LCOR Returns to White Plains Planning Board with New Bank Street Site Plan
It was back in 2010 that LCOR received approval from the White Plains Common Council on a site plan for a mixed-use residential project complete with a commuter parking garage at 55 Bank Street.
At the October Planning Board meeting last week, LCOR was back with a formal presentation for an amended site plan. The new design, the third incarnation for the development project, incorporates two towers of 16 stories each, down from a 28-story structure, with at grade and underground parking instead of the seven-story parking garage featured in the original plan.
The new design includes 561 rental-dwelling units with 449 units to be rented at market rate and 112 affordable, based on the 80/20 agreement made between White Plains and LCOR when the developer purchased the site from the city.
There are 570 parking spaces and approximately 6,345 square feet of retail space at ground level. The design includes two residential towers over the underground parking, joined by a two-story atrium-style structure.
Retail for the development is expected to supply neighborhood service and the additional commuter parking is expected to mainly serve commuters coming to work in White Plains at surrounding office buildings.
Research conducted by the developer indicates that contrary to accepted opinion that commuters boarding the train at the nearby Metro North station were using the parking lot at 55 Bank Street, it is actually being used by commuters coming into the city.
Much of the discussion between Planning Board members and the developer concerned public access to open space and landscaping at the main entrance to the development on Bank Street.
While the plaza design does offer some areas for seating, the board asked the developer to consider more green open public space and the possibility of a bicycle lane at the entrance. Because the plaza intersects with public right of way it incorporates the same design as city sidewalks, planters and lighting, along with enhancements. The developer indicated there had been cooperation with White Plains DPW, which had requested a more pedestrian friendly design.
Outdoor common space for residents is provided on the tower roofs and on the deck of the two-story linkage between the towers. A swimming pool and other resident amenities will be placed inside the buildings.
Desiring to reduce the monolithic affect of the first design that formed a wall between the Battle Hill and Fisher Hill neighborhoods from the rest of the city, the architects have created step-downs and setbacks at various points to change the plane of the structure and thereby provide a more airy view from the neighborhoods.
Construction materials will include granite at the base and glass with aluminum panels on the upper floors.
