The Clarkstown Town Board announced Tuesday that it is moving to enact a six-month building moratorium, temporarily pausing certain major development applications while town officials review the impact of future growth on infrastructure, transportation, the environment and public safety.
Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann announced details of the proposal during a press conference Tuesday afternoon at Town Hall in New City, joined by Town Planner Jose Simoes, Councilman Donald Franchino and Councilman Bob Axelrod. The Town Board is expected to vote on the proposed moratorium Tuesday evening following a public hearing.
The moratorium would temporarily halt applications involving multifamily development, large-scale subdivisions, and certain commercial and industrial projects, including AI data centers.
Hoehmann said the six-month pause would give Clarkstown time to carefully review potential zoning changes and ensure that future development remains consistent with the town’s long-term planning goals while protecting its transportation network, environment and public safety.
The move comes as Clarkstown reviews several major planning and infrastructure issues. Among them are recommendations stemming from safety and sustainability studies involving Routes 303 and 304, a town-wide traffic signalization and safety study, portions of the town’s Comprehensive Plan, and recent changes to the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
The town is also moving forward following the enactment of the Clarkstown Community Preservation Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this year. The measure requires the development of an updated community preservation plan and is ultimately expected to go before Clarkstown voters in a referendum.
Town officials say the moratorium will provide a window to determine what changes should be made to Clarkstown’s land-use and zoning regulations before additional large developments receive approvals.
The goal, according to Hoehmann, is to allow responsible and controlled growth while preserving open space and ensuring that roads, infrastructure and community services are capable of supporting future development.
Under the proposal, some smaller projects would be exempt, including small-scale subdivisions, individual residential projects, commercial and industrial projects under 5,000 square feet, and projects within the Nanuet Hamlet Center.
The public hearing on the proposed moratorium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Clarkstown Town Hall, with the Town Board expected to consider adopting the measure afterward.
