Peekskill Planning Commission Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Planning Commission met on March 10, 2026, at 7:45 PM in the Common Council Chamber with a full quorum. The agenda included extensions and renewals of site plan approvals, a detailed presentation on a proposed floating solar array, and several public hearings for site plan amendments, new uses, and legalization of existing improvements. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Extension of Final Site Plan Approval (P26-007): For a light mechanic shop at 614 South Street (owner: Uyaguari’s LLC, applicant: ARQ Architecture). Approved a one-year extension until March 2027.
• Renewal of Final Site Plan Approval (P26-008): For Church of the Assumption at 920 First Street (parking lot reconfiguration, signage, landscaping). The commission first reaffirmed the previous SEQRA negative declaration (from November 8, 2023) and then renewed the site plan approval to expire on March 10, 2027.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearings. However, an email from Mr. Ferrandino regarding 1891 Carhart Avenue was read into the record, requesting a condition prohibiting commercial vehicles from parking in the expanded driveway. The commission addressed this during the hearing.

Discussion Items

• Floating Solar Array at Camp Field Reservoir (P25-012): The applicant, Working Power ECP LLC, along with nonprofit partner Ecological Citizens Project and contractor D3 Energy, presented an updated design for a 1.68 MW DC floating photovoltaic system. The presentation covered community benefits (20% electricity bill savings for low/moderate-income households, a food sovereignty fund, $650,000 estimated lease payments), project risk analysis (including a third-party review by Arcadis finding no unacceptable water quality impacts), and permitting pathways. The commission declared its intent to act as lead agency for coordinated SEQRA review. Questions were raised about wind load design criteria, float certification (NSF/NSI 61), microplastic degradation, stormwater management during construction, and the need for a water supply contingency plan. The project team agreed to provide additional information at a future meeting.

Continued Public Hearing – 505 South Street (P26-001)

• Facade Colors and New Units: Applicant Joseph Thompson Architect presented revised color schemes to warm the building and convert two storage rooms into 895 sq. ft. one-bedroom apartments (increasing total units from 51 to 53). The commission discussed adding the green accent color to balcony recesses. The applicant agreed to produce renderings and a mock-up on the South Street side. The public hearing was closed, and the commission granted final site plan approval with the following conditions:
  1. The two new units shall be workforce housing (80% AMI) with a restrictive covenant.
  2. The stone wall on South Street shall be repaired by a mason.
  3. Final color approval for the balcony recesses will be determined via renderings and a mock-up, with individual input from commissioners directed to the planning director; if no consensus, the matter returns for a vote.

Public Hearings

• 922 Main Street (P26-006): Change of use from retail bakery to restaurant with 14 accessory seats (takeout operation). The commission approved the final site plan and associated parking waivers, deeming it a Type II action under SEQRA. The approval expires September 10, 2026.
• 1891 Carhart Avenue (P26-006, Z24-004): Legalization of a finished basement, accessory structures, driveway enlargement, and new front bluestone steps/pathway. The applicant had obtained variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The commission discussed the removal of a proposed bar/no-plumbing shed and added a condition reinforcing that no commercial vehicles may be parked in the driveway (consistent with zoning code §575-22 D). Final site plan approved, with approval expiring September 10, 2026. Type II action.

Key Outcomes

• 614 South Street: One-year extension granted unanimously.
• 920 First Street: Renewal of site plan approval granted unanimously, with reaffirmed SEQRA negative declaration.
• Camp Field Reservoir Solar Array: Commission declared intent to act as lead agency for SEQRA; further review to continue.
• 505 South Street: Approved with conditions (workforce housing, stone wall repair, color scheme via renderings/mock-up).
• 922 Main Street: Approved final site plan and parking waivers.
• 1891 Carhart Avenue: Approved final site plan with condition on commercial vehicle parking.
• 163 Union Avenue: Referred to Zoning Board of Appeals for area variances regarding gravel driveway.

All actions were taken by unanimous votes.