PRESENT: B. Blanchard, M. Lane, T. Joseph, P. Penniman
STAFF: J. Miller, Fire, Disaster and EMS Coordinator; B. Benjamin, Deputy County Administrator; J. Kazda, Engineering; J. Hanson, Planning Commissioner
GUESTS: L. Withiam, E911 Operations Committee; B. Wilbur, Ithaca City Fire Chief; R. Manning, Trowbridge and Wolf; T. Niederkorn
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Blanchard called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO AGENDA
A presentation by Mr. Manning and Mr. Niederkorn on the revitalization plan for Tompkins County was added to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was Moved by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Joseph and unanimously adopted by voice vote to approve the minutes of June 22, July 27, and August 24, 1999.
PROJECT STATUS REPORTS
DOT
Mr. Hanson stated that he is working with Ms. Blanchard and Mr. Lane on the revisions to the Memorandum of Understanding. He stated they have met with the City and they are very supportive, but there are a couple of areas that will need negotiations. Ms. Blanchard stated the area that needs work is under the "City Assurances" paragraph and the statement that the City will provide access over the strip of land that the City owns that borders the DOT site. The City would also like a role in approving the developer and the development of the site. Ms. Blanchard stated that access to the water is not needed to get to the site, but it is felt that it is important that the County has control over that small strip of land and discussions will continue. Ms. Blanchard distributed two resolutions adopted by the City’s Planning and Economic Development Committee. These are on file with the original minutes in the Board office.
Mr. Hanson stated that negotiations are continuing with the sewer and water district and a meeting has been set for September 29 to continue discussions with Cornell University and the Town of Dryden.
E911
Ms. Blanchard stated that Mr. Shurtleff is in Albany today and while he is there he will be checking on the status of the Governor signing the bill for the additional $.20 surcharge. Mr. Wilbur stated that the operations plan continues to be worked on and it is hoped that the E911 Operations Committee will be able to review it at their next meeting.
TOWERS PROJECT
Mr. Miller reported that Mr. Stevenson from Dutch Hill is completing the propagation studies. He stated Mr. Stevenson reviewed the original list of sites and also completed studies on several alternate sites. Mr. Miller stated that the alternates are generally co-location or possibly purchasing the site and renting space. He stated Mr. Stevenson has submitted a rough draft of his report and he hopes to finalize it by next week. Mr. Miller stated that the report will be submitted to Ms. Blanchard for review prior to it being made available to the entire committee to ensure that all of the questions raised by the County Board have been answered.
CISNET
Mr. Benjamin stated the contract with TRW is being finalized. He stated siting connections are being done at this time and the initial group of installations will begin in October.
APPRAISAL ON DOT SITE ON THIRD STREET
Mr. Kazda stated that Midland Appraisal Associates completed the appraisal on the Third Street property based on the market approach. The market approach is based on comparables and Midland valued the land and structure at $550,000 inclusive of the land. This figure represents $34.50 per square foot. The highest and best use recommendation for the property is for light to medium industrial use. Mr. Kazda stated that the concerns raised by Midland are: the City controls access to the water, the site does not have access to the sewer system, and the M-1 zoning. He stated that additional costs would be associated to connecting to the sewer, which in the past the DOT had determined was cost prohibitive. The M-1 zoning is also more restrictive than the I-1 zoning that is found elsewhere in the City of Ithaca. He stated it restricts many types of more intensive property development and there are limitations to what the light industrial use could be for the site. Those determined by Midland to be the highest and best use are not allowed at this time. Mr. Kazda stated that Midland is also recommending the state seek closure of the spill from the Department of Environmental Conservation prior to the County taking possession of the property. He stated all of the contamination is around where the original tanks were buried and Midland believes this should be a simple process to get the spill closed.
Mr. Lane asked if Midland completed an appraisal without a building. Mr. Kazda stated no valuation was done without the building.
MOU AND SCOPING UPDATE
CONTRACT WITH LABELLA ASSOCIATES
Mr. Kazda stated that the contract with LaBella came in within the price in the budget.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Manning from Trowbridge and Wolf stated that the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program is run by the Department of State. He stated that a waterfront plan was completed in 1997 and it was discovered at that time that the completion of a waterfront revitalization plan was necessary in order to access the funds that are available through the Department of State. The plan consists of a comprehensive inventory of waterfront resources and the boundaries follow state highways. Mr. Manning stated the reason for doing the plan is to create a cohesive vision for the waterfront and what resources need to be preserved. Once the plan is together and adopted it will be sent to the state for adoption. Mr. Manning stated that the public will be invited to review the plan October 13 from 1-8 p.m. at an open house at Cass Park. He stated the plan will provide an updated vision of the waterfront to residents and he is at today’s meeting to find out what the County feels is the best use for the DOT site, so the revitalization group’s recommendations compliment the County’s vision.
Mr. Manning stated that the plan will need to be adopted by five municipalities and if this is not done, the plan will not be implemented and no money will be received for the project. He stated a policy will need to be developed for the waterfront, what the zoning will be, project opportunities, etc. Mr. Manning stated he found it interesting that Midland Appraisal suggested light industry for the site. He stated at present, the zoning does not permit what the revitalization group feels is important and it may be necessary to request that the zoning be changed. Mr. Manning suggested that the MOU with the City include that the City agrees to rezone the parcel if needed. Ms. Blanchard stated the MOU states that the City agrees to cooperate with the development of the site.
The committee discussed various revitalization ideas for the site. It was the consensus of the Committee to have the revitalization plan show several different schemes providing general access to the water, continue sharing information about the revitalization plan and the plans for the DOT site, and obtain more information about the M-1 zoning. Ms. Blanchard stated that a presentation will be given by Building Links at the next committee meeting on plans for Carpenter Park.
OTHER COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Ms. Blanchard distributed a letter from Mayor Alan Cohen regarding funding for the consolidated dispatch center. This is attached to the original minutes.
OCTOBER AGENDA ITEMS
The meeting adjourned at 2:53 p.m. The next meeting will be held October 26, 1999, at 2:00 p.m. in the Scott Heyman Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted by Jennifer Luu, Administrative Assistant, Board of Representative’s office.