Public hearing set June 22 for 1601 West Main after criticism that application "is not a good fit"

Sleepy Hollow staff confirmed that a public hearing on the application for 1601 West Main will be held Monday, June 22, and that a court reporter will record the proceedings. Several trustees said they may attend remotely.

Mr. Vernon, speaking during the public-comment portion, said he had reviewed the application and the Carpenter's Village report and concluded the proposal "is not a good fit here for much the same reasons." He said the commission should focus on whether submitted materials meet the village's standards and whether requested variances are reasonable or would amount to "creating a new zone." "It's the petitioner's job," Vernon said, adding that the board should not redesign the project for the applicant.

Staff told trustees that Attorney Schuster had contacted the applicants (referred to in the record as the Jameses) and that the Carpenter's Village report had been forwarded to them the prior week to allow time for revisions before the hearing. A staff member also said notices were sent within statutory limits but agreed to check which local newspapers ran the legal publication after a commissioner reported neighbors on Royal Court had not received mailings.

Several trustees said they would be out of town on June 22 and asked whether Zoom participation could be allowed; staff said a remote option could be arranged and reiterated that the hearing would have a court reporter because it is a formal hearing.

No decision on the application was made at the meeting; the agenda item was an update and scheduling of the public hearing. The hearing notice and application materials will be the basis for formal testimony and any subsequent commission action.