Pound Ridge Partnership’s Courtyard Plan Approved

POUND RIDGE, N.Y. – Plans by the Pound Ridge Partnership to create a courtyard, or “pocket park,” in the Scotts Corners business district have been given the green light by town officials.

At a public hearing this week, the Town Board, acting in its role as the Parking District Commission, unanimously approved plans to create the courtyard between two properties owned by the DeGraffe and Siano families. The properties border Westchester Avenue and Trinity Lane.

The Town Board's action came after the unanimous approval of the Planning Board.

James Best, the architect for the project, and Pound Ridge Partnership member Valarie Price presented the board with final plans at the hearing, which call for, among other things, creating a brick sidewalk and serpentine brick wall with plantings. The work will be done in two phases.

“We are melding it into what is already the sidewalk and leaving whatever is permanent there, such as drains, and working around them,” Best said.

Town Attorney J.J. Sullivan said the town is working on a revised map of the parking district, which could later affect how the liability insurance is handled. Right now the existing property owners have agreed to maintain the insurance. However, if the revised map shows that the courtyard falls under the auspices of the town, it will take over the insurance.

Sullivan asked the applicants who would be responsible for the maintenance of the courtyard’s walkway, such as snow removal.

“We have discussed it with the property owners and they’ve agreed to do it,” Best said. “The Pound Ridge Partnership will also chip in.”

Price said that all the agreements with the property owners are in writing. The proposal was first presented to the Town Board in March.

“All we are approving is what’s in the parking district as the parking commissioners,” noted Supervisor Gary Warshauer. “The Planning Board approved the project itself. But this looks great, and I look forward to walking in that park.”

The Pound Ridge Partnership is a group that formed in 2010 to help esthetically improve the Scotts Corners business district and inspire volunteerism.

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