Westchester County Memo
resolution
1 page
Agenda item: Proposed Resolutions — Consider the adoption of a Negative Declaration for SEQRA purposes and a finding of consistency with the Village LWRP regarding Local Law Introductory No. 5 of 2026 to amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to add certain occupational preferences for affordable housing units, and the adoption of Local Law Introductory No. 5 of 2026.
Resolution, 1 page. Attached to agenda item: “Proposed Resolutions — Consider the adoption of a Negative Declaration for SEQRA purposes and a finding of consistency with the Village LWRP regarding Local Law Introductory No. 5 of 2026 to amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of”
Memo dated July 28, 2025 from Croton-on-Hudson Village Manager Bryan Healy to Westchester County Planning Commissioner Blanca Lopez asking whether the county would object to inserting occupational preferences into the Village's affordable housing code for veterans and for emergency service and medical workers, including police, fire, EMS, nurses and home health aides. It cites a Pace Land Use Law Center and Housing Action Council analysis of 2022 American Community Survey data finding the combined occupations are majority-minority (about 54% nonwhite in Westchester, 72% in the nine-county area), and notes preferences could cost the Village access to Urban County Council consortium funding it is unlikely to seek.
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Extracted text
To:
Blanca Lopez, Westchester County Commissioner of Planning
From:
Bryan Healy, Croton-on-Hudson Village Manager
Date:
July 28, 2025
Re:
Affordable Housing Preferences
The Village of Croton-on-Hudson Board of Trustees has adopted the Westchester County model
affordable housing ordinance, which does not include any option for preferences in making selections
for affordable housing occupancy. Based on discussions which have taken place previously, the
Village Board has asked me to write to see if Westchester County would have any objection to the
insertion of certain occupational preferences into our local code.
The first occupational preference that the Village Board would like to consider is for veterans of the
United States Armed Forces. I am under the belief that Westchester County has previously determined
that veterans are a sufficiently diverse group and have permitted other municipalities to enact such
preferences. Please confirm this understanding.
The second occupational preference that the Village Board would like to consider is for emergency
service workers and medical workers. This would include police, fire and EMS workers, as well as
registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and home health aides. Prior to submitting this
memorandum, the Village had the Pace Land Use Law Center and the Housing Action Council
conduct an analysis based on the 2022 American Community Survey. Based on the combination of
all subject occupations, it was determined that they are majority-minority (approximately 54% being
a race other than white in Westchester, and 72% being a race other than white in the nine-county area).
Please confirm if the county would accept this data as conclusive for an occupational preference.
The Village understands that enacting occupational preferences may result in the inability to secure
funding through the Urban County Council consortium. The Village no longer has any areas
considered low-to-moderate income (per the 2020 census data), so it is unlikely that the Village would
apply for such funding in the future.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the above. I look forward to hearing from
you.
Mayor
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