Hartsdale Neighbors Seek To Revitalize Four Corners

A recent meeting of the Hartsdale Neighborhood Association (HNA) took place to discuss renovating the 4-Corners section of Hartsdale. According to the HNA leadership, the four corners area of Central Avenue and Hartsdale Avenue is in desperate need of revitalization. The primary claim is that anyone who has walked or driven past that area has seen the vacant storefronts, backed up traffic, lack of parking and a myriad of issues. They are looking to change that!

They've asked to try and imagine a revitalized Hartsdale Four Corners that is pedestrian friendly, is a modern and inviting environment where businesses thrive, can reduce traffic congestion with increased turning lanes as one solution. Their hope is that the revitalization would help to meet the community’s needs - be it work, life or play!

The HNA believes this can be done with the residents, public and Town's support. There are numerous issues that are impacting businesses, making it difficult for any business to thrive in this area, let alone anywhere in our Town. The current zoning code for this area makes it prohibitive and frankly impossible for businesses to succeed, grow and flourish without a change. In order to fix that they need to show that reinvigorating the Four Corners has the community support. They are asking you to sign their petition and help pave the way for a Four Corners the community and Town can be proud of!

A proposal was put forth by Inspired Places, LLC to request the Town to allow for zoning changes for the immediate 4 Corners. The meeting drew a highly supportive crowd of approximately 100 people. The discussion noted the problems for residents, shoppers, commuters, shop-owners and landowners created by the status quo. The solution to these problems centers on zoning changes, and the discussion highlighted the benefits that Hartsdale would gain through an innovative approach. Some of those include:

-  Replacing existing rigid zoning rules that discourage investment by more flexible, community focused rules
- Permitting mixed-use construction
- Promoting suitably designed and right-sized buildings for the site
- Increasing pedestrian safety through movement of cross walks away from the actual corners
- Addressing traffic volume & congestion by adding dedicated right turning lanes on East & West Hartsdale Avenues
- Addressing parking issues by adding several structured parking facilities
- Adding greenery, including possible green islands defining turning lanes

What also needs to change is the labyrinth of regulations, permits, fees, taxes and overall unfriendliness from the Town toward businesses - especially small business. It seems somewhat hypocritical to hear Mr Feiner and his Town Board espouse that they are "business friendly" when the reality is quite the opposite. We are not saying that safety and protecting both the owners and the public should be ignored. But every permit sees a fee attached to it that never gets lower, only increases. Perhaps having a bundled permit package for certain requirements at a reduced cost would be beneficial. Other ideas can be suggested as well. Some business owners have told us it takes over a year to get the necessary permits, inspections and approvals to even open their business. This must change. Only then will we see A Better Greenburgh.

To sign their petition, click on this link:
http://hartsdaleneighbors.org/wp/4c-petition/