Concerned citizens living in the Historic District came to the Feb. 14th Citizens to Be Heard to urge the City Council to respect the letter and intent of the City Council’s 1986 legislation designating the New Rochelle Historic District.  Like other areas of New Rochelle, according to resident Glenn Kingsley, the Historic District is under pressure from a developer who seeks a variance from the City to build an apartment building with 110 units and 110 parking spots at 2 Hamilton/ 545 North Avenue.   Resident Sean Creighton noted that the developer is also looking to purchase additional and adjacent lots that hold Historic District designation.

The current City Manager, who is still listed as Corporation Counsel, has facilitated conversations and is said to have offered ways for the development to go forward.  Resident Gina Kingsley noted that the City Manager was playing semantics in suggesting that the boundaries of the Historic District could be moved while not removing the properties’ designation.

The group has started an online petition and is urging the City Council to direct the Planning, Zoning and Development Department to put a halt to any plans to change the designation of properties in the Historic District.