Town Eyes Sale of Old Orchard Street Property

The Town of Harrison is one step closer to a move the could alleviate at least a small portion of it's financial woes, but some say it would be at the cost of an irreplaceable asset.

The plan to sell an eight-parcel municipal property on Old Orchard Street took another step forward this week, as the planning board continues to progress toward approving a sub-division on the property that would make it more attractive to potential buyers.

The town plans to build a road onto the property, currently a green space, and extend utilities before selling it, said Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh, who said the town has already received inquiries from possible buyers.

The Harrison Planning Board must first approve a site plan proposed by the town. A preliminary plat resolution — the second in a three-step approval process — was adopted this week.

"We believe we have made a complete presentation, so unless something unexpected comes up we hope that it would be approved at the next planning board meeting," said Walsh.

If the sub-division proposal is accepted at the next planning board meeting on May 24, the town board would decide whether or not to officially put the land, located in a remote area of West Harrison, up for sale.

Judging by actions so far, an attempt to sell the property is extremely likely, but when and if it happens will depend the market.

"Our reason for doing this is ultimately to sell it," said Councilman Joseph Cannella. "It depends on finding a buyer willing to pay fair value."

Cannella also cautioned that the approval from the planning board is no guarantee, and that any estimates as to the timing of the approval would be "pure speculation".

Walsh wouldn't comment on how much money the town is hoping to receive in the possible sale. Harrison sold a one-acre lot in the same area late last year for approximately $300,000.

The town could either market the land as an entire eight-acre property or sell it block by block. Walsh said in the current economy the ladder option is more likely. The town also owns about five acres of the surrounding area that will be reserved as wetlands.

Residents have voiced opposition to land sales in the past, citing concern over the lack of green space in the community. There is also worry that one-time land sales are a quick fix while the economy remains unstable.

Harrison Councilwoman Marlane Amelio said she is against the sale of vacant land, calling it an irreplaceable and valuable asset.

"I find it irresponsible to attempt to balance a budget or increase a revenue source via the sale of land," she said in an e-mail to Patch. "I consider myself a reasonable environmentalist/conservationist and strongly oppose knee-jerk responses to land sale as a quick fix with little consideration for the future."

Town officials said there are no plans at this time to sell any other town-owned properties. The land sale is not planned as part of this year's fiscal budget, and would likely go into the town's general fund.

"That's why the process was started and there has been no change as far as the town board's direction at this time," Cannella said. "Clearly the town board continues to move in that direction."