Schools

Chappaqua School Board Eyes Split of Zauderer Property

Once considered for middle school site, property could be sold in future.

Chappaqua's school board is interested in having one of its largest vacant properties developed in anticipation of a future sale.

The Zauderer property, which is about 20 acres and situated off of Garey Drive in Chappaqua, in anticipation of building a new elementary school that never came to fruition. Decades later, for what would become

Board member Randall Katchis explained that subdividing the property could help improve the site's value.

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“So the question is if we’re going to maximize the value, how do we do that?”

At their Jully 11 meeting, board members considered hiring Campbell Engineering to help with the process, which includes mapping, septic site testing, and gettng the subdivision application through New Castle's Planning Board. Its estimate for the total work ranges from $100,000 to $150,000, Katchis told the board.

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The high amount triggered a decision by the board to table a vote on Campbell, instead favoring a requests for proposals (RFP). John Chow, assistant superintendent for business, said that any proposal over $40,000 should go through an RFP. However, Katchis explained, the district could still choose Campbell over a low bidder. The board opted to table the vote on choosing Campbell.

Chow and some board members expressed appreciation for Campbell, which they feel has a good local, institutional knowledge. However, Katchis cited fiduciary responsbility by the board for why going out to bid should be done.

The board, , has talked about selling the Zauderer property, with revenue being a reason. The land, which is currently tax exempt, would go back onto the property tax rolls if sold, according to Katchis. It has not been appraised, he said. According to town records, it has 2-acre residential zoning.

The board has not decided on how many parcels a split should produce, although an initial response by Campbell places the number at six, Katchis explained. Whether the district would sell the property in whole or in pieces has not been determined.


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