Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ossining staff previews zoning‑code amendments on storage containers, parking enforcement and routine repairs
Summary
Village staff presented proposed zoning amendments covering portable storage limits, increased civil penalties, tighter front‑yard parking rules, guidance for parking within buildings, and a change to allow replacement of exterior stairs without routine variances. Staff also explained recent state environmental‑review law changes that will affect local review thresholds.
Village planning staff presented a package of zoning‑code amendments and asked the Planning Board for feedback. Proposed changes include limits on portable storage containers (typical contractor container sizes and maximum consecutive placement), higher civil penalties for code violations, clearer rules for on‑site parking (including when parking may be located within a building), and tightened definitions and enforcement for front‑yard parking and commercial vehicles.
A prominent item was a proposed change to allow replacement or reconstruction of exterior stairs, landings and ramps within required setbacks without a variance, subject to limits on landing size; staff and practitioners debated whether defining "replacement" invites disputes and whether a simpler blanket allowance would be easier to administer. Staff also described changes to local site‑plan requirements in response to recent revisions in the state environmental‑review law that exempt many previously disturbed, sewered urban sites from the state's full environmental review — a carve‑out that could allow projects up to 300 units on qualifying sites. Staff proposed adding supplemental site‑plan submission requirements so the village can still request archaeological, historic preservation and other studies on projects that the new state rules no longer automatically subject to full review.
