Planning board grants extension for proposed 3.5-story mixed-use building, asks for August update

The Peekskill Planning Board voted to grant an extension of approvals for a proposed 3.5-story mixed-use residential building, while asking the applicant to return with an informational update in August 2025.

Chair (speaker 1) proposed the motion, saying, “I will propose a motion to grant the extension with the request that they come in in August 2025 and provide us an update.” Planning staff explained the municipal code allows extensions up to two years from the date of original approval; board members debated whether to give the full period or a shorter term. Several commissioners expressed concern that a long extension could allow the project to sit idle while financing remains unresolved. As one commissioner put it, “I don't really like the 2 year.”

Staff noted the project involves lot mergers and a previously approved certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Landmark Preservation Board, and that the applicant has been pursuing brownfield cleanup and funding. Planning staff and other members suggested an interim update would help track progress without blocking the applicant’s ability to pursue state or federal funding. The board voted to grant the extension to expire on 08/13/2026 and to request an informational update in August 2025; the motion passed by voice vote (no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript).

The board discussed enforcement and follow-up: staff may request more frequent updates and could flag lack of progress when the extension nears its end. The extension is permissive under the code absent a material change in circumstance; commissioners emphasized monitoring consolidation of lot lines and progress on funding and brownfield remediation.