Campus Planning Committee

CAMPUS PLANNING COMMITTEE
November 13, 2003 Meeting
Room 2225 — ILR

Present: Mina Amundsen, Phil Cox, Tom Cole, David Cutter, Gilbert Delgado, Ken Downing, Donna Goss, John Gutenberger, Martin Hatch, Mike Hoffman, Tanya Husick, Carianne Johnson, Laurie Kimball, Creston Mansfield, Dennis Osika, Patti Phillips, Pete Salino, Stephan Schmidt, Dennis Stein, Alfonso Torres, Randy Wayne, Bill Wendt, Kyu —Jung Whang

Stephan Schmidt opened the meeting followed by introductions. There were two visitors at the meeting — Carianne Johnson and Marty Hatch. Phil Cox asked when we would be seeing a presentation on the Sustainable Sites Initiative. David said that they are working with members of the local ASLAchapter and Cornell faculty and they will be ready for a presentation next month or later.

Milstein Hall Update — Gilbert Delgado

Gilbert provided members with an update on Milstein Hall and commented that they are expecting that a construction bid will be awarded in March. He explained that Milstein Hall is being built for the School of Art, Architecture and Planning in response to spatial needs deemed necessary by the accreditation board. This board will be meeting in spring 2009 and will be looking for substantial progress on moving this building forward or the accreditation of the Architecture program may be in jeopardy. Gilbert showed a short video illustrating how the building was assembled and how each phase of construction will be implemented.

Comments/Discussion:

Martin Hatch questioned how plans for the building were allowed to move forward given the construction pause and the high per foot cost of the construction. Gilbert and Tom Cole explained that 100% of the funding for the project has been identified (which is one of the criteria for exception) and that the accreditation for the Architecture program was in jeopardy. Mr. Hatch also questioned whether Rem Koolhaas or someone from his firm was actually the designer. Gilbert and Kyu Whang explained that Rem Koolhaas himself has had a great influence over the design of the structure and having senior designers work on an architecture project was the norm for most forms, including internationally known architects like Richard Meier.

Also questioned, was whether the building was going to be LEED certified, did the contract call for LEED certification and does the green roof meet requirements for certification? Kyu explained that the design of this structure started well ahead to the University’s adoption of LEED Silver 30 policy (Spring 2008) and certification for this building is not being sought. The green roof was a measure being taken to balance the energy use of the building. He explained that when you design a building from the very beginning to meet LEED criteria it is much more cost efficient than introducing elements at a later stage and if we were to implement accepted LEED standards for this project right now, we would have to redesign several elements of the building and further escalate the cost of the project. Patti Phillips commented that there are a number of complexities surrounding this project but there is also great excitement in the anticipation that the structure will go into construction next year. Ken Downing noted that one of the complexities would be the distribution of electric and utilities throughout a building that has very few walls.

CU Agriculture Experiment Station Sustainability Initiatives — Mike Hoffman

Mike Hoffman is the Director of the experimental stations, in Geneva and on the Ithaca Campus. For the past couple of years, staff at both facilities have been working to develop sustainable practices that are utilized by the University and become models for use world wide. He noted that Cornell is exceeding in its programming for sustainability and is often looked at as a “committed - front runner” in the sustainability movement.

Mike provided a presentation explaining all of the various avenues that are currently being explored by the Ag Experimental Stations such as the Cornell University Renewable Bioenergy Initiative (CURBI), advanced composting, anaerobic digestion, slow pyrolysis, direct combustion of switch grass and wood pellets and biofuels.

Comments and Discussion

In regard to slow pyrolysis, Randy asked if the bio char (bi-product of process) aided in absorbing toxins from the soil. Mike commented that it does have a role and that this very old practice primarily used primarily for producing soil amendments that enhance plant growth. Marty asked about the availability or sale of compost that is produced on campus. Mike commented that the compost produced is used on campus for planting areas and is not sold or distributed due to possible contamination issues.

Phil Cox inquired about the grass species that reduce mowing and possibilities for working with his group on naturalization projects. Pete Salino and Dennis Osika both commented that there are many opportunities to partner and they noted that they already have begun to develop meadows in areas that were traditionally mowed. Donna Goss asked what zero-turn mowers were. Pete explained that they are mowers that have a very tight turning radius and reduce the time and fuel needed to mow. The Grounds department has successfully been using them for a number of years.

Large Animal Teaching Center — Mina Amundsen & Dr. Alfonso Torres

Mina began the presentation with an explanation of the “Site Development Guidelines” process in which staff from Planning and Project Development meets with project sponsors and prepares a set of guidelines that will assist the design team in the development of the site and design of the structures being proposed.

She noted that the Large Animal Teaching Center (LATC) will be a unique opportunity for CALS and CVM to share a site and resources. Dr. Torres went into detail explaining that the CVM facility will include a dairy barn housing 150 to 180 cows, this structure will replace the research barns which were recently demolished to make way for the Animal Health Diagnostics Center. The facility will be larger and will provide the opportunity for students to learn commercial dairy practices and also observe mature cows as well as calves during various stages of growth. There will also be broader applications of veterinary medicine in which a range of different conditions can be monitored in a larger herd. In addition, CALS will be relocating the Teaching research barns and Livestock Pavilion to this site.

Comments and discussion:

Dennis Stein asked if there would be classrooms located on the site and Dr. Torres said no, the facility will be comprised predominantly of barns, there would be locker areas and support structures but the primary classroom teaching will take place in the CALS and CVM classrooms on the north side of Route 366. Mike Hoffman asked about manure disposal and offered to assist by having the manure transferred to the composting facility or possibly distributed on the Dilmun Hill Organic Farm. Dr. Torres explained that they would be using sand beds for the animals and that there would be additional separation needed if he wanted the manure for composting.

John Gutenberger asked about the odor created by the manure and being mindful of placing the facility where winds would carry the odor to the East Ithaca Recreation Way and East Hill Plaza area. Dr. Torres noted that a tank retention system would be used and there would be low odor. Mina and Gilbert commented that they recently visited a farm that was laid out in a similar way and that the facility was clean and had very little smell.

Mina discussed further synergies that would exist and also brought up the potential for higher visitation from researchers and tours from school or civic groups. Dr. Torres noted that circulation will have to be addressed for people crossing Rte 366 and Mina commented that the University will have to work with NYSDOT to determine how a crosswalk is placed and installed.

Marty questioned the size of the facility and the size of the herd. Dr. Torres explained that the number of cows was determined on the economics of running a commercial facility and the number of full time workers that would operate the facility. The size of the barn will be determined by the number and configuration of aisles within the barn and that has not yet been determined. There was some discussion on the merits of open sided barns, stanchion vs. pastured cows and the various materials used for bedding.

Stephan asked how the LATC complied with development and open space recommendations within the Campus Master Plan. Mina explained that there were plans for a small number of agricultural structures within this zone and that the Judd Falls Greenway would pass through the western portion of the site connecting it to the East Ithaca Recreation Way. She noted that the two colleges have been working together to maintain a reasonable balance between built and open space on the site.

Donna Goss questioned why there had not been consideration made for using the Teaching & Research Barns (TRB) parking lot for the expansion of this project. Mina explained that the site had been considered, but that there was a desire to keep the denser uses closer to the core campus and if there was a need for a multiple story structure, this was one of the sites designated for high density development. The plan recommends the relocation of agricultural and plant science related buildings to the south side of Rte 366 where a more pastoral or agricultural setting can be created.

Stephan asked what the role of CPC members would be. Mina said that she would like members to review the site development guidelines and provide comment back to her. The guidelines would be sent at a later date..

Other Business:

The presentations made at the meeting will be posted on the CPC website.

Mina asked again that members email her with their request for a paper, digital or copies of both of the campus master plan.