24-Unit Apt. Building Proposed for Peekskill Waterfront District

Developers are proposing 24-unit apartment building on Central Avenue in the City of Peekskill.

The proposal, which was presented during Monday night’s Common Council Workshop,  would have an underground parking with enough spaces to accommodate 25 vehicles. The building would be located across from Zeph’s Restaurant.

Herman Poritzky, the developer of the project, is requesting a special permit for the project since it exists in the city’s waterfront district.

“They’re targeting the train station, obviously people that are commuting and, literally, it’s two blocks from our downtown,” Anthony Ruggiero, the city’s director of planning said. “I think it would be a nice little development.”

Ed Gemmola, the architect for the project, said the building would be a little under 18,000 square feet and be four stories in the front, including the parking lot. The rear of the building would be two stories above grade.

There would be six studio apartments, three one-bedroom apartments with a den, 11 one bedroom apartments and four two-bedroom apartments. The building could have space for house exercise & laundry rooms along with a play area.

Rents would be anywhere in the range of $1,300 to $1,800.

Even though there are only 25 spots for 24 apartments, Gemmola said there is on-street parking on Central Avenue to accommodate guests and the building is within 500 feet of the municipal lot next to the police station.

The developer is required to provide 37 parking spaces under normal circumstances, but Gemmola said he is seeking  a waiver for the 12 additional spaces required.

This is the third iteration of the project to come before the Common Council, with the developer submitting proposal in 2004, 2008 and 2009.

“The project definitely changed over the years,” Gemmollo said. “It’s financeable. Apartments area a hot item wherever you go in terms of living.”

Ruggiero said Monday's presentation is the start of the Council's special permitting process for the project and the planning commission still needed to do its review.