Scoping Session to be Held on Croton Overlook

The town will hold a public scoping session on the Croton Overlook project tonight. 

The planned development has proposed to build 70 adult housing units on single-family lots for people 55 years old and up. The 65-acre parcel is near the intersection of Routes 100 and 134, close to the Croton Reservoir and Dell Avenue in the southern end of Yorktown.

Last week town board members approved a positive declaration under New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). In a 3-1 vote, with Councilman Terrence Murphy casting the opposing vote, the declaration is requesting an environmental-impact study and environmental scoping for Croton Overlook.

Attorney David Steinmetz, who is representing the applicant Kim Calandriello, said last week that a few items on the positive declaration should not have been included. He said the non-compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, environmental impact, lack of an aesthetic analysis, cultural resources and further stormwater analysis have been addressed. 

Attorney Dan Pozin, who is representing the town, said the scoping session would determine what else needs to be studied. 

In a previous meeting, Yorktown Planning Director John Tegeder said the planning board had cited a number of potential adverse environmental impacts of the plan, including the required land clearing, the possible change in the character of the community, the impact on emergency services, the impact of the project from the sewage disposal plan and impacts to the Croton Reservoir, impact to wetlands and other natural resource, as well as the closure of Dell Avenue.

Croton Overlook has offered to contribute $650,000 to the town for projects as determined to be necessary by town board  members whether earmarked for seniors or otherwise. Yorktown’s recently adopted Comprehensive Plan acknowledges the need for all different types of housing, and the importance of providing quality housing for empty nesters.

"We want to make sure however we process that we do it correctly, so we avoid lawsuits based on procedural grounds," Siegel said. "."

Public comments on the scope will be closed on March 8 and board members are expected to vote on the final scope on April 5.