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Zoning board asks trustees for studies on Washingtonville downzoning, flags flooding and nonconforming‑lot concerns
Summary
The Zoning Board of Appeals told the Board of Trustees it needs more data before opining on a proposed downzoning of Washingtonville from 4F to 2F, citing potential nonconforming properties, parking and flooding impacts and requesting the EAF/studies referenced by the trustees.
At its Feb. 6 meeting the Village of Mamaroneck Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed a referral from the Board of Trustees proposing to downzone the Washingtonville neighborhood from 4F to 2F and agreed to draft a letter requesting more information before offering formal comments.
Planning staff (identified in the meeting as Mary, the planning director) told the board the proposal is intended to curb what trustees described as overdevelopment—protecting neighborhood character, easing parking pressure and reducing impervious surface area to mitigate flooding. Mary and on‑screen materials summarized the environmental assessment form (EAF) and indicated the analysis shows roughly 11 lots would be adjusted to meet minimum lot area and about 17 existing lots would become nonconforming under the proposed zoning.
Board members repeatedly noted the referral lacked the underlying calculations and studies. "We don't understand the purpose," the chair said, and members asked for copies of any traffic, flooding or stormwater studies and for a clearer inventory of how many properties would be rendered nonconforming. Several members also questioned whether the trustees had completed the legal steps to be lead agency for environmental review and emphasized that the board cannot responsibly comment without those materials.
The board agreed to draft and circulate a letter to the Board of Trustees asking for (1) the full EAF and any studies or analyses on flooding and traffic referenced in the trustees' materials, (2) a specific count and method for calculating how many lots would become nonconforming, and (3) clarification of whether undeveloped parcels are included in the rezoning and how nonconformance would be handled for existing multi‑family structures.
No vote on the rezoning was taken; the board closed the item after assigning staff to prepare the draft comment letter and to request the supporting documentation from trustees' staff.
