This week for my story on Ithaca Week, I will be reporting on the Planning and Development Board of Ithaca which is seeking new board members for the committee. The Planning and Development Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month and consists of seven voting members. Candidates being sought should have an interest in development, planning, and design. The Planning and Development Board assumes some of the following responsibilities:
- Revising Subdivision and site plan review requests
- Report the Board of Zoning Appeals
- Advises the city’s Common Council regarding the preparation and revision of city ordinances
- Assist in the creation of comprehensive plans to be given and implemented by the Common Council
Planning and Development boards are important for any city with significant business, homes, infrastructure, etc., and help create organized planning, zoning, and comprehensive plans for their respective city. Its overall goal is to create a guide for the efficient growth of their respective communities. It’s important to fill these positions to help our communities thrive. However some residents are not thrilled to hear about the Planning and Development Board, as they feel, the city needs to focus more on fixing what residents are claiming is “unsafe for ridiculously high rents.”
This week I plan to interview members of the Board to discuss the needs of the community for the people who will assume the open positions. I also aim to get the public opinion on the new board members and the changes they would like to see in the community
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