Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Architect presents plans to expand and renovate Peekskill shelter; CHOP seeks special‑permit renewal and a modest bed increase
Summary
Architect Joseph Thompson presented renovation plans for Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHOP) at 200 North Water Street: expand into the first floor, add a commercial kitchen, elevator and accessibility upgrades, improve sleeping and sanitary facilities, outdoor recreation and site appearance, and increase allowed average daily occupancy from 24 to 28 beds.
Joseph Thompson, architect for Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHOP), presented an initial concept and plans for renovating the shelter at 200 North Water Street and seeking renewal of the March 2022 special permit.
Thompson described converting part of the building’s first floor to daytime program spaces (a secure check-in, community room, dining hall/teaching kitchen, offices and meeting rooms) while retaining sleeping rooms on the second floor. Planned site improvements include added on-site parking, accessible ramps and a stretcher-capacity elevator, screened outdoor recreation areas and relocated service elements such as the dumpster enclosure. Thompson said the program seeks to increase average daily occupancy from 24 to 28 to accommodate local demand — including an increase in veteran homelessness the packet’s numbers reflect — and to provide improved bathroom and shower facilities and more private meeting rooms for staff-client interactions.
On flood resilience, Thompson said the property sits partly in zone X and described proposed floor-raising, flood vents and wet-flood-proofing measures to meet Peekskill flood standards while allowing water to enter and exit without causing structural damage.
Why it matters: The improvements would expand shelter capacity, accessibility and on-site services for people experiencing homelessness, including veterans; the council will consider the application and a referral to the planning commission for detailed technical review and environmental compliance.
