Dear Friends,  
Governor Hochul’s proposed NY state budget includes two pieces of legislation that will forever change the fabric of small communities across New York—regardless of what residents want or who they vote into local office.  
NYS Legislation S4547A (see link below) would override local zoning throughout NY state and allow for development of accessory dwelling units in single-family zoning districts, regardless of local zoning laws, including local setback requirements and parking issues.   
Transit oriented development proposal: This would allow construction of up to 25 apartments per acre (about the size of a three-story multifamily apartment house) on any land within a half mile of a train station or bus stop with parking, regardless of local laws regarding building height, setbacks, floor area ratios, or parking. The state may also mandate that the town provide parking spaces at each bus stop to expand the scope of this requirement.  
In New York, we have always had “Home Rule” that allows local governments to address these matters directly with constituents. This proposed legislation would immediately mandate significant and permanent changes for our community, regardless of who we elect locally.  
To be clear, our town has never opposed affordable or transit-oriented housing per se. New Castle already allows for the development of accessory apartments and requires affordable housing units on any large development project. But these new proposals remove all reasonable parameters, allowing developers to ride roughshod over our town and destroy its natural environment.  
Governor Hochul has indicated strong support for this legislation and intends to budget for it. Please contact your local representatives State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Chris Burdick, as well as others and let them know that this is a serious and irrevocable overstepping of state control on small communities like ours. 

PLEASE NOTE:  This “New Castle for Home Rule” petition is not authorized or sponsored by, or otherwise affiliated with, Residents United to Save Chappaqua Hamlet, Inc., also known as “RUSCH”.