2026-702026-70
Resolution Adopting Local Law entitled "A Local Law Amending Chapter 240-90 of the
Town Code of the Town of Wappinger Amending Final approval of Site Development
Plan"
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on February
9, 2026.
The meeting was called to order by Joseph D. Cavaccini, Town Supervisor, and upon roll
being called, the following was recorded:
✓ Vote Record - Resolution RES -2026-70
Yes/Aye
No/Nay
Abstain
Absent
Q Adopted
❑ Adopted as Amended
Joseph D. Cavaccini
Voter
Q
❑
❑
❑
❑ Defeated
William H. Beale
Voter
❑
❑
❑
Q
❑ Tabled
Heather O'Dell
Seconder
Q
❑
❑
❑
❑ Withdrawn
Christopher Phillips
Mover
Q
❑
❑
❑
Al Casella
Voter
Q
❑
❑
❑
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Phillips and seconded by
Councilwoman O'Dell.
WHEREAS, the Town Board has considered the adoption of Local Law entitled "A Local
Law Amending Chapter 240-90 of the Town Code of the Town of Wappinger Amending Final
approval of Site Development Plan"; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing on the proposed Local Law was duly advertised in the
Southern Dutchess News and the Poughkeepsie Journal as required by law; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was Noticed Properly and held on February 9, 2026 and all
parties in attendance were permitted an opportunity to speak on behalf of or in opposition to said
proposed Local Law or any part thereof; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the Proposed Action is an action for which
there are no other Involved Agencies and that the Town Board is therefore, by default, the Lead
Agency for this action; and
WHEREAS, as in accordance with Section 239 of the New York State General Municipal Law,
the Town Board referred the proposed Local Law to the Dutchess County Department of Planning
and Development (DCDPD) for its advisory opinion; and
WHEREAS, said Local Law has been on the desks of the members of the Town Board of
the Town of Wappinger for at least ten (7) days prior to the adoption of this resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board hereby adopts and incorporates the recitations and statements set forth
above as if fully set forth and resolved herein.
2. The Town Board, after due deliberation, finds that it is in the best interest of the Town to
adopt said Local Law, and the Town Board hereby adopts Local Law of 2026, a copy of which is
attached hereto and made a part of this Resolution; and The Town Clerk is directed to enter said
Local Law in the minutes of this meeting into the Local Law book for the Town of Wappinger and to
give due notice of the adoption of said Local Law to the Secretary of State of New York.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Christopher Phillips, Councilman
SECONDER: Heather O'Dell, Councilwoman
AYES: Joseph D. Cavaccini, Heather O'Dell, Christopher Phillips, Al Casella
ABSENT: William H. Beale
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
2/9/2026
The Resolution is hereby duly declared Adopted.
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, TOWN CLERK
LOCAL LAW NO. 5 OF THE YEAR 2026
A Local Law entitled "Local LawAmending Chapter 240-90 of the Town Code
Amending Final approval of Site Development Plan."
BE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger as follows:
Section L• Title.
This Local Law shall be known and cited as "Local Law Amending Chapter 240-90 of
the Town Code Amending Final approval of Site Development Plan."
Section IL• Legislative Intent.
The Town Board of the Town of Wappinger hereby finds and declares that the timely and
orderly review of subdivision applications is essential to protecting the public health, safety,
and general welfare of the community.
The intent of this Local Law amending Chapter 240-90 of the Town Code, relating to the final
approval of Site Development Plan, is to ensure that approved plans are acted upon within a
reasonable and predictable timeframe, consistent with current planning standards,
infrastructure capacity, environmental conditions, and community needs.
At present, Site Development Plans may receive final approval and remain inactive for
extended periods of time—sometimes years or decades—before construction or
implementation occurs. When such approvals are later reactivated, the underlying plans may
no longer reflect contemporary zoning standards, environmental regulations, infrastructure
conditions, or the Town's adopted planning goals, including those set forth in the
Comprehensive Plan. This practice undermines responsible land -use planning and can
adversely impact roads, schools, utilities, emergency services, and neighborhood character.
Accordingly, this Local Law establishes defined expiration deadlines for final site plan
approvals, modeled after and consistent with the timelines applicable to preliminary
subdivision approvals. The law provides that final approval of a subdivision plat shall expire
after a period of three (3) years.
The Town Board further intends that applicants retain the ability to request extensions of final
approval within the prescribed timeframe, subject to review and approval by the Planning
Board. However, where final approval has expired after three (3) years, the applicant shall be
required to return to the Planning Board for renewed review and approval under the then -
current Town Code, standards, and policies.
Section III: Amendment of � 240-90 Section B. Expiration and extensions of inial site plan
approval.
§ 240-90 Expiration of approval.
A. Site plan approval shall expire in the event that:
(1) An application for a building permit or, where a building permit is not required, a
certificate of occupancy has not been made within one year of the date of approval;
(2) All construction in conformance with the approved site plan has not been
completed within three years of the date of approval;
(3) Construction in accordance with the site plan substantially ceases for any
reason, prior to completion, for a period of one year or more after commencement
of construction; or
(4) The premises has been substantially vacant or inactive for more than three years.
B. An application for extension of site plan approval shall be made by the application to the
Planning Board prior to the expiration of the specific time period sought to be extended. The
Planning Board may extend all time limits for good cause shown
d: ulgoiin the wii°fttein irequest of the owineii° of the Igii"olgeiity oii° a duly authoii° zed agent
made at least 30 days Idefoii°e the exlpli afloin of alppi oval.. Il:::::xteinsloins of final. site Igl.aiil
alppiroval. slhal.l. not exceed one year, foil°, each exteinsloin. In no case shall. final. site Igl.aiil
alppiroval. Ide extended Ibeyond tIhi ee year's fi oiiin the date of oii1glnal. alppi oval..