Croton's waterfront review is complete for two significant village projects: a local law that would add occupational preferences to the village's affordable-housing rules, and a state plan to rehabilitate the Half Moon Bay Drive bridge. The Waterfront Advisory Committee voted 3-0 on Feb. 24 to recommend both as consistent with the village's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. Acting Chairman Leo Wiegman led the session, with Deputy Mayor Len Simon, the committee's chairperson, and member Stuart Greenbaum absent. Wiegman, Trustee Stacey Nachtaler and Planning Board member Steve Krisky — the three members present — supported each of the evening's motions unanimously.

Occupational preferences for affordable housing

The Board of Trustees referred Local Law Introductory No. 5 of 2026 to the committee on Feb. 18. The measure would amend the affordable-housing provisions of Chapter 230, the village zoning code, to allow occupational preferences in new affordable housing units. Village Manager Bryan Healy told the committee that adding occupational preferences has been a Village Board priority for some time, according to the minutes. Healy said the village has worked with the Pace Land Use Law Center and the Housing Action Council, and that an analysis of American Community Survey data showed the occupations under consideration — emergency service workers, medical service workers and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces — are majority-minority. The committee also caught an error in the draft law. On page 2, in the section on waivers, the text should read "If a site plan or subdivision applicant wishes to voluntarily provide more AFFH units than are required by Subsection C above," but the draft incorrectly cites Subsection B. Nachtaler moved to accept the Coastal Assessment Form, seconded by Krisky, and Krisky moved to accept the Short Environmental Assessment Form, seconded by Nachtaler; both carried 3-0, with the committee determining no changes were necessary to either form. After reviewing all 44 LWRP policies and finding none applicable to the law, the committee voted 3-0, on Nachtaler's motion seconded by Krisky, to recommend consistency with the LWRP.

Bridge rehabilitation wins same verdict

The second referral involved a state Department of Transportation project: the rehabilitation of the vehicular bridge that spans the Metro-North Hudson Line at Half Moon Bay Drive. Because the project is a SEQRA Type II action, no environmental review is required. The federally funded project would rehabilitate the existing bridge without changing its footprint. Unlike the housing law, this review did engage the LWRP. The committee's memo identifies some two dozen applicable policies, among them restoring deteriorating railroad-related structures, managing runoff so oil, grease and other contaminants do not pollute surface and ground water, timing construction in Croton and Hudson River spawning areas so anadromous fish and shellfish are not harmed, and protecting scenic views — including views of Croton Point and of the Hudson River from South Riverside Avenue and the Route 9 corridor. Finding nothing inconsistent, the committee voted 3-0, on Krisky's motion seconded by Nachtaler, to recommend the project as consistent.

What happens next

Both recommendations went to Mayor Brian Pugh and the Village Board of Trustees in memos dated Feb. 25. The board has since opened a public hearing on the measure and adopted it in June. The bridge project, administered by NYSDOT with federal funding, is moving forward as well: village officials reported this summer that final plans and specifications have been submitted to the state Department of Transportation.