COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Minutes of Meeting - August 15, 2000
The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations seeks to provide information to and advance the common interests of member civic groups in important Town affairs. The following civic groups have paid dues for the year 2000:
Beaver Hill Association
Birchwood Civic Association
Broadview Civic Association
Downing Hill Civic Association
East Hartsdale Avenue Civic Association
East Irvington Civic Association
Edgebrook Cooperative, Inc.
Edgemont Civic Association
Edgemont Community Council, Inc.
Fort Hill Association
Fulton Park Civic Association
Granada Condominium III Association
Hillcrest Park - Ardsley Civic Association
Inside Wyndover 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
Parkway Gardens Civic Association
Parkway Homes Civic Association
Poets Corner Civic Association
Secor Homes Civic Association, Inc.
Southern Greenville Civic Association
Stone Oaks Condominium
The Cotswold Association, Inc.
Washington Avenue Civic Association
Westchester Ills Condominium
Winding Road Farm Association
Woodhill Civic Association
* also paid 2001 dues
To date, thirty-two civic groups have paid dues for the year 2000 and one group has paid year 2001 dues. There is $814.24 in the treasury.
Minutes of the July 18, 2000 meeting were read and approved with minor corrections that will be made prior to circulation.
CGCA members wished "Happy Birthday" to Danny Gold, Chairperson of the CGCA and President of the East Irvington Civic Association.
Irene Zuck, President of the Fulton Park Civic Association, was welcomed back to her first CGCA meeting since her illness.
EAST HARTSDALE AVENUE
TOWN BOARD FAILS TO ADDRESS NEED FOR A ZONING CHANGE
CGCA members expressed concern about the Town Board's decision not to pursue a zoning change that would permit a wider variety of businesses to rent space in the downtown "pillage" of Hartsdale. At its July 21, 1999 meeting, the Planning Board voted to recommend that the Town Board create a special zoning district to replace the current CB (Close Business) district zoning on the downtown business area. Earlier the Hartsdale Steering Committee had recommended changing the zoning, and CGCA representatives had supported such a change at the Planning Board meetings. For over a year, the Town Board has neglected to consider the issue.
A problem exists that needs to be addressed. Vacant stores along East Hartsdale Avenue include the Home Center, Toy House, Shoe Lab and the First Union Bank (Although vacant, the bank still holds a lease.) Rock-wells has now closed. Parties interested in opening martial arts studios or yoga studios have approached landlord representatives of vacant buildings, but these types of uses are not permitted under the current zoning. It was noted that it would be next to impossible to obtain a use variance to permit such studios since NYS law requires submission of dollars and cents proof that an applicant cannot realize a reasonable return for each and every use permitted under the current CB zoning.
CGCA members support a separate zoning district for East Hartsdale Avenue. This downtown area is unique in the Town of Greenburgh. The availability of parking spaces in the Hartsdale Parking Authority lots creates the possibility for a wider range of uses in the downtown area than could be supported in other areas zoned CB. The CGCA urges that either the Hartsdale Steering Committee or another advisory group (comprised of representatives from the parking authority, landlords, merchants and area community members) be given authority to review the types of businesses that would work to the benefit of revitalizing the East Hartsdale Avenue business district.
UNIFICATION CHURCH (HOLY SPIRIT ASSOCIATION) PROPERTY
Garrard Beeney, Deputy Mayor of Irvington, attended today's Town Board work session to request that the town allocate $15,000 toward the cost of an independent appraisal and study of the property owned by Reverend Moon's church. The $15,000 represents a 25% share of the total cost of the study. The balance of the $60,000 cost of the study will be shared equally by the Village of Tarrytown, the Village of Irvington and the Irvington School District. The Town Board will approve this request at the August 23 Town Board meeting.
The total church property consists of approximately 375 acres, most of which is located in the Village of Tarrytown but within the Irvington School District. The portion located in unincorporated Greenburgh (approximately 163 acres) is the largest undeveloped parcel in the town. The Comprehensive Plan Committee has been studying this parcel which currently is zoned R-40 (one-acre single-family residential) with a Conservation District overlay. The CPC has recommended an overlay limiting the areas of slopes and wetlands that could be counted in determining permitted density.
One proposal being considered for the property is a private golf course. At today's work session, Supervisor Feiner stated that he would like to acquire most of the property as open space. He noted he could support a golf course and no more than 80 to 100 new homes on the property. Danny Gold stated that members of the East Irvington CA would meet tomorrow to discuss the proposal for a golf course. During informal conversations, most neighbors in East Irvington favored the idea of building a golf course. CGCA members suggested that the civic association carefully consider the proposal since special national/international golfing events at golf courses such as the Westchester Country Club and Wykagyl Country Club have caused serious problems for neighbors.
SUPERVISOR RESPONDS TO CGCA ABOUT GIS WEBSITE
At the July 19 Town Board meeting, CGCA Vice Chairperson Cleo Oliver read aloud the CGCA resolution asking the Town Board to immediately shut down the Greenburgh GIS website until privacy issues and site design flaws are addressed. The board members did not respond. When Ella Preiser asked for a response, Supervisor Feiner stated that the website would not be shut down but that he was asking Police Chief John Kapica to form a committee to study privacy and security issues. To date, there has been no report from Chief Kapica.
At the July 19 meeting, Mr. Feiner accused CGCA members of making "accusations" and "personal attacks" against him. Mr. Feiner first stated that the New York Times reporter Al Baker had told him that Ella Preiser had made these accusations and personal attacks. When Mrs. Preiser denied doing this, Mr. Feiner responded: "not you but someone from the council..." A check with the reporter revealed that Mr. Baker never made these comments to Mr. Feiner. CGCA members find Supervisor Feiner's continuing accusations and negative comments about the CGCA insulting.
Copies of Supervisor Feiner's August 14 e-mail were distributed and discussed. CGCA members are pleased that the Supervisor finally has decided to totally remove the names of property owners from the GIS website. This will help to address some of the community's privacy and security concerns. However, concerns were expressed that property owner names may have already been downloaded during the more than six-week period that the names have been on the Internet. The Supervisor's e-mail did not provide enough information for CGCA members to reach a decision about the issue of the Town charging fees for accessing or downloading data from the GIS website. It was noted that charging a fee to obtain access to this data totally contravenes the Supervisor's purported policy of "open government." In addition, since paying a fee would require giving out one's credit card number, CGCA members have questions about how secure the system is. It was noted that previously the public was told that one could not search by name or download data, but CGCA members were eyewitnesses to the fact that these purported "security" measures could be easily breached.
CGCA members also questioned the usefulness of the information contained on the GIS website because of the inaccurate data it contains. A number of people have commented that information about their property is inaccurate. On July 28, data about Supervisor Paul Feiner's home was finally available on the GIS website. However, a printed copy from the website that was circulated indicated that Mr. Feiner's property was totally exempt from paying school taxes this year. CGCA members did not believe that Mr. Feiner's property is exempt but noted that this type of inaccurate information could confuse the public.
ORCHARD HILL - KATHWOOD ROAD LAWSUIT
As reported at last month's CGCA meeting, the residents of Orchard Hill were successful in their lawsuit challenging the Building Inspector's decision to issue building permits for five houses on Kathwood Road. On July 11, a state Supreme Court judge decided that the Building Inspector had no authority to draw new lot lines and issue building permits to the builders, Baker Brothers. The judge ordered that the building permits be annulled and vacated and required the owners to apply for subdivision approval from the Planning Board by September 18. The owners will appeal the judge's decision and the Town is considering intervening in this appeal. It was noted that an article about the Kathwood Road houses and lawsuit appeared in the July 30 Westchester section of the New York Times.
Residents from the Orchard Hill CA attended the July 19 Town Board meeting because they were informed that the Town might appeal. Building Inspector John Lucido stated that in his opinion the judge's decision applies to more than just the Kathwood Road houses. Mr. Lucido stated that, based on the decision, he could not issue SO other building permits and that 6,000 to 8.000 other properties in the town could be illegal. Supervisor Feiner suggested that the Town could ask to reargue the case or ask the judge to reconsider his decision. However, Town Attorney Susan Mancuso suggested that would not be a likely avenue to pursue since courts are not eager to reconsider their opinions. Councilman Les Adler urged that the discussion about whether to file an appeal should be held in Executive Session and should not be aired in public.
EAST HARTSDALE AVENUE RESIDENTS OPPOSE 70-FOOT HIGH FENCE
On July 27 the Zoning Board held a public hearing on the Scarsdale Golf Course application seeking a variance to erect a 70-foot high net along 900 linear feet of its property abutting the co-op and rental apartment residences along East Hartsdale Avenue. The applicant stated that one of the purposes of the netting was to provide safety to the residents from errant golf balls.
East Hartsdale Avenue residents received very late notice of the hearing but packed the meeting room and voiced opposition to the variance request. They questioned how frequently an errant golf ball had caused damage. Golf Club officials estimated approximately 12 times a year. Residents indicated that the value of their homes would be negatively impacted by an unsightly net and its required poles and guy wires. Units in the buildings with views of the golf course are more costly. CGCA members discussed this variance and supported the concerns of East Hartsdale Avenue residents. It was also noted that this netting could have a negative impact on wildlife. The golf course property abuts the Greenburgh Nature Center and the netting could interfere with the flyway space of migratory birds.
Because of time constraints, the ZBA adjourned the hearing until August 24. The applicant was requested to consider alternatives and to float balloons so that neighbors and ZBA members would be in a better position to estimate the height.
CABLE TV
At the July 19 Town Board meeting, Town Clerk Alfreda Williams announced that the new Cable TV studio at 191 East Hartsdale Avenue was awaiting approval of the electrical underwriters and was expected to open in 7 to 10 days. The inspection was completed and a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. The studio is now open, but there appear to be problems. When the producer of "On the Right Side" recently taped a program at the studio, the air conditioning was not working and the room was hot and extremely uncomfortable. This was embarrassing since the producer was interviewing a judge.
TOWN BOARD "ROAD SHOW" MEETINGS
A discussion took place about Supervisor Feiner's decision to hold all Town Board meetings, except one, away from Town Hall between March 22 and September 13. Earlier this year the CGCA had requested that meetings NOT be held away from Town Hall. The Supervisor responded: "Meetings away from Town Hall have been more productive than meetings at Town Hall. More people attend the meetings and most of the people who attend are people who normally do not participate in government."
CGCA members agree that many of the Town Board meetings away from Town Hall during this period have been well attended. However, with the exception of the meeting held at the Greenburgh Housing Authority on March 22, the Greenburgh residents attending the meetings were not local neighborhood residents. The vast majority of residents attending the meetings came from other areas of Town because they wished to address the board on a specific issue. These residents said what they wanted to say and then promptly left the meeting. These residents would have attended the meeting regardless of where the meeting was held, including Town Hall.
On July 19, Patricia Weems, the President of the Fairground Civic Association, attended the Town Board meeting held on Canton Street. She came to voice her opposition to the Town Board's approval of another group home within the Fairview Fire District because of the devastating effect tax-exempt properties have on area residents. She then announced that she was leaving the meeting and stated that she regularly boycotts the meeting held in this section of town since the Town Board never seeks the permission of area residents before inconveniencing them. Very few people who live in the neighborhood attended or participated at this meeting. However, the Canton Street meeting was well attended by residents from other areas of Greenburgh who came to watch their children perform or to address the Town Board about the group home, the destruction of trees at Solomon Schechter, or the controversial construction of homes on Kathwood Road.
Bernice Skipwith, President of the Downing Hill CA, was asked to investigate whether holding future meetings on Canton Street continues to be a good idea. Mrs. Skipwith and Bernice Burton had originally requested that the Town Board hold meetings in the area. Because of illness Mrs. Skipwith has not attended the meetings for the last two years and was surprised to learn that area neighbors were not attending the meetings and/or were resentful that she meetings were inconveniencing them. CGCA members noted how difficult it was to find a parking space without blocking the driveways of area, residents. Also mentioned was the fact that the Town does not provide an adequate number of chairs, forcing residents to stand for long periods.
MISCELLANEOUS
New Group Home Approved for Dobbs Ferry Road A number of residents attended the July 19 meeting and expressed their displeasure after the Town Board approved the 1059 Dobbs Ferry Road site by a vote of 3 to 2. Councilwomen Eddie Mae Barnes and Diana Juettner voted against the proposal, stating that they wanted more time to consider other alternatives because of the negative impact another tax-exempt property will have on the community.
Solomon Schechter School. Representatives from the Poets Corner CA and Stone Oak Condominiums attended the July 19 Town Board meeting to voice their concerns that the school had violated the conditions of the Findings Statement by working on Saturday and cutting trees that were to remain within a 50-foot buffer. The school was issued a notice of violation and must submit a landscape plan or the Town will issue a stop work order. Representatives from Solomon Schechter attended the July 19 meeting and apologized. Apparently the field construction crew was given plans that did not reflect the agreements worked out with the community in the Findings Statement. It was noted that it will be impossible to replant 60-feet tall trees, but Solomon Schechter has agreed to do "whatever is reasonable" to, correct the error, including hiring a landscaper and planting 25-feet tall evergreen trees.
Fortress Bible Church and School. At the July 19 Town Board meeting, the board determined that the proposal to build a church and 150 student school on property located on Dobbs Ferry Road, just east of the Sprain Brook Parkway access ramp, could have significant environmental impacts. The board issued a "Positive Declaration" requiring the applicant to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. A public "scoping" session to determine what issues must be addressed in the DEIS is scheduled for the August 23 Town Board meeting.
Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Money. CGCA representative Madelon O'Shea attended a meeting at Police Headquarters on August 9 to discuss receipt of approximately $20,000 in federal funds. Most of the money will be used to pay overtime to police officers to address quality of life issues, such as enforcement of vehicle and traffic laws. The town has been receiving $20,000+ annually during the past several years but next year the amount will be reduced to approximately $14,000. The CGCA is concerned that this reduction of $6,000 will limit the service provided by police, resulting in a negative impact on the quality of life of Greenburgh residents.
Clarification - CGCA Minutes. In the minutes of the June 20 CGCA meeting, it was reported that Alan Hochberg, President of the Poets Corner CA, referred to the Town Board members "as `heroes' of the 500 homeowners in the Poets Corner area" during the May 24 public hearing regarding the Solomon Schechter School. After receiving the mailed minutes, Mr. Hochberg called the CGCA Secretary about this statement. Mr. Hochberg explained that he called the Town Board members "heroes" because they had opened up the process to the ordinary men and women of the community. This made the process better for all. Mr. Hochberg noted that he did not find such openness during previous administrations.
Alpine Tree/Princewood. Copies of correspondence from Robert Reninger, President of the Broadview CA, were distributed and discussed. Mr. Reninger's letter expressed concerns about the CGCA's position regarding the proposed rezoning of the Alpine Tree property. CGCA members noted that they have not yet reviewed the file on this proposal and have not reached a position or communicated any concerns to the Planning Board. Although Greenburgh's Ethics Code does not prohibit former employees from bringing applications before the Town, several CGCA members noted that there is, at the very least, the perception of impropriety if a reasonable amount of time has not elapsed following an employee's departure. The CGCA urges that the Ethics Code be amended
Planning "Pre-Application" Process. Beginning in September, the town's planning department will institute a new process for all proposals for rezoning, subdivision or site plan approval. Before applications are filed, town staff (planning, legal, building and engineering) and representatives from the police and fire department will meet to review the proposed plans. Town planner, Spencer Salzberg, will prepare a synopsis of each meeting. While this pre-application review does add an extra step to the process, CGCA members noted that the additional review could work to the advantage of owners/developers since complete applications could be processed more expeditiously.
Car Repairs Continue in Residential Neighborhood. Bernice Skipwith, President of the Downing Hill CA, noted that her community has a continuing problem with a neighbor repairing automobiles. A few years ago another neighbor was taken to court and fined by the judge for running an auto repair business in this residential neighborhood.
Stickley Furniture Store. Questions were raised about what appears to be a rock crushing operation at the site where the furniture store is to be built. Trucks have been observed bringing in large rocks from a construction site in Yorkers. Other trucks have been observed leaving with loads of crushed rock and heading north.
New Elmsford Village Attorney. Frederick (Rick) Turner, former Greenburgh Town Attorney, is now serving as the attorney for the Village of Elmsford.
Spraying - West Nile Virus. Woodhill CA representative Elinore Gordon stated that she is opposed to the spraying of insecticides by Westchester County. She questioned the safety of eating produce from her garden and noted it was impossible to reach officials to discuss this matter. Other CGCA members questioned the effectiveness of the spraying since dead birds and infected mosquitoes continue to be found in areas that have already been sprayed twice.
Millennium Pipeline. Alice Moroney noted that she had spoken with Supervisor Feiner who indicated he had not heard from anyone in the town about the newly proposed route for the gas pipeline. There has been a great deal of opposition from northern Westchester communities. CGCA members agreed that the new route - along the old Putnam railroad right-of-way - is better for most Greenburgh residents than the previous route proposed along the Con Edison right-of-way. It was noted, however, that this newly proposed route would pass through the villages of Ardsley and Elmsford.
Water Filtration Plant. Alice Moroney reported that the committee discussed the storage of hazardous materials and the generation of waste at its last meeting. There are no plans to store hazardous or combustible materials on site. Ozone would be used to purify the water and an ozone generating facility would be built. The ozone would be stored in two 32,000-gallon tanks, IS feet high, stored on their sides at the northern end of the property. The plant would generate both solid waste, which would be trucked out, and liquid waste, which would be treated at the Yorkers treatment plant. Information on the amount of waste generated and/or the number of tricks necessary to transport the solid waste was not available. The DEIS will be ready by the end of the year. The federal government will decide in April 2002 whether or not it will be necessary to build the filtration plant.
Home Depot - Mount Pleasant. It was noted that Home Depot was successful in the lawsuit they brought against the members of the Mount Pleasant Planning Board. The court ruled that the board's decision to deny the store site plan approval and a wetlands permit was arbitrary and capricious. The Mount Pleasant Planning Board is likely to review this proposal for a 130,000 square feet store again in September.
Distributed: Copies of a Friday, July 28 letter "To the Editor" of the New York Times from Supervisor Paul Feiner suggesting that the Constitution be changed to abolish the office of the Vice President of the United States.