Board schedules ADU public hearing and asks assessor to clarify tax treatment amid mention of pending state bill

The Town of Greenburgh scheduled a public hearing on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for the next meeting and agreed to hear public comment first before deliberation. Members discussed logistics for the hearing, including separate sign-up lists to keep ADU comment distinct from other agenda items.

During the work session a resident’s email and several members raised questions about how ADU additions will be taxed. One board member said an assessor should determine whether an ADU is assessed as a residential improvement or as rental property; another member said assessment is based on the increase in value caused by the improvement. The board directed the assessor and town attorney to provide guidance for the hearing.

A member noted a pending state bill that “would provide tax exemptions on any increase in value to the property as a result of additions of an ADU,” but the transcript did not include a bill number and members observed the legislative session had ended, so the board treated the bill reference as informational rather than dispositive. Separately, staff said an item to authorize retroactive tax reductions for residents affected by a declared disaster would be ready at the August meeting; staff described the retroactivity as extending to 2020 for qualifying events if the town proceeds.

Next steps: the board will hold the ADU public hearing, have the assessor and town attorney clarify assessment consequences, and circulate any pertinent state bill number if available.