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Planning board grants final site plan approval for 325 College Avenue
Summary
The Ithaca Planning and Development Board voted unanimously on April 22 to grant final site plan approval to a residential building at 325 College Avenue after the applicant made last-minute code-driven design changes.
The Planning and Development Board of the City of Ithaca on April 22 granted final site plan approval to the proposed development at 325 College Avenue, voting unanimously in a roll-call vote.
The approval followed a short presentation by the applicant team describing a late change required after New York State review. The applicant said they had added a second stairwell on the south façade, which removed a recessed window condition and required reconfiguring one unit and its bathroom. The team described the change as affecting façade massing but not the overall project footprint or unit count.
The board members who spoke praised the project’s process and responsiveness. “Thank you. I think the process worked really well,” board member Andy Roman said. Vice Chair Elizabeth Godden asked for clarification about façade materials; the applicant said the material itself did not change but the panel orientation was altered for warranty reasons. Director of Planning and Development Lisa Nicholas and environmental landscape planner Nikki Sarah confirmed no outstanding technical issues were blocking final approval.
After a motion to open discussion (moved by Elizabeth Godden, seconded by Andy Roman), the board voted by roll call on the final site plan. Andy Roman, Elizabeth Godden, board member Azahuri, and Chair Emily Petrina all recorded “yes” votes, and the board chair declared final site plan approval granted.
The applicant thanked the board for its assistance with the timeline and said demolition of the existing Cocos Building was already under way and contractors would mobilize next week.
Next steps: the applicant may proceed toward construction permitting consistent with the board’s final site plan approval.
Votes at a glance: Final site plan approval — motion to approve moved by Elizabeth Godden; seconded by Andy Roman. Roll-call yes votes: Andy Roman, Elizabeth Godden, Azahuri, Emily Petrina. Outcome: approved.
Sources: Board meeting presentation and roll-call vote, April 22, 2025.
