Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Comp Plan Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montebello comp plan committee approves minutes, advances zoning, design and environmental updates
Summary
The Village of Montebello Comprehensive Plan Committee on Aug. 28 approved July meeting minutes, heard public concern about parking for Residential Gathering Places, received legal advice that RLUIPA needs no change, and asked staff to draft zoning and design language plus several natural-resources updates.
The Village of Montebello Comprehensive Plan Committee met Aug. 28 at Village Hall and approved the July 10, 2024 meeting minutes. Chair Melanie Golden and committee members Ariel Aufgang, Debra Munitz and Matthew Moetzinger were present; Ezra Bryan was absent.
Assistant Village Attorney Alyse Terhune reported she had consulted the village’s RLUIPA expert and was advised there are no new cases requiring changes: “the current law is sound and requires no changes,” she said. Chair Golden encouraged members of the public who want changes to raise them at future committee meetings or at Village Board public meetings.
Planning Board member Ariel Aufgang laid out three priorities for the Planning Board: directing the planner and village lawyer to propose code changes for issues that commonly require variances (examples given included driveways in side yards), requesting greater enforcement of short-term-rental violations by the building inspector, and developing a design standard or rubric for the Architectural Review Board.
Village Planner Jonathan Lockman recommended streamlining certain zoning standards to reduce the need for waivers and variances, citing a loading-berth requirement for commercial buildings as an example that could be adjusted. Lockman also said architectural and commercial appearance standards may warrant a separate section in the plan rather than residing in the Historic Section.
On natural-resources matters, members discussed promoting less-intensive, pollinator-friendly lawns and the complications of updated state wetlands regulations. The committee decided to retain the 2017 Greenprint showing EPODs and critical environmental areas and to publish a 2024 addendum rather than replace the map. Member Debra Munitz was asked to draft potential tree-law amendments to preserve more trees in side yards, and Member Ariel Aufgang agreed to draft a stretch energy proposal for the next meeting.
A building-department report covering variance applications over the past decade found fewer applications than expected and did not produce a clear recurring variance that would necessarily require loosening standards. During public comment, resident Eliezer Fried urged the committee to consider changes to parking rules for Residential Gathering Places. Chair Golden invited Mr. Fried to attend future meetings and suggested he raise the matter with the Village Board as well.
The committee listed items for the Sept. 25 meeting — economic development, streetlights, traffic circulation and home-occupation standards — and set the next meeting for Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. Assistant Village Attorney Alyse Terhune will not attend that session.
