New Rochelle council approves consent agenda, downtown overlay declaration and two eminent-domain resolutions
January 20, 2026 | New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York
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The City Council of New Rochelle approved several routine and land-use actions at its January 2026 regular legislative meeting, including adoption of the consent agenda, a lead-agency declaration for proposed downtown overlay zone amendments, two eminent-domain resolutions and a traffic-signal funding agreement.
The council voted by voice to adopt items 1 through 8 on the consent agenda after the clerk noted that items 9, 10 and 11 would be taken separately. The clerk also presented previously submitted minutes for adoption, including the regular legislative meeting of Nov. 18, 2025, and Committee of the Whole minutes for Dec. 2, 2025; the motion to adopt the listed minutes passed on voice vote.
On item 9, a proposed resolution declaring lead agency and issuing a positive declaration relative to amendments to Article 22 of the downtown overlay zones was introduced. Council member Tarantino publicly explained his long record voting on DOZ matters and said he owns downtown property going back decades; he announced he would step away from the table and recuse himself from that vote. After a motion (recorded as moved by Austin Loyier and seconded by Kaye), the council adopted the resolution on a voice vote with ayes recorded and no opposition noted.
The council then considered two eminent-domain matters. Item 10 concerned proposed eminent-domain action under EDPL for 662 Main Street (described in the agenda as the Hagedorn, formerly the Carnegie Library). With no questions from council, a motion by Lopez and a second by Kaye carried on voice vote to adopt the resolution. Item 11 concerned proposed eminent-domain action for 625 North Avenue (the former CVS near the council chambers); the motion (recorded as Peters and “k”) also carried on voice vote.
Item 12 authorized a Pelham Road traffic-signal supplement agreement (PIN 875.875.899) and the implementation and funding described in the agenda. Following a motion recorded as Tarantino and Ashamnoye, the council adopted the resolution by voice vote.
No executive sessions were requested. A motion to adjourn by Lopez and Peters carried and the meeting concluded.
Votes at a glance
- Item 9 — Resolution declaring lead agency / positive declaration for downtown overlay zone amendments: Adopted (motion: Austin Loyier; second: Kaye). Council member Tarantino recused himself prior to the vote.
- Item 10 — EDPL eminent-domain resolution for 662 Main Street (Hagedorn/Carnegie Library): Adopted (motion: Lopez; second: Kaye).
- Item 11 — EDPL eminent-domain resolution for 625 North Avenue (former CVS): Adopted (motion: Peters; second: k).
- Item 12 — Pelham Road traffic-signal supplement agreement (PIN 875.875.899): Adopted (motion: Tarantino; second: Ashamnoye).
The transcript records each action passing on voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the public portion of this transcript.
The council voted by voice to adopt items 1 through 8 on the consent agenda after the clerk noted that items 9, 10 and 11 would be taken separately. The clerk also presented previously submitted minutes for adoption, including the regular legislative meeting of Nov. 18, 2025, and Committee of the Whole minutes for Dec. 2, 2025; the motion to adopt the listed minutes passed on voice vote.
On item 9, a proposed resolution declaring lead agency and issuing a positive declaration relative to amendments to Article 22 of the downtown overlay zones was introduced. Council member Tarantino publicly explained his long record voting on DOZ matters and said he owns downtown property going back decades; he announced he would step away from the table and recuse himself from that vote. After a motion (recorded as moved by Austin Loyier and seconded by Kaye), the council adopted the resolution on a voice vote with ayes recorded and no opposition noted.
The council then considered two eminent-domain matters. Item 10 concerned proposed eminent-domain action under EDPL for 662 Main Street (described in the agenda as the Hagedorn, formerly the Carnegie Library). With no questions from council, a motion by Lopez and a second by Kaye carried on voice vote to adopt the resolution. Item 11 concerned proposed eminent-domain action for 625 North Avenue (the former CVS near the council chambers); the motion (recorded as Peters and “k”) also carried on voice vote.
Item 12 authorized a Pelham Road traffic-signal supplement agreement (PIN 875.875.899) and the implementation and funding described in the agenda. Following a motion recorded as Tarantino and Ashamnoye, the council adopted the resolution by voice vote.
No executive sessions were requested. A motion to adjourn by Lopez and Peters carried and the meeting concluded.
Votes at a glance
- Item 9 — Resolution declaring lead agency / positive declaration for downtown overlay zone amendments: Adopted (motion: Austin Loyier; second: Kaye). Council member Tarantino recused himself prior to the vote.
- Item 10 — EDPL eminent-domain resolution for 662 Main Street (Hagedorn/Carnegie Library): Adopted (motion: Lopez; second: Kaye).
- Item 11 — EDPL eminent-domain resolution for 625 North Avenue (former CVS): Adopted (motion: Peters; second: k).
- Item 12 — Pelham Road traffic-signal supplement agreement (PIN 875.875.899): Adopted (motion: Tarantino; second: Ashamnoye).
The transcript records each action passing on voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the public portion of this transcript.
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