MONTICELLO  — The Village Board of Monticello adjourned the Public Hearing for Proposed Local Law #2 of 2025 to June 18. The Local Law added Section 280-59 discussing a Planned Unit Development (PUD) in the Village of Monticello.

The Democrat previously reported on a Public Hearing regarding a proposed PUD on the corner of Hamilton Road and Route 42, slated to be mixed-use with community amenities and commercial space.

The County’s GML-239 Review and developer Joel Kohn’s submitted materials were pending. Trustee Theodore Hutchins admitted that this was still the case.

“We’re just waiting for that information from the County,” Hutchins explained to Kohn. “I guess there was a mix-up with whatever paperwork that you sent or we sent.”

When asked, Village Clerk Janine Gandy-McKinney verified that Hutchins was speaking the truth. Kohn confirmed awareness of this and thanked Hutchins for the explanation.

During the Public Comments session later in the meeting, Town of Thompson resident Len Bernardo expressed support for the project.

“Conceptually, it’s a very important thing because...people are pushing back on it  in several areas,” stated Bernardo. “It’s a little concerning which is kind of strange. All a PUD is enabling you [the Village] to do - especially in a village - gives you more say with the developer and what your needs are here in the Village.”

He exampled “for argument’s sake” if the Village wanted to do a percentage of senior housing or workforce housing within that, they could talk to the developer about it.

He stated that it gives the Village more ability to speak with the developer for Village needs.

“To your end [Village Mayor] Rochelle [Massey] in terms of beautification [in the village],” explained Bernardo. “You’re depending on the developer to make sure they implement beautification needs. Whether it be cleaning  up and things of that nature.”

While explaining how he’s read a lot on PUD’s, his belief  on the jurisdiction on a body like Monticello has more influence on a developer in asking what the Village’s needs are.

“Although you may not feel that way, that’s the case,” Bernardo encouraged. “You should look into it, be mindful of it, and really consider allowing this PUD-type application happen.”

“You could demand [workforce housing] from a developer saying they’re gonna get 80 percent. How that helps the community is a lot of different ways cause you’re looking at it from a bell-kind of curve and that’s how I view it.”