Clarkstown Town Board Passes New Local Law

The Clarkstown Town Board also addressed grievances regarding housing planning

On June 24, the Clarkstown Town Board passed a new local law amending chapter 262 of town’s code. The law amends an older statute that established  a prorated property tax exemption for veterans, a veteran’s spouse, or the unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran. The previous law allowed veterans and or their spouses to transfer that tax credit to a new property purchase if that property was in the same county as their former home, but did not stipulate that the transferred tax break  should be immediately applicable. The new legislation ensures that those qualifying for the tax exemption will receive it as soon as they change homes.  “[The exemption] carries over from property to property as of the date of acquisition of the new property,” one Clarkstown resident at the town board meeting told  attendees.

The law clarifies that veterans eligible for property tax exemptions include those who served as military personnel and the Reserve component of the United States Armed Forces and deemed on active duty under Executive Order 11519. 

Later in the meeting, multiple residents raised grievances regarding housing planning. The day of the town board meeting, a flyer had been posted on the Clarkstown Democrats Facebook page stating that the town board meeting would include a public hearing on a “proposed local law to establish Hamlet Centers – Congers, Valley Cottage, and West Nyack Zoning District.” The flyer stated that if implemented, the local law could open the opportunity for “multi-story and high density developments in each of the Hamlet Centers.”

As a result, multiple residents raised concerns about “over-development” of the area.

Although there is no legal definition of a “hamlet center” in the town code, the town of Clarkstown describes it as a main street, downtown business district area where small businesses are located. Recently, there’s been a nationwide push to have hamlet centers evolve from just a business district to become a more “live, work, and play” center.

Town Planner Joe Simoes explained to the meeting’s attendees that the housing built would not exceed 35 feet/three stories. “35 feet is the maximum height of our residential zoning districts. Even for a single-family home to go up to 35 feet. That’s standard.”

“Based off of the agenda, I tried to put together information that was neutral, that was just straight to the point,” Hannah Kirk – the creator of the flyer that was posted on the Clarkstown Democrats Facebook page – told the town board. “And if that is inaccurate to what is being assessed, I do apologize.”