New Castle Residents Strongly Oppose Chappaqua Station
New Castle residents were unanimous in their opposition to a proposal to construct a 36-unit affordable housing complex on Hunts Place in Chappaqua at the Aug. 7 town board public hearing.
The four-story Chappaqua Station apartment building would be built on about one-third of an acre property between the Saw Mill River Parkway, Metro-North train tracks and the Route 120 bridge.
As currently proposed by Rochester-based Conifer Realty LLC, there would be 24 one-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments in the 54 Hunts Place building.
All units would be rentals. A special permit is required from the town board and site plan approval is needed from the planning board. Approval must also be granted by the architectural review board.
The town board declared itself lead agency for the review of the project in July.
Councilwoman Elise Kessler-Mottel said last week, “We expect the application may change.”
All eight residents who spoke during last week’s public hearing were against the project.
Resident Ron Schwezer said the building was not appropriate for the area. The developer is “trying to fit a square peg in a round hole,” he said. The project is being sought at a location close to the Taconic State Parkway and would not be safe for the renters, he said.
Another resident, Ellen Schlossberg, said one of the reasons she felt the proposed housing complex would not be appropriate to the area is its proximity to Metro-North railroad tracks. She said a vibration study of the area should be undertaken.
Will Wedge, a 52-year town resident, said the proposal was extremely unpopular. The sentiment among New Castle residents is “99 to one against the project,” he said.
Resident Bill Spade said the town board should not yet be reviewing the proposal. “Zoning variances are required,” Spade said. “The (town) board is running ahead of itself.” Zoning board of appeals approval of variances should have been required before the town board was ready to conduct a public hearing, he said.
“The real issue is, is it an appropriate site?” resident Peter Davidson said.
Following the hearing, Alfred DelBello, an attorney representing the developer, had little to say about the public opposition to this client’s project following the hearing. “It’s what you would expect,’ he said.
The town board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing until Sept. 10, but members agreed that the date could be pushed into later next month.
