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County Executive Rob Astorino introduced legislation in December to fund the acquisition and improvements on the .34-acre property at 54 Hunts Place, known as Chappaqua Station, for $1.27 million. But, the Board of Legislators narrowly voted it down amid concerns about inadequate emergency access.
For another vote to take place, Astorino would have to reintroduce the legislation, which would become the first affordable housing financing deal drafted by the county.
The County Executive plans to re-introduce the legislation, according to his communications director Ned McCormack. But, he is waiting on a state variance board to decide April 8 whether or not it will grant the developers eight variances it needs to be able to build Chappaqua Station.
“We were going to wait to see what the state opined on to see if we need to change the legislation that we sent down last time,” McCormack said.
The property is tucked in between the Saw Mill River Parkway off-ramp and the Chappaqua Metro-North train station on a dead-end street.
The 28 units would count toward the 750 Westchester is required to build by 2016 under the 2009 fair and affordable housing settlement. The county is ahead of schedule on meeting that target. However, Jenkins said they need to show the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development they are serious.
“It’s important that Westchester County continue its efforts in backing the construction of affordable housing to satisfy the needs of our seniors, veterans and young professionals,” he said. “With its close proximity to the Chappaqua Train Station, these new housing units will be in high demand. We should start moving this project along as quickly as possible. It’s already been vetted, and it’s ready to go.”
Although the New Castle town board approved a special permit for the development last fall, the town’s building inspector Bill Maskiell said the site doesn’t meet code.
“That’s why I directed them to get variances from the state. If it met code then I would be obligated to issue the permits,” he said.
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