A $12,000 parkland fee for a single-family home drew sharp criticism from a local developer at the November 4 Planning Board meeting, where the board unanimously approved a slate of residential and commercial projects. Butch Doran, representing 73 Melrose, LLC, secured a 5-0 vote for a minor site plan to construct a new four-bedroom home at the end of a dead-end street in the Harmon Subdivision. While the board praised the proposed design as an improvement over a previously approved plan, Doran used the public hearing to challenge the village’s fee structure. "The construction of this house, in this spot, goes along with what the Harmon Subdivision was designed for," Doran said, pointing out that larger, multi-unit buildings with more bedrooms pay no recreation fee. He also noted that building permit fees for the project totaled $28,000 before the parkland fee, arguing fees should be based on square footage rather than construction cost. The Planning Board directed his concerns to the Village Board of Trustees, which sets fee schedules. To accommodate the home's small footprint and 15-foot setback, the board waived the off-street parking requirement, noting two cars in the driveway would slightly encroach on the right of way—a common allowance on the wide, dead-end street. The applicant must still provide calculations proving no net increase in runoff during a 100-year storm and add the home's exact height to the architectural plans. In a separate unanimous vote, the board approved a building envelope modification for Matthew and Ilana Robinson at 8 Newton Court to rebuild their home, which was significantly damaged by fire earlier this year. The approval covers a new front porch and rear deck. However, the Robinsons will need to seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for a gazebo. Chairman Rob Luntz also reminded the applicants that the rebuild must comply with the NY State Stretch Energy Code and be "solar ready." On the commercial side, final signage approvals were granted 5-0 for The Grand at 130 Grand Street and Monday's Gift Shop at 125 Grand Street, both of which previously cleared review by the Advisory Board on the Visual Environment. The board also briefly discussed Local Law Introductory No. 14 of 2025, a Village Board proposal to appoint alternate members to the Planning Board and ZBA. The board pushed back, with Village Attorney Dan Pozin noting alternates are common elsewhere, but members maintaining they consistently have a quorum and see no need for the change. Residents should note that tree removal and excavation at 73 Melrose Avenue are restricted to daytime hours, and blasting is strictly prohibited if bedrock is encountered during construction.