Cindrich Would Protect Mt. Kisco From Misguided ADU Legislation
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
I know it is cliche to say this is the most important election for the Village of Mount Kisco, but it really is the most important election for the Village of Mount Kisco. It will determine one of two very different paths we will go down.
I strongly believe that the Lisa Abzun team is on the wrong side of every issue that the village has faced, and will be facing in the upcoming years.
My biggest concern is that Abzun and Karine Patino are unapologetically in favor of ADUs – additional dwelling units. I know the real name is accessory dwelling unit, but this is a clever name game that is played in politics to make something not appear to be what it actually is.
Mayor Picinich has defined a single-family home as a dwelling that has one family living in it. This new legislation would allow an additional apartment to be added to an existing structure. This structure could then house more than one family, becoming a multifamily house. Somehow, she still claims this is a single-family house! This effectively would do away with single-family zoned neighborhoods in Mount Kisco.
Do not be fooled that Abzun and Patino say they only support legislation if the ADU is attached to the house. Abzun enthusiastically supports allowing ADUs in detached structures (little houses and detached garages). She has stated this publicly in a work session (Jan. 23, 2023). She states that these detached options will provide increased privacy for tenant and homeowner. She shows no concern for the privacy of the neighbors.
Mount Kisco property lots are considerably smaller than neighboring towns that allow this. A detached garage may be within a few feet of a neighbor’s property, where a family would be living, stealing that neighbor’s privacy. Patino stated she hasn’t decided if ADUs should be included in detached structures. Despite the fact that they have had two work sessions and said that they would have a public hearing by now, this topic has dropped off the agendas but remains on the village website. They know that the residents do not want this. They are hoping to get elected and push through this radical legislation. Abzun noted that Ossining later amended their original ADU law to include detached structures. This is what they would do.
There are many consequences to passing this. Property values would fall village-wide. Our already overburdened infrastructure would be overwhelmed. Traffic and parking issues would increase exponentially. The sewer system is currently at maximum capacity. Byram Lake, our main water source, is on constant restrictions, and this would only further stress that. Our elementary school cannot be expanded and has limited space. Our emergency services – police, fire and ambulance – would also have additional responsibilities and further strain them. Mount Kisco already has a serious problem with overcrowding in homes. The village currently cannot manage this problem; ADUs would only add to that.
Mayor Picinich has previously stated that Mount Kisco has an extensive supply of multifamily housing. There are only so many people that can live in this village without overburdening it.
To save Mount Kisco’s single-family zoned neighborhoods and not overcrowd and overwhelm the rest of the village, vote for Mike Cindrich, Theresa Flora and Angie Guerra. They are 100 percent against ADUs and will protect single-family zoning and your largest investment – your home.
Vote the Village Inclusive Party.
Kim Terlizzi
Mount Kisco
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