Zoning change to be introduced May 7
By Jeanne Tao
Butterfield developer Paul Guillaro and Matt Moran, both of Butterfield Realty LLC, presented a revised concept plan of the proposed multi-unit development to the Cold Spring Village Board on Tuesday, April 23. The new plan showed some minor changes in the locations of a few of the buildings, taking into account the existing curb cuts that were not on the original drawings, as well as some changes to reflect recommendations made by the Planning Board.
Guillaro proposes to build a complex with intergovernmental offices, a community/senior center, post office, three single-family homes, senior citizen housing, and an office-retail “square.” Because the current B4 zoning does not allow intergovernmental offices or retail, the developer has asked the Village Board to change the zoning in the local law. In order to allay fears that the development could contain elements undesired by residents, the draft local law now requires that the site plan be in substantial conformity with the concept plan, which will be included in the zoning change.
The major revision involves part of the proposed senior citizen housing — specifically Buildings 4, 5 and 6 of the concept plan. The plan now shows a one-level connector building from Building 5 to 6 that is labeled “Community Center,” which is about 3,000 square feet. In addition, the detached garages behind those buildings in the old plan were removed, as recommended by the Planning Board; the new plan instead had underground parking beneath those buildings.
Because of the underground parking change, the amount of open space increased slightly. Due to the restrictions associated with land designated as “open space,” which cannot be landscaped or disturbed, Guillaro and his team renamed the large green “Gateway Park.” This would enable the developer to run pipes underground as needed or to landscape the area.
Another requested change to the law was to add “personal service shops” to the list of permitted uses. The code does not define “personal service shops,” but they would include businesses like barbershops or yoga studios.
Village Attorney Steve Gaba outlined the next steps as introducing the draft local law and beginning the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) review by circulating to interested agencies Part 1 of the expanded Environmental Assessment Form (EAF), which the developer submitted and is posted online at coldspringny.gov. After that, the Village Board can circulate a notice to interested parties to notify them of the board’s intent to become the lead agency.
The board set the meeting on May 7 for the introduction of the draft local law, since the next meeting originally scheduled for April 30 has been canceled.
HDRB and ZBA openings
Cold Spring received three letters of interest in response to the notice of openings on the Historic District Review Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. The letters from Michael Bowman, recent trustee candidate and president of the Cold Spring Fire Company; Alison Anthoine, attorney and board member of the Chamber of Commerce; and Gretchen Dykstra, founding president of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum Foundation, all indicated interest in serving on the HDRB. None were received for the ZBA.
2013-14 budget adopted
The budget for the next fiscal year, beginning on June 1, was adopted by the board Tuesday night. The $2,000 previously proposed for the mayor but declined by Mayor Ralph Falloon was reallocated to Parks and Recreation for Christmas decorations and lighting. The stipend for committee chair work declined by Trustee Chuck Hustis was reallocated to funds for office computers.
The Grove
Discussion of a request for proposals (RFP) for The Grove, an abandoned house on the hill across from the Foodtown and Drug World plazas on Route 9D, was tabled due to Hustis’ absence. HDRB member Kathleen Foley commented from the audience that the open hatch in the roof should be closed as soon as possible to avoid allowing rain to enter the house.
Resolution on Indian Point
The last discussion item was the submitted Resolution for Public Health and Safety Regarding Indian Point Nuclear Plant, calling for state and federal government action to increase security for those living around the nuclear power plant near Peekskill. The board decided that they would like to see a presentation on Indian Point given by Cold Spring resident Roberto Muller, who had spoken to the board on that issue last year.
