Peekskill planners circulate notice of intent to find 418 North Division project exempt under amended SEQRA rules

The Peekskill Planning Commission took an initial step on July 14 toward an exemption finding under the State Environmental Quality Review Act for a proposed six‑story, 158‑unit mixed‑use development at 418 North Division Street.

Kathleen Bradshaw, attorney for 418 North Division Street LLC and the Stagg Group, introduced the application and the project team and described the plan as a 158‑unit, workforce‑affordable building with ground‑floor retail and a community facility. “My name is Kathleen Bradshaw. I am attorney for 4 18 North Division Street LLC and the Stagg Group,” she said during the presentation.

Counsel and staff explained the basis for evaluating an exemption under the amendments to SEQRA adopted by the state legislature on May 26, which create a narrow exemption pathway for certain types of housing outside New York City when specific criteria are met (connection to public water/sewer, previously disturbed site, nonresidential cap under 20% of gross floor area, per‑jurisdiction unit limits). Counsel described the test as essentially binary: if the enumerated criteria are met, the project can be exempt from further environmental review.

Commissioners praised some design elements but asked for additional information before full site‑plan review, including a traffic study for Constant Avenue/Highland Avenue, shadow and massing studies showing impact on adjacent homes, and details about long‑term financing and project delivery timing. Several commissioners said they were concerned the building's bulk could appear imposing next to single‑ and two‑family blocks.

After deliberation the commission moved to circulate a notice of intent that the planning commission considers the project exempt under the amended SEQRA provisions and to invite involved agencies to comment or object before the matter returns for further review. The motion passed on a voice vote.

The commission emphasized this is an early procedural step: if involved agencies object, the project would proceed to whatever subsequent environmental review is required. Staff said that site‑plan review and special permit review will follow, including public hearings at those stages.