HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PLED-2018-12-12
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
City of Ithaca
Planning & Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 – 6:00 p.m.
Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street
Minutes
Committee Members Attending: Joseph (Seph) Murtagh, Chair; Cynthia Brock,
Donna Fleming, Stephen Smith, and Laura
Lewis
Committee Members Absent: None
Other Elected Officials Attending: Mayor Svante Myrick (6:18 p.m.), Alderpersons
Rob Gearhart and Ducson Nguyen
Staff Attending: JoAnn Cornish, Director, Planning and
Development Department; Megan Wilson,
Senior Planner; Lisa Nicholas, Deputy Director,
Planning and Development Department; Bryan
McCracken, Historic Preservation Planner; and
Deborah Grunder, Executive Assistant
Others Attending: Michael Thorne, Superintendent of Public Works;
and Nick Goldsmith, Sustainability Coordinator
Chair Seph Murtagh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1) Call to Order/Agenda Review
No changes were made to the agenda.
2) Public Comment
Gary Thomas, 110 Irving Place, spoke on zoning and street lights. He walks his dog
at night and there are not adequate street lights.
Ann Sullivan, 109 Irving Place, a representative of the Bell Sherman Civic Association
stated that are all welcome in their neighborhood, but they need to follow zoning.
Many dwellings are not compliant. She asked the City to put teeth in the penalty
process. Certificates of Compliance (COCs) need to be enforced.
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
Todd Bruar, 134 Cecil A. Malone Drive, stated that local labor language must be
updated. Most of the jobs that are currently be done in the City is NOT local labor.
The County and the City need to do more to hire local labor. He really would like to
see more local labor used.
David Marsh, 622 W. State Street, represents the local construction labor union.
Many of the construction being done currently is being done without local labor. The
preferred developer for the Green Street Garage will be identified soon. They need to
make a commitment to local labor. Many local labor union members are single
parents who cannot travel for jobs.
Susan Holland, 212 Center Street, President of Historic Ithaca, spoke on the landmark
designation of the Railroad Station. Ithaca is known for their landmarks designation.
Housing in designated areas are assessed much higher than other areas.
Carol Beeman, 112 Butterfield Falls Road, reiterated the comments of Susan Holland.
Kate Smith, 206 Sapsucker Wood Road, reiterated the comments of Susan Holland.
Neha Khanna, 228 S. Geneva Street, spoke on the designation of the railroad station.
It is a large parcel that will continue to serve the community
David Barkam, 319 Cascadilla Street, spoke in favor of infill housing. If it’s done
correctly, it will serve the community as a whole. Local labor is utilized. An overlay for
the city as a whole is needed.
Nancy Brcak, 5214 Jacksonville Road, spoke in favor of the railroad station
designation. She also is an advocate of local labor.
Alphonse Pieper, 139 Ithaca Road, spoke in favor of the railroad station. There are
not many of this type left in this region. Homer has one, but is not a prominent feature
in their village as well as Newark Valley Historical Society has one.
Theresa Alt, 206 Eddy Street, spoke in favor of infill housing. It will help provide
affordable housing in much needed areas of the system.
Anne Kilgore, 216 Lake Avenue, spoke on rental dystopia. When an individual buys
property, they expect zoning laws to be followed.
Nicole Hasson. 510 Linn Street, spoke regarding single primary structure overlay
zone. Spoke on the Aurora Street project currently on the table. She asked whether
this project could not be decided on despite the lack of a City-wide overlay zone.
Ashley Miller, 126 Sears Street, spoke on the historic preservation of the railroad. If
there ever was a property more deserving of historic designation, it is the railroad.
Everyone took the train. This is the only building left here in Ithaca worthy of keeping.
Eugene Endres, 126 Sears Street, spoke in favor of the historic preservation of the
Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad Station.
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
Karen Friedeborn, 877 Bostwick Road, chairs the Northside United Group. Our
neighborhood is different than many others. We want to see owners and renters stay
in the City.
Dan Hoffman, 415 Elm Street, a city resident for over 50 years. There are significant
changes to the City. Common Council has the opportunity of support the full landmark
designation. It’s a unique site with the closeness to the waterfront. He also spoke on
infill housing. The City needs to look at this closely.
Sheryl Swink, 321 N. Albany Street, spoke in favor of the designation of the railroad.
It is important to maintain and keep these historic sites intact. She also spoke on the
infill housing. The City needs to look and evaluate this carefully.
John Schroeder, 618 Stewart Avenue, spoke in favor of the designation of the railroad.
There was the Erie and the Barge Canals, the Lackawanna, then the Lehigh Valley
system, then the bus system. He read into record a newspaper clipping from many
years ago.
Joe Wilson, 75 Hunt Hall Road, asked for a time table for the infill housing.
Response from the Committee:
Alderperson Nguyen stated that many people have complained to him regarding street
lights. A member of his neighborhood is keeping a spreadsheet of all the telephone
poles not in service.
Alderperson Lewis thanked the two labor representatives to keep their concerns on
our radar and that local labor is definitely on our radar.
Alderperson Brock also thanked the labor reps attending to voice their concerns
regarding local labor. She further stated that she is very much in favor of the
designation. She thanked all for their comments and we will definitely work on these.
Alderperson Fleming responded to Ann Sullivan’s concerns about zoning and rental
properties.
Mayor Myrick stated that the attorney’s office has been brought in on the property
compliances regarding Certificates of Compliance (COCs). He also responded to the
concerns of the growth of the City. It’s intentional. The growth is to make the
downtown more vibrant. He thanked all in the audience for their compassion.
Chair Murtagh responded that the infill housing is a contentious topic and will continue
to be.
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
3) Special Order of Business
a) Public Hearing – Green Street Rezoning
Alderperson Brock moved to open the public hearing; seconded by Alderperson
Fleming. Carried unanimously.
Laura Larson, 1151 Taughannock Blvd., spoke in favor of the Green Street
Rezoning.
Ed Crossmore, 1125 Taughannock Blvd. spoke in favor of the Green Street
Rezoning. They own the property in the area. He has run a law firm there for
many years
Alderperson Brock motioned to close the public hearing; seconded by
Alderperson Smith. Carried unanimously.
b) Presentation: Flood Study Update
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
Mayor Svante Myrick left the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
4) Announcements & Reports
a) Green Building Policy Update
Nick Goldsmith updated the group. He will bring this back next month.
5) Action Items (Voting to Send on to Council)
a) Annual Lead Agency CEQR Concurrence for Site Plan Projects
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Brock. Carried
unanimously.
2019 Annual Common Council Concurrence that the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board
be Lead Agency in Environmental Review for Site Plan Review Projects for which the Common
Council is an Involved Agency Resolution
WHEREAS: 6 NYCRR Part 617 of the State Environmental Quality Review Law and Chapter 176.6 of the
City Code, Environmental Quality Review, require that a lead agency be established for conducting
environmental review of projects 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, State Law also specifies that when an agency proposes to directly undertake, fund or
approve a Type I or Unlisted Action undergoing coordinated review with other involved agencies, it
must notify them that a lead agency must be agreed upon within 30 calendar days of the date that the
Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) or draft EIS was transmitted to them, and
WHEREAS, Projects submitted to the Planning Board for Site Plan Review and Approval, at times
involve approvals or funding from Common Council, making Council an involved agency in
environmental review, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review Law and the City of Ithaca
Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, involved agencies are provided with project information and
environmental forms for their review, as well as all environmental determinations, and
WHEREAS, Common Council did consent to the Planning & Development Board acting as Lead Agency
in environmental review for site plan review projects for which Common Council has been identified
as an Involved Agency for the years of 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and
WHEREAS, in order to avoid delays in establishing a Lead Agency and to make the environmental
review process more efficient, it is desirous to continue the agreement in which the Planning Board
will assume Lead Agency status for such projects; therefore be it
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
RESOLVED, That Common Council does hereby consent to the Planning & Development Board acting
as Lead Agency in environmental review for site plan review projects for which Common Council has
been identified as an Involved Agency through December 31, 2019; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That for any future project Common Council may withhold or withdraw its consent should
it so desire.
b) Green Street Rezoning
Draft Resolution
12/12/18
Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Fleming. Carried
unanimously.
An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of Ithaca,
Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the Zoning District Boundaries
of the B-1a and B-2d Zoning Districts, City of Ithaca Tax Parcels 70.-
7-1, 70.-7-2, and 70.-7-3.- Declaration of Lead Agency
WHEREAS, State Law and Section 176-6 of the City Code require that a
lead agency be established for conducting environmental review of
projects 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, the proposed zoning amendment is an “Unlisted” Action
pursuant to the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Ordinance,
which requires environmental review under CEQR; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca does hereby
declare itself lead agency for the environmental review of the
proposal to amending the Municipal Code of the City of Ithaca, Chapter
325, Entitled “Zoning,” to amend the zoning district boundaries of the
B-1a and B-2d Zoning Districts, City of Ithaca tax parcels 70.-7-1,
70.-7-2, and 70.-7-3.
Draft Resolution
12/12/18
An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of Ithaca,
Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the Zoning District Boundaries
of the B-1a and B-2d Zoning Districts, City of Ithaca Tax Parcels 70.-
7-1, 70.-7-2, and 70.-7-3 - Declaration of Environmental Significance
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Fleming.
Carried unanimously.
1. WHEREAS, The Common Council is considering a proposal to amend the
Municipal Code of the City Of Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning,”
to amend the zoning district boundaries of the B-1a and B-2d Zoning
Districts, tax parcels 70.-7-1, 70.-7-2, and 70.-7-3, and
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
2. WHEREAS, the appropriate environmental review has been conducted,
including the preparation of a Short Environmental Assessment Form
(SEAF), dated December 7, 2018, and
3. WHEREAS, the proposed action is an “Unlisted” Action under the City
Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, and
4. WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, acting as lead
agency, has reviewed the SEAF prepared by planning staff; now,
therefore, be it
1. RESOLVED, that this Common Council, as lead agency in this matter,
hereby adopts as its own the findings and conclusions more fully set
forth on the Full Environmental Assessment Form, dated December 7,
2018, and be it further
2. RESOLVED, that this Common Council, as lead agency in this matter,
hereby determines that the proposed action at issue will not have a
significant effect on the environment, and that further environmental
review is unnecessary, and be it further
3. RESOLVED, that this resolution constitutes notice of this negative
declaration and that the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a copy
of the same, together with any attachments, in the City Clerk’s Office,
and forward the same to any other parties as required by law.
Draft Resolution
12/12/18
Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Fleming.
Carried unanimously.
An Ordinance Amending The Municipal Code Of The City Of
Ithaca, Chapter 325, Entitled “Zoning” To Amend the Zoning
District Boundaries of the B-1a and B-2d Zoning Districts,
City of Ithaca Tax Parcels 70.-7-1, 70.-7-2, and 70.-7-3
The ordinance to be considered shall be as follows:
ORDINANCE NO.
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the City of Ithaca Common
Council as follows:
Section 1.
The Official Zoning Map of the City of Ithaca is hereby
amended to change the designation from B-1a to B-2d for
the following tax parcels: 70.-7-1, 70.-7-2, and 70.-7-3.
The boundaries are shown on the attached map entitled
“Proposed West Green Street Zoning Amendment,” dated
November 7, 2018.
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
Section 2.
Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect
immediately and in accordance with law after publication
of notice as provided in the Ithaca City Charter.
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
c) Recommended Historic Designation – Delaware, Lackawanna, and
Western Railroad Station, 703 West Seneca Street
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Fleming. Carried
unanimously.
RE: LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF THE FORMER DELAWARE,
LACKAWANNA & WESTERN RAILROAD STATION AT 701 W. SENECA ST.
WHEREAS,
as set forth in Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code, the Ithaca Landmarks
Preservation Commission (ILPC) is responsible for recommending to Common
Council the designation of structures or resources as individual landmarks and
historic districts within the city, and
WHEREAS, on November 13, 2018, the ILPC conducted a public hearing for the purpose of
considering a proposal to designate the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
Railroad Station at 701 E. Seneca St. as a local landmark, and
WHEREAS, the designation of a local landmark is a Type II action under the NYS
Environmental Quality Review Act and the City Environmental Quality Review
Ordinance and as such requires no further environmental review, and
WHEREAS, the ILPC found that the proposal meets criteria 1, 3, and 4 defining a “Local
Landmark,” under Section 228-3B of the Municipal Code and on November 13,
2018, voted to recommend the designation of the former Delaware, Lackawanna
& Western Railroad Station at 701 W. Seneca St., and
WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code, the Planning and
Development Board filed a report with the Council with respect to the relation of
such designation to the comprehensive plan, the zoning law, projected public
improvements and any plans for the renewal of the site or area involved, and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board's report was adopted by resolution at the meeting held on
November 27, 2018, has been reviewed by the Common Council, and
WHEREAS, Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code states that the Council shall within ninety
days of said recommendation of designation, approve, disapprove or refer back to
the ILPC for modification of same, and
RESOLVED, that the Planning and Economic Development Committee [concurs/does not
concur] with the findings presented in the Planning and Development Board
report, and finds that the proposed designation [is/is not] compatible with and
[will/will not] conflict with the comprehensive plan, existing zoning, projected
public improvements or any plans for renewal of the site and area involved, and
be it further
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
RESOLVED, that Planning and Economic Development Committee [concurs/does not concur]
with the findings of the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission and finds the
former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station at 701 W. Seneca St.
[meets/does not meet] criteria for local designation, as set forth in the Municipal
Code, as follows:
1. it possesses special character or historic or aesthetic interest or value as
part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the locality,
region, state, or nation; or
3. Embodying the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style
4. is the work of a designer whose work has significantly influenced and
age; or
RESOLVED, that the Planning and Development Committee recommends to Common Council
approval of the designation of the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western tax
parcel #73.-5-2.1 as a local landmark.
OR
Railroad Station at 701 W. Seneca St. and the adjacent areas that are identified as
RESOLVED, that the Planning and Economic Development Committee disapproves the
designation of the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station at
701 W. Seneca St and the adjacent areas identified as tax parcel #73 . - 5 - 2.1 .
RESOLVED, that the Planning and Economic Deve lopment Committee forwards the modified
recommendation to designate the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
Railroad Station at 701 W. Seneca St and the adjacent areas that are identified as
tax parcel #73 . - 5 - 2.1 to Common Council with a to disapprove
the designation.
:
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
6) Action Items (Request to Circulate)
a) Creation of Citywide Overlay Zone for Primary Structures
Director JoAnn Cornish stated she understands the community’s concern. We still
have a certain amount of green space on each lot. We want to keep the cha racter of
the neighborhood. We need to take a step back and look at the design guidelines.
We need to really look at it carefully.
Director Cornish is committed to acting on this quickly.
Alderperson Lewis stated she is very conflicted about this. A perfect example is 210
Hancock which is a very good development. We need to try to preserve our housing
stock but not forget about the renters.
Alderperson Brock stated there should be a good mix of homeowners and rental
properties.
Alderperson Smith stated we don’t necessarily need to focus strictly on housing stock.
Chair Murtagh stated that the difference between any new homes built in the city
compared to areas just outside of the City is there are many more regulati ons in the
City than in Lansing for instance.
Alderperson Fleming stated that when we think of the renters, we’re just worried out
student renters. Many single family homes have been turned into rental property that
are rented to students and often over occupied and lack certificate of compliances.
Alderperson Brock asked what we can do to enforce compliance.
Director Cornish has talked with both Gino Leonardi and Mike Niechwiadowicz on how
to approach this. The attorney’s office will also be involved because fines need to be
enforced.
Chair Murtagh asked what people want to do. Alderperson Fleming motioned to
circulate; seconded by Alderperson Brock. Failed 2-3.
Cornish stated that this may not be ready for circulation. More discussion is needed.
Alderperson Brock provided an update on the last meeting of the Parks, Recreation,
and Natural Resources Commission. A proposal came forward to create a memorial
bench park at the Ithaca Falls. Also brought forward were dedicated soccer fields with
lighting, parking, pellets, etc.; the Southwest and golf course areas; and a deer
management program.
Approved at the
January 9, 2019 PEDC Meeting
7) Review and Approval of Minutes
a) November 2018
Moved by Alderperson Smith, seconded by Alderperson Fleming. Carried
unanimously.
8) Adjournment
Moved by Alderperson Smith; seconded by Alderperson Fleming. Carried
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.