This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "City of
Ithaca Design Review Ordinance."
[Amended 1-21-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
Mandatory design review shall apply to all proposals for:
A. New construction, exterior alterations, addition or removal of exterior
signs, or additions to any structure within the zones designated B-1b;
B-2c; B-2d; all CBD zones, including CBD-60, CBD-85, CBD-100, and
CBD-120; C-SU; WE/WFD, CSD, ND, MD; and on any parcel within the 2009
Collegetown Planning Area as designated on the map entitled "2009
Collegetown Urban Plan and Conceptual Design Guidelines Planning Area,"
dated November 2011, a copy of which is on file in the Ithaca City
Clerk's office.
B. New construction, exterior alterations, or additions to any structure
60 feet in height or greater in any zone.
C. Demolition of any primary structure within any zone, and demolition
of any portion of any structures within the zones designated B-1b;
B-2c; B-2d; all CBD zones, including CBD-60, CBD-85, CBD-100, and
CBD-120; C-SU; WE/WFD, CSD, ND, MD; and on any parcel within the 2009
Collegetown Planning Area.
D. New construction of a primary structure on a parcel within any zone
within two years following a demolition of a primary structure on
that parcel.
E. Changes to the site, such as the addition of new or alterations to
existing hardscape elements, including but not limited to paving,
retaining walls, or fences on any parcel within the 2009 Collegetown
Planning Area.
Design review recommendations shall not be binding, unless such
recommendation shall also be incorporated into a decision by the Board
of Zoning Appeals or as a condition of site plan approval by the Planning
and Development Board.
[Amended 6-5-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-15]
A. The Director
of Planning and Development or his or her designee shall determine
whether design review is required when an application for a building
permit or demolition permit is submitted.
B. If the
Director of Code Enforcement or designee determines that design review
is required, the Director of Planning and Development or his or her
designee shall determine whether the proposal shall be subject to
a limited or full design review.
C. The Director
of Planning and Development or his or her designee shall have the
authority to conduct a limited review of proposals of Type II actions.
All proposals for Type I or unlisted actions must go to the Planning
and Development Board for full review.
D. If a proposal
may cause public controversy, the Director of Planning and Development
may refer the proposal to the Planning and Development Board for full
review.