Sleepy Hollow trustees grant extension for storage facility project
Sleepy Hollow trustees on Monday gave a developer another six months to get construction started on a five-building storage unit facility off Route 72.
Trustees voted 4-2 to approve a six-month extension for the special use permit, first approved in April of 2023. At the time, trustees set a one-year deadline for construction as a condition of the permit, which would have expired on April 17.
The developer, Konrad Rybak, submitted preliminary building plans in the fall after clearing many trees off the 4.7-acre parcel at 1601 W. Main St.
In recent weeks, he submitted updated plans for review but has not yet received village approval on building plans. Rybak also is seeking approval from state and county transportation agencies.
“He’s been moving forward,” Sleepy Hollow Village President Stephan Pickett said. “He just needs another six months of time to complete the process.”
Some residents, however, disagreed and urged the board not to grant the extension. She noted the developer cleared the property of trees and pointed to a real estate listing of the property, questioning if the developer intended to sell it.
“He has failed on everything he has promised,” said Edyie Reese. “I would hope that the village board would rethink and reconsider allowing him to be in the village.”
Hart Passman, an attorney representing the developer, said the property is not for sale and that Rybak intends to build the planned storage unit facilities.
“Our goal is, as soon as we get the permits, to get shovels in the ground within two weeks,” Passman said, adding construction could take as six to eight months to complete.
Trustees agreed to the extension but warned they would not grant another if the developer does not start construction by Oct. 17.
“Six months, that’s it. Period,” Trustee Ed Harney said before voting on the extension.
Trustees Jennifer McGuire and Kelly Thomas voted against the extension, both noting the developer has had a year to work on getting permits approved.
The board’s initial approval in April 2023 also includes conditions on the type of building materials used, building height, landscaping, color scheme and hours of operation.
Under the approved permit, the facility, which could include up to 300 individual storage units, would be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but people will not be allowed to enter after 9 p.m.