Port Jervis opens public hearing to restore owner or caretaker apartments in neighborhood mixed‑use zone

The Port Jervis Common Council opened a public hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2026 on March 23 to restore "owner or caretaker apartments" as an accessory use in the neighborhood mixed‑use zoning table.

Councilman Casey Vicarillo said the provision was present in the city's old code but was omitted during the transition to the e‑code. "We're just putting accessory owner or caretaker apartments back as an accessory use for the neighborhood mixed‑use zone," Vicarillo said, adding the change would cover uses that include places of worship, professional offices and funeral homes.

The mayor confirmed the public hearing notice had been posted and published in accordance with law, and council members said they had received no negative feedback from the planning board to date. A council motion opened the hearing; after no public testimony specific to the measure the council voted to close the hearing. Officials indicated the council could proceed with formal adoption at the next meeting if planning board review remains without objection.

The council did not make final amendments to the zoning text during the meeting; the proposal is intended as a corrective action to match the adopted code to the city's prior regulatory intent. The measure will return for adoption under normal notice provisions and further public review if additional comments are submitted.

Next steps: the council expects to consider adoption at its next meeting provided no negative comments are received from the planning board.