Trustees Close to Tightening Up Tarrytown Historic Commons Zone

Village Administrator Michael Blau explained that questions were raised about the precise meaning of the existing language in the Village Code that pertains to the zone, which was established in 2001, so the Board of Trustees, Planning Board and village officials gave it a closer look to review what can be constructed and the requirements associated with potential development.
The Historic Commons HC Zone covers about 235 acres near the waterfront between the Montefiore (formerly Kraft) property and Sunnyside Lane, but Blau emphasized there were currently no projects proposed for any property within the zone.
According to the most recent legislation, crafted, in large part, by Planning Board Chairman Stanley Friedlander and member David Aukland, and which is to be the subject of a public hearing on September 2, the “purpose and intent of the Historic Commons District is to preserve the visual integrity of historic resources within the district and their surrounding landscapes and maintain the existing pattern of development between South Broadway and the Hudson River.”
It states further, “The lands included within the Historic Commons District represent a unique historic and cultural asset to the Village of Tarrytown and must be protected and maintained for future generations. The unique character of this area is of educational and economic value to the village, serving an important function in the preservation of the region’s history and as a destination for cultural tourism.”
Some of the properties in the Historic Commons HC Zone are Lyndhurst, Sunnyside and the Old Croton Aqueduct, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area also lies within the Tappan Zee East Scenic District, designated in 1993 by the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which mandates the land must contain positive aesthetic elements of regional, statewide or national significance.
The proposed legislation outlines certain criteria allow for multi-family residences, minimum lot size (five acres or 217,800 square feet), principal building coverage (maximum 4%), and maximum height (35 feet or three stories), among other categories.
“If we leave the legislation the way it is, it could be interpreted as (permitting) 495,000 square feet on 25 acres,” Friedlander said to the Board of Trustees during an August work session. “You would have a nightmare basically. We feel strongly about what preservational policies we have recommended and the reasons why. Anything else would be a slippery slope and would go against preserving the Historic District.”
A moratorium on any development within the Historic Commons HC Zone has been extended by the Board of Trustees until October 6. Blau noted there has been little interest expressed about the zone other than a few inquiries made by Montefiore, Scenic Hudson and individuals who reside within and adjacent to the zone’s boundaries.

Written by  Rick Pezzullo