HomeMy WebLinkAboutPB 2025-024 Cornell Wildlife Reahbilitation Aviary Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval
PB 2025-024 Filed 9/17/25 Pg. 1
PB Resolution 2025-024: Preliminary & Final Site Plan Approval, Special Permit
Cornell Wildlife Rehabilitation Aviary
Hungerford Hill Road
Tax Parcel No.’s 61.-1-7.2 & 61.-1-9
Town of Ithaca Planning Board
September 16, 2025
WHEREAS:
1. This action is consideration of Preliminary & Final Site Plan Approval and Special Permit for
the proposed Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Wildlife Rehabilitation
Aviary, located adjacent to the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital on Hungerford Hill Road
in the Low Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves the construction of a +/- 6,800
square foot aviary for the rehabilitation of eagles and other large-flighted birds and will
include five rehabilitation mews and larger flight area, along with concrete sidewalk
connections to the adjacent hospital, a gravel fire access drive, stormwater management
facilities, outdoor lighting, and other site improvements. The project is a Type II Action
under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and is not subject to environmental
review. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Owner/Applicant; David Kelley-
Widmer, Cornell Facilities Project Coordinator, Agent;
2. This is a Type II Action, pursuant to 6 NYCRR Section 617.5(c)(10) of the regulations of the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the
State Environmental Quality Review Act, as the action constitutes “routine activities of
educational institutions, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square
feet of gross floor area and school closings, but not changes in use related to such closings.”
Thus, approval of the site plan and special permit are not subject to review under SEQR;
3. Project plans, and related information, were duly delivered to the Tompkins County Planning
and Sustainability Department per New York State General Municipal Law §§239- l et seq.,
and such Department responded in a July 25, 2025, letter from Katherine Borgella, Tompkins
County Commissioner of Planning, pursuant to §§239-l, -m, and -n of the New York State
General Municipal Law, determining that the proposed action will have no significant
county-wide or inter-community impact; and
4. The Planning Board, at a public hearing held on September 16, 2025, has reviewed and
accepted as adequate a narrative, a set of drawings titled “Site Development Plans for Cornell
University Swanson Wildlife Aviary, Swanson Drive, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County,
New York State,” including sheets C-101, C-102, C-201, C-301, C-302, C-401, C-501, C-
801, C-802, C-901, C-902, L-201, G-000, and A-201, prepared by Bohler Site Civil and
Consulting Engineering and Dwyer Architectural, dated 07-07-2025, and most recently
revised 9-2-2025; a topographic survey map prepared by C.T. Male Associates, dated May 9,
2025; and other application materials;
PB 2025-024 Filed 9/17/25 Pg. 2
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The Planning Board hereby finds that the Special Permit standards of Article XXIV Section
270-200, Subsections A – H, the Town of Ithaca Code, have been met, specifically that:
A. The project will be suitable for the property on which it is proposed, considering the
property’s size, location, and physical site characteristics.
The properties are collectively over 110 acres in size, and contain Cornell Veterinary research
buildings and related facilities, including buildings, parking lots, sidewalks, landscaping, and
other site improvements typically found in this type of setting. The proposed project is an
extension of the existing wildlife hospital and will be located in an open area adjacent to the
hospital that is large enough to accommodate the new building and other improvements.
B. The proposed structure design and site layout are compatible with the surrounding area.
The proposed addition is compatible with the surrounding properties on which it is proposed.
C. Operations in connection with the proposed use do not create any more noise, fumes,
vibration, illumination, or other potential nuisances than the operation of any permitted
use in the particular zone.
There will be temporary vibration, noise, and other potential nuisances associated with the
construction of the aviary building. Impacts will be limited to the period associated with
construction activities. Proposed illumination is minimal and will comply with Town Code,
Chapter 173: Outdoor Lighting.
D. Community infrastructure and services, such as police, fire and other protective services,
roadways, schools, and water and sewer facilities are currently, or will be, of adequate
capacity to accommodate the proposed use.
All infrastructure to accommodate the use is of adequate capacity. There will be no increased
demand for police, fire, or other protective services due to the project.
E. The proposed use, structure design, and site layout will comply with all the provisions of
the Town Code and with the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan.
F. The site layout, with proposed vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian access, traffic
circulation, and parking and loading facilities, is sufficient for the proposed use and is
safely designed for emergency vehicles.
There are existing vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle facilities associated with the existing
buildings and uses. There is no additional parking proposed for the project, as there are no
human occupants anticipated. The proposal does include an additional gravel fire access drive
that is safely designed for emergency vehicles to access the aviary.
G. The project includes sufficient landscaping and/or other forms of buffering to protect
surrounding land uses. Existing vegetation is preserved to the extent possible.
The project site is located on terrain that has previously been disturbed for construction and is
not anticipated to impact any natural features. The project is not situated in a Natural Area or
Scenic Viewshed area. The surrounding land uses are Cornell veterinary research structures and
lands. Vegetation removal is limited; and landscaping is not needed to buffer surrounding land
uses.
PB 2025-024 Filed 9/17/25 Pg. 3
H. To the extent deemed relevant by the Planning Board, the proposed use or structure
complies with all the criteria applicable to site plan review set forth in Chapter 270,
Zoning.
2. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby waives certain requirements for Preliminary and
Final Site Plan Approval, as shown on the Preliminary and Final Site Plan Checklists, having
determined from the materials presented that such waiver will result in a significant alteration
of neither the purpose of site plan control nor the policies enunciated or implied by the Town
Board; and
3. The Town of Ithaca Planning Board hereby grants Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval
for the proposed Cornell Wildlife Rehabilitation Aviary on Hungerford Hill Road, as
described in the items noted in Whereas #4 above, subject to the following condition:
a. Approval by the Town Engineering Department of the stormwater pollution prevention
plan (SWPPP) for the project, along with any related pre- or post-treatment stormwater
practices.
Moved: Bill Arms Seconded: Sara Reynolds
Vote: ayes – Cameron, Ferrara, Arms, Reynolds, and McGurk