Bonnie Fransen, the planner retained by the Village of Washingtonville, presented a draft comprehensive plan to the comprehensive plan committee and the public on the committee’s public hearing, describing goals for land use, housing, environmental protection and downtown design.

The plan, presented as a 2024 draft, describes the village as roughly 2.54 square miles with a 2020 population of about 5,657 and says much of the built area is residential. The draft notes roughly 200 acres of vacant or agricultural land within about 1,554 total acres and that about 88.4% of parcels are residential; the draft says about 54.6% of dwelling units are single‑family detached and highlights existing multifamily and manufactured‑home stock.

The planner said the document sets a 10–20 year vision and would be used to align zoning with that vision and to support grant funding such as New York Forward and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Fransen said the plan includes a conceptual land‑use map that preserves much of the existing pattern but identifies targeted areas for change: a possible downtown expansion south of the rail trail, a Green Network of open spaces, and a Southern Gateway parcel with potential uses ranging from continued agriculture to a small business park or active‑adult housing.

Public commenters praised the effort but raised specific concerns. Anthony Bryce, a new resident, asked whether land mapped as part of the plan (section 3.4) would prevent previously anticipated private development on parcels now shown as common open space; the village attorney replied generally that zoning changes normally apply prospectively unless an owner already has required approvals. James Desaza, speaking for gateway property owners, said current zones on the parcel (Residence‑Agriculture and a manufactured‑housing zone) allow residential use and urged that the plan not effectively make the land undevelopable; Desaza urged the committee to balance village interests with long‑time owners’ expectations and warned against expanding downtown commercial space into an area with already vacant retail properties.

Other speakers asked about historic resource protections, accessory dwelling units and project timelines. Bonnie Fransen and the village attorney said the draft recommends creating a local historic preservation board to designate and review historic properties (local designation offers stronger review than listing on state or national registers). On timing, the planner and attorney said the environmental review and zoning work would follow any committee recommendation; they described the SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review) process as a “Type I” action that requires the board to announce lead agency status, a 30‑day period for potential interested agencies, and additional required notices — a process that commonly introduces a roughly 60‑day buffer before final adoption.

The comprehensive plan committee closed the public hearing and moved to a recess to deliberate in a back room; the committee said its deliberations remain a public meeting and that members who wish to attend may do so. Any formal recommendation from the committee to the Village Board, and any subsequent Village Board action, will be accompanied by the required environmental review and additional public hearings.

The plan’s implementation section includes an action matrix with short‑, medium‑ and long‑term steps, design guidelines for downtown infill, and a recommendation that zoning be updated to align with the plan. Fransen said details — including precise zoning language, overlay districts for floodplain protections, and special‑use criteria for certain housing types — will be developed if the committee forwards the draft to the Village Board.