I. Executive Summary I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. Description of Proposed Action This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been prepared under provisions of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). It follows a DEIS Scope that was adopted by the Planning Board of the Village of Ossining, the designated lead agency for the SEQRA review. The Project Site is located in close proximity to the Hudson River near the northern end of the Village of Ossining, Westchester County, New York. The Site encompasses three tax parcels (tax lots designated as Section 3, Block 1, Lots 24, 24B and 42), totaling 8.2 acres and is located off of an extension of North Water Street. The Proposed Action calls for the rezoning of the PRD portion of the Project Site to WD-2 and the corresponding amendment to the Village Zoning Map. In addition, the WD-2 states that no one use shall exceed 70% of the total project. While the goal of encouraging mixed- use development is appropriate for the core downtown area, it is less desirable for the Project Site, which is not adjacent to the Village’s business district. Therefore, the Proposed Action also calls for a text amendment to the WD-2 zone providing the Planning Board with the authority to waive this requirement where it is determined that the overall objectives of the WD-2 zone would be better served by such modification or waiver. A set of guidelines is provided to assist the Planning Board in making its determination, including: the location of the site in relation to the Village’s downtown area; the relationship of the site to the Hudson River; the physical characteristics of the site, including its topography, vegetation, wetlands and other natural features; the character of surrounding land uses, especially to the extent that they are residential or include existing buildings that house multiple types of uses; the appropriateness of the site for accommodating a mix of uses due to the configuration and/or condition of an existing building on the site that is to be adaptively reused as part of a proposed project; and the nature and patterns of access to the site. Currently, the Project Site is located within two zoning districts. Two non-contiguous portions of the project site are zoned PRD Planned Residence District, comprising 4.725 acres. The remaining 3.45 acre central segment of the site is zoned WD-2 Waterfront Development District – East Side of the Railroad Tracks. This rezoning, which would allow for a uniform zone throughout the property, provides greater opportunity for a mix of housing types on the site. The Proposed Action includes the construction of 132 units (one of which is for the living quarters of an on-site superintendent) in four buildings, including: the renovated Brandreth Pill Factory building containing 24 units in three to four stories (50 feet), and an adjacent four story (44 feet) annex building with 40 units on the lower, northern portion of the site; a 56-unit, six-story (66 feet) plateau building; and 12, two and a half story (38 feet) townhouse units on the lower portion of the site, below the plateau, south of the Pill Factory. A conditional use permit, as granted by the Planning Board, is required for the proposed project to allow for the construction of multiple dwelling units with up to two-bedrooms per unit. An area variance, as granted by the Zoning Board, is required with respect to §270- Saccardi & Schiff, Inc. I-1 Executive Summary 46(B) of the Zoning Ordinance and §7-736 of the Village Law, addressing the Site’s street frontage. The Applicant must also obtain site plan approval from the Planning Board. B. Impact Analysis / Mitigation Measures The following table outlines the potential significant adverse impacts and the proposed mitigation measures: Table I-1 Impact/Mitigation Proposed Improvements/ Impact Category Impact Mitigation Measures Land Use and Zoning The Proposed Action calls for the rezoning of The proposed zoning expands the existing WD- the PRD portion of the site to WD-2, allowing 2 zoning on-site, to create a uniform zone for for a uniform zone throughout the property and the entire property. The proposed residential increased flexibility in the redevelopment of land use creates a transitional area between the Brandreth Pill Factory building. The existing residential uses to the north and east, maximum permitted net density is 18 units per and the light industrial uses to the west and acre, with no dwelling unit to contain more south. It is of the applicant’s opinion that there than two-bedrooms, and a maximum height of are no anticipated significant adverse impacts six stories. Upon, rezoning this requirement associated with the proposed residential uses on would be met. Following rezoning of the land use or zoning, and therefore, no mitigation plateau area from PRD to WD-2, the maximum is required. permitted height would increase from two and a half to six stories. While this portion of the The Applicant is seeking an area variance from Hidden Cove property would not be governed the Zoning Board with respect to §270-46(B) of by the Village’s Special Height Overlay the Zoning Ordinance and §7-736 of the district, the ridge of the proposed building Village Law. would be at elevation 127. This is substantially below the maximum 180 feet above sea level that is contained in the regulations for Height Zone B which covers the portions of the Hidden Cove property that are currently zoned WD-2. The WD-2 zone encourages mixed-use development. It is the view of the Applicant that mixed-use development is not appropriate for the unique location of the project site. As such, the Proposed Action includes amended language to the WD-2 zone, which would keep the intent of the zone for the other WD-2 areas, but would allow the Planning Board to waive this requirement where it is determined that the overall objectives of the WD-2 zone would be better served by such waiver. LWRP LWRP policies discussed/analyzed in Ch. III Mitigation measures that promote or advance are policies that are applicable to and/or relevant LWRP policies include: minimize the affected by the project. The proposed needed grading by taking advantage of development is generally consistent with the previously developed areas of the site and flat outlined policies of the LWRP. The proposed areas; implementation of an erosion control project does not promote or advance Policy 2- plan and stormwater management plan; Facilitate the siting of water dependent uses rehabilitation of the State and National Register and facilities on or adjacent to coastal waters. listed Brandreth Pill Factory; and redevelopment of a deteriorated and underutilized formerly industrial site for residential use. Saccardi & Schiff, Inc. I-2 Executive Summary Proposed Improvements/ Impact Category Impact Mitigation Measures Visual Resources It is the Applicant’s opinion that there are no It is of the applicant’s opinion that no anticipated significant adverse impacts on mitigation is necessary. visual resources. The proposed buildings are designed in terms of scale, shape, materials and colors to blend in with the surrounding environment. The shadow analyses show that the adjacent properties will not be significantly impacted by the shadows cast by the proposed buildings. Soils / Topography / Site disturbance will consist of grading of the Mitigation measures will include an erosion Steep Slopes land in preparation for the construction of control plan to stabilize disturbed areas. roads, buildings, and parking lots. Construction Roadway staging areas will be provided along of the building on the plateau will entail the roadway construction area. All pipes, catch removal of approximately 26.5 feet from the basins and other materials will be stored on top of the plateau to accommodate underground appropriate slopes with anchors to prevent parking for the building’s residents. movement during the construction period. On-site construction will likely involve blasting The Applicant will comply with the provisions around the area of the proposed plateau of Chapter 123 of the Village Code (Explosives building. There will be an estimated 64,454 cy and Blasting). of cut, of which, ±11,772 cy will be used as fill elsewhere on the site and ±52,682 cy of cut will be removed from the site. (See Appendix J for the Preliminary Blasting Plan Notes.) Flora and Fauna Development activities have been planned to To minimize loss of habitat, the removal of avoid impacts to the Federally regulated natural vegetation will be minimized as much watercourse that is the most sensitive area on as possible to preserve natural cover types on the property. No significant impact to this the site. Large contiguous forested areas will resource is anticipated. Forest construction remain and will continue to provide ecological activities including the placement of housing benefits. Other habitat aspects of the site will and appurtenant features will impact be preserved where they do not interfere with approximately 2.5 acres of mainly the oak-tulip the functioning of the development. tree forest portion of the site. These areas will Temporary wildlife displacement during be replaced with cultural cover types. Overall, construction is a short-term impact. Wildlife a decrease in natural wildlife habitat value is displaced during construction activities will anticipated although the species richness of the more than likely return after construction is local wildlife community should remain complete. It is of the applicant’s opinion that constant. The majority of the forest, especially no impact will occur, and therefore, no the more mature portion in the upper mitigation is proposed.