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Developer withdraws Knoll applications, offers two lots to Dobbs Ferry as permanent open space
Summary
An attorney for Hillside Development told the Dobbs Ferry Planning Board on July 10 that client Andrew Cortese is withdrawing development applications for two Knoll lots (Lots 147 and 153) and has offered to convey fee ownership of both parcels to the village on condition they be maintained as open space in perpetuity.
An attorney for Hillside Development LLC told the Dobbs Ferry Planning Board on July 10 that his client, Andrew Cortese, is withdrawing pending permit applications to open The Knoll and develop two parcels and has formally offered to convey fee ownership of both lots to the village so they can be preserved as open space.
The attorney (Speaker 3) read a letter addressed to Mayor Vincent Rossello and the Board of Trustees stating that, “despite the fact that Hillside has maintained and still contends that it has the legal right to open The Knoll and develop those 2 lots, Mr. Cortese has decided that it is in the best interest of Hillside, the village, and the surrounding neighborhood to withdraw these applications for development.” The letter says Hillside asks the village to accept dedication of both lots “provided these lots are maintained and preserved as open space in perpetuity.”
Board members responded by removing the associated agenda items from further consideration at this meeting. Speaker 3 asked the village attorneys to coordinate conveyance arrangements and requested that the board acknowledge its willingness to accept the dedication; the board agreed to drop items 1–4 from the agenda and not continue the public hearing on the matter that evening.
Why it matters: The offer, if accepted, would take two privately owned Knoll parcels off the table for subdivision and residential development and preserve them as open space under terms proposed by the developer. The letter frames the conveyance as a voluntary dedication conditioned on long-term maintenance and preservation.
What’s next: The attorney said he will reach out to village counsel to make “appropriate arrangements to convey these parcels to the village under the terms and conditions set forth above.” The Planning Board did not record a formal acceptance vote at this meeting; the item was removed from the agenda pending follow-up between the developer and village attorneys.
Clarifying details: The letter named the parcels as Lots 147 and 153 on the road known as The Knoll and identified the owner as Andrew Cortese and the applicant/owner entity as Hillside Development LLC. The offer to dedicate the properties was presented as conditional on the village agreeing to maintain and preserve the lots “in perpetuity.”
