The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Chappaqua Crossing

Town Board Hashes Out the Proposed Opening Hours at Chappaqua Crossing

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By Eileen Gallagher

Chappaqua Crossing was on the agenda at the town board work session on Tuesday, specifically Whole Foods, and the conversation with the developer, Felix Charney, got heated. Much of the discord centered on proposed opening hours and a non-temperature controlled compactor/loading area, which could pose a problem in the warmer months.

What is not disputed is the necessity for some deliveries to occur an hour prior to opening. The hour for opening, however, is the issue.
Supervisor Rob Greenstein suggested having the store open at 8 a.m., and restricting delivery hours for tractor trailers until after 7 a.m. Charney supports a 7 a.m. opening, contending that morning users of the “mandated gym” are looking for something to eat when they are finished.

A resident in attendance, John Ehrlich, advised the town board after a quick internet search that all of the Westchester Whole Foods locations keep the same hours: 8 a.m-10 p.m..

Dr. John Collins, the traffic expert hired by Summit Greenfield, felt it would be sufficient to limit tractor trailers (there would be two a day) to 8 a.m. and allow the smaller trucks to “self-regulate.”

As for the compactor, town board member Adam Brodsky brought up the fact that if this “epicenter of one of the largest nuisances the property is generating” is not “refrigerated”, the refuse will “cook in the heat.”

Architect Andy Tung described the loading dock as an area enclosed on three sides with a cover on top. “The box itself is sealed, at the rear of the store, and 400 feet from any residential building.”

“The loading dock is the closest thing to existing homes,” said councilwoman Lisa Katz, expressing concern about residents hearing the beeping of trucks in reverse and being subjected to malodorous refuse.

Charney reiterated that Summit Greenfield is “not looking to be any more intrusive to our neighbors than this whole process has already been,” and reminded the board that the deadline for site plan approval for Whole Foods is June 30. “This has taken longer than we all expected.” Tung promised that a final site plan application would be ready in June.

Paving the way…

Gerry Moerschell, Commissioner of Public Works, requested an increase in the 2015 budgeted amount for paving town roads of at least $400k.

Citing the condition of the roads after years of economic woes, Moerschell explained in detail the need for rebuilding certain roads rather than just applying an overlay of asphalt.
“We pay a lot in taxes. If we have the money, we owe it to our residents to give them as smooth a road as possible,” Greenstein stated, going on to say that residents he has heard from are frustrated with the poor condition of many of the roads in town.

Comptroller Rob Deary eased the decision for the board as he described the town’s “good financial year” in 2014. “I am comfortable with [an increase of] $400k.”

Town Administrator Jill Shapiro summarized the paving budget amounts as $255k CHIPS ( Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program ) funding (a reimbursable amount), the original 2015 budgeted amount of $400k, and the additional request of $400k.

“We have to do it when we can do it, or else it’s never going to get done,” Greenstein stressed. “We need it, we have the money, and the comptroller is comfortable with it.”

Members of the board were willing to approve up to $600k, but councilwoman Elise Mottel was concerned about the depletion of the town’s salt supply. As Moerschell estimated that the purchase of more salt for the next winter season would cost an additional $200k due to the state’s increase of the price of road salt of 25%, the board unanimously agreed to the original paving request for $400k.

Coming soon…

George Barbarossa of Rev Design presented the new, easy to use, easy to update town website, expected to be unveiled around May 8th, after tax collection.

Barbarossa spoke of reaching out to department heads to get an idea of the most widely used features of the website in order to come up with a “rearchitected” site.

Board member Jason Chapin asked about a continuous improvement process. “How much is collapsed so it’s not three to five clicks?” he asked regarding the navigation of the site.

“The most heavily trafficked areas are one to two clicks.”

The site’s front page will feature drop down menus, and a running blog of latest news, along with press releases, e-news, and the Supervisor’s report.

In other news…

Town board members discussed the need for a “mailbox replacement policy” to address the incidental winter plowing of mailboxes (estimated between five and ten this winter) and the resulting reimbursement to the homeowners. Neighboring towns differ in their policies, with Bedford issuing $125, others $50, and New Castle $250, according to Shapiro.

Brodsky and Town Planner Sabrina Charney Hull will be members of a Streetscape Design Committee, along with Environmental Coordinator Steve Coleman, a merchant, and a member of the Master Plan Steering Committee.

Art Under the Bridge banners will be installed in Millwood and at the train station along with Farmers’ Market, Shop Local, and Distracted Driving banners.

Chapin expressed concern about increasing legal fees. “We’ve spent $14k on Conifer… so these numbers are going up and it’s making me uncomfortable.”

Greenstein responded, “Well, that site makes a lot of people uncomfortable.”

Finally, a reminder: The Rotary Club of Chappaqua will be holding a pancake breakfast and blood drive on Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 191 South Greeley Avenue, walk-ins welcome.

Chappaqua Crossing Debate Rages on at Hearing

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Janet Levy, addressing the board, in favor of the development. She was a rare voice in favor amidst the vast majority who came to oppose the plan.
Janet Levy, addressing the board, in favor of the development. She was a rare voice in favor amidst the vast majority who came to oppose the plan.

By Steven Bernstein

Emotions continued to run raw and high during the New Castle Town Board’s second public hearing on the proposed plan to use the 120,000 square feet at Chappaqua Crossing for largely retail use.

The reaction to the plan received overwhelmingly negative public comments among the 100 or so who showed up at Town Hall. Many residents voiced their concerns for public safety.

Resident and elder care attorney Lisa Katz maintained that that board had not voiced “one articulate and legitimate reason for this ‘monstrosity of a strip mall’ other than to reimburse Summit-Greenfield (the developer) for a horrible investment.”

“I never felt after D’Agostino’s closed that I was at a disadvantage because I didn’t have a grocery store right nearby,” said Emily Bloom, a resident of Chappaqua for the past 20 years.  Bloom also revealed her two sons, both members of the Chappaqua fire department,  “have expressed great concern about traveling to the fire house at certain times of the day, getting there in time to get on the truck. How can you fight a fire if the firefighters can’t get from their homes to the fire department?”

Hedy Simpson noted the danger to high school students just learning how to drive. “There are so many fender benders already…we can’t afford one with an 18 wheeler.”

Rob Greenstein, head of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, noted that some 30-40 members of 166 members of the Chamber had come to Town Hall to register their displeasure.  First, however, Greenstein  read a letter on behalf of Chappaqua resident Sue Grapel. The letter told of a horrific automobile accident Grapel was in on route 117 when she was forced off the road to avoid a truck.  She ended up hitting some street signs and a telephone pole.

“Thankfully I was able to get to the hospital quickly. I cannot believe that we, as a community would choose to severely increase the traffic on our only road that goes directly to our local hospital.  Our teenagers drive this road every day and an increase in truck traffic will be very dangerous to all that need to use this road daily,” Greenstein said on Grapel’s behalf.

“Forget the Town Board,” Greenstein urged later.  “Work with the residents, sit down and form a committee with the residents.  Nobody’s accepting this project without a fight.”  Greenstein also proposed that Summit-Greenfield, the developer, consider refocusing their plans to build in downtown Chappaqua instead (in a downtown transformation plan similar to other towns in the county) and “swap” town hall and the police dept. to the Chappaqua Crossing campus. Jacques from Healthy Choice Pharmacy suggested “looking in a progressive direction. Perhaps a community garden.”

There were, however, a couple residents, in the face of all the opposition, who spoke up in defense of the proposed plan.

“I believe that contrary to what everyone says that I represent the silent majority.  I think the town desperately needs a supermarket.  This one to me makes a whole lot of sense,” said Janet Levy, a resident of Chappaqua for 23 years, who also noted that the town is “crying for an increase in the tax base. The taxes here are higher than anywhere.”

“I do see a need for something to be done with that space,” said Audrey Roberts, another resident of Chappaqua.  “I don’t look at this necessarily as a zero sum game, that if we put shopping there, it will decimate downtown.  I will go downtown, the way I still go downtown, for the stores I like. One resident, Robert Leiblich, urged that Summit-Greenfield invest in a poll of every household in New Castle for an honest answer on the level of support they have.

At 4:30, the Town Board officially closed the public hearing.  Public comment will be open until Friday, May 10th at 4:30pm.  For all those who didn’t get a chance to attend one of the public hearings, or for those who did, but still have more to say, feel free to email the board at CHAPCROSSINGSEIS@TOWN.NEW-CASTLE.NY.US.

Outrage Expressed in Town Hall by those Opposed to Plan for Chappaqua Crossing

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chapp-crossing-hearingBy Steven Bernstein

Over 100 people packed Town Hall Tuesday, April 23, for the first public hearing on the plan for Chappaqua Crossing.  The New Castle Town Board heard only negative feedback from those who arrived regarding its consideration of the Summit-Greenfield plan to use 120,000 square feet of space at the old Reader’s Digest campus, for a supermarket and for other retail use. Meanwhile, at least one town board member made it clear that no decision has yet been reached.

“I have not made up my mind,” said Town Board member John Buckley.  “We’re going to do this fairly, reasonably, and we’re going to see what’s in the best interest of our community as a whole.”

The general sentiment of those who spoke was that the board was not doing what was best for the community.  Dozens of citizens stood up and voiced their opinions about how such a project could negatively affect the town.

There were several concerns on how the proposed project would influence traffic, public safety, and how the town does not need a grocery store.  “We have no problem getting groceries now.  I don’t know of anyone in town who has that problem.  It’s not a burning issue.  It’s a very poor idea,” said David Aplin, whose family has lived in Chappaqua for the past 23 years.

No one who attended the meeting expressed any favorable thoughts about the plan.

“The traffic’s going to be horrendous. The access to this development is almost impossible, coming off the Saw Mill, it’s ridiculous.  We don’t need another grocery store, we can drive to Pleasantville or Mount Kisco,” said Robert Lieblich, another longtime citizen of Chappaqua.

“It’s the small business owners who are helping our downtown come to life.  They’re helping to cultivate a sense of community.  The town board should be held to prove that the New Castle Town community believes this huge change to the character of our community will benefit the town, who ask that you put a referendum on the ballot this November, asking the community to decide whether they want a third business district,” said Rob Greenstein, head of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

“If we’re focused on preserving our high school as the center point of the town, and we’re moving traffic in that direction, I think that’s a big mistake.  You can’t move on that road for 45 minutes in the morning, and 45 minutes in the afternoon.  I think the school board should really be front and center and what they think about the ramifications of this project across from the school,” said Robert Bowen, a resident of the town for thirty-five years.

“I live right off of 117; it’s absolutely dangerous when trucks are on 117.  I can’t imagine what would happen if there were trucks going both ways on 117,” said Hillary Grasso, who moved with her family to Chappaqua two years ago.  She also noted dangers in crossing for Greeley students who would be drawn to the development right across the street.

The second public hearing will be held on Monday, April 29th.  Any citizen who wishes to share their concerns over the proposed plan for Chappaqua crossing should go so their voice can also be heard.

Another Grocery Store on the Retail Horizon?

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When the Planning Board convened on the evening of October 2, it faced a full agenda.  Ordinary items including exterior lighting at Chase and a residential swimming pool were quickly dispatched.  Next, the Planning Board turned to consider an issue at Chappaqua Crossing and a lengthy and learned discussion ensued.  The Planning Board deliberated the proposal to amend chapter 60 of the town code to allow retail stores to operate in a research and business district.  This issue had been referred by the Town Board to the Planning Board.

One of the major talking points focused on the 50,000 square foot grocery store, a potential anchor tenant of the retail mix.   Board member Sheila Crespi raised the question about the potential impact of the proposed change on the rest of the town:  “I feel that this is introducing a third community area into New Castle.  This is a very significant change to the development of our town,”  she noted.  The Board then examined the possibility of decreased patronage of the stores in Chappaqua and Millwood.

Reaction to the proposed changes in the community at Chappaqua Crossing are mixed.  Although there are residents who favor an addition to the local retail environment, there are also many who remain opposed.  Michelle Lee voiced a common concern:  “I don’t know if we need another grocery store.”   “There’s too much traffic as it is and we have a lot of options,” she continued.

The debate will continue at the meeting of the Town Board on October 30.  The public is invited to attend.