Politics & Government

Neighbors Fight Proposed WestMed Parking Addition

A lengthy debate continues between WestMed and neighbors on Anderson Hill Road upset about proposed additions to a parking structure near their homes.

WestMed Medical Group's multi-million dollar plan to add 96 parking spots and another level to its Westchester Avenue parking facility has hit another roadblock, as neighbors continue to fight the proposed addition every step of the way.

Homeowners along Anderson Hill Road, which neighbors the north side of the property, say that adding to the current parking structure, which has 345 spots, will only increase the light, noise and other problems that already affect their neighborhood. Further, they say that a berm that once blocked their view of the lot has gone into disrepair over the last few years, breaking their trust of the corporation.

"Three years ago you could look out my door and not see the parking lot," said Mel Siegel, who lives near the property, at a March town board meeting. "Now you feel like the cars are in your living room."

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The battle between WestMed and its neighbors has continued for nearly a year. The proposal has now stalled with the Harrison Town Board as neighbors continue to point out problems, including a possible code violation within the building that tabled the discussion in February.

The Harrison Building Department has cleared the property of any violations, but neighbors are still concerned about the validity of a proposed new 12-foot berm that would partially block the new parking structure from view, a loud generator that runs once a week and a possible increase of traffic on the property once the project is complete.

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The Harrison Town Board is looking to establish a bond that would hold the company financially liable for maintaining the berm, but the two sides have been unable to agree on the length of the bond.

WestMed's proposal last week for a 10-year, $25,000, bond was deemed "unacceptable" by Harrison Councilman Joseph Cannella. The councilman later said he favors a perpetual bond, which WestMed has not been willing to accept.

Over the last two months WestMed has altered its plan several times in an effort to appease the neighbors. After discussions were tabled for a month in February, the medical group returned to the board offering to add 200 trees and shrubs to help shield the property. The height of a fence behind the trees and the berm near the road has also been increased.

But the board still won't vote on the issue, citing, among other things, what they view as WestMed's disregard for neighbors in the past. Several board members cited a lack of trust after WestMed allowed the current barrier between the lot and Anderson Hill Road to fall into disrepair.

"I think one of the problems here is you weren't a good neighbor, if you were a good neighbor we wouldn't have gone through all these meetings," said Harrison Councilman Fred Sciliano.

An underscoring issue is the on-going give and take in Purchase between homeowners and their corporate neighbors. Although the town benefits from the tax-base provided by large office buildings along Westchester Avenue, neighbors have to deal with large properties sometimes close to residential neighborhoods.

WestMed's property is directly across the street from several neighborhoods on Anderson Hill Road, so additions and increased traffic could affect property values there. Harrison Councilwoman Marlane Amelio said she is wary of setting a precedent that the town board will allow expansions that adversely affect homeowners.

"I'm not anti-corporations, but I am pro-resident, I am pro-taxpayer for the people who have invested probably the largest investment in their life in a neighborhood that when they moved in didn't have a garage," she said.

WestMed's request to end the on-going public discussion was denied this week, as discussion was once again tabled by the board to be opened at the next public meeting. The board asked the medical group to continue to visit with neighbors to find a plan viable for both sides, a tall order given the heavy resistance coming from Anderson Hill Road.

"We're against it," said Siegel. "If it has to happen lets hold them to the highest standard that could be accounted for because the standards they've held to this point have been very low."

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