Plan to Expand Residential Units in Downtown Peekskill Debated
A proposed zoning amendment that would allow the expansion of residential development in downtown Peekskill received a mixed reaction during a recent public hearing that is slated to continue next week.
The Common Council and Planning Commission are both considering a plan that would permit upper floor residential units in the C-2 commercial zone and allow artist lofts in the C-3 zone and some industrial areas.
Jason Angell, director of the Business Improvement District, explained during a hearing in late June approving the amendment to the city’s Zoning Code could create as many as 125 new residential units and 70,000 square feet of commercial space.
“This is something that could benefit all of Peekskill,” said Angell, who noted the BID has been discussing the potential changes since November 2012. “You can’t please everyone, but this resolution gets pretty close.”
However, not everyone shared Angell’s enthusiasm for the amendment, including former Mayor Fran Gibbs, who expressed concerns about apartments taking away from the growth of the downtown business district.
“We should continue to grow what has worked for us, not dilute it,” Gibbs said. “Let’s not weaken what produced important growth in our business district. You have to always keep in mind how compact our central business district is.”
Former Planning Commission Chairman Dwight Douglas also questioned replacing commercial space with residential units.
“There is a need for more commercial activity, not less, in the downtown,” he said.
Several artists maintained expanding residential opportunities could force many artists to have to relocate from the downtown area.
“My fear is there won’t be enough incentive to create more artist lofts,” said Maureen Whelan, president of the Peekskill Arts Alliance. “Everybody could be rah, rah, rah, but then it becomes about money and the artists get forgotten about.”
“Peekskill is poised to have a bust of growth and expansion,” said Margaret Steele, an acupuncturist and magician. “We only have one chance to get it right.”
The Planning Commission is slated to discuss the amendment this week, while the hearing before the Common Council will resume on July 14 at City Hall.
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