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Approved by the Planning and Development Board December 17, 2019
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Planning and Development Board
Minutes
October 22, 2019
Board Members
Attending:
Robert Aaron Lewis, Chair; McKenzie Lauren Jones, Vice Chair;
Garrick Blalock, BPW Liaison; Mitch Glass; Matthew Johnston;
Emily Petrina
Board Members Absent:
Jack Elliott
Board Vacancies: None
Staff Attending: Lisa Nicholas, Deputy Director of Planning, Division of Planning
and Economic Development
Anya Harris, Administrative Assistant, Division of Planning and
Economic Development
Applicants Attending: Immaculate Conception Redevelopment (Mixed Use Housing)
320 W Buffalo Street
Noah Demarest, Stream Collaborative
Brandon Ebel, Stream Collaborative
Lynn Truame, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services
Carpenter Circle
Andrew Bodewes, Park Grove Realty LLC
Yamila Fournier, Whitham Planning & Design
Matt Newcomb, Passero Associates
City Harbor – 101 Pier Road
David Herrick, T.G. Miller
Kate Chesebrough, Whitham Planning & Design
Steve Hugo, HOLT Architects
Trevor Harrison, HBT Architects
Mixed Use Student Apartments – 411-415 College Ave
Scott Whitham, Whitham Planning & Design
Steve Hugo, HOLT Architects
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Apartments & Parking – 215 E State Street (The Commons) –
Sketch Plan
Scott Whitham, Whitham Planning & Design
James Thrasher, CHA Consulting
Chair Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
1. Agenda Review
Deputy Director Nicholas said the Emerson Chain Works subdivision had been removed from
the agenda, so everything will be moved forward by approximately 20 minutes.
2. Privilege of the Floor
Chair Lewis opened Privilege of the Floor.
Tom Stern of 219 Elm Street spoke about the proposed INHS apartment project on Elm Street.
He said he’s shared his concerns with his alderpersons McGonigal and Brock, but he has not
heard back from them. He said that in reviewing the FEAF, it seems that the Unique Natural
Area bordering the project site has not been given sufficient consideration. He said he finds it
strange that there wasn’t more concern for the UNA. He said there’s also a small gorge
contiguous to the property that runs down to the Inlet. He said, again, there was no mention of
the gorge – nor any mention of significant protections for it – in the FEAF. He said his second
area of concern is with the vehicle control plan. He said it is wholly inadequate for the pedestrian
use of the sidewalk along Elm Street. He said it’s a very busy sidewalk, heavily used by families
with strollers. He said he’s not clear on what’s going to happen once the project moves forward.
He said the current plan says the sidewalk is to remain open “as long as possible,” which really
doesn’t say anything at all. He said the plan states that pedestrian traffic will be put on an
adjacent street, but there is no adjacent street there. He said the closest street is Chestnut, and
that’s not really adjacent; it’s a parallel street. It’s out of the way for pedestrians, and there is
effectively no sidewalk. He said he wants someone to look at these issues more closely before
the project gets started to consider the safety issues. He said the Alternative School has a
crosswalk right across from the project site and a lot of students cross there and use that
sidewalk.
Paul Fairbanks of 935 Taughannock Boulevard spoke about the City Harbor project on behalf
of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Newman. His comments were submitted in writing
and are included as an addendum to these minutes.
Anna Kelles of Fall Creek spoke in favor of the City Harbor project. She said she could not stay
until the public hearing. She said that she has been working with the wastewater treatment plant
for a few years to develop a method of re-capturing the potential energy from the effluent using
bio-digesters. She said the developers have been exploring a district heating and cooling system
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by tapping into the line that runs right under the proposed project site, tapping into the heat of the
water for air source heating and cooling. She said they have the potential to create a district
heating and cooling system from passive energy that is currently being wasted. She said it is one
of the most efficient systems she’s seen. She said the project also has a human rights component
to it in as the developers are investing $3M into the publicly accessible waterfront promenade, as
well as a community center. She said they are also exploring means of direct access to the
Farmers’ Market, which is also needed. She said that according to a County study, we will need
to add 500 units of housing to existing stock for at least the next 10 years to address pent-up
demand, and while we’re not meeting that yet, this project and the Carpenter Park project will
help bring us a little closer.
Marty Hiller, Fall Creek resident, speaking as President of Project Growing Hope, spoke in
favor of the Carpenter Circle project. She said they have finalized a Memorandum of
Understanding with Cayuga Medical Center and Park Grove Realty. She said Project Growing
Hope fully supports the project. She said they believe it will offer many benefits not just to the
gardens but also to the City. She thanked everyone who participated in the negotiations, and she
said they are looking forward to starting negotiations with the City and continuing to work with
the developers to keep moving the project forward.
There being no more members of the public appearing to speak, Chair Lewis closed Privilege of
the Floor.
3. Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Petrina, seconded by Glass, the August 27, 2019 minutes were approved
unanimously with no modifications.
4. Site Plan Review
A. Immaculate Conception Redevelopment Project (Mixed-Use Housing), 320 W Buffalo
Street by Lynn Truame for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services. Consideration of
Preliminary & Final Site Plan Approval. The project involves the renovation/conversion
of the existing two-story former school building into a mixed-use building, a new four-
story apartment building, (2) three unit townhome buildings, (1) four-unit townhome
building, the renovation/conversion of a single-family home into a two-family home, and
the renovation of the “Catholic Charities” Building. The overall project will contain 79
dwelling units with 130 bedrooms. Total increase in square footage on the site will be
49,389 SF, from 62,358 to 111,747. 9,274 SF of new and existing space in the former
school will be commercial use. Site development will require demolition of one wing of
the existing school building and one single-family home. The project also includes
greenspace areas, 48 surface parking spaces and other site amenities. The property is
located in the R-2b zoning district; however, the applicant has applied to Common Council
for a Planned Unit Development (PUD). This has been determined to be a Type 1 Action
under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance §176-4(B)(1)(k), (n),
(B)(6), and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) §617.4(b)(11) for
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which the Lead Agency made a negative declaration no environmental significance on
September 24, 2019.
Noah Demarest and Brandon Ebel of Stream Collaborative and Lynn Truame of INHS appeared
in front of the Board to give a presentation detailing all project changes up to this point. They
also passed around materials samples for Board review.
Johnston asked how the height of the existing house compares to the new townhouses on either
side.
Demarest said the existing home will be a little lower than the townhomes.
Deputy Director Nicholas disclosed that she is on the Board of Directors for INHS. She said she
does not receive any compensation from them, nor is she a voting member of the Planning
Board.
Deputy Director Nicholas also asked for a record copy of the townhomes labeled with building
materials.
Applicants agreed.
Jones asked for additional information about, and possibly drawings showing, pedestrian
circulation within the site, including any raised and/or striped crosswalks.
Applicant and Jones discussed creating a pedestrian connection that would connect the sidewalk
to the entrance and calm traffic in the parking lot off of Court Street.
Jones asked about bike parking and applicants located all the areas around the site for tenants and
visitors to park bikes.
Petrina asked about the Court Street house that is the only piece of the block they don’t own.
Truame said she reached out to the owners, but it’s not for sale.
Petrina asked if they had participated in the process at all.
Truame said they had been sent all the mailed notices, and she had left voicemails but the owners
never responded.
Glass asked for clarification on the color selections, which he said is subjective and hard to
replicate on the page.
Demarest said that he should look at the swatches which will be closest to true. He said that it is
ultimately the owner’s decision, and if, once they see it in place, they decide it is too bold or not
bold enough, there might be subtle adjustments to the colors, but the selections have been
reviewed extensively.
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Truame said their color selections were also influenced by the colors that received the most
positive responses at the community meetings.
Adopted Resolution for Final Site Plan Approval
On a motion by Jones, seconded by Johnston:
WHEREAS: the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board has one pending application for Site Plan
Review for a mixed use housing project to be located at 320 W Buffalo Street by Lynn Truame for Ithaca
Neighborhood Housing Services, applicant and owner, and
WHEREAS: the project involves the renovation/conversion of the existing two-story former school
building into a mixed-use building, a new four-story apartment building, (2) three-unit townhome buildings,
(1) four-unit townhome building, the renovation/conversion of a single-family home into a two-family
home, and the renovation of the “Catholic Charities” Building. The overall project will contain 79 dwelling
units with 130 bedrooms. Total increase in square footage on the site will be 44,305 SF (from 62,358 to
106,663 SF). 3,773 SF of new and existing space in the former school will be commercial use, and 2,055
SF will be rented to the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC). Site development will require demolition
of one wing of the existing school building and one single-family home. The project also includes
greenspace areas, 48 surface parking spaces and other site amenities, as well as a subdivision and transfer
of the gym to GIAC. The property is located in the R-2b zoning district; however, the applicant has applied
to Common Council for a Planned Unit Development (PUD), and
WHEREAS: This has been determined to be a Type 1 Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental
Quality Review Ordinance §176-4(B)(1)(k), (n), (B)(6), and the State Environmental Quality Review Act
(“SEQRA”) §617.4(b)(11)., and
WHEREAS: Common Council, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Tompkins
County Department of Health all potentially involved agencies in this action, have all consented to the
Planning Board acting as Lead Agency for this project, and
WHEREAS: the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board, being the local agency which has primary
responsibility for approving and funding or carrying out the action, did on June 25, 2019, declare itself Lead
Agency for the environmental review of the project, and
WHEREAS: legal notice was published and property posted in accordance with Chapters 276-6 (B) (4) and
176-12 (A) (2) (c) of the City of Ithaca Code, and
WHEREAS: the Planning and Development Board held the required Public Hearing on July 23, 2019, and
WHEREAS: this Board, acting as Lead Agency in Environmental Review, has on September 24, 2019,
reviewed and accepted as adequate: a Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF), Part 1, submitted by
the applicant, and Parts 2 & 3 prepared by Planning staff; drawings titled: “Boundary and Topographic Map
Immaculate Conception Church, No 320-330 West Buffalo Street, No. 309 North Plain Street, City of
Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York” dated 3-28-2019; “Existing Site Conditions Plan (C101)”
”Construction Plan (G100)”, “Site Details- Paving (L501)” and “Site Details - Fixtures ((L502)” dated 5-
24-19; and “Demolition Plan (C102)”, “Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (C103)”, “Utility Plan (C104)”,
‘Grading and Drainage Plan (C105)” dated 7-8-19 and all prepared by TG Miller PC; “Layout Plan
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(L101)”, “Planting Plan (L103)” and “Basement Plan (A100)”dated 8-19-19; “Site Plan (L001)”,
“Elevations (A201)” –showing the mixed use building, and “Perspective Views (902)” all dated 7-8-19;
Drawings pertaining to Townhomes 2-2-3: “Floor Plans (A100, A101 & A102)”, “Elevations (A201 &
A202)”, “Perspectives (A203)” and ‘Sections (A301)”; Drawings pertaining to Townhomes 2-2-3: “Floor
Plans (A100, A101 & A102)”, “Elevations (A201 & A202)”, “Perspectives (A203)” and ‘Sections
(A301)”: Drawings pertaining to Townhomes 2-3-3: “Floor Plans (A100, A101 & A102)”, “Elevations
(A201 & A202)”, “Perspectives (A203)” and ‘Sections (A301)” all dated 8-15-19 and prepared by Stream
Collaborative, and other application materials, and
WHEREAS: the City of Ithaca Parks Recreation and Natural Resources Commission, and other interested
parties have been given the opportunity to comment on the proposed project and any received comments
have been considered, and
WHEREAS: the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board did on September 24, 2019, determine
the proposed project will result in no significant impact on the environment and issued a Negative
Declaration, and
WHEREAS: the Planning Board has, on October 22, 2019, reviewed and accepted as adequate new and
revised drawings titled: ‘Site Elevations (L201- 2 sheets)” and Drawings pertaining the mixed-use building:
“Elevations (A201)” and “Elevations –Enlarged (A202 & A203) dated 10-22-19 and “Exterior Features”
dated 10-21-19; Drawings pertaining to Townhomes 3-2-3: “Elevations (A201)” and “Perspectives
(A202)” dated 10-22-19 and “Exterior Features” dated 10-21-19; Drawings pertaining to Townhomes 3-
3-3: “Elevations (A201)” and “Perspectives (A202)” dated 10-22-19 and “Exterior Features” dated 10-21-
19; Drawings pertaining to Townhomes 3-2-2-3:“Elevations (A201)” and “Perspectives (A202)” dated 10-
22-19 and “Exterior Features” dated 10-21-19; and Drawings Pertaining to 330 W Buffalo St: “Elevations
(A201)” dated 10-22-19 and “Exterior Features” dated 10-21-19; and all prepared by Stream Collaborative,
and other application materials, now therefore be it
RESOLVED: that the Planning Board does hereby grant Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval to the
project subject to the following conditions:
i. Adoption of the proposed PUD by Common Council, and
ii. Submission to the Planning Board of a more developed landscape plan including planting
schedule and planting specifications, and
iii. Submission to Planning staff of a revised layout plan showing added pedestrian striping
connecting from the parking lot to the north entrance of the mixed use building, and
iv. Submission to the Planning Board of a Monitoring Plan for adjacent buildings during foundation
construction, and
v. The applicant has agreed to complete pile driving during Ithaca City School District summer
break, and
vi. Tree protection to be reviewed by City Forester, and
vii. Pile driving shall be limited to the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.
Other noise producing construction activities will be limited to the hours between 7:30 A.M.
and 5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday (or Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. with advance
notification to and approval by the Director of Planning and Development), and
viii. Any work in the City Right of Way will require a Street Permit, and
ix. Bike racks must be installed before a certificate of occupancy is granted, and
x. A MP&T plan must be approved by Engineering before issuance of a building permit.
xi. Any sidewalk damaged during construction and/or recommended for replacement by the City
sidewalk Coordinator during Site Plan Review will be completed, and
xii. This site plan approval does not preclude any other permit that is required by City Code, such
as sign permits, tree permits, street permits, etc.
Approved by the Planning and Development Board December 17, 2019
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Moved by: Jones
Seconded by: Johnston
In favor: Blalock, Glass, Johnston, Jones, Lewis, Petrina
Against: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Elliott
Vacancies: None
B. Carpenter Circle Project, Carpenter Park Road by Andrew Bodewes for Park Grove
Realty LLC. Review of FEAF Part 3. The project seeks to develop the existing 8.7-acre
vacant parcel located adjacent to Route 13 and off of Third Street. The proposal includes a
64,000 SF medical office; two mixed-use buildings, which will include ground-level
retail/restaurant/commercial uses of 23,810 SF, interior parking, 166 market-rate apartment
units, and 4,652 SF of amenity space; and a residential building offering +/-42 residential
units for residents earning 50-60% AMI. Site amenities will include public spaces for
residents and visitors, bike parking, transit access for TCAT, open green space, a
playground, and access to the Ithaca Community Gardens. The project includes 349 surface
parking spaces and an internal road network with sidewalks and street trees. The project
sponsor is seeking a Break in Access from NYS DOT to install an access road off of Route
13. The property is located in the Market District; however, the applicant has applied to
Common Council for a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The project will require
subdivision to separate each program element. This has been determined to be a Type 1
Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance §176-
4(B)(1)(d), (i), (k), and (B)(6) and (8)(a) and the State Environmental Quality Review Act
(“SEQRA”) §617.4(b)(11).
Andrew Bodewes of Park Grove Realty LLC, Yamila Fournier of Whitham Planning & Design
Matt Newcomb of Passero Associates appeared in front of the Board to present updated views
and answer questions.
Jones asked if the internal streets are going to be private streets or City streets, as it will impact
speed limits and signage, among other things.
Bodewes said they are not sure, and that is something they are still trying to determine.
Johnston said ownership will determine who is responsible for maintenance and security.
Chair Lewis said that the new view of the rear of Building B from the pedestrian perspective
seems severe, and that it’s the first he’s noticed that.
Fournier said they just noticed that themselves this morning, so they are looking into ways of
improving it.
Staff and board suggested that they find ways to define safe pedestrian paths across the parking
lots.
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The Board next reviewed Part 3 of the FEAF.
C. City Harbor, 101 Pier Road by Jessica Edger-Hillman. Project Presentation &
Public Hearing. The 11.09-acre project site consists of 8.33 acres of privately-owned
land and 2.76 acres of adjacent City-owned parkland and road. The applicant proposes
to redevelop the 8.33-acre project site and make improvements to 2.76 acres of adjacent
City land. The project site consists of (3) privately-owned tax parcels. The building
program will be a total of 316,280 SF consisting of (1) 60,000 SF medical office
building, (2) five-story residential structures with a total of 172,980 GSF and 111
housing units, (1) five-story mixed-use building with 77,800 GFA with 45 housing
units, 15,743 SF of ground floor commercial (expected to be a restaurant), and (1) 5,500
SF Community Building to support golf, boating and other recreational activities
associated with the adjacent City-owned Newman Golf Course. Improvements on City
property in Phase 1 of the plan include the rebuilding of Pier Road to include sidewalks,
street trees, a fire engine turnaround, and additional and reorganized parking. After
Phase I, the applicant proposes to realign the end of Pier Road, extend it to a new
clubhouse and add parking. Site improvements on private property to include a 1,570-
foot publically-accessible promenade along Cascadilla Creek, including construction
of a new seawall and replacement of existing docks, waterfront parks, a paddle park,
internal circulation streets, bus stops, surface parking for 400 cars, and landscaping.
This has been determined to be a Type 1 Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental
Quality Review Ordinance §176-4(B)(1)(d), (h)(2), (i), (k) and (n) and the State
Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) §617.4(b)(6)(iii) and (v).
David Herrick of T.G. Miller, Kate Chesebrough of Whitham Planning & Design, Steve Hugo of
HOLT Architects, and Trevor Harrison, HBT Architects appeared in front of the Board to present
updated perspectives and plans.
Public Hearing
On a motion by Blalock, seconded by Jones, Chair Lewis opened the Public Hearing.
Jean McPheeters of Town of Caroline, former president of the Chamber of Commerce, said
she was one of the people who helped to get the Waterfront Trail established. She said that she is
very excited about this project and others in the area because they are bringing to fruition the
goals they had for the Waterfront Trail, which is to bring people to the waterfront and encourage
economic activity in those areas, increase the tax base, and allow people to enjoy the waterfront.
She said the City of Ithaca has long been cut off from its waterfront in an odd way, but the
Waterfront Trail has helped unite the waterfront and understand the role of the lake in our area.
She said this project looks like it will have beautiful housing, and she is excited that it will have
so many amenities for the general public.
There being no more members of the public appearing to speak, Chair Lewis closed the Public
Hearing on a motion by Blalock, seconded by Johnston.
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D. Mixed-Use Student Apartments, 411-415 College Avenue by Whitham Planning
& Design for Student Agencies. Project Updates & Discussion and Review of
FEAF Part 2. The applicant proposes to construct a six-story building with a 7,038 SF
footprint, ground floor retail, and 56 student apartments on floors two through six. The
project includes a partially covered outdoor plaza area on land partially owned by
Cornell. Project development will require the removal of the existing four-story
building known as the Chacona Block, as well as the existing outdoor patio and
retaining walls. The parcel is in the MU-2 Collegetown Area Form District (CAFD)
and requires Design Review. This has been determined to be a Type 1 Action under the
City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance §176-4(B)(1)(h)(4), (k) and
(n) and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) §617.4(b)(9).
Scott Whitham of Whitham Planning & Design and Steve Hugo of HOLT Architects appeared in
front of the Board to present project updates.
After the presentation, Chair Lewis referenced a letter from Historic Preservation Planner Bryan
McCracken stating that the ILPC is requesting at least a 15-foot stepback.
Jones said that she thinks the 5-foot stepback might work on College Ave, but she thinks
something greater is needed on Oak Ave.
Chair Lewis said he thinks the 12-foot stepback is much more effective.
Johnston asked how this project would impact the Lutheran Church next door. He said they have
a row of windows facing the site and could lose light as a result of the larger building. He said he
thinks the developers should invite a conversation with them.
Blalock asked if the concern with the stepback is for people walking across the bridge from the
law school or Oak Avenue. He asked which perspective people are most concerned about.
Chair Lewis said for him, it’s from across and down the street on College Ave.
Petrina agreed. She said that based on the renderings, it’s hard to see a difference from the Law
School side of the building.
Glass agreed. He also said the top of the building seems very heavy, added on, not warm, and it
looks like an office. He said he feels that the top two floors need work both on the stepback and
in terms of materiality. He next asked how large the ground floor retail space would be, and if it
would bigger or smaller that CTB is currently.
Applicants said approximately 4,300 SF, or about three times the size of the existing CTB
Jones asked how close the colors in the renderings are to the actual materials.
Applicants said they haven’t gotten as far as picking actual materials yet, but they are thinking of
a terra cotta brick that’s consistent with what’s on the rest of College Ave, and for the darker
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brick, they are thinking about something like what Tomkins Financial used on their new
building, which if you look at it under the right conditions, it looks really dark, but it is also
reflective.
Petrina said she thinks that might address some of the concerns because it won’t look like dark
brick or cement panels.
Jones said she thinks the dark color might make the height stand out more and that considering
other colors might help address concerns raised by the ILPC and others.
Petrina asked the applicants to consider if floor to ceiling heights could be reduced in order to
bring the overall height down.
Applicants agreed.
Chair Lewis said that this latest iteration of the design still doesn’t bring back the separation
(alley) between the two buildings. He said he still feels that absence. He said he thinks it would
be a better design if that division were brought back.
Petrina said she disagrees. She said that she thinks that the revised designs and the color changes
to the brick the building is sufficiently differentiated.
Jones said she’s on the fence.
Hugo said that there’s a tradition in classical architecture of having an odd number of bays, and
the current design allows for that. Further, he said they looked at it, and there’s a precedent at the
other end of the block where the buildings abut one another.
The Board then reviewed Part 2 of the FEAF.
E. Apartments & Parking – 215 E State Street (The Commons) – Sketch Plan
Scott Whitham of Whitham Planning & Design and James Thrasher of CHA Consulting
appeared in front of the Board to present a sketch plan for a project to update the Rothchild
Building and build a new 12-story apartment building and rebuild the easternmost section of the
Green Street parking garage.
5. Recommendations to the Board of Zoning Appeals
• # 3141 – 301 E State St, Sign Variance
The Planning Board does not identify any negative long term planning impacts and supports this appeal.
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• # 3142 – 66 Woodcrest Ave, Area Variance
Petrina is involved in this project, and, thus, recused herself from the discussion of this item.
The Planning Board does not identify any negative long term planning impacts and supports this appeal. The
additions is in the rear yard, will not be visible to the public and there are no immediate rear yard neighbors.
• # 3143 – 106-112 N Tioga St, Sign Variance
The Planning Board does not identify any negative long term planning impacts and supports this appeal. The
amount of signage is appropriate because of the multiple institutions located in the building. The fact that
the signs are banners and have no lighting also lessens any potential impact.
6. Old/New Business
• Special Meeting – October 29, 2019
Planning Board will hold a special meeting at the City Harbor project site.
• Board Retreat
Board members discussed their availability for a Board retreat. They determined Tuesday,
November 12 was a good date.
7. Reports
A. Planning Board Chair
No report.
B. Board of Public Works Liaison
No report.
C. Director of Planning & Development
No report.
8. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m. by unanimous consent.
Intra: Hello. My name is Paul Fairbanks and I'm speaking on behalf of the Board
of Directors of Friends of Newman, Inc., a 501 C.3 Established in 2019. Our
mission is to preserve, promote, and enhance the golfing experience at the
Newman Municipal Golf course.
As I'm sure you all know, Newman plays a vital role in providing recreational and
social outlets for city and county residents. There are several men's and women's
leagues with over 200 members, and the course hosts many tournaments
throughout the summer. It is a beautiful course and Newman golfers are very
appreciative of the city's ongoing support. Newman is important to all of us.
As part of our mission, we have been establishing collaborative partnerships with
agencies, organizations, and private. developers such as the City Harbor Group.
We also work with groups like GIAC to encourage youth golf and support their
workshops and after school outings for youth.
Project Background:
We come before your planning group this evening to share our thoughts about
the City Harbor project. It is our hope that we might find a place at the table with
various stakeholders as the project moves along.
This project has been in the pipeline for quite some time and several different
plans have been discussed. We reached out to the City Harbor group this spring
in the hopes they would speak with us about the project.
We were very pleased by their response. Elizabeth Ambrose and Costa lambrou
met with us. They were very attentive to our concerns to preserve the course.
They clearly recognize the value of the course.
We later met with Elizabeth and the chief landscape architect to review the plans
in greater detail. Cleary this is a large, complex undertaking with many moving
parts and areas of uncertainty.
City Harbor later asked us if we would provide a letter of support for a grant to
enhance the waterfront. FON voted to support that grant and submitted a letter.
We recognize the importance of sharing the waterfront and support efforts to
draw people to the area. After all, it could well lead to more golfers using the
course!
Project ideas, concerns, and considerations:
We have Identified some key areas that we hope will be addressed during this
project. (We will be preparing a more detailed document that outlines our hopes
for the course and the new clubhouse/community center.) Briefly these include:
1. We are very concerned that the existing clubhouse will be torn down and
replaced with a multi-use building that would serve the golf course and the
boating public. Where will it be located? Who will build this? Who will pay
for it? Who will staff it?
2. This project will involve major infrastructure development. How will things
like truck traffic, dust, and noise impact the daily operations of the course?
Will there be lost revenue as a result of the construction?
3. How does the city anticipate mitigating issues that might arise from golf
balls accidently striking pedestrians or property once the project is
completed?
4. Could this project be an opportunity for course improvements? For
example, could soil from the project be used for building some cart paths or
fixing low lying areas?
In summary, we would like to emphasize that our relationship with City Harbor
has gotten off to a very good start and we are encouraged by their stated
commitment to the course. We hope that FON will continue to be viewed as
representing the golfing public and as such, that we will be included in discussions
going. forward.
Thank you for listening and on behalf of FON, we look forward to working
together with everyone.
END