Westchester Homeowners Cry Foul Over Proposed Sports Megaplex

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Some Westchester homeowners have called a proposed 32 acre, for-profit, sports complex, being proposed by local leaders unsportsmanlike.

The plan to turn a snow-covered golf course in the Hartsdale section of Greenburgh into a sports megaplex has been met with resistance from neighbors who say it's simply too much.

"Awful, absolutely awful," Dorrine Livson told CBS 2's Lou Young, "This is going to be 80 feet tall. The houses in this area are only 25 to 30 feet tall."

The Westchester Field House project has been proposed for the property immediately adjoining a driving range on Dobb's Ferry Road. The range has a zoning exemption. The field house, with its domed structure, would require the approval of the town council as well as a town supervisor who has already signaled his approval.

"I'm entitled to have my views to advocate for a concept I believe in," Greenburgh Town Supervisor, Paul Finer said.

Finer has tried and failed to get a smaller sports complex placed on town owned land. Now, the same company 'Game On' has applied for the zoning change on private land for an even larger project and opponents are livid.

"I believe there's been collusion between a private entity, for profit, and the town administration," Tom Brock said.

Bob Bernstein, an attorney an unsuccessful candidate for Finer's job has asked the district attorney to look into his relationship with the sports company. the D.A.'s office said that it is reviewing the matter.

"It's fishy as hell. It really does smell," Bernstein said.

Finer said that he has done nothing wrong.

"I'm offended, but I assume this is the nature of politics," Finer said.

Opponents of the project appear to have Finer's attention. The re-zoning proposal was abruptly pulled off of the town council agenda and Finer said that he would be open to a scaled down proposal if and when it is rescheduled for  a vote.

If the complex is built the town will rent portions for local teams to use.

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