Letter to the Editor: The time is now to deny residential zoning at Chappaqua Crossing

Monday, February 7, 2011
by Jules Buxbaum

Dear Editor,

I commend the Town Board for following a well-defined process and conducting a thorough review of the Chappaqua Crossing request for rezoning.  They have followed the law and given Summit Greenfield a fair hearing.  Now, the evidence is in and denial of the request is strongly supported.  I will not attempt to summarize the considerations, which have been discussed again and again in this and other forums.  The case for approving the request is weak. Very weak. The “benefits” are meager at best, most likely non-existent, and approval will possibly result in a great expense to our town. There are many reasons to deny the request.  Summit Greenfield may sue if their request is denied but relying on the courts is an expensive and risky strategy, especially with so many weak parts to their case.

Our Town Board has taken significant steps to facilitate affordable housing in our community.  Again, I commend them.  Westchester is ahead of schedule in developing affordable housing and New Castle has specific projects on the table.  After a thorough review of the Chappaqua Crossing request, with many substantive reasons for denial, with affordable housing well underway, it seems unlikely that a court will side with the developer over our Town Board.

Our case for denial now is strong

Some have suggested that we approve a little residential now and deny subsequent requests for more. But the time to stop condominium development at Chappaqua Crossing is not down the road.  With scores already built, the community will not fight a request to build 25 more.  We will conclude that a few more is no big deal. And even if at some point we decide enough is enough, it is unlikely that the court will be sympathetic when the town itself, after careful review, permitted a condominium development to proceed in the first place.  Our case for denial now is strong. Down the road our case will be weak.

Times are tough.  On a national, state, local, and personal level, we are challenged.  But under the rosiest of scenarios, we will not get meaningful revenues from Chappaqua Crossing for some time.  It is unfortunate but it is true.

Town Board, seize this rare opportunity.  Seize the opportunity to be heroes for making a decision that is strongly supported by the facts.  Seize the opportunity to be heroes for doing what is overwhelmingly popular among your constituents.  The time is now.  Simply vote no to the rezoning request.

Jules Buxbaum
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To view NCNOW’s archived articles and letters—in chronological order, newest to oldest—on Chappaqua Crossing and Summit Greenfield’s application for a zoning change, click HERE.