State Board Closes Hearing on Chappaqua Affordable Housing Fire Safety
Public comments concluded Tuesday morning in front of a state panel that is weighing whether the Chappaqua affordable housing project would comply with fire safety codes.
Representatives for Conifer Realty argued that the 28-unit Chappaqua Station slated to be built on Hunts Lane meets or exceeds all fire safety code requirements despite the need for eight variances during the meeting of the southern region of the state Board of Review at Cortlandt Town Hall.
New Castle Building Inspector William Maskiell, along with several project opponents, countered that there is insufficient room for fire trucks and for firefighters to set up apparatus around the roughly one-third of an acre site. The property is surrounded by Metro-North train tracks on one side and the Saw Mill Parkway on another.
Maskiell also stated that the diesel fuel from the trains would also pose a safety risk for the residents.
“It may not have hydraulic oil on these trains but there are diesel trains that come down there and that’s a fire hazard,” he said.
Conifer is seeking the variances from the state in order to receive a building permit to erect the structure and obtain public funding from the county and state that is needed to build the project.
The units would count toward Westchester’s goal of building 750 affordable units in accordance with the housing settlement with the federal government. In December, a vote to release county funds narrowly failed, 9-8, because a majority of lawmakers on the Board of Legislators wanted the fire safety issues and the variances resolved before releasing the money.
A decision is due the next time the board meets, which will probably be in June since it has been convening once every other month. New Castle officials have until Apr.18 to submit comments pertaining to the material received from Conifer last Thursday that refuted many of the safety criticisms that had been previously raised. Conifer has an Apr. 23 deadline for final rebuttal.
As part of its presentation, Conifer brought in two fire safety specialists who commented on a host of issues, including whether there is proper space around the property, sufficient access by fire trucks and adequate infrastructure to allow firefighters to reach the site quickly.
Rich Tobin, an assistant chief for the FDNY who has also served in departments in Westchester, said the construction of the building would be one of the best.
“If built, it will be one of the safest buildings in town,” Tobin said.
During a roughly half-hour presentation, Jeff Wilkinson, another fire safety expert retained by Conifer, showed photos displaying how there would be sufficient space for the fire trucks to reach the property and fight a blaze once there. During a run in January from the Chappaqua Fire Department stationhouse to the site, it took four minutes without sirens. That timeframe is expected to diminish with the use of sirens in an emergency, Wilkinson said.
Conifer attorney Randall McLaughlin said the evidence compiled by his client shows the site’s accessibility. He also said that the building would exceed the state’s requirements for fire safety by having more exits and hydrants than what is required along with several other criteria.
“So a picture is worth a thousand words,” McLaughlin said. “Clearly, there is absolutely no problem with access.”
However, opponents questioned the information provided by the developer. Chappaqua resident Ed Frank said there would be no way firefighters could reach the scene within four minutes because the Chappaqua Fire Department is a volunteer operation and its responding members would first report to the stationhouse before heading to the scene.
“So it’s not four minutes,” Frank said. “That’s a total exaggeration.”
Project supporters from the public did not speak but several wore yellow t-shirts that read “Yes! Affordable Housing at Hunts Lane.”
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/
