Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOC Minutes 2026-01-081 TOWN OF ITHACA CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE (COC) Meeting of January 8, 2026 – 5:30 p.m. Shirley A. Raffensperger Board Room, Town Hall Minutes Members Present: Susie Gutenberger-Fitzpatrick, Acting Chair; Bill Arms; Eva Hoffmann. Incoming members present: Vinny Ferrara and Diana Sinton. Absent/Excused: Chris Jung & Rob Rosen. Staff Present: C.J. Randall, Director of Planning; Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Dana Magnuson, Senior Code Enforcement Officer (via Zoom). Guests: none The meeting was recorded on Zoom and live streamed on the Town of Ithaca YouTube channel. Incoming COC appointee, Planning Board member Vinny Ferrara, introduced himself and gave a brief history of his professional and personal background. Incoming Town Board member Diana Sinton also introduced herself and both were welcomed by the committee. It was noted that a new representative from the Zoning Board of Appeals may be considered for appointment as well. A lack of quorum was brought up by Susie due to the official town board committee’s appointment resolutions not being on the Town Board agenda until the following Monday. She noted formal votes on the minutes, and any other action items take place when an official quorum of the committee is present. Susie called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. 1. Member comments/concerns. No quorum as noted above. 2. Review minutes from November 13, 2025, COC meeting. Tabled. 3. Review proposed 2026 Codes and Ordinances Committee Work Plan. The proposed work plan was distributed to committee members and included the subdivision regulations that are in the process of completion, amending/updating three existing zoning codes and developing Institutional Zoning. The 2025 accessory zoning code amendment was listed as completed by the committee; other recommendations have been made as well. The freshwater wetlands regulations and potential historic landmarks preservation commission were listed as in process of review by the Planning Committee. 2 Susie noted that while she is Acting Chair of this committee, Chair Rob Rosen has reviewed the proposed work plan and submitted suggestions. Susan updated on the draft subdivision revisions that many meetings with herself and staff have occurred over the past several months. A revised version will be sent to her in January for review before it comes back to the COC for the review of the revised draft. An overview was given about the longstanding history of the COC and Planning Committee and how they work together to review land use, other town laws, and make recommendations to the Town Board. C.J. went into detail about each of the sections that have been identified as goals in the 2026 COC Work plan. These have been identified in conjunction/communication with the codes department and other staff as well as items previously identified in the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan. The committee was asked if they had any suggestions for the work plan. Eva recommended the community vision statement, beginning section of the town’s comprehensive plan, be reviewed from time to time to ensure it reflects the current goals of the town. Eva also agreed that the town should continue to work with and consider the neighboring municipalities relative to water quality, deer management and other factors that cross boundary lines. All agreed that the intermunicipal cooperation is crucial and the dedicated town staff were thanked for continuing to be cognizant of issues around the town. 4. Other business: The COC noted that the town zoning maps, future land use and other maps are helpful in the board room and asked if they could be replaced. The February meeting was cancelled for time for the Attorney for the Town to review the revised draft subdivision regulations. The next meeting is March 12th, 2026, where a clean copy of the revised draft subdivision regulations will be presented. The time of the meetings has been confirmed to stay as 5:30 p.m. and end by 7:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.