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Planning board grants preliminary and final approval for Prospect Street parking lots with sidewalk/apron repair condition
Summary
The board granted preliminary and final approval for the 215–217 Prospect Street parking lot redevelopment, adding a condition requiring repair or replacement of any damaged city sidewalk or driveway apron to City Engineering specifications and requiring executed easements for shared driveway access.
The Planning and Development Board on Feb. 25 granted preliminary and final approval for site plan changes at 215–217 Prospect Street, subject to a condition requiring repair, replacement or reconstruction of city property — including the driveway apron and sidewalk — to City of Ithaca engineering specifications, and to submission of required executed easements for shared access.
Why it matters: The proposal formalizes an existing rear parking layout used by adjacent properties and clarifies maintenance and access obligations. The board discussed whether screening at the rear was necessary but concluded the land is flanked by other parking lots and heavy vegetation will provide seasonal screening without formal fencing or plantings. City engineering had identified a deteriorated apron and sidewalk and the board included a condition requiring upgrades to meet ADA and city standards.
Board action and conditions - Motion and vote: The board approved preliminary and final site plans with the added condition that the applicant repair or reconstruct any city property such as paving, sidewalk, curbing, tree lawn, signage or drainage structures to City Engineering specifications. The motion passed by roll call. - Easement requirement: The applicant confirmed an executed easement will be provided so that the rear driveway is recorded to serve 207, 211, 213 and 215–217 as needed; the applicant’s attorney is preparing the required documents.
City staff and board comments - Screening and vegetation: Board members noted the back of the site is already heavily vegetated and abuts other parking areas; several members said formal screening or fencing was unnecessary but suggested the owner consider additional plantings where feasible as a goodwill gesture to neighbors. - Driveway apron and ADA: City engineering flagged broken pieces of concrete and an ADA nonconforming sidewalk in this area; board members requested the applicant work with City Engineering on specifications and permits for the repairs — including a city street permit if work affects the public right of way.
Vote summary - Motion: Approve preliminary and final site plan for 215–217 Prospect Street with conditions described above. - Mover: Basil Kori; Second: Jenny Sutcliffe. - Vote: Andy Roman — yes; Jenny Sutcliffe — yes; Basil Kori — yes; Max Pfeffer — yes; Emily Petrina (chair) — yes. Outcome: approved.
Ending: The board will require documentation that easements are executed and confirmation of sidewalk/apron repairs to City Engineering specifications before closing the project’s permitting file.
