The board actually listened and voted against that massive change for Wyckoff so we can finally breathe a little easier now. It feels surreal that the neighborhood character is safe but I will definitely be keeping an eye on any future permit applications just to be sure.
November 30, 2015
Final supporters
Cayuga Heights Village Planning Board
936 Hanshaw Rd
Ithaca NY 14850 October 20, 2015
Dear Esteemed Board Members,
We, the undersigned, write to respectfully request that the Board "Disapprove" of the requested change of Certificate of Occupancy for 520 Wyckoff Rd (which would allow for a Sorority Residence) based on the following consensus that this is an inappropriate usage for the lot and the location.
We underscore this conclusion with the following points:
1. Significant quality of life, social, environmental and congestion impacts when Sisters of the 118 member Sorority use the site for informal social gatherings or meetings
2. Overcrowding for the land and the neighborhood
3. Irreversible change to the quality of life for nearby residents
4. Congestion and increased traffic flow with insufficient on-site parking
5. Potential for significant decrease in adjacent and nearby property values
6. Possible irretrievable disfiguring of Village historicity and character
7. Incongruent high traffic function of 12-15 Sorority residents in a predominantly residential area
8. Unavoidable burden of increased noise of daily activity exacerbated by the smaller lot size and proximity to neighbors
9. Increased evening and late night activity with projected increased traffic in a predominantly residential neighborhood
10. Possible costly infrastructure changes levied against the Village Tax Payers
We respect the stellar reputation of Sororities at large and appreciate their social and philanthropic ventures which add value back into the Community. However, we seek for the Board to vote against approval of this change, not based on the reputation of Sororities but based on the inappropriateness of usage of the lot and location of 520 Wyckoff Rd by a Sorority. Properly situated, we welcome a Sorority and embrace the opportunity to engage the next generation of Leaders in our midst.
As quoted from the Village Comprehensive Plan, which echoes the founding principles of the Village: "The overarching goal for the Planning Board in drafting this Comprehensive Plan has been to strike a proper balance between sustaining those factors that make today’s Village a desirable place to live and addressing proactively the short and long term changes that will inevitably arise ... [while we look to] preserve the natural, architectural, cultural, historic, and scenic resources that make the Village a distinctive community."
With that objective in mind, we look forward to working in a positive manner with Mayor Kate Supron, the Planning Board, Mr Brent Cross, Village Engineer and Zoning Officer, all Village Officials, and fellow Residents in an effort to continue to protect the serenity, safety and historic nature of Cayuga Heights.
Respectfully yours,
(See the Undersigned)
Updates
October 25, 2015
I really did not think this would gain so much traction when I started typing it out on my laptop during that late night frustration. It is honestly surreal seeing so many people who actually care about the character of our neighborhood because for a while I felt like I was shouting into the void alone.
Reached 100 supporters
October 25, 2015
61 Comments
This is a family neighborhood with little kids (including mine). Housing of this kind would make me feel uncomfortable as a mom - and it's not an appropriate use of a single family home on a mostly residential street.
The thought of having so many vehicles parked along that stretch of Wyckoff Road is frightening and could create a considerable hazard to drivers.
Our friends live at 518 Wyckoff and another family dear to us across from 520 -- we have known the neighborhood for 2 decades as a quiet single-family residential area. Surely the presence of a sorority changes all that? I am sure the sorority would be best served in a neighborhood which serves the sorority need's better and they are welcomed .
The University overall has enough current buildings on campus or that they own that should be utilized or purchased by this Sorority for use on campus and NOT inside a nearby village residential area. Leave residential housing for residents and student housing/fraternities on campus with no more campus 'creep' taking over more properties of the community.
If you rezone this area to allow a sorority, there would be nothing stopping a fraternity house from moving in next. As someone who walked through a block of fraternity houses daily for 40 years, I'd be worried not just about noise but things like streets full of broken bottles.
Please listen to your residents!
Please disapprove. No one should have their property values and peace of mind stolen in this way.
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The board actually listened and voted against that massive change for Wyckoff so we can finally breathe a little easier now. It feels surreal that the neighborhood character is safe but I will definitely be keeping an eye on any future permit applications just to be sure.
November 30, 2015
Final supporters
Cayuga Heights Village Planning Board
936 Hanshaw Rd
Ithaca NY 14850 October 20, 2015
Dear Esteemed Board Members,
We, the undersigned, write to respectfully request that the Board "Disapprove" of the requested change of Certificate of Occupancy for 520 Wyckoff Rd (which would allow for a Sorority Residence) based on the following consensus that this is an inappropriate usage for the lot and the location.
We underscore this conclusion with the following points:
1. Significant quality of life, social, environmental and congestion impacts when Sisters of the 118 member Sorority use the site for informal social gatherings or meetings
2. Overcrowding for the land and the neighborhood
3. Irreversible change to the quality of life for nearby residents
4. Congestion and increased traffic flow with insufficient on-site parking
5. Potential for significant decrease in adjacent and nearby property values
6. Possible irretrievable disfiguring of Village historicity and character
7. Incongruent high traffic function of 12-15 Sorority residents in a predominantly residential area
8. Unavoidable burden of increased noise of daily activity exacerbated by the smaller lot size and proximity to neighbors
9. Increased evening and late night activity with projected increased traffic in a predominantly residential neighborhood
10. Possible costly infrastructure changes levied against the Village Tax Payers
We respect the stellar reputation of Sororities at large and appreciate their social and philanthropic ventures which add value back into the Community. However, we seek for the Board to vote against approval of this change, not based on the reputation of Sororities but based on the inappropriateness of usage of the lot and location of 520 Wyckoff Rd by a Sorority. Properly situated, we welcome a Sorority and embrace the opportunity to engage the next generation of Leaders in our midst.
As quoted from the Village Comprehensive Plan, which echoes the founding principles of the Village: "The overarching goal for the Planning Board in drafting this Comprehensive Plan has been to strike a proper balance between sustaining those factors that make today’s Village a desirable place to live and addressing proactively the short and long term changes that will inevitably arise ... [while we look to] preserve the natural, architectural, cultural, historic, and scenic resources that make the Village a distinctive community."
With that objective in mind, we look forward to working in a positive manner with Mayor Kate Supron, the Planning Board, Mr Brent Cross, Village Engineer and Zoning Officer, all Village Officials, and fellow Residents in an effort to continue to protect the serenity, safety and historic nature of Cayuga Heights.
Respectfully yours,
(See the Undersigned)
Updates
October 25, 2015
I really did not think this would gain so much traction when I started typing it out on my laptop during that late night frustration. It is honestly surreal seeing so many people who actually care about the character of our neighborhood because for a while I felt like I was shouting into the void alone.
Reached 100 supporters
October 25, 2015
61 Comments
I agree wholeheartedly with all the points made in the petition letter. Another argument for disapproving the change is that it may constitute a precedent. While precedents are not legally binding or even predictive for future Planning Board decisions, approving this change may still encourage future requests and may make it that much harder to disapprove them.
This is a family neighborhood with little kids (including mine). Housing of this kind would make me feel uncomfortable as a mom - and it's not an appropriate use of a single family home on a mostly residential street.
The thought of having so many vehicles parked along that stretch of Wyckoff Road is frightening and could create a considerable hazard to drivers.
Our friends live at 518 Wyckoff and another family dear to us across from 520 -- we have known the neighborhood for 2 decades as a quiet single-family residential area. Surely the presence of a sorority changes all that? I am sure the sorority would be best served in a neighborhood which serves the sorority need's better and they are welcomed .
The University overall has enough current buildings on campus or that they own that should be utilized or purchased by this Sorority for use on campus and NOT inside a nearby village residential area. Leave residential housing for residents and student housing/fraternities on campus with no more campus 'creep' taking over more properties of the community.
If you rezone this area to allow a sorority, there would be nothing stopping a fraternity house from moving in next. As someone who walked through a block of fraternity houses daily for 40 years, I'd be worried not just about noise but things like streets full of broken bottles.
Please listen to your residents!
Please disapprove. No one should have their property values and peace of mind stolen in this way.
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I agree wholeheartedly with all the points made in the petition letter. Another argument for disapproving the change is that it may constitute a precedent. While precedents are not legally binding or even predictive for future Planning Board decisions, approving this change may still encourage future requests and may make it that much harder to disapprove them.