2nd Affordable Housing Plan for Chappaqua

Downtown Chappaqua is slated to get affordable housing proposal.

Mountco Construction and Development Corp., located in Eastchester, wants to build a 40-unit, 4-story structure at 495 King St., which is the current site of the . It would be located on two tax lots, which are currently zoned as B-R, or Retail Business. Residential usage in some form is permitted under existing zoning, according to the town code, although it is not clear what type of approvals this specific proposal would need.

The proposal calls for using two lots, with an vehicular driveway and parking lot in the back, ot be accessed through Memorial Drive. There is an entranceway on King Street, in addition. The building includes a garden space, community room and laundry room.

With regards to scale, renderings show a modern look, with three stories of maximum bulk for the structure. However, the fourth story is integrated into a mansard roof design. The renderings show the building to be similar in height to the , which is next door and to the west.

Mountco is currently in talks to buy the property, according to John Madeo, an executive vice president for Mountco. A receptionist at the animal hospital confirmed that the practice's land is owned by Dr. Martin Horowitz, who owns the practice. Horowitz and his wife have practiced

If the land is purchased, the plan would be to demolish the animal hospital building, according to Madeo.

Horowitz was not available for comment as of initial publication.

The building will be geard towards senior housing, Madeo said. However, he feels that it could also be used for Westchester County's affordable housing settlement, which requires that 750 units be built by 2016 in municipalities that are predominently white.

Mountco has experience in affordable housing development, explained Madeo, including in Westchester County.

"Essentially, it's our business," he said.

Thirty-nine of the units would have one bedroom, while one would be a 2-bedroom dwelling for a building superintendent, according to Madeo. They will all be rentals, with monthly rents anticipated to be in the $600 to $1,000 range. The housing is intended for households that make between 30-60 percent of Westchester County's annual median income.

Mountco intends to seek funding through New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

Chappaqua's other pending affordable housing proposal, , has been criticized by opponents for its size - it's also four stories but has an average roof line of 49 feet - and for its location off of Hunts Place is between Metro-North train tracks and the Saw Mill River Parkway. Safety, quality of life for occupants and aesthetics are points of concern. The town board is also expected to schedule a public hearing for that proposal at the same meeting.

The town board will begin its meeting, a work session, at 8 p.m., at town hall in Chappaqua.