Developers present revised Water’s Edge plan; board presses for interim softening of fenced northern parcel

Developers of the Water’s Edge subdivision at 683 Third Street presented revisions to the subdivision plat and site design at the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board meeting on Sept. 23, asking for discussion rather than approvals as they fine-tune plans. The applicant said the changes include a reduced footprint for the southeast building, an increase from four to five stories to hold the same 40 units, a westward shift to avoid a recent flood-plain line, a relocation and enlargement of ground-floor retail into the northwest corner of the site, and simplified vehicular circulation that adds roughly five parking spaces to about 220 total. Board members and a public commenter urged short-term improvements to the northern parcel the applicant is keeping fenced and using for operations. A member of the…