ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — On Wednesday, October 14th at 6:00 p.m., the Ithaca Common Council will hold a public hearing and discussion on a conceptual approval of the Lower Elm Street housing development.

Last month, a public meeting was held at the Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS) about the proposed housing complex developers aim to build on lower Elm Street. The Council plans to vote on conceptual approval on November 4th, 2026. 

The controversial development proposal has been contested by several Ithaca residents, citing concerns over safety, increases in traffic, rezoning of the area, sparse parking spots for West Hill residents, non-student pedestrian traffic through the Lehman Alternative Community School’s campus, among others, according to open letters penned to the Ithaca Common Council from Ithaca residents.

The Council will allot a 60-minute window for comments from the public during the Wednesday night meeting at Ithaca’s City Hall, where members of the public can sign up to speak for up to 3 minutes at a time.

Find more information about the meeting agenda and guidelines for public comment on the City of Ithaca website here.