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Planning board recommends renewal and occupancy increase for Jan Peek House shelter with maximum cap
Summary
The board voted to recommend that the common council renew the Jan Peek House special permit and set an average daily bed occupancy of 28 with an explicit maximum of 38; CHOP's architect described accessibility upgrades, a commercial kitchen and improved sleeping and community spaces.
The Peekskill planning board gave a positive recommendation to the common council for renewal of the Jan Peek House special permit, with the addition that the permit specify an average daily bed occupancy of 28 and a maximum bed capacity of 38. Joseph Thompson, architect for Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHOP), said the increase from 24 to an average of 28 is supported by usage data and that plans show 38 beds total with a portion reserved for emergency‑services clients and 10 beds dedicated to veterans.
Thompson outlined accessibility and quality‑of‑life improvements including a stretcher‑capable elevator, ramped accessible entry, a commercial kitchen and interior reconfiguration for better living and program spaces. CHOP representative Cynthia Knox clarified that emergency‑services clients are transient and historically were not counted in the average; the board requested historical averages and asked that the renewal language make the average and the maximum explicit to avoid ambiguity. The board approved the recommendation by voice vote and the project will return for site‑plan review with the noted conditions.
