by Keith Shikowitz, Reporter
Haverstraw, NY – The Village of Haverstraw Board of Trustees held a meeting on November 18th, to discuss several critical topics, including updates to the local panhandling ordinance and the proposed redevelopment of the historic Chair Factory site. The meeting featured public hearings, presentations by developers, and input from village officials and residents.
Updated Panhandling Ordinance
The meeting opened with a public hearing on amendments to the village’s panhandling ordinance. Haverstraw Village Attorney Jay Hood, Jr., explained the updates requested by the police chief to address aggressive solicitation. The new provisions include:
- Prohibiting panhandling within 10 feet of bank entrances or ATMs.
- Defining aggressive behavior, such as blocking pathways or repeated requests for money.
- Banning solicitation of vehicles for money or services, such as window washing.
“This update allows our police department to better enforce the law and address concerns about aggressive panhandling downtown,” said Village of Haverstraw Mayor Mike Kohut.
One resident questioned whether the ordinance could include restrictions near public schools, but Hood clarified that the issue primarily occurs in commercial areas downtown. The amendment was unanimously approved by the board.
Chair Factory Redevelopment
The second public hearing focused on the redevelopment of the Chair Factory site, a long-anticipated project involving 450 residential units, 6,900 square feet of retail space, and 503 parking spaces. Ryan Porter, managing partner of Chair Factory LLC, outlined the progress and plans for the site, which has undergone a detailed environmental review under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
Porter highlighted key features of the project:
- Residential Units: A mix of apartment types to cater to diverse income levels.
- Retail Space: Nearly 7,000 square feet dedicated to commercial use.
- Parking and Accessibility: Plans include 503 parking spaces, though concerns about parking adequacy and ADA compliance on the Bowline Pond Path remain under discussion.
- Traffic Concerns: Residents and board members raised questions about how the project would impact already congested traffic in Haverstraw.
Haverstraw VillageTrustee Rafael Bueno asked whether the parking spaces would exclusively serve retail customers, and residents voiced concerns about the strain on local traffic. Developers assured attendees that traffic impact studies had been conducted and efforts were underway to mitigate potential issues.
With comments and questions addressed, the public hearing on the redevelopment project was closed, and the board moved to regular business.