. Yale reported on the organization of the
Bicycle Advisory Council, which is moving toward a plan
to be included in the master plan. Cochran reported
that the next meeting of the Northside housing group is
October 1 at 3 :30 p.m. to report on the Syracuse trip .
He asked about the possibility of hiring a consultant
to complete the environmental review for the West Hill
Master Plan, possibly in conjunction with the master
plan for Northside and asked that the Director report
on the options. Yale expressed concern regarding the
adverse affect of student parties in the South Hill
neighborhood. Possible Board actions were discussed
but it was decided to monitor the affects of efforts by
the Police Department. Cochran asked that staff
research the status of West Village privatization,
requesting a report before the end of the year.
b) Director. No report
P) Chair . Dormitory Authority to hold a SEQR meeting for
Cornell University projects on September 26 at 10 : 00
a.m. Board members requested that a strongly worded
letter be transmitted to the Dormitory Authority
protesting the short-notice and vagueness of real
purpose for the SEQR meeting . The letter should
include request for a time table , points at which
notifications will be made , and a mechanism for
meaningful participation.
d) Board of Public Works . Berg reported on budget talks
for 1991 . There was discussion regarding a capital
project for sidewalks on Elmira Rd. that will cost an
estimated $250,000, with the monies to be returned to
the City through assessment . Yale suggested that the
sidewalks might be considered for use as bicycle
lanes. A question was raised as to the projected cost
to the. land owners . Cookingham, seconded by Schroeder ,
moved that the Planning Board draft a resolution to the
Board of Public Works in support of this project .
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Minutes - Sept . 25 , 1990
c) Planning and Development Committee. Schroeder reported
on proposed minimum parking space size and new
standards for side yard parking . He requested that
staff forward copies of the space size recommendations
to Board members.
7 . Relating to the Cornell Campus Plan, Cookingham expressed
concern about an aggressive land acquisition program whereby
private property is being purchased by Cornell at above
market prices . He noted that the land purchases are not
reflected in the Campus Plan.
8. Approval of Minutes. Minutes of August 2 and August 28 ,
1990 were amended and unanimously approved. An ,additional
amendment to. the June 28, 1990 Minutes was approved.
Meeting adjourned at 9 : 30 p .m.
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