Port Chester Looks to Formally Extend its Permit Amnesty Program

The Port Chester Village Board of Trustees is set tonight to look at formally extending its village building permit amnesty program, which was initially set to expire Dec. 31.

Trustees have already agreed to extend the amnesty effort, but are scheduled to formally take it up in a public hearing at tonight's board meeting, set for 7 p.m. at the Port Chester Justice Court, 350 N. Main St.

Prior to the public meeting, the trustees are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. for a closed-door "executive session" to consult with the village attorney and staff on Starwood Capital Group's plans to redevelop the former United Hospital site in Port Chester.

The permit amnesty program was launched in late 2012 to help property owners - residential and commercial - resolve longstanding issues they may have with related to their homes and businesses. The amnesty was designed to run from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2012, but after meetings with community members, village trustees decided to give the program more time.

The extendsion of the program runs until April 31.

The amnesty streamlines the permit process and cuts fees that would normally be charged.

Also up for hearings tonight:

- A proposed zoning amendment that would allow cosmetic reconditioning work on vehicles at auto dealership service centers, in connection with Dent Wizard, 110 Midland Ave.

- A proposal to prohibit parking on North Main Street from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. from the Metro-North railroad bridge to the Connecticut state line.

- Public comment on the proposed draft of the local waterfront revitalization program.

If you can't get to tonight's meeting, you can watch it live online at the village's web site.