309 College Avenue team revises trash recess, overhang and bike‑rack plans; board requests lighting, column and retaining‑wall details
March 14, 2026 | Ithaca City, Tompkins County, New York
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Presenters for the 309 College Avenue apartment project updated the Project Review Committee on Feb. 13 about neighborhood concerns and design iterations focused on the alley and pedestrian crossing.
Nick described three main neighborhood issues: the height of a building overhang facing College Avenue, the location of bike racks, and trash servicing. To reduce visual impact and activation concerns, the team recessed the trash room behind the building plane so the double doors are set back rather than opening directly into the alley. The team said service providers indicated garbage must be collected from College Avenue because Lynden (Lynen) is at a higher elevation and it would be unsafe to push a large dumpster up the slope.
On the overhang, the team said structural options are under review that could remove ground‑level columns by using a transfer slab and cantilevering upper floors — a change that would add significant cost but would open the pedestrian crossing by removing slender columns. The applicants said they are exploring whether the seven‑story design can be shifted structurally to reduce columns.
Board members raised safety and detail requests: they asked the team to present lighting and security plans for the recessed trash niche (possible cameras or targeted lighting), to show a column‑location plan that clarifies which columns belong to which building at the shared edge, and to include a deeper sight section for the retaining wall at the rear parking area to show gates or fences and vertical separation. Members also asked the team to explain how any proposed curb‑cut or loading‑zone expansion would affect sidewalk width and whether removed trees could be replaced nearby.
What happens next
The committee asked the applicants to bring to the full board: night‑time lighting renderings, a management/operations plan for construction and long‑term servicing, column location and elevation plans, retaining‑wall sections, and demonstration of how any curb‑cut or loading‑zone modifications will preserve safe pedestrian clearances and plantings. No committee vote was taken; the applicants were directed to return to the planning board with the requested materials.
Speakers and proper names
Presenters identified themselves as Charlie and Nick from the project team; neighbors and landowner Josh was referenced in relation to bike‑rack placement and alley adjacency.
Nick described three main neighborhood issues: the height of a building overhang facing College Avenue, the location of bike racks, and trash servicing. To reduce visual impact and activation concerns, the team recessed the trash room behind the building plane so the double doors are set back rather than opening directly into the alley. The team said service providers indicated garbage must be collected from College Avenue because Lynden (Lynen) is at a higher elevation and it would be unsafe to push a large dumpster up the slope.
On the overhang, the team said structural options are under review that could remove ground‑level columns by using a transfer slab and cantilevering upper floors — a change that would add significant cost but would open the pedestrian crossing by removing slender columns. The applicants said they are exploring whether the seven‑story design can be shifted structurally to reduce columns.
Board members raised safety and detail requests: they asked the team to present lighting and security plans for the recessed trash niche (possible cameras or targeted lighting), to show a column‑location plan that clarifies which columns belong to which building at the shared edge, and to include a deeper sight section for the retaining wall at the rear parking area to show gates or fences and vertical separation. Members also asked the team to explain how any proposed curb‑cut or loading‑zone expansion would affect sidewalk width and whether removed trees could be replaced nearby.
What happens next
The committee asked the applicants to bring to the full board: night‑time lighting renderings, a management/operations plan for construction and long‑term servicing, column location and elevation plans, retaining‑wall sections, and demonstration of how any curb‑cut or loading‑zone modifications will preserve safe pedestrian clearances and plantings. No committee vote was taken; the applicants were directed to return to the planning board with the requested materials.
Speakers and proper names
Presenters identified themselves as Charlie and Nick from the project team; neighbors and landowner Josh was referenced in relation to bike‑rack placement and alley adjacency.
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