Citizens for an Informed Yorktown

Planning Board, 1/23/2012

In response to comments from the Fire Department, the applicant informed the board that the access points to the site had been modified to provide more defined entrance and exit points and to eliminate what was now considered a “haphazard” arrangement.  There will also be intersection improvements and better controls at the Mohegan/Sagamore intersection by creating more of a “T” type intersection.

The board’s overriding concern with the site plan was the adequacy of the on-site parking and whether there were sufficient spaces to accommodate the planned expansion of the building. The current plan provides for 63 spaces where 86 would be required by code. While the goal was to avoid off site parking, Al Capellini, attorney for the church, reminded the board that historically the town has been forgiving of places of worship when it came to street parking. Planning Director John Tegeder suggested that while there might be adequate parking now to accommodate the approximate 150-180 people that typically attend a service, the board might want to require the applicant to submit a parking management plan in the event membership grew and the “typical” capacity exceeded 80% of the proposed 344 seating capacity. The applicant agreed that a plan was a good idea, acknowledging that the current parking arrangement was safe but not perfect and that “down the line” something would have to be done. The church does use parking attendants to help “guide” the cars and, during more heavily attended holiday services uses valet parking.

Also, because the property, located off Route 6, is part of the Sustainable Development Study, Mr. Tegeder advised the board that the application will be referred to the town’s traffic consultant, Jacobs, Edwards and Kelsey, for review. The applicant indicated that it would accept the findings of the town’s traffic consultant and would not hire its own consultant. (See Costo, Town Board, 1/24/2012  for discussion on traffic consultant. )

While an Article 78 lawsuit has been filed by local resident Evan Bray challenging the Zoning Board’s decision to grant the church two variances, Karen Wagner, the board’s attorney, advised the board that the lawsuit had no bearing on the Planning Board’s review of the site plan.