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Rye Brook board narrows demolition glass rule to give inspectors discretion for some commercial projects
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Summary
After a short public hearing, the Rye Brook Village Board moved to amend the code so building inspectors may permit mechanical removal of windows during commercial demolitions that are not adjacent to sensitive properties; the measure is intended to shorten construction schedules while protecting nearby residences.
The Rye Brook Village Board on April 28 adopted a local-law change to allow building inspectors discretion to permit mechanical removal of interior and exterior glass in certain commercial demolition projects.
Deputy Mayor David Heizer opened the hearing and staff explained the current code requires windows to be removed by hand, which can be time-consuming for larger commercial buildings. "If this building were to be demolished with window removal by hand, it would create an unnecessarily protracted construction period," attorney David Steinmetz told the board on behalf of Sunrise Senior Living, which is the contract vendee for a proposed project at 900 King Street.
Staff said the amendment does not set a fixed distance in the text; instead, plans will need to show protective measures and the building inspector will judge whether the location of a demolition warrants mechanical removal. "There is no specific distance," the presenting staff member said, adding the rule is intended to apply to commercial properties where adjacent structures will not be impacted.
Board members and members of the public asked about noise and safety. Staff pointed to the village’s noise ordinance and the general prohibition on unreasonably noisy machinery, noting any permitted mechanical removal would still be subject to existing noise and safety rules. The board emphasized that the change is plan-based: contractors must submit measures showing how nearby areas will be protected.
The board closed the hearing, moved the resolution and took roll-call votes to adopt the local law as a Type II action under the state environmental review rules, meaning no further environmental review was required. The resolution directs staff to post and file the local-law changes and clarifies the new discretion applies only to specified commercial circumstances.
The board’s action follows public comment from a project representative who said the flexibility will prevent lengthy demolition schedules without undermining neighborhood safety. The local law will take effect after the village follows statutory publication and filing steps.
