Gannett Newspapers, July 13, 1997.

Construction is under way on a 32-unit townhouse development on 16 acres in the tiny northern Westchester hamlet of Goldens Bridge in the town of Lewisboro.

The project represents a compromise between the developer-who initially considered a 48-unit development-and a group of town residents who objected to its potential environmental impact.

Known as The Glen at Lewisboro, the development will feature two-and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 1,400 to 1,900 square feet. They're priced from $190,000 to $284,000 and located in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District.

Jessica Bacal, chair of the Lewisboro Planning Board, said the scaled down project better balances the needs of the developers, Wilder-Balter Partners, and nearby residents.

Proposed development on the wooded site has been an issue form more than 15 years, when a 100-unit townhouse development was originally proposed. That project would have eliminated the wetlands and used two-thirds of the acreage for houses, road and the rest of the infrastructure. It was never approved.

"Altruism does not run very deep in the veins of developers. But these developers realized they were going to have a significant problem with the community with their original proposal," Bacilli said of Wilder-Balter. "We didn't want to bulldoze our way through the project," said developer Bill Balter, "We tried to find an amicable solution."

Several years ago, a 48-unit development was proposed by different developers. Even that drew criticism: The land on which 16 of the proposed units were located contained an area of wetlands neighbors wanted to protect.

When Wilder-Balter partners became involved with the property in 1995, they considered proceeding with the 48-unit development. It already had been approved for environmental purposes. But developer Balter had seconds thoughts because of community dissent.

Balter said the scaled-down project offers him less potential profit but greater harmony with the community. The developer eliminated 16 units, preserving the wetlands and providing a buffer from nearby homes.

In addition, six acres were donated as a conservation easement to The Westchester Land Trust, a conservation group dedicated to preserving open space in Westchester County.

As a result of what Baler characterized as a "very difficult" process, it took two years rather than the 12 months to get the necessary approvals. But Balter said he believes "everyone gained."

"By reducing the density to under two units to the acre, we have protect some of the most important environmental features and left much of the site in its natural condition," he explained. The townhouses will be located on five landscaped acres, leaving the remaining property, including the conservation easement, in its natural state. The development will include walking trails and a children's playground.

Five units are sold and another four are reserved, according to sales agent Gregg Smolev. The first occupancy is scheduled for late November or December. The project should be complete in about a year.

Article reprint from the Ganett Newspapers, July 13, 1997.