The Highland Falls Village Board has accepted a petition to review the possibility of allowing a Planned Residential Development (PRD) – 31 units on 4.5 acres in the Satterlee Grove area. It’s a necessary zoning step for the planned Dogwood Lane homes by Developer Michael DeMarco.

DeMarco, with planner John Lange, was at the Village Board’s September 21 meeting to ask the board to review the concept. It wasn’t the first time the board had heard about the proposed homes; Lange and others were at a meeting of the board this past summer to talk about their idea.

“We’re trying to make something that conforms with village zoning,” Lange said, “and to make the best use of the land by reducing runoff and providing a nice wide road.”

Lange again explained the concept – there would be 6.7 houses per acre, with narrow side yards. There would be a playground and retention pond, a public road, and a Homeowners Association.

One of the things the board will have to explore as they review the petition is other 4+ acre properties that could do the same thing if the board allows the PRD zoning, which allows for an increase in density by lot size, while requiring some open space. Attorney Alyse Terhune is doing that research and said that she knows of one other piece of property in Satterlee Grove, one piece of property owned by the Eristoff family and several other 5+ acre parcels. But, Mayor Jim DiSalvo noted, that’s about it.

The developer will also be involved in the analysis, the environmental impact would need to be examined, and how the development would fit into the village’s Comprehensive Plan. The need for DeMarco to create escrow accounts with the municipality, before that work is done, was discussed.

In other business from the meeting, the board approved new Highland Falls Fire Department members Shawn Gale and Mark Fernandez at the recommendation of Chief Erik Smith. They also approved a HFPD request to borrow a ‘smoke trailer’ for the Fall Foliage Festival on Main St. That festival, on Sunday, Oct. 11, was approved by the board pending insurance. Also approved was an October 10 fish fry in the municipal parking lot across from Sacred Heart Church, hosted by St. John AME Zion Church.

In a personnel matter, the board approved Mia Batista as a full-time police dispatcher. And in a property maintenance issue, no one was on hand for a 64 Schneider Ave. due process hearing, so the village will hire a contractor to do the needed work, and the cost will be added to the property’s taxes.

Also:
- Bills and claims in the amount of $605,278 were paid. In another money matter, DiSalvo said that the village is spending $10,000 on the October 3 fireworks (part of the village’s 120th anniversary celebration) and donations/sponsorships for that event have totaled about $7500, which will cover all other costs. The three-day celebration will take place mostly at Roe Park October 24.

- The mayor also noted that the village is very close to being able to open the New York Forward Small Business Fund, which has $600,000 in it that Main St. businesses will be able to apply for grants from to use to do work on their establishments.