Development: Finding the right balance between town and country
Commercial Districts
New Castle has three primary business districts: the Chappaqua and Millwood hamlets, and now also, Chappaqua Crossing. The commercial success of these areas is important to the vitality of our Town:
- Impact on Resident Lifestyle: New Castle’s commercial districts are part of the experience and vibe of living in Town, and a chance for the community to come together.
- Impact on Finances and Town-Wide Services: Our commercial districts help broaden our tax base so that, for example, more roads get paved without further burdening residential taxpayers. Many residents never go to our hamlets based on where in Town they live, but they should still benefit from their success.
- Impact on Property Values: Downtown is the very first thing anyone looking to buy a house in Town experiences- is this the Town you have always dreamed of calling home.
- Providing New Business and Employment Opportunities: Commercial districts provide an opportunity for local small-business owners to be founded and for part- and full-time employment for our family members.
The Chappaqua downtown infrastructure project is almost complete, NOW WHAT?
On the heels of a long downtown infrastructure improvement project in Chappaqua we are often asked, “Now what happens?” Downtown will not suddenly be vibrant because the sidewalks are beautiful, but the upgraded visual and underground infrastructure does provide us with a springboard and opportunity to make downtown better than ever. We believe we are the leaders that can bring residents, commercial property owners, merchants and Chamber of Commerce, and local government together to make Chappaqua and Millwood a destination experience, not just a transactional experience; and ensure that Chappaqua Crossing is a successful, complimentary commercial center as well.
Residential Neighborhoods
Beyond the core commercial zones we have the bucolic residential, country neighborhoods that attracted many of us to our Town in the first place. As we walked door-to-door this summer and met many of you, we had the opportunity to enjoy time on so many streets; we can attest to the incredible assets these peaceful neighborhoods represent. We believe the formula for success and the job of local government in these neighborhoods is straightforward: protect those neighborhoods, maintain the roads, make sure safety issues are addressed, and develop recreational opportunities and sidewalks whenever possible. Beyond that, residents should be left alone to enjoy their homes, families, and peaceful neighborhoods.
Growth
A word about growth. We are committed to making our commercial districts a better place for residents. But progress and growth should not be forced on our Town just for the sake of progress and growth. We must always ask why are we trying to change the Town? Does this benefit the residents of the Town? Do residents want this? As elected officials we are not elected to dictate our beliefs on others, we are elected to represent all residents and execute plans that they support and that benefit them and their Town. You will never hear a Team New Castle elected official ignoring the voices of residents because we think we know better.