The Board will address the next steps for the Waterfront Zoning law at their next regular meeting on February 7, 2011.
At the public hearing of the Board of Trustees on January 19, 2011, the Board reported that upon receipt of more than seventy emails (many in the form of a petition) in opposition to the possibility of any parking structure as part of the proposed Waterfront Zoning District, and after hearing vocal opposition by many although not all residents attending the public hearings, the Board stated its intention to remove all references to a parking structure from the proposed legislation. This could result in the concept of a Master Plan being withdrawn in its entirety.
The Board believes that requiring any property owner to submit a Master Plan for the entire waterfront before development would afford maximum control over that development. Any plan submitted would be subject to public hearing and detailed review and approval by the Village Board. However, absent the possibility of a parking structure (even one subject to the strict restrictions on height, appearance, light spill, traffic, and disruptions to river views contained in the draft law) the landowner would have limited ability to make improvements to the 2.3 acre parking lot and a Master Plan concept may not be appropriate. The Board will consider its options, including how to retain the new usage and public benefits contemplated by the current draft law in revised legislation, at an upcoming meeting.
The current draft law (dated 1/6/2011) and draft environmental assessment form (dated 1/11/2011), which focused on the potential for traffic impacts, continue to be posted on the Village web site at www.irvingtonny.gov/waterfront.
A public work session to discuss next steps will be held as part of the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees on FEBRUARY 7, 2011 AT 7:00 PM with subsequent public meetings on this topic to be scheduled. Any further input from the public is welcome.