Henckels Looks to Finalize Plans for Former MLA Site

With no public comments during Wednesday's hearing or significant issues raised by the Pleasantville Planning Commission, projects bringing final plans to the village by next month.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels, an international cutlery manufacturer that plans to move from its current Hawthorne space, has proposed a 122,000-square-foot plan for the Marble Avenue property that has been vacant for more than a decade.

The proposed space will include offices for the company's 60 employees and a warehouse.

In March, several variances proposed for the site, including roof shape, wall height and number of parking spaces.

Since the purchase, the applicant has had several meetings with the  (including with new ), building inspector and mayor to discuss plans.

"The general scope hasn't been affected," said Michael Gallin of Gallin Design Studio at Wednesday's meeting.

Gallin and Henckels' engineer told the board about minor updates and changes to drainage/storm water management and landscaping plans for the property.

Among the changes are plans to use less invasive species and the addition of a single tree onto the Marble Avenue corridor, where there currently is a break in landscaping.

Henckels will also need to appear before the Architectural Review Board for its signage to be approved, likely in July.

In the meantime, Commissioner Joseph Potenza asked whether the village board and Henckels had continued a discussion about public use of the parking lot for access to .

Gallin said there is "no objection" with respect to the continued use of the lot, but, "Whether or not there needs to be a formal arrangement there or not is still being determined between the applicant's attorneys and the village's attorneys."

As part of its application, Henckels plans to repave and re-stripe the 75-space parking lot.

Additionally, the village's recycling center also falls on the applicant's property. Therefore, the village and manufacturer may enter into a license agreement to allow for the continued encroachment.

With Henckels looking to seek final approval of its plans at the July 11 Planning Commission meeting, Chairman Russell Klein said he anticipates smooth sailing.

"If everything is crossed and dotted at that time," he said, "I can't see why we can't take action then, unless something significant comes up."

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