Local News: May 2, 2024

Ithaca Passes Short Term Rental Ordinance, Green New Deal Plan-

Ithaca’s Common Council passed to major resolutions at its regular meeting Wednesday night. The first enacts a long-discussed short term rental ordinance. Under the new regulation, a permit is required to operate a short term rental. A “short term rental” is defined as one for fewer than 30 days. Only owners or long-term lease holders would be granted the permits.

Permit holders must live in the building at least 184 days per year. Short term rentals are allowed only in one- and two-family homes and owner-occupied apartments.

The other resolution Common Council passed Wednesday is called Justice50. It lays out a plan to guide the city in achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The city committed to the goal in 2019 when it passed its Green New Deal.

According to the Ithaca Voice, the policy is based on the federal Justice40 program, and commits the city to spending 50% of its Green New Deal funds on programs that serve climate justice communities. The city defines members of a climate justice community in several ways including people who are food insecure, homeless, or who make less than 65% of the county mean income. 

Teachers Voice Support for Ithaca Proposed School Budget-

Teachers and community members showed up at Tuesday’s school board meeting in Ithaca to voice their support for the district’s proposed budget. Rising costs and reduced state support have led to a sharp increase in this year’s proposed budget. As we reported in April, the board reduced the budget by $4 million after hearing from concerned taxpayers. On Tuesday, teachers explained that If the budget fails to pass, staff will be reduced and class sizes will increase. English teacher Kathryn Cernera said that taxpayer frustration with the budget is better directed at the state and at Cornell. Cornell’s tax-exempt status means it pays little property tax and will contribute only $650,000 to ICSD this year. The proposed budget will need to pass with at least 60% support as it is increasing by more than the state cap of 2%. The district-wide budget vote is on May 21.