Ithaca’s “Landmarks Preservation Ordinance,” passed in December 1970, was one of the first local ordinances of its kind in New York State. Leading up its passage, Historic Ithaca was concerned with the protection of the DeWitt Park area. In 1969, Stephen Jacobs, Cornell University professor and President of Historic Ithaca’s Board, was one of the first to argue for such an ordinance. Historic Ithaca, in partnership with Professor Ernest Roberts of Cornell University’s School of Law, drafted the final ordinance, which established the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission. Since then, the ILPC has designated 8 local historic districts and 24 individual landmarks.
Newsletter: Spring 1971, Julee's thesis