Town Board to Vote Tonight on Conifer Special Permit

Tonight, the New Castle Town Board will vote on whether to grant Conifer Realty a special permit for its affordable housing proposal, according to its agenda. The permit is the last major item that would need to be approved by the board. 

The vote comes after the conclusion of a public comment period for an environmental determination, officially called a Conditioned Negative Declaration, which the board passed in late July. The town board, earlier that same week, also approved a zoning text amendment that applies the dimensions of the Retail Business (B-R) zone to any site in downtown Chappaqua in which a workforce housing (affordable) proposal is made, regardless of the underlying zone. The proposed site, at 54 Hunts Place, has General Industrial (I-G) for its underlying zone.

The proposal, called Chappaqua Station, involves a 28-unit, 3-to-4-story apartment building at 54 Hunts Place in downtown Chappaqua. The plan has generated opposition from some residents, who note its proximity to the Saw Mill River Parkway and Metro-North train tracks, and cite concerns about safety and believe the site will be stigmatizing for residents. Supporters who have spoken argue that affordable housing in the community is beneficial and have noted there has been a lack of such plans.

Conifer's plan would also count towards Westchester County's 2009 federal housing settlement, which calls for the construction of 750 affordable housing units by 2016 in communities that are predominantly white.

The town board will meet this evening for for a closed-door executive session at 7:15 p.m., followed by its open regular meeting at 8:15 p.m. The meeting will be at New Castle Town Hall in Chappaqua.