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ARMONK, N.Y. As North Castle is one of 31 communities required to comply with the countys affordable housing settlement, Town Supervisor Howard Arden said a major factor was left out of the demographic study that could have left the town in the clear.
North White Plains is considered a part of the town of North Castle, Arden said. Yet for some reason it was left out of the study to determine which communities needed to be included in the agreement, and I think thats kind of unfair.
Despite this, Arden said the town continues to develop a plan for housing units. As part of the housing settlement, Westchester is required to spend almost $52 million Under the agreement the county must build a total of 750 units of affordable housing in 31 communities that have been identified as "majority white." The county is required to advertise the housing in communities that are "majority nonwhite" but there is no requirement about the race of the people who will ultimately live in the housing. The only restriction on those who would own or rent the properties is that they meet affordable housing financial guidelines.
Arden said that lots around North Castle have been discussed as potential sites, such as the Cochrane property on Old Route 22 and the old lumberyard location on Bedford Road. Arden said that the Cochrane lot in particular created more issues than benefits for a potential site.
Its not a particularly good location, Arden said. Theres not a lot of space for kids to get outside and play, and its right near a major highway.
Arden said that he and the rest of the North Castle Town Board continue to work with town officials on developing a site and plan and that a goal date is in place.
These things take a lot of time, Arden said. Im hoping that we can have all of this done by late fall.
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