A Dobbs Ferry neighborhood is still fighting to save an area near the Juhring Nature Preserve called The Knoll.
Neighbors packed the audience attended the Village Planning Board meeting Thursday night. "It's an important fight for us," says Josh Delman, a Dobbs Ferry resident. The Knoll is known for being a paper street, a road that only exists on maps but is not an actual paved street. It leads into the woods behind it where there are 12 private, undeveloped lots that border several homes. "This property that's being proposed is very special. It's next to the Juhring Nature Preserve," says Robert Barbera, a Dobbs Ferry resident. "We live right next to the knoll," says Daniel Werges, a resident. "It's a wonderful place to live. Our kids play in the woods."
Andrew Cortese, with Hillside Street LLC, is the developer who plans to build these homes.
His attorney, David Steinmetz with Zarin & Steinmetz LLP, presented an update to the planning board. "Mr. Cortese has hired some preeminent engineering firms in the county. They're going to be addressing utilities, stormwater management," says Steinmetz.
Steinmetz told News 12 that they're aware of concerns from neighbors. "They have every right to participate in the process. They have made that quite clear," he says.
Neighbors and Steinmetz say there is a long road ahead. But both sides say they won't stop fighting for this. "We want to preserve that character," says Delman.
"Mr. Cortese has legal rights to develop the property and he will ultimately do so," says Steinmetz. The Village Planning Board will discuss this at their meeting next month.