Fishkill board refers proposed site‑plan expiration law to planning board, sets July 22 comment deadline

The Town Board discussed a draft local law that would cause site-plan approvals to expire if a developer does not finish the approved work within three years. Supervisor Albra said the rule aims to prevent developers from gaining approvals and then leaving projects dormant; the draft includes a two-year grandfather clause for projects already approved at the time of adoption.

Town staff and the planning department were asked to provide technical comments before finalizing language. The board moved to refer the draft to the planning and building departments for review and directed that comments be returned by July 22 so staff can post a revised draft at least eight days before the continuation of the public hearing on Aug. 5 (Mr. Nent; Cooper). The board also discussed whether changes to administrative processes would require county review; staff advised that because the proposal affects expiration of approvals and not zoning uses, county comment was not required in the same way as use changes.

What’s next: The board referred the draft to the planning board, requested comments by July 22, and scheduled the hearing continuation for August 5. After comments are incorporated, the town will post a revised draft for public review and vote.