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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2025-03-20 1 Town of Ithaca Planning Committee Thursday, March 20, 2025 (3:00 PM Aurora Conference Room and on Zoom) Minutes Committee members present: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Rod Howe & Margaret Johnson Board/Staff members: Director of Planning C.J. Randall; Director of Codes Marty Moseley. Guests. Scott D'Vileskis 1. Persons to be heard: None. 2. Committee announcements and concerns: None 3. Approval of February minutes: Rod moved the minutes for approval as presented, Rich seconded. February 20, 2025, minutes were approved as presented. 4. Discuss potential amendments to the Short-term rental uses in Town Code Chapter 270-217.9 (Zoning). A new Short Term Rental Map prepared by the Town’s GIS Analyst was presented with a layer showing parcels with “active” and “complete” operating permits for short-term rentals in Conservation and Agricultural zoning districts. The map’s green outlined parcels were said to identify “complete” applications, meaning a permit has been issued; the map’s red outlined parcels were said to identify “active” applications still in the review process. The map did not distinguish hosted verses un- hosted rentals. Viewing setbacks from existing structures require zooming in to each parcel and using the map Measure tool. There was discussion about parcels that are split by zoning districts. Any text amendments would have to reflect that the zone in which the dwelling unit is in would be the prevailing zone relative to rental uses or that if any portion of the parcel (over 5 acres, with setbacks met) is in the Conservation or Ag zones, those rental regulations/exemptions would apply, not based on where the dwelling is located. There were not an large number of parcels to be affected by any proposed changes and the committee was comfortable with moving forward and drafting (staff and Rich) the language to be proposed at the next meeting. Marty was asked if there is anything else in the town code section 270-219.7 that would need additional review, as when the code was adopted the right to review and amend as needed was reserved. Those could be presented to the committee with the new language at the next meeting. 5. Draft Local Law for Flood Damage Prevention (updating Town Code Chapter 157) provided by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. A final draft of the proposed Flood Damage Prevention law was passed around, with the optional language added to define “critical facilities,” “Director of Code Enforcement,” and “Zoning Board of Appeals.” The town did not have a lot of leeway to modify the recommended language, and any proposed changes would need to be approved by the NYS DEC before going to the town board for final adoption. The committee was in favor of the draft law as proposed and recommended it be scheduled for Town Board consideration. 6. Discussion of approach to requiring Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for Solar Energy Systems over 1 MW. A draft resolution was distributed as an option for the town to require a PILOT for 2 large scale solar projects. 1 MW, 500 kW, and 200 kW sizes were discussed. The committee was in favor of being consistent with Tompkins County and consider what other municipalities are doing, however needed more information to continue for a recommendation to the town board for a resolution or a local law. A local law was recommended (rather than a resolution) by one of the Attorneys for the town. The committee had questions about how the properties are valued and calculated by the assessment department, they asked if the Director of Assessment would be available to come to the next meeting. C.J. offered to check with Mr. Franklin and follow up. It was noted that a large-scale solar applicant currently has the choice to offer a PILOT in the town’s existing law, but it is not currently required. There was a passage read about “opting out” and being “in” automatically; otherwise, “opting out” by a local law or resolution would ensure that a PILOT would be required. 7. Staff updates and reports. C.J. updated on the following: Two applications for the Town’s Purchase Development Rights program were reviewed by the PC in January and February 2024; the first purchase was finalized. The second purchase (for 84 acres) is moving forward, and the prior appraisal amount is still being used for the proposal. It is unknown if this property owner intends to donate an amount back for a tax incentive or not. The committee did not request to review the application again as nothing has changed. Chapter 161 in the Town Code relating to NYS DEC Wetlands may need to be rescinded due to the new NYS regulations taking full permit authority over all wetlands. The Town’s involvement would be to direct the property owners to the new regulations and permitting process through the NYS DEC. Safe Streets Tompkins program has made good progress, and street profiles have been released. The Town of Ithaca priorities were the intersection of Sheffield Rd. & NYS-79 and the segment of NYS-13 from the city to Enfield, respectively. Safety countermeasures were offered along with basic budget projections. The information has been shared with the Town Director of Engineering who made comments. NYS DOT has been actively involved, and the final plan is anticipated in May. A public virtual meeting is scheduled for April 30th at 6:30 p.m. and information will be shared on the Town website. The finished plan/project will be a good tool for the town to have been a part of for future funding opportunities. There is an upcoming meeting with the Town, Cornell and Forest Home Drive residents regarding traffic and speed in the Forest Home neighborhood. The neighborhood formed a committee, and this will be the kickoff meeting. 8. Next meeting date and upcoming agenda items: Thursday, April 17, 2025, 3:00 p.m. Possible County Assessment Director attendance regarding Solar project taxes. The Town of Ithaca Planning Committee meeting concluded at 4:00 p.m.