Burling Lane property renovation proposed

Written by Greg Maker

Thursday, 04 February 2010 20:11

Equity Land Developers: Plan 5 years in the making

Equity Land Developers is proposing to build a multi-residential condominium community on Burling Lane. The proposal includes 22 two-bedroom units, seven one-bedroom units and will offer onsite parking.

“When I look to do a project I look at the trends and how we can take advantage of them,” explained Anthony Hammel, principal of Equity Land Developers. “There is a consumer shift to value that cuts across all ages and income groups. This building is to help consumers with value and provide extra benefits in order to move forward.”

Extra benefits in the proposal include terraces, dishwashers, microwaves, countertops, in-room washers and dryers and reusable flooring made with bamboo.
Currently, the property owned by Hammel and his brother William (Hammel) proposed to be developed, is located at 30 Burling Lane, 32 Burling Lane and 65 Grand St. It is currently zoned as Neighborhood Business (NB) and is located adjacent to an area zoned Downtown Mixed Use Urban Renewal (DMUR).

“Right now this 18,700 square-foot property on Burling Lane does not allow residential uses,” explained Planning Director Ed Lynch. “In order to develop the property we came up with the concept of a floating zone with parameters of height density that would be in this triangular business zone.”

According to Hammel, Equity Land Developers has been working on this project for five years.

“We want to incorporate the community to see what is best for this property rather than jamming it through with only our ideas,” Hammel said. “We have already spoken with residents, community leaders and community groups.”

Hammel pointed out that when people get off exit 16 on I-95 they see a few homes and two office buildings that do not conform to their proper zone at the moment.

“This is a depressed area and for a lot of people from outside of the city it is their first impression of New Rochelle,” Hammel said. “We think we can spur investment in that area. We do believe that there is a market for value out there. We will sell some units to recapture some investments we made over the last five years but once that gets manageable we will go to a bank. The main concern is that we are in a challenging marketplace and have to be careful of what we are promising which is a lot.”

Owners of the proposed condominiums would pay taxes to both the city and the City School District.

“I think it holds out the prospect for an area ripe for renewal,” Mayor Noam Bramson (D) said. “Given its proximity to I-95 and the transit center, it has unrealized potential. It is nice that this is being recognized in the private sector. I think that the zoning concept that was framed strikes me as a useful tool to encourage similar revitalization.”

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