Planning Board OKs South Riverside Avenue Landscaping Changes

Key Actions & Decisions

• ◆ **Resolutions Passed**
• ◆ Approval of Amended Site Plan for Croton Riverside, LLC at 21-27 South Riverside Ave (Tax Map 78.8-5-43). Vote: 5-0. Modifies retaining wall geometry, replaces a large concrete ADA ramp with a steel ADA lift, and requires updated landscaping including 8-10 foot arborvitaes near Barton Place and ivy on the rear retaining wall. Requires retaining wall certification prior to Certificate of Occupancy.
• ◆ Approval of September 16, 2025 meeting minutes (as amended). Vote: 4-0-1 (Steve Krisky abstained due to absence).
• ◆ **Resolutions Failed**
• ◆ None.
• ◆ **Applications Reviewed**
• ◆ *Croton Riverside, LLC — 25 South Riverside Ave:* Amended Site Plan for a three-story multi-family building. A public hearing was opened (5-0) and closed (5-0) with no oral public comments, though a letter from neighbor Lauren Davis regarding rear-of-building concerns was acknowledged. The board clarified her concerns pertained to the previously approved rear, not the current front-facing amendments.
• ◆ *Draft Local Law Introductory No. 14 of 2025:* Referred by the Village Board of Trustees to review a proposal allowing the appointment of alternate members to the Planning Board and ZBA for one-year terms. The Planning Board raised concerns about alternates potentially steering discussions without voting, noted their historically high attendance, and suggested alternates might be more necessary for other boards. No vote was taken; feedback will be returned to the Trustees.
• ◆ **Public Comments**
• ◆ Ed Riely of Truesdale Drive: Spoke regarding Local Law No. 14, suggesting it would be more appropriate to appoint alternate members to the Village Board of Trustees rather than the Planning Board, noting his respect for the Planning Board's judicial temperament.
• ◆ **Reports**
• ◆ *Parkland Fees Memo:* The Planning Board reviewed a draft memo to the Board of Trustees requesting a waiver of parkland fees for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to ensure consistency with accessory apartments.
• ◆ *Meeting Schedule Change:* The Village Manager requested the Planning Board consider moving meetings from the first and third Tuesdays to the second and fourth Tuesdays to accommodate the planning consultant and legal counsel. The board agreed in principle, pending coordination with other Village boards' schedules.