'No' to Proposal Eliminating Special Permits for 2-family Conversions in Piermont

To the Editor:

The Piermont Village Board will discuss eliminating special permits for two-family dwellings on Tues, March 15, 2015 during its 7:30 pm Board meeting. This is an IMPORTANT matter that could affect every property owner in the Village.

The Village currently requires that a special permit be issued to owners who wish to convert their single-family homes into two-family units. This regulation was enacted at a time when many people sought to augment family income by adding a rental unit to their homes. The regulation protected the character of the Village by reducing the number of illegal two-family conversions.

While the number of one- to two-family conversions has fallen off over the years, the permit requirement is still needed due to the latest real estate phenomenon: turning two-family homes into one-family units AND then attempting to build a second home on the property!

Our Village needs protection from unscrupulous individuals who have purchased property here in order to “make a killing” in real estate. These property sharks have sought out two-family homes for purchase, converted them to single-family units, and now wish to have the Board eliminate the special permit requirement so that they can utilize their two-family designations to allow them to turn their garages into additional single-family homes.

Just think of the negative effect on your property value that this would have if it were to happen next door to you!

It is important to take action NOW. Come to the Board meeting at the Village Hall tonight and voice your concern. If you cannot attend, telephone (845/359-1258) or email the Piermont Village Board (clerk@piermont-ny.gov).

Let them know that we need to not only keep the special permit requirement, we need to amend it to include specific wording on today’s conversions.

Anne Putko