Underhill Farms/Senior Center. (See Planning Board, April 7, 2025.) The only discussion relative to the Board approving previously discussed amendments to the site plan was the shared parking provision for the proposed senior center on the abutting Beaver Ridge property. Originally conceived as a 4,000 sf building that would house a senior center and the office for the Parks & Rec Department, the plan now calls for only a 3,000 sf building to be used only for the senior center.
While the shared parking can be anywhere on the Underhill Farms site, the issue was the permitted hours over and above the senior center use which would be Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm. Negotiations between the developer and unspecified town officials discussed whether additional parking should be allowed 6, 9, or 12 times a year for other uses of the building. Ultimately, the Board decided that 6 times a year was sufficient. The additional parking will be subject to the town giving the developer two weeks written notice.
Note: There is no available parking for the senior center on the Beaver Ridge site.
There was also a brief mention of a revised landscape plan around the Underhill House that now includes a patio at the rear of house where a swimming pool for the apartment building was originally planned. There will also be an addition to the rear of the house for the kitchen facilities.
The amended site plan was approved.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). (See Planning Board, April 7, 2025.) The Board’s main concern was the potential cumulative impact of the law and whether it could dramatically change the character of a single family neighborhood. Some of the concerns were allayed, however, when it became apparent during the discussion that because Board members had not received a redlined version of the law, they weren’t familiar with the entire law and what impact the proposed changes might make. Also, Sarah Wilson, chairman of the Community Housing Board, explained the neighborhood protection provisions in the existing law. She also advised the Board that based on the number of applications before the Zoning Board, about 10 a year, and approximately 179 existing ADU permits, the law, which has been in effect since the 1980s, did not appear to have created any such problem.
The Planning Department will draft a memo to the Town Board that will be reviewed by the Planning Board at its May 5 meeting the day before the Town Board hearing
Battery Storage Law. On a referral from the Town Board, the Board considered the proposed local law that would totally ban large scale Tier 2 storage facilities; Smaller Tier 1 facilities typically found in residences would continued to be allowed. Citing the future need for additional energy, the Board opposed the ban as being short sighted. (Note: The Town Board will hold a public hearing on the law on May 6.)
Solar Law. On a referral from the Town Board, the Board considered the proposed local law that would ban large scale ground mounted solar farms; they would only be allowed as an accessory use in commercial properties. Like its position on battery storage, the Board acknowledged the need for additional energy and believed the ban was short sighted. Board members also believed that with adequate screening, some residential properties were suitable for solar farms, although one member expressed concern about sites that would remove a large percentage of a woodland.
Waiving its normal procedures that do not allow public comment during work sessions, the Board allowed the attorney representing the Jacob Farm solar farm application to speak. Stating that his client’s plan was appropriate for the site and that it would help lower electric bills for town residents, he advised the Town Board to ”take a breath.”
The Board will approve a memo at its next meeting.
The text of the law, identified as “draft 2” is available on the Town Clerk’s web page. (Note: the Town Board has not set a hearing date yet.)
A video of the meeting is available at https://yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1945