The public hearing regarding the enormous church that will demolish 2 single family homes, create an occupancy on the 2nd floor of 344 people, 6 school classrooms for 19 kids each, convertable into an auditorium for over 300 people while reducing the number of cars they park their to day is becoming a reality. If you add the occupancy of both floors, you have almost 700 people as a potential occupancy. Oh, but don't worry, they "promise" not to occupy--never, ever, ever--over 344 people. Sure, they currently exceed the legal occupancy by 152 people and park over 70 cars than are allowed (23 max).
Cut to the chase:
Today they are allowed 100 people in the church 3 days a year, 3 hours at a time. They illegally converted two single family homes that the Yorktown building department and the tax assessor still classify as a single family residences to a church. A church requires a special use permit in this (R1-10) zoning district. I should note it is the smallest residential zone in the whole town, as far as lot area requirments; that is in keeping with the small, summer cottage nature of the area; that's literally what this specific neighborhood was established as and still has the flavor of--but this will destroy a prominent corner of it.
Now they occupy up to "252" people, against the law. The town is spineless and refuses to enforce valid laws, even though the building inspector noted it was a violation to convert the homes to church without approval or permits. Hire a prominent attorney and threaten to sue the town. That is the takeaway from this story.
But we can and will fight to make this development a more reasonable size and in keeping with the character, while preserving the quality of life of all residents of Yorktown. The church isn't bad and the congregation is full of beautiful families. This is a town planning issue though and the proposal is wholly inappropriate. There's a reason he hired Al Capellini.
If I haven't been at your door with a good old fashioned paper petition regarding the planning board application for Faith Bible Church, then drop me a line, or email me (YorktownCode@gmail.com). I have a couple community organizers gathering signatures, but am always looking additional help.
