The Village of Irvington has recently commenced the process of updating its
2003 Comprehensive Plan. This is an important process as it helps chart the direction of the Village for the next ten years or so. In order to most effectively utilize the resources of the Village, the Comprehensive Plan Committee has decided to create several Working Groups to address specific topic areas of concern (e.g., Downtown, Code Modernization, Historic Irvington, Broadway Corridor, Sustainability). Detailed descriptions of the Working Groups are shown below.
To better explain the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan and, specifically, the responsibilities of the Working Group members, the Comprehensive Plan Committee is hosting a public meeting on February 15, 2017 at 7pm in the Trustees’ Meeting Room of Village Hall.
WORKING GROUP DESCRIPTIONS
DOWNTOWN WORKING GROUP
Revitalized Business District
The goals and desires for the Village’s business district should be reviewed and studied. What should the character of the business district be?
Vision for Lower Main Street
Develop vision for DPW facility area and lower Main Street. A vision plan should be put together.
Parking Garage
Identify areas in the Village that would be acceptable for the construction of a parking garage.
CODE MODERNIZATION WORKING GROUP
Updated Multi-Family (MF) Zone
Many believe the MF zone is outdated and not responsive to modern multi-family developments. This should be looked at.
Updating Environmental Provisions of the Village Code
(e.g., steep slopes, wetlands and watercourse).
Code Modernization
Be sure the code appropriately handles new 21st century creations, like Air BnB and Uber/Lyft, etc.
HISTORIC IRVINGTON WORKING GROUP
Historic Character
Review Comprehensive Plan to ensure that references to historic character are reflected appropriately through the plan.
Historic District
Properly reflect the establishment of the Historic District within the Comprehensive Plan.
Local Landmarks
Establish a goal of protecting local landmarks.
Museums
Review and consider updating the code as it pertains to the use of properties as museums.
Preservation of Historically Significant properties
Review ways to encourage large, historically significant properties to remain intact.
Encourage Adaptive Reuse of Significant Buildings
Maybe also look at provisions to address adaptive reuse of significant buildings. Bonuses for adaptive reuse / historic preservation, etc?
BROADWAY CORRIDOR WORKING GROUP
Broadway Character
Establish goals related to the character of Broadway (i.e., primarily residential, mix of residential and commercial, etc).
Complete Streets Goal
The village needs to adopt a complete streets policy. Although it may be unrealistic to have all roads conform to a new complete streets policy given space constraints, the goal should be formalized. Future roads, both public and private, should contain all of the necessary pedestrian and bicycle safety amenities and conveniences and a plan to address existing roads should be put together.
SUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUP
Use of Alternative Energy
Incorporate the use of solar, geothermal, and other alternative energy technologies in the Village’s long term goals, while regulating each appropriately, green building codes.
Resiliency Planning
Evaluation of NYS Climate Action Plan and NYS Community risk and Resiliency Act
Impact of Climate Change
Properly reflect the potential impacts of climate change in the code, especially in the area of the Hudson River waterfront, Astor Street, train station, etc.