HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2023-015 Variance for Culver Rd and Glenside Preserves for Deer Management Program for 2023MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
Monday, January9, 2023
TB Resolution 2023 -015: Granting a variance from the Town of Ithaca Code, Chapter 200 “Parks & Recreation Areas” to allow Culver Road Preserve and Glenside Preserveto be used in the
Town’s 2023 Deer Management Program
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca Deer Management Program is requesting a variance from Town Code Sections 200-3.A and 200-5.E to allow the Town Deer Management Program to operate a bait/culling
site on theCulver Road Preserve (Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No.’s 31.-1-14.2, 31.-1-14.4, and 32.-1-7) and the Glenside Preserve (Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 30.-1-1.3), which,if granted,
would permit participants to be on the two Preserves during normally closed hours and to possess and discharge firearms and/or archery equipment (compound bow or crossbow), and
Whereas, the Town’s Deer Management Program has been operating for the past four years on private propertyand City of Ithaca owned property throughout the Town of Ithaca, and
Whereas, a variance was granted by the Town Board to use the Culver Road Preserve in 2022 for the deer management program, where 2 deer were harvested, and
Whereas, the Town’s Culver Road Preserve (155acres in total, 96 acres in the three tax parcels listed above) and Glenside Preserve (7 acres) presents an opportunity for the town to support
and actively participate in the deer management program for the many reasons described in the Conservation Board’s report, but especially the potential ecological benefits, and
Whereas, the Town Board has discussed the request and determined that good cause exists for another time-limited variance, now therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town Board grants a variance to the Town’s Deer Management Program from Town of Ithaca Code Sections 200-3.A “General Regulations” and 200-5.E “Prohibited Activities”
to allow participants to be on the Culver Road Preserve and Glenside Preserve during normal closed hours (24 hours per day) and to allow participants to possess and discharge firearms
and/or archery equipment as part of the Town Deer Management Program, with the following conditions:
Program participants must adhere to all DEC regulations related to culling activities contained in the Deer Damage Permit issued to the Town of Ithaca, and
This variance is valid February 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023, 1 hour prior to sunset through 1 hour after sunrise, and
With the following findings:
The Town Board finds good cause to grant this variance. The benefit to the Town’s Deer Management Programoutweighs the detriment that would result from strict enforcement of Chapter
200, and
The Culver Road Preserve is approximately 155 acres (96 acres in portion requested to be used)and Glenside Preserve is approximately 7 acres, both with adequate space to operate a bait
site, and
Using the Town owned Culver Road Preserve and the Glenside Preserve will support the Town’s Deer Management Program and will help to reduce deer browse on Town natural lands.
Moved: Eric LevineSeconded:Rob Rosen
Vote: ayes – Levine, Rosen, Bleiwas, Howe, Johnson, and Goodman nays – DePaolo