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Dear Neighbors:
At last Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting, a Public Hearing was opened to consider two Local Laws that would amend existing Village Zoning laws. The Village Board has been studying these proposed zoning changes for some time and has engaged AKRF Consultants to study the impacts and the possible outcomes if these laws are implemented. AKRF representative Aaron Werner presented the study results at the Public Hearing.
It is important to remember that this is the beginning of a lengthy process in which the Board is required to perform complete SEQRA and Consistency reviews. Public input is an important part of this process. To that end, this week’s Public Hearing was not closed and will remain open for more comments in the future. Beyond that, it is important to understand that these are zoning amendments, i.e. changes to what might be legally built, and not actual projects.
Here are the highlights of the presentation. Proposed Local Law #11 would expand the area of the currently existing Harmon South Riverside Gateway (HSRG) area to include 4 parcels on Wayne and Clinton Streets as well as the lot on the southeast side of South Riverside, the location of ET Equipment. (The latter site Is proposed to have its current split zoning of C-2 and RA-5 combined to all C-2). Proposed Local Law #12 would affect only the 3 parcels on Croton Point Avenue, west of Route 9 which are located in the Light Industrial (LI) zoning district to allow Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning.
Proposed Local Laws 11 and 12 would allow, by Special Permit, multi-family residential or mixed-use (residential above commercial) as a Special Permit Use in their respective districts. While Mixed-Use development is already allowed by Special Permit in the HSRG area, this would also be extended to the TOD designated area. Both proposed local laws would allow Multi-family residential use as well by Special Permit. The height and FAR restrictions in the HSRG zone would remain at 35’ and 0.8 FAR. The new proposed TOD area in the LI district would permit 5 stories and a 1.2 FAR (Floor Area Ratio).
AKRF was asked by the Village to analyze the potential outcomes of these zoning changes if they were fully implemented within their respective zoning districts. They have provided data on the maximum buildout scenario where all existing uses would be replaced by Mixed use or Multi-family developments (an unlikely scenario). The analyses included total potential buildout data as well as schools, traffic and visual impacts. All this data is available on the Village website under Projects and Initiatives.
While these proposed zoning changes may appear to be substantial, past experience indicates that buildout as a result of zoning changes tend to be very gradual, usually dependent upon decisions by individual property owners. As an example, in the 10-plus years since the Harmon Gateway Zoning was implemented which, for the first time, allowed mixed-uses (residential above commercial) in an area with 45 eligible parcels, only one mixed-use building has been erected with 8 residential units at 379 South Riverside.
The Board expects this to be a thorough process and welcomes public input. Opening a public hearing on the proposed changes in the early stage, as occurred this week, is a way to ensure maximum knowledge and understanding of the proposed zoning changes. It is hoped that residents will keep raising the questions that need to be answered as the proposals move ahead.
Ann Gallelli, Deputy Mayor
Dear Neighbors
Croton residents send a good portion of our tax dollars to Washington every year. So, it is great when we get them back to provide vital services here in the Village. That’s why an email the Village received on Friday which began: “Congratulations! Your grant application submitted under the Grant Programs Directorate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grants has been approved for award” was very welcome news indeed.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program is administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
Croton was awarded $39,000 to acquire vital equipment such as air packs, masks and other priorities for our dedicated volunteer firefighters. We do our best to provide the resources which the Fire Department needs. But the help we can get from the federal side is appreciated as a very beneficial supplement to our own local funding.
There was a time when the federal government provided no direct assistance to first responders, believing that was solely a local responsibility. Fortunately, local elected officials around the country, joined by their police, fire, and EMS leaders turned that philosophy around and convinced Congress and the White House to start making these investments in safety. The results were programs such as the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) in the Justice Department and FEMA programs like AFG and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER).
Croton will always be careful when it comes to applying for federal grants. We want to make sure it is our priorities which drive the pursuit of these funds, and not the other way around. In the case of AFG we were fortunate to be guided by Village Manager Bryan Healy and his team and Fire Chief John Munson, whose excellent collaboration led to this AFG grant success.
Rainy weather caused our 9/11 ceremony this year to take place in the Harmon Firehouse. In some ways though, it was so appropriate since the bravery and sacrifice of our firefighters is so much of what 9/11 means to us all. Croton’s Fire Department deserves the best resources available, and we will do our best to make sure that is so.
Len Simon, Trustee
Village of Croton-on-Hudson
Dear neighbor, Here is the 595th installment of Decoding Village Agendas to keep Croton residents informed of the actions of the Village Board at their meetings. I continue to add recipients to this email update on agendas so you may be receiving it for the first time. I enjoy getting your feedback and hope to continue to hear from you. If you do not wish to receive these periodic email updates from me, please reply to this email and your name will be removed from the email list.
Ann Gallelli
Decoding Village Agendas – September 19, 2022
Regular Meeting of the Village Board
7:00 pm
Georgianna Grant Room
Municipal Building
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Hearing to consider Local Law Introductory No. 11 of 2022 and Local Law Introductory No. 12 of 2022 to amend Chapter 230 of the Village Code, Zoning, determining that the Proposed Action is a Type 1 Action under SEQRA, declaring the Village Board to be Lead Agency under SEQRA, issuing the EAF and CAF and referring the necessary documents to the Village Planning Board, Waterfront Advisory Committee and Westchester County Planning Board as required by law.
Local Law 11 would expand the area of the Harmon South Riverside Gateway Overlay area to include several lots at the north end of Wayne Street as well as the lot on South Riverside where ET Equipment is currently located. It would also expand the zone’s potential uses to include multi-family residential.
Local Law 12 would allow Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the Light Industrial (LI) zone at the west end of Croton Point Avenue, west of Route 9 on lots fronting on Croton Point Avenue. (Currently this is where Parking Lot A is located and two commercial buildings.) Allowable uses would include both mixed-use and multi-family residential with a maximum height of 40 feet or 5 stories.
Backup documents, including studies by the Village consultants, AKRF, are available on the Agenda website.
CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Email from FEMA regarding the FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award Notification. The Village is notified that they will be recipients of a Firefighters Grant award previously applied for.
b. Notice of Application from Champlain Hudson Power Express to the Public Service Commission regarding the proposed circuit from the Canadian Border to New York City. The Village is being notified that a certificate of environmental compatibility issued to the Champlain Hudson Power Express in 2013 is under consideration for amendment by the NYS PSC. The Village is notifed as an “interested party” as the project affects the Hudson River.
c. Notice of Intent from the Croton-Harmon School District to declare Lead Agency under SEQRA on the Croton Harmon UFSD/District-Wide Capital Improvement/Infrastructure Project. The Village is notified of the School District’s intent to undertake some major infrastructure and building improvement projects which will occur in the boundaries of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson.
d. Letter from Petra Vatne requesting a building permit fee waiver for the property at 217 Half Moon Bay Drive. The Vatne’s are completing awork initially permitted to a contractor but now being completed by themselves. They would like a refund of the permit fee.
PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:
a. Consider scheduling a public hearing on Local Law Introductory No. 13 of 2022 to amend Chapter 215 of the Village Code, Vehicles and Traffic, for Monday, October 3, at 7 PM. This calls for a public hearing that would amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law to permit 4 hour parking of non-permitted vehicles located on streets in the Residential Parking System areas.
b. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $7,750 for new Village wayfinding signs. The signs would replace the existing wayfinding signs, which have been weathered over a number of years and the signs will also be updated to ensure visitors to the Village know where municipal parking exists.
c. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the General Fund 2022-2023 budget in the amount of $310,617.69 to allocate funds for Department of Public Works based services. This reallocates funds to the specific DPW accounts in which the services were provided.
d. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $3,270.24 for decorative planters in the Upper Village. The Village would install three decorative planters at the intersection of Grand Street and Old Post Road South in the Upper Village. The purpose of these planters is to enhance pedestrian safety at the intersection in line with the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee’s Master Plan document
e. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute a license agreement with Regan Development Corporation to permit access to the property located at 41-51 Maple Street for site work preparations. The Village and the developer of the former Katz property are working towards the official property closing. The developer would like to begin site work before the official closing takes place. This agreement would allow for such work to proceed.
Dear neighbor, Here is the 594th installment of Decoding Village Agendas to keep Croton residents informed of the actions of the Village Board at their meetings. I continue to add recipients to this email update on agendas so you may be receiving it for the first time. I enjoy getting your feedback and hope to continue to hear from you. If you do not wish to receive these periodic email updates from me, please reply to this email and your name will be removed from the email list.
Ann Gallelli
Decoding Village Agendas – September 12, 2022
Work Session of the Village Board
7:30 pm
Georgianna Grant Room
Municipal Building
NOTE: This meeting starts at 7:30 pm.
1. First Quarter Financial Update Treasurer Tucker presents the first quarter update showing an increase in budgeted revenue of $430,309 and First Quarter expenses of $5,488,943.30.
2. Discussion on Updated Senior Tax Exemption NYS recently passed legislation that increases the eligibility for Senior Property Tax Exemptions from an annual income of $29,000 to $50,000. Each taxing authority can decide whether to opt-in to this or not. Manager Healy provided the following information regarding Senior property exemptions in Croton as background for this discussion:
“ The Village currently maintains a senior tax exemption at the maximum level of 50% for those senior citizens earning $29,000/year or less. There is also a downward sliding scale for those earning more than $29,000/year, but less than $37,400/year. As of this year, a total of 35 properties have applied for and received the senior tax exemption. Unlike other tax exemptions (firefighter and veteran), seniors must apply annually for this exemption to ensure their income remains within the eligible range. In trying to determine how many residents would be eligible under this new legislation, I reviewed the income data contained in the 2013-2017 American Community Survey for the Village. There are approximately 350 households that earn less than $30,000, meaning that 10% of those households are eligible for and have applied for the senior tax exemption. An additional 250 households make between $30,000 and $50,000. If we were to extrapolate this data based on the preceding numbers, we could reasonably expect another 25 households to be eligible for a new senior tax exemption. I also reviewed the number of households currently receiving the Enhanced STAR exemption in the Village. The number of households receiving this exemption is 162 (data provided by the Town of Cortlandt). The Enhanced STAR income level ($93,200) is approximately double that of the new senior property tax exemption level. Based on this information, we could reasonably expect another 46 households to be eligible for a new senior tax exemption.”
3. Harmon Parking Survey Results The Village recently sent a survey to residents of the Benedict Blvd, Hastings and Young Avenues area of the Village in regard to complaints about the consistency of regulations in this area and a possible change in regulations as follows: a proposal to implement a four-hour maximum street parking rule, effective weekdays between 7 AM and 7 PM on Benedict Boulevard, Hastings Avenue, and Young Avenue outside of the Residential Parking Permit Area. . Of 83 surveys sent out, 29 were returned. With 16 saying parking was still an issue on their street, 15 support a change in regulations and 12 oppose.
Dear neighbor, Here is the 593rdinstallment of Decoding Village Agendas to keep Croton residents informed of the actions of the Village Board at their meetings. I continue to add recipients to this email update on agendas so you may be receiving it for the first time. I enjoy getting your feedback and hope to continue to hear from you. If you do not wish to receive these periodic email updates from me, please reply to this email and your name will be removed from the email list.
Ann Gallelli
Decoding Village Agendas – September 6, 2022
Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees
In the Georgianna Grant room
Stanley Kellerhouse Municipal Building
7:00 pm
CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Memo from Village Manager Bryan Healy regarding the Village’s Assessing Unit Status. Manager Healy presents various options for the Village Board to consider with regard to retaining a Village Assessment roll or switching to the Town’s assessment roll. With the recent death of Village Assessor Waitkins, Croton currently has no Assessor. The Village has the option of giving up its assessing role and using the assessment of the Town. The Village assessment is used to determine a resident’s Village Tax. This tax is approximately 30% of a resident’s total tax bill. The remaining 70% (County, School and Town taxes) are based on the Town’s assessment, not the Village’s.
b. Letters from Senator Peter Harckham and DOT Regional Director Lance MacMillan regarding repairs to the Route 9/9A Right-of-Way Fencing. Following a letter from Senator Harckham regarding the un-repaired fence on Route 9/91, Regional Director MacMillan replied that it will be repaired sometime this Fall.
c. Emails from John Munson, Fire Council Secretary, regarding membership changes in the Croton Fire Department. As required, the Fire Council is updating the Village Board on fire Department membership changes.
d. Referral from the Town of Cortlandt regarding a Public Hearing for the property located at 1065 Quaker Bridge Road East. The Village is being Noticed of a public hearing on a site plan application and Special Permit for a non-school curriculum program at the former Danish Home for the Aged.
e. Referral from the Town of Cortlandt regarding a Public Hearing for the property located at 2006 Albany Post Road. The Village is being Noticed of a Public Hearing for a renewal of the existing special permit for this property at the north boundary of the Village. Since its initial permitting, a new garage has been added to the property.
PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:
a. Consider scheduling a Public Hearing for September 19, 2022, at 7 PM, in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building to consider Local Law Introductory No. 9 of 2022 and Local Law Introductory No. 10 of 2022 to amend Chapter 230 of the Village Code, Zoning, determining that the Proposed Action is a Type 1 Action under SEQRA, declaring the Village Board to be Lead Agency under SEQRA, issuing the EAF and CAF and referring the necessary documents to the Village Planning Board, Waterfront Advisory Committee and Westchester County Planning Board as required by law. The Board is taking the first steps in amending its zoning laws by scheduling a Public Hearing for two proposed amendments. Local Law 9 would expand the area of what is now the Harmon Gateway Overlay zone to include property on the east side of South Riverside, across from ShopRite as well 5 lots on Wayne Street. It would also permit multi-family residential use as a permitted use and not restrict the third story roofline. Local Law 10 would allow Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for mixed use and multi-family residential use in the Light Industrial (LI) district in the lots to the west of Route 9 fronting on Croton Point Avenue. In preparing for these proposed zoning changes, the Village has utilized the consultant services of AKRF. Their reports and analyses are available as part of the backup documents to this agenda.
b. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $2,500 for a property appraisal. This is a required step for the application for a NYS EV Charger grant.
c. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to process a tax refund in the amount of $2,607.54 for the property located at 5 O’Riley Court (designated on the tax maps as Section 67.20, Block 003, Lot 035.12) due to the settlement of a SCAR petition. As a result of a Court of Assessment review decision, a refund will be made.
The Croton Democrats 