HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PRNR-2018-08-13 with attachmentsIT?ITT � PARKS RECREATION AND Date: August 13, 2018
Time: 6:00 PM
F° z3
NATURAL RESOURCES Location: Common Council Chambers,
COMMISSION MINUTES 3`d Floor, City Hall
/yC�gPpRAIE�,eee
PRESENT:
Chair - Roth
Commissioners - (6) Freyburger, Hoffman, Leventry, Moeller, Myers, Shelley
OTHERS PRESENT:
Common Council Liaisons - Kerslick
Financial Management Assistant - Swartz
City Forester — Grace
Deputy Youth Bureau Director — D'Alterio
EXCUSED:
Berry, Brock
Agenda Review:
Two items to add to the Agenda under SEQR review (See attached - Add to Agenda).
Monika Roth would like to move the review and approval of minutes after the SEQR review. All
in favor of these changes.
Statements from the Public:
Susan Nassar — The City is not in compliance with state environmental review requirements,
which has been confirmed by the DEC. There is a legal risk for using the old forms, the new
forms were created in 2012. The Council Members were alerted in June of 2018 and nothing
has changed. Every approval by the city using the old forms is vulnerable for litigation. She
also recommended replacing one planning board member with an Environmentalist. Need to
protect our fragile eco system. The city needs to be in compliance.
Kimberly Robison — Interested in using the wall at Wood St. Skate Park to create a mural to
honor Dr. Dorothy Foreman Cotton. There is a grant proposal that has been submitted to
Catholic Charities and it is under review. Who is responsible for the approval process?
Commission Response:
Contact Megan Wilson in the City Planning department to ask for direction on the approval
process.
Presentation:
Biophilia City Designation—Nikki Cerra, Erin Marteal, Don Rakow, Rob Ross & David Weinstein
Ms. Cerra presented information on becoming a Biophilic City. Biophilia is the innately
emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms. Innate means hereditary and
hence part of ultimate human nature.
Biophilic Cities Network: Partner City Requirements
- Adopt an official resolution or other instrument
- Prepare a Biophilic Cities narrative statement
o A statement of ways in which the city is already biophilic (500 words)
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
August 13, 2018
o A statement of goals and aspirations for the future (500 words)
- Select and commit to monitoring a minimum of five indicators
o Natural conditions, qualities, infrastructure
o Biophilic engagement, participation, activities and knowledge
o Biophilic institutions, planning and governance
o Human health/well-being indicators
Designate a Biophilic Cities contact/coordinator
Meet additional expectations
They would waive the fee of $250 to become a Biophilic City.
Resolution was left with the Commission to review.
Contact information for the steering committee of the Biophilia Ithaca citizen's group:
Nikki Cerra - hnc24@cornell.edu
Erin Marteal - erin@ithacachildrensgarden.org
Don Rakow - dr14@cornell.edu
Robert M. Ross - rmr16@cornell.edu
David Weinstein - daw5@cornell.edu
SEQR Reviews:
Tom Shelley, Dan Hoffman and Scott Freyburger — subcommittee reviewing projects brought
forth these matters:
1) Dan Hoffman presented a list of concerns regarding the proposed extension of Cherry
Street, subdivision of City property, sale of a subdivided lot and its proposed
development for manufacturing purposes (by Emmy's Organics). After discussion, it was
suggested that a memo be sent outlining the concerns.
Monika Roth made a motion to send a memo from this Commission (copy to TURA, Planning
committee, Planning Board, BPW, Council) to address the Cherry St concerns, second by Scott
Freyburger. All in favor. (See attached — Concerns regarding proposed Cherry St. Ext)
2) City Environmental Review Forms are being used by the Planning Department are not in
compliance with state mandated forms updated in 2012. The Commissioners agreed that
the appropriate action at this time is to ask JoAnne Cornish why the updated forms are
not being used. Monika Roth will ask Joanne Cornish and Tom Shelley will ask at the
planning meeting.
For the record, there is little time to review the Planning Board meeting agendas. It would be
helpful to get the agenda sooner from the Planning Board to review the information in a timelier
manner.
Review and Approval of Minutes:
Graham Kerslick commented about the email that was sent regarding the minutes for this
Commission. If a Commissioner, staff person or a member of the public wants to put things on
the record, they can send an email to the Administrative support staff requesting the item to be
added or a document to be attached to the minutes.
Changes to the 7/9/18 minutes:
Page 2, mid page — add "from the public" after comments in the sentence, Dan Hoffman asked
that the comments "from the public........
K
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
August 13, 2018
Page 3, mid page — change "invited" to "invite"
Page 4, top of page — replace "they" with "the owners may" In the sentence, "Dan Hoffman
mentioned there is a large lot near Stewart Ave, where the owners may..."
Page 6, mid page — change "debarked" to "deparked"
Page 6, mid page — add "produced" after plan, "The City paid to have a plan produced"
Ellen Leventry made a motion to approve the minutes with the corrections that Dan Hoffman
stated and it was seconded by Scott Freyburger. All in favor.
Feedback from last meeting — setting PRNR goals to how we approach/ensure feedback
from city residents.
There is a form (see attached- Equity impact assessment) that is recommended to use as a tool
to ensure feedback from city residents on various projects. It was discussed that we use this
form as a guide for evaluating projects this commission initiates to ensure equity and inclusion.
Working agreements were discussed for this Commission. Previous Commissions never had
any issues of working together, so this may not be something that is needed. If this is a tool that
will be used, it should be used by all Commissions. Monika will check to see if other
commissions have initiated working agreements.
Discussions of Parks, Natural Areas & Waterfront set work plan priorities and form action
teams (including any changes recommended for Adopt a Park and Donation procedures):
Monika Roth proposed to create small sub groups to work on projects. Commissioners
volunteered on four different task groups. (See attached — Task group proposal)
Park signage —A logo has been created, now need to move forward with creating signs to be
installed at city parks. What to include on sign: name of the park and the hours of operation are
the minimum requirement for the signs. There are already no smoking signs posted in the
parks. Smoking is prohibited in all parks except: Stewart, Cass and the Dog Park.
Adopt a Park and friends group — discussed volunteer engagement: Jeanne Grace indicated it is
challenging for her to manage volunteers. It would be helpful if there was someone who could
organize the volunteers and the parks department could provide the materials for a work group.
It was suggested to set up a link on the city website for information and volunteers. Volunteers
should sign a liability waiver form.
Memorial Policy and marketing parks to generate revenue. City pavilion reservations are
handled through the Youth Bureau. The pavilion fee has been raised and is in line with state
parks.
There was concern expressed about the natural areas not being a specific target of the work
plan. Monika mentioned that the planning department may be working on a plan for natural
areas in 2019, but there could be a working group established that would address natural areas.
This Commission can have advisors or establish a working group that meets regularly, but they
would have to keep minutes of their meetings. This Commission is to provide
recommendations, then pass it to the appropriate board.
3
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
August 13, 2018
Announcements:
Jeanne Grace announced that there was a successful bicycle tree tour that was held August 4th
There will be another one in the Southside Community September 30th with a picnic to follow.
Also, at Wood St Park there is a big pile of mulch and volunteers ready to spread it to create a
nature play area. Monika Roth met with Mary, Play by Design, who is interested in a community
built playground for Wood St. Park to replace the current playground. There is also discussion of
moving play equipment from Stewart Park to Wood Street Park.
Friends of the Ithaca City Cemetery — Back to school clean-up and a student historic
presentation Sunday August 26, 2018 from 10:00 AM —1:00 PM.
Friends of Stewart Park — Community build September 11-16, 2018 — can look online for more
information.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2018.
Review Agenda items for next meeting:
Shade Tree Committee asked for a presentation — they meet with Jeanne Grace every other
month. They want to be an official working group of this commission. 10 min presentation.
Biophilia follow-up discussion of resolution.
City Environmental Review forms — update.
Natural areas — what are the needs/priorities?
Wood St Park group has interest in a new playground. Add this group to a later meeting after
they have the Southside Plan community meeting in September.
Adjournment:
On a motion the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.
Respectfully submitted by,
Debbie Swartz
Financial Management Assistant
.19
.1 E
C7 � 5)C) 5° C� o m o a�(a o M ►v ° o O c o
OM CD W (o U)
N n l< -`�CD
'+i CD 3 `GID W C7 (7 O (gyp n � CL '0 C� 0_
= fl n C (<D i FD (D cwn p v `C 3 << 3 O a n' Q CD N O
(n �• = n Zr'QCD O Q CD CO (n CD X
o (OD 0 '0 CD C) a � � Sy pn + N :; CD CD Q � a' cn O ��' Z � m
o r+ 3 O (D
-r, O CD (D Q ° CD CD n n Cn n' CD 0 � +0 � 'a (D CD �
N O r+ q 0 Cn T.' = w `a' 0 (D n m U) :3 O 3 n. O <' - �
�c3nu��o3m�-concno�0 3° � �,�CD �,o (n
h (n 3 << p° 0 3 D
0CCDD(DoOo=n�'°aM=3�°u�c -ti m3�,CD -0 CD
o .� o o -�
<cv :r=30-avN'''CD ao o C7 2)
°'(nVin,°o +�rnv��m° C)o o oCD
3 0 ° ° ' � CDD CDD (n CD n -0 Q � fn o � tn cft Q- cn < o
CDc-0CD0. CD CDcadcn —o�°'o Q-oCD m°�� <°a
cw0w CNCn3�2) cn (D a.o moa 0 chna
CD 3 CD 0
CD Q-= o CD— m o i Uyo 3 2 3 3.�cD 3 cD
--h CD W�'.a-on.c3no�3°Q.=
cn CD - °
������?0cn(n°�'�°3m 3 3v 3m•c�n• o
n 3 3�
w o Q- Q. o =r 03 D -a CD a cn
CD
noMg00-
�, Oc��D= °OCD"oo m��
0W CD 3O-p�CD CD<m(n 0(D a�'
V) -a ;U o o cn g (a
`<(na)o a°om0,+:r
(3n 3 � (n D (On `< * r+ W S p v n p (n "a p 0
-n N CD CCD 3 c '" p CD CD D C2 � O -' -+, ° �-
(o cn
wl<'a o'a
U) D w cn CCU — n acn
O wo QO �' on 3 ,ON %. a'aCDZa3 O 3 aN= C -D,
'�l7
00C,TO
O U) Q.. � ccnn v N c c -,n w CA '-r � (`<n' CD. O 0
CD a- 3
v �' o� � ° c n o = Q �, CD Cnn ° E
(D a° a CD �' `� o a- Fn-
-0
c9
O� a �' O CCD
cnr
8/14/18
Concerns of the City of Ithaca's Parks, Recreation & Natural Areas Commission,
as to the proposed extension of Cherry Street and the sale and development
of the most southerly portion of the property of the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency
At its meeting on August 13, 2018, the City of Ithaca's Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
(PRNRC) agreed to express its concerns (to date) about the set of proposed actions involving:
- the extension of Cherry Street approximately 400 feet to the south, through a woodland,
- the subdivision of the 6 -acre NRA property immediately south of the existing Cherry Street into 4
parcels, 3 of which would be slated for eventual development,
- the sale of the most southerly subdivided parcel ("Lot #3") to Emmy's Organics, and
- development of Lot #3 for manufacturing purposes per a proposed site plan.
These proposed actions all involve a property that is currently wooded and that is located adjacent to:
- a significant waterway (the Flood Control Channel/Cayuga Inlet),
- a recreational corridor that will eventually include the Black Diamond Trail, and
- land including wetlands that the City has indicated should remain in a natural state and be buffered
from
potentially damaging impacts .
The PRNRC's concerns as to these proposed actions, and the environmental review (so far) of the same, include
the following:
1. Before environmental review of these actions is completed, the proposed design of the extension of Cherry
Street should specify how many trees and what kind would be planted, in place of the 50+ trees to be removed
for the street extension (Drawings and other materials submitted to date defer that information, pending
consultation with the City Forester.)
2. The new "turnaround" near the end of the Cherry Street extension would have less impact on the vegetated
buffer between the new development and the public, grassy corridor along the east bank of the Flood Control
Channel (which already serves as a recreational amenity, the appreciation and use of which will be greatly
enhanced once the Black Diamond Trail is extended through this area) if it were built on the east side of the
extension (e.g., in the southwest corner of Lot #2), rather than on the west side, as currently proposed. This
modification would also avoid having to modify a steep slope at the edge of the filled area.
3. The drawings for the proposed development of Lot #3 appear to indicate an intention to move and otherwise
modify the steep slope along the southern edge of the filled area - by making it uniformly straight and even
steeper (apparently to maximize the flat land within Lot #3). This would require extensive work within the
25 -foot -wide "wetland buffer" established by the City in 2012 when it deeded the land to the IURA. Such
changes are not consistent with the stated terms of that buffer (which are linked to DEC regulations for
protection of waterways) and would undoubtedly impose negative impacts on the wetland areas immediately
adjacent to and downhill of the existing slope/fill edge.
4. The proposed site plan calls for removal of over 50 trees (over 10 inches, dbh) from the woodland that now
covers Lot #3, including those near the southerly slope. Since the possible future expansion of the building
(from 14,000 square feet initially, to up to 34,000 square feet, ultimately) is not certain, the existing trees and
slope in that area could be left as is until the expansion is actually proposed and approved, at some point in the
future. It would appear that a staging area during construction of the initial phase could be accommodated to
the north of the proposed building rather than south of it as proposed (where impacts such as from runoff,
storage of supplies and heavy equipment activity, and litter would be much closer to and impactful of the
wetlands just downhill). However, to avoid segmentation, the impacts of the potentially larger building should
be considered now.
5. Planting only 12 trees on Lot #3, after removal of more than 50, seems insufficient. Also, it appears no
plans have been made to buffer the proposed large, industrial -style building from the natural area immediately to
the south (or from views from the Flood Control Channel and the on -land recreational corridor on its eastern
side).
6. As owner and steward of the property, the NRA could apply more progressive energy standards to any
prospective buyer (than are required by law for private owners), such as for a green roof, or for the incorporation
of solar panels and/or heat pumps. This would be consistent with the energy goals and strategies stated in the
City's new comprehensive plan, and the City's endorsement of a Green Building Policy.
7. The parking lots proposed for this development could include porous paving materials.
8. Part 1 of the Full Environmental Assessment for this set of actions uses an out-of-date review form. The
form required by the State (since 2013) should be submitted and relied upon, instead. An unsigned "draft" of
Part 2 also uses the incorrect form; the correct version should be completed and reviewed, instead.
M
1
m
h
1
O
m
O
CA
� v
D
3 m
u••
D
Z
s
M
=
3- p
ap
r+
fD
S
o�
S
N
r+
f7•
!v
' M`<
O
N
M
_
CL
CL
G. (D
fD
a• • t
.�
,. f
(AD
N
n
OrQ
r+
S
.< <
O
N
rr010
C
to
m
•<
CL
(ND
.�
y
!2
O
n 2 v
me
2
d
rD
o=N
,2NN
o
7
N S
N
7
O•
DJ N
rt
Q
vii rt
NM M 0,
O
=3rD
••
=n
rr
pCj
f D
O
rt
D)
CL
Q
O
�'
G
(D
0�0
X.
(n N N
S rr
(D
Q
7-<
W
N
y
p Q
Lr
"O
�•
rt
J
Q
p
Q
a
lD
3 m
r+
n S
�,
a
n '6
rD
V1
G
<�-
(D c
N
fD
Ln
OAC
rD
rt
O.
O
O
d rt
�
N
C
—
Q
D7
r+
Ln
e+
Q lD
v+'
=r Ocu
�<
S
�'
r
Q H
Q
�•
e••F
�'
rD*. (ND h
� Q
Q
7
O
-moi,
C
N
v
rt
N
fD
•CA
�, O O
=3C`�
N
(D
(D
C
O
rt
O
Oh
rD N
O.
r
QC
O7aj
<(O
cn
O'
rNCy,
_T
_Q
S•
Gq
N
s
r
s
t
D
0'
M
1
m
h
1
O
m
O
CA
� v
D
3 m
u••
D
Z
_
rt
H
(D
n
cc
G
CL
S
r*
(D
O
vii
�
m r+
y
m
C :D
O
\
O
X
a)'+
'< r*
C
'C
Oa
M
O'
0) O
O
O
7
CL
'a
M
S
M
O 7
Q 0)
G.,
H-1.
—
O
d
n
fD
Q.
M
O
�• .0
O
7
n
O
n Q.
r+
M(D
--h
O H
rr
O
O
rF
H
O• �•
of
C
7
n
r+Q
.
0
V)G.
fOD
(A
v
o
C
(A
S
O
�
tSo rt S 'O
"a
r)
O
S
'6n
Sn.. 'O
f�D
O
O O
CL
O
n
-O
(D
oO
O CD
(D
'O
015
D O
OL)
�
DD
O 'D"r �,S+
�
<
O (D C N
E
N
lDO
v
v
(D
"
C
-h
C
_
1
c
N
Q
O O (D
c -O < C c
(D N
d
n
O'
�'
O
O
rr
S
7
(D
Q
X '`�
O
rD Q.. (3D
< 7
N
rt
N
n
fD
7'
n N
H
NO
''* d "a =OCA
vn
r3+
O.. S
c
A R\
O
.-j d O
O_
3
Dcq N
r°
7
N
n
0 a� N
Q-
cu
c
(D O
n
(D
rD n
Q S
T
a.
'<
O c
c
y
3 .0
(D aq a c
'<
Q
3:° Ln
Ln
rD Q
o°
a
O =+
m
rD
as
lu
3
O
_ m
rt c C O
(D 7
O
,
d
X
c c
—y
Ort 3
Q
(D 9 v `�
(D rr
d
n a
c
"O
v
,�
3
Q
n- c^
O -0 O
c
ni .0 O
r+
O
fD
O
:^
rj
"
s 0
rD
.
0
D)
c * S.
n
c'
N O Q—
N
N
O
N
N 3
rD
En
rD
m
N o 0
vii Dq
•-j• � ��
(D 'OQ
O 04 �G Du
G
c
c•
c
cu
v N'
(D
O
-h
rD n
Q
O n
.y c. H
OA
n
O
ty-
D
y
o
Ort � �! S
Clci —
3
N
n
v
v -o
o
o y �,.
oq
°f+
rD
g -0 a� aa)
3
=
0 o
�'
v
v O rC+ C
h
n rD
° n m
o
EL
NJ fu
T
2
7
�•
rD rD
rD
a oQ <
-Z
::a3
n
C
d
n
UQ 7DC rD
rD
Di
Z
rD -a O
a
Q
E
N
�'
c y y
v CC�
�N
O rte+
C
rF
-0 rD a '
A G
rD r+
7 rD
y
r+
O
1+
rD
al
r+
y O 7 n
(n
m
(n
Sn
con
a
7 N
-a
X
p '�
n
_�
Ort
;;0
O
S=
rD rD
C
N
=
N
O
C
- fD
v
0
.a -°
v N
3
r':
n
n
a UQ rD
fDD
<
v rn+
ii to
m
a-
+
O + r3
.
v
� N
rt
3
Q fl r+
O
m O
— -h rD
C)
_I
v-0
7 -z
y
O_
O
cn
n a'
d
O.. o
rD N
CD
CD
'a
m
3
Q N
n
a
C
Q
� C
n r+
S
cn
m
O(D
O0
CL
S
rD
O rD N
o
y
I
a
y
N
r
rt
— �'
3 r+ y
N
-1
O
a
y
a
N'
y
S
a O
7' o m r-
v
°
rr
aq
rD
=r;
CD
CD
n
<
3
p�
a
a
to
rD
n rr
r+ O
rD
N
n
ami
�.
M
m
°�
`^
S
-yi,
� a
(D
S 'a �
`ry+
Q-
rD
n
r+
O
O
m
n O o- v
O
ami
3
Q
OL°
o°
-o
CL Ln
C- N N
rD
(D
n'
<
ai
r+
r+
Q-
v
+
°
-h n. -, r+
00
O+
V1
Q
rt
I
v
o
m
3
N
rr y�
Ua
O
a°j
C
rt 3
w
'
W
E
Wr+
N 3 Q
O lD
Ln
CL
N n
y
C
ai
rD
-n
3 D
n<<
d
G
Dia
rD Q
N
°_
O
_.
r+ C
CU
v
Q
3
(D
rD '�
�
O
0
Ln
W
3 .a._cn
Q
rr m
C
rCi•
fD
7 UQ•
rD
C ''�' (D
G ° <
m
-s
UQ
rD y
-a
rD
rD
OQ O
O n n <
C
Q°°
°
-r+
O
O O v
y0
C_ C
"a
LA
,C
CL . I
<
I
O
00
0
TO
W��
3
Q
m rt lrtOD
rD
r+
I
Q
(
fD
p r°DD <
n
�
_+
Q ram+
0
0CQ
Q
O<
rD
r+
rD n
o
n° rD
_S
rp
3
v rD
3 v O
an
�
X
a
rt
rt
N -h �
rt
UQ
N
fD
y
y
3
in• Q"
(D
-,
O
r+
rD
N
r+
rD N
O
O S
<
O O
N �_
C
a
N
v
N
rl•
H °
r0+
Fu T�
o• N O 7
Dl n
N
rD
_%°
y
°a
Ln°'
m
=' I
r+
r L
-Ono
v
3
p
c N° p�
a
Op
Q QJ
�p
S
c
a r+
-s
7�
7 n < Cy.
Q
S
O
ami
to
Cct
r�D
O
rD rD
T
mO
rD N
3' 3
°
F
T
n
Q
u QJ
(D r+ v,
n
crQ
p y
aQ 3
Ln
n
d
G7
o
N
rt rD
d
O
Q
-s
N -z
f-)
Ort
o
O
C
r+
S rt
r+
`� 3 <
C
<
a <
ter
O
r�i
7
O
Ol
rD
r++
W
rD
rD
CD
(D rD
o
o r+
rw+
o
n -,
y
0
`n O
O
ni
rai
<
7
O
va
p 3
y
n
a O
Q
---h
C rD
n�
D
O
n
O
a
3
r+
r+
O
�
rnD
3
n
rr
--h `n
f�D
p
C rDCIJ
°
n
y
N'
I
o
�
m
�.
v
a
n
3
;:v 0
y
r+
O
ai