Foxwood Homeowners Delay Vote on Lennar Land Deal
A required property transfer for a 102-unit townhouse project in Pleasantville awaits a vote that may not happen until after the zoning hearing concludes.
By Elena Perry ·
Residents of Pleasantville face a potential delay in a major housing project because the Foxwood condominium complex has not yet voted on a necessary land transfer. Lennar plans to build 102 townhouses on 20.5 acres behind the complex, but the developer requires a specific property agreement to proceed. This agreement involves widening Campus Drive and building a sidewalk, which requires the transfer of land from Foxwood to Lennar.
The Pleasantville Village Board held a public hearing on Monday to consider amending the zoning code for three parcels. The change would shift the designation from Campus Office to residential. Virginia Sanfratello, a Foxwood homeowner, questioned the board during the hearing. She argued that the board should wait until Foxwood unit owners vote on the property transfer before approving the zoning change. Sanfratello stated that Lennar cannot build the sidewalks or widen the road without that specific vote.
The agreement requires approval from two-thirds of the unit owners in each of the complex's three sections. Anne Sinnott, vice president of the Foxwood Homeowner Association, said the group is unlikely to be ready to vote at its annual meeting on Nov. 10. Sinnott noted that the association must modify its bylaws with the help of an attorney and prepare ballots. She added that many owners feel they have not received enough information to make a decision.
Mayor Peter Scherer told the board that the property agreement is a matter for Foxwood to resolve internally. He explained that the Foxwood boards have already arranged a deal with Lennar to extinguish easements that currently allow traffic and parking through the complex. Scherer warned that the timing of the Foxwood vote could affect the village's ability to finalize the zoning amendment. The village will accept written public comments on the project through Nov. 16.
About 70 residents attended the hearing in the Pleasantville High School auditorium, while another 80 watched via Zoom. Lennar representatives presented an overview of their updated project, which includes relocating two units farther from Foxwood and adding recreational amenities. The plan also includes preserving four acres of forest, up from the original proposal of two acres. Michael Inglis of the Conservation Advisory Council argued that the density should be limited to 85 units and that more forest should be preserved.
Resident Tony Burton urged the board to oppose the zoning change. He stated that the amendment primarily benefits Lennar's economic interests rather than the village. Kathy Russo, another resident, said the project deviates from the village Master Plan. She described the proposal as placing 102 townhouses in the middle of single-family homes, which she said is inconsistent with the character of Pleasantville.
The Foxwood Homeowner Association represents 254 units across three separate boards. Sinnott said that about 20 homeowners recently met with Mayor Scherer to discuss the Lennar proposal. Some owners expressed concern that if Lennar does not develop the site, the village might place a business or medical center there instead. The public hearing concluded without a decision on the zoning amendment.
