Release from Town of New Castle:
Earlier this week, the Town received a rezoning petition from Summit Greenfield that would allow them to use the iconic cupola building at Chappaqua Crossing for the development of affordable housing. Specifically, Summit Greenfield has proposed relocating its previously approved affordable housing units to the upper two floors of the cupola building, which have been vacant for years.
Summit Greenfield has been exploring the feasibility of adaptively reusing the cupola building for residential purposes for the past several months. At a public work session on May 12, 2015, Summit Greenfield told the Town Board that utilizing the cupola building would better integrate the approved residential and retail uses on the site, and will allow them to build affordable housing units at the property sooner than otherwise feasible. Westchester County planning officials have expressed support for Summit Greenfield’s initiative.
According to Summit Greenfield, the upper floors of the cupola building can accommodate approximately 32 affordable apartments. With the re-adaptive use of the cupola building, Summit Greenfield would drop its previously approved plans to construct two new, multi-family residential buildings on the site, and would develop all remaining residential units on the property as fee simple townhouses.
Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein stated, “I believe that Summit Greenfield’s proposal offers the opportunity to create affordable housing choices in our Town that we all can be proud of. I am also pleased that the remaining residential units which the Town approved in 2012 will now be taxed as fee simple townhouses, rather than as condominiums.”
The Town Board will be holding a public hearing on Summit Greenfield’s proposal during which we will receive further input from our Planning Board, residents and other interested parties.
Editor’s Note: We learned from Geoff Thompson, representing Summit Greenfield, that the planned apartments in the Cupola Building will be a mix of studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedrooms. Specific breakdown of how many of each and floor plans are still to be determined. “They meet the Federal-County settlement guidelines,” said Thompson. “County housing officials have seen the concept and have expressed support.”
More news re the building as provided on behalf of Summit Greenfield:
The 111-unit residential layout on the 30 acres of the site that was approved in 2011 will be adjusted to show all 91 market-rate units as fee-simple townhomes, while the 20 affordable apartments that had been planned for that site will be included in the Cupola Building along with an additional 12 affordable apartments.
“We believe this is a unique opportunity to create high-quality affordable housing in a distinctive setting,” said Felix Charney, President of Summit Development, a Summit/Greenfield partner. “We are very pleased to be able to adaptively re-use office space in this classic building while providing much- needed affordable housing.”
With the zoning in place for 120,000-square-feet of retail space at Chappaqua Crossing that is now in the final stages of review by the town, Chappaqua Crossing will provide future residents with direct access to shopping. Chappaqua Crossing will also offer regular shuttle service to the Chappaqua MetroNorth train station, as well as proximity to schools and other services.
In addition to the future retail uses, Chappaqua Crossing also includes [more than 450,000] [500,000] square feet of office space that currently includes a mix of tenants including North Westchester Hospital and the Mount Kisco Medical Group, thereby offering opportunities to work as well as live on the beautifully landscaped campus-like property that overlooks the Saw Mill River Parkway and the wooded hills beyond.
“After many years of review, the future of this signature property is at last coming together,” Charney noted. “Once again, the site will be the valuable asset for the town and its residents as it was in its heyday as a corporate center, while offering so much more.”
