The Croton-on-Hudson Board of Trustees advanced a new law at its April 8 meeting that would give affordable housing priority to emergency service workers, medical professionals, and military veterans, while also opening a public discussion about where future cannabis dispensaries should be allowed to operate.

Housing Preferences

Local Law Introductory No. 5 of 2026 establishes occupational preferences for affordable housing units in future developments. Under the law, when a new development triggers the village's mandatory affordable housing set-aside, emergency service workers would receive first preference, medical workers second, and veterans third. Village Manager Bryan Healy explained that the law identifies various occupations the Village can legally provide preference for in future affordable housing, noting that Police, Fire, EMS, those in the medical field, and Veterans were identified as eligible for the program. The law was developed with research from the Housing Action Council, which provided data showing the Village could support both the occupational preferences and the goals of affordable housing as defined by the County. The village Planning Board recommended that educators also be included. Healy said the Housing Action Council, which performed the research at no cost, recently had a change in leadership and staff and cannot currently take on the additional analysis. Trustee Slippen asked about the mechanism to add those in the educational field and expressed interest in incorporating the Planning Board's recommendation if possible. The board held a public hearing on the law. No members of the public spoke.

Cannabis Dispensary Zoning

Healy confirmed that the Engineering Department has received a change-of-use application for a cannabis dispensary at 370 South Riverside Avenue. The Planning Board will review the application at its April 14 meeting. Trustee Stacey Nachtaler proposed that the board direct the village planner to evaluate whether future cannabis dispensaries should be restricted to the southernmost portion of the C-2 commercial district, near the ShopRite plaza. Nachtaler noted her understanding that for a village of Croton's size, a second dispensary would need to be 1,000 feet apart from an existing one under state law. Trustee Nicholson supported the suggestion, raising concerns about the proximity of the current applicant's location to a preschool. She noted there is legislation at the state level looking at the loophole around distance requirements between a dispensary and daycare centers and preschools. Healy clarified that for municipalities with a population under 20,000, the state-mandated distance between dispensaries is 2,000 feet, not 1,000. He indicated that most of the Harmon area would be covered because he does not believe the C-2 District is more than 2,000 feet in any one direction. Rather than a formal referral to the Planning Board, the board agreed to schedule a work session where the attorney, planner, and manager would present maps and analysis of current zoning and distance requirements. Healy noted that he, the Village Attorney, and the Planner are currently working on zoning for cannabis.

Quaker Bridge

The board expressed frustration at the lack of information from Westchester County about the Quaker Bridge replacement project. Healy said he continues to reach out to the County regarding the project, and per their last report, Westchester County is still awaiting approval from the Army Corps of Engineers. The project will be delayed past the initial completion date of June 30th. Healy and the Town of Cortlandt have both asked the county to put out a press release that can be shared with the community.

Other Business

The board approved a justice court amnesty program offering a 50% discount on outstanding fines and penalties from tickets issued between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2024. The program runs June 1 through August 31, 2026, and is administered by Fundamental Business Service Inc. at no cost to the village. The board also adopted a zoning cleanup law (Local Law Introductory No. 3 of 2026) but removed provisions related to the number of fowl permitted on residential properties after receiving public feedback. Trustee Simon advised that the board will return to the fowl provisions after the Planner does research on best practices and what other communities are doing. During public comment, Croton resident David Lowell of Farrington Road returned to the podium to press the board on gas-powered leaf blower regulations. He presented a list of various communities that have totally banned the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Trustee Slippen suggested referring the matter to one of the village's committees to assist in making recommendations. Trustee Nicholson confirmed that the Conservation Advisory Council is ready to take it up at their April 21 meeting. Mayor Pugh supported holding a work session on the topic after the budget is adopted. Deputy Mayor Simon announced that the village bike share program is back for the season. He also noted the passing of Barnard Doran on April 1st. In other actions, the board approved vouchers totaling $294,996.64 across five funds, accepted bench donations for Dobbs Park and Duck Pond Park totaling $2,185.71, approved a Camp Nabby parking agreement for $1,216, authorized a $207,381.54 budget amendment for police overtime reimbursed by Con Edison and Temple Israel, approved a $10,250 change order for Dobbs Park playground renovations, approved a $6,997.50 change order for the Van Cortlandt Manor Entrance Project, and awarded a sportswear contract to Empire Printing, LLC.