Residents Differ on Underhill Farm Project in Yorktown
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Residents spent more than four hours recently expressing their views on a proposed mixed-use development on Underhill Ave. in downtown Yorktown.
More than 30 speakers addressed the Yorktown Planning Board June 13 during a public informational meeting on Underhill Farm on the former Soundview Preparatory School 13.8-acre site. Unicorn Contracting is proposing 148 residential units (64 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, 52 three and four-bedroom townhouses and 32 one and two-bedroom condominiums), 11,000 square feet of commercial space and an adaptive reuse of the property’s historic mansion.
As part of the $60 million project, the historic Underhill House is slated to be transformed into a community resource and gathering spot. In addition, the pond will be completely restored with a $150,000 investment and complemented by walking trails, sitting areas and a new pedestrian gateway at the estate’s original entrance at the intersection of Rte. 118 and Underhill Ave.
Several speakers were members of the Protecting Yorktown’s Quality of Life Foundation, Inc., led by Director Trish Sullivan-Rothberg, who stated, in part, “the foundation supports reasoned, responsible development, but our members have significant concerns regarding the environmental impacts that may result from the incomplete, unclear and/or misleading plans presented by Unicorn.”
On April 28, the foundation filed an Article 78 petition in State Supreme Court against Unicorn and the Yorktown Town Board over the implementation of an Overlay Zoning District that allows a greater diversity of permitted uses, including residential, with the goal of revitalizing specific neighborhoods.
“Changing the zoning for the 13.8-acre parcel from one acre, single-family to high density, multi-family plus commercial development is not supported in the Comprehensive Plan,” Sullivan-Rothberg said.
Other speakers, including members of the town’s Heritage Preservation Committee and resident Jennie Sunshine, decried the destruction of the historic architecture and grounds.
“200 years of history will be gone forever. It is hallowed ground,” Sunshine remarked. “One of the town’s last anchors is about to be wiped out.”
Increased traffic from the development was also a hot-button issue. Unicorn has offered to contribute $450,000 to make improvements to the intersection, which has been estimated to cost between $750,000 and $1.5 million depending on what changes are made.
“My family’s lives will change forever,” said Joseph Streany, a resident of Underhill Ave. who donned a “Unicorn Hunter” tee-shirt. “My dream of teaching my kids to ride a bike on Glenrock St. will be replaced with the constant fear of speeding vehicles.”
Last week, the Town Board approved a resolution authorizing Transpo Group USA to perform a traffic review and analysis of the traffic study submitted for Underhill Farm at a cost not to exceed $10,548, which will be reimbursed by Unicorn.
Others maintained the cost of the units at Underhill Farm will be out of range for most of the 6,000 senior citizens in Yorktown who may want to downsize from their homes.
However, several seniors who spoke said they welcomed the opportunity to have a development that could keep them close to their children and grandchildren.
“I think this will be a wonderful asset for all of us, especially senior citizens,” said Serafina Mastro. “This is going to be a beautiful place. I don’t want to wait five years for it to be built.”
“Senior housing is something that will allow me to stay in the community,” said 46-year resident Brian Wolfson. “I can’t see how we can so small-minded. Don’t be selfish for the future.”
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
