Planning board approves Toll Brothers site plan and subdivision resolutions with amended time and fee terms

Yorktown's planning board approved resolutions for Toll Brothers' Catherine Street applications on Nov. 10 after negotiating changes to permit timelines and fee payment terms.

David Cooper, counsel for Toll Brothers, presented two draft resolutions: one approving a minor subdivision and the other approving a site plan, special permit, stormwater pollution prevention plan and tree permit for the "field home" at Catherine Street. The applicant asked that the special permit deadline be extended to two years because state and federal agency reviews (Department of Health, DEP) and closing mechanics make a six‑month period infeasible; board members countered that a one‑year extension with available further extensions would be more typical.

Board members and counsel also negotiated how mitigation and development fees would be handled: the planning department general development fee would be paid up front (not placed in escrow), while other fees (field-home maintenance, certain recreation fees) could be placed in escrow or tied to acceptance of title. The applicant agreed to tweak verbiage; the board agreed to a one‑year standard extension with the ability to consider additional time as needed.

After discussion the board voted on the resolutions as amended. The minutes record voice votes with ayes and the chair declared the motions carried for both the subdivision and the site‑plan/special‑permit package.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the resolution language with town counsel and coordinate the timing of fee payments and title conveyance per the amended terms; the applicant will proceed with required outside agency reviews.