Forest City Proposes Midcourse Correction - From Rentals to Condo

by Harriet Kline

(August 10, 2005) The Mamaroneck Town Board has been working with developer Forest City Daly for more than three years on a proposed apartment complex on Madison Avenue. (See: First Looks for Apartment Project Proposed for Madison) Throughout the lengthy environmental review process, the proposed apartment building was billed as a rental project.

On Monday night, David J. Levey, Executive Vice President of the Forest City Residential Group told a Town Board working session that “market forces” necessitate a modification to a condo model.

He also proposed that the number of apartments be scaled down to 135 (from 159), with 94 two-bedroom apartments and 41 one-bedroom apartments. Unlike the earlier proposals, no three-bedroom apartments are planned. Mr. Levey assured the Board that all other aspects of the project would remain the same – the outside construction materials, landscaping, green roof, parking garage, etc.

However, Mr. Levey also suggested that his company was open to a more direct approach to helping the Town of Mamaroneck construct and pay for a nearby parking deck to expand the number of spots available to local residents and shoppers. The developer might pay for the deck upfront or might participate with the Town in the deck's construction. "This would make it a lot cheaper for us," explained Councilman Erinie Odierna in a later telephone conversation. Earlier proposals involved having the Town issue bonds that would be repaid, over time, by the developer.

Members of the board were particularly happy to hear that Forest City will keep its promise to designate nine apartments as so called “affordable” apartments. Councilman Paul Winick called these nine apartments “precious.” There was much discussion about the logistics of administering the qualifications for the nine apartments especially in a second generation sale situation. All agreed that a precise process will have to be researched and developed with care.

The board then proceeded on to its regular agenda. There were unanimous votes on several administrative matters: a monetary agreement with the School Board for the renovation of the Hommocks Pool, contracts with Westchester County and the State of New York on snow removal, a contract to conduct random drug and alcohol testing, warrants for tax collection and authorizations for salaries and new hires.

Getting Started Thinking About the Budget

The board also voted to approve the 2006 budget calendar that includes numerous opportunities for public input. On Wednesday, October 19 the tentative budget will be presented at the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting. A public work session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25 at 6 pm at the Town Center. On Friday, November 4 an all-day (starting at 8:30 am) public work sessions will be held in the Mamaroneck Environmental Resource Center on Weaver Street. See the Town web site for additional meeting dates.

The next regularly scheduled meetings of the Town of Mamaroneck Board are scheduled for Wednesday, September 7 and September 21. The September 21 meeting will include a public hearing on a proposal for parking restriction on specific sections of Colonial Avenue.