The City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board Project Review Committee heard a presentation on Sept. 12 about a proposed rooftop amenity at 215 College Avenue, where the applicant described a multipurpose roof terrace with a planted green‑roof perimeter, a mix of porcelain and wood tile decking on a pedestal drainage system, and synthetic turf "outdoor carpet" areas for games and lounging. Emily Petrina, chair of the planning board, opened the discussion and the project team walked members through images of seating, a pergola with dining space and two accessible restrooms serving the roof area.

The committee pressed for more specifics before the project returns for preliminary and final site plan approval. "We've really learned a lot through the Cornell project about synthetic turf," said board member Andy Roman, and he asked the applicants to provide detailed product specifications and samples. Board members also asked staff and the applicant to document whether the turf product contains PFAS and to include the amenity lighting and the planted seating perimeter in the submitted plans.

Why it matters: rooftop amenities can affect neighboring properties, building code interpretations and long-term maintenance. Board members focused on safety and maintenance items that affect both building reviewers and neighbors—material toxicity (PFAS), drainage and egress, nighttime lighting, and how the roof will be managed.

Most important details and board requests

Applicant presentation: The team described a roof deck that combines a planted sedum tray perimeter (green roof) and modular TileTech tray products over pedestals (porcelain tile, wood tile, and integrated turf panels). The design pulls rails back from the roof edge to locate seating and planted buffers away from the parapet. The plan includes an open pergola with dining and barbecue area, lounge seating on a wood tile deck, turf play areas (one intended as a putting-green surface) and two fully accessible restrooms on the roof level.

Board concerns and requested clarifications: Members requested the following before the next full planning board meeting: physical samples and full product data for the synthetic turf and TileTech tray system; documentation on PFAS content and applicable laws or pending restrictions; inclusion of the rooftop lighting in the overall lighting plan; details on the planted perimeter and planting plan; and operational rules that would govern hours, amplified music and alcohol. Max Pfeffer specifically asked, "What are the plans for nighttime lighting, if any?" The applicant said they plan limited building‑mounted entry lighting, low‑voltage perimeter lighting for safety and chandelier-style lighting in the pergola for ambiance, with the intention of keeping the space primarily a daytime amenity.

Safety and access: The applicants said the roof deck is not part of the building’s means of egress for interior occupants; the deck has card-access doors and multiple exits, and the team said cards can be programmed to restrict access if managers choose to do so. The team also said they will install video surveillance and that operations staff can restrict access if the surveillance shows recurring problems.

No formal board action: The committee did not take a vote. Staff and board members treated the session as a check‑in; the project remains scheduled for preliminary and final site plan review later in the month, pending the additional materials requested.

What’s next: The applicant said it will provide turf and tray samples, product data on the TileTech tray system, a lighting plan that includes rooftop fixtures, and written clarification about hours, amplified sound and alcohol policy for the roof. Staff also indicated it will review the design with building and zoning staff to confirm whether the rooftop amenities affect story-count or other zoning calculations for this parcel.

The discussion included board members and staff from the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Department and the project’s design/development team. The committee will review the supplemental materials at the next scheduled meeting before acting on preliminary or final site plan approval.