Roundtop, Gasland, Brookfield and More Discussed at Montrose Enhancement Meeting

 Over the last two years Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi has held “Montrose Enhancement Plan (MEP)” meetings with residents in the hamlet of Montrose to discuss pans and ideas. A seven-member Montrose Task Force was created and has been working to come up with ideas on how to enhance the hamlet and identify assets, issues and challenges in the community. The Task Force consists of volunteers Dennis Malles, Marcia Bailey, Adam McNeill, Chris Pritchard, Judi Peterson, Joan Knapp and Jodi Hirsch.

On March 8, Puglisi and town officials held their meeting and discussed the ideas summarized below. You can view the entire powerpoint in the PDF attached to this article. The information below has been summarized from the minutes of the meeting, provided by the town. 

Brookfield Industry Update

Town Planner Chris Kehoe discussed the Brookfield Industry (former Kaufman site). He said that the new asphalt and storm water work are being completed inside the yard and there will be eight more trees planted along the fence in addition to the plantings already completed. Piles of dirt inside the yard will be spread around the site.

A resident asked if the noise level will be monitored. City engineer Ed Vergano said that the applicant has been cooperative and that he would speak to him about installing 24-hour noise monitoring near College Hill Road.

Another resident asked police to monitor the trucks traveling to Brookfeild to make sure their metal is securely contained. Police said they would. Police also told a resident that complained of speeding trucks that use the Cook property that they would monitor it.

Gasland Update

The staff also updated the crowd on Gasland, the new gas station across from and near Malles Auto Body. Tank remediation has begun and the owners have a demolition permit to remove the dilapidated building presently at the site, officials said. The planning board will give them permission to do so and the project should be completed by the end of the summer.

Historic Welcome Banners

The MEP Task Force spoke about new Montrose historic banners. Task Force member Dennci Malles explained that trolley cars were used in the late 1800s running from the river down Kings Ferry Road into Peekskill. The new banner depicts an actual trolley car used in the area based on an image that was found on an old postcard.

The new signs will be placed on the corner of Kings Ferry and Rte 9A to welcome drivers to Montrose. The gazebo will be painted white and the town is considering planting fruit trees in the area.

Cortlandt Train Station

Staff announced that the Metro North Cortlandt Train Station renovations have been completed. The station features a new kiosk, restrooms, bicycle racks, small car parking and a walking bridge from the station to the VA. Puglisi said she will continue to lobby for an interchange directly onto the Route 9 highway. Read more on the station .

Roundtop Commons

The is an affordable hosing development being constructed by Wilder Balter real estate. It is a 92-unit development offering 46 one-bedroom and 46 two-bedroom rental apartments. Eight units are reserved for Cortlandt residents only and the preference order is veterans, volunteer EMS workers, town or village employees, public school employees and VA hospital employees.

The Cortlandt Veterans groups appealed to a federal monitor to try to get all 92 units reserved for veterans only, but they did not obtain this. However, they did obtain 15 unites for veterans who live or work anywhere.

A lottery for the units was held in September, 2011 and, as of March 20, ten two bedroom units are still available. The rent is about $1,315 a month.

Cortladnt officials explained that the town does not know what impact the development will have on schools until all units are filled and that the school district has been involved from the beginning of the process.

A resident asked how many people can reside in a one or two bedroom apartment. Staff said that New York State law determines this but general, only two people can occupy a 12 by 10 bedroom. The town’s fire inspector will visit every multi-family dwelling in the town at least one time each year.

Officials also said the buffer area will be enhanced in front of the buildings. The supervisor made it clear she was not in favor of this project from the beginning. Read more about that .

Recreational Use of Fire District Land

Commissioner for the Montrose Fire District Adam MacNeil and Board of Trustee member Chris Pritchard spoke about possibly using the property adjacent to the Montrose firehouse for family move nights, summer concerts or a farmers market. All these ideas cam from the MEP Task Force.

Also included in the presentation:

-       The Town produced “Taking Care of Business” videos for the local cable station at Jon Paul Hair Salon, Hilltop Farm, Buchanan Home Center, Cole’s Market, and 7 other businesses.

-       Shop Cortlandt’s kickoff event will be on April 20 and events will be ongoing until April 29. Green Swap will also take place that week.

-       MEP ITEMS COMPLETED by March 2012:

• Striping of Kings Ferry Rd. by Ambulance Corps.
• Busses eliminated on Dutch Street from the County George’s Island park.
• Crosswalk across Route 9A between Cole’s Market and Hudson Dance and Tumble
• DES Projects: Round Tree Lane picnic table removed, fence removed and a no dumping sign installed
• Litter pickup and brush clean up on Route 9A
• Security Kiosk moved further into VA Property
• Smart Machines added in various locations; police departments assit with traffic issues on Harper Ave., Kings Ferry Rd. etc
• Legal reviews have taken place on properties on Route 9A at gas stations
• The Town board took action to streamline sign processes for small business owners
• Various traffic improvements like a yield sign to stop sign at the intersection of King Ferry and Sunset roads.
• Paving at George’s Island

-       Staff Reports

• Update on Montrose Station Road Bridge owned by Metro North
  • Montrose Station Bridge is almost completed by Metro North.  No work and or funds were needed by the Town.
• Brookfield Traffic Monitoring Agreements
  • The Town retained a separate traffic consultant to be a checks and balances for truck traffic from Brookfield

-       Long Term Plans

• Montrose Community Garden, volunteers needed
• Route 9A sidewalks between Kings Ferry Road and VA are expected in 2013. The design is in progress with the New York Sate Department of Transportation’s approved consultants.
• A diamond interchange on Route 9A/Route 9 in the future
• Request to Westchester County for George’s Island to be transferred to the Town of Cortlandt. 

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