No. Castle Disposes of Latest Fareri Affordable Unit Relocation Bid
Another attempt by an Armonk developer to relocate six affordable units from one of his projects to another was rejected last week as North Castle officials refused to reconsider their position on the issue.
Developer Michael Fareri sent a letter to the Town Board on Aug. 10 once again asking to be put on a future meeting agenda to discuss having the affordable units transferred from his approved 36-unit development at the old lumberyard property on Bedford Road to 470 Main St. Last year, Fareri was approved for 16 units on Main Street, at least two of which must be affordable.
However, by last Friday, Supervisor Michael Schiliro said the board would not entertain the latest request, pointing to how the town made its decision opposing the identical move last year. Schiliro also said Fareri’s Article 78, brought against the town in May 2017 following the denial of his last request, was thrown out of state Supreme Court.
Board members have said they strongly prefer having required affordable units for a project built on-site, citing the town’s affordable housing ordinance.
“How many times can we look at the same thing over and over again and have the same outcome?” Schiliro asked. “We have the absolute right not to further proposals that we don’t want to move forward.”
Fareri, who has battled the town on this issue and a host of other matters over the years, said he submitted the same request hoping the board would see the benefits of moving the units. He again contended that including the six affordable units in the same structure as the 30 market-rate residences at the former lumberyard site would make the cost of upkeep and maintenance financially unsustainable for the market-rate units and that relocation would vastly improve the quality of both projects.
“I was hoping that they’d come and realize that it was beneficial to put fair and affordable units at 470 (Main St.), that it was much more advantageous to get them built than not have either one of the properties get developed,” he said. “It’s clear. I don’t see any downfall whatsoever for anybody.”
In his letter, Fareri also listed current and former town and county officials who recommended relocation to highlight his point that it’s a good idea.
Fareri, who has put both projects up for sale, said if town officials fail to budge on the unit relocation, he will continue looking to unload both properties and have another developer build the projects. He said he would prefer to build what had been approved at both locations but will only do what he believes is in the best interests of the town.
“Every time I develop a project or a job in the Town of North Castle, it’s always been to the best it can possibly be and by forcing the fair and affordable units to be built in a single structure where occupants are going to have to spend more money than they should have, to me it’s not the best it can be,” Fareri said.
Schiliro, however, said that the town has approved everything that Fareri has asked for over the years. The supervisor reiterated that he hoped Fareri would decide to build the projects.
“I wish he would,” Schiliro said. “He’s a good builder. He has his permit. He can get into the ground tomorrow. This is the past. He’s trying to resurrect what’s been done by the board.”
Fareri, though, renewed his arguments that the board’s refusal amounts to a different set of rules for him compared to other developers. He cited other projects in town, such as the 2015 Brynwood Golf & Country Club approval, where officials left open the possibility of relocating the affordable units.
“Why am I always treated differently and twice as hard as everybody else?” he said.
Councilman Barry Reiter said he would have listened to Fareri’s request if there was something new to consider but the latest letter is a rehash.
“Mike’s done a lot of good things for the town,” Reiter said. “He knows that, we’ve told him that. He’s a smart guy, he’s been around awhile, he could probably put some of these efforts that he’s been doing into efforts on the positive side.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/