Stop The Overdevelopment
of Mamaroneck
Learn About The Hunter Lot Project
We Are NOT Against Affordable Housing
The Village of Mamaroneck has always been FOR affordable housing!
We are one of the few communities in Westchester County that is ABOVE our state mandated level. We just elected a Mayor who grew up in affordable housing and is FOR more, done responsibly.
DO NOT BE MISLED…
Not For Current Village Residents
Residents of Mamaroneck will NOT be prioritized.
The housing will be available on a LOTTERY BASIS to people meeting the financial criteria and who currently live in the 9 county area including Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Fairfield Counties and all five boroughs of New York City.
Net Loss Of Public Parking
Currently, there are approximately 206 parking spaces.
The revised proposal from Westhab plans to reduce this to just 103 public spaces. However, the updated Westhab plan involves constructing a three-level parking structure, partially underground.
The impracticality of Westhab's plan for underground parking is twofold: firstly, similar to the challenges faced during the library's renovation project, the presence of bedrock makes underground construction difficult. Secondly, there's a significant safety concern, as our volunteer firefighters have indicated potential difficulties in tackling fires in such a setup, especially those caused by electric vehicles or other sources.
Luna's proposal includes a total of 187 parking spaces, serving both residents and the public.
Our Schools are bursting at the seams
The "Enrollment Update" for the Board of Education as of September 5, 2023, underscores a significant trend of rising student numbers, particularly at the secondary level in middle schools and high schools like HMX/MHS, marking the highest increase in recent decades. This trend extends to the Mamaroneck Avenue School (MAS), notably zoned for the Hunter Lot area, where classrooms are now operating at full capacity.
The surge in student enrollment intensifies existing challenges in our already densely populated classrooms. Adding more students will strain resources further and impact educational quality. In such a crowded and resource-limited setting, maintaining and enhancing our children's educational experience becomes a significant challenge.
Economic Impact Uncertainty
There is almost no economic benefit to the Village giving up this valuable piece of land. There is a genuine concern that homeowner taxes will increase to foot the costs to expand our infrastructure to accommodate these new residents. We would also lose the revenue stream from the loss of parking spaces.
This development would receive tax abatements which could last up to 20 to 25 years. The expenses for extra police, ambulance, fire department, and sanitation services will need to be covered by the existing taxpayers, who are already burdened with heavy taxes.
The Latest Updates:
11.12.24 - Negotiations with Westhab paused until the new Board takes office in December.
11.8.24 - VOM Village Attorney, Robert Spolzino, recommends negotiations with Westhab be terminated
The memo (click here) from Robert A. Spolzino, Village Attorney for the Village of Mamaroneck, addresses the ongoing negotiations with Westhab regarding the potential sale and development of the Hunter Tier Lot. Key points include:
Public Session Requirement: Negotiations on the sale price have concluded, so further discussions must occur in public meetings.
Legal Preference Program: The Village seeks to include a preference for local residents and those displaced by flooding, which may face legal challenges. Westhab is unwilling to agree to a contract termination if litigation arises but has offered defense and indemnification.
Risk of Litigation: Past cases suggest potential legal risks for implementing a resident preference program.
Recommendation to Terminate Negotiations: Spolzino suggests ending negotiations due to Westhab’s access to confidential Board discussions, compromising privileged communications and the negotiation team's effectiveness.
The memo underscores concerns about confidentiality breaches and potential legal complications if the project proceeds without specific protections for the Village's interests.
11.6.24 - Guidepost Review
Guidepost Solutions performed a review (click here for the full document), as requested by the VOM BOT, to evaluate communications related to this project between VOM Officials and representatives of Westhab.
The observations in the report outline several issues related to the Hunter Tier Project:
Conflict of Interest in Technical Assistance: Westhab provided assistance with drafts of the project’s RFP, raising potential conflicts of interest.
Influence on RFP Changes: Westhab influenced thirteen significant changes to the draft RFP between January 2022 and August 2023.
Trustee's Early Involvement: Trustee Emmanuel Rawlings had early discussions with Westhab and WHA officials, which contradicted his statements to the Ethics Board.
Potential Conflict of Interest with Rent Disputes: Trustee Rawlings faced legal actions from WHA over unpaid rent while he was in contact with WHA officials about the project.
Failure to Share Information Equally: The Village Planner did not share questions and answers with all bidders, an omission later acknowledged to the Mayor and Trustees.
Extended Communication Patterns: There was a six-year history of discussions between VoM officials and senior WHA/Westhab officials on affordable housing, influencing the project.
7.8.24 - Emails Reveal Project Flaws
During the July 8th, 2024 BOT Meeting, Mayor Sharon Torres addressed the Board of Trustees, revealing disturbing emails related to the Hunter Tier affordable housing project, which highlighted questionable interactions and favoritism towards one developer.
*Credit to “Concerned Mamaroneck Resident” YouTube Channel for this video.
