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Commission asks for more detail on proposed carport, driveway expansion and retaining wall at 110 Trippheimer Road
Summary
The commission reviewed a proposal for a carport, retaining wall replacement and driveway reconfiguration at 110 Trippheimer Road (Cornell Heights Historic District) and asked the applicant to provide elevations, material samples and a scaled-down driveway option; staff advised that zoning variances will also be required.
The Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission heard a detailed presentation on a proposed carport, retaining-wall replacement and driveway expansion at 110 Trippheimer Road (listed in the packet as Cornell Heights Historic District). The commission did not approve the proposal and requested more complete drawings, material samples and a reduced driveway alternative.
Representing the applicant, Steve Priyane of Ithaca Building Companies described a design for a hip-roofed carport intended to match the house's existing rooflines, removal of decayed railroad-tie retaining elements and replacement with an Unilock/segmental retaining-wall system, and an expanded packed-crusher-run driveway to improve on-site turning and access. Priyane said the owners purchased the house for student housing needs tied to Cornell attendance.
Commissioners and staff raised multiple concerns: the visible effect of expanding a hard-surfaced driveway and effectively paving much of the front yard, the proposal's compatibility with the historic district's character, and required zoning reviews. A city staff member advised the applicant that the project will require review by the City's zoning-related review bodies (the variance or Board of Zoning Appeals and the City staff/VCA process) because an expanded front-yard parking area may exceed the 25% front-yard parking limit and would encroach into side- or front-yard setback areas.
Commissioners asked for clearer elevation drawings showing how the carport will attach to the historic structure, details on materials for the retaining wall, and a revised site plan that reduces the proposed extent of hard surfacing in the front yard. Several commissioners said the current conceptual plans read as over-large and potentially incongruous with the neighborhood character; one commissioner suggested a smaller, more targeted solution to address the turning/egress issue. The applicant was told staff is willing to coordinate review and that the item could appear on the June agenda if additional materials are provided in the next two weeks; staff also said it will coordinate zoning-variance processing with the applicant.
No formal COA was issued at the meeting. Commissioners emphasized that compatibility with the district and minimizing permanent disturbance to the historic front-yard character will be central to further review.
