Planning Efforts Timeline
For more than 20 years, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson has taken numerous steps towards the goal of achieving an overall plan that enhances the Village’s small-town character while building on its unique location at the apex of two beautiful and historic rivers. The Village’s goals have been achieved through its efforts in gaining cooperation and commitments from other entities, both public and private. The following list describes many of the events and achievements that have taken place resulting in increased access to our Hudson River shoreline and additional open space for the Village.
1982
Entire Village is designated part of the NYS Department of State Coastal Zone boundary.
1984
The proposed construction of the Half Moon Bay Condominiums prompts re-construction of a former bridge over the railroad tracks to access the development from the north and conversation about replacement of Croton Point Avenue Bridge as an additional access route to the riverfront and the development.
Village Board requests in a resolution that all developers address their proposals and impact statements to the goals of the Greenway Study and to the concerns of the Waterfront Revitalization Plan.
1990’s
Open Space and trail easements are obtained by the Village resulting in the extension of the Village’s trail system through the site plan approval process of four major developments in the Village.
1991
The Hudson River Valley Greenway Act creates a process for rational decision-making and cooperative planning in the Hudson River Valley providing a voluntary partnership between local and state governments to encourage economic development, while preserving the natural resources of the area.
June 1992
The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, a locally-tailored plan, authorized under the Federal & State Coastal Zone Management Programs, is approved by the New York State Department of State. The LWRP will help guide future Village land use decisions and identify environmental, aesthetic, and other factors that should be considered when any significant changes within the Village are evaluated.
February 9, 1993
The Village of Croton-on-Hudson is officially declared a Hudson River Valley Greenway Model Community.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, with the Village of Ossining, calls upon the New York State Department of Transportation to include a sidewalk area protected from traffic in the plans for the replacement bridge over the Croton River (Crossining) and also to include the construction of a safe connecting walkway to Croton Point Avenue (Croton Point Avenue Bridge).
September 1, 1993
The Trails Committee completes the Trailways MasterPlan for the Village
1994
After years of negotiation, study, and testing, the Croton Point Landfill is finally capped and the PCBs from the Metro-North lagoon are removed.
August 8, 1994
Agreement whereby the NYS Department of Transportation will be responsible for the construction of the bridge over Route 9 and the Metro-North railroad tracks (Pedestrian Bridge), and the Village will take over ownership after the construction is completed.
January 23, 1995
Through a contract with the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council, the Village receives $24,000 for expenses involved with Task 1, the Greenway Vision Plan, and Task 2, the Croton Bay Boat Launch Implementation, with appropriate Village matching funds.
December 13, 1995
The Zoning Board of Appeals approves the Village’s request for a variance for street frontage and lot depth on the former Seprieo property (Croton Landing) north of the Croton Yacht Club to permit a subdivision of the land. The subdivision allows the Village to acquire the southern portion (Handicapped-Accessible Trail at Croton Landing) while the Beaverkill Conservancy purchases the northern portion (North Cove at Croton Landing).
1996
After construction, the Croton Point Avenue Bridge is reopened for both two-way motor vehicle traffic and pedestrian usage.
November 1996
The Conservation Advisory Council completes an Open Space Inventory for the Village
December 1996
Agreement between the Village and the Half Moon Bay Homeowners Association giving the Village ownership of the road over the Half Moon Bay Bridge and allowing the Village to purchase the park-land and parking lot north of the Marina. This agreement paved the way for the Brook Street Grade Crossing Elimination Project.
April 1997
Village receives a grant of $65,000 from the NYS Dept of State through its Environmental Protection Fund to conduct a feasibility study of the uses of the former Seprieo Property (Croton Landing).
Spring 1997
The Pedestrian Bridge from North Riverside Avenue over Route 9 and MetroNorth/ConRail Railroad Tracks is completed.
The Village Greenway Vision plan is adopted as an amendment to the Village Master Plan.
Summer 1998
Clean up of the Seprieo Property (Croton Landing) with funds from the Community Development Block Grant.
Summer 1998
Village receives a Clean Water/Clean Air Grant from the Hudson River Valley Greenway of $50,000 for the construction of a Handicapped-Accessible Trail through the southern portion of the Seprieo Property.
Summer 1998
Village receives a Clean Water/Clean Air Grant of $200,000 for the extension of the sewer main from Senasqua Park to Croton Landing
Summer 1998
Village receives a Clean Water/Clean Air Grant of $75,000 for the construction of a salt storage shed to minimize seepage of salt into the sensitive environmental area of the Croton Bay.
Summer 1998
Village receives a Clean Water/Clean Air Grant of $60,000 to study the environmental impacts of removing railroad ties from the Croton River
September 22, 1998
The Village obtains a Community Development Block Grant to construct sidewalks on North Riverside Avenue to improve access from the waterfront parks via the Pedestrian Bridge to Village businesses and the rest of the Croton Trail System.
Spring 1999
The walkway/bikeway, now referred to as the Crossining, over the Croton River is completed.
May-September 1999
The Village Board works with the Hudson River Valley Greenway to officially designate the walkway/bikeway trail (Crossining) over the Croton River as part of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System.
Summer 1999
Salt Storage Shed is completed.
November 15, 1999
Village Board forms the Comprehensive Plan Committee to draft an updated land-use plan for the Village
2001
Through the site plan approval process for the Discovery Cove condominiums and easements granted by the Metro North Railroad, an agreement is reached among the developer, Spectrum Skansa, Metro North, and Westchester County for the construction of a walking/bicycle path behind the development which would provide the vital connection between Croton Point Park and the area just north of the Half Moon Bay Bridge.
April 2001
The Village signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company for the elimination of the Brook Street Grade-Crossing and the construction of a road from the Half Moon Bay Bridge extending north over the existing one-lane access tunnel (Senasqua Tunnel) from Municipal Place.
Summer 2001
Completion of sidewalks to connect pedestrian overpass from Riverside Avenue to the southern portion of the former Seprieo Property (Croton Landing).
Summer 2001
The Croton Bay Boat Launch improvement is completed.
September 2001
The Feasibility Study for the Village Waterfront Property is completed, recommending the property for passive recreational use, multipurpose trails, flexible open space and a small restroom facility.
November 2001
Croton Landing is named an official site on the Hudson River Valley Greenway Water Trail.
November 2001
The Village adopts the Westchester County Greenway Compact Plan as part of its Village Code
February 2002
Village receives additional funds from the Hudson River Foundation for the construction of the Handicapped-Accessible Trail through the southern portion of the former Seprieo Property (Croton Landing).
April 2002
The Village budgets funds to construct sidewalks on Municipal Place, connecting riverfront parks through the proposed pedestrian access tunnel (Senasqua Tunnel) to the Village and its trail system.
Summer 2002
The extension of the sewer line from Senasqua Park to Croton Landing is completed.
Summer 2002
The Handicapped-Accessible Trail in the Seprieo Property (Croton Landing) is completed.
October 21, 2002
The Seprieo Property is officially named Croton Landing
Early 2003
The Open Space Institute transfers its title of the Beaverkill portion (North Cove) of Croton Landing to the Village.
Winter 2003
Westchester County designs a layout utilizing the old Railroad One site to construct a second vehicular ingress and egress to the Discovery Cove/ Half Moon Bay property. A bicycle trail is also planned. The road and trail is to be constructed by Spectrum Skanska as part of the Discovery Cove site plan approval.
Fall 2003
Westchester County receives Legacy Funds to extend the handicapped-accessible trail in Croton Landing north through the Beaverkill (North Cove) section of Croton Landing. This will include a clean-up of the entire site, new plantings, and a separation of the site from the Metro-North railroad tracks.
Fall 2003
Westchester County receives a grant to conduct a feasibility study for extending the Riverwalk Trail beyond Croton Landing all the way to Oscawana Island Park.
Summer 2003
The study by Hudsonia to examine the effects of railroad tie removal from the Croton Bay on macroinvertebrates and bird populations is completed.
January 21, 2003
The Comprehensive Plan is adopted by the Village Board of Trustees.
March 15, 2004
The Gateway Overlay Law is adopted by the Village Board establishing three overlay zones in the three commercial gateways to the Village.
Spring 2004
Village undertakes a commitment for the construction or replacement of sidewalks in the Croton Point Avenue/South Riverside Avenue region to ensure safe access from the Village and its trail systems to the riverfront.
Summer 2004
Westchester County works with Cherbuliez/Munz on a design plans for the construction of a trail through the North Cove of Croton Landing.
Summer 2004
Construction begins on the new access road from the Half Moon Bay Bridge to Senasqua Park and the conversion of the Senasqua Tunnel to a pedestrian and bicycle entrance. Completion of this road will eliminate the Brook Street grade crossing.
Summer 2004
The construction at the Old Railroad One site begins. The roadway is widened and the bicycle trail is constructed. Completion of this project will allow a second ingress and egress for Discovery Cove residents as well as create an important trail link from Croton Point Park to the rest of the Village’s riverwalk trails.