Oxford Rd Residents Concerned About Excess Water

At its Wednesday meeting, the Town of Mamaroneck Planning Board and the public discussed a proposal to renovate the current stormwater drainage system on Avon Road. The renovation would install a new drainage subdivision at 19 Avon Rd.—a residence that often floods during storms—that redirects some water runoff to a lot on Oxford Road.

"Currently, the drainage system on Avon has insufficient piping," said William Lachenauer, an engineer from Hudson Engineering working with the proposed change. "This subdivision will collect and redirect runoff."

Chairman Marc Rosenbaum questioned if the subdivision would create more problems. "Are you going to ameliorate the situation on Avon but transfer it to Oxford?" he asked.

Lachenauer noted the runoff would be split between the two locations, and its discharge delayed.

Still, Oxford residents are unhappy with the proposal. Clarke Bailey, a homeowner at 10 Oxford Rd., presented the board with a petition singed by 29 residents from 16 homes. The petition aims to deny the drainage renovation project.

"This will only exacerbate the flooding problems on Oxford," Bailey said. "I can't tell you how many times I've had to pump one to two feet of water out of my basement."

"It's not acceptable to redirect excess water from Avon to Oxford," said Tom Quinn, another Oxford resident.

"Clearly this will continue on as a public hearing," said Marc Rosenbaum at the close of the discussion. "We will continue to gather information."

The matter will be discussed again on July 14.

PETCO

The board and public discussed a proposal to grant PETCO, set to open at 1275 Boston Post Rd., a special uses permit allowing them to offer pet grooming and basic veterinarian services. PETCO—which sells animal supplies and small pets—would replace the vacant area once occupied by a Duane Reade pharmacy.

"It has been experience of my client that providing these additional services will enhance the vitality of the location and cause it to be more successful," said Joseph DiSalvo, an attorney who spoke on behalf of PETCO. 

"We are happy to have PETCO as a neighbor," said Ernest Kirchoff, who lives behind PETCO. "But we're concerned about the trash situation. The [dumpster lid] is never closed."

The matter will be discussed again on June 17.

77 Cooper Lane

The board and public discussed a proposal from Mamaroneck resident and contractor Steve Marsh to subdivide and build two residences on property at 77 Cooper Ln. The construction would require the removal of vegetation and trees.

Augustine Defiore, who lives at 79 Cooper Ln., expressed discontent.

"There's a beautiful tree on the right-hand corner of property," Defiore said. "I noticed the latest plans show a manhole where the tree is. The previous plans I saw didn't have the manhole so close to the tree. If the manhole maintains itself there, the tree disappears."

Additionally, Defiore also requested that Marsh put up boundaries between the properties.  

Marsh also requested the board to allow him to perform construction until 8 p.m., and not 6 p.m. (the current stipulation). The board voted down the request.

The matter will be discussed again on July 14.  

Other business

-The board unanimously approved a resolution to renew Village Square Bagels' special use permit.

-The board will discuss the renewal of the Mercedes Benz special use permit on July 14.

-The board will discuss the construction of a pitch and putt practice area at Bonnie Briar Country Club on July 14.