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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 2026-09-17 1 Town of Ithaca Planning Committee Tuesday, September 17, 2026 (3:00 PM Aurora Conference Room and on Zoom) Minutes Committee members present: Rod Howe, Chair; Diana Sinton; Dave McCune. Board/staff members: Director of Planning C.J. Randall; Director of Code Enforcement Marty Moseley; GIS Analyst Max Villanueva; Town Planner Nick Quilty-Koval; Sustainability Planner Hilary Swartwood; and Senior Planner Mike Smith. Guests: No name provided. 1. Persons to be heard-none 2. Committee announcements and concerns-none 3. Review and discuss revised draft 2024 Town of Ithaca Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory (Interim Report) for Government Operations. Sustainability Planner Hilary Swartwood shared a brief presentation explaining the progress, limitations, and regulatory challenges faced while creating the provided draft interim GHG inventory report. The two most common and existing methodologies used and the potential third being considered by NYS (deadline extended to 2028) were explained. A table showing the methods used per sector for the town’s 2009 and 2019 inventories along with assumptions that needed to be made along with a column for trackable progress. Solutions and next steps included utilizing the Local Governments for Sustainability network (ICLEI)’s Clear Path 2.0 Platform for a streamlined process that helps governments turn climate plans into measurable action. The town is an existing member of the organization which also provides additional services via contract to fully input and complete the process for the members. The questions presented to the committee were as follows: Suggestions on graphic design ideas to include in the report. Hilary will send the full draft around and suggestions can be forwarded to the contracted designer. Suggestions for assessing the 2009 or other years for the baseline year. The most recent 2019 inventory could be used and may have more beneficial data. An option would also be to contract with ICLEI to use the data from all the sectors and create a new baseline year with the best date. Thoughts on possibly updating the Green New Deal resolution with firmer targets and baseline years attached to each goal. Currently baseline year is only mentioned in fleet emissions goal. More firm targets would better track long term progress. The committee agreed to more firm targets, one possibly being a 5-year target to update the GHG Inventory. Hilary recommended possibly consulting ICLEI on both of the above main questions utilizing the existing technical services offerings, the committee agreed. 2 C.J. added that it may be easier for the town to move forward once NYS determines the accounting methodology it will use. It was suggested to still provide this interim report to the committee for background and to follow the intent of a quarterly committee update on the Green New Deal. 4. Green New Deal Action Plan update. Hilary updated the committee that the GND Action 2-year cycle ends in 2026. The new one-year plan for 2027 is being worked on and will be presented to the committee to consider. Consulting ICLEI’s technical assistance for this is also anticipated. 5. Review and discuss Ithaca Outdoors: Planning for Parks, Trails, Preserves, & Recreation. Senior Planner Mike Smith gave a brief overview of the draft proposed update to the well-implemented 1997 Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan. Many pieces have been used in the newer Ag Plan and conservation easement / purchase of development rights program. The intent of the update is to focus specifically on parks, trails and preserves. There were no mentions of the term “preserve” in the 1997 plan at all. The results of the 2020 Town services survey. The goals of the plan remain the same, updates to terms and language have been added along with recommendations listed per category. He mentioned how the draft got to its present-day status, welcomed comments, questions and suggestions from the committee. Not all the committee members had a chance to review the draft that was e-mailed and will review it in more detail and provide any additional feedback to Mike. C.J. recommended the draft be presented to PWC in October and to the CB in November with follow-up at the November PC meeting. 6. Continue to review and discuss consultant responses to RFQ and recommend a firm to develop scenario planning models for 2014 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Character Districts areas. Planner Nick Quilty-Koval began with a summary from the last meeting, and the follow up questions and responses were discussed by the committee. Input was provided by GIS Analyst Max Villaneuva, along with Nick and C.J. One factor related to the funding via NYS Contract is the chosen firm’s compliance with the state’s MWMBE Minority/Women Owned Business requirements. One of the firms does comply and one would require a request to be made by the town for a waiver from this requirement. Max noted that meetings had begun with Esri on how the work will be divided up among the teams. C.J. noted that the results of the planning studies and fiscal impacts are an important component to focus on for the town finance department. After detailed discussion, the committee recommended the team of LaBella Associates and BJH Advisors be chosen by the town board to move forward with the scope of work and further process. The firms that were not selected will be notified. 7. Staff updates and reports. C.J. announced that a market study was recently funded by the County for the South Hill TND area. That will all be managed by the County. All of the pieces are coming together with that TND-focused market study, GEIS (environmental quality review), and ArcGIS Urban scenario planning work in the 3 TND. The market study will be beneficial to developers and others looking to understand absorption within the local housing and commercial development context. Continuing with discussing South Hill TND GEIS, C.J. updated that a recent meeting was held with the consultants from Fisher Associates with focus on the schedule for deliverables. Lead Agency designation is next followed by notifications to interested and involved agencies. There will be continued involvement with the major stakeholders throughout the process. A Positive Declaration of environmental significance is anticipated later this year. There is a preliminary scope of work drafted, and there is also a public component to the scoping process. Rod noted that four municipalities are working on the Coddington Valley Rail Trail which will extend the South Hill Recreation Way from its current terminus at Burns Rd. A grant has been received to work on the Burns Rd to Banks Rd section including different options for the crossing at Burns Rd. Staff are working with the four Towns group, and updates will be shared as the project progresses. Marty stated he had nothing to report relevant to the Planning Committee. 8. Discuss next meeting date and upcoming agenda items. October 8, 2026. Dave noted that the organization of all the projects and moving parts by staff is impressive. It was noted that this is the last Planning Committee meeting for Town Supervisor Rod Howe and Rich DePaolo will be re-joining the committee. Rod was thanked for his service as Chair. 9. Approval of August minutes: Dave moved the August 11, 2026, minutes for approval as presented; Diana seconded. The minutes were approved. The Town of Ithaca Planning Committee meeting concluded at 4:10 p.m.