White Plains Council Looks at Shopping Mall Improvements
During the June 6 meeting of the White Plains Common Council several items related to zoning issues and shopping mall improvements within the city were discussed.
Councilmember Nadine Hunt-Robinson was absent from the meeting.
The first agenda item was a communication announcing the appointment of Andrew Berger as chairman of the Conservation Board. Robert Burg was newly appointed to the Board and members Renee Cohen, Bonnie Hagen, Kim Holland, Frances Jones, Dana Lee were reappointed.
The Council approved a portion of the site plan amendment application submitted on behalf of Kite Realty Group owner of the White Plains City Center Shopping Center in relation to the installation of a new glass and extruded aluminum marquee awning and associated signage to replace the existing marquee awning and associated signage for the City Center Cinema De Lux Movie Theater and the White Plains Performing Arts Center to be located above the Mamaroneck Avenue entrance to the City Center.
A public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to add “Nursery Business” as a Special Permit Use, and add “Organic Manufacturing” as a Principal Permitted Use brought comment from residents within White Plains living near the various nurseries.
Two residents, one living adjacent to and the other two doors down from the Ridgeway Garden Center, suggested the city look comprehensive legislation that would include elements such as hours of operation and adherence to noise restrictions. Both speakers said that wholesale nursery operations within residential areas created noise that was not appropriate, especially when most nurseries operate six days a week.
The president of the North Broadway Citizens Association said organic manufacturing (which is mentioned in the new zoning proposal) created unhealthful conditions in residential districts and was opposed to the proposed legislation to establish a permitted zone for such operations.
Similarly, a Hillair Circle resident was concerned about excessive noise and toxic fumes from a nursery in her neighborhood.
Mayor Tom Roach said the public hearing would be adjourned to July 5 as the content of the proposed zoning change on nurseries was being considered to address resident concerns.
A public hearing in relation to increasing income eligibility limits for persons who are 62 years of age or over to qualify for rent increase exemptions was opened and closed and the Council voted to raise the income limit from $15,000 to $30,000.
A resolution to approve the application submitted on behalf of the Simon Group Property, owner and operator of the Westchester Mall in White Plains, for an amendment to a previously approved site plan for the mall to undertake various exterior modifications to the building, including updating the exterior facade finishes, replacing certain doors with automatic sliding doors, replacing certain windows, a new second floor outdoor terrace dining area oriented towards the intersection of Westchester Avenue and South Broadway, shielding of the valet parking area, new exterior signage, and new vehicular and pedestrian way finding signage was passed unanimously.
