=== HEADLINE === Builder's $28,000 fee protest dominates planning board meeting === SUMMARY === A Croton builder challenged a $12,000 parkland fee on a new Melrose Avenue home, calling it disproportionate to fees waived for larger affordable housing projects. The Planning Board approved three projects, including rebuilds on Grand Street and Newton Court. === EXECUTIVE BRIEF === • Approved final signage for The Grand at 130 Grand Street; asked owner to remove promotional signage from front planters • Approved final signage and change of use for 125 Grand Street • Approved minor site plan for new single-family home at 73 Melrose Avenue, conditioned on stormwater calculations and official building height documentation • Approved building envelope modification for 8 Newton Court to rebuild home destroyed by fire, with expanded front porch and rear deck === ARTICLE === A local builder with 40 years in Croton told the Planning Board Tuesday night that he's staring down $28,000 in permits and fees before pouring a single foundation — and he wanted someone to explain why. "I just couldn't bear to do another white and black house," the builder said of his design for 73 Melrose Avenue. But his real frustration wasn't aesthetics. It was a $12,000 parkland reservation fee tacked onto his four-bedroom single-family home — a fee he called "out of scale" and "excessive." His argument: large affordable housing developments like Maple Commons, with 66 bedrooms, paid zero in parkland fees thanks to waivers, while his one house — built on a lot in the existing Harman Subdivision — gets hit for $12,000. "I'm paying into a future thing that I take no part in," he said. "I feel punished by it." Board chair sympathy was genuine but jurisdictional. "You have a legitimate gripe," the chair responded. "But you're griping honestly to the wrong people." The board doesn't set fee schedules — the Village Board does, and they meet in the same room. Notably, nobody from the public showed up to comment on the fee issue, despite it affecting every new home built in the village. The board approved the Melrose project conditionally, pending stormwater calculations and an official height measurement on the elevation drawings. Earlier, The Grand at 130 Grand Street won final signage approval, with one catch: board member Steve flagged promotional signs tucked into the building's front flower beds. The owner agreed to pull them. "I'll consult my wife," he said. "She's my attorney." One board member noted The Grand is already serving the community — hosting a high school talent show this Sunday. "My daughter is in it," he said. "So already, the doors are open." The evening's most sobering moment came from Matt Robinson of 8 Newton Court, whose home was destroyed by fire in May. His wife had returned from grocery shopping, gone back to close the car hatch, and found smoke filling the garage. The car — a 2022-2024 Audi Q5 — was recalled two days later. "If you own one, you should go get it fixed," Robinson told the room. His daughter lost everything she'd packed for an eight-week internship in Madrid. "In twelve hours, we got a new passport, new phone, new laptop, and two bags full of clothes," Robinson said. She left the next day. The board unanimously approved his rebuilding plan, which includes an expanded front porch and rear deck on the existing foundation. **What to watch for:** The 73 Melrose Avenue builder was encouraged to take his fee concerns to the Village Board. The Newton Court gazebo will require a separate zoning board appearance. If you drive a 2022-2024 Audi Q5, check for the recall.