Introduction to Village of Ossining and its Commercial and Mixed Use Districts
Situated within three square miles, Ossining has a population of approximately 25,000 people and contains an assortment of land uses, social diversity and an abundance of public amenities. The Village, located on the eastern shore of the Hudson River 30 miles north of New York City, is also one of a number of river towns with older industrial/waterfront and historic/downtown areas. To the north and northeast, the Village borders the Town of Ossining and to its south and southeast it borders the Village of Briarcliff Manor. The Hudson River forms the western boundary of the Village of Ossining.
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Ossining's mixed use and commercial districts are found throughout the Village in key areas that were a result of Ossining's development history starting from a booming riverfront industry where shipping was the main source of transportation; to the development of the railroad as the primary transporter of goods; and finally to the automobile dependent economy.
Two lateral commercial districts are located along the corridors that take you to and from Ossining, Route 9 (North and South Highland Avenue) and Route 133 (Croton Avenue). Besides Route 9 and Route 133, Ossining has two other large mixed use/commercial areas: the Waterfront which is located from the edge of the Hudson River westward to Water Street and anchored by two train stations, one to the north and the other to the south; and the Downtown Historic District which is located in the area roughly bounded by Sing Sing Kill, State Street, Broad Avenue, and Route 9 (Highland Avenue).
The Downtown Historic District is a National Registered and Local Historic District. It contains the structures that have constituted the civic, religious, and entrepreneurial heart of the Village since the middle of the 19th century. The district contains a total of sixty-four properties, of which forty-two are historic structures that contribute to the architectural integrity of the district under National Register criteria.
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Map of Commercial and Mixed Use Zoning Districts
Existing Business Districts and Mixed Use Zones:
The Village of Ossining contains the following mixed use and business districts. Please see Chapter 270 of the Village Code for more information.
Commercial Use:
· General Business (GB): Created to provide locations for more intensive businesses that are not compatible with residential development.
· Neighborhood Centers (NC-1 and NC-2): Created to provide locations for neighborhood service businesses that are in close proximity to residential districts.
· Planned Center (PC): Created to provide for the location of retail complexes and shopping centers
· Village Center (VC): Created to provide for the continuation of the historic downtown as the center of Village life.
Mixed Use:
· Office Research (O-R): Created to provide for businesses that focus on office, hotels, conference centers, and commercial research and development.
· Planned Waterfront Districts (PW-a, PW-b, and PW-c): Created to provide for uses that will encourage mixed use for the purpose of providing amenities, services, and attractions that will draw people to the waterfront area.
· Professional Office (P-O): Created to accommodate a mix of residential and commercial uses along South Highland Avenue.
· Riverfront Development District (RDD): Created to provide for uses that create a waterfront destination.
· Station Plazas (SP-n and SP-s): Created to increase and promote businesses near the train station.
The link below takes you to the Zoning Code and Zoning maps
· Full Zoning Map
· National Register Downtown Historic District Map
Goals and Objectives of Mixed Use and Commercial Districts:
In the fall of 2009, the Village of Ossining adopted its Comprehensive Plan and new zoning code changes. Highlights of the economic development goals and objectives of the Village can be found below as well as links to the Comprehensive Plan.
· Promote Ossining as a desirable place to do business, focusing on regulatory reform and capacity building.
· Create a unique dining and shopping destination to attract residents and visitors, both during the day and at night.
· Promote and enhance downtown amenities and character.
· Promote economic development outside the Crescent area.
· Make Ossining a destination, especially for low-impact boating and other water-oriented uses.
· Provide amenities, services and attractions that will draw people to the waterfront and the Village at large.
For the full Comprehensive Plan please click here: Comprehensive Plan
Significant Sites and Structures Guide:
The Village of Ossining Significant Sites & Structures Guide, created in early 2010, is a document designed to catalogue the Village of Ossining's numerous buildings, neighborhoods, and other locations that are of architectural, cultural, and historical significance. The Village believes that historic preservation is an important part of economic development and tourism. For more information on the identified site and structures see the Significant Sites and Structures Guide webpage.
Tax Assessment:
The Town of Ossining Office of the Assessor is responsible for the creation, maintenance, and defense of the annual assessment roll for the Town of Ossining and Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff. Links to the assessment rolls and an interactive GIS tax parcel data can be found on the Assessor website.
Forms and Permits:
Necessary forms and permits that might be required from the various Village departments in order to open up or expand your business in the Village can be found on the Forms and Permits webpage.
