Town of Mamaroneck Zoning Hears Melron Proposal:The Case
of the 10-Foot Buffer
by Judy Silberstein
Late Breaking News 10/16 Melron
Agrees to the 10-foot Buffer
(October 14, 2003) How much greenery should be planted behind
a Post Road development? That was a major issue for neighbors
from Rockridge Road who packed into the Town Senior Center
for a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on Melron Amusement
Corporations plans for the property that abuts their back
yards. Ronald Getlan, one of the Melron owners, appeared
with his attorney, Paul Noto, and an arborist, engineer,
architect and two traffic consultants from the firm of Frederick
Clark Associates.
Melron was seeking variances for a number of regulations,
including the requirement for a ten-foot greenbelt separating
the commercial property from its residential backyard neighbors.
This was Melron’s second appearance before zoning,
and the latest iteration of plans presented on Tuesday showed
a buffer ranging from zero to five feet in width behind two
buildings for prospective tenants Duane Reade Pharmacy and
Commerce Bank.
A ten-foot greenbelt would not be possible because of the
difficult topography, argued representatives for the corporation.
The applicants presented a number of large photographs showing
different sections of the property line and different difficulties
presented by the terrain. Trees might not survive if planted
in the shadow of the rock ridge, they suggested, for example.
 To counter these arguments, neighbors from eight Rockridge
homes presented reasons to support the ten-foot buffer, both
in general and in their particular situations. Jerry Glaser,
at 19 Rockridge, noted that the massive rock behind his home
was covered with large, trees, refuting any suggestion that
plants could not grow there. However, because the existing
trees are deciduous, he is relying on a buffer of evergreens
to permanently shelter his view of the 20 to 30-foot structures
Melronis seeking to develop.
 The Kirchoffs from 25 Rockridge showed photographs of dumpsters
and trash behind other commercial properties to highlight
the need for substantial screening and proper positioning
of service areas.
Zoning Board members listened to the interplay and asked
a series of questions about the buffer and about setbacks
and greenery on the Boston Post Road side of the property.
Melron would like to come closer than the 75-foot setback
required by zoning rules. They also focused on the traffic
study prepared for Melron by Frederick Clark Associates to
gauge the impact of the new businesses on vehicles and pedestrians
using that stretch of the Post Road.
No action was taken on Tuesday night. Instead, Attorney
Paul Noto suggested that his client would appear at the next
session on October 29 with further modifications to his plans.
(October 16, 2003) This week, the Gazette learned that Melron
will be appearing with plans that include the 10-foot greenbelt. “We’re
going back with a plan that complies with zoning,” said
Ron Getlan on October 15. He will also be back with a new
traffic study. “We’re trying to do the right
thing and be a good neighbor - as we have since 1989,” he
said.
“We’re trying to expedite the processes that
the Town has so as not to lose the tenants that we have signed
leases with,” he explained. The project appears before
Planning on November 11 and then before the Board of Architectural
Review sometime after that.
Getlan added that the Game Room in the existing building
will remain open until all approvals have been obtained.
At that point, the Town Fire Department will comes in and
use the abandoned building for training exercises. The next
day the building will come down.
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