North Salem Planning Board Meeting - October 8, 2025

The North Salem Planning Board met on October 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM in a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting. The board handled several land-use applications, including a public hearing carryover, multiple extension requests, a final subdivision approval, a soil-testing plan, a proposed residence, and AT&T facility modifications. It also approved the September 2025 financial report and two sets of minutes, and discussed a potential zoning change related to the Croton Falls Master Plan.

Public Hearings

• Grant Road LLC (658 Grant Rd.): The public hearing was carried over to the November 2025 meeting.

Discussion Items

• DiMaio (28 Whittier Hills Dr.): Applicant Thomas DiMaio requested a second 90-day extension for his approved project. He stated that funding was secured and work was about to begin, but no remediation, soil capping, or tree-wall construction had started. A court stay affecting a neighboring property (26 Whittier Hills Dr.) caused uncertainty; the board advised DiMaio to obtain official court clarification before starting work. The board approved the extension from October 10, 2025 to January 8, 2026.
• Gilport Development Corp. (Oak Ridge/Overlook Rd.): The board approved a sixteenth 90-day extension of the final subdivision plat approval from October 27, 2025 to January 26, 2026. Because the wetland permit had expired, the board also re-approved the freshwater wetland permit to run concurrently with the extension. The chair stated that periodic regulatory checks showed no relevant changes.
• LoRusso (26 Whittier Hills Dr.): The board adopted a resolution acknowledging the court-ordered stay and directing that the board's approval clock be paused from the start of the stay until it is lifted. The applicant asked to confirm that the full stay period would be added back; the chair confirmed that was the intent. The vote was unanimous.
• Reed Road Group (Reed Road): Town engineer Rich Williams (Hahn Engineering) attended. The planning consultant noted that Hahn's memo required changes: the project needs an individual DEC permit rather than a general permit, the draft's general permit number was incorrect, and a Notice of Intent (NOI) is still required. The board approved the final subdivision plat, lot line adjustment, and stormwater management permit, with amendments and outstanding Hahn memo items made conditions of approval. The chair expressed frustration with repeated requests for missing information across multiple applications.
• Taverner (2 Whittier Hills Dr.): Brian Hildebrand, representing the applicant, said a professional geologist would lead soil sampling and testing for fill already placed on the site. He confirmed all fill came from one location. The testing plan includes four samples (two regular and two composite). The board discussed the wetland intrusion and steep slopes exceeding 15%; Hildebrand said regrading would be done to the greatest extent practical. The board directed that existing trees be shown on plans and that sampling be coordinated through the town engineer's office. A wetland permit will be required because the wetland area was disturbed.
• Peirce (3 Cottage Ln.): Applicant Michael Peirce proposed a one-and-a-half story residence, but board members stated the plans appeared to show a two-story house with full second-floor bedrooms. Previous discussions with the co-op board and neighbors led to a smaller footprint with dormers. The board identified likely needs for variances (setbacks, parking in a yard/setback area) and requested clearer, more consistent plans. Peirce said he needed time to respond to the consultants' memos.
• AT&T Mobility (40 Sun Valley Dr.): The board approved the alteration exemption, conditional use permit, and site plan approval for modifications to AT&T equipment at the existing facility. Note: the motion as read in the transcript cited 440 Sun Valley Drive, while the agenda listed 40 Sun Valley Drive.
• Croton Falls Master Plan / Old Firehouse (One Front Street): The chair reported that the Town Board adopted the Croton Falls Master Plan but subsequently discussed a zoning change at the old firehouse. The chair said the plan explicitly states there will be no zoning changes and that the owner has confirmed he never requested a change. The chair has spoken to town board members and is waiting to see whether the zoning-change discussion is dropped.

Key Outcomes

• Carried the Grant Road LLC public hearing to the November 5, 2025 regular meeting.
• Unanimously approved DiMaio's second 90-day extension (October 10, 2025 - January 8, 2026).
• Unanimously approved Gilport's sixteenth 90-day extension (October 27, 2025 - January 26, 2026) and wetland permit re-approval.
• Unanimously approved the LoRusso resolution pausing approval timeframes during the court stay.
• Unanimously approved the Reed Road Group final subdivision plat, lot line adjustment, and stormwater management permit with conditions.
• Directed that Taverner's soil testing proceed through the town engineer's office; a wetland permit application is expected.
• Unanimously approved AT&T Mobility's alteration exemption, conditional use permit, and site plan.
• Approved the September 2025 financial report and the September 3 and September 17, 2025 meeting minutes.
• Scheduled a work session for October 15, 2025 (stormwater training) and the next regular meeting for November 5, 2025.