Route 33 small‑area plan moves to board public hearing after robust outreach

Joanne Hunter, senior director for community development and planning, told the board the Route 33 Gateway small‑area plan is complete and will come forward as a comprehensive-plan amendment at a public hearing on the board’s August agenda. The plan was prioritized as the county’s highest small‑area planning priority because of development pressure, land availability and proximity to infrastructure.

Hunter summarized the outreach: a project website with more than 4,000 views, about 300 active participants, two in-person meetings (the first at Kitchen 33 drew standing-room attendance), and several hundred survey responses. She said the planning commission held a public hearing and recommended approval with two minor modifications.

Hunter listed the key themes that emerged from residents: traffic on Route 33 is a major concern; residents want to preserve the corridor’s rural character; they recommended landscaping and buffers to screen industrial uses, lower building heights, traditional architectural styles and smaller signage. The small‑area plan contains a conceptual plan and four character zones designed to guide site and building design, placemaking and future infrastructure choices.

No board action was required tonight; staff will return with a complete packet and the public hearing is scheduled for August 27. Board members suggested staff continue to coordinate on adjoining corridor priorities and consider sequencing with nearby Route 1 and Atlee Elmont studies, while balancing RFP timing and fiscal-year scheduling.