by Kathy Savolt -
After months of speculation about the vacant properties on Mt. Pleasant Avenue, the proposed project has become clear. The owner of the property at 338-352 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Search for Change, Inc., a not-for-profit organization located in Valhalla, is sponsoring a new 63-unit all-affordable housing development. See HERE.
The current three lots, comprising about ½ acre, will be combined into a single lot and a 6-story multi-family building, with outdoor recreational space is proposed. The 63 units will be 54 studio apartments, 6 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom units. The building will also have a multi-purpose room, a fitness center and laundry and administrative spaces. Social services will be provided on site as Search for Change’s mission is “dedicated to improving the quality of life and increasing the self-sufficiency of individuals with emotional, social, and economic barriers.” See their website HERE.
The approval process for this project is just beginning and will require an area variance for parking from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Subdivision, Site Plan and Special Permit approvals from the Planning Board. The Harbor and Coastal Zone Commission will do a consistency review of the project. The Planning Board must also make a determination under the NY State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) which, if the Planning Board decides a full review is required, will require an analysis of a long list of potential impacts to the community.
This project is scheduled to come before the Planning Board at their next meeting on Thursday, May 30th at 7:00 in the courtroom. The project materials, including all architectural plans, will be posted on the Village website on Friday, May 24th under the Planning Board agenda.
A special email address at the Village has been established for comments on this project: publiccomments@vomny.org. Please put “Search for Change” in the subject line.
