Letter to the Editor: Mt. Pleasant Development

As a resident since 1975, I was “there” when the establishment of “Group Homes in the Village of Mamaroneck took place first as a controversial issue in various neighborhoods, including mine.  Then, once settled, as a Model for communities that were shunning the issue.  I believe the County, State and Federal Governments watched closely and ultimately determined a required number for such homes throughout the County and perhaps further.

Bottom Line: our Village was praised for having more than met the quota for allowing Group Homes.  We were way ahead of the times.  I wish I knew the numbers.   But I do know that Larchmont and Rye, our neighboring municipalities, had to “up” their numbers of Group Homes by law.

There is history here which might be worth looking at vis a vis the Mega-building project on Mount Pleasant Avenue.  It appears as if the developer is trying to bend the rules with a transparent “appeal to pity.”  They want us to accept their plan to bring in a housing behemoth that includes units for mentally or physically disabled people as well as others.  Hasn’t the Village already done that?  And very well.  A long time ago.

Katherine Desmond