There are two distinctly separate developments proposed for the subject area which is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Route 202 and the Taconic State Parkway (TSP). The outcome of these applications will affect Yorktown. Forever.
One is at the parcel located right on the northwest corner of the intersection of 202 and the TSP. It is zoned C-3, which accommodates a Costco as of right- meaning without any variances or special approvals. If Costco, or any other big-box retailer, wants to partner with the developer that owns it, there's not too much we can do to stop that. Our current zoning and building codes allow them to do develop their land in that manner. They are within their right, as property owners in that zoning district, to establish that occupancy and use.
The traffic issue, while addressed in the Yorktown Comprehensive Plan, is not a "fatal flaw" to their proposal.
The biggest issue along the so called "Route 202 Economic Development Corridor" is the proposed rezoning of a one hundred (100) acre parcel that abuts the Sylvan Glen nature preserve. The owner of that parcel bought it knowing full well that it was zoned for residences on big lots. He can build them without the parcel being rezoned.
At the end of the day, Route 202 is a two (2) lane road.
I think we need to carefully examine how the area should be developed. I look forward to a constructive dialogue between Yorktown residents, the developers and the Yorktown government to move us forward, closer to the appropriate balance between development and open space.
I think we should think about what types of retailers and businesses we want to anchor this community. I look at developments like the one in Shrub Oak that houses (that was my dinner tonight) and the deli and the Laundromat with dry cleaning and the pizza place and a golf shop (with cigars!) a Realtor, etc...
Those are the kinds of retailers I want to support. I think we should look at retailers occupying more than ten thousand (10,000) square feet differently than our Yorktown mom and pop shops. That's the generally accepted threshold for "big-box" retailers.
I'm not that into 10 pound jars of mayonnaise, though my wife buys them at BJ's (which we already have in Yorktown).
