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Developers present PUD for 139–157 Chestnut St.; council okays informational session after requesting stronger community benefits
Summary
Applicants presented a planned-unit-development to subdivide part of the Whispering Woods parcel for four small apartment buildings (about 48 units). Council broadly supported moving to a public information session but asked developers to reduce parking, increase unit count or height for greater housing yield, and provide a clearer community-benefit commitment (playground, pedestrian connections).
Applicants for a proposed planned-unit development at 139–157 Chestnut Street presented to the Ithaca Common Council on June 10 a plan to subdivide part of an existing parcel to allow four small apartment buildings totaling roughly 48 units.
Presenters identified themselves as Jacob Bonmechco of Whitam Planning and Design, Bear Smith and an architect introduced as Paul. They said the proposal would place parking behind the buildings, aim to preserve trees and the site's stone and topography, and include a proposed small wooded playground or publicly-accessible open space as a community benefit.
Council members responded with detailed feedback. Several alderpersons urged lower parking counts and higher density (more units or greater height) so the PUD produces a clearer housing benefit. Concerns included pedestrian access and safety on Elm Street, stormwater and utility connections, whether the proposed playground constituted a binding community benefit or only a gesture, and transparency about the development's principals and financing.
The council voted (motion carried unanimously) to allow a public information session to be scheduled in coordination with the planning department, with the director of planning given flexibility to change the date if the applicant requests adjustments. Council members asked applicants to return with clearer, more binding community-benefit commitments, a substantiated parking rationale, and consideration of pedestrian connections or other public-access improvements.
No permit or PUD approval was granted; the vote was to schedule the applicant's requested public information session.
