Group Home Application Withdrawn, Public Hearing Delayed

A small group of residents showed up Tuesday night for a scheduled 6:30 p.m. on a proposed group home.

Almost 50 minutes later, after a budget discussion went long and trustees excused themselves for a brief executive session, Mayor Dennis Pilla broke the news -- the non-profit Ability Beyond Disability had withdrawn its , and there would be no public hearing.

Instead, Pilla said, residents would be invited back at the next meeting on Feb. 6 for "a broader community discussion" on group homes, other non-taxable properties, and their impact on Port Chester.

The mayor asked concerned residents to talk about group homes only in the abstract, without addressing the withdrawn application, out of fear that the village would be exposed to lawsuits for "pre-judging" future applications.

Trustees didn't say why the non-profit withdrew its application, and it's not clear if the non-profit provided a reason.

Trustee John Branca, who was the loudest voice in opposing the proposed group home, said the withdrawn application was "a temporary situation" and said he expected follow-up applications.

Branca said he opposes any additional property off the tax rolls.

"We've got to remain vigilant," he said.

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