Council schedules public hearing on North Division special permit after residents raise traffic and asbestos concerns
July 13, 2026 | Peekskill, Westchester County, New York
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Residents urged caution about a proposed project on North Division Street and nearby Highland Avenue addresses, and the council scheduled a public hearing for September 14 to consider a special permit application.
Maria Perera, who said she lives on Paulding Street, told the council she is concerned about traffic turning onto North Division and asked whether a traffic study or signal would be part of the project review. Staff clarified that the agenda entry for the site had a street-number correction (301 North Division, previously listed as 418) and said the proposed operator's use will be limited compared with the prior full-service auto body shop: the new business will operate by appointment and the council added a condition prohibiting use of the public street for vehicle storage.
A second resident urged councilmembers to view the site in person and emphasized worries about a six-story building, potential asbestos on demolition and traffic and parking impacts. "I've heard no talk of asbestos," the resident said, and said the state requires abatement procedures before masonry is disturbed. The mayor and staff replied that this stage is a phase in a longer public process and that the public hearing will allow extended comment.
What the council did: The council adopted Resolution j9 to schedule a public hearing on a special permit application for 418 North Division Street (and associated Highland Avenue parcels) on Sept. 14, 2026 at 7 p.m., and it adopted Resolution j10 authorizing a special permit for minor auto repairs at 301 North Division Street (the minor-repairs item carried unanimously when considered as a resolution).
Why it matters: The special-permit and zoning-review process will examine traffic, parking, demolition and environmental controls; neighbors indicate they intend to raise those issues at the public hearing.
Next steps: The public hearing is scheduled for 09/14/2026 at 7:00 p.m.; residents were reminded that public hearings allow extended testimony.
Maria Perera, who said she lives on Paulding Street, told the council she is concerned about traffic turning onto North Division and asked whether a traffic study or signal would be part of the project review. Staff clarified that the agenda entry for the site had a street-number correction (301 North Division, previously listed as 418) and said the proposed operator's use will be limited compared with the prior full-service auto body shop: the new business will operate by appointment and the council added a condition prohibiting use of the public street for vehicle storage.
A second resident urged councilmembers to view the site in person and emphasized worries about a six-story building, potential asbestos on demolition and traffic and parking impacts. "I've heard no talk of asbestos," the resident said, and said the state requires abatement procedures before masonry is disturbed. The mayor and staff replied that this stage is a phase in a longer public process and that the public hearing will allow extended comment.
What the council did: The council adopted Resolution j9 to schedule a public hearing on a special permit application for 418 North Division Street (and associated Highland Avenue parcels) on Sept. 14, 2026 at 7 p.m., and it adopted Resolution j10 authorizing a special permit for minor auto repairs at 301 North Division Street (the minor-repairs item carried unanimously when considered as a resolution).
Why it matters: The special-permit and zoning-review process will examine traffic, parking, demolition and environmental controls; neighbors indicate they intend to raise those issues at the public hearing.
Next steps: The public hearing is scheduled for 09/14/2026 at 7:00 p.m.; residents were reminded that public hearings allow extended testimony.
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