Taxis Rides from the Train Station and Security Cameras Top Issues at Council Meeting
With new year business to clear out of the way including the appointment of Nadine Hunt-Robinson to fill the Council seat left vacant by Ben Boykin and the naming of Renee Cohen and Frances Jones to the White Plains Conservation Board and former Councilman Dennis Power as chairman of the Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee, the Council moved on to regular business during its February meeting.
A discussion about the taxi service quality or lack thereof at the White Plains Train Station encouraged Mayor Tom Roach to repeat for citizens information that if they are uncomfortable entering a cab with multiple riders, they are legally able to demand the ride as solitary rider with payment of a $1 surcharge.
Roach also noted that if riders have a favorite cab company they use within White Plains, they might call in advance to have a taxi from that company meet them at the station. He further advised that any passenger with complaints should call City Hall or the Mayor’s office to explain their particular situation.
Roach also noted the city had secured a $1 million grant to redesign the train and bus station and said part of the problem is the way cabs were handled in the original design of the area.
The ordinance to require certain establishments including restaurants, bars and liquor stores in the White Plains downtown to install video cameras accessible by police and Building Department officials is expected to go into effect next year. Over the next few months, members of the Public Safety Department will visit the affected stores to review the requirements.
At the Citizens To Be Heard segment of the previous month’s Council meeting Stuart Levine, owner of Vino 100, raised concerns by affected business proving this may be one of the thorniest issues facing the city.
Levine said he was opposed the addition to Chapter 4-25 of the White Plains Municipal Code, adding that at Vino 100 he has adequate security, but that the new ordinance would require installing a different style/make of camera that points straight toward the street. The new equipment would cost thousands of dollars, Levine said and place a burden on new businesses. At a minimum, Levine said, existing businesses should be grandfathered in so they do not have to upgrade or replace their security systems at their cost. He said he was speaking for many other businesses downtown. Why can’t police just send an email blast to all downtown businesses to be on the lookout for suspects of crimes, he asked. It would be more effective.
Councilman John Kirkpatrick said he would like a full review before the ordinance goes into effect next year.
The public hearing on improvements to the existing building at 120 Bloomingdale Road continued with attorney William Null, representing the building owner explaining the site plan and layout for a 10,000 sq. ft. day care center to be added to the ground floor of the building.
The plan is before the Council because it requires a special permit.
Null and the building owner described a parking plan for parents of children attending the day car located at the back of the building. A key pad secure access walkway from the back along the side of the building to the ground level would be the only entry to the day care.
The day care would serve 110 children from infant to pre-K age groups.
A small rubberized outdoor play area that once functioned as a patio for outdoor dining at the building’s cafeteria would be used by small groups of children scheduled at various times throughout the day.
The new building owner is requesting permission to enhance the façade facing Bloomingdale Road with wood-toned panels that would be placed over the building’s current 1950’s plain white surface.
Concerned about pulling attention to the building in a positive way, the new owner also plans to remove damaged trees in the front of the building.
Council members concerned that the removal of trees would take away from the nicely landscaped boulevard as people come in to White Plains from I-287, asked if the removed trees would be replaced. They were advised by the landscape architect that all trees removed would be replaced “with better trees” and the look of the road would not be compromised.
Lighting currently on the top of the building would be removed and new lights would be installed at the pedestrian and vehicular levels.
