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The request by Seligman, which comes a week after attorney Daniel Hollis informally met with the board, is in anticipation of displaced employees during upcoming construction on the hospital's parking garage.
The construction will leave 250 employees per shift without parking spaces. Currently, Northern Westchester Hospital uses 140 spaces at Chappaqua Crossing and the proposal would raise the total to 390.
"It’s been wonderful for us," said Seligman of the current arrangement. "I think we’ll continue to succeed there and hopefully even grow there."
According to Hollis, Chappaqua Crossing developer Summit/Greenfield has already agreed to loan out the spaces without charge, and the proposal is contingent on approval from the New Castle Planning Board. Mt. Kisco's planning board has already approved the construction.
"We have our approval from Mt. Kisco and we’re ready to break ground," said Hollis. "But we’re hesitant to break ground until we can place our displaced employees."
Seligman said the parking garage construction is the final stage of a 10-year master plan, which has already included the addition of a new cancer treatment center, a wellness center and an emergency department.
The construction on the parking garage is anticipated to take a year, however, the hospital has requested the use of the spaces for 18 months in case of unforeseen circumstances.
If approved, the hospital has also requested the town relax its "dark hour" restrictions at Chappaqua Crossing for employees who work early morning or overnight. Employees will be transported to and from the hospital in shuttle busses.
While the hospital was hoping to fast-track the process and be placed on the New Castle Planning Board's March 6 agenda, the plan will instead be presented to the board on April 10. The plan must also be reviewed by the Westchester County Planning Board and New York State Department of Transportation for review.
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