Town Zoning Board Okays Post Road Project

by Judy Silberstein

(October 30, 2003) The project to develop the old “Cook’s Restaurant” property on the Boston Post Road cleared the Town of Mamaroneck Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday, October 29, after a number of tries. Now it’s on to Planning and Board of Architectural Review for applicant Melron Amusement Corporation and for the many Rockridge Road neighbors who are concerned about what gets developed at the site.

For the most recent hearing, the applicant presented designs that require fewer variances than those of previous plans. Melron is continuing to propose demolition of the windmill-topped structure and construction of two smaller buildings to house a Duane Reade Pharmacy and a Commerce Bank. However, the latest designs call for a smaller bank building in order to fit in a regulation ten-foot greenbelt separating the commercial property from its residential neighbors. Neighbors have been appearing at the meetings to oppose, among other aspects of the project, Melron’s request for a variance to the ten-foot rule. (See: Neighbors Oppose Variances.)

With the plan’s inclusion of the full-sized buffer, only two zoning variances were still on the table. Melron asked for permission to locate parking in front of the property without setting the buildings back the full 75 feet required, and to have two fewer parking spaces than prescribed.

Before ruling on the variances, though, the Board had to consider the question of environmental impact. On advice of Board Attorney Robert Davis, the members determined that the situation was an “unlisted action” that entitled them to consider the environmental issues independently, without waiting for the other land use boards. Would the project adversely impact traffic? After hearing again from the applicant’s traffic consultant, the Board decided that traffic would be consistent with neighboring commercial properties.

Rockridge resident Jerry Glaser testified to the danger and difficulty of making turns onto the Post Road, particularly during peak traffic times. However, the Board determined that traffic would not be significantly worse with the addition of the bank and pharmacy.

How about visual impact? Members were concerned that Melron’s plans did not include details for landscaping. Chairman Arthur Wexler called for trees to be planted in the parking lot to soften the look. Members Linda Harrington and Paul Winick wanted assurances that the applicant would plant and maintain a substantial and healthy hedge to screen the front lot parking. In the end, the group voted unanimously to grant the zoning variances, but they threw in a number of landscaping conditions.

“I feel glad that we’re able to successfully pass the Zoning Board – and now we go on to Planning and Architectural Review,” said Ron Getlan, one of the Melron partners.

“I knew they were going to pass it tonight,” said Marcia Kirchoff. “What I cared about was the buffer.” But now she and the neighbors will be continuing to attend land use meetings to pursue other concerns. They mentioned: the dumpster, the plantings on the island, the lighting, the air conditioning ducts, and the traffic.

Both the applicant and the neighbors will be studying this project intensely in the months to come.