A public hearing on the future of Parcel D, the vacant site at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Main Street in Port Chester better known as “Coney’s Lot,” was adjourned Monday to Jan. 19.
During its Jan. 4 meeting, members of the village Board of Trustees, citing yet-to-be submitted plans addressing traffic and parking concerns, postponed a possible vote on a zoning amendment that would allow a mixed-use development on the property.
The developer, G&S Port Chester LLC, an entity of G&S Investors in Manhattan, has plans to build a maximum 79-unit apartment building geared toward millennials and empty-nesters with 14,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Officials from G&S requested an adjournment until the village board’s next meeting later this month to complete an environmental report after concerns were raised by the board over potential traffic and parking impacts.
The site is currently zoned for 40,000 square feet of retail space due to the 1999 approval of another proposed project that never came to fruition. A zoning amendment would be required for the latest transit-oriented development, which would reduce the total square footage of allowed development from 90,000 square feet to 72,000 square feet, to move forward.
Attorney Daniel D. Tartaglia, who is representing G&S, previously said potential retail tenants could include small businesses or a restaurant. He said in November he hoped the site plan review could be completed by the end of 2016.
Trustee Daniel Brakewood said Monday parking and an uptick in traffic have become concerns in regards to the planned project, which would include a mix of predominantly studio and one and two-bedroom apartments in a maximum five-story building. The downtown site is near the village’s Metro-North train station and opposite The Waterfront at Port Chester retail and entertainment complex.
Port Chester Assistant Director of Planning and Development Jesica Youngblood said the village is still awaiting additional information from G&S in preparation for a State Environmental Quality Review Act process.
“It’s going to generate more traffic,” Youngblood said of the proposed project. “The applicant has to show that the traffic will be positively absorbed into the system. If not, it has to be mitigated and the traffic/parking concerns from the Planning Commission, Board of Trustees and our own consultant have to be addressed.”
“Step one is getting the zoning right,” Youngblood said. “It sets the parameters for what can be built during the site plan approval process, and has to be aligned with the village comprehensive plan. It’s just striking that right balance and creating that public-private partnership that everyone hopes for.”
The Castle, a mixed-use luxury development with 120 residential units and ground-floor office space at 201 Willett Ave., began leasing in December. The $50 million project developed by Phoenix Capital Partners, LLC is expected to welcome its first tenants later this month.
During Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Dennis Pilla said he expected Starwood Capital Group‘s proposed $300 million redevelopment of the former United Hospital site at 406 Boston Post Road to move forward this month.
