Navajo Fields (aka Hidden Valleys): In a continuation of the December 10, 2024 meeting, most of the discussion focused on the extent of potential new development in the East Main Street corridor and the proposed sewer line along East Main Street. Regarding sewers, the applicant said that if any of the properties are not currently in the county sewer district he will pay the “buy in” cost to the county and will also make a contribution towards the hook up cost for property owners. (Note: Some properties along East Main Street are currently in the county sewer district although they do not have sewers.)
The applicant’s traffic study will be reviewed by the town’s traffic consultant and paid for by the applicant.
Planning Director Tegeder and the applicant’s attorney disagreed on what additional information the applicant needed to provide. Mr. Tegeder advised the Board that because the extension request was for a specific property, more information, e.g., about wetlands and flood plains, was needed before the Town Board could make a SEQRA finding. But the applicant’s attorney argued that the additional information would be needed only after the property was added to the overlay district and the Town Board granted overlay status. Requiring the additional information now, he said, would duplicate what the applicant would have to do for the Planning Board when it reviewed the development’s site plan.
The discussion will continue at a newly scheduled Town Board work session meeting, January 28.
Smoke and Vape Law. The Board referred out a proposed new local law that limits new smoke and vape shops within 1,500 feet of schools, parks, houses of worship and other locations. The law would also limit advertising smoke and vape products in windows for ALL shops within the same 1,500 feet. According to Supervisor Lachterman, because of the way the state law regulates tobacco and vape shops, it would not be legal to act on Councilman Esposito’s suggestion that would totally ban vape shops. A date was not set for the public hearing.
For a copy of the law, check https://www.yorktownny.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/town_clerk/page/45678/proposed_tobacco_control_law.pdf
Locked bicycles. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Martorano advised the Board that there’s nothing in existing town law that allows his staff to remove what appears to be abandoned bicycles from the town’s bike racks. To address the problem, he suggested the town adopt a law that would allow staff to place time sensitive stickers on the bikes that would advise owners that if the bike was not removed by a certain date, it would be removed and stored in the police department. The town attorney was asked to draft a local law.
Traffic issues: At the request of Highway Superintendent, the Board set a February 4 public hearing for a 4-way stop sign at intersection of Underhill Avenue and Hanover Street. The Traffic Safety Committee is also doing further studies at the intersections of Quinlan and London, Sycamore and Sheila and Colonial and Granite Springs Road.
Underhill Farms: (See the January 13, 2025 Planning Board meeting summary for background.) In a 4-1 vote, the Board authorized the supervisor to sign the open space and utility easements. Councilwoman Siegel voted no, preferring to give the Recreation Commission a chance to review the open space easement as it sets the rules for the public use of the private property on the site.
Field Home: The Board voted to advertise a RFP for the Field Home that includes three tracks or options for responders: Either purchase or lease the building for an adaptive reuse, or for a consultant to conduct additional studies of the building’s physical condition. Although Councilwoman Siegel questioned the need for the consultant option and was concerned that it might delay or limit purchase or lease responses, she voted for the RFP in order to move the process along. Before releasing the RFP, the Planning Department will review the document for some possible additional changes.
A video of the meeting is available at: https://yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1906