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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PLED-2017-03-08 Approved at the April 12, 2017 PEDC Meeting City of Ithaca Planning & Economic Development Committee Wednesday, March 8, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street Minutes Committee Members Attending: Joseph (Seph) Murtagh, Chair; Josephine Martell, Cynthia Brock, Rob Gearhart, and Steve Smith Committee Members Absent: None Other Elected Officials Attending: None Staff Attending: JoAnn Cornish, Director, Planning and Development Department; Jennifer Kusznir, Senior Planner; Nels Bohn, Director, IURA; Deborah Grunder, Executive Assistant Others Attending: Steve Flash and Noah Demarest Chair Seph Murtagh called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 1) Call to Order/Agenda Review No changes were made to the agenda. 2) Special Order of Business a) Public Hearing – Habitat for Humanity, For-Sale Housing Construction, 402 South Cayuga Street Alderperson Smith moved to open the public hearing; Alderperson Brock seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. No one from the public was present to speak. Alderperson Martel moved to close the public hearing; Alderperson Gearhart seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. Approved at the April 12, 2017 PEDC Meeting b) Public Hearing – Temporary Mandatory Planned Unit Development, 323 Taughannock Blvd. Alderperson Brock moved to open the public hearing; Alderperson Gearhart seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. Sonny Carubia, 403-415 Taughannock Blvd. stated she is in favor of this project but does have concerns with parking and water and sewer issues. She asks that the City not approve this project. She explained her experience with her tenants having issues with their toilets. There are many things this project doesn’t comply with. She provided a list of things that don’t comply. Fay Gougakis, Center Ithaca, is concerned with Inlet Island. It’s a small island. There is already too much traffic near Island Fitness, etc. As a cyclist, it is very scary. This is a very sensitive area. Good care must be taken when developing anything. Alderperson Brock moved to close the public hearing; Alderperson Smith seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. 3) Public Comment and Response from Committee Members Fay Gougakis spoke on an accident that occurred at the entrance to the Green Street Garage. The painting within the garage is of concern. She reco mmends the walls within the garage remain white. Painting all over the City is becoming hazardous. Alderperson Brock stated that in future public hearings there should be given more information on the agenda. She thanked Fay for her comments and agrees with her concern regarding the artwork in the garage. Chair Murtagh stated that will be another public information session on the TMPUD later this month prior to the Common Council meeting. He further stated that what the vote is tonight regarding the TMPUD is concept only. He also thanked Fay for her comments and shares her concerns. 4) Updates, Announcements, Reports a) Housing Strategy The IURA is down one staff member, but when that person is hired their main focus will be on this project. The hope is to start this project in the summer. Approved at the April 12, 2017 PEDC Meeting Alderperson Brock would like to see guidelines to help developers through this process. Applicants must know what needs to be completed . It would help to make the project go smoothly. b) Brewpub Legislation There is still more fact finding being done. There are concerns with the silo creating too much dust, bringing rodents, etc. A meeting will be set up with Planning staff, Fire Chief Tom Parsons, and Zoning Administrator Gino Leonardo. 5) Action Items (Voting to send onto Council) a) Habitat for Humanity For-Sale Housing Conveyance of 402 S. Cayuga Street to Habitat for Humanity – Lead Agency Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Smith. Carried unanimously. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council is considering the proposed sale by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency of vacant property located at 402 S. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY (tax map #93.-6-7) to Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, Inc., and WHEREAS, the proposed sale of an approximately 8,000 square foot parcel of land is an Unlisted action under the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (CEQRO), and WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176.6 of CEQRO require that a Lead Agency be established for conducting environmental review of proposed actions in accordance with local and state environmental law, and WHEREAS, State Law specifies that for actions governed by local environmental review the Lead Agency shall be that local agency which has primary responsibility for approving and funding or carrying out the action, and WHEREAS, Common Council approval is required for sale of IURA -owned land; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council does hereby declare itself Lead Agency for the environmental review of the proposed sale of vacant property located at 402 S. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, New York. Approved at the April 12, 2017 PEDC Meeting Conveyance of 402 S. Cayuga Street to Habitat for Humanity – Declaration of Environmental Significance (Neg Dec) Moved by Alderperson Gearhart; seconded by Alderperson Martell. Carried unanimously. WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council is considering the proposed sale by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency of vacant property located at 402 S. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY (tax map #93.-6-7) to Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, Inc., and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council declared itself Lead Agency for the environmental review of this proposed action, and WHEREAS, such proposed action for the transfer or sale of less than 2.5 contiguous acres of land is an Unlisted Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (“CEQR”) and an Unlisted Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQR”), both of which require environmental review, and WHEREAS, the Short Environmental Assessment Form (“SEAF”) and supporting information has been provided to the City of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council for review of the proposed action and no comments have been received to date, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca Common Council, acting as Lead Agency for the environmental review, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form, Part 1 and Part 2, prepared by Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency staff; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby determines that the proposed sale of vacant IURA-owned property located at 402 S. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY to Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, Inc. will result in no significant impact on the environment and that a Negative Declaration for purposes of Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law be filed in accordance with the provisions of Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review Act. Approved at the April 12, 2017 PEDC Meeting Conveyance of 402 S. Cayuga Street to Habitat for Humanity – Action Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. Whereas, the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) is the owner of vacant real property located at 402 South Cayuga Street (tax parcel # 93.-6-7), and Whereas, Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, Inc. (Habitat) seeks to acquire 402 South Cayuga to develop new owner-occupied housing to be sold to low-income homebuyers, and Whereas, the IURA is authorized to dispose of property to a specific buyer at a negotiated price if such buyer is designated as an eligible and qualified sponsor (Sponsor) to carry out an urban renewal project pursuant to section 508 of General Municipal Law and the sale is approved by Common Council following a public hearing, and Whereas, on January 26, 2017, the IURA designated Habitat as a “qualified and eligible sponsor” eligible to acquire 402 S. Cayuga Street for the purpose of undertaking an urban renewal project to develop affordable for-sale housing, and Whereas, the IURA approved entering into a sales agreement for 402 S. Cayuga Street property subject to Common Council approval and the following terms and conditions: Seller: Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency Purchaser: Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, Inc. Sales price: $32,000.00 Outcome: Development of at least 2 new owner-occupied residences to be sold to households earning no more than 80% of area median income Contingencies: 1. Design – Approval of final floor plans and exterior design plans to reasonably maximize accessible design and ensure compatibility with the neighborhood; 2. Project Financing – Submit proof of financing and equity sufficient to construct the project; 3. Site Plan – Submit proof of site plan approval; and 4. Building Permit – Submit proof of issuance of a building permit authorizing at least two dwelling units, and Whereas, a public hearing notice was published in the February 18, 2017 edition of the Ithaca Journal disclosing the essential terms of the proposed sale and a public hearing was held on March 8, 2017, and Approved at the April 12, 2017 PEDC Meeting Whereas, environmental review on the proposed action has been completed, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council hereby approves the IURA- proposed sales agreement of property located at 402 S. Cayuga Street to Habitat For Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties, Inc. for the purpose of developing affordable for-sale housing. b) Temporary Mandatory Planned Unit Development – 323 Taughannock Blvd. Alderperson Martell asked about the concerns stated by the landlord in attendance. The project team said that they have talked with City officials regarding what would need to be done to make this project work with the existing utilities or upgrading if needed. Consideration of Common Council Conditional Approval for 323 Taughannock Boulevard Application for Temporary Mandatory Planned Unit Development (TMPUD) – Resolution Moved by Alderperson Martell; seconded by Alderperson Brock. Carried unanimously. 1. WHEREAS, on March 2, 2016, the Common Council adopted legislation establishing a Temporary Mandatory Planned Unit Development (TMPUD) for a period of 18 months in the Waterfront Study Area, and 2. WHEREAS, on January 16, 2017, Rampart Real, LLC submitted a completed TMPUD application, and 3. WHEREAS, the proposed project involves the subdivision of the parcel and the construction of 8 attached townhomes and 8 parking spaces, on a .242 acre lot on Inlet Island, and 4. WHEREAS, in accordance with the adopted City process for consideration of a planned unit development, the application was circulated to City boards and committees, as well as to the County Planning Department, and 5. WHEREAS, a public information session, hosted by the applicant, was held on February 27, 2017, and 6. WHEREAS, in accordance with the TMPUD adopted process, the meeting was advertised in the Ithaca Journal, signs were posted on the property, and property owners within 500 feet were notified by mail of the meeting, and 7. WHEREAS, a notice was posted in the Ithaca Journal on February 22, 2017, in order to advertise a legal public hearing to be held on March 8, 2017, and 8. WHEREAS, after the public information session was held, it was discovered that while the meeting had been advertised in the paper and to other local media with the correct information, the post cards that were sent to property owners within 500 feet had an incorrect date listed, and 9. WHEREAS, Planning Department staff is working with the applicant to schedule and publicize a second public information session to ensure that there is adequate opportunity for the public to understand the proposed project, and 10. WHEREAS, the second public information session will be held prior to the Common Council meeting to consider this project, and Approved at the April 12, 2017 PEDC Meeting 11. WHEREAS, the process for consideration of an application for a Planned Unit Development requires that the applicant obtain an approval in concept from the Common Council prior to beginning the site plan review process, 12. WHEREAS, the Common Council has reviewed all of the comments that were received and discussed the proposal, and 13. WHEREAS, according to the City Comprehensive Plan future development in the waterfront area should include mixed uses , including commercial and housing, and should maintain access to the water, and 14. WHEREAS, the proposed project contains 16 residential housing units, 8 of which can be used as either studio apartments or rental office space, and maintains public access to the water, now therefore be it 1. RESOLVED, that the Common Council has reviewed the application for the Rampart Real, LLC Inlet Island project and has determined that it does comply with the goals of the City Comprehensive Plan, and therefore the Common Council does hereby grant an approval in concept to Rampart Real, LLC, and be it further 2. RESOLVED, that by granting an approval in concept, the Common Council acknowledges that the applicant is able to begin the site plan review process, despite any zoning-based deficiencies in the application, and, be it further 3. RESOLVED, that this approval in concept is being granted on the condition that a second public information session be held prior to the Common Council meeting to consider this project and property owners within 500 feet of the project be notified prior to the meeting, and, be it further 4. RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby request that the City Planning Board update the Common Council after each Planning Board meeting where this project is considered and to request ongoing written comments from the Common Council, and be it further 5. RESOLVED, that if this project receives a negative declaration of environmental significance and contingent site plan approval, the applicant will return to the Common Council for final consideration of the adoption of the Planned Unit Development district. 6) Action Items (Voting to Circulate) Moved by Alderperson Rob Gearhart; seconded by Alderperson Martell. Carried Unanimously. Site-Plan Review Ordinance Changes – Tree Preservation and Maintenance The ordinance will be circulated for comment and brought back to this committee next month. 7) Review and Approval of Minutes a) February 2017 Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Gearhart. Passed unanimously. Approved at the April 12, 2017 PEDC Meeting 8) Adjournment Moved by Alderperson Gearhart; seconded by Alderperson Martell. Passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.