Eagle River Land Purchase Closes

The acquisition was announced last year, but closed this week, county officials note. Westchester County officials term the deal "one of the largest single open space acquisitions in Westchester County history." The property will be renamed "Angle Fly Preserve." The parcel, located along Primrose Street (Route 139) and Amawalk Road (Route 35) was sold by Eagle River LLP, which had proposed a 108-home subdivision on the property.

The county and the Town of Somers each contributed about $4 million toward the purchase of approximately 385 acres; the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation paid $3.2 million; and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection shelled out $9.4 million for the other 269 acres. The town will assume ownership of the 385-acre portion and will take over ownership responsibilities for two county roads--Croton Falls Road and Daisy Lane.

"The property is one of the largest remaining undeveloped parcels in Westchester and its location in the heart of the Croton watershed, which provides water to the New York City water supply system, underscores the importance of its preservation for protection of water quality and biodiversity," says Westchester county executive Andy Spano. He adds that as part of the deal, Somers has agreed to adopt a plan to provide more affordable housing.

Westchester County legislator Mike Kaplowitz, who represents Somers and is chairman of the board's Budget & Appropriations Committee says this is "a win against the war on sprawl and overdevelopment and a clear victory for residents' quality of life. The purchase takes the development of a planned 108-home subdivision off the table."