Wolf Conservation Center upgrades gain final approval

By NEAL RENTZ

It has been before the Lewisboro Planning Board since 2002 and the approval process appears to have come to an end for the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem.

The board voted unanimously to approve minor modifications to some of its previous approvals. On Jan. 21, the Planning Board approved  the site development plan, special use permit, wetland permit and town stormwater permit to allow for several improvements on the 32.2-acre property located at 7 Buck Run, South Salem

Planning Board Chair Janet Andersen said this week the center was proposing “minor revisions” to their application. 

WCC will create a 4,200-square-foot education center that will be used for additional education programs. The dwelling at Buck Run will be demolished to enable the construction of the new educational pavilion. The site plan also calls for a freezer facility in the northern portion of the site and 12 camping pods.

Janet Giris, an attorney representing WCC, told the Planning Board this week her client was seeking to amend the board’s site development plan and stormwater permit approvals to meet the septic requirements of the Westchester County Department of Health. The center is asking to “make some minor modifications to the site plan,” she said. 

In addition, the center needs an amended stormwater pollution prevention plan approval from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for the project to proceed, said Jan Johannessen, town planner and wetland consultant.

Giris said her client is proposing four conventional toilet fixtures, rather than the composting toilets it had previously sought. In addition, the organization is seeking to create a conventional wastewater treatment system, she noted.

Following the Planning Board’s approvals, Giris said, “We’re looking forward to the groundbreaking.”

Restaurant expansion

Also at this week’s meeting, the Planning Board instructed Johannessen to draft an approval resolution for the application from the Taconah Cantina, at the Goldens Bridge Village Center off Route 22, for a change of use for the former Bellas Hair Salon located next to the restaurant to allow the eatery to expand.

Site development plan approval from the Planning Board would be required for the expansion to proceed.

David Chiong, the restaurant’s owner, is seeking to make changes to the former salon including the removal of sinks and a bathroom. Chiong provided copies of his updated business plan to board members. He told the board the project would require approval from the county Department of Health for a change-of-use permit.