Mount Kisco Planners Close Modell’s Public Hearing
The Mount Kisco Planning Board voted unanimously last week to close the Modell’s public hearing after sharp differences of opinion surfaced between the owners of an independent sporting goods store and a couple of downtown merchants.
Cathy Deutsch, owner of Tiger Lily boutique and one of the merchants who favor Modell’s Sporting Goods moving into the 22,600-square-foot space at 154-162 E. Main St., said the area needs new businesses to move into empty storefronts. Modell’s would make “Mount Kisco a destination,” said Deutsch, whose store is across the street from the site.
Leslie Bijoux, owner of Yogi’s Paw and Evolution, said it makes sense that a business such as Modell’s would move into the space since the previous tenant also was a large box store. Bijoux said the building likely can’t be divided among several smaller businesses.
Rob and Tina Bernstein, owners of Mount Kisco Sports, were the only two speakers who opposed the plan at the Sept. 9 hearing. Tina Bernstein said Modell’s has locations mostly in shopping centers, not on downtown streets, and would not attract enough customers to be successful.
“It’s too large for our village,” she said.
Rob Bernstein said Modell’s could hurt his successful business.
“I want to continue to do well,” he said. “Modell’s could put that at risk.”
Planning board members have not revealed their sentiment on the application. But Vice Chairman Anthony Sturniolo said the board’s decision would be based on considerations of the “health, welfare and safety of the village.”
William Null, an attorney representing the sporting goods chain, said the board should not be overly influenced by public opinion.
“The only vote is your vote, based on what the zoning ordinance says,” he said.
Null told the planning board his client would comply with requests from the village to provide a list of Modell’s stores that recently opened in the region and to share images of potential signage for the store’s exterior.
Village Consulting Engineer Jan Johannessen said landscaping proposed for the property must be shown on the site plan. The project requires a special use permit from the planning board.
Plans call for Modell’s to occupy all but 6,000 square feet of the upper floor of the two-level building. It is not known how many other tenants or what type of businesses will be in that space.
“We’re hoping it will be one,” Null said.
The only major interior changes would be the installation of a new elevator and a staircase.
Although the board closed the public hearing, it agreed to accept written comments on the application for 10 more days, through the end of this week.
