CRO-26-002 Affordable Housing Occupational Preferences - Zoning Text Amendment
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”
Letter dated March 11, 2026 from the Westchester County Planning Board (referral file CRO-26-002) reviewing Croton-on-Hudson's proposed zoning text amendment giving affordable housing preference to veterans and emergency services and medical services workers. While noting it generally opposes preferences in affordable housing allocations, the County Planning Board recommends the Village carefully study fair distribution among the employment categories, document its reasoning, and mitigate adverse effects, adding that the County is considering occupational preferences of its own.
AI summary — generated from the document text; check the original before relying on details
Extracted text
Kenneth W. Jenkins
Westchester County Executive
March 11, 2026
County Planning Board Referral File: CRO-26-002 – Affordable Housing Occupational Preferences
The Westchester County Planning Board has received an amendment to the text of the Croton-on-
Hudson Zoning Ordinance to include occupational preferences within the Village’s affordable housing
provisions. Under the proposed amendments, prospective residents who are veterans, or who work in the
emergency services or medical services industries, would be given preference in affordable housing
allocation.
We have reviewed this matter under the provisions of Section 239 L, M and N of the General Municipal
Law and Section 277.61 of the County Administrative Code. While the County Planning Board generally
opposes preferences within affordable housing allocations, we understand the need for municipalities to
provide affordable housing for emergency and other specific workers that would most benefit from
residency near to their place of employment. As such, we recommend that the Village conduct careful
study to ensure affordable housing is affirmatively and fairly distributed amongst these employment
categories, and that the reasoning behind these preferences is documented and maintained. Adverse
effects of these preferences to the provision of affordable housing to all potential residents should be
mitigated. The County is undergoing its own considerations of occupational preferences, and further
information will be provided as to any change in County policy.
Bernard Thombs
BT/mv
cc:
Machine-extracted for search and reference — the original PDF is the authoritative version.