FOCAAdmin  Feb.15.2019
The Aqueduct trail from Maple Place looking toward Waller Ave, October 2018.  The 4-story rear wall of the proposed building at 49 Spring St. would be at the right edge of the photo.

 

The Old Croton Aqueduct and the 49 Spring St. project, Ossining

For the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct’s letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals fully stating its position on this project, please click  HERE. Additional, specific points are made in a subsequent letter HERE

The owner of the unbuilt parcel of land at 49 Spring St. in downtown Ossining has applied to Ossining's Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for a variance. If granted, the variance would permit construction of a new, 4-story building that backs up close to the Aqueduct. The developer needs a variance because the Ossining zoning code requires a 25-ft, no-build buffer zone on both sides of the Aqueduct corridor.

 If built, the new building would be adjacent on one side to the existing buildings on the block of Spring St. between Maple Place and Waller Ave.  On the other side would be the grassy area behind the large bus stop at the corner of Spring and Waller.

The Friends were instrumental in the recent removal of the fences that for decades blocked both ends of the green trail between Maple and Waller, and are urging the ZBA to deny the variance and enforce the 25-ft buffer requirement. The ZBA especially needs to hear from Ossining residents who support enforcing the 25-foot buffer zone and don’t want another building wall closing in the green Aqueduct corridor.

What you can do:

> Send even a short note to the ZBA chair (name and address below) right away. If you live in Ossining, identify yourself as an Ossining resident. Please urge the Board to enforce the Aqueduct buffer requirement in order to protect the openness of the Aqueduct path between Maple Place and Waller Ave. It's not necessary to get into technicalities or offer solutions or alternatives.

>  Attend the ZBA’s March 12, 7:00pm hearing at the Route 9A Operations Center, first floor. Here is the agenda, and call 914-762-6232 (Building/Planning Dept.) that afternoon to ask if the project will be discussed at the hearing.

>  If you know others who may be interested, pass this notice along. Thank you!

To write to the Zoning Board of Appeals:
Susanne Donnelly, Chairperson
Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning
Ossining Operations Center
101 Route 9A
Ossining, NY 10562
E-mail: suedonnelly@villageofossining.org

 

Links of interest: 
---Minutes of Oct. 2019 ZBA meeting when the Friends testified
---General information about the Zoning Board of Appeals:
https://www.villageofossining.org/zoning-board-appeals

To reach the Friends on this issue:
saraakelsey@gmail.com
czfahn1@gmail.com