Lewisboro Library Renovation Plan On Target

LEWISBORO, N.Y. – Plans to renovate and expand the Lewisboro Library are on pace with expectations, and if all goes according to plan the work should begin by next summer.

The Lewisboro Planning Board met this week with the project’s engineer, Dawn McKenzie of the Carmel, N.Y.-based Insite Engineering, to review the proposed project. Library officials are seeking a special use permit and a wetland activity permit to expand the library, replace the existing sidewalks and update the landscaping.

The $2 million renovation plan would create a conference room and an enclosed children’s library section. It would also add about 1,500 square feet to the library’s existing 5,600 square feet.

“I think we are right where we want to be [in the process] and we should be ready to go by next summer,” said Donald MacDonald, architect for the project.

Jan Johannessen, the town’s engineering consultant from Keller & Sessions, told the Planning Board that he had had a productive meeting with McKenzie last month and that the project has received variance approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“Approvals from the [county] Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection are still pending,” he said.

Planning Board members expressed a desire to make the newly renovated library as sustainable and green as possible.

“The issue has been raised about solar panels, and we’d like to hear more about that,” Planning Board member John O’Donnell told McKenzie. “We want to make the building more sustainable.”

McKenzie responded that she is investigating using solar panels on the roof of the building.

O’Donnell also said that since the parking lot on the town campus will be affected by the renovations – the library shares a parking lot with the Town House – he would like to see an increase in the number of parking spots reserved for the disabled.

The Conservation Advisory Commission also expressed a desire to see permeable paving incorporated in the renovated parking lot.

The plan will be brought be brought before the Planning Board again at a future meeting to reflect updates, changes and additions.

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