Solar Law. Although listed on the agenda for a “decision statement,” without any discussion the Board put off voting on a proposed law that would have banned large scale ground mounted solar farms in residential zones as a permitted main use. Supervisor Lachterman said he planned to attend a meeting of the town’s Climate Smart Committee next week for a possible discussion of the law.
Commerce Street/Downing Drive streetscape. The Board took the first step to move forward on the long delayed streetscape plan that dates back over a decade. The Board authorized the expenditure of up to $18,000 to do the necessary survey work needed before beginning to design the project. The plan includes the entire length of Downing Drive from Commerce Street to the intersection of Route 118 and Veterans Road from Commerce Street to Downing Drive.
Route 202/35 intersection. (See Town Board, February 25, 2025.) The Board voted to send a formal request to the DOT to study the feasibility of the road widening suggested by a town resident.
Shrub Oak pool. The Board voted to advertise for bids for repairs to the pool. (Note: the plan is to begin construction after the close of the summer pool season.)
Peekskill Sewer districts. During my opening comments, I asked my colleagues to do a comprehensive financial analysis of how the districts’ operation and maintenance costs could be funded before they decide to fund the expenses by having all 4,100 district taxpayers pay a surcharge on their water bill.
While the surcharge would reduce a portion of the sewer tax some district taxpayers currently pay, many would pay the surcharge for the first time and some taxpayers who currently pay a surcharge would see the rate possibly doubled.
Both Supervisor Lachterman and Councilman Esposito said they opposed any new tax that could fund any operation and maintenance costs.
Hallocks Mill sewer district. A resolution to set a public hearing on a $6 million bond to finance upgrades in the Hallocks Mill Sewer district was taken off the agenda so that staff could reconcile different cost figures.
New development. During my opening comments I asked my colleagues to have a work session discussion on needed changes to the Zoning Code that determine how many units can be built on a site. The changes dealt primarily with the greater number of units currently allowed in overlay districts.
In addition to the pending request to extend the Lake Osceola Overlay District to allow for a new 254 unit development on the Navajo Fields site, the town has received a request to create a Shrub Oak Overlay District that would pave the way for a 150 unit development at Barger Street and Route 6.
Before scheduling a work session discussion, Supervisor Lachterman said he would first have staff look into whether changes were needed in the current Zoning Code.
A video of the meeting is available at yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1967