The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations seeks to provide information to and advance the common interests of member civic groups in important Town affairs. CGCA Treasurer Mary Tobias has received year 2003 dues from the following civic groups:

Ardsley Estates Civic Association
Babbitt Court Civic Association
Broadview Civic Association
Chatterton Parkway Civic Association
East Irvington Civic Association
Fulton Park Civic Association
Granada Condominium III Association
Greenridge Association
Hartsdale Highlands Civic Assoc.
Hillside Wyndover Civic Association
Hilltop Farms Civic Association
Juniper Hill Civic Association
Knollwood Manor Civic Association
Knollwood Neighborhood Association
Longview Civic Association
Lower Manor Woods Neighborhood Association
Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association
North Elmsford Civic Association
Northern Greenville Association
Parkway Homes Civic Association
Secor Homes Civic Association, Inc.
Southern Greenville Association
Stone Oaks Condominium
The Edgemont Association
The Sprain Road Association
Westchester Hills Condominium
Woodhill Civic Association

To date, twenty-eight civic groups have paid dues for the year 2003. There is $1108.94 in the treasury.

The March 18, 2003 meeting was held at the Theodore D. Young Community Center.

CGCA members

• welcomed to their first CGCA meeting: Victor Alleyne, recently elected President of the Hillside Wyndover Civic Association, and Ruth Norden, from the College Corners area.
• wished "A Happy Birthday" to Madelon O’Shea and Town Councilman Steve Bass.
• congratulated two new grandmothers. Cleo Oliver is now the proud grandmother of twins – a boy and a girl, and Madelon O’Shea is grandmother to a baby girl.
• voted to give a gift to the Theodore D. Young Community Center in appreciation for the hospitality extended in permitting the CGCA to hold monthly meetings at the Center. Madelon O’Shea is investigating subscriptions to magazines for the Center’s library.

CGCA members discussed the March 4, 2003, letter to civic leaders from Howard Jacobs, Chairman of the Greenburgh Public Library Board of Trustees. In the letter, Mr. Jacobs stated his board is interested in receiving input from the community regarding the renovation/expansion of the Library and is willing to attend group meetings. CGCA members welcomed the opportunity to learn more about the library’s needs and plans. It was suggested that Mr. Jacobs be asked to address the fiscal implications of the Library’s plans. It was noted this is a terrible time to be taking on so much debt (an expanded library, a new Town Hall and possible acquisition of the Unification Church property), and there is a question how much taxpayers will tolerate. Madelon O’Shea will invite Mr. Jacobs to a CGCA meeting.

CGCA members discussed the Town’s equalization rate being lowered 21% by the New York State Office of Real Estate Tax. Jim Lasser mentioned the lower rate would virtually guarantee an unending stream of litigation and certiorari cases. He explained to CGCA members the impact the lower rate would have on the Edgemont School District. He noted that unless we revalue, the school district would not be able to bond the debt it has already contracted for because the district will reach 100% taxation on evaluation at current rates sometime in the 13^th or 14th year of the bond issue. At that time, the school district effectively would be prohibited from raising any more money.

Ella Preiser told CGCA members that at today’s Town Board work session the Town’s architect presented drawings and explained the proposed layout of office space at 177 Hillside Avenue. Almost all department heads and deputies would be given offices with windows. The architect used existing offices where feasible to minimize the amount of interior work. An auditorium with 150 to 200 seats would be created on the first floor to the left of the lobby. There would be space for a cable studio, and a large area at the rear of the building would be used for storage of old files. Approximately 1800-2500 square feet in the building has not been assigned, but Supervisor Feiner already has plans to rent this space for $40,000 a year. Plans are not final. Consideration is being given to relocating the Police Child Safety Seat program that currently occupies space at the building and erecting new garage space. It is expected the plans will be put out for bids by May 5. DPW Commissioner Al Regula claims the architect is being very conservative and bids should come in within budget.

Lorrin Brown and others noted the "audio" was terrible and it was impossible to hear the March 12 Town Board meeting at the Greenburgh Housing Authority when it aired on March 13. Councilman Steve Bass told CGCA members the problem has been fixed and the tape is being re-aired tonight and will play again next Tuesday. Ella Preiser mentioned that programs produced in the studio look like they’re being filmed in a rain forest because of the purchase and placement of greenery props.

CGCA members were disappointed to learn that, once again, the Town Board has little respect for the CGCA and the ECC. The CGCA recommended that Francis Sheehan be appointed to the proposed Interim Cable Board in a January 27, 2003 letter to the Town Board. The ECC recommended that Jim Lasser be appointed to this board. The Town Board rejected both suggestions. At its March 12, 2003 meeting, the Town Board appointed a seven-member Cable TV Interim Board consisting of four of the five current Cable Advisory Board members – Del Hillgartner, Wyn Walshe, Antonio Correia, and Jeff Grant – and three new members – Yolanda Robinson, Alan Hochberg and Toby White. Mr. Hillgartner was appointed Chair and named a Deputy Town Supervisor reporting to Mr. Feiner.

CGCA members were provided a transcript of that portion of the February 4 Town Board work session when the possible appointment of Mr. Sheehan to the cable board was discussed. CGCA members were horrified to learn of the politics involved – that Supervisor Paul Feiner established special requirements to consider Mr. Sheehan’s appointment and actually asked Councilman Steve Bass to inquire whether Mr. Sheehan would sign a form stating he would not be a candidate in this year’s local election. Mr. Feiner then withdrew his support for Mr. Sheehan when Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg objected. Mr. Bass told CGCA members the form obviously would not be binding and no one else was asked to sign it. CGCA members agreed the transcript reveals that politics determined who would be appointed to the cable board, despite Mr. Feiner’s protestations that he wanted the cable board to be non-political.

Mary Tobias mentioned the brief blurb about the appointment of the cable board that appeared recently in the Journal News left the impression that the Town Board was appointing the independent cable board the Greenburgh Campaign Finance Commission (GCFC) had recommended in December 2000, which the board had not. Mrs. Preiser noted that Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes suggested at the February 11 work session that the Town Board take another look at the GCFC report to see if any of the recommendations should be adopted. Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg insisted that the board had taken care of all the cable television recommendations two years ago. After Ms. Weinberg’s comment, the board did not act on Ms. Barnes suggestion.

Stephanie Bellino inquired when training would begin for those who had been promised cable programs in December 2001. Mrs. Preiser said no information has been provided. She noted she learned this afternoon that the newly appointed cable board will be holding a meeting tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the cable studio. Francis Sheehan noted the cable board is not starting off well. Since the board is a decision making board, it must comply with the Open Meetings Law and post notice of its meetings.

Madelon O’Shea reminded CGCA members that the Town Board has scheduled numerous public hearings for March 26 and April 9 regarding the "Comprehensive" Plan, an addendum to the Plan and proposed legislation in support of the Plan. Ella Preiser noted that on March 11 the Town Board opened a special meeting at its work session and accepted the final Generic Environmental Impact Statement on the Comprehensive Plan as complete and also scheduled the public hearing on the GEIS for March 26. Proposed legislation is being circulated regarding (1) Steep Slopes, (2) Wetlands, (3) Density deductions for steep slopes and wetlands, (4) Floor Area Ratio (FAR) limitations and reduced side yard setbacks for residential districts, (5) Historic and Landmarks Preservation, and (6) amendments defining re-subdivision of land. CGCA members questioned how the Town can possibly consider adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, amendments to the Plan, its EIS and six laws in one or even two evenings. Mrs. Preiser noted that she and Mrs. O’Shea spent an hour at the last Planning Board meeting outlining some of the problems in the proposed wording of the Steep Slopes and Wetlands Laws. Revisions to some of the laws were handed out this afternoon. Mrs. Preiser noted more work will be needed.

Mrs. O’Shea urged CGCA members to sign a petition asking the Town Board to adopt the Historic and Landmarks Preservation Law. She noted Supervisor Feiner has said he will support the steep slopes legislation even though he believes it will decrease the value of some properties. However, he has stated he will not support the historic preservation law unless owners of properties that might be designated landmarks are given the opportunity to opt out of the process. He fears that a future malicious Town Board will designate properties of certain people for spite. Mrs. O’Shea noted that the provision to opt out would make the Town ineligible for state grants. Francis Sheehan suggested Mr. Feiner’s "opt out" proposal could jeopardize the slave quarters on Old Army Road.

It was noted that the procedure for designating landmarks is a multi-layered process involving a Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board, the Planning Board and a Public Hearing before the Town Board. It was also noted that not everything that is old is worth preserving, and designation as a landmark does not mean one cannot expand or improve the structure. Mrs. O’Shea noted that it is important to study potential older structures before they are demolished. And, even if these structures are not designated for preservations, Mrs. O’Shea noted that photographs and documentation or perhaps placing a plaque at the site might be deemed appropriate.

Hal Samis informed CGCA members that he does not support the legislation and sees little benefit to the community unless the owners of property designated as landmarks permit public access. He noted he hates encroaching government regulations and questioned whether the proposed landmarks board would function as "taste arbiters." He noted the law provides no economic benefit to private property owners and could be considered onerous by some.

Francis Sheehan noted that many communities already have Historic Preservation laws and such laws were one of the topics discussed at the recent Westchester Municipal Planning Federation seminars.

Francis Sheehan was asked to give a brief overview of the history of the Hampshire Management request for a variance to increase the FAR at the Westchester Square Shopping Center on Central Avenue. Mr. Sheehan explained the initial 1995 request to build additions on the Marshall’s store, the Service Merchandise store and the Chinese restaurant. He noted that in 1996 when the ZBA denied the variance, the owner filed an Article 78 proceeding and the court ordered the ZBA to grant the variance. In the ruling, the court criticized the fact that the ZBA had relied on hearsay regarding traffic instead of traffic experts and relied on information released after the hearing had closed. The decision of the lower court was upheld on appeal. When the applicant returned later to the ZBA, approval was sought to build a Trader Joe’s store, rather than an addition to the Marshall’s store.

Mr. Sheehan noted that when approval was granted to build the Trader Joe’s store and an addition on the Service Merchandise store, the ZBA imposed a number of conditions to protect the neighbors, including the condition to realign North Washington Avenue to address traffic and safety concerns. Only one member of the community objected to the realignment. When the applicant returned to the ZBA to reinterpret some of the conditions, the public did not object to the realignment and it was not discussed. The applicant is now time-barred from returning to the ZBA to challenge any of the many conditions that the ZBA imposed..

Mr. Sheehan mentioned that it will be very difficult for the ZBA to comply with the College Corners’ request to re-open the hearing to "decouple" approval for expansion of the shopping center from the condition requiring road realignment. He noted that the Town Board has created a much stronger record for realignment, supported by three traffic consultants and the Police Chief who has said on the public record that realignment is a "no brainer that should have been done yesterday." Mr. Sheehan noted that instead of keeping the record open and allowing College Corners residents the opportunity to create a record that shows realignment is not in the best interest of the community, the Town Board closed the hearing. Mr. Feiner has now suggested that area residents call ZBA members at their home.

Ruth Norden noted that College Corners residents felt it would be an imposition to call ZBA volunteers at their homes and have instead channeled all correspondence through the ZBA secretary. Ms. Norden noted that her neighbors did not learn about the proposed road realignment until notified by two people from other areas in December 2002. Neighbors asked for information from the Town and received only a small portion of it. She acknowledged that three traffic studies have been conducted in some detail but indicated they did not address the eastern side of Central Avenue. She noted the Town’s traffic consultant recently did a follow-up study on one page of the report and when he tried to do more, a cable broke and a blizzard intervened. She also noted that Police Chief Kapica stated one could not put a traffic light at the North Washington/Central Avenues intersection but a person from the state DOT had informed her husband that while the DOT would discourage such a light, there is no law against it. Ms. Norden noted that College Corners has hired a traffic consultant to obtain actual figures and projections on the impact the realignment would have on the College Corners neighborhood.

Mr. Sheehan noted that even if College Corners’ traffic consultant said the realignment should not be done, it could become a battle of consultants. He reminded that Police Chief Kapica has frequently stated that there is no impact that cannot be successfully mitigated and that he would never recommend placing a traffic light or stop sign at an intersection if traffic warrants didn’t call for one because the Town would be liable.

CGCA members suggested that it would be easier to ask the Town Board to reopen the hearing on the site plan application so the College Corners residents could create a strong record. It was noted that the Town Board is not required by law, as the ZBA is, to have a unanimous vote to re-open a hearing and then a unanimous vote to reverse or modify an original decision.

Hal Samis noted that the realignment of North Washington Avenue was proposed for safety reasons and, as a resident of North Washington Avenue, he supports the realignment. He noted the "pure politics" involved and pointed out that it was interesting that Mr. Feiner was willing to meet informally with College Corner residents but did not write to the ZBA until the last minute. Mr. Samis also mentioned that Mr. Feiner is suggesting Webb Field for placement of the 2000 tile memorial wall, which could bring traffic from all over Westchester to the area of the realignment..

On March 4 and again on March 11, the Town Board discussed at work session a possible agreement with the Westchester Arts Council to place a memorial tile wall in Greenburgh. The wall would consist of 2,000 tiles that were painted by Westchester residents following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Supervisor Paul Feiner stated this would be the number one 9/11 memorial in the County and it would be an honor if it were located in Greenburgh. He emphatically proposed placing the mural on the blank wall of the IGA store opposite 180 East Hartsdale Avenue until residents of the area objected. Two other sites are being considered – Webb Field on Central Avenue, and Robison Park on East Hartsdale Avenue. At Mr. Feiner’s urging, the Town’s Parks & Recreation Board passed a resolution approving either of these sites. The Westchester Arts Council wanted a decision by March 14, 2003.

Some Town Board members and the Comptroller raised questions regarding costs and liability. On March 11, Town Engineer Michael McGarvey presented estimates of the costs for constructing such a wall. Estimates were $16,800 for the IGA site, $19,600 for the Webb Field site, and $29,200 for the East Hartsdale Avenue Park site. It was noted the Arts Council has $12,000 that can be used to hire an architect to design the wall and help fund the construction of the wall. Supervisor Feiner said he would ask the Planning Board for permission to use escrow funds to pay for the construction or would be willing to seek private donations.

CGCA members raised safety and liability concerns regarding installing a movable wall in a park where children play sports (e.g., "catch").

CGCA members discussed the interesting voting that took place on March 12, 2003, when decisions were rendered on applications for waivers from the Moratorium Law:

Prospero Nursery, Knollwood Road – The Town Board voted 3-1-1 to allow the nursery owners to appeal to the ZBA the Building Inspector’s refusal to grant a building permit for a "shed" that was erected without a permit. Supervisor Paul Feiner initially voted to deny the application because he said residents from the Mayfair-Knollwood area had concerns about the nursery business. Councilwoman Diana Juetter and Timmy Weinberg voted to grant the waiver, Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes abstained, and Councilman Steve Bass voted "no" resulting in a 2-2-1 denial. However, Mr. Feiner then changed his vote, resulting in a 3-1-1 approval.

• Dilmaghani Property, Central Park Avenue – The Town Board voted 4-0-1 to deny the owner’s request for the Waiver. The owner wants to apply for demolition permits for two existing buildings (the carpet store and the former European Health Spa) and site plan approval to erect a new 32,000 square foot Unified Shopping Center. There are very steep slopes on the property. Supervisor Feiner abstained from the vote, stating that the board should not keep giving people a hard time and saying no to everything. Jim Lasser told CGCA members that the Greenville Church Cemetery is situated behind the steep slopes on the property.
• Solomon Schechter School, West Hartsdale Avenue – The Town Board voted 4-0-1 to deny the request of the school to apply for an amended site plan approval waiver to change a softball field to a hardball field. The steep slopes on the property were noted. Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg abstained, stating that she had not attended the final discussion on the request.

Ella Preiser noted the agenda for today’s (March 18) Town Board work session listed "Moratorium decision discussions" on the following applications for waivers; however no discussion took place.

• LDC Properties, LLC, West Hartsdale Avenue and Dobbs Ferry Road – At the Public Hearing on February 26, 2003, the applicants sought a waiver to apply for subdivision and site plan approval to build a two-story, 20,000 square foot office building.
• Sam’s Club, Route 9A – At the Public Hearing on February 26, 2003, the applicant sought a waiver to apply for amended site plan approval to construct a "fueling station" and expand the existing tire mounting and sales area.
• Korean Presbyterian Church of Westchester, 1952 Saw Mill River Road – At the Public Hearing on March 12, 2003, a representative for the church indicated that the applicant was not seeking to apply for a subdivision but merely to draw a property line on the map. The church previously applied for, and was denied, a waiver from the Moratorium Law to submit a subdivision application.
• WNC Tarrytown II Company, LLC, 600 White Plains Road (Route 119) – At the Public Hearing on March 12, 2003, the applicants’ attorney sought a waiver to apply for an amended site plan approval waiver to build a smaller hotel at the site of the former Premier Theatre. Previous approval was given to build a hotel and office building at the site. The proposed 150-room Sheraton Hotel would be 20,000 square feet smaller in size than the hotel originally planned and approved.

Several CGCA members and a number of residents attended the Town Board work session on March 11, 2003, when Pat Keegan from Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office brought three officials from the U.S. Post Office to discuss the possibility of creating a "Greenburgh" zip code. Postal officials noted that zip codes are not created for municipal identity and only one zip code would be allowed to use the "Greenburgh" address. Many residents were relieved to learn that Mr. Feiner was only requesting the name change for the properties in Greenburgh with "White Plains" zip codes. The post office will send questionnaires to the 2,700 addresses in the 10603 zip code area and 2,500 addresses in the 10607 zip code area. More than 50% of those receiving the questionnaire must respond and support the change.

At the meeting, different reasons were cited in support of a Greenburgh zip code, such as Greenburgh residents being overcharged for sales tax, mail frequently mis-delivered to a similar address within the City of White Plains, and confusion contractors face when obtaining permits. One resident questioned whether the Town was attempting to solve a non-existent problem. Supervisor Feiner asked post office officials about the possibility of locating a substation at the new Town Hall site. Postal officials promised to look into the request, but noted the likelihood is slim because of cost. The officials noted that many transactions, such as sending a greeting card, can be done online, and postage stamps are available at numerous outlets such as food and drug stores.

Alice Moroney called attention to an article in today’s Journal News which indicated the Westchester County Board of Legislators has delayed until at least April 7 any vote on the contract to extend the lease for the WestHELP homeless shelter, off Knollwood Road near Westchester Community College. Greenburgh residents Terry Williams and Sam Wilkins appeared at the county board’s meeting on Monday, March 17, 2003, and raised objections to the way the Town of Greenburgh plans to distribute the $12 million in rent it will receive over the ten years of the extended lease.

Last year, members of the Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association supported an extension of the lease for the shelter and proposed annual payments of $400,000 to Greenburgh, $700,000 to the Valhalla School District and $100,000 to the local neighborhood. In February 2002, the Town Board passed a resolution authorizing the Supervisor to negotiate the lease extension. There were subsequent discussions about giving $100,000 annually to the Fairview Fire District.

CGCA members recalled that Terry Williams attended the March 2002 CGCA meeting and questioned the fairness of the proposal that would give the Valhalla School District $7 million and the Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association $1 million over the ten-year period of the lease. Alice Moroney reminded CGCA members that between 8 and 10 children attended Valhalla schools each year over the past ten years, although the original agreement promised there would be no school-age children at WestHELP.

Ella Preiser mentioned that a March 5, 2003 editorial in the Journal News cited Hastings-on-Hudson as Westchester County’s number one recycling community for the past seven years. Hastings’ residents recycled 417 pounds per person last year, an increase of 1.2 percent over the 2001 figures. The editorial mentioned that overall, figures for recycling in 2002 declined from the previous year, with 21 communities not recycling as much as the previous year and only thirteen communities recycling more.

CGCA members suggested it is time for the Town Board to reveal whether the controversial switch to once-a-week garbage pickup during holiday weeks in 2002 was effective in increasing recycling in Greenburgh. The CGCA voted to write to DPW Commissioner Al Regula and request the 2001 and 2002 weekly figures of garbage and recycleables delivered to the Yonkers Material Recovery Facility.

Ella Preiser told CGCA members that she was pleased the Town Board had responded to the concerns of the CGCA and leaders in the northern area of Greenburgh by creating a new election district (ED #83) for voters in the Payne Street area. She suggested that the CGCA write a letter thanking the Town Board for taking this action, but also to follow up on the other concerns involving ED #63 that were outlined in the CGCA’s December 2, 2002 letter to the board. On Election Day in November 2002, voters in ED #63 found inadequate parking at their polling place (the Greenburgh Court House on Tarrytown Road). Some parking tickets were issued. Access to the Court entrance was difficult, particularly from the lower lot along Tarrytown Road because of the long steep climb without lighting. In addition, one resident who recently underwent eye surgery was prohibited from obtaining assistance from his spouse, in contravention of election law. CGCA members voted to seek assurance from the Town that these problems in ED #63 will be addressed before the next election.

AT&T Seeks Variance/Special Permit for Antennas. On Thursday, March 20, the ZBA will continue the hearing on a request by AT&T Wireless for a variance and Special Permit to locate additional antennas on the roof of a building at 280 Central Park Avenue in Hartsdale. CGCA members expressed concern that emission output at this site will exceed FCC health standards for workers on the roof, and granting this variance, as proposed, could establish a precedent.

Animals Come and Go. Cleo Oliver noted that at the February 26 Town Board meeting she mentioned the problems she was having with 13 deer visiting her patio. She informed CGCA members that ever since that night the deer have disappeared. Alice Moroney noted that when she called the police about packs of coyotes living in her neighborhood, she was told, "Animals have to live somewhere."

Town Working to Address Illegal Rentals. Victor Alleyne informed CGCA members that he has been working with the Town regarding overcrowding in the Hillside Wyndover area that results from residents illegally renting out rooms in their homes. He noted that residents must be vigilant to protect their neighborhood. CGCA members agreed that this problem exists in many areas of the Town and causes a strain on Town services and the school districts. It was noted that on March 20, 2003, the ZBA will be hearing an applicant’s request for a special permit to house two roomers/boarders.

Town Board Appoints New Planning Board Member. Ella Preiser reported that at the March 4, 2003 Town Board work session, the board voted to appoint Hugh Schwartz to the Planning Board. The vote was 3-0-2 with Council members Eddie Mae Barnes and Steve Bass abstaining. Mr. Schwartz will replace Elliott Feldstein who resigned at the end of his term in December.

Is it Time to Update the Code? Francis Sheehan mentioned that the area along Tarrytown Road (Route 119) from Hillside Avenue west to the Crossroads Shopping Center is still identified in the Zoning Ordinance as an "Urban Renewal District." Since "urban renewal" was carried out in this area decades ago, Mr. Sheehan wondered whether the time has come to update the ordinance to restrict conversions to 2-family residences in order to maintain the character of the community.

Town Violates ADA/Open Meetings Laws. CGCA members noted that the March 12 Town Board meeting at the Greenburgh Housing Authority violated both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Open Meetings Law. There were no dedicated parking spaces for those with disabilities, attendees had to deal with stairs to reach the meeting room, and there was insufficient seating in the meeting room.