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Home My WebLink AboutPB Minutes 2025-03-18 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD Shirley A. Raffensperger Board Room,Town Hall 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca,New York 14850 Tuesday,March 18,2025 6:30 P.M. AGENDA I. Persons to be heard. 2. SEQR Determination: Consideration of a SEQR determination for the proposed Cornell Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field project on Game Farm Road, located immediately east of the existing Cornell soccer fields.The proposal involves constructing new field hockey facilities in two phases, with phase one including the conversion of the existing grass practice field into a synthetic turf field along with construction of a new driveway,formalized parking area,pedestrian amenities, and two support facilities (a 1,700+/-square foot rest room/team room building, and a 480+/- square foot press box). Phase two involves the construction of a clubhouse for the field hockey team,with locker rooms,meeting rooms,physical therapy rooms,lounge,toilets,showers, and indoor synthetic turf training space.Phase two is projected to be constructed within five years of the athletic field installation.The project also includes new lighting,landscaping,stormwater facilities,and other site improvements. The project is a Type I Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. The Planning Board established itself as the Lead Agency in the environmental review of the project at the January 7,2025,Planning Board meeting. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant;Kimberly Van Leeuwen,Fisher Associates,Applicant/Agent. 3. Approval of Minutes. 4. Other Business. 5. Adjournment. C.J. Randall Director of Planning 607-273-1747 Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings in person at Town Hall or virtually via Zoom videoconference at https://us06web.zoom.us/i/83643764382 or by calling(929)436-2866 and entering Meeting ID: 836 4376 4382.The public will have an opportunity to see and hear the meeting live and provide comments directly to the Board during Persons to be Heard and/or Public Hearing. To watch the meeting live,please visit www.youtube.com/channel[UCC9vycXkJ6klVIibjhCy7NQ/live. Recorded meetings are viewable at YouTube.com/TownoflthacaVideo. Written comments can be addressed to the Planning Board(in-person at Town Hall;by mail;or via email at Planning@townithacany.gov)until noon the day of the meeting.Comments addressed to the Board will be distributed to all Board members and Applicant(s).Comments received after the posting of the agenda packet(five business days prior to the meeting)are distributed to the Board on the day of the meeting.Comments are public and become part of the project file. Applications and associated project materials are available on the Town's website at https://towi ithacanyygov/meeting-calendar- agendas/under the calendar meeting date. TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD March 18, 2025 MINUTES The full video recording of this meeting is available on YouTube@TownoflthacaVideo (Written comments submitted at the meeting or after posting of the official mailout packet and 24 hours after the meeting can be found in the updated packet online and will be filed permanently with the project folder along with any other comments received after the post meeting deadline.) Present: Caitlin Cameron, Chair; Liz Bageant, Bill Arms, Kelda McGurk, Sara Reynolds and Vinny Ferrara CJ Randall, Director of Planning, Christine Balestra, Senior Planner; Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; David O'Shea, Director of Engineering; Dana Magnuson, Senior Code Enforcement Officer 1. Persons to be heard Ms. Cameron opened the meeting at 6:31 p.m. Several members of the public spoke to the Planning Board. All members of the public would like the board to issue a positive declaration on the SEQR for the proposed Cornell Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field project. The reasons cited were environmental degradation and the environmental and health dangers of PFAS, including infertility. There were claims that the applicant misrepresented the facts about SEQR segmentation. The public stressed the need for third party experts to review this proposal and determine whether it is safe to proceed with the project. The public raised concerns that if the field was as safe as Cornell claims, why does Cornell not want to do a full environmental impact assessment? There is also no end-of-life solution for the field. A member of the public commented that most student athletes disliked playing on turf but most universities switched to turf at the expense of their athletes. There are many voices that would prefer a natural grass field over turf but are afraid to speak up because the lobby for it from Cornell is so strong. Ms. Cameron closed the persons to be heard at 7:14 p.m. 2. Consideration of a SEQR determination for the proposed Cornell Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field project on Game Farm Road, located immediately east of the existing Cornell soccer fields. The proposal involves constructing new field hockey facilities in two phases, with phase one including the conversion of the existing grass practice field into a synthetic turf field along with construction of a new driveway, formalized parking area,pedestrian amenities, and two support facilities (a 1,700 +/- square foot rest room/team room building, and a 480+/- square foot press box). Phase two involves the construction of a clubhouse for the field hockey team, with locker rooms, meeting rooms,physical therapy rooms, lounge,toilets, showers, and indoor synthetic turf training space. Phase two is projected to be constructed within five years of the athletic field installation. The project also includes new lighting, landscaping, stormwater facilities, and other site improvements. The project is a Type I Action under the State PB 2025-03-18 (Filed 3/19) Pg. 1 Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. The Planning Board established itself as the Lead Agency in the environmental review of the project at the January 7, 2025, Planning Board meeting. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; Kimberly Van Leeuwen, Fisher Associates, Applicant/Agent. DISCUSSION Ms. Bageant asked if this SEQR determination applies to Phase I only or for both proposed phases of the project. Ms. Balestra answered that it would be for both phases. The second phase of the project consists of a clubhouse. It is a building, and the storm water, sewer and other elements of the project are all sized to accommodate all phases of the project. The only information the board does not have are the architectural elevations of the building. Mr. Arms wanted clarification on the total acreage of the project, as it was stated in the Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 1. Ms. Balestra explained that the SEQR looks at the entire parcel or parcels involved in the project. Even though the field will only take up a small portion of the property, the three parcels involved in the project amass 123 acres of land. There will not be impact on all 123 acres of land. Ms. Cameron wanted clarification on the classification of artificial turf. Is it considered an impervious surface?Mr. O'Shea answered that it is considered an impervious surface for Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)purposes. Ms. Balesta added that staff uses the SWPPP when doing a SEQR analysis so it is considered impervious as well for the SEQR. Ms. Cameron asked staff if the amount of impervious surface falls within our acceptable thresholds for projects in the town and meets the SWPPP criteria. Mr. O'Shea said they are reviewing the SWPPP against the DEC criteria since soil disturbance is above the threshold. SWPPP will be part of the site plan and special permit review process. Staff explained some changes to the board regarding Part III of the SEQR form. Most of the changes were related to Phase II of the project. Mostly, the changes state that if there are substantial changes to Phase II, it would trigger a re-evaluation of the environmental review. Minor changes to wording were proposed and accepted by the board. Ms. Bageant asked the applicant how far construction would be from Locus 2. The applicant responded that the construction fence would be 100 feet; well beyond the recommended 25 feet of undisturbed radius around this site. Ms. Balestra clarified that this is purposefully highlighted in the environmental review for mitigation or follow-up,if necessary, in the site plan review phase of the proj ect. PB RESOLUTION 2025-014: SEQR Cornell Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project Tax Parcel No.'s 62.-2-4,62.-2-5, 62.-2-6 Game Farm Road WHEREAS: 1. This action involves consideration of a SEQR determination for the proposed Cornell Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field project on Game Farm Road, located immediately east of the PB 2025-03-18 (Filed 3/19) Pg. 2 existing Cornell soccer fields. The proposal involves constructing new field hockey facilities in two phases, with phase one including the conversion of the existing grass practice field into a synthetic turf field along with construction of a new driveway, formalized parking area, pedestrian amenities, and two support facilities(a 1,700 +/- square foot restroom/team room building, and a 480+/- square foot press box). Phase two involves the construction of a clubhouse for the field hockey team,with locker rooms, meeting rooms, physical therapy rooms, lounge, toilets, showers, and indoor synthetic turf training space. Phase two is projected to be constructed within five years of the athletic field installation. The project also includes new lighting, landscaping, stormwater facilities, and other site improvements. Cornell University, Owner/Applicant; Kimberly Van Leeuwen, Fisher Associates, Applicant/Agent; 2. The proposed project,which requires Site Plan approval and Special Permit by the Planning Board, is a Type I action pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, 6 NYCRR Part 617, and Chapter 148 of the Town of Ithaca Code regarding Environmental Quality Review, because the proposal involves an activity, other than the construction of residential facilities, that involves the physical alteration of 10 acres (6 NYCRR 617.4 (b) (6) (i)), and parking for 100 vehicles (Town Code 148-5.0 (3)); 3. At its meeting on November 19, 2024, the Town of Ithaca Planning Board(1)reviewed a Full Environmental Assessment Form, Part 1, submitted by the applicant, along with a report containing a narrative and studies titled"Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field, Site Plan Review Application Report," dated October 3, 2024, prepared by Fisher Associates, drawings titled"Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field, Cornell University," dated 09-27-2024, prepared by Sasaki, and other materials; and(2)proposed to establish itself as the Lead Agency to coordinate the environmental review of the above-referenced proposal. Potential Involved and Interested agencies were notified of its intent to serve as Lead Agency on November 20, 2024; 4. The Planning Board, having received no objections from other Involved Agencies, on January 7, 2025, established itself as Lead Agency to coordinate the environmental review of the above- described proposal; 5. The Planning Board, on March 4, 2025, discussed the environmental review and directed the Planning staff to draft the Full Environmental Assessment Form Parts 2 and 3 to support a negative determination of environmental significance for the Planning Board's discussion and consideration at its March 18, 2025, meeting; 6. The Planning Board, on March 18, 2025,has accepted as adequate the Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the applicant, Parts 2 and 3, prepared by Town Planning staff, the materials noted in Whereas 93 above; additional materials in a binder titled"Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Supplemental Materials Submission," dated January 31, 2025, prepared by Fisher Associates; additional supplemental materials in a binder titled"Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Supplemental Materials Submission," dated February 21,2025, prepared by Fisher Associates; written and oral public comments and documents submitted by the public; and other materials; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental PB 2025-03-18 (Filed 3/19) Pg. 3 significance in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part 617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced proposal, based on the information in the Full EAF Part 1 and for the reasons set forth in the Full EAF Parts 2 and 3, and, therefore, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. Moved: Liz Bageant Second: Vinny Ferrara Ayes: Caitlin Cameron, Liz Bageant, Bill Arms, Kelda McGurk, Sara Reynolds, and Vinny Ferrara 3. Approval of Minutes Moved: Sara Reynolds Seconded: Bill Arms Ayes: Caitlin Cameron, Liz Bageant, Bill Arms, Kelda McGurk, Sara Reynolds, and Vinny Ferrara 4. Other Business Motion to cancel the April 1, 2025, meeting due to lack of a quorum. Moved: Liz Bageant Second: Sara Reynolds Ayes: Caitlin Cameron, Liz Bageant, Bill Arms, Kelda McGurk, Sara Reynolds, and Vinny Ferrara Discussion on agenda items and meeting attendance for April 15, 2025,meeting. Further discussion on procedural issues for meetings. Meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm. Submi e Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk PB 2025-03-18 (Filed 3/19) Pg. 4