Rye Brook Suggests Dog Park As Part Of Bowman Avenue Housing Plan

RYE BROOK, N.Y. -- A residential development six years in the making could be coming to Bowman Avenue in Rye Brook, and it may bring with it a small dog park.

A view of where the proposed development would be built on Bowman Avenue in Rye Brook.
Photo Credit: *John Meyer Consulting*

Casey Donahue

12/11/2013 5:00 a.m.

The project was proposed by Kip Konigsberg of K&M Realty Group back in 2007. The original project was supposed to be a 10-unit residential development. The proposal was approved by the village, but because of the economic downturn and its effects on the real estate market, Konigsberg decided to increase the density to 18 units.

The increased density was approved by the village early in 2013. Konigsberg said he was all ready to file building permits and get to work. But after consulting with Sotheby's to conduct market analysis, he was told that it would be more beneficial to him to build the ten units he had originally proposed. He is now seeking approval to build a development that closely matches his original 2007 proposal.

"In reality, there are no changes to the plan," he said of the plan he is proposing now, compared to the one that has already been approved.

The site near the Rye Ridge Shopping Center would have ten buildings of single-family housing. There would be a total of 47 parking spaces on the site. Previous impact studies have shown that there would not be a negative impact on traffic, the nearby school systems or the wetlands.

Part of the original approved proposal would see Konigsberg take a portion of the land and devote it to a small passive park. The park would have five designated parking spaces, a boat ramp for emergency access, a walking trail, some plantings and about six benches.

The Board of Trustees have requested that Konigsberg devote a portion of the park area to creating a dog park for the village. During a recent survey conducted on the village's comprehensive plan, many residents expressed interest in a dog park, and officials have recently begun discussions on where it could be placed. If placed at the Bowman site, it would require a small area fenced off where dogs could run free. Konigsberg said he would be open to discussing the idea further with the village.

The Planning Board will be reviewing the Bowman Avenue plan at its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Port Chester and receive free news updates.