Peekskill CAC seeks advisory seat in city’s new Comprehensive Plan process

The City of Peekskill has released a request for proposals to hire consultants for a new Comprehensive Plan, and the Peekskill Conservation Advisory Council moved to press for CAC representation in the advisory process to ensure sustainability is built in from the start.

Council members said the Comprehensive Plan will cover land use, transportation, housing and resiliency and will involve a two‑year relationship with consultants. The council asked Janine Melillo to meet with the Planning department and ask the City Manager how CAC can obtain a rotating seat on the plan’s advisory committee. Members also said CAC should request involvement in consultant selection or a non‑voting advisory seat for CEEP if necessary.

Members flagged that measurable goals are typically developed later in the planning process and expressed concern the City may rely too heavily on short‑term grants without long‑term maintenance funding. The CAC recommended advocating for land‑use protections for natural resources, transportation improvements to support walkability and transit access, housing near transit, and green workforce development.

Dana Freedenfeld volunteered to take the lead on CAC’s planning‑representation effort. Next steps: Janine Melillo will meet with Planning; council will identify who will attend waterfront development sessions and gather case studies from comparable cities such as Mount Vernon and Beacon.

The council also noted that waste and recycling have not been addressed in some neighboring plans and urged inclusion of sustainability topics in the RFP’s scope.