DRYDEN, N.Y. — A local landowner is proposing a “cottage” rental complex on an 8.3-acre parcel in the town of Dryden, near Ithaca.The plan, presented to the Dryden Planning Board, seeks to create a clustered cottage approach, with 22 of the 26 units concentrated in the existing water and sewer service area on the western side of the parcel. The remaining four cottages would be in the water and sewer extension area, while the eastern side would remain undeveloped.
The units would be accessed from a private drive off Hanshaw Road. However, the cluster-style cottages do not fit the town’s “Neighborhood Residential” zoning, so the developer is pursuing a Planned Unit Development (PUD) approach.
The developer, Joe Lovejoy, said the target market is Cornell students and staff who want a more affordable, modest living option near the university, without shared walls. The cottages would be around 1,000 square feet, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom units.
While the planning board seemed generally favorable towards the cottage concept, they raised some concerns, such as the parking layout and the need for a community building. The proposal is likely to return with more detailed plans and environmental review in the coming months.
The board noted that the town’s comprehensive plan includes PUDs, but this would be the first such development in Dryden. The positive response suggests more “cottage” clusters could be coming to the area.