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RYE BROOK, NY - Despite presentations from Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla and other members of the Port Chester school district and community, the Rye Brook Board of Trustees passed legislation regarding Fair and Affordable Housing (FAAH) at the board's regularly scheduled meeting at the village hall on Tuesday evening.
For more information regarding the debate at the public forum, please read Wednesday's article on the meeting.
The legislation approves the creation of a "floating zone" within the village of Rye Brook, the application of which is subject to the board's discretion. According to Rye Brook Village Clerk Chris Bradbury the legislation allows for the village to waive dimensional zoning requirements of a particular village zone to comply with the requirements of fair and affordable housing applicants.
The legislation comes on the heels of the county's settlement regarding FAAH.
"The board considered the comments from the public," Bradbury said on Thursday, "But ultimately they chose to close the public hearing and move forward with the legislation".
Former Rye Brook board of education member Richard Buzin feels that the board made the right decision.
"This is the right thing, at the right time for the village of Rye Brook" Buzin said. Buzin, who spoke at the forum, cited Rye Brook's previous consideration of the Port Chester school districts when it comes to fair and affordable housing.
"In the past we've shut down projects that were grander because of the negative effects they could've had on Port Chester schools," Buzin said.
The legislation also alters the requirements for site plan and subdivision applications within the village. According to Bradbury, all site plans subdivisions of more than eleven units or lots are required to build some form of affordable housing.
The legislation is currently awaiting filing by the state.
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