The Sunshine Children's Home and Rehabilitation Center in Ossining is looking to expand in order to help children with disabilities.
The home stands on 33 acres of land on Spring Valley Road, and administrators say they need more room. The current building serves 55 children with disabilities learning and living there, but there are 70 more children, some with terminal conditions, on a waiting list.
The plan is to expand Sunshine's main building from 19,000 square feet to 146,000 square feet.
Opponents, including nearby residents, are citing noise, increased traffic and overpopulation as reasons for objecting to the expansion. Some have posted signs comparing Sunshine's $30 million expansion plan to a takeover by corporate stores such as Wal-Mart.
Sunshine administrators say that there is so much misinformation regarding their plans that they are inviting people to visit the facility and check it out for themselves.
"We have done all the studies, looking at each of those areas and their concerns can be put to rest," says administrator Linda Mosiello. "There is no impact on our surrounding neighbors."
Sunshine will plead its case for expansion before the New Castle Zoning Board during a public meeting Sept. 30.