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Developers preview design changes for 325 College Ave.; board asks for dimensions, fire review
Summary
Applicants for 325 College Ave. showed revised grade and window-well plans, a small rooftop amenity, and ongoing trash-hauler coordination. Board members asked for unit sections, drainage details and a fire-department review before preliminary site-plan approval.
Developers for a proposed redevelopment at 325 College Ave. presented revised plans that raise the grade behind the building, reduce the depth of window wells for lower units and add a small rooftop amenity. The Planning and Development BoardProject Review Committee discussed the changes and requested additional drawings and agency checks before the project returns for preliminary site-plan consideration.
The project team told the committee theyhad adjusted the grade behind the building after engineers advised raising the back yard to avoid impacting the adjacent building. Project representative Nick (last name not specified) said the altered grade "brings it up substantially," reducing the depth of the window well "which I think the fire department will appreciate, you know, if they ever had to access it." Emily Petrina, chair of the committee, opened the item and confirmed the applicants were seeking potential preliminary approval on March 25.
The board pressed for specific technical details. Andy Rollman, member of the board, asked for a section through a unit so members could see "how deep these are, how how wide they are from the unit to the face of the well." Max Pfeffer asked about drainage for the window wells. Applicants said foundation and sub-slab drainage will tie into the building system and that the walls and wells will be "heavily waterproofed and tied into the building system." Nikki Serra, environmental landscape planner and staff to the board, repeated the request for dimensions and added that the fire department should review the final condition.
Applicants also showed a conceptual rooftop amenity with planters and LED lighting. They said the roof space is small and intended for small gatherings. Board members asked that the lighting be dark-sky compliant and for furniture and material details in the submission packet.
On refuse, the applicants said they are coordinating with Casella; the applicant said Casella is "comfortable with the plan" and the team will provide a formal package from the hauler for the full board review. The committee noted curb-cut and engineering sign-offs will be required and can be included as conditions of approval.
The project team said the window wells are for light and ventilation only and are not egress. They also previewed demolition plans for the adjacent Cocos building: the applicants said an asbestos survey showed no hazardous materials and that there is "nothing of any real value to salvage" in that structure; they said Ithaca ReUse would typically be invited to salvage anything reusable but that in this case there is little to salvage.
The committee concluded that the design changes are generally supportable but asked the applicants to return with unit sections, clear dimensions for the wells and wall, drainage details, fire-department signoff, and more complete drawings in the board packet. The applicants said they would provide the requested materials for the full board meeting in a few weeks.
The committee did not take any formal vote on the proposal during this session; the item was scheduled to return to the board for potential preliminary site-plan approval.
