ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — More than 100 residents have signed a letter ahead of the Ithaca Common Council’s vote on the conceptual approval of the proposed development tonight, November 4th, 2026.

The lower Elm Street Planned Unit Development (PUD) was the center of an Ithaca Common Council meeting on October 14th, 2026, where members of the public had the opportunity to voice their concerns or support. On September 24th, 2026, 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. 

Concerns over safety, destruction of 3.12 acres of mature urban forest, 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, have been expressed about the proposed development, according to open letters penned to the Ithaca Common Council from Ithaca residents.

In a recent official statement, Ithaca attorney Daniel Hoffman and Yayoi Koizumi of Zero Waste Ithaca stated, “The developer is seeking exceptional zoning flexibility, yet the claimed community benefits, including housing affordability, lack binding commitments.

Our primary request is that Council reject conceptual approval. If Council chooses to proceed, we have proposed detailed amendments establishing enforceable environmental and community protections. Yet none of these important safeguards appear in the published draft resolution, despite the support of more than 100 community members.”