Updated Continuum Docs Posted

• Editor's note: The following blog was posted by Barry Graubart, a 12-year resident of Irvington. Online marketer with deep experience in the media and technology space. This blog expresses his own opinions.

Real estate developer Continuum have submitted revisions to the Draft FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) for their proposed assisted living facility currently in front of the Irvington Planning Board for review.

The new documents replace the existing chapter 1 - Introduction and Chapter 3 - Response to Comments, as well as the Appendix 2 - Proposed Draft Zoning Law.

The new documents can be accessed here:

Chapter 1 – Introduction 

Chapter 3 – Response to Comments

(the Draft Zoning Law has been moved from a separate document to pages 1-24 through 1-26 of Chapter 1).

Unfortunately, no redlines have been provided, so there's no easy way to just see the changes. We have posted the full previous versions on the Protect Irvington NY website, so you can go back to see what has changed.

For example, a few changes jump out from the revisions to the Proposed Draft Zoning Law:

In the section regarding Coverage, Continuum have added a footnote that "Building coverage shall not include green roofs or other permeable surfaces,including lawn areas.”

In other words, the structures that have been shifted below ground will no longer be counted in as coverage. Coverage, at 18.8%, already far exceeded the Village maximum of 10% (15% for special permits) and it appears that the actual coverage, including the underground structures is really much greater.

The proposed zoning law change would also raise the height restriction to 45 feet (was 42 feet in the previous version, while current zoning is capped at 35 feet) and increases building length to 260 feet (44% greater than the 180 foot limit currently allowed).

There are many other changes, so I'd encourage everyone to scan the new documents for the specific issues that are of interest to them.

In addition, the Village has announced two upcoming meetings related to Continuum:

• First is the next Planning Board meeting, to be held at Village Hall, Wednesday, February 6;
• A Planning Board work session, to be held Wednesday, February 13 at the Irvington Library.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.