White Plains Common Council Notebook
Winbrook Redevelopment – Phase 1
At the close of the public hearing on August 6, the council voted unanimously to approve the special permit for the proposed new 10-story multi-family residential project known as Winbrook Redevelopment – Phase 1, located at the intersection of South Lexington and Quarropas Street. The building will house 103 rental affordable dwelling units on floors two through ten and a community education facility to be operated by the White Plains Youth Bureau on the first floor. Residents currently living at the Winbrook Houses will be relocated into the new building and all 450 affordable units currently in the Winbrook complex will be maintained as further development progresses. The goal for future phases is to provide mixed income housing so that no future building houses only affordable units. Mack Carter, executive director of the White Plains Housing Authority explained that because Phase 1 is a tax credit project with HUD financing $3.5 million of a $5 million grant – White Plains provided $1.5 million of the grant – this first building will house only affordable units.
Discussion during the public hearing reflected concerns by council members that a master plan be created for the remaining phases of Winbrook redevelopment, which currently are not financed and which are expected to be built one building at a time. Issues of infrastructure and increased traffic were also raised.
Rooftop Dining Permit Approved
While sound levels from the eating establishments closer to the center of town on Mamaroneck Avenue are constantly under review, Esposito’s Ristorante and Pizzeria II at 359 Mamaroneck Avenue received unanimous approval from the Common Council on August 6 for a one-year permit for rooftop dining at their location. The new restaurant, which has been open for the past several months, will not have a cabaret. The permit allows outside dining for 56 at 15 tables. Potted plants and hedges along with pergolas featuring down-lighting will enhance the dining area and keep noise and light levels to a minimum. Former owners at the location had not applied for a rooftop permit and had operated cabaret-style entertainment from time to time. Residents in neighboring buildings spoke at the public hearing and expressed their concern that the new owners adhere to sound level requirements, while wishing the new business well.
Changes to the Campus Office Zoning District
At the close of the public hearing August 6, the Common Council voted unanimously to amend the 1997 Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance to provide additional permitted uses in the C-O Zoning District and establish a new “Use Planned Campus District” and a new “Planned Office Development District.” With over 6 million square feet of available office space in Westchester County, the action taken by White Plains enables flexibility for each of the separate office campuses located in White Plains for multiple uses that can include residential, restaurant, recreational, and retail in conjunction with office applications. The document maintains the council as the lead agency in determining acceptance of a master plan for each individual campus site because of their various locations and proximity to residential neighborhoods. The zoning change also maintains the building footprint on each site and seeks to increase open space access for White Plains residents.
FASNY DEIS Public Commentary Period
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a special permit to run a regional nursery through grade 12 school at the site of the former Ridgeway Country Club, prepared by the French American School of New York (FASNY) and its consultants, was submitted to the Common Council on July 9 and accepted as complete at the August 6 council meeting. The complete document has been posted to the city’s website at cityofwhiteplains.com for public review. A print copy can be viewed at the White Plains Library, 100 Martine Avenue. A public hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m., in the Common Council Chambers, White Plains Municipal Building, 255 Main Street, which will run until Wednesday, October 17.
Appendices posted with the FASNY DEIS include the adopted scope, a conservancy master plan, wetlands analysis, stormwater pollution prevention plan, traffic report, conceptual architectural drawings and site plans, and a construction management plan.
OSRD DGEIS Public Commentary Period
The Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for a revision to the White Plains Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance to establish an Open Space Recreation District was accepted as complete at the August 6 Common Council meeting. A public hearing regarding the OSRD DGEIS will be held during or immediately after the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the council on Tuesday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m., with adjournment to Monday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. A print version of the OSRD DGEIS is available for public review at the White Plains Library, 100 Martine Avenue. It is also available online at cityofwhiteplains.com.
Appendices posted with the OSRD DGEIS include the initial scoping document, natural resources analysis, community services, traffic, and stormwater management studies.
