It’s not very often that residents have the opportunity to see the workings of Village goverment. In Sleepy Hollow the business backgrounds of both Mayor Philip Zegarelli and Village Administrator Dwight Douglas are evident in the crisp and concise presentation of current Village projects.
We present these initiatives in the form in which we received them.
Private Sector Developments
December, 2005
Lighthouse Landing
Project Description – redevelopment of the 96 acre former GM site: 1562 d.u.s, 50,000 s.f. office, 148 room hotel, 185,000 s.f. of retail. Park and Open space dev. (see Waterfront master plan below)
Status – Project has been reduced in size and scope in response to village concerns with layout and particularly traffic. Currently, the redevelopment calls for 1250 d.u.s, 30,000 s.f. of office, 148 room hotel, 130,000 s.f. of retail. Further improvements to the overall plan are likely to produce additional reductions in dwelling units. Pursuant to contract agreement and eight months of work, a draft FEIS is due to be received in early October. Continuous internal meetings have been held to deal with: Economic Impacts, Design issues, Community facilities, Communications, Traffic, and Site Development issues.
Beyer, Blinder, Belle continued to provide design assistance to village staff focused on landscape and building architecture as well as overall site layout. The Beyer, Blinder, Belle concept plan incorporated Live/work and Work/live units into the west side development and overall opened up the site with views to the river resulting in a significant loss of density.
Regarding the East Side 28 acre redevelopment, the team of Hahn Engineering and Richard Allen Daley, architect has completed a preliminary schematic design incorporating a new DPW garage, 550 space commuter lot, a surface soccer field and a raised soccer and tennis “stadium” (above the commuter lot) together with a proposed new tenant farm, extending and enhancing part of the Philipsburg Restoration.
Key issues — New Metro North Train Station, Traffic mitigation, Water related uses (a master plan for publicly owned water dependent uses, including fishing pier, boat house, docks, moorings, etc. has been developed by Beyer, Blinder, Belle), Open Space component (see Kingsland below), economic benefits/ impacts, architectural treatment, soil cleanup, water reservoir capacity (see below), flooding- see (Pocantico River below), DPW – Highway garage (see below), East Side viaduct accessway – which requires structural repair or replacement of the elevated section.
Next Step(s) – Receive and Review draft FEIS, Finalize Preferred Alternative Plan for West Side redevelopment, develop an integrated schematic plan for East Side; Develop a component to the open space master plan dealing with public water dependent uses; Develop an architectural design primer, Work with Metro North to reach agreement on Train Station; Meet with Planning Board and Waterfront Advisory Committee to review Public Water Dependent Use Master Plan prepared by BBB; Meet with DEC to review Pocantico Flooding issues. Main goal is: finalize preferred alternative concept plan for incorporation in an acceptable FEIS by year’s end; set public hearings.
Personnel Involved – Dave Smith (point person), DD, Joel Sachs, Dolph Rotfeld, STV (traffic), Hardesty-Hanover (Structural), Beyer Blinder Belle and RAD architect (design layout), Real Estate Solutions, DMJM Harris (marine engineer), Roux associates (Brownfields), Joe DeMilia (economic impact), Sean M.
Ichabod’s Landing
Project Description – development of 44 townhouse condos, 2200 s.f. of retail, extend Horan’s Landing Park on 3.4 acre former car storage site.
Status – Building 4 Complete and occupancy underway. Building 2 and 3 enclosed. Building 1 foundation poured. Bulkhead restoration and protection system approved and installed. Shoreline esplanade work 80% complete, excursion boat dock complete and tested. Collected $35,150 toward water improvements.
Next Step(s) – Goal is: complete construction and occupancy of all four buildings, Follow-up with approved legacy grant to get under contract (see Horan’s Landing below).
Personnel Involved – Sean McCarthy (point person), DD, Dolph Rotfeld (with sub-contractor Han Padron for bulkhead review).
Kendal-on-Hudson
Project Description – development of a 225 unit independent living with assisted living and nursing home facilities – together a CCRC on 28 acres of property at Phelps Hospital.
Status – all approvals in place, off-site sewer improvements completed, Project is 100% constructed with minor punch list items, Abbott & Price conducting building inspection services, Bill Herlihy for plumbing.
Next Step(s) – current goal is: close out project; final inspections; issue permanent certificate of occupancy.
Personnel Involved: Sean McCarthy (lead), Abbott & Price (inspection).
Phelps Hospital Expansion
Project Description – Acquisition of 7.5 acres from NYSDOT, construction of new 5-story medical service building, expansion for Emergency Dept., Day Care at Robin’s Nest, parking lot expansion or new parking deck construction. Project financed with IDA bonds.
Status – Land acquisition from NYSDOT completed, Joint meeting of town and village boards re-annexation of Mt. Pleasant lands held and annexation approved, Mt. Pleasant, IDA reactivated – new tax policy and fee schedule adopted, bonds issued, $49,000 fee portion paid to the village, parcel rezoned, site plan and building elevations are undergoing modifications in design and timing – before the planning board and architectural review board (arb).
Next Step(s) – current goal is: construct Emergency Dept. building, Complete ARB and site planning review.
Personnel Involved – Dave Smith (lead), Joel Sachs, Sean McCarthy, DD.
County House Road
Project Description – 11 unit subdivision, open space parcel to be deeded to Village.
Status – Project is fully approved, 10 of 11 units under contract. Construction: Six units have C of O’s (Certificate of Occupancy). Utilities and road systems have been constructed to Village standards for dedication.
Next Step(s) – Roads and Open Space to be dedicated must be inspected and offered to Village. Open Space parcel will be utilized as matching grant for Horseman’s Trail project (below). Construction continues with additional C of O’s anticipated despite the school district issue.
Personnel Involved – Sean McCarthy (lead), Joe DeFeo, Dan Pennella.
To Be Continued In Future Articles.
