COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Minutes of April 20,1999 Meeting
Approved May 25, 1999
The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations seeks to provide information and advance the common interests of member civic groups in important Town affairs. Of the 34 member civic groups, the following have paid their 1999 dues:
Beaver Hill Association
Broadview Civic Association
Downing Hill Civic Association
East Irvington Civic Association
Edgemont Civic Association *
Edgemont Community Council, Inc.
Fort Hill Association
Fulton Park Civic Association
Glenville Community Association
Granada Condominium III Association
Hillside-Wyndover Civic Association
Juniper Hill Civic Association
Knollwood Manor Civic Association
Lower Manor Woods Neighborhood Association
Northern Greenville Civic Association
Parkway Gardens Civic Association
Parkway Homes Civic Association
Secor Homes Civic Association, Inc.
Southern Greenville Civic Association
Stone Oaks Condominium
The Colony At Hartsdale
The Cotswold Association, Inc.
Westchester Hills Condominium
Woodhill Civic Association
* Dues also paid for 2000.
To date, twenty-four civic groups have paid their 1999 dues. There is $995.08 in the treasury. Minutes of the March 16, 1999 meeting were read and approved with minor corrections that will be made prior to circulation. Minutes of the December 1998 and January 1999 meetings were not available.
CGCA CABLE TV PROGRAM
It was noted that the program with Chairman Danny Gold interviewing Francis Sheehan about Greenburgh's Antenna Law is still airing in the CGCA regular time slot. Chairman Gold's interview with Carol Wielk of the Secor Homes Civic Association will air next.
Next taping of the CGCA cable TV program: Alice Moroney will arrange for a discussion on the possible need for the Catskill/Delaware Water Supply system to build a water filtration plant.
CABLE TV - COMMUNITY ACCESS
Concern was expressed about the future of the public's access to Cable TV in Greenburgh. CGCA members had great praise for the work Michael Bennett has been doing but noted that after April, Michael will be working only 10 hours a week. This will not be sufficient time to prepare community programs for airing in a timely fashion. As of last week, the Town Board had not hired anyone to assist Michael. Questions were raised about how much money is being generated by the Town's franchise fee and where that money is going. The CGCA agreed this money should not be put in the general fund but should be spent for providing assistance to Michael and also for securing a proper filming studio for cable taping. CGCA members questioned whether there was political motivation for the delay in hiring help for Michael since this is an election year. Denying cable access to political candidates would give incumbents an unfair advantage since Town Board meetings will continue to air. Chairman Gold will write a letter to Supervisor Feiner about this matter.
PROCESS - OPENINGS ON BOARD
It was noted that Supervisor Feiner has not yet responded to Chairman Gold's letter requesting answers to questions raised at the March 16, 1999 CGCA meeting regarding the process that the Town Board follows in selecting candidates to fill vacancies on various Town boards. At the April 14 Board meeting, the Town Board appointed Leigh Burton to fill the unexpired term created by the resignation of Robert Nadel from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The CGCA has no objection to Ms. Burton's appointment but is of the opinion that the policy and process re volunteer board appointments should be available to the public and not changed with each new appointment.
ANTENNAS
Amendments to Antenna Law. It was noted that the amendments to the Antenna Law, re-voted on March 24, 1998 by the Town Board, were filed with the Secretary of State and appear to be valid immediately although Town Attorney, Rick Turner, has said that "immediate" means 30 days.
Nextel Lawsuit. On March 25, the Zoning Board of Appeals denied Nextel's requests for variances to erect antennas on the WFAS radio tower. Nextel has filed a lawsuit against the Town asking the Court to overturn the ZBA ruling. Nextel claims a loss of $500,000 in profit because the Town delayed and then denied the application.
Proposed State-wide Antenna Law. CGCA discussed the proposed legislation in Albany that would preempt all local antenna and zoning laws and permit cellular phone companies to erect 150-foot high antenna towers in residential neighborhoods (225 ft. high in commercial areas) with no review.
The Antenna Review Board's Chair, Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, and member, Francis Sheehan, have been working with Scenic Hudson and other environmental and municipal groups on alternate legislation which would permit municipalities with existing antenna laws to retain home rule and allow other communities to adopt local laws regarding antennas. A press conference is planned in Albany next Tuesday to introduce this alternate legislation.
Illegal Antennas on WFAS tower? The Building Inspector, in a February 18, 1999 memo to the Zoning Board of Appeals, determined that 17 of 21 antennas on the WFAS radio tower are legal since they are necessary to the radio's operation. Mr. Lucido's memo noted that four of the antennas - three owned by Motorola and one operated by Radscan - are illegal and have been issued Notices of Violation. Motorola (which erected the antennas in violation of a 1989 denial by the ZBA) removed their antennas a few weeks ago and are able to pick up coverage of this area from a site in New Jersey. Mr. Lucido's memo noted that Radscan has submitted an application to legalize its antenna. Radscan is an intermediate relay station verifying the working between a homeowner's attic security transmitter and an alarm security firm.
Scarsdale Security Systems Franchise. It appears that the Town wants to be in the alarm business. Scarsdale Security Systems has had an antenna on the Birchwood water tower and provided alarm service to residents since 1993 without a contract with the Town. The Town Board has tailored a bid proposal specifically to grant a franchise to Scarsdale Security Systems. The franchise would provide free alarm system operations to all Town-owned properties. However, the franchise holder would be exempt from existing zoning regulations. This could have widespread ramifications.
177 East Hartsdale Avenue. Omnipoint has an application before the Zoning Board seeking an interpretation or variances to erect antennas on the roof of this multifamily building. Originally Onmipoint waited for the antenna amendments to be passed so they could erect their antennas at the Hartsdale Parking Authority site. Since the Town Board stalled passage of the amendments, Omnipoint decided to wait no longer. The CGCA has serious reservations about granting variances to place commercial antennas on residential buildings.
Metricom Franchise. This provider will also be seeking a franchise in the Town to install hardware boxes on more than 200 telephone poles and 16 to 32 whip antennas. The system would allow wireless access to the Internet but could interfere with other devices, such as baby monitors and garage door openers. Granting such a franchise would establish a terrible precedent.
APPEAL OF BUILDING INSPECTOR'S DECISION
The Secor Homes Civic Association (SHCA) has filed an appeal of the Building Inspector's decision contained in a memo dated February 18, 1999 to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the legality of the WFAS radio station tower itself, and 17 of 21 antennas on the tower. The ZBA office required additional information which was submitted. The ZBA office then stated that it was necessary to send the appeal to the Town Attorney's office for review before a case number could be issued. This appears to be a new policy that is not part of ZBA rules of procedure. The CGCA voted unanimously to join the SHCA in this appeal for an interpretation. Once a case number is assigned, the CGCA will review the application and, if necessary, provide supplemental material.
NURSERIES - PROPOSED ZONING CODE CHANGE
Although Supervisor Feiner and Town Board members told members of the Secor Homes Civic Association earlier this year that the "issue was dead," the Board is scheduling an 'informational meeting' at the April 28 Town Board meeting to discuss legislation which was proposed by Town staff and recommended by the Planning Board last year that would allow non-conforming nurseries, such as Prospero's Nursery on Knollwood Road, to expand operation. Only property owners in the vicinity of Prospero's have been notified although the proposed code changes would have town-wide ramifications.
The CGCA continues to oppose this proposal. Non-conforming uses, especially those in residential areas, are supposed to go away with time.
SUPERVISOR'S COPYING POLICY
Madelon O'Shea was scheduled for time on today's Town Board work session agenda to discuss the "copying issue." Town Board members appeared reluctant to discuss the issue. The Board took items on the agenda out of order, and only acknowledged the issue after two members of the Board had left and Madelon brought it to their attention. Supervisor Feiner stated that the new copying policy was an administrative decision that he alone could make and suggested that the CGCA should buy its own copier, and he would find a place to keep it at Town Hall. The CGCA agreed this suggestion was absurd. Since the Edgemont Community Council and the CGCA have agreed to provide their own paper and donate funds toward toner, it is questionable why the Supervisor has implemented and is continuing this policy. Every time this issue is raised, the Supervisor comes up with a different reason for the policy. It appears that the Supervisor wants to limit the ability of the community to respond to issues in an informed way.
DISRESPECT OF THE PUBLIC
A discussion took place about the lack of respect Town Board members exhibit to the people they serve during public meetings. While developers and their representatives are given undivided attention, Town Board members frequently hold side conversations with each other, snicker, or even leave the dais when members of the public or civic leaders speak. The CGCA also noted the totally insulting and demeaning way the Town Engineer referred to Carol Wielk in a Scarsdale Inquirer article about the controversy regarding buffers at the Westchester View Lane subdivision.
347 CENTRAL AVENUE
As was fully expected, on April 14, despite community and school district concerns, the Town Board granted a rezoning of a small parcel and site plan approval to allow 40 rental apartments on Central Avenue behind Treasure Island. In a The Journal News article, Supervisor Feiner noted the area was too dangerous for a retail store. (Obviously, it will not be dangerous for residents!) The Supervisor also incorrectly advised that $40,000 in escrow funds would be available to the Edgemont School District. CGCA members noted the irony of how concerned the Board members who live near the small, single screen Fine Arts Theater were about theater-generated traffic. These same Board members exhibited no similar concerns about the traffic that would be generated by the huge, 10-screen multiplex theater they approved recently on Route 9A.
COMMERCIAL AUTO REPAIR IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
The Downing Hills area again is plagued with neighbors running car repair businesses out of their residential driveways and garages. One neighbor who was fined by the court for conducting this type of business a few years ago is doing it again. Residents called the Building Department when there were eight cars in front of a house, but were told that they were family cars and legal.
CATSKILL/DELAWARE WATER FILTRATION PLANT
Alice Moroney provided a brief update and distributed material re the first meeting (3/30/99) of the Citizens' Advisory Committee which is providing input into the required preliminary designs for a Catskill/Delaware Water Supply system filtration plant. If federal law requires filtration, the proposed plant would be the world's largest, costing $6 billion (today's dollars). The preferred site would be on the New York City-owned 150 acre property at Eastview. The water filtration plant would be built on 90 acres in the Town of Mount Pleasant, and the wastewater treatment plant would be built across Grasslands Road (Route 100C) on 60 acres in the Town of Greenburgh.
MISCELLANEOUS
Change of Date - May CGCA Meeting. Because school elections will be held on the third Tuesday in May, the regular monthly CGCA will be held on the fourth Tuesday, May 25, 1999.
Reception for Newcomers. CGCA will have a table again this year at the reception to welcome new comers at Anthony Veteran Park on May 12 preceding the regular Town Board Meeting.
Proposed Code Change - Health Clubs. At the work session today, the Town Board opened a special meeting to refer to the Planning Board for review and recommendation, a request from an East Hartsdale Avenue owner to allow health clubs in the CB (Close Business) district.
Multi-Purpose Center. There are rumors that additional trees have been removed, that it is impossible to keep water out of the foundation, that no money has been allocated to furnish the building, and that $7,000 will be spent on a fake-front stone fireplace.
Violation of Sunshine Laws. Attention was called to the fact that the Town Board has held a number of work sessions away from Town Hall without notice to the public. In addition, issues appear to be discussed behind closed doors by Town Board members at work sessions held at Town Hall in violation of the Open Meetings Law and Freedom of Information Law.
East Hartsdale Avenue. The Steering Committee has not yet made decisions regarding benches, garbage cans or railings around trees.
Asbestos in Sanitation Garage?
Written material distributed. (1) A flyer regarding a Meet the Candidate for the Greenburgh Central 7 School Board meeting to be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 25 at Union Baptist Church. (2) Downing Hill Civic Association agenda for meeting at 8 p.m. on April 28 at the Rosemont Blvd. Fairview Fire Station. (3) Greenburgh Republicans' response to a Democratic Party Statement on "Open Space."