Two protected natural areas could be altered by a proposed housing project, reigniting a long-running land-use debate, according to The Ithaca Voice.
A plan by New York Land & Lakes would add about 19 single-family homes on 236 acres in Dryden, potentially impacting Trillium Woods and the Freeville Fir Tree Swamp. Both sites hold Unique Natural Area status due to rare plants and sensitive ecosystems, though that designation isn’t legally binding.
Town planners say the review could take up to six months and must balance housing shortages with environmental protection. Conservation groups urge excluding both areas entirely from development, warning that partial preservation could still cause permanent damage.
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