Amidst deep divisions among villagers over housing policy, Board of Trustees presses ahead with sale of Lot A to major developer

Lively public comments included a presentation by the developer, warnings about train noise, a threat to force a referendum, and pleas to slow down the pace. But housing advocates praised the move.

Developer William Balter (holding paper) at opening of 82 unit affordable housing complex in Peekskill last year

Just two days after publicly announcing its plans to sell Parking Lot A to a major Westchester County developer, the Croton Board of Trustees last night voted to direct the village attorney to “draft and negotiate” a contract with WBP Development LLC of Chappaqua to purchase and develop the property.

Before that vote, however, the Board listened to well over an hour of at times emotional public comments on the plans, both pro and con. Some of the comments expressed already entrenched positions, others aired concerns from citizens urging the Board to slow down the pace of housing development, and there were a few surprises along the way. (For video of the meeting, see here.)