HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PDB-1993-07-27 S- q3
Planning and Development Board
MINUTES
July 27, 1993
PRESENT: D. Kay (Chair) , P. Mackesey, D. Rusoff, J. Schroeder,
G. Hagood (late) . Staff: Deputy Director H.
Sieverding. Also, applicants and members of the
public.
1 . Meeting was called to order at 7 :35 p.m.
2 . Privilege of the Floor: Neil Schwarzbach of 107 Park P1
came before the Board and expressed approval of the Board's
intent to hold a public meeting regarding the bicycle plan.
3 . Public Hearing and Final Subdivision Approval
A. 605 S. Aurora/Murray
Schroeder, seconded by Mackesey, moved to open a public
hearing. No one addressed the Board regarding this
subdivision, and the public hearing was closed.
The following resolution for final approval was moved by
Rusoff and seconded by Mackesey.
WHEREAS subdivision of subject property has been approved on
condition that the original proposal be modified so that
each of the two parcels adjoining the minor parcel created
will have full direct street frontage on Hillview Place, and
on condition that the smaller parcels thus created will be
legally consolidated with the respective adjoining
properties, and
WHEREAS such conditions have been met, be it
RESOLVED that Final Approval be given to subdivision of
property at 605 S. Aurora Street into three parcels, as
shown on a drawing by C. George Hanford, L.S. , titled
"Portion of Lands of John W. and Kathryn C. Murray to be
conveyed to Dell Grover, " dated June 1, 1993 and revised
June 15, 1993 .
Resolution passed 4-0 . hurl
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4 . Elmira Road Retail Center Deputy DirectorSieverding
discussed the Codes Committee's d nart-iE of a positive
declaration of environmental impact . He
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Minutes of July 27, 1993
explained that the proposed project exceeds the thresholds
defined for Type I projects in both the state and city
environmental law. The project exceeds the SEQR Type I
threshold because it is afacility of more than 100, 000 sq.
ft . in a city with a Ipopulation of less than 150, 000
persons . Sieverding also noted that the project also
exceeds the following Type I thresholds in the CEQR
ordinance: parking facilities for more than 50 cars, a
project within 100 feet of the 100-year flood plain, a
project which will generate more than 500 trips per 8-hour
day, any facility with more than 20, 000 sq. ft . , removal of
vegetation from more than one-half acre, permanent removal
of topsoil from more than one-half acre.
Sieverding described some of the impacts likely to be
generated by this project including a substantial adverse
change in traffic volume, a substantial increase in the
potential for drainage problems, a substantial change in the
intensity of use of the proposed site, and the creation of
market pressures which may have an effect on the character
of the community.
Schroeder said that there were other impacts which should be
considered in the environmental determination which included
the potential loss of land designated as substitute park
land for Southwest Park when it is alienated, and--j*r
proposed Cayuga Inlet recreation trail . a VA ,\
Betsy Darlington suggested that the Positive Declaration
statement should also include the loss of scenic views and
the impact on birds and other wildlife. She also said that
the proposed project expansion should be addressed in the
review. She suggested that the Parks Commission should be
brought into the discussions concerning park land and that
the scoping session should be advertised in a prominent
manner.
At this time the applicant is known only as East Coast
Development Corporation, and there was discussion that the
identity of the proposed retailer must be revealed before
environmental review is completed. It was believed that
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Minutes of July 27, 1993
this information is absolutely essential to the review
process .
Schroeder, seconded by Mackesey, moved a Positive
Declaration of Environmental Significance and directed that
the applicant prepare _a draft environmental impact
statement The motion was carried 4-0 .
Discussion then focused on the scoping session. It was
agreed that this meeting would be held on Wednesday,
August 11 at 10 : 00 a.m. in Common Council Chambers . A
display ad will be placed in the Ithaca Journal, as opposed
to a standard legal ad. A scoping session notice will be
mailed to all interested and involved parties, as well as
adjoining property owners, and business associations in the
city' s other commercial districts . It was agreed that there
would not be a public comment period at this meeting, but
that public comment will be heard at the beginning of the
August 24 Planning Board meeting.
The next topic was the process for retaining an independent
consultant to do the economic impact analysis, as
recommended by staff, to insure a thorough and objective
process . The Codes Committee recommended that a client
committee be formed consisting of Richard Booth (Chair of
the Budget and Administration Committee of Council) , John
Schroeder (Chair of the Planning and Development Committee
of Council) , a representative of the developer, the Codes
and Administration Committee of the Planning Board (Kay,
Adams, Mackesey) , Dominick Cafferillo (City Controller) and
Herman Sieverding (Deputy Planning Director) . This group
will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) outlining a
proposed scope of services for the study, select a
consultant to conduct the study, and review; " the
final report analyzing the projected economic impacts . This
concluded the discussion of this agenda item.
5 . Old Business
A. City Bicycle Plan There was a brief discussion
regarding a public meeting date. It was suggested that a
meeting held after the bike expo on September 11 might
provide a good opportunity to advertise the bike plan
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Minutes of July 27, 1993
discussion. David Kay said that he would discuss possible
meeting dates with planning staff.
B. Downtown Design Plan - deferred
6 . New Business
A. Zoning Amendment, Parking Regulations - deferred
B. Solid.Waste and Recycling Center Barbara Eckstrom,
Tompkins County Solid Waste Manager, introduced
representatives from CRInc, a Massachusetts-based company,
which has been hired to design, build and run a center to
transfer solid waste and process recyclables for the county.
They detailed the functional aspects of the building design
and also discussed related issues such as handicap
accessibility, landscaping and circulation, etc. Eckstrom
indicated the Board should make any recommendation it has by
its August 24 meeting since the project design is expected
to be completed shortly after that date.
7 . Zoning Appeals Report A review of appeals 2194 and 2195
determined that neither involve matters of long-range or
area-wide planning concern and were forwarded to the BZA
without comment.
8 . Reports - No reports were made
Meeting adjourned at 9 :15
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