Rye’s City Council will resume discussion this week on a proposed six-month moratorium on developments within the city.
In a special session at 7 p.m. Monday in City Hall, the council will pick up where it left off after adjourning a public hearing on the moratorium on May 27. The proposed local law would temporarily pause the construction and teardown of one- and two-family houses in B-1 and B-2 districts adjoining downtown; developments in the central business district; multi-family homes with six or more units; and proposed construction on the campus of Rye Country Day School.
After a 30-minute public hearing at the latest City Council meeting, the council voted to adjourn the hearing, rather than close it, so more public input could be gathered. Most of the hearing focused on Rye Country Day’s plans to transform the former Thruway-owned property east of the school into a massive sports complex.
During the hearing, Stacey Sotirhos, who will serve as interim Head of School starting July 1, and Leo Napier, an attorney representing the school, spoke about how the moratorium would negatively impact Rye Country Day’s construction plans.
“The school is deeply committed to the development of this property in a way that reflects the character and the values of Rye and serves as a gateway to this fine community,” Sotirhos said. “For more than a year, RCDS has worked through the planning commission’s established review process thoughtfully, transparently, and in good faith.
“We’ve listened to concerns relating to traffic, environmental impact, aesthetics, lighting, buffering, and neighborhood character, and we responded proactively, investing substantial resources in environmental studies, traffic analyses, engineering planning, and neighbor engagement to refine the entire proposal. We are respectfully requesting that the City Council not adopt this moratorium.”
The most controversial aspect of the proposed law – stopping the building and construction of one- and two-family homes – was removed from the moratorium at the start of the May 27 City Council meeting, at least “for the time being,” said Mayor Josh Nathan.
At the City Council’s next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, an announcement will be made for a community workshop, which will focus specifically on one- and two-family homes.
The council listened to over an hour of public comments on small homes last month, almost entirely from developers and residents who were opposed to the moratorium. Details are not yet available on the workshop, which will likely aim to foster further communication between city officials and the public.
Construction and design standards in housing, and in commercial areas like the central business district, have been a frequent topic of discussion as the city works to update its comprehensive plan for the first time in 40 years. The City Council has said repeatedly said the goal is for Rye to continue to grow and progress, while maintaining the current character that makes the city an appealing place to live.
