Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PEDC-2019-01-09 Approved at the February 13, 2019 PEDC Meeting City of Ithaca Planning & Economic Development Committee Wednesday, January 9, 2019 – 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 (7:10 p.m.), Alderpersons Gearhart and McGonigal Staff Attending: JoAnn Cornish, Director, Planning and Development Department; Lisa Nicholas, Deputy Director, Planning and Development Department; and Deborah Grunder, Executive Assistant Others Attending: Johanna Anderson, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS); Mike Niechwiadowicz, Building Commissioner; Robert Sarachan, City Attorney Chair Seph Murtagh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1) Call to Order/Agenda Review Gay Nicholson was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. 2) Public Comment and Response from Committee Alan Carlson, 106 Delaware Avenue, resident since 2000. He would like to see the City continue to enforce the zoning as to rental properties in the City. Most of the zoning in the area is for owner-occupied residential housing, not rental properties. Many landlords are absentee landlords. Approved at the February 13, 2019 PEDC Meeting Anne Rhodes, represents Cornell Cooperative Extension, stated we have twelve years to implement the planning priorities. It is all of our responsibilities to keep the energy at net zero. Terry Carroll, also represents Cornell Cooperative Extension, would like to encourage green energy uses. The green building policy needs to be looked at and be implemented as quickly as possible. Elmer Ewing, 1920 Slaterville Road, he stated he was deeply disappointed with the CU dorm decision. He has some recommendations: 1) There is an urgent need for legislation that will be PEDC comfortable in requiring measures that will effectively reduce the contributions of new building to climate disruption. July 4th would be a good deadline. 2) Developers need to be informed of the new expectations prior to start of the project. 3) All parties concerned must be educated as to the benefits, both economic and environmental, of green building design and of fossil free energy for heating and cooking. 4) Education is also needed in understanding the SEQR process and its potential benefits. All people should be educated 5) City government has made great strides in development. It should also make equal progress in the struggle against climate disruption. Joe Wilson, 75 Hunt Hill Road, spoke on behalf of the several local groups which have been monitoring the City’s approach to development, climate change, and energy conservation. We would like to see the City adopt green gas emission reduction goals consistent with the most ambitious ones in the State. Gary Thomas, 110 Irving Road, spoke on enforcing zoning as to rental properties. Enforcing this is easier for those that have owner-occupied homes. Nia Nunn, 101 Brookfield Road, Chair of the Southside Community Center, spoke on the mosaic mural project. In 1938 Eleanor Roosevelt came to Ithaca and shared cake and tea with black women. She also stated the article on this project i s in today’s Ithaca Times edition. Jasmine Jay, lecturer at Cornell University, stated the need for support of this project. Annemarie Zwack, 324 Bostwick Road, talked about the proposal to mount the mural on the Community Center. She worked on other mosaics in the City which were funded and also mounted them. She encourages the City to follow Plan Ithaca of supporting the community endeavors. Ellen McCollister, 221 Bryant Avenue, spoke on the lack of owner-occupied housing in the City. If we don’t have a good enforcement mechanism, we’ll see the slipping on care of these once owner-occupied properties. Whatever the City can do with the enforcement of the zoning laws will be most helpful. She also spoke Approved at the February 13, 2019 PEDC Meeting on infill housing. She gave the example in other states, they take large homes and renovate them to two condo style homes. Regi Teasley, 201 Cliff Park Road, spoke on goals for 2019. Climate change is a huge item. Ithaca is a prosperous area in many areas. Ann Sullivan, 109 Irving Place, spoke on zoning and infill housing. The zoning Ithaca currently has always limited properties to owner-occupied, but now there’s more rental housing. The City needs to mimic Berkley who has stated design rules, only short-term rentals, etc. Elisa Evett, 298 Bald Hill Road, spoke on new guidelines for building projects. She among other residents was very disappointed with the new CU dorm project. If the City had a green building policy in place, this project would not have been allowed to go forward. We need to implement a green building policy in order for new buildings be built in order for them to last a lifetime. Response from the Committee: Chair Murtagh stated that Nick Goldsmith was here last month. He is willing to meet with any of those who spoke on how we can work together on the green building policy. Alderperson Brock stated that we as a City can are allowed to govern based on the authority given to Cities by the State—we set zoning, policy, etc. Currently, the rules and regulations establishing building codes are governed by the State. regarding green building policies are governed by the State. She further stated that she doesn’t think that anyone here doesn’t feel the need to implement the green building policy. We need to be very careful what we enforce as to occupants, ways of life, etc. To either rent or own does not need to be the criteria of our policies. Regarding renters and owner-occupants, she advises speakers to be mindful of assigning judgments of a person’s behavior based on them being an owner or a renter. The City should not be supporting bias based on a person’s age or economic status. Alderperson Lewis thanked all who spoke. She stated how stunning the mosaic mural project is. Change catches us by surprise in terms of neighborhoods as it relates to owner-occupied homes. Regardless whether people are renters or owners, there are people who take pride in where they live despite their category. Alderperson Smith reiterated the statements from Alderpersons Brock and Lewis. 3) Special Order of Business a) Public Hearing – Chainworks Planned Unit Development Alderperson Brock moved to open the public hearing; seconded by Alderperson Lewis. Carried unanimously. Approved at the February 13, 2019 PEDC Meeting Theresa Alt, Eddy Street, stated she would like to see some she would like to see an affordable housing requirement as a part of the Chainworks Development. Alderperson Brock moved to close the public hearing; seconded by Alderperson Lewis. Carried unanimously. b) Presentation: Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services Johanna Anderson, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS), gave a presentation on INHS’s past accomplishments, the history of the program, and future endeavors. A small handout is provided with these minutes. c) Presentation: Sustainable Tompkins Mini-Grants This presentation did not occur. Mayor Myrick joined the group at 7:10 p.m. 4) Action Items (Voting to Send onto Council): a) Southside Community Center Mural Resolution to Select Artwork for a Mosaic Mural Installation On the Southside Community Center Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Smith. Carries unanimously. WHEREAS, in 2010, the City created a mural and street art program to beautify blank walls within the city, while providing local artists from all sections of the community an opportunity to showcase their work, and WHEREAS, Dr. Nia Nunn, Nydia Boyd, Jasmine Jay, and Annemarie Zwack have submitted a proposal to install a mosaic mural in front of the Southside Community Center, and WHEREAS, the Community Life Commission held a public comment period on the mosaic mural design and location at its meeting on December 17, 2018 to gather input on the proposed installation, and the responses to the proposal have been positive, and WHEREAS, the creation of the mosaic mural has been funded by the Southside Community Center and the project organizers have requested that the City fund the frame and installation, and WHEREAS, at its meeting on December 17, 2018, the Community Life Commission voted to recommend that the Common Council approve the Southside Mosaic Mural Project for installation in front of the Southside Community Center, and WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works considered the proposed installation at its meetings on October 16 and December 18, 2018 and voted to approve the installation of the project in a free -standing frame in front of the Southside Community Center; now, therefore, be it Approved at the February 13, 2019 PEDC Meeting RESOLVED, that the City of Ithaca Common Council selects the “Southside Mosaic Mural Project” as recommended by the Community Life Commission, to be installed in a free-standing frame with limited anchor points on the building in front of the Southside Community Center; and be it further RESOLVED, that the City will fund the frame and project installation in an amount not to exceed $X, and be it further RESOLVED, that the selected artists may proceed with the installation of the mosaic mural upon the execution of an agreement with the City as reviewed by the City Attorney. Chair Murtagh agreed with Alderperson Lewis what an incredible mural this is. Senior Planner Wilson explained the need of more funding was due to the way in which the mural needs to be placed. The DPW stated they wanted to hang it in a different way in which it was originally planned which brought the cost up. If the committee can vote on the art itself , it would be a good start and would help the funding process. Alderperson Brock stated due to the fact that no one from the controllers’ office is present at the meeting, she suggested we vote on the art itself with no dollar amount listed in the resolution. It would be a missed opportunity to let this go. She supports this project. It’s an excellent piece of art. Alderperson Smith agreed that this is a stunning piece of art and commented that the Southside Community Center is an amazing group. Mike Niechwiadowicz stated it is difficult to mount it on the building since it’s a brick building. Brick is too soft to hold the mural. Mayor Myrick stated he will talk to the comptroller’s office to see if there is money somewhere. 5) Discussion a) Housing and Occupancy Reform Mike Niechwiadowicz and Bob Sarachan joined the meeting for this discussion. Alderperson Fleming asked for the procedure that is followed. Mike Niechwiadowicz stated when a complaint comes in, it is assigned to the inspector for that area. That inspector notifies the tenant in order to gain access to the building. There is a number of criteria to handle. When there is no COC (Certificate of Compliance) and there is a violation, the building department is required to post it. Some tenants just don’t want to leave. Alderperson Lewis asked about the fines related to this. Mike Niechwiadowicz stated a fine isn’t automatic. An accusatory letter is generated. Approved at the February 13, 2019 PEDC Meeting A letter is sent by the building division stating the COC is overdue. The previous Council thought the order letters were too threating. There were cases with over occupancy that were remedied. Council is hearing from a number of residents that they want to see teeth in the process. Chair Murtagh asked what can be done to change the code. Sarachan stated the following:  Clearly define what an occupant is  The over occupancy rate should be more specific – a fine be charged per occupant  If property is deemed condemned or over-occupied, the landlord would be responsible for finding other housing Mayor Myrick stated that a system needs to be set in place to help all those that rent to know what their rights are. He suggested an ad hoc committee to work on new policies. Alderperson McGonigal stated that heating an apartment with the oven is a safety hazard. He likes the idea of forcing the landlord to find housing if need be. Alderperson Smith stated he feels that making the COC and a phone number to call with problems be available to the tenants. Alderperson Gearhart stated that issues our neighbors are experiencing are being caused by properties that are converting homes to tenant homes where it’s not allowed by zoning. Everyone needs to be educated including realtors who sell these houses. There is also a problem that properties are priced higher than market just to buy it for their student child to live in with their friends. Alderperson Brock stated that the Board of Realtors welcom es experts to come and speak to teach them of these types of concerns. She also stated that people are looking for properties that will allow six (6) people to live together. This isn’t stated in our zoning laws. Chair Murtagh stated he liked the Mayor’s idea of the new committee to revi ew this problem as well as some of the items that Sarachan and Mike Niechwiadowicz offered to change. Mike Niechwiadowicz stated the known bad conditions that have no COCs will be looked at first. The inspectors are just catching up. To be fully functional, the building division would need another inspector. He further stated that the external maintenance fine structure needs to be looked at again. It still needs to be more stringent. Approved at the February 13, 2019 PEDC Meeting b) Guidelines for Infill Development JoAnn Cornish stated that because this has become such a big issue, the full planning staff will working on it. There has to be a primary and a secondary dwelling. She further stated that someone who asked for a good example and bad example. She will bring a set of guidelines next month. Alderperson McGonigal stated a very bad example of this is on Falls Street. Alderperson Brock stated that she stated that many people are adding infill to help pay for their property and make it more affordable allowing accessory apartments, which are about 30% of the square footage of the home, can be an effective infill strategy. These small and-on units would increase the number of housing units while also supporting owner-occupancy. c) 2018 Accomplishments and 2019 Priority Work Plan JoAnn Cornish asked the committee to review the accomplishments and goals she sent to them via email. It will be discussed at the next meeting of this committee on February 13. 6) Review and Approval of Minutes a) December 2018 Moved by Alderperson Smith as amended; seconded by Alderperson Lewis. Carried unanimously. Theresa Alt commented on infill housing, not overlay zones. Name misspellings were corrected. 7) Adjournment Moved by Alderperson Brock; seconded by Alderperson Lewis. Carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.