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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1991-05-28 Planning and Development Board MINUTES May 28, 1991 PRESENT: S. Adams, R. Berg, S. Blumenthal (Chair) , C. Feuer, J. Schroeder, A. Yale. Staff: Director H. M. Van Cort. Also, applicants, and members of the public. 1. Meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. 2. Privilege of the Floor: No one appeared. 3. Preliminary Subdivision/361 Floral Avenue/Benson. Chair explained to the Board that the Conservation Advisory Council had not had ample time to meet for discussion of the environmental review for this subdivision. She advised that preliminary approval not be considered at this meeting. The Board felt that it would be helpful to have some discussion to determine the major technical and environmental issues concerning the proposed subdivision. Since a portion of the property is located within what is believed to be wetlands, delineation and drainage issues were addressed. Wetlands can be delineated through survey by the Ichthyological Associates using soil samples. It was noted that the City Engineer' s office had not made formal comment. The Board advised that a meeting be held including the Building Commissioner, City Attorney, City Engineer, Planning Director and applicant to resolve specific issues. Betsy Darlington reported that the property is located within the 100-year floodplain. Also, there were questions regarding whether the applicant could obtain a building permit for construction in a wetland. 4. New Business A. Cornell-City Relations Study Commission. Risa Lieberwitz highlighted topics of interest to the Planning Board in the Commission' s report including an Intermunicipal Joint Planning Board, neighborhoods, housing, and legislative initiative. Feuer, seconded by Berg, moved a resolution to encourage Council to invite and get a response from Cornell especially since the issues are of broad concern, and it is very important to have their input on many planning issues. Carried unanimously. B. Draft Bicycle Plan for the City of Ithaca. Carl Lagoze, Chair of the City' s Bicycle Advisory Council, asked the Board to contact the Bicycle Advisory Council when they encounter an issue that concerns bicycles. Planning and Development Board -2- Minutes of May 28, 1991 He briefly discussed the proposed plan and asked for constructive comments on the report. C. GIAC Neighborhood Pool/Park Development. Van Cort presented the design sketch for a proposed neighborhood pool, kiddie pool and play area. There was some concern expressed for pedestrian movement in that area. Some Board members made suggestions to close Court Street near Central School for children' s safety, installing speed bumps and a pedestrian crossing light. This project will appear before the Board for site development plan review. D. Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) . Patricia Norton described the report that the Community Development Agency is required to prepare for HUD. Norton described the strategy methodology agreed on by the Planning and Development Committee which calls for participation of a five-member technical advisory committee and the Community Advisory Committee. The strategy is due in October, 1991. E. City Staff Training Needs. Because of the press of time, this item was removed from the agenda. F. Public Works Participation Committee Report. Alderperson Blanchard discussed this report' s aim to improve communications with the public and asked the Board for advice on how to involve neighborhoods. The Board agreed to meet in subcommittee to review the neighborhood section of the report and offer suggestions. G. Expansion of Planning Board Membership. Board members made the following comments: The responsibilities of Planning Board membership were becoming overly time consuming, there are too many liaison roles, and too much time taken up with SDPR. Schroeder said he was not convinced that adding to membership of the Board would solve this problem. Several members felt that a bigger Board would be of some help. It was noted that most Board members are either liaisons from other Boards or are committee chairs, thus, they already have a great deal to do. It was suggested that these problems could be solved, in part, if committees would deal with most details at the committee level. Planning and Development Board -3- Minutes of May 28, 1991 5. Old Business A. 1991 Department Work Program. The work program was approved unanimously. B. Urban Design Studies/Scope of Services. Adams said that she felt it was important to have a community client group who would work with the urban designer. Van Cort agreed and said that such committee had been discussed with the urban designer. Van Cort invited Adams to participate in this effort. C. Community Survival in the 9O's. Deleted from agenda. 6. Zoning Appeals Report. The Board unanimously approved the committee' s report which commented on appeals 2030 and 2031. 7. Reports A. Committees of the Board. None B. Director. None C. Chair. Blumenthal reported that the site development plan review surveys had been mailed. D. Planning and Development Committee. Schroeder reported that the P&D Committee is beginning to work on the downtown zoning amendments. E. Board of Public Works. Berg reported that the hiring of new BPW personnel was proceeding. 8. Approval of Minutes. Minutes of March 26 (Yale/Feuer) and April 23 (Schroeder/Feuer) approved unanimously. 9. Miscellaneous. The Board discussed the notice to Board of Zoning Appeals applicants. Van Cort said he would try to simplify the language in number 2 on this notice. Meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m. PDBOARD/MINUTES-May.min