Planning board grants special permit and negative declaration to Yoga Farmifika for West Falls Street studio

Ithaca’s Planning Board approved a special permit June 24 for Yoga Farmifika to establish a nonprofit yoga studio and training facility at a West Falls Street property and declared a negative declaration under state environmental review.

Jessica English and Jeanne O’Neil presented the project and said the nonprofit primarily teaches somatic and restorative yoga, runs teacher-training programs and operates an online academy; physical classroom use is typically small, averaging eight to 10 students per class. Their presentation noted five full-time and two part-time staff and that they plan limited on-site parking needs; the applicants estimated a nearby fenced lot could hold about 24 vehicles if needed.

Board members’ questions centered on noise, capacity, parking and signage. Jessica English described a proposed mural on the street-facing facade, saying the nonprofit intends to use the mural as signage rather than installing a freestanding, illuminated Route 13 sign. Planning staff noted that if the mural includes a business name or advertisement it will need review to determine whether it qualifies as a sign under local rules; staff said they routinely work with applicants to resolve those issues.

The board opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. After discussion, the board held roll-call votes that approved a negative declaration for environmental review and, subsequently, the special permit; the votes were unanimous.

Board members praised the applicants’ use of the site and the small-scale, quieter programming described by the presenters. The board also asked staff to review mural-signage details and to work with the applicant on any required sign review steps.

The decision allows Yoga Farmifika to proceed with its plans subject to standard permit conditions and any signage determinations arising from the mural review.