Design tweaks, signage and lighting flagged during review of 309 College Avenue apartments
April 29, 2026 | Ithaca City, Tompkins County, New York
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Ithaca, N.Y. — The Ithaca City Planning and Development Board reviewed updated site and design materials for the 309 College Avenue apartment project on April 28 and asked the applicant for additional detail on signage, exhaust louvers, sidewalk transitions and rear lighting.
Chris (applicant presenter) said the team has retained the on-street loading zone and selected a precast "California" form-liner for the rear retaining wall to reduce maintenance and deter graffiti. He described the material palette as metallic silver metal panels (Citadel) with Fundermax high-pressure laminate "Venus" used as a limestone-look accent and a patina-bronze Fundermax accent.
"We did tone down the lighting," Chris said, and described continuous LED backlighting at the main entry and downlighting and multiple fixtures planned for the rear to avoid dark spots.
Board members focused on several design details that must be resolved before returning: Emily Petrino urged the applicant to present signage as part of the site-plan review because signage is integrated into the building's design; Mitch Glass asked the applicant to demonstrate how the alley and bike-rack area will be lit to avoid dark corners; Peggy Tully requested a real (non-rendered) photograph of the chosen form-liner pattern for the retaining wall.
Chris confirmed most of the front façade windows shown in the elevations are operable and said bedroom windows will be operable, while exhaust louvers and some mechanical locations still require coordination so awnings and louvers do not conflict.
Peggy also flagged an April 17 memo from the office of engineering requesting additional sidewalk topography and running-slope details; the applicant agreed to receive and address those engineering comments.
On the question of pedestrian amenities, board members asked whether benches or other seating could be added to the through-block connection between College Avenue and Linden. The applicant said prior coordination with a neighbor led to removal of certain planters and seating to reduce congestion, but that the team will revisit options if the neighbor is amenable.
Chair Max Pfeffer summarized next steps: the applicant will provide signage details, mechanical/louver coordination and responses to the engineering memo for the board to review at the next meeting.
No formal vote on the 309 College Avenue site plan was recorded in the transcript; the item will return to the board with requested materials.
Chris (applicant presenter) said the team has retained the on-street loading zone and selected a precast "California" form-liner for the rear retaining wall to reduce maintenance and deter graffiti. He described the material palette as metallic silver metal panels (Citadel) with Fundermax high-pressure laminate "Venus" used as a limestone-look accent and a patina-bronze Fundermax accent.
"We did tone down the lighting," Chris said, and described continuous LED backlighting at the main entry and downlighting and multiple fixtures planned for the rear to avoid dark spots.
Board members focused on several design details that must be resolved before returning: Emily Petrino urged the applicant to present signage as part of the site-plan review because signage is integrated into the building's design; Mitch Glass asked the applicant to demonstrate how the alley and bike-rack area will be lit to avoid dark corners; Peggy Tully requested a real (non-rendered) photograph of the chosen form-liner pattern for the retaining wall.
Chris confirmed most of the front façade windows shown in the elevations are operable and said bedroom windows will be operable, while exhaust louvers and some mechanical locations still require coordination so awnings and louvers do not conflict.
Peggy also flagged an April 17 memo from the office of engineering requesting additional sidewalk topography and running-slope details; the applicant agreed to receive and address those engineering comments.
On the question of pedestrian amenities, board members asked whether benches or other seating could be added to the through-block connection between College Avenue and Linden. The applicant said prior coordination with a neighbor led to removal of certain planters and seating to reduce congestion, but that the team will revisit options if the neighbor is amenable.
Chair Max Pfeffer summarized next steps: the applicant will provide signage details, mechanical/louver coordination and responses to the engineering memo for the board to review at the next meeting.
No formal vote on the 309 College Avenue site plan was recorded in the transcript; the item will return to the board with requested materials.
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