Board of Trustees vote to pause negotiations on affordable housing project in village of Mamaroneck
Different organizations, like Westhab and Luna Collective LLC, want to transform the Hunter Tier parking lot on Prospect Avenue into affordable housing apartments.
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The Village of Mamaroneck's Board of Trustees voted on Tuesday to pause negotiations on a divisive affordable housing project until the incoming board of trustees takes office next month.
Different organizations, like Westhab and Luna Collective LLC, want to transform the Hunter Tier parking lot on Prospect Avenue into affordable housing apartments.
It has become a controversial topic between board members, the mayor and the community.
While some see it as an opportunity to provide housing for flood victims, others are concerned about potential issues like parking, overcrowding, and traffic.
The debate about it all continued at Tuesday's work session.
The session also included a discussion about an investigation into emails that were sent about the project.
It prompted another conversation about some alleged inappropriate communication between at least one outgoing trustee and Westhab.
Due to all of the inconsistencies and the village attorney recommending that they terminate negotiations with Westhab, the board decided to pause negotiations about the entire topic until the next board assembles in December.
"I think there was a lot of involvement with prior staff, prior and current legislators, and it's really important for us to have a very transparent process that brings the community in," said Mayor Sharon Torres.
"I'm disappointed," said outgoing trustee Lou Young. "These fights are typical and it's not easy. We're too close to the end for this board to see it through. I'm going to put it on the new board and see if will happen.
Three new trustee members were at both meetings on Tuesday.
They all got up and spoke at the podium to share their commitment toward affordable housing.
Some residents who spoke said the board can't forget about the residents in all of this because each time the project gets delayed, there could be real life consequences for the people who live in the village.
