Briarcliff Planning Board Hears More CVS Specifics

Noise, safety and environmental concerns were raised by locals who weighed in on Urstadt Biddle Properties' proposal to build a CVS at the Chilmark Shopping Center in Briarcliff Manor.

The village's board of trustees voted on May 2 to approve a negative State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) declaration for the proposal that has been before the trustees and planning board for more than one year.

The SEQRA determination led the village board to approve a special permit for the developer, who has laid out a plan for 4.5 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet on the property.

In the latest plan shared with the planning board during Tuesday's public hearing, additional lighting to the center's upper parking lot was outlined, along with landscaping options. Two possible Pleasantville Road-facing façades were also shown—one with some windows and one without.

"I prefer the windows," said Planning Board Member Jay Neveloff. "It breaks up the monolithic appearance...it softens it."

Proposed signage options for the center, including a monument sign to replace the one displaying all of the center's occupants, was also shown to the board.

"CVS agreed it will handle the signage if and when there is an approval," said William Null, an attorney with Cuddy & Feder representing the applicant.

When asked by the board, Null said the applicant had already agreed not to keep the store open 24 hours, but did not know the specific hours of operation.

"I will get back to you," he said.

Holbrook Lane resident Emily Sack urged the applicant and board to consider pushing for environmental measures in the center, including LEED certification and a green roof.

"Take this as an opportunity to do the right thing," she said.

Stephen Smalley, an Orchard Road resident, said the Village of Ossining should look into improving drainage along Pleasantville Road, pointing out ice accumulates during the winter.

Rocco Circosta, of Ramapo Road, stated that the proposed lighting and windows for the CVS building "could reflect across the street" and disturb neighbors.

Neighbor Kent Trabing, also of Ramapo Road, asked the board to consider not only hours of operation, but lighting and delivery hours for the CVS. He said on three occasions he has heard sidewalks being power-washed in the center at 10 p.m.

"It's just really loud all the way up the Ramapo Road mountain," he said.

William Biddle of Urstadt Biddle said he was unaware of the activity and Village Engineer David Turiano said such actions would be considered a noise ordinance.

Charles Mosello, who called out several times during the hearing, told the board at the microphone, "I am disgusted with you."

Mosello said the plan did not leave adequate space for delivery trucks to turn around properly in the CVS lot, which Null disputed. He also said he has heard sidewalk power-washing late at night.

Mosello added he was upset the board was talking about items such as landscaping when, "You guys haven't look at what a mess this is."

Planning Board Chair Edward Nolan asked village attorney Daniel Pozin to prepare a resolution for approval for next month's meeting.