Breaking: Croton Board of Trustees reaches tentative agreement to sell Parking Lot A to Westchester developer [Updated April 23]
After months of negotiations, Croton's BoT reveals plans to sell Lot A for $2.3 million. A total of 95 apartment units could be built on the lot and the adjacent property.
As those on the village mailing list will know, the Croton Board of Trustees has just announced a tentative agreement with the Westchester based developer WBP Development LLC. A summary of the deal and links to documents can be found here.
As we discussed in a post in the Chronicle last December, entitled “The Crying of Parking Lot A,” the entire process has been marked by a distinct lack of transparency. The Board will now discuss the deal—which is contingent on the developer being able to purchase the private lot next to Lot A, which would allow construction of 95 apartment units—for the first time publicly at its regular Wednesday evening meeting.
At present, at least 20% of the total apartments are slated to be “affordable,” although village officials indicate that this figure could increase.
We will publish a more detailed report shortly, with updates after the Wednesday meeting and as necessary after that. A key issue will be to what extent village officials will be required to gain additional input from Croton residents before closing the deal.
Note: For those wanting to do some due diligence about this developer, the company’s former name was Wilder Balter Partners Inc. (no relation whatsoever to the editor of the Croton Chronicle or any of his family.) Those wanting to know more about this company should be searching under its previous name.
Update April 23: No public hearing required to sell village land designated “unneeded.”
We asked Village Manager Bryan Healy whether a public hearing would be required to sell Lot A. Here is his response:
If the term sheet is approved on Wednesday night, the developer will apply for a special permit for the multifamily building, which will require a public hearing. That would take place before a contract is signed. There is no requirement that a public hearing be held related to the sale of village land. The Board must make a determination that the land is no longer need for municipal purposes, which it will be doing in the resolution on Wednesday evening.
The Chronicle will be following the development of Lot A and the discussions around it very closely. We will also do independent reporting that goes beyond the information provided by the village. The best way to be informed about this very crucial project right across from the train station—or really on most things going on in Croton—is to subscribe.
Thanks for breaking this surprising news. Another decision with little to none public input, shocker.
There is a lot that has to happen before that lot becomes 95 units, but a great spot close to the train and with some possible river views, it’ll eventually happen. And despite the building costs, it’ll make a lot of money for whoever develops it.
I can’t help to think as more and more of these proposals are happening here, too much and too quick. Have there been any studies as to how this housing (4-5 current projects in the works or proposed) will impact current residents? Tax ramifications good or bad? School district ability to handle additional
children? Traffic and congestion?
Very disappointing. We are getting overdeveloped. Residents input and say was never sought and plans were never revealed until a deal was struck. This is not how elected leaders should behave. Voters and taxpayers take notice.