Marathon zoning produces marathon discussions

The discussion over updates to Chapter 134 of the Cold Spring Village Code, which deals with zoning, continued at a public hearing on Oct. 21. 

Much of the debate has centered on how the nearly 12-acre former Marathon Battery Co. property on Kemble Avenue, zoned Light Industry, should be reclassified to accommodate development. 

After another lengthy hearing on Tuesday (Oct. 26), it appears the board has narrowed the options to two variations of Mixed Use — designated MU1 and PMU2. 

A sticking point has been whether any preliminary concept drawings for a proposed development should be submitted first to the Planning Board or the Village Board.

Village attorney John Furst and planner Ted Fink are expected to make their recommendation at a public hearing scheduled for Thursday (Nov. 4). 

In other business…

  • In a unanimous vote on Oct. 26, the board denied a request by David and Melia Marzollo for a one-year exemption from Chapter 100 of the village code, which regulates short-term rentals such as those booked through Airbnb.
  • The village received a favorable financial report card for the fiscal year ending May 31 after an audit by the EFPR Group. 
  • As it does each year, the board approved the suspension of on-street parking for the dead-end portion of Marion Avenue from Nov. 15 to April 15 to facilitate snow removal.  
  • The board approved hiring Robert Newhall as a seasonal laborer with the Highway Department at a rate of $19 per hour. 

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Turton, who has been a reporter for The Current since its founding in 2010, moved to Philipstown from his native Ontario in 1998. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Area of expertise: Cold Spring government, features

One reply on “Notes from the Cold Spring Village Board”

  1. Today [Oct. 25] I said farewell to my last short-term guests, a couple from North Carolina visiting their freshman son, a cadet at West Point.

    I want to announce that I will not be hosting any more Airbnb or other short-term rental guests. As a senior citizen, born and raised in Cold Spring, and with roots to the Philipstown founder Thomas Davenport, I feel forced into this decision by the draconian measures that the three members of the outgoing Village Board passed into law.

    I agree that some regulations and some recompense be made to the town for me, a senior on a very limited income, trying to make ends meet to pay my taxes, hosting guests for two nights at a time in our town. However, the lottery, the giving up of my rights as a homeowner and being subject to random and unannounced control visits by the police are unacceptable. Fines of $2,000 and $5,000, and a loss of license are unreasonable.

    I hope the incoming board can make some revisions in the regulations. Overhandling a community is an abuse of power, something citizens need to stand up against and something that should prick the conscience of all citizens. I might hope for a revised law, but most probably my age will prevent me from benefiting from it.

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