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Residents urge limits on building massing as board keeps zoning hearing open
Summary
At a Dec. 1 public hearing in Highland Falls, residents and trustees debated proposed zoning changes including building heights, parapet setbacks and a rear setback reduced earlier for the Minnekozzi project; the board continued the hearing to Dec. 15 after scheduling a Dec. 10 workshop.
The Highland Falls Village Board continued a public hearing on proposed zoning-law amendments on Dec. 1 after residents and trustees sparred over building height and setback changes.
Ron Malcolm, a Perry Avenue resident, told the board that a 54–55-foot building “is a lot” behind Main Street and asked for a balloon test and parapet setbacks to reduce perceived massing. He also urged restoring a rear setback that had been reduced to 15 feet for a prior project, saying returning it to 20 feet would lessen intrusion on properties behind the business district. “54 feet is a lot,” Malcolm said during public comment.
Mayor DeSalvo told the room the draft local law currently caps building height at 50 feet and that the board will discuss additional design controls at a workshop on Dec. 10 before reconvening the hearing on Dec. 15 for a potential vote. Trustees and residents debated whether 50 feet would accommodate modern ceiling heights and mechanical systems; one commenter said a 55-foot allowance was sometimes needed for interior finishes, while the mayor cited the fire chief’s recommended limits and said the board’s current compromise is 50 feet.
The board did not vote on the zoning amendments on Dec. 1 and formally continued the public hearing to the Dec. 15 board meeting so members can review suggested changes and consider community input.
