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Board approves subdivision to split one vacant lot into two buildable lots on Wild Cliff Drive
Summary
The planning board approved a subdivision to split a vacant lot on Wild Cliff Drive into two single-family building lots after the zoning board granted a minor lot-width variance; neighbors voiced concern about preserving the lot’s landscape.
The New Rochelle Planning Board on April 22 approved subdivision PB6-2025 to divide one vacant parcel on Wild Cliff Drive into two buildable single-family lots.
John Woodruff, the project architect, said the subdivision would create two conforming lots except for one lot that will be 68.5 feet wide where 70 feet is required; he added the applicant obtained a zoning-board variance for that minor deficiency in March. “We went to the zoning board and got a unanimous decision of, for approval,” Woodruff said. The board’s approval tonight covers the subdivision only; each proposed home will return to the planning board later for site-plan review.
Neighbors and a former nearby owner objected on community-preservation grounds. Anita Hill spoke for a nearby former owner who could not attend and read a letter expressing disappointment that the property would be split rather than retained as a single lot. “She said she felt betrayed,” Hill said, describing the former owner’s wish that the property remain as sold to a single household.
Woodruff said the buyers are two sisters who initially tried to design one shared home but chose separate single-family houses because of differing preferences. The applicant noted there is space on the lots for standard on-site parking and said no further variances would be required to build single-family homes; the architect estimated homes of 3,000–4,000 square feet could be accommodated without additional variances.
The planning board attached a condition requiring the applicant to amend record plans to designate the subdivided parcels as Block 103, Lot 16 (closest to Hudson Park Road) and Block 103, Lot 18 (closest to Lot 22) prior to signature submission. The board declared lead agency, adopted a negative declaration under SEQRA and voted to approve the subdivision; motions passed by voice vote.
Board members noted the surrounding street includes a mix of single-family and multifamily properties and said the block could accommodate another single-family house without changing neighborhood character. The applicant will return to the board with site-plan applications for the two future dwellings.
