Hudson Ridge Wellness Center wants to open a luxury drug rehab hospital with 98 beds, 86 full-time staff and 133 parking spaces in an area that is a sparsely populated residential community dependent on wells for drinking water. In addition to concerns about local drinking water, this development risks polluting Ossining’s drinking water and the health of the Hudson River Estuary.
This proposal violates Cortlandt zoning law that requires hospitals to be located on a state road, which Quaker Ridge is not, and the area’s 2-acre residential zoning. It is inconsistent with the Town’s master plan to create more jobs, housing and grow the tax base by clustering commercial developments in areas with the proper infrastructure while protecting residential neighborhoods.
The threats to the neighborhood:
TRAFFIC: The car and truck traffic required to support a 92 bed hospital plus staff would increase traffic through Crotonville and Glendale and Spring Valley roads, not just Quaker Ridge. These narrow roads with no shoulders, no sidewalks and no lighting are not suited for commercial traffic, especially heavy trucks. This is a potential safety issue as well!
WATER SUPPLIES: Hudson Wellness would likely use nearly 7 million gallons of water a year! That’s 514% more water than the 9 homes permitted on the site under the current 2-acre residential zoning would use. And the hospital would require a comparable septic system. Most of the nearly 100 homes within ½ mile of the property depend on wells, and many could be affected by the huge drawdown of water, according to a water expert hired by CRHISD.
QUALITY OF LIFE: The additional traffic, visitors, plus outdoor use of the property will generate a lot of noise for neighbors and everyone who uses the roads for recreation. The noise, the light pollution from such a large facility and the potential environmental damage that a commercial hospital brings will forever degrade the quiet and peace of the neighborhood.
EXPANSION PLANS: From the beginning Cortlandt residents have questioned whether once approved, the hospital would expand. In fact, the Hudson Ridge materials submitted to Cortlandt indicate that the hospital plans to expand one building, construct a swimming pool, tennis courts and walking trails—all of which are not on the site plans, and have not come up in public meetings.
Greater Teatown, a unique, historic area, and recreational asset, draws thousands of residents from Westchester and beyond who come to walk, cycle, and run on the roads and trails and to enjoy the scenery and serenity. But it also provides drinking water for 8.6 million people. It is too important and environmentally sensitive to risk!