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Greenburgh Planning Board Okays Gas Station Zoning Change

GREENBURGH, N.Y. – A proposal that would revamp the way gas stations are zoned along Central Park Avenue is back in the hands of the Greenburgh Town Board.  

After a final review, the Greenburgh Planning Board gave a positive recommendation to the zoning code change this week, setting the stage for a town council vote as soon as next week.

If approved, the proposal would reverse a decades-old attempt to rid Central Park Avenue of gas stations and clear the way for a Cumberland Farms convenience store and pumping station to set up shop along the road.

“The board took a look and we didn’t feel like there were any additional comments to make,” said planning board Chairperson Frances S. McLaughlin. “We had no problem with the latest revisions.”

The Greenburgh Town Council has been fussing over the amendment for months.  Currently, gas stations along the busy corridor aren’t in compliance with town code. If left untouched for more than six months, they are closed forever.

But with the proposed revision, current owners would have a chance to update and legalize their property while formerly abandoned properties, like the boarded up station at Old Army Road and Central Park Avenue, would have a chance to reopen.

In March, the Greenburgh Town Council referred the plan to the planning board at the request of the chairperson.

McLaughlin said the town council had addressed several of the planning board’s minor suggestions to the plan, including the elimination of private pumping stations and the addition of a common building height requirement.

In the past, the planning board has also recommended the addition of sidewalks and landscaping in front of potential buildings.

“We just wanted to make sure our earlier recommendations were incorporated,” McLaughlin said.

But the goal of the piece, town officials say, is to give gas stations a chance to become in compliance with the town code and allow the development of other stations in the future.

The town has heard a proposal from Cumberland Farms to resurrect the station at 682 Central Park Avenue. McLaughlin said the planning board is in favor of gas stations along the road.  

“This is one of three major corridors in Greenburgh and gas stations should be a permitted use,” she said. “We didn’t see a reason why it shouldn’t be.”

Supervisor Paul Feiner said the town board is expected to vote on the rezoning plan as soon as Wednesday’s meeting. 

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