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CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – The steering committee named last month for the eagerly awaited update of New Castle’s 1989 Master Plan will hold its first meeting this month, New Castle Town Administrator Penny Paderewski said.
What do you think of the New Castle Steering Committee?
View ResultsWhat do you think of the New Castle Steering Committee?
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They will play a huge role in updating the 1989 Master Plan.
33% -
Whatever changes will be made will still come mostly from the Town Board.
67% -
I'm eager to join one of "work groups" and or email letters of recommendations.
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“The agenda for the first meeting will include a review of the Steering Committee’s role and responsibilities, a review of the existing development plan, review of land use and a tentative master plan update time frame,” said Paderewski.
The committee’s first agenda will include discussion of two important elements that will move the master plan forward.
“The first is the identification of information that is currently missing from the 1989 Development Plan and the second is to review the draft background study and map related to land use,” she said.
As Westchester County conducts the background studies — expected to be completed by September —New Castle Town Planner Sabrina Charney Hull plans to recommend that the Steering Committee review the draft reports and identify the work groups that will focus on the policy formation related to each of the studies.
This might serve as a relief to New Castle residents who were concerned the appointment of the Steering Committee, which did not involve the public. Some said it was a sign of a things to come on the public’s involvement on updating the master plan.
However, according to Paderewski’s update, it appears residents will have the chance to give input.
“Once the county has produced a draft background study related to residential land use, the Steering Committee will appoint a work group to focus on whether or not the existing policies are still applicable and whether or not new policies are required,” she said.
“Solicitation for work group members can also occur through postings on the town’s website. The plan is to have a master plan update email for folks to submit letters of interest as well,” she added.
The first meeting of the Steering Committee will represent the official beginning to the master plan update process. Paderewski says the next update should include information related to more specific timeframes.
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