Croton builder protests $12,000 parkland fee at planning board
2025-11-041:15:357452 words transcribed
The Croton Planning Board unanimously approved five resolutions on November 4, 2025, including minor site plans for a new single-family home at 73 Melrose Avenue and a building envelope modification for a fire-damaged home at 8 Newton Court. The board also pushed back against a Village Board proposal to appoint alternate members, arguing it is unnecessary.
●Final Signage Approval for The Grand at 130 Grand Street (Sean Fuller). Vote: 5-0.
●Final Signage Approval for Monday's Gift Shop at 125 Grand Street (Cody Eichelberger). Vote: 5-0.
●Minor Site Plan, Tree Removal, and SWPPP Approval for a new single-family home at 73 Melrose Avenue (73 Melrose, LLC / Taurus Builders Corp. / Butch Doran). Vote: 5-0. Conditions include a waived off-street parking requirement, updated height dimensions on plans, and 100-year storm runoff calculations. Subject to a $12,000 parkland fee prior to building permit issuance.
●Building Envelope Modification at 8 Newton Court (Matthew & Ilana Robinson). Vote: 5-0. Allows a front porch, rear deck, and gazebo for a home rebuilding after a significant fire. Condition: Applicant must apply to the ZBA for a variance for the gazebo.
●Approval of October 7, 2025 draft minutes. Vote: 5-0.
●**Resolutions Failed**
●None.
●**Applications Reviewed**
●Local Law Introductory No. 14 of 2025: Referred by the Village Board of Trustees to review a draft law allowing the appointment of alternate members to the Planning Board and ZBA. The Planning Board expressed several concerns, noting they historically maintain a quorum and do not see the need for an alternate. No vote or resolution was issued.
●**Public Comments**
●Sean Fuller (130 Grand Street): Spoke in support of his signage application; noted he pulled old plants from flower beds and plans to add mulch and vines; inquired about adding a marquee (advised it requires a new application).
●Cody Eichelberger (125 Grand Street): Spoke in support of signage application; clarified window lettering will be white vinyl, not white windows.
●Butch Doran (73 Melrose Avenue): Spoke in support of the site plan; argued the $12,000 parkland fee is excessive compared to larger multi-unit buildings; criticized the $28,000 building permit fee, arguing it should be based on square footage rather than construction cost. The Board directed fee concerns to the Village Board of Trustees.
●Matthew Robinson & Justin Kacur, Architect (8 Newton Court): Spoke in support of the building envelope modification; provided history of the fire-damaged home; shared building material samples.
●**Reports**
●Village Engineer Vincent Salanitro: Present, no specific report recorded.
●Village Attorney Dan Pozin: Stated that having Planning Board alternates is typical in other communities.
●Village Board Liaison Len Simon: Present but left early.
●Chairman Rob Luntz: Advised the Robinsons that the Village follows the NY State Stretch Energy Code, requiring the rebuild to be "solar ready."