Dobbs Ferry Adopts Rivertowns Square Findings

The state environmental quality review (SEQR) for the proposed Rivertowns Square multi-use development has ended now that the Village has adopted a positive environmental findings statement.

The Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees was split on its decision with the mayor and three board members approving the adoption, and trustees Vincent Rossillo, David Koenigsberg and Donna Cassell voting against the adoption.

Developers are looking to build the following on the 17.7-acre former Akzo Nobel site off the Saw Mill River Parkway in Dobbs Ferry, located in the middle of Lawrence Street and Ogden, Livingstone and Stanley avenues:

• 18,000 sq. ft. gourmet market
• a 123-room hotel (probably run by a division of Hilton hotels, yet to be determined)
• a 33,600 sq. ft. eight screen Sundance movie theatre
• 62,028 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space
• 202-unit rental apartment (which includes 10 percent of affordable housing, per Village code)
• 1,228 parking spaces

While developers say Rivertowns Square will enhance the area by bringing in needed amenities and economic benefits—some local residents, like the Rivertowns Preservation Civic Association and the Ardsley School District, opposed the project saying it is just too massive and will be a fiscal drain on the community, in addition to exacerbating traffic and flooding, reducing green space and changing the character of the neighboring residential community.

Click here for all of our coverage on Rivertowns Square.

A positive findings statement certifies that project’s environmental impact statement “avoids or minimizes adverse environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable,” according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s SEQR Cookbook. Rivertowns Square will continue through the site plan application process, with the Dobbs Ferry Village Board giving final site plan approval.

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