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100 NEW HOMES: VISION FOR THE RIDGEWAY COUNTRY CLUB PROPERTY
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WPCNR SOUTHEND TIMES. By John F. Bailey. July 2, 2022 UPDATED 00:45 EDT:
WPCNR has learned John Farrell of Farrell Building Company, in Suffolk County, builder of luxury million dollar plus homes nationwide, and his design team have presented initial plans to the Board of Directors of the Gedney Association announcing what Mr. Farrell wants to build there:
100 homes on 95 acres of the 130-acre property, while preserving 35 acres of the lake and surrounding lowland off Hathaway Lane.
Mr. Farrell purchased the property from the French American School of New York for $16.5 Million in the fall, at the time of purchase he said he planned to build homes according to the existing White Plains zoning residential on 1:30 lots which is 1 home to 30,000 square foot lots about ¾ of one acre).
The present Ridgeway Country Club Clubhouse that has been unused except for an occasional meeting the last 11 years of litigation involving the city and the Gedney Association, will be razed and a downsized clubhouse would be built with tennis courts and pool for purchasers of the homes.
The announcement to members of the Gedney Association membership was reported in the Gedney Association Newsletter, this week. The newsletter said that Mr. Farrell and his “Development Team” were “very responsive to our questions and concerns.”
Mr. Farrell said he planned to present the plan to the City of White Plains for review soon.
No other details were disclosed in the Newsletter. It is unclear if just plans were presented, or if renderings of the styles of homes the Farrell Building Company envisions were presented.
For background, the property has extensive environmental issues involving flooding and will require an environmental review and approval by the state. Previously the most homes thought to be able to be built on the property was 40 homes. Large new homes could command well over $2 Million apiece in that location. At this time, it is not clear how the properties would be built, each custom, or what. Or whether it would be a mix of condo and single family but that would require a zoning change.
Access issues will be a concern from first look. To avoid the traffic using only Ridgeway Avenue as entrance and exit would obviously create traffic issues, if access was not provide from Bryant Avenue and perhaps North Street. If each homeowner owned two cars that would bring 200 vehicles into the development with quite a few deliveries given today’s Amazon delivery habit.
Sanitation issues: A complex sewage system would be needed to serve 100 homes that will be a significant issue.
Fuel issues: Would homes use gas lines? Oil heat? Solar electricity? Wind on site? Interesting thoughts. Interesting options could be offered by Mr. Farrell to make the homes prestigious, expensive homes far more appealing than the older housing stock in White Plains and the rest of Westchester County. Given today’s environmental pressures on fuel and power, how would the homes be powered?
Rising Tide of Prestige: These homes could be highly attractive while raising the property values of the surrounding Gedney neighborhood. A visit to the Farrell Building Company website will show you the state-of-the-art luxury homes this company builds all over the country.
Westchester’s most exciting development in decades: It will be, if approved, the largest, most costly but appealing home development in White Plains since the Toll Brothers property in the Havilands Manor neighborhood where I live, and such a development I do not believe has been built since the luxury homes in Greenwich near Westchester Airport.
Property Taxes: The Farrell project will give White Plains a massive infusion of property tax money. If the Farrell homes sell for say $3 Million apiece and people buy them, let’s just ballpark what a $3 million new house custom will bring in property taxes compared to the property tax on a $650,000 home in White Plains , a home which will generate $20,000 in property taxes to White Plains, White Plains Schools and Westchester County, the property tax on a $3 Million home would be roughly 3 times more, $56,000 more a year in taxes.
Now Mr. Farrell does not have to charge $3 Million for homes, he could charge $1 million if the numbers worked out and still make $100 million on the sale of 100 homes. I don’t think that a $1,000,000 covers the cost of construction per home. However $3,000,000 dollar homes would gross $300 Million an provide a much better margin. If he scaled homes say $2 Million, $4 Million and $6 Million $8 million and $10 million with options more (Farrell has built $6 Million dollar homes.), and built different numbers of homes for each price level higher grosses and more interesting homes might be built. He could add mortgages. The size of the development offers terrific leverage.
This development will put White Plains in the black for years to come. It will bring retailers clamoring for the downtown. The houses will sell for more when they come on the market. And rapidly build their resale value. It could start a whole new Westchester market.
Million dollar plus homes are what Farrell Building Company builds. They build them well.
See what I mean by visiting the Farrell website at https://farrellbuilding.com/
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AIRPORT VIRTUAL MEETING JULY 6 TO GATHER PUBLIC’S INPUT on COUNTY AIRPORT MASTER PLAN
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WPCNR FLIGHT PLANS. From Westchester County Legislator, Catherine Parker. July 2, 2022:
The County Executive is hosting a VIRTUAL Town Hall to hear public comments regarding the Westchester County Master Plan. This is another great opportunity for the public to provide input into the vision for the future of the airport.
Click HERE to register for the event. If you would like to speak, check the “yes” box.
Don’t forget, you can also submit comments in writing to: communications@westchestergov.com
Sincerely,
Estimados Amigos y Vecinos,
El Ejecutivo del Condado está organizando un Ayuntamiento VIRTUAL para escuchar los comentarios del público sobre el Plan Maestro del Condado de Westchester. Esta es otra gran oportunidad para que el público brinde su opinión sobre la visión del futuro del aeropuerto.
Haga clic AQUÍ para registrarse en el evento. Si desea hablar, marque la casilla “yes” (“si”)
No olvide que también puede enviar comentarios por escrito a: communications@westchestergov.com
Atentamente,
TONIGHT 7:30: WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE HISTORIC JULY 1, 2022 REPORT ON FIOS CH. 45 COUNTYWIDE, OPTIMUM CH 76 IN WP AND www.wpcommunitymedia.org
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WHITE PLAINS WEEK
SINCE 2021
STATE SENATE MAJORITY ADVANCES RIGHT TO ABORTION, CONTRACEPTION IN THE NY CONSTITUTION
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| WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Office of State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins New York State Senate Majority Leader. July 1, 2022: Today, the New York State Senate Majority advanced the first passage of an amendment to to codify the right to an abortion and the right to contraception in the State Constitution. This amendment would also update the existing Equal Rights Amendment to extend current protections to several new classes, including on the basis of sex, disability, national origin, ethnicity, and age. Upon winning the supermajority in 2019, the Senate Democratic Conference immediately took steps to strengthen our civil rights and codify crucial protections, starting with the Reproductive Health Act. Further, after the leaked Dobbs decision surfaced, the Democratic Conference strengthened existing provisions and expanded access to care in a nation-leading reproductive health package. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “The reversal of Roe v. Wade made it clear that New York State must continue to stand up and be a national leader to protect women and individual rights. That is why we are proactively codifying broader equal rights under the law and ensuring the constitutional right to abortion and contraception in New York. This is a massive step forward for our state while others move backwards, and an important stance against the Supreme Court’s attacks on our rights. I am incredibly proud of our conference for advancing these historic changes to our constitution and thank Speaker Heastie and Governor Hochul for their partnership in getting this done.” The amendment advanced by the Senate Majority, includes:Expanding Protected Classes Under the Equal Rights Amendment: This resolution, S51002, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, expands equal protection under the law to several new identity classes, including on the basis of:Ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex. Sex includes sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive healthcare and autonomy. With these enumerations, this amendment guarantees a constitutional right to reproductive healthcare for any individual in the state of New York. It also protects marriage equality and other rights that the Supreme Court has endangered.Additionally, this amendment preserves laws designed to prevent or dismantle discrimination on the basis of these characteristics such as affirmative action. |
YONKERS CRACKS WASHINGTON TO YONKERS GUN-RUNNING RING-4 ARRESTED.
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WPCNR POLICE GAZZETTE. From Yonkers Police Department. June 30, 2022:
Today, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers Police Commissioner Chris Sapienza, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah, and DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III announced a series of arrests in a multi-agency investigation into illegal firearms trafficking.
Earlier in 2022, the Yonkers Police Department Narcotics Unit initiated a joint investigation with members of DEA Group D-43, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office into the illegal interstate trafficking of firearms to Yonkers.
The investigation focused on the trafficking of “ghost guns;” partially furnished, non-serialized, and untraceable firearms that can be easily assembled to become fully functioning firearms at home with parts that can be bought online and through various retailers. These “ghost guns” are designed to avoid gun laws and regulations.
On June 24, 2022, Detectives arrested Jose Gregory OLIVO-FELIZ (27) of Yonkers, Pedro Junior OLIVIO-FELIZ (21) of Yonkers, and Idanis LORA-ESPINAL (30) of Washington, D.C., in connection with this investigation.
During those arrests, Netaly A. PENA-CAMILO (25) of Washington, D.C.,allegedly fled from arresting officers but was later located in Washington, D.C., and apprehended on June 29, 2022, by members of the investigative team with the assistance of the FBI, DEA Washington Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
All four defendants have been arraigned in Yonkers City Court and are currently held without bail.
This joint investigation resulted in the seizure of TWO conventional firearms and 31 “ghost guns” that were allegedly purchased and assembled in Washington, D.C., before being transported to Yonkers for sale. The investigation shut down an alleged “Iron Pipeline” of illegal firearms from Washington, D.C., to Yonkers, NY.
“The Yonkers PD is doing a tremendous job in reducing gun violence by getting these illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of those who want to cause harm,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.
“YPD’s proactive approach is working, but we need to remain vigilant to ensure these ghost guns do not infiltrate our neighborhoods. I commend the collaborative efforts of the joint agencies who worked with our Narcotics Unit to help stem the growing gun and drug pipeline that is plaguing our nation. Let these arrests serve as a message that Yonkers does and will not tolerate these guns in our community.”
Yonkers Police Commissioner Chris Sapienza stated, “This investigation shows the amazing work that can be accomplished when highly-skilled investigators collaborate toward the ultimate goal of public safety. Because of the efforts of these Detectives and their supervisors, more than 30 guns have been removed from the streets of Yonkers and its surrounding communities. I applaud the hard work in this lengthy and successful investigation by our Yonkers Police Narcotics Unit and our partners in the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, as well as the agencies in the Washington, D.C. area for a job well done.”
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah stated: “The proliferation of illegal firearms, like ghost guns, flowing into New York from out of state is a grave threat to the safety of our communities. I’m grateful to the Yonkers Police Department and the numerous state, local, and federal partners who pursued this investigation and who work with us every day to rid our streets of illegal guns. As promised, I will use the full force of my office to prosecute gun crimes and gun traffickers.”
“New Yorkers should feel a little safer this holiday weekend after this gun trafficking network operating from DC to NY has been shut down,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III. “DEA’s strategic and targeted enforcement is focused on removing major drug threats and associated violence stemming from gun and drug trafficking networks. I applaud the diligent and courageous work by our law enforcement partners in New York and Washington DC area throughout this investigation and arrests.”
The felony complaint, filed in Yonkers City Court, sets forth the following charges:
Netaly A. PENA-CAMILO; charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
Jose Gregorio OLIVO-FELIZ; charged with two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, three counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.
Pedro Junior OLIVO-FELIZ; charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
Idanis LORA-ESPINAL; charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree.
As alleged in the felony complaint, a total of 31 ghost guns and two conventional firearms were sold on five separate occasions between April 28, 2022, and June 24, 2022, as detailed below:
- On five occasions between April 28, 2022, and June 24, 2022, Jose Gregorio OLIVO-FELIZ was in possession of and sold a total of 31 ghost guns and two conventional firearms in the City of Yonkers.
- On two occasions between May 6, 2022, and May 13, 2022, Pedro Junior OLIVO-FELIZ was in possession of and sold a total of 10 ghost guns in the City of Yonkers.
- On two occasions between May 6, 2022, and June 24, 2022, Netaly A. PENA-CAMILO was in possession of and sold a total of 26 ghost guns in the City of Yonkers.
- On June 24, 2022, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Idanis LORA-ESPINAL was in possession of 19 ghost guns in the City of Yonkers.
All suspects are currently in custody and awaiting upcoming court appearances. The case is being prosecuted by the Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Additional information may be released as it becomes available.
NOTE: Booking charges are merely accusations, and the defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. ###
TONIGHT ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” AT 8 FIOS CH 45 AND OPTIMUM CH. 76 & WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG YOU’VE GOT DR. JOSEPH RICCA ON THE END OF YEAR SCHOOL REPORT.
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JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS DR. RICCA ON
THE PROGRESS OF WHITE PLAINS STUDENTS.
THE ISSUES AND HOW THE DISTRICT HANDLED THEM
BUDGET PRESSURES FOR THE NEW YEAR 2023-24
LESSONS LEARNED FROM COVID
NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS FOR NEXT YEAR
WHEN THE NEW SCHOOL UPGRADE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL START
THE PRIMARY ISSUE FACING OUR STUDENTS TODAY–AND IT’S NOT COVID
THE CHALLENGE TO THE DISTRICT MOVING FORWARD
“INFLATION FIGHTING INITIATIVE” SAVES WESTCHESTER RESIDENTS TIME AND MONEY ON FOOD UP 18% THIS YEAR, COMMUTING, COOLING OFF TIME, COOLING OFF ALL SUMMER LONG.
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications (EDITED).
Earlier this week Latimer announced other measures taken by the County to ease the burden facing County residents’ wallets.
These actions include:
· Funding for Feeding Westchester: Increasing funding to Feeding Westchester by $700,000, which doubles what is included in the 2022 budget and covers the increased cost of food and fuel.
o Feeding Westchester has experienced an increase this year to $0.71 per pound across the foods they provide, compared to $0.60 per pound last year. Overall, they are seeing an 18% year over year increase in food costs. The additional $700,000 for Feeding Westchester will enable them to support 883,838 people. In addition, the average food package provided by a food pantry has a value of approximately $60 saving a family $240/month.
Beginning Tuesday, July 5, Glen Island Beach fees will be waived, Monday through Thursday, through Thursday, September 1. The latest move to ease inflation costs for residents will be at Glen Island Beach in New Rochelle and also at the County’s pools, Saxon Woods Pool in White Plains and Sprain Ridge and The Brook at Tibbetts in Yonkers. Croton Point Beach in Croton-on-Hudson is open weekends only, and Willson’s Woods in Mount Vernon is currently free daily.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “As costs continue to rise, the County is taking measures to ease the burden facing residents. Visiting pools and beaches during the summer should be a stress-fee experience, and I look forward to families coming out this summer to enjoy their time together.”
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, Kathy O’Connor said: “Our pools and beaches are a local destination our residents look forward to visiting each summer. I’m happy we are able to take these steps to ensure our residents don’t miss out this year.”
The beaches and pools are accessible by the Bee-Line Bus, which is free to ride this summer, through Labor Day, Monday, September 5.
· Free Commuter Parking: Westchester County will be providing free parking at the North White Plains Commuter Lot, and the County Center parking lot from July 1 – August 31.
· Sales Tax CUT TO COME:
Westchester County has the ability to lower/eliminate the sales tax on residential energy on a quarterly basis. The County needs to adopt a local law and notify NYS Tax and Finance 90 days ahead of implementation. The County is proposing eliminating the sales tax for the quarter beginning December 1. This time period would cover the start of the heating season. The sales tax elimination covers home heating oil, propane, natural gas, electric, coal and wood for residential heating purposes. It covers homeowners as well as rental units. Renters or landlords would be eligible depending on the structure of the unit’s heat and electric use.
· Civil Service Exams: The County will waive the fees for civil service exams through December 31.
All four pools and Glen Island Beach are open daily, 11 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.; last admission at 6 p.m.; proof of residency is required. Croton Point Beach is open weekends only and Mondays, July 4 and Labor Day, Sept. 5. Parking fees at Glen Island and The Brook at Tibbetts still apply during the time admission fees are waived. For additional information, visit parks.westchestergov.com or call: 914-864-PARK.
Governor Hochul on Monkeypox Vaccinations
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“Today, I spoke with Dr. Ashish Jha and Dr. Raj Panjabi of the White House to discuss our shared concerns about how to meet the monkeypox vaccination needs of New Yorkers. New York State and the Biden Administration will continue to work together on vaccine distribution plans to ensure New York State receives enough vaccine supply to protect New Yorkers, especially those New Yorkers in communities with high transmission rates.
“In New York State, we have seen a disproportionate number of monkeypox cases, especially within our LGBTQ+ communities who have been hit especially hard. I recognize the fear and anxiety this outbreak has caused, especially for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, which is why my team and I will continue to work around the clock to secure as many vaccines as possible for our residents.
“Following up on my administration’s ongoing conversations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Monkeypox Response Team, I am pleased to share New York has been able to secure a significant number of vaccines to continue our efforts in responding to and meeting the needs of our most at risk populations, particularly men who have sex with men.
Through the public health partnerships and collaboration efforts already in place, New York will soon have 8,195 doses available. We will continue to work with Dr. Jha and the federal government to ensure future allocations reflect the needs of New Yorkers.
“As your Governor, I am committed to protecting our most vulnerable communities and ensuring equitable resource allocation and information. I am grateful to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Dr. Jha for their help in securing additional vaccine doses for New Yorkers, and I look forward to continuing our work together in keeping New Yorkers safe.”