HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB Minutes 2025-06-17
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
Shirley A. Raffensperger Board Room, Town Hall
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 6:30 P.M.
AGENDA
1. Persons to be heard.
2. SEQR Determination: Preliminary & Final Subdivision Approval – Two-lot subdivision, Seven
Mile Drive.
3. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the
proposed two-lot subdivision located on vacant agricultural land on Seven Mile Drive,
immediately south of Peachtree Lane. The project includes splitting the existing 21.6+/- acre
parcel into two lots, with one 8.33+/- acre lot located immediately adjacent to Peachtree Lane that
will serve as the new location for Saponi Park (parkland that was required with the 1994 approval
of the Saponi Meadows Subdivision that created Amber Lane, Apple Blossom Lane, and
Peachtree Lane). There is no development proposed. The project is an Unlisted Action under the
State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review. Eddy Hill, Inc.,
Owner; Town of Ithaca, Applicant/Agent.
4. Approval of Minutes.
5. Other Business.
6. 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/j/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/TownofIthacaVideo.
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://townithacany.gov/meeting-
calendar-agendas/ under the calendar meeting date.
PB 2025-06-17 (Filed 6/17) Pg. 1
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
June 17, 2025
MINUTES
(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; Bill Arms, Kelda McGurk, Sara Reynolds, and Vince Ferrara
Absent: Liz Bageant
CJ Randall, Director of Planning, Christine Balestra, Senior Planner; Susan Brock, Attorney for
the Town; Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk
Ms. Cameron opened the meeting at 6:30p.m.
Item 1 Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed two-lot
subdivision located on vacant agricultural land on Seven Mile Drive, immediately south of Peachtree
Lane. The project includes splitting the existing 21.6+/- acre parcel into two lots, with one 8.33+/- acre lot
located immediately adjacent to Peachtree Lane that will serve as the new location for Saponi Park
(parkland that was required with the 1994 approval of the Saponi Meadows Subdivision that created Amber
Lane, Apple Blossom Lane, and Peachtree Lane). There is no development proposed. The project is an
Unlisted Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review.
Eddy Hill, Inc., Owner; Town of Ithaca, Applicant/Agent.
Overview
Mr. Smith gave an overview of the project. The full build out of the Saponi Meadows Subdivision
development didn’t happen and the goal is to swap land to move the designated parkland closer to
the neighborhood it was intended to serve. The new designated parkland would remain town-
owned and used for parkland purposes only.
In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Smith added that all the land there is currently farmed
by the Eddy family, and they intend to continue, with no development or consolidation of the
parcels planned.
There is a stream that is regulated by the Town Stream Setback Law on the current park parcel and
the proposed park parcel, but there is plenty of room to develop a park on the new parcel. A sketch
of a bridge or pathway joining the park and the neighborhood was indicated at the time of the
original subdivision and development and that would be considered during any park build out
plans.
SEQR Determination
A minor change was noted on the SEQR form.
PB 2025-06-17 (Filed 6/17) Pg. 2
PB Resolution2025-022: SEQR - Preliminary & Final Subdivision Approval
Saponi Park 2-Lot Subdivision
Seven Mile Drive
Tax Parcel 33.-3-8.34
Whereas:
1. This is consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed two-lot
subdivision located on vacant agricultural land on Seven Mile Drive, immediately south of
Peachtree Lane. The project includes splitting the existing 21.6+/- acre parcel into two lots,
with one 8.33+/- acre lot located immediately adjacent to Peachtree Lane that will serve as the
new location for Saponi Park (parkland that was required with the 1994 approval of the
Saponi Meadows Subdivision that created Amber Lane, Apple Blossom Lane, and Peachtree
Lane). There is no development proposed. Eddy Hill, Inc., Owner; Town of Ithaca,
Applicant/Agent,
2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is acting in an
uncoordinated environmental review with respect to the project,
3. The Planning Board on June 17, 2025, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a memo
explaining the proposal, a subdivision plat titled “Subdivision Map, Showing Lands of Eddy
Hill, Inc., Located on Seven Mile Drive, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York,”
prepared by T. G. Miller, P. C., dated 3/11/2025, revised 6/5/2025, and other application
materials; and
4. Town planning staff has recommended a negative determination of environmental significance
with respect to the proposed project; now, therefore be it
Resolved:
That the Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental
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 action as
proposed, based on the information in the EAF Part 1 and for the reasons set forth in the EAF Parts
2 and 3, and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required.
Moved: Bill Arms Seconded: Kelda McGurk
Vote: ayes – Cameron, Ferrara, Arms, Reynolds, and McGurk
Public Hearing
Ms. Cameron opened the public hearing.
Holly Stevenson, Seven Mile Dr. asked if there are any other plans for the former parkland parcel
and what could happen on it.
PB 2025-06-17 (Filed 6/17) Pg. 3
Ms. Randall shared the Town Zoning map and explained the existing zoning for the parcels and
the additional Inlet Valley Overlay and Large-Scale Solar Overlay Districts that also would affect
the parcels in the future. She reiterated that the Eddy family desires to continue to farm the land,
that there was no development proposed, and that no residential or solar development could occur
on the designated parkland parcel.
Mr. Smith added that this subdivision action was needed so that the town could start looking at
planning for the new park and begin to seek grant funding sources.
Ms. Cameron closed the public hearing.
Final Subdivision Determination
No further questions or comments.
PB Resolution 2025-023: Preliminary & Final Subdivision Approval
Saponi Park 2-Lot Subdivision
Seven Mile Drive
Tax Parcel 33.-3-8.34
Whereas:
1. This is consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed two-
lot subdivision located on vacant agricultural land on Seven Mile Drive, immediately south
of Peachtree Lane. The project includes splitting the existing 21.6+/- acre parcel into two
lots, with one 8.33+/- acre lot located immediately adjacent to Peachtree Lane that will
serve as the new location for Saponi Park (parkland that was required with the 1994
approval of the Saponi Meadows Subdivision that created Amber Lane, Apple Blossom
Lane, and Peachtree Lane). There is no development proposed. Eddy Hill, Inc., Owner;
Town of Ithaca, Applicant/Agent.,
2. This is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, acting in an
uncoordinated environmental review with respect to the project, has on June 17, 2025,
made a negative determination of environmental significance, after having reviewed and
accepted as adequate a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1, submitted by the
applicant, and Parts 2 and 3 prepared by the Town Planning staff,
3. The Planning Board, on June 17, 2025, has reviewed and accepted as adequate a memo
explaining the proposal, a subdivision plat titled “Subdivision Map, Showing Lands of
Eddy Hill, Inc., Located on Seven Mile Drive, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New
York,” prepared by T. G. Miller, P. C., dated 3/11/2025, revised 6/5/2025, and other
application materials, and
4. Per the Inter-governmental Agreement between the Town of Ithaca and the Tompkins
County Planning and Sustainability Department, dated August 3, 2004, residential
subdivisions of fewer than 5 lots, all of which comply with local zoning standards and
Tompkins County Sanitary Code requirements, and do not involve new local roads or
streets directly accessing a State or county road,are of local,rather than inter-community
or county-wide concern,and are therefore not Subject to referral to the Tompkins County
Planning and Sustainability Department under New York State General Municipal Law,
Article 12-B,§§23 9-1,>m,and-n;now,therefore be it
Resolved:
1.That the Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary and Final
Subdivision Approval,as shown on the Preliminary and Final Subdivision Checklists,
having determined from the materials presented that such waiver would result in a
significant alteration of neither the purpose of subdivision control nor the policies
enunciated or implied by the Town Board,and
2.That the Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary &Final Subdivision Approval for the
proposed Saponi Park 2^Lot Subdivision,^as shovra on the plans iroted in Whereas #3
above,subject to the following conditions:k
a.Submission for signing by the Chairperson of the Planning Board of an original and
three dark lined prints of the final subdivision plat,prior to filing with the Tompkins
County Clerk Office;and submission of a copy of the receipt of filing to the Planning
Department,and /
b.Completion of the NYS parkland alieriation process by the Governor’s signature of the
parkland alienation bill adopted by the NYS Assembly and Senate.
Seconded:Vinnie FerraraMoved:Bill Arms
Vote:ayes -Cameron,Ferrara,Arms,Reynolds,arid McGurk
Item!Approval of minutes
Motion to approve May 6*and June 3'^*draft minutes as final;Sara Reynolds,seconded by Vinnie
Ferrara,unanimous.
Item 3 Other
Motion to cancel the July 1,2025,meeting made by Vinnie Ferrara,seconded by Kelda McGurk,
unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned upon motion by Ms.Cameron,seconded by Mr.Arms,unanimous.
Submitte^y
Paulette Rosa,Town Clerk
•A
Pg.4PB2025-06-17 (Filed 6/17)
el TOWN OF ITHACA
~——NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING
215.N.Tioga St 14850
607.273.1747
www .townithacany.us
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE BY MAIL AND POSTING &PUBLICATION
STATE OF NEW YORK )SS::
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS )
I,Abby Homer,Administrative Assistant for the Town of Ithaca being duly sworn,depose and say,that
deponent is not a party to the actions,is over 21 years of age with a professional address of 215 North Tioga
Street,Ithaca,New York.
That on the 9"day of June 2025,deponent served the within Notice upon the property owners within 500
ft.of the properties and project identified below for:
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday,June 17,2025,starting at 6:30 P.M.on the following
matter:
Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed two-lot subdivision located
on vacant agricultural land on Seven Mile Drive,immediately south of Peachtree Lane.The project includes
splitting the existing 21.6+/-acre parcel into two lots,with one 8.33+/-acre lot located immediately adjacent
to Peachtree Lane that will serve as the new location for Saponi Park (parkland that was required with the
1994 approval of the Saponi Meadows Subdivision that created Amber Lane,Apple Blossom Lane,and
Peachtree Lane).There is no development proposed.The project is an Unlisted Action under the State
Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental review.Eddy Hill,Inc.,Owner;Town of
Ithaca,Applicant/A gent.
By depositing same enclosed in a postpaid addressed wrapper,in a post office under the exclusive care
and custody of the United States Post Office Department within the State of New York,and that the attached
notice has been duly posted on the sign board of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca on June 9,2025,and the
notice has been duly published in the official newspaper,Ithaca Journal on June 11,2025.
Abby a4 Administrative Assistant
Sworn to before me on Une lat —->
2025.
TASHLEYCOLBER
k
Notary Public Notary Public,State of Dal Yo
—No.01C064195 .
n Tompkins CountylifiedjcommissionExpiresduly12,2025
mu»TOWN OF ITHACA
ey —---——NEW YORK
Notice of Planning Board Action Near You
You are receiving this notice because you own or live on a property within 500’feet of the proposed action.
This is an effort to inform you and give you an opportunity to learn more and comment if you would like.
TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday,June 17,2025,starting at 6:30 P.M.on the following
matter:
Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed two-lot subdivision located on
vacant agricultural land on Seven Mile Drive,immediately south of Peachtree Lane.The project includes splitting
the existing 21.6+/-acre parcel into two lots,with one 8.33+/-acre lot located immediately adjacent to Peachtree
Lane that will serve as the new location for Saponi Park (parkland that was required with the 1994 approval of the
Saponi Meadows Subdivision that created Amber Lane,Apple Blossom Lane,and Peachtree Lane).There is no
development proposed.The project is an Unlisted Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and
is subject to environmental review.Eddy Hill,Inc.,Owner;Town of Ithaca,Applicant/Agent.
Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings in person at Town Hall or virtually via Zoom
videoconference at https://usO6web.zoom.us/j/83643 764382 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/UCC9vycXkJ6k1V libjhCy7NQ/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)via email 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.
C.J.Randall,Director of Planning
Accessing Meeting Materials Online:Site Plan and Subdivision applications and associated project
materials are accessible electronically on the Town’s website at https://www.townithacany.gov/meeting-
calendar-agendas/under the calendar meeting date.
See full agenda included on reverse side.
Public Notices
Originally published at ithacajournal.com on 06/11/2025
TOWN OF ITHACA
PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, starting at 6:30
P.M. on the following matter:
Consideration of Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed two-lot
subdivision located on vacant agricultural land on Seven Mile Drive, immediately south of
Peachtree Lane. The project includes splitting the existing 21.6+/- acre parcel into two
lots, with one 8.33+/- acre lot located immediately adjacent to Peachtree Lane that will
serve as the new location for Saponi Park (parkland that was required with the 1994
approval of the Saponi Meadows Subdivision that created Amber Lane, Apple Blossom
Lane, and Peachtree Lane). There is no development proposed. The project is an Unlisted
Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is subject to environmental
review. Eddy Hill, Inc., Owner; Town of Ithaca, Applicant/Agent.
Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings in person at Town Hall or virtually
via Zoom videoconference at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/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/TownofIthacaVideo.
Written comments can be addressed to the Planning Board (in-person at Town Hall; by
mail; or via email at Planning@townithacany.gov) via email 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.
C.J. Randall, Director of Planning
June 11,2025 11388463