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Directory DEC: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NYSDOT: New York State Department of Transportation SEQRA: State Environmental Quality Review Act) Tegeder, John: Yorktown Town Planner Klaus, David: Chairman, Planning Board Flynn, John: Planning Board member |
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Section 26.18 Block 1 Lot 7 November 24, 2008, work session The applicant returned to the planning board with a slightly revised preliminary plan for additional board review and guidance. One of the six proposed residential building has been eliminated, leaving the number of planned dwelling units at 26. The units, one and two bedroom, will range from 1,000-1,800 sq. ft. The applicant plans to enter into discussions with the county regarding making the smaller, one bedroom units available as affordable units. The board asked the applicant to confer with the adjoining JP Morgan Chase Bank so that the development of the two sites could be coordinated, especially regarding sidewalks and other pedestrian friendly aspects of the plan. (See summary of JP Morgan Chase Bank.) Of particular concern is the traffic situation at the Stony St/Bear Mountain Parkway intersection. Mr. Giordano noted that while the 26 residents units would not generate much traffic, the stores would have to attract additional shoppers in order to be viable. The two commercial buildings are being planned to attract small service oriented uses and although each building will be a single unit, the use of different design elements will make each store within the single building look like a separate attached building and not a typical strip center. The rear of the buildings will also be attractively designed. In general, the board was supportive of the plan which it felt was a good use of the site. They also felt that there was a need for more moderately priced age oriented housing in town. In addition to the traffic issue, the board will be taking a close look at the site's environmental issues, including delineating the wetlands and protection of the Hunterbrook stream. Mr. Klaus noted that the existing pool on the site (which will be demolished) dates back about 40 years and was built by the DEC as a trout stocking pool. The pool is fed by the stream. The rezoning to RSP2 is still contingent on the adoption of the revised Comprehensive Plan which has not been done yet. February 10, 2009, town board work session The applicant, Sammy El Jamal, made a brief presentation of the mixed use residential-commercial development. (for details about the plan, see the previous highlights of planning board meetings.) The issue under discussion was the status of the master plan revisions as the site plan is based on the new RSP2 zone that was put in place in 2005 but rescinded after some property owners challenged the new master plan in court and won. Hearings on the revised master plan are scheduled to take place soon, but no dates have been set. Planning Director John Tegeder told the applicant that he wasn't aware of any changes that were contemplated for their site in the revised plan and he advised them to proceed with their plans. Walter Daniels of the Conservation Board said that his group had some issues with the site as portions of it were located in a flood plain.
August 10, 2009, work session Discussion Site Plan & Residential Site Plan The applicant prefaced comments with the proviso that the whole project depends on the site being rezoned as called for in the comprehensive master plan. The plans call for commercial development in the front along Old Crompond Rd and age oriented housing in the rear, which is perfectly compatible with the proposed rezoning. The applicant feels that the project is a good match for the site and that the site can support their proposal. In fact the applicant feels the site is being improved since the landscaping plan makes use of areas that are already disturbed. For example, the retention areas will replace an old pool area, specimen plants and rock outcroppings will be preserved and incorporated into the landscaping. Mr. Klaus pointed out that protection and improvement of Hunter Brook is a major Planning Board concern, and that additional wetland mitigation might be required. Traffic, engineering and landscaping plans have all been completed, and the applicant urges the Planning Board to review them. The installation of water and sewer lines will be straightforward with the project connecting to a sewer line on rte 202. CAB liaison Ann Kutter asked if bike racks would in included. Mr. Sullivan said they would be considered, but didn't think the area was very conducive to biking. Mr. Tegeder asked about affordability of the housing units. Mr. DeLuca said that hadn't been decided yet, but the housing would be for homeowners over 55. Mr. Sullivan described the commercial building as being pedestrian friendly with landscaping and possibly outdoor restaurant seating in the front and parking in the back. Mr. Tegeder disagreed with Mr. Sullivan about the street friendliness of the faade, suggesting that landscaping of the type proposed often tends to close off access, rather than open it up. Ms. Kutter asked if the buildings would be LEED certified (=Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Mr. Sullivan said they would be green and very energy conservative, but not necessarily LEED certified. There was extensive discussion about what could be done on this project while waiting for rezoning, including the role of the Planning Board in urging the Town Board toward that action. The applicants asked if the Planning Board ever commented to the Town Board on a specific rezoning and suggested the project could benefit by spotlighting by the planners. The applicant suggested the Town Board could be catalyzed to rezone the property if it was made aware that there is a project suitable for the site and all ready to go. Mr. Klaus said this is a nice, little concept and that the town doesn't have anything along these lines. Yorktown Commons was supposed to be commercial space on the ground floor with residential upstairs, but the commercial space has given way to professional offices. The applicant asked what the Planning Board could legally do before the rezoning. Mr. Klaus said the Planning Board could review all the technicalities of the project in order to be ready to vote once rezoning happens. Ms. Wagner said she would have to research the issue of having a public informational hearing and public hearing before the rezoning. Mr. Tegeder said that under previous building moratoria, projects were processed as if the project met the proposed zoning changes, but at the applicants risk. Mr. Giordano suggested the applicant enlist the support of the Chamber of Commerce to lobby the Town Board toward rezoning. Ms. Steinberg advised the applicant to submit its wetland permit application so the mitigation plan could be reviewed and the wetland flagging verified by Bruce Barber, the towns environmental consultant. Mr. Klaus concluded that environmental issues will be the biggest concern for this project. |