Planning department staff told the Project Review Committee on Sept. 12 that draft changes to the City of Ithaca sign ordinance and the site plan review ordinance will be circulated to the board for review. Staff said the intention is to provide drafts ahead of the next meeting so the board can review and offer comments, with a goal of forwarding recommendations to Common Council in November.

Staff also noted that two sign projects are expected on the planning calendar and that the department will provide materials explaining why one sign proposal was not approved at the staff level and whether variances will be required under the zoning ordinance.

Why it matters: changes to the sign ordinance and site plan review rules affect how future projects are reviewed, how signs are regulated across the city and what project applicants must submit with site plans. Board members were asked to review drafts in advance to prepare comments for staff and for a potential November Council review.

Next steps: Staff said they will send draft ordinance language to board members before the next PRC meeting and asked members to read and prepare comments; the department will present the materials again at the next meeting and then proceed to Common Council if the board endorses changes.