HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1991-06-25 AMENDED & APPROVED 7-30-91
Planning and Development Board
MINUTES
June 25, 1991
PRESENT: S. Adams, R. Berg, S. Blumenthal (Chair) , C. Feuer,
J. Schroeder, A. Yale. Staff: Director H. M. Van Cort.
1. Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
2. Privilege of the Floor: No one appeared.
3. Preliminary Subdivision/129 South Hill Terrace/Watkins.
This subdivision for a lot line adjustment was requested to
build a recreational deck on the applicant' s home that would
meet all zoning requirements; the applicant owns all three
lots involved. After a brief review Schroeder, seconded by
Adams, moved for a Negative Declaration of Environmental
Significance, and the motion was carried unanimously. There
were no questions for, or comments by, the applicant. Berg,
seconded by Yale, moved for preliminary subdivision
approval, and the motion was passed 6-0. Chair informed the
applicant that he would need to appear for a public hearing
at next month' s Board meeting before final subdivision
approval could be granted.
4. Old Business:
A) Ordinance Amending Sec. 30.58 -- Area Variance. The
Board expressed enthusiastic support for this amendment and
Schroeder, seconded by Yale, moved that the Board endorse
the ordinance. Carried unanimously.
B) Benson subdivision. Adams reported that Mr. Benson has
voluntarily agreed to have the wetlands delineated. There
was discussion regarding enforceability of a deed
restriction versus a conservation easement. Board members
requested Assistant City Attorney Pat Kennedy to attend the
next Codes and Administration committee meeting to clarify
various issues including a required 100-foot buffer zone
along waterways and whether a property owner has the right
to refuse storm water runoff. Van Cort agreed to phone Mr.
Benson to suggest that after delineating the wetlands, it
might be advisable to protect the land by implementing a
conservation easement, and it may also have tax advantages.
C) Site Development Plan Review Survey. Linda Tsang
distributed a report to the Board which summarized responses
to the survey received from project owners and design
professionals who had gone through SDPR. Tsang discussed
one of the most common comments, that of coordination of
City agencies. Staff was directed to outline suggested
changes for ad hoc committee (Yale, Adams, Blumenthal,
Blanchard) to review and make recommendations where
appropriate.
Planning and Development Board Minutes -2-
June 25, 1991
5. Zoning Appeals Report. Blumenthal, seconded by Berg, moved
to approve the Codes and Administration committee
recommendations:
Appeals 2034, 2035, 2037, 2038, 2041, and 2043-47 do not
involve matters of long-range or area-wide planning concern
and are remanded for Board of Zoning Appeals action without
comment or recommendation.
Appeals 2036 and 2042, for Special Permits and Area
Variances to allow installation of satellite communications
dishes at 315-17 N. Aurora St. (retroactively) and 408
College Ave, respectively, are of concern to this Board
chiefly with respect to the visual impacts of the dishes on
neighboring properties and adjoining streets. Information
submitted with the appeals indicates that locations of the
existing dishes (in the rear yard of 315-17 N. Aurora) , and
of the. proposed dish on the roof of 408 College Ave. , are
about as inconspicuous as possible.
Appeal 2039, for Special Permit and Area Variances to allow
210 Park Pl. to be used for a home occupation (catering) ,
involves no change to the exterior of the existing single-
family residence. This Board recommends approval, subject
to the standard conditions for Home Occupations regarding
outside employees, nonresidential traffic and activity,
exterior storage and signage.
Appeal 2040, for Special Permit and Area Variance to allow
use of 302 E. Falls St. for a home occupation (business
office) , involves no change to the exterior of the existing
single-family dwelling. This Board recommends approval,
subject to the standard conditions for Home Occupations, and
understanding that applicant' s single truck will continue to
be parked in existing space on the premises.
Carried unanimously.
6. Reports.
A. Committees of the Board. Feuer reported on the
subcommittee review of the neighborhood section of the
Public Works Participation Committee Report. Berg agreed to
take written comments to the Board of Public Works.
B. Director. Van Cort reported that there would be a
secretarial staff shortage in the department for the month
of July. He also stated that the Mayor has asked all
department heads to submit budgets for next year: zero
Planning and Development Board Minutes -3-
June 25, 1991
increase, 3% and &% reduction over 1991 figures. Van Cort
agreed to submit a draft 1992 budget request for next
month' s meeting.
C. Chair. Blumenthal appointed new committee assignments.
She asked for a representative to the County Planning Board
as requested by Harry Missirian, A- -.:a
seete- Planner for
Tompkins County. Blumenthal reported on a public
meeting that was held to discuss the proposed Elmira Road
sidewalk project. She felt that there was general
disapproval from the merchants for reasons of safety,
handicap accessibility, impacts on vegetation and expense.
D. Planning and Development Committee. Schroeder reported
on the Commons Improvement Capital projects--drawings for
brick and concrete repairs are completed. Commons
Playground is tentatively scheduled for construction in the
fall. Commons water fountain has been repaired but will not
be turned on because of water shortage concerns in
Engineering--Berg agreed to take the matter up with the BPW.
An official response is expected from Cornell regarding the
City-Cornell Relations Study Commission report.
E. Board of Public Works. Berg reported that the Downtown
Vision Task Force recommendations pertaining to the DPW has
been forwarded to the BPW. The BPW is anticipating the
hiring of two new assistant superintendents.
7. Approval of Minutes. Minutes of May 28 were moved by Yale,
seconded by Berg, and approved unanimously.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
epj-PDB®ARD/MINUTES-June.min