The entity Colonial Arms LLC is seeking changes to an approved project for 197-203 Harrison Ave. in Harrison. On Oct. 7, 2017, the town approved a proposal to build a four-story building with 18 two-bedroom apartments. Now, the developer is looking to add two apartments and a fifth story.
According to Attorney Albert J. Pirro of the White Plains-based law firm Abrams Fensterman LLP, two additional apartments are required due to “increasing construction and material costs and the costs associated with the placement of utilities underground,” in order to have an economically viable project.
Pirro said, “Colonial Arms filed a letter dated January 22, 2025, seeking to amend the 2017 approvals by proposing a 20 unit project comprised of 15 two-bedroom units and 5 three-bedroom units, including one duplex unit.”
He said that the approved plan had a building of 45 feet in height and the amended plan has a height of 58 feet to the top of the building’s bulkhead. Pirro noted that three buildings on the site already have been demolished in preparation for construction of the new building.
The Westchester County Planning Board has reviewed the updated proposal and noted that the planned basement parking garage would have 27 parking spaces. Vehicular entrance to the garage would be from Harrison Avenue, and the main pedestrian entrance would be from Colonial Place. A rear yard patio area would be located above the basement garage, and amenity rooms would be provided for residents on the first floor. The footprint of the building would remain as approved, but in order to approve the amendments, a ten-foot height variance, a one-story variance, and a three-space parking variance would be required.
The county planners said that the project generally meets the goal of “directing new development to existing centers where infrastructure can support growth, where public transportation can be provided efficiently, and where redevelopment can enhance economic vitality.”
The county urged Harrison to encourage the applicant “to explore as much additional at-grade stormwater management solutions as possible, in order to further reduce the amount of stormwater flow that is directed into the storm drain system.”
It recommended that a bicycle parking room be provided within the proposed building for residents, which includes electrical outlets to charge e-bikes. The county said that with the popularity of e-bikes there is a fire risk associated with non-UL certified batteries, particularly when tenants charge them with extension cords. Providing a centralized, sprinklered storage facility with appropriate outlets for charging is the best way to prevent fires and accommodate this form of transportation to and from the building.
The Harrison Planning Board was due to hold a public hearing on the new proposal for Colonial Arms at its April 22 meeting.
