By NEAL RENTZ
The Lewisboro Planning Board voted unanimously Aug. 20 to approve a subdivision proposal from Double H Farm LLC and neighboring property owners Felicia and Kevin Reid.
Double H Farm, together with the Reids, proposed a subdivision/lot line change, which will merge a total of 6.9 acres into the Reid family property located at 45 Cross River Road. When combined with the existing Reid parcel it will total 12 acres. The remaining Double H Farm parcel will be 37.2 acres.
The land is located in a town R-2A Residential Zoning District and the Westchester County Agricultural District.
The board conducted a site walk of the Reid property Aug. 17, Planning Board Chairwoman Janet Andersen noted at the meeting.
At the July planning board meeting, some residents and board members expressed concern about the potential construction of buildings if the subdivision was approved. Kevin Reid told the board in July he was not considering new housing if the subdivision was approved.
Daniel Hollis, an attorney representing the Reid family and Double H Farm, said at the August meeting that if the planning board approved the subdivision and there was a future plan to develop the Reid family parcel, the family would be required to come back to the board for approvals. To come back to the planning board with potential as-of-right uses for the Reid’s property when they are not seeking to develop their parcel “would be a waste of time and money,” Hollis said.
During the public hearing, resident Lee Vogelstein noted the Reid parcel was acres and said she was concerned that the property could be developed if the subdivision is approved.
In a follow up interview, Town Planner and Wetland Consultant Jan Johannessen said some residents expressed concern over potential future development of the Reid parcel.
“The future development of the Reid parcel, which is increasing in size as a result of the lot line change with Double H Farm, will be based upon zoning in place at that time and environmental constraints,” Johannessen said. “The planning board included a condition in its resolution which requires the Reid’s, or any future owner, to come back to the planning board for site plan approval for certain future proposed development activities.”
When residents spoke about the history of the Reid property, Andersen said the planning board was only considering whether to approve the subdivision/lot line change being sought by Double H Farm and the Reid family. Counsel to the planning board, Judson Siebert, agreed that the discussion at the meeting was solely about the proposed lot line change.
Following the public hearing the board voted to approve the subdivision.
On July 16 the planning board voted unanimously to approve the first phase of a project to make alterations to Double H Farm to allow it to proceed with the beginning of the process to convert the site to a private horse riding academy. On the existing horse farm parcel, Double H Farm will construct an outdoor riding ring and a grand prix riding field in Phase 1. The plan is for horse owners to leave their horses on the property, where they would be trained. The applicant will also make some asphalt and gravel driveway improvements.
The plan for Phase 2 would include complete teardown of the existing barn and construction of a new barn and indoor riding ring in the same location. Double H Farm is also proposing the rearrangement and regrading of various paddocks, reconstruction of the existing maintenance barn, with housing proposed above the barn. This plan will be updated in a future submission.
Mercedes-Benz project approved
Also at the meeting, the planning board voted unanimously to approve the amended site plan application from Mercedes-Benz of Goldens Bridge, located at 321 Main St., (Route 22).
The applicant received prior board approval to create a 15,392-square-foot addition to its existing auto showroom; a 2,700-square-foot addition to its existing service building and 164 additional parking spaces.
The approximately 5.1-acres property is located in a General Business (GB) Zoning District and is owned by Celebrity Westchester Realty LLC.
Under the amended plan, project engineer Anthony Nester said his client was seeking the installation of two energy generators — one for the showroom and one for the service building — installation of a 6,000-gallon propane gas tank on the site.
Time extension denied
Also at the meeting, the planning board declined to vote on the request from Goldens Bridge Village Center, located off Route 22, for a time extension for its approvals for site development plan approval, wetland activity permit approval and a town stormwater permit that were approved Jan. 21, 2020, for modifications to the existing shopping center. The approvals expired July 22.
The property is owned by Stephen Cipes.
Andersen said the property has been an open construction site for years.
Rocco Triglia, who represented the applicant’s property management company, said his client originally sought to construct a day care center with associated offices, but the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the need for day care services. His client is now proposing to construct office space.
Andersen said she opposed a time extension because the applicant will be required to come back to the board with new plans for planning board review.
The planning board did not take a vote on the time extension proposal and it did not go forward.
Villas at Vista approval
Also at the meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve a negative declaration of significance for the proposal from Villas at Vista in Cross River for the proposal to construct 12 additional housing units.
The units would be built at Building 9 A/B on the site, which is located at 920 Oakridge Commons.
Johannessen said the project would have limited impacts on the environment.
Counsel to the planning board, Siebert, said the planning board cannot close a public hearing on the project until after the Zoning Board of Appeals makes its decisions regarding the plan.