New Castle Councilwoman Calls for Moratorium Consideration
New Castle Councilwoman Lisa Katz last week asked her colleagues on the town board to consider a moratorium on development while the town’s Master Plan is being updated.
Katz, who made her appeal following the adjournment of a roughly three-hour public hearing on Chappaqua Crossing, said she would support a building ban “for a short period” while the town moved closer to completing the update. Typically short-term moratoriums run for six months.
Given the development pressures facing the town, the upcoming months could be the right time to take a timeout, Katz said. She stressed that the move would not be aimed at stalling the highly controversial Chappaqua Crossing application.
Katz also said that she doesn’t believe a moratorium would expose the town to litigation from developers because an update is warranted.
“I maintain a Master Plan update is an appropriate reason to have a moratorium,” Katz said. “I believe we should consider the moratorium and do what we can.”
She said last week she was prepared to ask the board consider the option shortly.
The town retained Pace Law School earlier this year to conduct public outreach forums during the spring and collect comments from residents on aspects of the Master Plan that need to be updated. Originally four forums were scheduled but Pace staff agreed to increase that number to seven, said Supervisor Robert Greenstein.
As a result, the materials the town expects to receive from Pace have been delayed. Greenstein said Pace will probably return with its reports to the town sometime in August.
When the update process began late last year, it was estimated that it could take at least a year to be completed.
Although Katz ran on a ticket last fall with Greenstein and Councilman Adam Brodsky where one of the issues on their platform was planning before development, her two running mates from last year didn’t share the same enthusiasm for a moratorium.
Greenstein said he welcomes public input on the issue but believes the window for a moratorium has passed.
“Several years ago, I urged the prior town board to adopt a moratorium and get to work updating our Master Plan, but unfortunately it did neither,” Greenstein said. “Today, as I’ve said before, I no longer believe that the adoption of a moratorium would be in the town’s best interests.”
Brodsky said the Master Plan update is focusing on limited issues and areas of town and doesn’t believe a moratorium is necessary. He added that a potential threat of litigation against the municipality is not a factor in his stance.
“I believe a moratorium, for a variety of reasons, would be the wrong option for the town to pursue at this particular point,” he said.
Councilman Jason Chapin said he wouldn’t discount supporting a moratorium but said with so many issues and proposals being considered there needs to be better communication between the different departments and the town and planning boards.
“I think we should meet with the planning board, town counsel, the town planner and have a good discussion not only on the moratorium suggestion but other options,” Chapin said.
Katz said she will make her pitch to her colleagues and see whether she receives any support.
“I believe in planning first,” Katz said. “Everything changes while in the process of updating a Master Plan.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
