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City of Ithaca Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes – August 5, 2025
Board Members Present: Andre Gardiner Michael Cannon Donna Fleming David Barken, Chair Staff Present: Megan Wilson, Deputy Director of Planning Maura Baldiga, Planner Applicants: Kristin Bartholomew and Scott & Alexandra Strong (ZONE-25-6)
Chair David Barken called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm and read the opening statement. I. CALL TO ORDER & AGENDA REVIEW
II. CONTINUED APPEALS - NONE III. NEW APPEALS APPEAL #ZONE-25-6 607 MITCHELL STREET
Request for an area variance from §325-8, Column 11, Front Yard, and Column 13, Other Side Yard, requirements of the City of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance to allow the construction of a new front porch on the existing single-family home. Property owner Scott Strong presented the appeal. He explained that the family would like to replace the
existing front stoop with a front porch that will span the width of the house.
Board members asked about feasible alternatives to the variance, and it was noted that the existing house
is nonconforming to front yard requirements. There is no feasible alternative to a front yard variance that
would allow a usable porch space. The Board asked about this project’s eligibility for a zoning permit, and
staff stated that front yard deficiencies do not meet the criteria for a zoning permit.
Public Hearing Chair David Barken opened the public hearing. There were no comments from interested parties regarding
this appeal, and the public hearing was closed. The Board noted that the proposed porch would be consistent with the neighborhood and would blend in
nicely with the existing context. There is a history of a front porch on this site, as evidenced by the historic photos submitted by the applicant. There is no feasible alternative to the variance for a front porch at this location, and Board members noted that the proposal was the least intrusive and most compatible solution. On a motion by Andre Gardiner, seconded by Michael Cannon, the Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to grant appeal #ZONE-25-6 for 607 Mitchell Street.
Board of Zoning Appeals August 5, 2025 Meeting Minutes
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IV. PRELIMINARY PRESENTATIONS - NONE
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NONE VI. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS a. Next Meeting: September 2, 2025: There will be three appeals at the September meeting: two area variances and a sign appeal. b. Transition to OpenGov: Staff reported that BZA applications are transitioning to the City’s online application portal. These applications will have a new numbering system (such as tonight’s ZONE-25-6) in lieu of the traditional 4-digit number. For a while, the Board will continue to see a mix of online and traditional applications. c. Proposal to Transfer Sign Variances: Staff reported that they are recommending that the
responsibility for sign variance reviews be transferred to the Planning and Development Board. The Sign Ordinance is not part of the Zoning Ordinance so it is not required that the BZA review the appeals. The Planning Board will be able to review sign packages in
the broader context of site plan review and be able to consider design and building massing. BZA members were supportive of this change.
VII. ADJOURNMENT Chair D. Barken adjourned the meeting at 5:47 pm. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________ August 5, 2025 Megan Wilson, Zoning Administrator Date Secretary, Board of Zoning Appeals