The City Council’s “vetting” process regarding the proposed zone change to allow for an affordable housing project was discussed at length at the October 8 Rye City Council meeting.

By Bill Lawyer

The City Council’s “vetting” process regarding the proposed zone change to allow for an affordable housing project was discussed at length at the October 8 Rye City Council meeting.

First up was Councilman Richard Slack, who reported on the near completion of the State Environmental Review (SEQR) process, which could result in a negative declaration – meaning that all of the environmental issues have been addressed and settled.  

Councilman Slack did mention, however, that even if they do issue a negative declaration, the Council was not required to approve the project.  He noted that the Council could vote for or against the zone change regardless. They could even choose not to vote at all.  

Mayor Joe Sack agreed that the next step was to work with a consultant to review the wetlands report. Once the environmental concerns have been addressed, the Council would then move on to a consideration of the density of the project — the size, scale, and number of units in the proposal. Mayor Sack noted that the original proposal, years ago, was for 24 units, but the current proposal is for 54 units. He went on to say he envisioned that environmental and other impact issues could be voted on at roughly the same time.  

City Planner Christian Miller was then asked how to proceed in addressing these issues. He agreed that issues relating to the mass of the proposed facility, as it compares with surrounding buildings, needs to be considered. After some discussion, they agreed that the Council affordable housing site sub-committee would meet with Mr. Miller and Corporation Counsel Kristen Wilson to outline the steps needed to proceed.  

Project architect Clark Neuringer, who made an initial presentation to the Council in December of last year, delivered a brief progress report. He stressed that the development team had carried out every one of the Council’s requests, and also addressed issues raised by members of the public.

Speaking to the density issue, Neuringer pointed out that the earlier proposal included 24 three-bedroom units, while the 54-unit proposal on the table has only one bedroom each, resulting in fewer people.

Neuringer added that he felt that the Council had enough information to determine that the site was suitable for an affordable housing project. He urged them to vote on that, so that attention could then be focused on the scope and density of the development.  

Mayor Sack, however, reminded the architect that the Council had said from the beginning that they would not vote on the zoning change until all the environmental and other issues were resolved.  

After the meeting, Michael Martino, an associate of developer Lou Larizza, said they would work cooperatively with the City for as long as it takes to make sure everyone is content with the total number of units and number of bedrooms in each.

Coincidentally, at the same Council meeting, a development proposal for 135 units of “luxury” senior housing on a 7-acre property at 120 Old Post Road was introduced to the Council by the developer’s attorney, Jonathan Kraut. The site is located at the corner of Old Post Road and Playland Parkway Access Road – near WESTMED — and just a few blocks from the proposed 54 units of affordable housing.