[PAGE 1] CITY OF ITHACA 108 E. Green St. Third Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Lisa Nicholas, AICP, Director Telephone: Planning & Development 607-274-6550 Community Development/IURA 607-274-6565 E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS (BZA) AGENDA The regular monthly meeting of the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2025. This meeting is open to the public and will be held in Common Council Chambers, Third Floor, City Hall, 108 E. Green Street, Ithaca, NY, and also conducted remotely using videoconferencing technology. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to participate remotely. Virtual participation in public meetings is authorized by Part WW of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022 of New York State and Local Law 2022-05. More information, including the written procedures governing the use of videoconferencing technology, is available at http://www.cityofithaca.org/339/Boards-Committees. For remote viewing/attendance: A live stream of the proceedings is available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7RtJN1P_RFaFW2IVCnTrDg; a recording will made available through the same link following the conclusion of the proceedings. If you are a member of the public wanting to observe the meeting, please simply watch the live stream. If you are an interested party and would like to sign up to speak at the meeting or submit written comments, please see the instructions at the end of the agenda. I. CALL TO ORDER & AGENDA REVIEW 4:30 PM II. CONTINUED APPEALS None III. NEW APPEALS A. Appeal Number: ZONE-25-9 4:35 PM Address: 224 Floral Avenue & 410 Hudson Street Zone: R-2c & R-2a Applicant: Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC Property Owner: Diane Zahuranec Public Hearing: Yes Description: Appeal of the determination of the Zoning Administrator that the properties at 224 Floral Avenue and 410 Hudson Street do not have established rights to be used as short-term rentals that are not the primary residence of the host. IV. PRELIMINARY PRESENTATIONS None V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 2025 VI. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 5:15 PM A. Upcoming Meetings e at 274-6570 by 12:00 p.m., no later than 2 days (not including weekends and holidays) before the meeting. [PAGE 2] B. BZA Training VII. ADJOURNMENT 5:20 PM ACCESSING ONLINE MEETING MATERIALS http://www.cityofithaca.org/368/Board-of-Zoning-Appeals week before the scheduled BZA meeting. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or need any assistance accessing the materials. COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Interested parties are invited to speak or submit written comments on appeals that come before the Board of Zoning Appeals. feet of the property, who are authorized representatives of recognized adjacent neighborhood civic groups, or who are elected City officials. Interested parties wishing to be heard must register by 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting. To register, please send your name and address to zoningdivision@cityofithaca.org, January 2026 Interested parties may submit comments for public hearings by mail or email. All comments must be received by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting, and they will be included in the record. Each comment is limited to three minutes. Indicate in your email that the comment is for a public hearing and please include your name and address. All comments and questions can be emailed to Megan Wilson at zoningdivision@cityofithaca.org or call (607) 274-6550. 2 [PAGE 5] CITY OF ITHACA 108 E. Green St. Third Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNINGANDDEVELOPMENT Lisa Nicholas, AICP, Director Planning & Development 607-274-6550 Community Development/IURA 607-274-6565 E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org To: Board of Zoning Appeals From: Megan Wilson, Deputy Director of Planning & Development Date: December 18, 2025 Re: ZONE-25-9, 224 Floral Avenue & 410 Hudson Street _______________________________________________________________________________ At its meeting on January 6, 2026, the Board of Zoning Appeals will review an appeal of a zoning determination that I, acting as the Citys Zoning Administrator, made regarding the properties at 224 Floral Avenue and 410 Hudson Street. Property owner Diane Zahuranec requested a determination of established rights to continue using both properties as full-time short-term rentals. The Citys Short-Term Rental Ordinance was adopted on May 1, 2024, and the new regulations allow a primary resident to offer all or part of their residence as a short-term rental upon obtaining a Short- Term Rental Operating Permit. Short-term rentals are only allowed in single- and two-family homes as well as owner-occupied units within a multiple dwelling or mixed-use building. Short-term rentals must have a valid Certificate of Compliance (required for all rental housing in the city) and are subject to City and County occupancy taxes. Ms. Zahuranec is not eligible for a Short-Term Rental Operating Permit for either 224 Floral Avenue or 410 Hudson Street because neither property is her primary residence. Ms. Zahuranec asserted that she had established rights to continue her full-time short-term rental use of both properties. To have established rights to a nonconforming use, the property must have been in legal compliance with the previous regulations at the time of the adoption of the new legislation (§325- 32). For short-term rentals, the property must have (1) maintained a valid Certificate of Compliance and (2) been current on all City and County Occupancy Taxes at the time the Short-Term Rental Ordinance was adopted on May 1, 2024. Upon review of records provided by the applicant, the Citys Building Division, and the City Finance Department, it was found that Ms. Zahuranec had maintained a Certificate of Compliance for both properties and paid County taxes but was not current on City occupancy taxes. Additional details are provided in my attached zoning determination, dated October 15, 2025. Retroactive payment of back taxes does not bring the property into compliance for the purpose of establishing rights to a non-conforming use. Therefore, I, acting as Zoning Administrator, determined that Ms. Zahuranec did not have established rights to continue the short-term rental use of 224 Floral Avenue and 410 Hudson Street. Attorneys for Ms. Zahuranec submitted an application to appeal this determination and maintain that the properties have established rights to the full-time short-term rental use. The Board of Zoning Appeals must review the appeal and decide whether the Zoning Administrator correctly applied the City of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance in the determination that: 1. The property owner failed to pay all required occupancy taxes; and 2. Failure to pay such taxes precludes the property from having established rights to the legal nonconforming use. [PAGE 7] Exhibit D CITY OF ITHACA 108 E. Green St. Third Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Lisa Nicholas, AICP, Director Planning & Development 607-274-6550 Community Development/IURA 607-274-6565 E-Mail: dgrunder@cityofithaca.org October 15, 2025 Diane Zahuranec 4551 Northeast Second Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 RE: Determination of Established Rights for Short-Term Rental Use: 224 Floral Avenue & 410 Hudson Street Dear Ms. Zahuranec, You have requested a determination regarding your established rights to continue the short-term rental use of your properties at 224 Floral Avenue and 410 Hudson Street. Neither property is your primary residence. To have established rights to a nonconforming use, the property must have been in legal compliance with the previous regulations at the time of the adoption of the new legislation. For short- term rentals, the property must have (1) maintained a valid Certificate of Compliance and (2) been current on all City and County Occupancy Taxes at the time the Short-Term Rental Ordinance was adopted on May 1, 2024. In evaluation of your request regarding 224 Floral Avenue, I have considered the following findings: The property located at 224 Floral Avenue is a single-family home purchased by Diane Zahuranec in October 2021. According to City records, 224 Floral Avenue was first identified as a short-term rental on December 1, 2022 and has been rented as a short-term rental consistently since that date. The City of Ithaca Building Division issued a Certificate of Compliance to Diane Zahurabec for the single-family dwelling at 224 Floral Avenue, dated 1/12/2022. The Certificate of Compliance is valid for five years, with an expiration date of 1/12/2027. Diane Zahuranec applied for a Certificate of Authority to collect City of Ithaca Occupancy Tax and was issued Certificate of Authority #1011 Wine Country Inn II for 224 Floral Avenue on September 22, 2021. The first payment of City of Ithaca Occupancy Tax was made for Certificate of Authority #1011 Wine Country Inn II on March 25, 2022 and continued quarterly through quarter 1 of 2023. Quarterly payments or declarations of no income have not been made since quarter 1 of 2023. Based on the above findings, I have determined that Diane Zahuranec does not have established rights to continue the short-term rental use of the property at 224 Floral Avenue. The property was not in compliance with the previous regulations, specifically the payment of required City Occupancy Tax, at the -Term Rental Ordinance was adopted on May 1, 2024. Further use of the property as a short-term rental must comply with all requirements of the City of Ithaca Short-Term Rental Ordinance. In evaluation of your request regarding 410 Hudson Street, I have considered the following findings: [PAGE 8] The property located at 410 Hudson Street is a two-family home purchased by Diane Zahuranec in October 2021. According to City records, 410 Hudson Street was first identified as a short-term rental on July 13, 2022 and has been rented as a short-term rental consistently since that date. The City of Ithaca Building Division issued a Certificate of Compliance to Diane Zahurabec for the single-family dwelling at 410 Hudson Street, dated 5/9/2022. The Certificate of Compliance is valid for five years, with an expiration date of 5/9/2027. Diane Zahuranec applied for a Certificate of Authority to collect City of Ithaca Occupancy Tax and was issued Certificate of Authority #1017 Wine Country Inn III for 410 Hudson Street on December 1, 2021. No quarterly payments of City Occupancy Tax have been made for Certificate of Authority #1017 Wine Country Inn III. Based on the above findings, I have determined that Diane Zahuranec does not have established rights to continue the short-term rental use of the property at 410 Hudson Street. The property was not in compliance with the previous regulations, specifically the payment of required City Occupancy Tax, at the -Term Rental Ordinance was adopted on May 1, 2024. Further use of the property as a short-term rental must comply with all requirements of the City of Ithaca Short-Term Rental Ordinance. A short-term rental operating permit is required for each dwelling unit used as a short-term rental. More information on the regulations and https://www.cityofithaca.org/770/Short-Term-Rentals. Your right to appeal this determination is detailed in the Code of the City of Ithaca, Section 325-27K, and this order may be appealed to the City of Ithaca Board of Zoning Appeals. Your appeal must be received within sixty (60) days of the date of this letter. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (607) 274-6560 or mwilson@cityofithaca.org. Sincerely, Megan Wilson Deputy Director of Planning and Development [PAGE 9] C E R T I F I C A T E O F C O M P L I A N C E issued by the Building Division of THE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK The Director of Code Enforcement hereby certifies that the building located at 224 Floral Avenue used and occupied as a *ONE (1) DWELLING UNITS IN A R-2c ZONE conforms with the requirements of the applicable New York State Codes: the New York State Multiple Residence Law, if applicable, and the City of Ithaca Housing and Zoning Code as to minimum standards applicable to a building of its class and intended occupancy. Declaration of intent has been made by the owner of this building that these standards of safety will be maintained and occupancy will be maintained in compliance with the zoning regulations of the City of Ithaca and issuance of this certificate is predicated upon this declaration. This certificate is, therefore, summarily revocable when, as and if it is determined that said standards are not maintained. This certificate is not transferable. Under present ownership, this certificate shall be valid for a maximum period of Five (5) year from the issue date. Owner: Diane Zahuranec 4531 Northeast Second Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 Electrical Certification: Bill M. Date: 2/24/2014 Housing Code Supervisor Dated: 1/12/2022 *Please note the conditions listed on the attached cover letter dated 1/31/2022 [PAGE 12] C E R T I F I C A T E O F C O M P L I A N C E issued by the Building Division of THE CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK The Director of Code Enforcement hereby certifies that the building located at 410 Hudson Street used and occupied as a *TWO (2) DWELLING UNITS IN A R-2a ZONE conforms with the requirements of the applicable New York State Codes: the New York State Multiple Residence Law, if applicable, and the City of Ithaca Housing and Zoning Code as to minimum standards applicable to a building of its class and intended occupancy. Declaration of intent has been made by the owner of this building that these standards of safety will be maintained and occupancy will be maintained in compliance with the zoning regulations of the City of Ithaca and issuance of this certificate is predicated upon this declaration. This certificate is, therefore, summarily revocable when, as and if it is determined that said standards are not maintained. This certificate is not transferable. Under present ownership, this certificate shall be valid for a maximum period of Five (5) year from the issue date. Owner: Diane Zahuranec 4531 Northeast Second Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 Electrical Certification: Per CM Date: 12/12/2019 Housing Code Supervisor Dated: 5/9/2022 *Please note the conditions listed on the attached cover letter dated 5/18/2022 [PAGE 15] CITY OF ITHACA 108 East Green St Ithaca, New York 14850-5690 __________________________________________________ Telephone: 607-274-6580 To: Board of Zoning Appeals From: Jessica Wright, City Chamberlain Date: December 19, 2025 Re: Occupancy Tax Payments for Certificate of Authority #1011 & #1017 ______________________________________________________________________________ The Zoning Administrator has requested confirmation of occupancy tax payments made for Certificate of Authority #1011 and #1017. Occupancy tax payments were made for Certificate of Authority #1011 on the following dates: 3/17/2022 6/14/2022 9/15/2022 12/12/2022 3/14/2023 There are no records of occupancy tax payments for Certificate of Authority #1017. Jessica Wright City Chamberlain 108 E Green Street Ithaca, NY 14850 [PAGE 18] Exhibit A [PAGE 20] CITY OF ITHACA 108 East Green Street Ithaca, NY 14850-5690 BUILDING DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT 4th Floor City Hall Telephone: 607.274.6508 Email: ibd@cityofithaca.org Maintenance of Certificate of Compliance Requirements Attestation Short-Term Rental Permit Holder Name: ______________________________________ Property Address: _________________________________________________________ I attest that I am maintaining the building and systems in compliance with all applicable New York State Codes, Ithaca Housing Code, Ithaca Exterior Maintenance Code, and the City of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance or any other applicable law or regulations pertaining to the maintenance and safety of this property. SIGNED ____________________________________________ DATE _____________ “An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification” [PAGE 22] Exhibit C