COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Minutes June 15, 1999 Meeting
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:
Ardsley Estates Civic Association
Beaver Hill Association
Birchwood Civic Association
Broadview Civic Association
Downing Hill Civic Association
East Irvington Civic Association
Edgebrook Cooperative, Inc.
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
Longview Civic Association
Lower Manor Woods Neighborhood Association
Mayfair-Knollwood Civic 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-nine civic groups have paid their 1999 dues. There is $1070.08 in the treasury.
Minutes of the December 15, 1998 and May 25, 1999 meetings were read and approved with minor corrections that will be made prior to circulation. Minutes of the January 1999 meetings were not available.
CABLE TELEVISION
CGCA members continue to be concerned about the continuing deterioration to Cable TV and the timely taping and airing of community programs.
New Cable Director. Following the resignation of Michael Bennett, George Malone was appointed Cable TV director. The CGCA trusts that the Town Board will provide sufficient help for the new director and a better studio seffing for the taping of cable programs.
CGCA Cable TV Program. It was noted that the CGCA program taped in March with Chairman Gold interviewing Carol Wielk of the Secor Homes Civic Association has not aired yet. Since May, Alice Moroney has had arrangements in place to have representatives from the City of New York Department of Environmental Protection come to tape a discussion on the possible need to build a water filtration plant for the Catskill/Delaware water supply system. Hopefully the taping will occur on July 15.
ZBA May Meeting. CGCA noted that no filming or cable TV coverage was provided for the May 27, 1999 ZBA meeting. In addition to the lack of TV coverage, no microphones were provided which made it difficult for ZBA members and the audience to participate at the Public Hearings and the court stenographer to record the meeting.
CGCA Sponsored Debates. Since the Town Board passed a resolution in April that makes it almost impossible for any candidate running for office in the September 14 primary to obtain cable TV time if s/he does not already have a regular timeslot, the CGCA agreed at last month's meeting to sponsor candidate debates. A vote was taken and members unanimously agreed to dedicate the CGCA regular Monday night timeslot to air and/or re-air these debates among local candidates. CGCA members are also willing to sponsor debates for the November 2 general election and have the debates aired in the Monday night CGCA timeslot.
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES!
To Mary Tobias (Westchester Hills Condominium) whose birthday was celebrated at the June 15 CGCA meeting.
To Stephanie Bellino (President of the Lower Manor Woods Neighborhood Association) whose birthday was celebrated at the May 25 CGCA meeting although she was not present. CGCA members learned that Stephanie arrived late for the meeting and could not obtain access since the doors were locked and the buzzer did not work. This is not the first time that CGCA members who came late were prevented from attending meetings because the doors were locked.
PROCESS - FILLING OPENINGS ON BOARDS
It was noted once again (for the third month) that Supervisor Feiner still has not responded to the CGCA letter of March 26, 1999 requesting information about the process that the Town Board uses when selecting candidates to fill vacancies occurring on the various volunteer boards and committees in the Town. The CGCA has great concern over the constantly changing process and the "closed-door" method of recent appointments. CGCA members questioned the reasons for the hesitancy of the Supervisor and Town Board members to document the process in writing.
ANTENNAS
177 East Hartsdale Avenue. On Thursday, May 27, the Zoning Board of Appeals opened the public hearing on Omnipoint's request to erect antennas on this multifamily building. Antenna Review Board (ARB) Chair Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, as well as the CGCA spokesperson, requested that the hearing be adjourned for all purposes since the applicant had not submitted all of the information required by the new Antenna Law amendments adopted in March. At the hearing, the applicant's attorney claimed that the computer-generated maps are not accurate in determining coverage and road test data should be used. Since computer-generated maps have been used in all prior antenna applications, the ARB has written to the Town Board and the ZBA to seek approval -to hire a consultant to review data and collect independent drive test data. ZEA member Francis Sheehan offered to recuse himself from participation in this case since he had made some comments about Omnipoint's request during the public hearing before the Town Board regarding passage of the amendments to the Antenna Law.
The case was adjourned to the June 24 ZBA meeting. CGCA members continue to have reservations about how this application has proceeded and the precedent this case may establish for granting variances to place commercial antennas on residential buildings.
Proposed "Compromise" State-wide Antenna Law. The CGCA was informed about a so-called "compromise" antenna law that has been introduced in the NY Senate. This proposed legislation (the Libous/Skelos/Rath bill) does not appear to be a compromise. It appears to favor cellular companies rather than residents and would eliminate the local control provided by Greenburgh's Antenna Law. The CGCA voted unanimously to have Chairman Gold write to State Senator Nicholas Spano to oppose this proposed legislation. The CGCA continues to support the proposed alternate legislation that was drafted by ARB Chair Catherine Lederer-Plaskett and member Francis Sheehan working with Scenic Hudson and other enviromental and municipal groups.
APPEAL OF BUILDING INSPECTOR'S DECISION
As reported last month, the Secor Homes Civic Association (SHCA) finally received a ZBA case number for its appeal of the Building Inspector's decision regarding the legality of the WFAS radio tower and the antennas on the tower. No date has been set for a public hearing. The Town Attorney's office apparently still has not determined whether the SHCA has "standing" to appeal. Since the SHCA is a bona fide civic group in the Town which believes it has been negatively impacted by a determination made by an administrative official, the CGCA fails to understand the delay.
ADULT USE
CGCA members discussed Supervisor Feiner's May 26 letter which requested once again that the CGCA meet with him to discuss potential "adult use" zones in the Town. Over the years the CGCA has received multiple letters from the Supervisor about this subject. The CGCA stands by its original position to meet with the Supervisor ONLY if the Council is provided with a written draft of any proposed legislation in advance of the meeting. Inasmuch as the Supervisor appointed an Adult Use Committee several years ago and that committee requested an additional meeting with Town staff, the CGCA does not understand why the committee's request was never honored. CGCA members suggested that the Supervisor might also consider holding an informational meeting with all residents and or civic leaders to discuss any proposals he might have.
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES/ "ROAD SHOWS"
Chairman Gold will write to members of the Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to repeat our annual request that these boards not hold hearing on controversial issues during the summer months when many people are away. In past years, the CGCA request has been ignored - e.g., last year hearings were held during the summer re the proposed 10-screen Multiplex. This year it appears that the request may be ignored again since a hearing has been scheduled for June 23 before the Town Board for site plan approval and a special permit to convert a gasoline service station to a convenience store at 17 North Central Avenue.
CGCA members noted that Town Board meetings during June, July and August are "road shows" and therefore not "open government" meetings. Since many people cannot or will not attend outdoor meetings because of allergies, insects, lack of adequate seating arrangements, etc. and since there is no live cable TV coverage or opportunity to "dial democracy," many members of the public are denied the opportunity to participate.
LEATHER STOCKING LANE LANDFILL
Residents of Hillside Avenue and Leatherstocking Lane attended the meeting to discuss the problems they have encountered as a result of the enormous landfill operation that is taking place in their neighborhood. Town officials insist that there is nothing they can do to stop this operation which has created a 30-foot high pile of dirt with no retaining walls. This morning the neighbors witnessed two more dump trucks arrive. When the first truck unloaded, a strong smell of petroleum filled the air. Workmen started reloading the truck with the fill. The police were called and drivers of both trucks were arrested and the trucks were impounded at police headquarters. The DEC was also called and testing was ordered of what is probably contaminated fill.
Copies were distributed of the correspondence the residents have had with the Town. The CGCA discussed this matter and take issue with Town officials who claim they cannot control this operation since the lots are less than one-acre in size. The existing zoning clearly allows the Town to prohibit operations that "interfere with drainage to the detriment of adjacent land or buildings." It is difficult to believe that drainage has not been altered in a way that will negatively impact the neighbors since numerous trees have been removed from the landfill site.
PROPOSED ZONING CODE CHANGES
CGCA members noted the plethora of code changes being considered at the present time: Health-Clubs in CB districts and Town-wide Dumping/Landfill and Flood Prevention code changes. Concerns were expressed that some of these proposed changes were not carefully worded.
"Incidental Dining." At the June 2 meeting the Planning Board held a Public Discussion on a Town proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance which would permit any establishment selling food in the Town to have tables and chairs for on-site consumption. CGCA members expressed concerns at the hearing. Also expressing concerns were the Fire Chiefs of the Fairview and Hartsdale Fire Departments about the dangers that this code change could create. The hearing was adjourned until September.
MISCELLANEOUS
Stickely Furniture. The Town Board has not yet made a decision about granting site plan approval for this 35,000 square foot building on Route 119. Neighbors continue to be concerned about the size of the building and the flooding and traffic impacts. Predictions were made that the final decision would be a 3 to 2 vote for approval with the two incumbent Board Members who are seeking re-election voting "no."
Mighty Joe Chicken. A proposal has been submitted for a new fast food/sit-down restaurant on Central Avenue. Parking space is inadequate and there is a question whether the Hartsdale Parking Authority has a sufficient number of extra spaces to accommodate the proposed facility.
Edgemont Proposed Subdivision. A proposal to subdivide a 3-1/2 acre parcel near the intersection of Ardsley and Old Army Roads has been submitted. Three driveway would be created at a blind intersection. Last Wednesday members of the community met with Supervisor Feiner and Town staff and informed Town officials that the application was incomplete and did not comply with SEQRA. The Town is requiring the applicant to re-apply. The parcel contains an old square tower water tower and is the second highest point in Greenburgh.
Nob Hill. It was noted that the DEIS has been submitted for this proposal which would create 800 rental units off of Taxter Road. The DEIS has not been declared accepted and/or ready for circulation but will be sent to the Town's consultant for review.
Laurel Ridge ("Alfredos"). It was noted that all of the trees have been removed and grading has started.
Taylor Road Landfill. An enormous amount of dirt and rock and re-grading is taking place on property on Taylor Road.
Comprehensive "Master' Plan. CGCA member Madelon O'Shea provided an update on the activities of the Master Plan Committee and the consultants (Saratoga Associates). Phase 3 has begun and the committee is preparing to make recommendations to the Town Board in the fall.
Assisted Living - Mental Disorders - Code Change. CGCA member Madelon O'Shea provided information on the 3-hour long bus trip she made today to Springfield, Mass. with members of the Town Board to tour a facility owned by Amicus Care which provides assisted living housing for people with Alzheimer's Disease and other mental disorders. The privately owned facility held 60 patients in private rooms and was well lit and attractive. Costs were $3100 a month. The firm wants to locate in Greenburgh on about five acres and thus would need to propose a code change.
Speed Humps. Police Chief John Kapica is proposing that speed humps be installed on South Washington Avenue to slow down the vehicles that use the road to avoid the traffic tie-ups at the Four Corners intersection. The humps, which are lower in height than speed bumps, have been tried successfully in other communities in Brooklyn and Queens.
Town Violation of Law. Workers from Supervisor Feiner's office were observed in a Town-owned former police vehicle stuffing mailboxes in Hartsdale with one of the Supervisor's questionnaires. The Supervisor seems to be unaware that the United States Supreme Court ruled in a case brought by the CGCA that the practice of stuffing mailboxes with other than Postal Department mail is illegal.
INFORMATION DISTRIBUTED
Copies of letters and articles on a number of issues were distributed.
1. Chairman Gold's letter to the Town Board about the May 25 meeting and discussion of the problems South Washington Avenue residents face regarding rooming houses and code enforcement.
2. Napoleon Mitchell's (Juniper Hill CA President) letter to Supervisor Feiner re a special CA meeting being convened in August to discuss issues relating to problems with buffer zone infringement, drainage, flooding and traffic at Chelsea Parc and a number of quality of life matters that are negatively impacting Juniper Hill residents.
3. Greenburgh Library's Focus Group Report outlining the "Community Perceptions & Aspirations" uncovered in meetings held earlier this year with senior citizens, library users and civic leaders.
4. Deputy Town Attorney David Wilkes' letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the Town's comments to information contained in the DEIS for the proposed Millennium Pipeline.
5. Reporter Robert Marchant's article in the Friday, June 4 edition of The Journal News, "Homeowner's project draws ire," about the ongoing landfill operation on Leatherstocking Lane.
6. Reporter David Glenn's articles in the Friday, June I I edition of The Scarsdale Inquirer, "Former IBMer new cable guy for town" profiling George Malone, the new TV cable access person; and "Massages at the town pool?" outlining Supervisor Feiner's desire to offer body massages at Town parks.
7. Reporter Donna Greene's article in the Sunday, June 13 edition of The New York Times, "Proposed Cell Antenna Bill Opposed." The article quotes Greenburgh ZBA and ARB member Francis Sheehan re the proposed bill to limit local control of antenna tower siting as well as the alternate legislation prepared by Scenic Hudson which Mr. Sheehan helped draft.