Yorktown Really Does Treat Mohegan Lake As the "Red headed step-child."

You should be aware that Yorktown wants to rezone about 5 acres to allow 220 units of housing on Route 6 across from the "Winery."  It's such a large site it has frontage on Strawberry Road.  The biggest problem seems to be that grandma won't be able to make a left on Route 6 to make it to the JV Mall for morning coffee.  She'll just have to take a right and turn around at the Winery, or Mobil, or CVS.  Great Town Planning.  What's important to note here is that the owner could build about 10 single family homes as-of-right, meaning no rezoning required.  That's not enough ROI though.  Need a big return to "Move Yorktown Forward," I guess.

Effed in the A.  Have you ever driven around here during a holiday weekend?  Even a normal weekend with normal traffic  = shit.  Wait until we have "220 units" meaning like 400 people--really old people that don't know how to drive--AND that can't make a left on to route 6 to get to the JV Mall for coffee at Subway. 

Yorktown really does seem do just want to "eff" Mohegan Lake, in a bad way.  Re-zone an acre (1) to allow 36 bedrooms over 2 buildings of of over 16,000sf.  That's totally normal, apparently.  Re-zone 5 acres for 220 units?  Totally normal.  You live in the northwesterly part of Yorktown?  Be afraid; be very afraid. 

The Yorktown Town Board appoints volunteer appointees to the the Planning and Zoning boards, and all the advisory boards.  They serve at the the pleasure of the Town Board.  The Town Board sets the the tone and the boards follow suit.

Let's be a little more careful in the future about who we elect to head up the Town Board which sets the tone of our town planning policies.  

How Does The Re-Zoning of Lexington Ave. Affect You?

The Town of Yorktown Town Board is considering  re-zoning a one acre parcel to allow 36 bedrooms in 12 three bedroom units at 1,344 square feet per.  That equals SIXTEEN THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT square feet (excuse me, my caps lock got stuck there).  That's 36 bedrooms.  ON ONE ACRE.
What's really upsetting is that this proposal requires major zoning variances.  Eliminating 50% of the required side yard to build a multi-family building of this scale is notable.  I'd say objectionable.  The fact that the building separation is not correct,* yeah, that shakes may faith in the competency of the planning director. 

Does the rezoning consider anything other than this random one acre lot?

No.

Does Yorktown have a master plan of the areas they propose to re-zone to R-2 and R-3 multi-family zoning districts?

No.

Should the Town consider re-zoning all of the parcels adjacent to this one acre hemmed in by Lexington Avenue, West Road,  Ellis Street, and the Access Road at the Nursing Home?

Yes.

At least let that block cash out and move to a town of more reasonable planning goals.  Heck, we could probably fit at least 344 units on that block.  It's right next to the elementary school too.  Perhaps we could make it a dormitory for the school which would be an as-of-right use in an R-3 Zone.  I would so love it if GWES was a boarding school.  I have four daughters.  We'd be so close. It wouldn't be that bad, right?

Oh, hey, and did I mention that the applicant and Yorktown incorrectly calculated the front yard required.  Yes, another variance is required (the Town doesn't really like to look closely at planning and zoning applications, in my opinion).**

*The Planning Director incorrectly notes the building separation between the buildings as 90 feet, where the code is clear that the separation between two main buildings is 100 feet, if it's based on table 300a.  Would also note that the buildings--as designed--would exist completely within land requiring variances for them to be there.  That's not normal.

**What's funny is that I literally got the applicant/town to agree to recalculate the front yard of FBC .  Short memory.

Yorktown: Do You Want Random One Acre Parcels Rezoned To Multi-Family?

Maybe you do.  There is a need for such housing and some Zoning Districts allow for it.  Not the single family zones (the R-1 districts), but the multi family zones (R2, and R3).  Also, the Commercial Zoning Districts.

The Yorktown Planning Board Director and the Town Board seem poised to rezone a one acre parcel in the center of a single family zoning district, right next to George Washington Elementary School.  It would set a dangerous, dangerous precedent and you should be concerned about the value of your home.  Live on a busy road in a residential zone?  Near a school, or church, or daycare, or doctor's office, etc...?  Those seem to be the two criteria they are using to justify this rezoning.

It's very close to Cortlandt (across the street, literally).  You might think that is R-2 or R-3, but you'd be wrong.  It's all single family zoning there.

There will be a public hearing on this re-zoning application very soon.  It's important to pay attention to the Town's business.  Here's what we know so far (video excerpt of the last public hearing below):

• The Planning Director is terribly confused.  He said that the "parcels immediately adjacent [the subject 1 acre parcel] underwent significant "up-zoning'" and he references GWES and the Islamic Center "and all the way east to route 6."  Nope, no up-zoning there.  See the marked up zoning map below.  He also said there was up-zoning on the Hunterbrook.  Pfffft. 
• We, to date, have not seen an "as of right" plan, meaning a plan that does not require any variances. The developer presented something that fit within the setbacks, but didn't comply with building code so it was not a feasible design--as noted by the Planning Director in the video; somehow he arrives at the conclusion that the plan requiring elimination of over 50% of the side yards to build the building was "the best plan."  Whoa there.  What we should be presented with is a scheme that complies with code and zoning as of right because--as Councilman Bernard reminds us--the board is not considering the site plan or parking plan or building code--they are only considering the rezoning.  Soooooooo, if that's true, show us what would be allowed without requiring any variances whatsoever.  Isn't that a reasonable request?

That's enough for today, but--please--do pay attention to this application.  Maybe re-zoning random one acre parcels is the way to "move Yorktown forward."

If you live in the light yellow zone, be afraid. Be very afraid.  Or, in the alternative, petition the Yorktown Town Board for a re-zone of your single family house to R-3, cash out, and buy a house in a normal town. 

Senator Murphy Throws Mother and Brother Under A Bus; Both Presumed Dead.

Just kidding, but he did throw both of them under the bus. Man, that's character.  Surely you've heard the news. 

Murphy immediately changes his facebook page to show you that he doesn't "own or operate" "Murphy's" restaurant and make it say he's merely an "investor." He scrubs it from his senate page, omitting any relation to Murphy's.  He denies any knowledge and absolves all of his family, including himself, except his brother and mother?   Read this quote from a local Yorktown paper in the picture below.  If you read it carefully, you'll see the moment he throws--nay, rather--pushes his mom and bro under the bus. So Machiavellian.

Brother Pat and Mom, I have your back here at SaveMoheganLake.com.  We support small business and want to help you climb out of you serious, and mounting, tax debt. We hope you disavow Terrence with his duplicitous ways and support my candidacy for Senator of the 40th! 

That's not cool.  It's not cool to be associated with a 117K in back-taxes (about to go up by about 50K).  Let's report him to the NYS Assembly's Ethic's Board!  Oh right, he sits on it.  Hmmmm...

The word on the street is that to relieve the stress of so much bad press, Senator Murphy has been making late night trips to Assemblyman Steve Katz's house to "chill." His press secretary, Matt Slater, clarified that "they've only been watching Netflix, not chilling."

This just in: I, SaveMoheganLake.com, am announcing my candidacy for the 40th NYS Senate District!  I'm 110 acres of spring-fed watery goodness, especially with the copper sulfate treatments I've been receiving, not much algae.  I get along with Republicans and Democrats and can forge a common path forward while paying my taxes--the whole time.

SaveMoheganLake.com: Make Yorktown Fun Again

Yorktown Town Board Approves Water Rate Increase Of 25%

Wow. That's substantial.  As a resident of Yorktown, make sure you pay attention to the budget.  It's really boring and hard to follow, but you very well may spend around a thousand dollars a month in property taxes, if not more.  You want to know where that is going. I've been paying attention for about 5 years, was duly elected to serve in a department of Yorktown as Vice President of a Park District, and I still have questions.

That said, your water bill just went up 25%.  There was a long Town Board meeting last night and there were a lot of good comments.  I dare you to watch the whole 2 hour and 52 minute meeting held on 3/1/2016 ; I know you won't, but at least the 15 minutes below:

Take it away, Ed Ciffone and Susan Siegel; both long time residents and studious citizens monitoring the complicated ~55 million dollar budget, and continually growing (about 5 million in the last 4 years?)  budget. Please note that Ed's questions will not be answered at the end as promised by the supervisor in this clip--if you whatch the whole thing--which we've established you won't. The gist of the rate increase is that the supervisor lowered the water department budget and drew off its fund balance so he could campaign as having delivered a tax decrease.  Those chickens are now coming home to roost and we're likely to see a lot more of this.  Yorktown expenditures exceed revenue and the budget keeps growing under Grace. 



Oh, and before I sign off, WE STILL DON'T HAVE FLUORIDE IN OUR WATER.  I grew up in a small Colorado town with no fluoride 'cause--whatever--and my teeth are shit.  Please, I have four daughters.  If you watch the whole meeting, you can see Supervisor Grace declare the fluoride system to be in the "engineering phase."   My God, it's been about two years without.  Fire the engineer and get this done.  Question: has the fluoride system been deducted out of the general water district fund? It's about a 1 million dollar line item, right?

Mohegan Lake Update: 2/22/16

First, it must be noted that the appeal we have pending in the 2nd Appellate Division (highest court in NYS) has a return date of March 4, 2016; Yorktown and The Church owe a reply to my brief about a week before.  That's exciting and incredibly scary.  I requested 15 minutes of oral arguments (you can request up to 30 mins.).  I pray, in the legal sense--and spiritual, that the court grants me my 15 minutes.  It's pretty straight-forward. And it's right; and what's right is right, am I right?

Second, you should go to tonight's Town Board meeting tonight where they will discuss our treatment plan for the lake this summer.  They were very supportive last time around.  Here's a note from Ken:

The Yorktown Town Board has to vote to authorize the contract for copper sulfate treatments to Mohegan Lake in 2016.  They have placed the matter on their work session agenda for Tuesday February 26th.  We will know the time once they post the agenda tomorrow morning on the Town website.  I plan on attending, but would appreciate any moral support.  Not to mention that it would be good for the new Town Board members to see that there is support for the lake in the community.  The agenda item should take no more than five minutes, once they get to us.  Ken

Third, what a strange winter.  While we initially speculated it would be an abbreviated skating season, it's proved to be about 6 weeks strong with potential for more; all without nearly as much child labor, relative to last year!

Fourth, the Yorktown Town Board is considering a radical rezoning proposal and there is a public, working session being held on March 8.  This is an issue we all need to pay attention to.  Live in a residential zone? Next to someone with an acre parcel?  If so, you could easily be living next to 12 apartments, if the Board keeps moving in their current direction.  Very scary to the residential integrity of Yorktown, so pay attention. 

Lastly, Think Cold.   Looks like this week holds yet another natural Zamboni for us.  The question is, will the cold be cold enough to allow us any more skating on this sweet, sweet Mohegan Lake ice?

 

 

Public Hearing Tuesday 2/16/2016 For Lexington Ave. Major Up-Zoning

Update 2/16/2016:  The Town Board has not released and agenda for tonight's meeting, but the word on the street is that there will be a work session on March 8th, 2016 regarding the Lexington Avenue re-zoning proposal.  Please adjust your calendars accordingly and--remember--work sessions are NOT televised.  

So this is what we know:

The Town Board is considering a major re-zoning of a single acre lot.  It goes from R1-20 (Yortown's smallest relative to lot area, single family zone) to R-3 (the densest, most multi family you could imagine). 

The Town Board appears to have been lulled by the developer of unknown origins (certainly not from Yorktown) looking to FIT TWELVE (12) APARTMENTS ON A SINGLE ACRE (1) ON A SINGLE BLOCK OF SEVEN (7) SINGLE FAMILY HOMES (SOON TO BE 6).  Excuse me.  I think my caps lock got stuck there.  You can watch the February 2 video here.  

The red square is an island of 12 apartments amongst a sea of single family homes.  Please remember, our Town Board are elected officials and remember how they vote on this application.

My inclination is to layout my entire argument against such a radical re-zoning here, in this space, because it's such a crazy, crazy proposal, but that's not the proper way to convey such sentiment to the Town of Yorktown Town Board.  You can do that yourself by showing up on Tuesday night and educating the Town Board on  the finer points of how this rezoning is basically a handout to a developer to create a dozen section 8 apartments next to George Washington Elementary School (I have 4 girls in the district, so I'm a bit biased).  Or you could just email the Town Board your comments; this link has their email addresses. 

It's bad for the homeowners on the block.  It's bad for GWES. It's bad for Yorktown as a whole.  There are a lot of R1-20 zones around town.  You may live in one.  Imagine if some random lot on your block, say it's an acre--give or take, and then all the sudden you HAVE TWELVE APARTMENTS LOOKING INTO YOUR BACK, SIDE, OR FRONT YARD.  Sorry, caps lock is malfunctioning tonight.  Imagine if the proposed 9+ acre subdivision on Hunterbrook, instead of going from a single family home to 9 single family homes, was going to a nine acre lot with 108 apartments.  Never gonna happen.  Shouldn't happen here--if our elected officials do their jobs.

In summary, pay attention to the Town of Yorktown Town Board.  Especially up here in Mohegan Lake. It's frustrating that we even have fight something like this.  You would expect the Town Board to have our back, not some faceless developer looking to allow blight to bleed into Yorktown. 

Lexington Avenue Rezoning Will Crush The Very Soul of The Mohegan Lake Community

Have you heard about the proposed Lexington Avenue Rezoning from single family (R1-20)?  Probably not because it was only recently brought up at the Town of Yorktown Town Board.  Neighbors on the entire block are united in opposition (please see petition below; I can email you a pdf if you have trouble reading it).  Basically, it allows the lot the single family is on today to fit 12 apartment units.  That's nuts.  Imagine that literally in your back yard where a single family home once stood.  Of the seven single family homes on the block, a single lot would suddenly have 12 families; almost twice as many that have existed in the area since about the 1930's.  Yikes!

It's right next to  George Washington Elementary.  There's nothing but R1-20 around.  The closest R-3 are the condos on Mohegan Lake and they are a disaster, from a density perspective.   It's obvious that there's a buck to be made and what better place in Yorktown to "spot zone" than the northwest corner.  I wish the neighbors luck, but the forces on the Town Board are likely not in their favor, but let's hold off judgement just yet; hopefully they do the right thing and shoot this proposal down right out of the gate.  

It's interesting to note that in considering the "rezoning" the Town Board referred it to many Boards, but not the "Zoning Board of Appeals."  I think that's because the don't want to have to consider the myriad variances that would be required to make 12 units on that acre lot; such information would certainly not support a rezoning. 

Before we look at the petition, let's consult our trusty zoning map, below.  As you can see, the lot is in a sea of yellow R1-20 single family homes.  Nary a R-3 multi-family zone allowing dense apartment buildings around.   

This issue was touched on in courtesy of the floor at the last Town Board, remember? There's likely a Town Board meeting on it tomorrow night, 2/2 at 730pm.  Won't know until they release agenda.

The red arrow shows the lot in question. 

 

It's shocking that these 6 single family homes and the proposed rezone parcel, which comprises the whole block, could suddenly have a dozen units plunked down.  Certainly not in keeping with the character of our lovely lake community.

Hilltop Service Station

You guys know it.  It's the old-school gas and auto service station at East Main where Sagamore Dead Ends into it.  The new owner started selling used cars there and I really can't tell the difference from the old one; certainly doesn't look much different than from how the old owner kept it.

Anyhow, we've previously noted how the Yorktown Supervisor seems hellbent on twisting one property owner's nuts while turning a blind eye to another doing nearly the exact same thing (from a zoning perspective) a couple blocks down Route 6 at the intersection of Mohegan Ave/Lakeland St. where Mohegan Lake Motors set up shop at a legal eating and drinking establishment (formerly Anthony's Pizzeria).

Susan Seigel has studious notes from the last Town Board working session.  I'd bring you video of the discussion, but apparently such work sessions do not merit public scrutiny, unless you can make it to the meeting and lean in on their table.  If you don't already follow Ms. Seigel's Citizens for and Informed Yorktown email list--it's informative; did you know there will be a public hearing about our water bills going up 25% very soon (it doesn't matter what you say, it's happening)?  Here are her notes from the 1/26/16 Town Board work session on Hilltop Service Station:

Chris Sciarra showed the board photos of what he said was the “look” the owner wanted to achieve as part of his efforts to “beautify” the site.   He said the owner planned to apply for a rezoning to allow the sales of used cars but before he did, he wanted a sense of the board as to exactly what it wanted.  (Based on a passing comment, the applicant may be applying for a new transitional zone for the two parcels that currently comprise the site; one parcel is used residential, the other already is a transitional zone.)

Supervisor Grace repeated his issues:  he is concerned with the aesthetics along the Route 6 greenbelt; he sees  no difference between cars parked for sale and cars packed to be repaired, a point challenged by a resident in the audience who was allowed to speak.  The supervisor suggested he would not be happy seeing a “ditch” along Route 6 and he also wanted to “soften” the site’s  look from Route 6.  Councilman Bernard asked the owner to touch base with the state to see what plantings might be possible along Route 6; otherwise, he said, the invasives will just grow back.

The major aesthetic issue was differences of opinion on whether a canopy should be permitted, and if so, what size and shape. Councilman Diana said he was opposed to one and wanted to keep the “old style” look of the station. He added, however, that he would be open minded if the owner came back with something smaller.

Mr. Sciarra said that the station was one of only two in Yorktown did not have self service and that it was important to help a local business. The owner explained that if the pumps are not protected by a canopy, they will deteriorate.

John Tegeder suggested that one solution to retaining the 1940s look might be to see if the roof line of the building could be extended over the pumps.

There was also a discussion of signs and it was unclear whether the owner was planning on keeping the existing signs or planning new ones.

The applicant will have to prepare a formal site plan (not, as the supervisor said, a drawing on a napkin) when he submits the rezoning application.

I leave you with this clip from "Chinatown," because water is important and this is one of the most important movies in the American movie lexicon that addresses it; if you have never seen it, put it in your queue (plus, it has Jack Nicholson):

Urgent Yorktown Town Board Meeting Today, 7/21/15

UPDATE: THE TOWN BOARD MOVED THE MEETING TO TOWN HALL BECAUSE OF "HEAT AND HUMIDITY" (BECAUSE IT NEVER GETS HOT AT TOWN HALL?) WHICH SEEMS PRETTY LAME.  OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AMPLE SHADE AND LAKE BREEZE THAT KEEPS US COOL UP HERE. 

Hi Team,

Just got a reminder that the Yorktown Town Board will be meeting from the Mohegan Lake Improvement District (MLID) about tomorrow's meeting.  It should be great weather and our lake is looking great after the Town Board was so helpful expediting our wetlands permit required for the copper sulfate applications that have tamped down the blue-green algae.  We should definitely give them a big thanks for their help.

As MLID's email makes clear, there is an important agenda item about a developer's proposal for a new house mostly within the 150' wetland buffer at 3211 Lakeshore Drive.  It's important to note that the Zoning Board of Appeals recently approved a variance a few years ago.  That approval languished and then the developer asked for a bigger variance in the form of the footprint of the building.

Considering all of the density and congestion (P.S. Mohegan Lake Motors is still storing motor vehicles at the pizzeria) we currently have, it's important to make it clear that we care about our community.  The ZBA variance plus building in the wetland buffer of our struggling lake so someone can make a quick buck?  There are many other Mohegan Lake issues to discuss.  If you have something you'd like to address the Town Board with (e.g. crumbling retaining wall on Mohegan ave. that will end up being the next Baptist Church Road shutdown in a few years, if not sooner), you should stop by.  Even if you don't want to speak, you should come enjoy the sunset on our most beauteous lake.

Unless weather changes the venue back to Town Hall, the Yorktown Town Board meeting is scheduled for 6 PM Tuesday July 21st at the Mohegan Colony Beach off Oak and High Streets.  Come out if you can to show we are a concerned, involved community. 

Of special interest is a public hearing to build a home on 3211 Lakeshore Drive.  Because the lot is on the lake, the seller needs to obtain a wetlands permit from the Town so that the developer interested in purchasing the lot can legally build on it.  Obviously, this affects the value of the lot, which is .4 acres, and I believe has access to sewers.  There appear to be existing houses to the left and to the right of this lot. 

Much of the lot falls in the Mohegan Lake 150' wetlands buffer.  In order to build, the Town Board must consent by issuing a wetlands permit - hence the public hearing. 

This represents a unique opportunity for the Town Board to hear from the community living around, or with rights to, Mohegan Lake. 

This is also a reminder that there will be a treatment of copper sulfate the morning of Tuesday July 21st, so there will be no swimming permitted for 24 hours thereafter.

[h/t Woot for the funny image]

Town Board Meeting At Mohegan Colony This Tuesday

Below is a message from MLID president Ken Belfer.  MHPOA plans to storm this meeting by boat--landing on the beach just before the 6pm start time.  There's a lot to talk about Mohegan Lake and this is a great opportunity to have you're voice heard.  Sewers, the new house proposed within the wetland buffer for a developer looking to make a quick buck, infrastructure (Mohegan Ave's retaining wall is about to collapse), health of the lake (we owe the Town Board a thank you for helping to expedite the DEC wetlands permit for our copper sulfate applications which have been very successful), etc...  Hope to see you there.

Weather permitting, the Yorktown Town Board will be holding its regular meeting Tuesday July 21 at 6 P.M. at the Mohegan Colony beach.  There are two reasons to come out.  1) to welcome the Town Board to our back yard, and let them know there are voters here who care. 2) the first public hearing on the agenda is on a wetlands permit to allow construction of a home at 3211 Lakeshore Drive.  The home would be within the 150' Mohegan Lake wetlands buffer.  After the presentation by the developers, interested residents will be able to speak at the hearing.    Ken

2 Upcoming Meetings

MLID is meeting at the Mohegan Colony Pavilion/Calvary Church at 99 Baron deHirsch Road this Thursday.  We are finalizing Lake Day plans and will discuss our copper sulfate treatments.

Also, mark your calendars for July 21st.  The Town Board is moving their circus to the Mohegan Colony beach.  At least come out for the courtesy of the floor (read: airing of grievances).  You'll want to keep a tight three minutes on any topic you want to bring up.

Yorktown's Planning Woes Continue

The Yorktown News served us up a preview of a new proposal that will affect all of us here in Mohegan Lake.  While the owner and their attorney--who else but the ubiquitous Al Capellini--have not made any formal presentation, we can glean a few details and see a familiar story arc start to take shape.  We citizens will have no meaningful input into the Town Board's inevitable rezone of the application to whatever zone the developer wishes, but it's fun to follow along at home and see how the game is played which--ultimately--ends up in poor planning decisions that devalue the very essence of Yorktown's character which--according to the Town's website--"is a beautiful community in Northern Westchester County, New York, 35 miles from New York City, with forty square miles of rolling hills, farmland, residential areas and light industry."

It's unclear how 120 the short-term rental one and two bedroom market rate and subsidized low income rental apartments packed into a few acres along one of the busiest stretches of road in town fits in with the character of Yorktown (note: this number will likely increase after the rezone is approved; their attorney will scream and shout that his poor client can't make enough money with only 120 units and that another 30 would make it financially feasible and if anyone objects to the added density they are tree-hugging socialists who hate America).  The existing use of the land in a single family residential zone--a single farm house on about 10 acres--is more in keeping with farming and pastoral landscape of Yorktown.  It would seem an absurd proposition to argue that 120 rental apartments (probably more) would justify a rezone.  It's not that they can't make money developing nice, new single-family homes. It's that they can't make enough money and that--my friends--is not justification for a rezone.  If you loathe traffic on route 6 now, wait until 120 new units come online and generate hundreds of additional trips a day on a road that operates beyond its capacity most of the time.

Yet, here we have both the supervisor and Yorktown Chamber of Commerce president extolling the virtues of a plan they've not seen any details of--because they don't exist.  It's this type of knee-jerk response that has painted the town in such an unflattering light relative to preserving residents' qualities of life against the developers' unquenchable thirst to milk every last cent out of our land; especially up here in the northwest part of town.

Yorktown Code table 300a showing minimum lot areas and maximum Floor Area Ratios.  Looks like the site must be about 10 acres if they plan on packing 120 units into that site. 

Have Mr. Grace and Mr. Visconti looked at the current zone and schedule of regulations?  I went ahead and did a little research (code section above).  It's interesting to note that the up-zone to allow more density skips from R-1 to R-3; why no discussion of 2 family zoning that would increase density (and profitability) of the parcel?  Probably because the developer the family wants to flip it to would not be able to make boatloads of money--perhaps only a few wheelbarrows full--to make it worth his time.  The site really doesn't lend itself to a residential development being hemmed in by route 6/Jefferson Valley Mall, high-tension power lines, and Club Fit; the 4th side is a tiny residential road with single family homes across the street.  Why no discussion of a rezone to commercial?  I thought the plan was to develop as much commercial properties as possible so that our taxes would perpetually get lower and lower, no?

Perhaps the senior living facilities caddy-corner to the site welcome the unrestricted units.  While I'm not fully convinced on Mr. Bianco's objection solely based on the additional children the units will inevitably produce--it warrants a serious discussion.  It looks like they will all end up at Thomas Jefferson elementary; is there classroom space there to accommodate the influx?  

Detail of Yorktown's zoning map highlighting the proposed rezoning area.  120, unrestricted (e.g. not age restricted) short term market and low-income apartments would be the first of its kind in the area.  It's overwhelmingly single-family residential with a bit of commercial along 6.  Why no discussion of a commercial rezone? 

In summary, this is something we should all pay attention to and comment on when it's opened for public hearing--even though though said comments will be swept under the town board's rug.