HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2023-035 Adopt LL 2 of 2023 Inlet Valley Overlay DistrictMEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARDFebruary 13, 2023
TB Resolution 2023 –035: Adoption of A Local Law Amending Chapter 270 (Zoning) of the Town of Ithaca Code, and the Official Zoning Map, to Add Inlet Valley Overlay District Provisions
and to Include Certain Lands Along or Near Elmira Road, Seven Mile Drive, and Ithaca Beer Drive in the Inlet Valley Overlay District
Whereas, the 2014 Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan future land use plan and map designated the Inlet Valley Gateway character district, a certain area along Elmira Road (New York State
Route 13) in Inlet Valley, as a setting for a mix of office, small-scale retail, hospitality, and tourism and agritourism uses, with low-impact light industrial, artisanal industrial,
and skilled trade uses; and
Whereas, the 2014 Comprehensive Plan recommends that the scale, architecture and landscaping of future development in the Inlet Valley Gateway character district should have a semi-rural
character, with deep setbacks from arterial streets, wide spacing between uses, with architectural design, landscaping, and site planning regulations applying to all uses in this area,
including industrial uses; and
Whereas, the Comprehensive Plan calls for regulations that use current best practice in planning and urban design to carry out its recommendations, and help achieve the Town’s desired
development outcomes; and
Whereas, in 2017, after adoption of the Town Comprehensive Plan, the Town of Ithaca commissioned an economic development feasibility study and strategic plan for the Inlet Valley area
(the “Inlet Valley Ithaca Plan”) to explore ideas for shaping the Elmira Road corridor’s development future, and for fostering its distinctive semi-rural/agriculturalcharacter and thesetting
for two premier NYS Parks; and
Whereas,a key recommendation of that strategic plan was to update zoning regulations to encourage the types of uses and development character that would make Inlet Valley an appealing
and distinctive destination, and an attractive gateway to the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions; and
Whereas, the proposed Inlet Valley Zoning Overlay District local law was initiated under the direction of the Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee subsequent to their completion of
the Inlet Valley Ithaca Plan (2018) and later transferred to the Planning Committee for more in-depth work and refinement; and
Whereas, thePlanning Committee recommended the Inlet Valley Zoning Overlay Districtlocal law to the Town Boardat their meeting in October 2022; and
Whereas, the Town Board, at their meeting on December 28, 2022, discussed the proposed local law and referred it to the Planning Board for review and recommendations; and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca Planning Board reviewed and discussed the proposed local law at its meeting on January 17, 2023, and recommended its adoption; and
Whereas, at its meeting on January 9, 2023, the Town Board scheduled a public hearing for February 13, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. to hear all interested parties on the proposed local law entitled
“A Local Law Amending Chapter 270 (Zoning) of the Town of Ithaca Code, and the Official Zoning Map, to Add Inlet Valley Overlay District Provisions and to Include Certain Lands Along
or Near Elmira Road, Seven Mile Drive, and Ithaca Beer Drive in the Inlet Valley Overlay District”; and
Whereas, notice of said public hearing was duly advertised and the public hearing held on said date and time and all parties were permitted an opportunity to speak on behalf of or in
opposition to said proposed local law; and
Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, adoption of said local law is a Type I Action
for which the Ithaca Town Board, acting as lead agency in an environmental review with respect to adoption of this local law, has, on February 13, 2023, made a negative determination
of environmental significance after having reviewed and accepted as adequate the Full Environmental Assessment Form Parts 1, 2 and 3; and
Whereas, the Town Board finds that the amendments to the Town Code and Official Zoning Map, and the type of development they enable will further the health and welfare of the community
and are in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby adopts Local Law No. 2 of 2023 entitled “A Local Law Amending Chapter 270 (Zoning) of the Town of Ithaca Code, and the Official
Zoning Map, to Add Inlet Valley Overlay District Provisions and to Include Certain Lands Along or Near Elmira Road, Seven Mile Drive, and Ithaca Beer Drive in the Inlet Valley Overlay
District”; and it is further
Resolved, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized to file said local law with the New York State Secretary of State as required by law.Moved: Rich DePaoloSeconded: Eric LevineVote:
ayes – DePaolo, Levine, Howe, Goodman, Bleiwas and Johnson