Mixed Used Development Proposed in Somers
The developer of a proposed mixed use development is asking the Somers Town Board to allow it to construct four commercial/residential buildings with three floors. The proposed project intends to have some homes in the first floor of the structures which will be located along Route 6.
Representatives of The Green at Somers addressed the town board on Jan 5. Linda Whitehead, an attorney for the developer, said four of the proposed buildings would be three-stories and have commercial and residential use. The buildings would have a total of between 72 and 74 residential townhouse rental units, with a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom units, according to Whitehead who said that at least half of the units would be intended as affordable housing.
The fifth proposed building would house a one-story restaurant, Whitehead said.
The development would replace a golf driving range that currently exists at the site. The 11-acre property, which is partly located in the Town of Carmel, is zoned NS (neighborhood shopping). A northern portion of the property is a wetland and would not be developed, Whitehead said.
The developer wants the town board to allow the four, 8,400-square-foot commercial/residential buildings to be three-stories (about 50 feet) high; allow a reduction of the number of parking spaces that would be required for the project; and allow for an increase in the minimum floor are ratio.
All three of the proposals have been endorsed by the planning board, Town Planner Sabrina Charney Hull wrote in her Jan. 2 letter to the town board. The developer also wants the town board to amend town code to allow both commercial and residential development on the first floor of its four mixed use buildings. Currently, only commercial development is allowed on the first floor of mixed use buildings in the NS zone.
The development has been reviewed by the planning board over a several meetings. The developer is seeking amended site plan approval from the planning board.
Murphy said she was not yet prepared to agree to the developer’s requests. “I don’t a good feel for what you want your project to be,” Murphy said. She wanted to know the number of housing units that would be created.
Whitehead said the project would have between 72 and 74 rental units. “We have a pretty good idea of what the project is,” Whitehead said.
Murphy is concerned about potential government funding for construction of affordable rental units in the project and what the town’s potential responsibilities would be related to the housing.
“I prefer to know upfront what to expect,” Murphy said. Whitehead replied that it would take between six and 12 months to obtain funding to build affordable home and the developer does not know where the funding would come from.
The town board members are slated to tour the developer’s property and also take a look at a mixed use development in the local are that is similar to what is being proposed in Somers. The discussion of the project is scheduled to resume when the town board meets on Jan. 12.
