HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BZA-2025-02-04City of Ithaca Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes – February 4, 2025
Board Members Present: Andre Gardiner Joseph Kirby Michael Cannon
Donna Fleming
David Barken, Chair Staff Present: Megan Wilson, Deputy Director of Planning
Sam Quinn-Jacobs, Planner
Applicants: Andrew Schreck (BZA #3288)
Chair D. Barken called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm and read the opening statement. I. TELECOMMUNICATIONS APPEAL - NONE
II. CONTINUED APPEALS APPEAL #3288 215-217 PROSPECT STREET Appeal of Andrew Schreck, property owner, for an area variance from Sections 325-8, Column
12, Side Yard, Column 13 Other Side Yard and 325-20F(3), Off-Street Parking requirements of
the Zoning Ordinance. The applicant is proposing the creation of six off-street parking spaces on 215-217 Prospect Street located. The Zoning Ordinance requires that properties within residential zoning districts that permit three or more cars must conform to either the setback compliance method or the landscaping compliance method as described by the ordinance. The proposed off-
street parking spaces do not conform with either method.
The property has existing deficiencies in the side yard and other side yard requirements of the Zoning Ordinance that will not be exacerbated by this proposal. The property also has an existing off-street parking deficiency that is being alleviated by this proposal.
Andrew Schreck, property owner, presented the appeal. A. Schreck verbally presented and was available for questions. Board members asked questions regarding the history of the site, feasible alternatives for the
property owner and potential impacts to the neighborhood. Public Hearing Chair D. Barken opened the public hearing.
Board of Zoning Appeals February 4, 2025-Meeting Minutes
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Comments from interested parties in support of the appeal were submitted by:
• Christopher Anagnost, Christopher George Realty
Comments from interested parties in opposition to the appeal were submitted by:
• Kate Harcourt, 201 South Hill Terrace
• John Graves, 319 Pleasant Street
• Karl Pillemer and Clare McMillan, 135 Hudson Street There being no further comments from interested parties, Chair D. Barken closed the public hearing.
Deliberation & Decision The Board concluded that the while the request was substantial and the difficulty self-created, the benefit sought by appellants outweighed any potential impacts to neighboring properties. Board members noted that the proposal does not alter the existing condition of the property and that the
benefit sought could not be achieved by a feasible alternative. Board members decided to add a condition to the variance that the appellant seek site plan approval for the screening of the parking lot from the Planning and Development Board. On a motion by Andre Gardiner, seconded by Michael Cannon, the Board of Zoning Appeals
voted 4-1-0 to approve appeal #3288 for 215-217 Prospect Street. III. NEW APPEALS - NONE
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NONE
V. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS a. Next Meeting: March 4, 2025.
VI. ADJOURNMENT – Chair David Barken adjourned the meeting at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________ February 4, 2025
Megan Wilson, Zoning Administrator Date Secretary, Board of Zoning Appeals