Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Variances 660 Main topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Peekskill zoning board approves variances for 660 Main Street townhouse plan
Summary
The Peekskill Zoning Board of Appeals approved variances allowing a 9-townhouse addition behind the historic DePeuy mansion at 660 Main Street, granting reduced side-yard setbacks and accepting the applicant's commitment that the extra unit be workforce-affordable.
The Peekskill Zoning Board of Appeals voted Feb. 20 to approve area variances that clear the way for a new building of nine townhouse-style units at 660 Main Street, an infill project behind the DePeuy (Chauncey Depew) mansion.
Chair moved to approve the variances after the board concluded that the proposal "generally conforms to the zone" and that mitigation measures and context supported relief. The approved exceptions include allowing nine townhouses per acre where the code cites eight per acre, and reduced side-yard setbacks on the west and east sides of the new building. The board discussed setback amounts in detail on the record and referenced a western side-yard reduction to roughly 4 feet and an eastern side-yard figure discussed as 15 feet during deliberations.
Joseph Thompson, the project's architect, told the board the new building is "tucked back" behind the mansion and that the site plan includes landscaping and screening to keep the mansion as the visual focus. Thompson also said the development would provide garage and surface parking and that the project team would repave and better define the shared private drive that serves the properties.
Planning consultant Liz Axelson told the board the reduction in side-yard setbacks is "somewhat substantial, but it's offset by the larger than required setback in the rear yard" and noted the surrounding area already shows a gradation from multifamily to single-family housing uphill from the site.
The board recorded findings under the statutory five-factor test, saying the variances would not unduly harm neighboring properties, were mitigated by design (including the applicant's offer to make the one extra unit workforce-affordable), and reflected site constraints such as topography.
The zoning board asked the planning commission to continue to review related planning items — including the private easement documents and any parking waivers — before site-plan approval and building permits are finalized.
