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Flower Hill board advances Local Law 6 to clarify porches in FAR calculation
Summary
At its Aug. 4 meeting the Flower Hill Board of Trustees classified and moved to adopt Local Law 6 to clarify that covered porches are not counted toward floor-area ratio, advancing the amendment after a second public hearing.
The Flower Hill Board of Trustees on Aug. 4 held a second public hearing and moved forward with Local Law 6, an amendment to section 240-6 that clarifies how covered porches are treated in the village's floor-area-ratio (FAR) calculations. The board also voted to apply the village's environmental review classification (referred to in the meeting as SECRA) before taking final action.
The mayor opened the hearing by saying the intent of Local Law 6 was to "button up" language used previously that had allowed a porch bonus to be applied in ways the village did not intend. Trustees discussed the issue and heard no resident objections during the hearing. After the board considered procedural questions, a motion to classify the action under SECRA and to adopt Local Law 6 was offered and seconded; the board voted to approve the motions with no recorded opposition.
Why it matters: the change is aimed at preventing misuse of a porch-related FAR bonus that had reportedly been applied to accessory dwellings. Under the proposed text, the village clarifies which porch area counts (or does not count) toward a property's FAR, a technical change with practical implications for homeowners seeking variances or additions.
What's next: The board completed its procedural vote at the Aug. 4 meeting. Any administrative steps required to publish or codify the amendment will follow the board's normal adoption process and posting procedures.
