Active Projects

Review and revise existing zoning regulations or develop alternative zoning regulations that encourage development that keeps with the scale and character of development in the Town's various zoning districts. This may include examination of land use characteristics (e.g. density, lot size, FAR, setback regulations, coverage calculations, special use permits).

Action is Active

Map and inventory existing special use permits outside of hamlet areas to understand their relationship to underlying zoning and aid in future land use planning. Map and inventory should include neighboring communities’ zoning and special use permits.

Action is Active

Make property characteristics (e.g. parcel dimensions, elevation, steep slopes, streams, floodplains, wetland areas, sensitive habitats, and historic resources) publicly available through online database or website.

Action is Active

Revise the regulations found in the zoning code that refer to transition areas between existing hamlets and surrounding residential areas. Revised regulations should enable higher density residential development that is consistent with and does not disrput the bucolic character of areas adjacent to the hamlets. Consider the use of form-based codes within transition areas.

Action is Active

Strengthen zoning code to encourage the provision of mixed-use, multi-family, condominiums, townhouses, apartments, senior and workforce housing, and accessory dwelling units in or in proximity to the hamlets and their amenities, including retail, health care, and transportation. Consider revising minimum lot size, parking regulations, setbacks, incentives and other regulations to allow for a range of housing types. Mixed-use development should take priority over other residential development in the hamlets.

Action is Active

Review existing housing legislation and development incentives and revise to address current housing needs (see housing needs discussion in Livable Built Environment chapter). Consideration should be given to housing type, income, structural accessibility features, connections to the hamlets, and use of alternative transportation.

Action is Active

Consider an increase of the required percentage or number of lots for affordable housing units in new subdivisions.

Action is Active

Revise zoning code to ensure that affordable housing units are interspersed among those that are market rate, as opposed to clustered together or physically separate from other housing units, in all zoning districts which accommodate residential development.

Action is Active

Ensure the Town Clerk receives an updated list of historical landmarks/buildings every six months from the New Castle Historical Society.

Action is Active

Provide access to the Historical Society website directly from the Town website.

Action is Active

Create outreach program to promote alternative transportation.

Action is Active

Coordinate with the Chappaqua Bus Company to address the community's public transport needs. Consider providing bus service between the Town's hamlets.

Action is Active

Identify intersections prone to congestion and conflict (e.g. railroad grade crossing at Roaring Brook Road and the Saw Mill River Parkway) and develop solutions to improve traffic flow.

Action is Active

Develop a comprehensive sidewalk plan, which includes identification of priority areas for new sidewalk construction and rehabilitation of existing sidwalks. Focus should be placed on commercial areas and outlying neighborhoods.

Action is Active

Examine the feasibility of sidewalks within and between neighborhoods that do not border commercial areas.

Action is Active

Examine the feasibility of sidewalks on all major routes including Rt. 117, 100, 120, 133, 128.

Action is Active

Examine opportunities to enhance bike, pedestrian and alternative transport between Chappaqua, Millwood and Chappaqua Crossing.

Action is Active

Review and update parking standards to reflect desired land use (including availability of public parking in hamlet areas, minimum parking standards, etc.).

Action is Active

Undertake a parking feasibility study to analyze the opportunities and needs for parking in Chappaqua including a future needs forecast and shared parking.

Action is Active

Develop a wayfinding program (e.g. consistent signage) to improve connections between the Chappaqua Train Station, hamlets, and other destinations of local and regional importance.

Action is Active

Develop Infrastructure Inventory, Repair and Replacement Plan that can be accessed by all Town departments. This Plan should include the history of infrastructure district creation (where applicable), quantify existing infrastructure capacity and identify needed improvements including hazard mitigation measures as discussed in the Town's Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

Action is Active

Review and update Capital Improvement Plan to prioritize, budget, and facilitate infrastructure repair, replacement and expansion where appropriate.

Action is Active

Investigate the feasibility of extending sewer service to the Millwood hamlet, areas of higher density, and where septic systems are failing.

Action is Active

Explore the creation of maintenance districts for hamlet infrastructure (e.g. sidewalks, parking lots) and solid waste management.

Action is Active

Identify and map limits of existing infrastructure (i.e. sidewalks, sewer, water) in relation to surrounding land use. Prioritize expansion potential based on density of surrounding development, allowing for expansion where higher densities and infrastructural provisions exist while maintaining adequate transition zones between existing densities.

Action is Active

Revisit tree replacement statutory requirements to allow planting of shrubbery in addition to trees to enhance quality of mitigation plantings and natural habitat. Consideration should be given to the definition of shrubbery, criteria to equate the value brought by shrubbery versus trees, etc.

Action is Active

Prepare a comprehensive Town-wide Biodiversity Management Plan that includes a Natural Resources Index (NRI), supports regional sustainability and is coordinated with the Town’s Open Space Management Plan.

Action is Active

Create protection areas, corridors and regulations that protect habitat areas. Coordinate with the review and revision of the Open Space Management Plan.

Action is Active

Identify invasive species (plants and animals) and their impacts on local habitats.

Action is Active

Continue to disseminate information found in the Town’s Coyote Response Plan to help residents understand coyote behavior and enhance awareness of safety techniques.

Action is Active

Update Town's Open Space Management Plan. The OSMP should include defined "open space" criteria and catalog properties based on diversity of habitat, connectivity to other properties of open space value, and potential use for recreational purposes. Large lots should be examined for their contribution to open space value.

Action is Active

Adopt codes or design standards for new public infrastructure that will increase energy and water efficiency. Utilize a green or sustainability rating system for infrastructure improvement projects.

Action is Active

Develop targeted strategies to improve the resource efficiency of public infrastructure systems (e.g. data collection, continual monitoring).

Action is Active

Review application of green building code and its applicability to all types of development, including a broader range of municipal, commercial, and single and multi-family residential buildings.

Action is Active

Consider adopting a stretch code that requires more rigorous energy regulations for newly constructed and existing buildings than the base energy code. Utilize NYSERDA's model stretch code language, available at the end of 2016.

Action is Active

Work with Westchester Department of Health, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the East of Hudson Watershed Coalition to collect information regarding septic system maintenance and performance to ensure continued compliance with the Town's MS4 permit.

Action is Active

Include maintenance reminder and septic system education in annual Town mailing.

Action is Active

Work with the Town's relevant review boards and committees to create innovative outreach campaigns to educate the public on environmental pollutants and promote behavioral change.

Action is Active

Organize school and community “green teams” to promote household practices that reduce GHG emissions, such as increased recycling.

Action is Active

Create or revise existing recycling program to include recycling targets and assessment of the feasibility of creating a compost collection service and ensuring recycling is provided at all events held by the Town, etc.

Action is Active

Promote the concept/educate the public about the environmental benefits of residential waste reduction and recycling. Inform residents and businesses in their roles in achieving waste reduction targets.

Action is Active

Develop a sustainable and environmentally preferable municipal purchasing policy (e.g. paper products, office supplies, kitchen supplies) and implement. Work with the Chappaqua Central School District to do the same.

Action is Active

Obtain services for recycling or proper disposal of obscure items including e-waste, aerosols, and medications. Ensure residents are aware of these services, or where they can access these services if the Town is not able to provide them. Encourage the use of the "Take It or Leave It Shop."

Action is Active

Update the Town's Climate Action Plan. Include an updated inventory of government operations and overall community GHG emissions.

Action is Active

Establish a new government operations emissions reduction target and implementation plan. Include targets for percent of government energy sourced from renewable energy (produced on-site or purchased from a utility) and targets for increased energy efficiency.

Action is Active

Integrate energy efficiency projects and renewable energy installations into the Town's Capital Improvement Plan.

Action is Active

Complete retrofit of incandescent streetlights to LEDs. If necessary, create LED lighting best practices policy and update Town code accordingly.

Action is Active

Undertake an analysis of development/infill opportunities in the hamlets consistent with community needs, public vision, and environmental and infrastructural constraints. This analysis should determine the net economic benefits of potential mixed use development and associated revenue forecasts of hamlet land use scenarios.

Action is Active

Review and revise existing zoning regulations and requirements or develop alternative zoning (i.e. form based zoning) to better allow and encourage mixed-used development in the hamlets. This could include revising regulations regarding driveway width, building height, front yard setbacks, and parking requirements and associated easements, among other regulations. Zoning around the Chappaqua train station should encourage a higher level of transit-oriented development.

Action is Active

Explore opportunities to diversify retail mix in hamlets and provide a wide range of goods and services. This may include the re-examination of Town code and previous resolutions regarding restrictions on certain common business types or the repetition of business types.

Action is Active

Examine existing industrial zoned property to determine the best use of property consistent with the surrounding area in the case that properties become available for future development.

Action is Active

Examine the impacts of and develop implementation strategies regarding the effects of e-commerce on hamlet businesses and the need to reposition the hamlets as destinations.

Action is Active

Include smart growth principles in the development of hamlet design guidelines to create an active pedestrian environment.

Action is Active

Develop design standards or complete capital improvements to better facilitate pedestrian connections to and from the commercial areas and the major transportation amenities in each hamlet (i.e. the North County Trailway in Millwood and the train station in Chappaqua).

Action is Active

Examine and assess opportunities to revitalize or re-zone mid-King Street and Station Place to better connect the hamlets' commercial nodes.

Action is Active

Develop new or revise existing hamlet design guidelines which promote aesthetic continuity within hamlet areas. Guidelines should, where appropriate, utilize LEED-ND standards or other sustainable design practices for signage, street frontage, windows, awnings, building color and materials and street architecture.

Action is Active

Conduct feasibility study for the creation of maintenance districts for hamlet infrastructure (e.g. sidewalks, parking lots) and solid waste management.

Action is Active

Offer land use guidance to property owners seeking to expand or change businesses through meetings and educational materials.

Action is Active

Analyze feasibility of Business Improvement District.

Action is Active

Promote investment in green infrastructure and renewable energy installments by retail building owners in the hamlets. Facilitate the use of PACE financing through Chapter 63: Energy NY Financing of the Town Code.

Action is Active

Form civic activity task force or task existing groups with developing events and activities that showcase the Town’s unique character and encourage arts and culture, as well as stimulate patronage of local businesses.

Action is Active

Support Recreation and Parks Commission’s efforts to schedule recreational programming near the hamlets on nights and weekends to stimulate patronage of local businesses.

Action is Active

Promote the Wallace Auditorium as a regional entertainment venue for arts and culture and to stimulate patronage of local businesses in the hamlets.

Action is Active

Investigate opportunities to develop public transit connections among the two hamlets.

Action is Active

Conduct a parkland and facilities demand analysis. Suvery the community to assess the recreational needs and interests of residents of all ages, socioeconomic status, ability, etc. Survey and analysis should address year-round programming and facility needs/interests.

Action is Active

Update the 2007 Recreation and Parks Master Plan. Include the identification and prioritization of large recreational projects and incorporate into the Capital Improvement Plan, as well as the creation of new recreational programming that addresses the needs of residents.

Action is Active

Explore opportunities to share recreational services and facilities with neighboring Towns and the region (e.g. athletic bubble).

Action is Active

Review and revise the Town’s Open Space Management Plan to expand, enhance and maintain park and recreational space. Coordinate with the creation of the Biodiversity Management Plan and the update of the 2007 Parks and Rec Master Plan. Include identification of parcels that would function well as parkland for both passive and active recreational use.

Action is Active

Maintain existing parks and nature preserves.

Action is Active

Explore the development of pocket parks in residential neighborhoods and where necessary in the hamlets.

Action is Active

Collaborate with Recreation and Parks Department to examine enrollment demographics and identify areas of improvements to ensure equitable access and programming for all residents, including those with special needs.

Action is Active

Undertake a facilities evaluation for all Town owned recreational facilities to ensure ADA compliance and accessibility for physically disabled participants.

Action is Active

Update the Town’s Trail Development Master Plan. The plan should identify locations for new bike paths and walkways, as well as opportunities for bicycle parking, between nature areas and parkland and the Town's schools and hamlets. Continue to consider the development of a trail from Chappaqua Crossing and Greeley High School to the Chappaqua hamlet.

Action is Active

Improve signage, guidance and maintenance of hiking trails.

Action is Active

Continue to support year-round local farmer’s markets.

Action is Active

Partner with residents, ERB, Parks, local nurseries, and Green Thumbs to support existing community gardens in the Town when necessary (e.g. dedication of public space, zoning to allow for CSAs, determine entities in charge of maintaining, operating, and programming these spaces).

Action is Active

Inventory all social, cultural, institutional etc. services in Town.

Action is Active

Evaluate the clarity and effectiveness of the format of the Town's website. Make improvements where necessary.

Action is Active

Develop uniform processes and methods to post materials on the website for ease of resident access.

Action is Active

Identify intersections and crossings that have shown high frequency of incidents and address pedestrian and cyclist safety at these locations.

Action is Active

Pursue development of Saw Mill River Parkway Bridge at Roaring Brook Road and MTA Railroad crossing.

Action is Active

Include elements in street, building and landscape capital improvements that reduce public injuries and improve public safety.

Action is Active

Prepare public employees and first responders for violent incidences (e.g. shootings, bomb threats).

Action is Active

Improve clarity and access to information (including emergency information) on Town’s website.

Action is Active

Continue to update the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan as required and coordinate with the Capital Improvement Plan and other ongoing infrastructure planning.

Action is Active

Establish a policy/legislation that requires the incorporation of mitigation, resiliency and preparedness measures into local plans, design of projects and capital improvements (e.g. generators, microgrids, green infrastructure, green roofs, position of buildings).

Action is Active

Regularly test emergency communication systems

Action is Active

Continue annual notification of septic system maintenance in annual Town newsletter. Expand educational information to include emergency preparedness.

Action is Active

Continue to utilize the Town's Hazard Mitigation Plan to identify drainage improvements and flooding prevention projects.

Action is Active

Coordinate with Con Edison to undertake aesthetic and safety improvements of existing above-ground services.

Action is Active

Investigate opportunity to address off site impacts of new projects, specifically to consider adjoining properties and the need to protect vulnerable populations from unintended consequences of development.

Action is Active

Adopt the 2016 New Castle Comprehensive Plan which is aligned with the goals and policies of Westchester 2025 and the MHREDC’s Strategic and Sustainability Plans.

Action is Active

Undertake zoning changes to encourage development discussed within this Plan and is consistent with regional sustainable development objectives (i.e. housing affordability, transit-oriented development, preservation of open space and biodiversity).

Action is Active

Ensure that local housing supply appropriately addresses regional housing demand through the update of the Town's housing policies and zoning designations.

Action is Active

Identify biotic and open space corridors that go past the Town’s borders. Coordinate with appropriate surrounding municipalities to preserve these corridors.

Action is Active

When necessary, foster communication between neighboring municipalities regarding plan review that supplement the Westchester County referral process.

Action is Active

Participate actively in cross-jurisdictional watershed planning and protection.

Action is Active

Pursue innovative ways to communicate, negotiate and build relationships with the New York State Department of Transportation.

Action is Active

Expand regional infrastructure and linkages for pedestrians and bicyclists. Map areas where linkages are appropriate. Examine the feasibility of sidewalks that facilitate non-motorized transportation across municipal borders.

Action is Active

Explore connections/creation of local bike routes to connect with the North County Trailway.

Action is Active

Continue to pursue arrangements similar to Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) and Solarize Somers-New Castle to enhance sustainability in the Town at lower costs.

Action is Active