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Resident warns of water and infrastructure strain if zoning changes allow denser development
Summary
During public comment, a resident warned that removing minimum lot‑sizes and loosening setbacks could increase dwelling counts and strain Highland Falls' water and infrastructure, saying, "Water is my biggest concern."
A member of the public told the Village Board that loosening lot‑size rules and setbacks under the proposed zoning could allow many more dwelling units and put pressure on the village's aging infrastructure and water supply.
"So water is my biggest concern?" the resident said during public comments, adding that the village is in a drought at the moment and that setbacks in the code (including zero side‑yard and front‑yard setbacks) could allow building right to lot lines. The speaker warned the change could enable a large increase in potential units and said infrastructure upgrades would be expensive even if new tax revenue might offset some costs.
The resident also noted the village's recent financial and economic struggles and urged caution, saying that while they wanted development, it should preserve the village's small‑town character. Board members acknowledged the comments and noted that the proposed revisions include other constraints (building height limits, parking requirements, floor‑area minima) that limit large high‑rise development.
