Local News: March 11, 2024

- Common council Wed meeting short-term rental policy -

The Ithaca Common Council will hold a work session this week to hear about two special topics. The Council will get an update about the Reimagining Public Safety plan. They will also be hearing from staff about the draft short-term rental (STR) policy. The public agenda documents include a memo from city staff. They want to council to address two questions – whether the policy should be limiited to primary residences only. The other question concerns several staff recommendations including that STR permits only be allowed for one or two family dwellings. The meeting is open to the public. The agenda and staff memo are here and other related documents are here.

- Cornell administration invites to right-wing personality Ann Coulter for return visit to campus -

Ann Coulter, a controversial right-wing personality and Cornell graduate has been invited to speak at the university. Coulter came to speak at Cornell in 2022 but left the stage because of audience taunts and jeers.  The Cornell Daily Sun reports that the University’s administration made the invitation to Coulter in January and she has tentatively accepted. Several campus organizations are considering co-sponsoring her visit.

- Elmira Heights to vote on school capital project plan Tuesday -

Residents in the Elmira Heights School District will vote on a $17.8 million capital project on March 12. The Elmira Star Gazette reports officials say funding will not affect property taxes. The capital plan includes a new bus garage. The district currently rents space from Horseheads. The funds would also cover improvements to the elementary and high school; roof and window repairs and security to the elementary and high schools. School officials say over 85% of the costs would come from the state. The rest, about $2.5 million would be paid out of the districts' capital reserve. Voting will be 7 AM to 8 PM at Thomas Edison High School on Tuesday.