The Trinity Presbyterian Church continues to move forward with a controversial project seeking additional approval for the construction of a 19,200-square-foot extension to its current 6,800-square-foot structure.
A site plan review was presented by representatives from Divney Tung Schwalbe Intelligent Land Use, a firm representing the church, at the Harrison Planning Board on Jan. 26.
The proposed construction for the 526-530 Anderson Hill Road site includes a new sanctuary with 200 seats, 11 religious instruction classrooms, an extension of the current driveway, a second driveway that would provide a second access point to Anderson Hill Road and 130 off-street parking spaces. Trinity is also seeking to construct a 70-foot steeple for the structure.
This proposal has been a contentious issue between Trinity Presbyterian and the surrounding community for more than two years, with some nearby residents concerned about the traffic that the new church could potentially attract on Anderson Hill Road.
“Anderson Hill Road and Purchase Street is a terrible intersection,” said Anne Krupman, a resident of Purchase who lives near the project site. “[The location] is so inappropriate; I can’t believe the town wants it there.”
Krupman, along with several other concerned homeowners, were present at the Planning Board meeting on Jan. 26. While the site plan review for the church was being conducted, there were some members of the audience eager to voice their opinions on the proposal concerning traffic issues and the scale of the project. Thomas Heaslip, the chairman of the board, closed off public comment, but assured those wishing to speak that there would be public hearings on the topic in the near future.
“There have been a lot of objections, and there will be more,” Krupman said.
Heaslip could not be reached for comment as of press time.
