Thursday, February 26, 2015

THE 2/26/15 GAZETTE: CROTON, ACCESSORY APARTMENT LAW CHANGES

As you know, Croton is still on the list of communities that engage in exclusionary and or restrictive and or discriminatory zoning as determined by HUD/the monitor. As is well documented, the monitor had issues with the special permit requirements in Harmon re-zoning--as opposed to "as of right" for multifamily housing--the restrictions on the village's accessory apartment law, and so forth.

In March of 2013, the monitor overseeing the Spano-brokered housing settlement sent village officials a letter and a "report card". That letter/report card was obtained pursuant to a freedom of information request. In that letter, it was asserted that the village's low income/affordable housing unit obligation was 115 units--for which it was given "credit" for 15 apartments, leaving an obligation of 100 units. Also in that letter was the following:  

THE VILLAGE WILL NOT SATISFY ITS OBLIGATION UNLESS IT ALLOWS FOR MULTIFAMILY HOUSING IN ADDITIONAL DISTRICTS OR PROVIDES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TYPES. THIS MAY REQUIRE LOOSENING THE RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESSORY UNITS OR EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES FOR REDEVELOPMENT.

You can see the monitor's letter and Croton's report card obtained pursuant to a FOIL request here: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/04/hud-letter-to-croton-now-online.html

Fast track to THE GAZETTE 2/26/15:  You are encouraged to read the lead article, which details the substantive loosening of restrictions on Croton's accessory apartment law, HUD, etc. 

NOTE: ACCESSORY APARTMENT CHANGES were discussed in the 2/23/15 work session; unfortunately, the meeting audiotape is still not online at this time; you can check back at this link http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=crotononhudson&eID=494

The changes to the accessory apartment law have not yet been voted on by the board which has the ultimate responsibility for this decision. That must be done in a public meeting.

7 comments:

  1. In 2001, the comprehensive committee chaired by ANN GALLELLI said this about accessory apartments:
    Legalizing existing apartments would allow for safety issues to be addressed in terms of electric and fire hazards. However, it could result in more obtrusive parking and noise issues. In addition, legalizing accessory apartments downsizes the housing stock and reduces property values.

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    1. Please provide where you found this.

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    2. It's here. Towards the bottom of the minutes, under 'accessory apartments': http://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/public_documents/CrotonHudsonNY_CPMin/compplanminutes110101?textPage=1

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  2. WOW. Hud wins in Croton.

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  3. Was there every any doubt. The audiotape went online today. You should listen to it very carefully. This is a law change that will need a public hearing right?

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    1. Yes it will have a public hearing; all law changes do. It was also good of The Gazette to inform the public about HUD as there was no discussion of it at all on the tape.

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