WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES. | WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.

Open Government: Housing Auth Should Disclose Winbrook Wanna-Be’s. Apps In Fall

Posted on July 16, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. July 16, 2009: According to New York State Committee on Open Government Office, commenting on the WPHA refusal to disclose the developer-wanna-be’s of Winbrook there “doesn’t seem to be any harm in disclosure of the names of all entities.”

The White Plains Housing Authority declined a WPCNR request last week to disclose the identities of development companies (stated publicly as from anywhere to 12 to 30 firms) who have submitted their credentials for consideration by the WPHA to be the developer who will construct the half-billion to a billion dollar Winbrook Revitalization Zoning approved last week in record time by the Common Council.

Junked? Conceptual Plan a Concept Only. Real Winbrook Revitalization Could Be Completely Different (within zoning confines).

Hurry Up Pass it and Wait. Applications, not ready to go. Awaiting Developer

The Housing Authority also revealed to WPCNR last week that there are no applications for HUD money and other grants “bureaucrat-ready” to submit this month because the developer to be selected from the list of first-responders to the White Plains Housing Authortity Request for Qualifications is expected to execute all the applications, documents, and mounds to HUD and other grant agencies.

Asked if the developer names were submitted in connection with presentation of credentials and qualifications to develop only and no bids, if the WPHA should disclose all the developer identities, Camille Jobin-Davis, Esq., Assistant Director of the NYS Committee on Open Government, said “I would agree.”

In the case of requests for proposals, which have not been sent out by the WPHA, She commented that if the Housing Authority narrowed the field to a handful of developers for consideration and submission of bids, and in an effort to negotiate the best deal for the Housing Authority from among the three, caselaw agrees that the Housing Authority could withhold the elite three or four selections.

Mack Carter, Executive Director of the White Plains Housing Authority, explained the WPHA refusal to divulge the names of firms that have responded to the Request for Qualifications promulgated last spring, saying, “that’s not the way we do business.”

Carter, asked if applications to HUD for stimulus funding would be going out this month which had been publicly stated as being the impetus for swift Common Council approval of the Winbrook “Rezoning Package” paving the way for the Winbrook Revitalization, Carter said no applications or paperwork would be going out until after the developer has been selected. Carter said the designated developer would be making the application, drawing up the site plans, and working with the White Plains Housing Authority on the protocols and paperwork on the project.

Mr. Carter said the WPHA hoped to winnow from the list three developers, than select from one of those three, based on their proposals. However, the Request for Qualifications does not specifically ask for proposals for the site with the applications or bids of any kind. Carter said the three to be selected would be picked by the WPHA Board. The WPHA, Carter said would be solely responsible for selecting the developer. The Common Council would not have final approval of the developer but eventually would have input on whatever project is selected.

Carter said the preliminary concept designs shown Winbrook residents in two recent public meetings attended by less than 100 Winbrook residents (17 attended the one WPCNR observed).were “conceptual” only and the new project submitted by the selected developer could turn out to be completely different.

The decision on the developer is expected to come in September.

Fot those students of law, Ms. Jobin-Davis refers to the following cases in defining disclosure rights and protocol on the part of the developing agency in Requests for Proposals:

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/ftext/f8937.htm (See paragraph “In the case of RFPs…”)

http://www.dos.state.ny.us./coog/ftext/f8669.htm (See paragraph “When an agency…”)

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/ftext/f9439.htm ( See paragraph “In the case of RFPs…”)

Battle Hill Residents Raise Crime/Vehicular Enforcement Concerns to City

Posted on July 15, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. From Battle Hill Association, and Mike McConnell. July 15, 2009 UPDATED 11:05 A.M. E.D.T.: The Battle Hill Association last week reported to WPCNR, “there seems to be a rash of burglaries throughout the neighborhoods.”

Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, Daniel Jackson, told WPCNR this morning when asked to comment on the “rash of burglaries” comment issued this statement:

Our reports show that there has been one residential burglary on Battle Hill and two commercial burglaries in the past month. The two commercials occurred last Friday of two adjacent establishments. The residential was reported on June 24. There are open investigations on all three.

The observation reports speaking to White Plains Police the last week in June, who reported only one burglary on Battle Hill, and that in order to see what was described as “other reports,” the inquirer would have to file a Freedom of Information Law request which would take another week.

Last night a traffic incident on Chatterton Parkway, a notorious traffic cut through street where motorists go from Central Avenue over Battle Hill into White Plains, caused another resident Mike McConnell to write the police in White Plains and Greenburgh, calling for stricter patrol of the area.

Commissioner Jackson of White Plains, asked if he wished to comment on Mr. McConnell’s criticisms of police patrols in Battle Hill (shared with the Mayor’s Office), said the police had “no comment.”

Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor, early Wednesday morning responded to McConnell, writing: I will ask the Greenburgh police chief to review this matter. PAUL FEINER

The Battle Hill Association says to the CitizeNetReporter after the Association had sent out a warning to residents of burglary risk, a resident was burglarized June 16. The BHA says jewelry was taken in both homes and that there was no forced entry, with both homes having left a door or window open.

The Battle Hill Association reports “hearing” of burglaries in the George Washington and Highlands neighborhoods with homes not ransacked and jewelry taken. In the letter, the Battle Hill Association criticises police for “the so-called community police not informing associations since they tell us we are the eyes and ears of the neighborhood.”

Battle Hill Association raises this question in the open letter: “We also have a neighborhood watch that were trained by police, why are they not utilizing their resources?”

Traffic Concerns Rise

In Mr. McConnell’s letter sent to Mayor Joseph Delfino Tuesday, Mr. McConnell writes, in part:

To: White Plains Public Safety c/o Mayor Joe Delfino, City of White Plains

Lt. Christopher c/o Mayor Joe Delfino,

I would like to bring your attention to a matter that has been raised many times before only to have only to be routinely pushed aside. The issue of Traffic Safety on Chatterton Pkwy. I am raising the issue of one of the most dangerous stretches of roads in White Plains and Greenburg.

Tonight (Tuesday) at approximately 9:37PM I was attempting to make a right on red from Hawley onto Chatterton Pkwy and I was almost broadsided by a (WMI) Dominos delivery “Weapon of Mass Indigestion”. This vehicle was traveling at what appeared to be in excess of 50mph and blew through the very short red light at this intersection. I made every effort to follow this vehicle back to the store but found that was impossible by driving 30mph. I eventually made it to the store about 0:01-0:015 min. behind this maniac purveyor of pizza. I entered the store and filed a complaint with the manager.

I do feel that the corporate management of Dominos should be notified as well and will address this matter tomorrow. Franchise owned or not they still are bombing around with the dominos logo on their vehicles making Dominos complicit in this direct threat to public safety.

As you know I spent 1-2 years providing info to you regarding a Green Van with and unlicensed driver who continued to drive around our neighborhood unmolested and ignored by the WPPD. If you did actually address the problem you most certainly failed to advise me as the source of the complaint. I happened to see this Green Van about 3 wks back and it appeared to have new NJ or PA plates so I guess we have passed our problem onto to some un-suspecting NJ or PA police depts.

We still have multiple cabs, limos, 25 ft trucks at the delis and delivery vehicles speeding around our neighborhood un-checked by the WPPD. I rarely see any WPPD activity or cruisers in our neighborhood and it is time that the residents of Chase, Waldo, Chatterton Pkwy, Wayne, Alexander, Jackson and Lee get an equal share of tax payer funded services. It is clear that the WPPD expends the majority of its resources in the downtown area and the more affluent areas.

I have also noticed the area around the deli’s on Battle Hill has once again begun to deteriorate. I observed gentlemen hanging out as early as 10:00/10:30AM on weekdays, sitting on milk crates again, AM, PM it just doesn’t matter.

I have observed your cruisers drive right by without breaking up these groups of men who don’t seem to live in this neighborhood. I see vehicles from CT, NJ , PA, NC AZ parked regularly at these delis. Doesn’t NYS Motor Vehicle Law require anybody living in NY re-register their vehicles? Can you advise what the WPPD does when they might stop the same out of state vehicle in say, a three month period. Is the real address of the driver and owner verified. Does the WPPD notify the Insurance company that the vehicle appears to be domiciled in a state that it is not registered in?

As a result of the recent spree of robberies (burglaries), I felt compelled to sign a contract to upgrade my old inactive alarm system to a more modern one. This of course cost me money I really can’t afford spend but it really appears to be necessary due to the increase in un-reported crimes in this city. I am out urging all my neighbors to do the same because we need to protect ourselves since this City’s administration has failed to keep its lower middle income bracket safe.

The Connie

Posted on July 12, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR PHOTOS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR Flying Photographer. July 12,2009: Saturday was a great day to fly and the WPCNR Flying Photographer was invited along on a short 20-minute flight to see a ghost of aviation’s past now tucked away in retirement at Greenwood Lake Airport in West Milford, New Jersey – she’s a Connie – the original Lockheed Constellation which flew the first Air France flight from New York to Paris in 1946 63 years ago last Thursday on July 9, 1946. She stands poised, her seats removed for a dance floor, with her flight deck looking ready, her pilots’ jackets at rest.

To walk her corriodors, to contemplate her all-business engines recalls the feel and the dynamic of an era when flying was glamorous. When conductor Andre Kostelanetz made four trips to the West Coast to see the love of his life, Maria Callas. When fedoras were the rage and you “dressed” to fly.

Come Fly With Me! TWA Stewardesses, 1950

To the Connie,on her 63rd Anniversary of her Inaugurating New York to Paris, the bard of the airways dedicates this poem:

The Connie

She stands poised her nose pointed haughty to the blue yonder.

In a little valley in the mountains now in faded livery of red, white and gray, she is the Atlantic Conquerer.

The Connie rests, mighty Lockheeds poised eternally, waiting to rev for waiting flights that will never be.

Never again to roar to life with the authority of a quartet

Of lions’ roars, lifting graceful Connie to the canopy of stars.

Seats posh to pamper leaders of an age gone by, served by trim stewardesses serving steaks, foie gras, martinis and cokes–

To elegant ladies, gentlemen of achievement, pushing to be first on the leading edge as steady props slicedthe velvet dark.

Brave pilots conquered time and distance, 25,000 feet above the dark waves of Atlantic waters, first with radar, first to Paris. Ghostly hands on the yokes.

With dulcet tones and command, they are there still creating confidence that all is well in uncharted skies.

In the night, the engines in their silence speak of thousands of airports from tropics to steppe, island to interior wherever leaders roam.

The proud nose points West with the night, East to the dawn.

On nights of the full moon, the empty cabin fills with ghosts of stars, statesmen, artists, tycoons, and dreamers who dared into yesterday’s forever.

Classes clink. Champagne toasted. Red lips and cufflinks gleam in moonlight, as they dine on sole and prawn.

Veiled Garbos and elegant Gables, Grants, Hugheses and Bogarts commingle with revelers of relevance toasting the Connie that carried them to their fields of endeavor

The Connie is once again young in the night. She remembers when she conquered time distance and dreams taking dreamers into their tomorrow “forever.”

County Board Creates Assessment Commission.

Posted on July 9, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Board of Legislators. (Supplemented with additional reporting by WPCNR)July 9,2009: The Westchester County Board of Legislators passed a resolution Tuesday to create the Westchester Collaborative Assessment Commission (WCAC). This resolution was introduced by Legislator Ken Jenkins (D, I, WF – Yonkers), Chairman of the Committee on Government Operations. This action by the County Board is the result of several months of work in committee with the various municipal stakeholders, the Westchester County Tax Commissioner and the NYS Office of Real Property Services. “This resolution is an important first step as we work together with the municipalities to address property tax fairness. For governments at every level, there is no greater issue than addressing property taxes. This is the type of issue where the value and economy of scale County government delivers is highlighted,” said Jenkins.

The Commission as created has no set number of members from each group represented on the Commission, an issue that troubled several legislators on the floor (George Oros, Vito Pinto), who said that without a limit, votes could be stacked. Jenkins dismissed this criticism because the groups involved were professionals with an interest in accurate data, and had worked together to recommend the commission.

.Jenkins in his speech on the floor said that the Commission would upon completion of the database “The final portion of this that theseparameters from the WCAC would then be passed back to the Board of Legislators for its action, whatever action those may happen to be.” He did not specify the nature of the parameters.

It was also stated by Mr. Jenkins that after the aerial photography and oblique photography (photography from the horizontal perspective, not simply overhead) would be conducted first and then incorporated into a county database, accessable to local assessors for up-to-2010 (the photography is expected to be executed in the winter months), views of commercial properties. The photography would be conducted on commercial properties only.

Lloyd Tasch, President of the Westchester Municipal Assessors Association,(and also the City of White Plains Assessor) said at this point he is pleased that the Commission was created and that the main objective will be “getting every municipality’s data up-to-date and on an even keel.” He said it might take as much as a year to complete all the data,(“I’ve seen the way these things go.”) He said the data alone, including the photography piece included into one county accessible system for every assessor would help assessors use commercial data to fight certioraris more efficiently.

He declined to speculate on what parameters the Commission would be looking at in their final recommendations to the Board of Legislators. He said the data piece alone would go a long way towards fighting the certiorari seige. Ken Jenkins, the legislator said that Yonkers had to bond for $19 Million in their budget this year for certirorari refunds, which made up 3% of the 5.6% tax increase in the Yonkers city budget.

Legislator Pete Harckham (D, I, WF – Bedford) said, “The operative word in the Collaborative Assessment Commission is ‘collaborative’. This is a text book model of local municipalities and the County government sharing resources to reduce costs and improve the assessment capabilities at the local level. The State is holding this approach up as a model for other counties to follow.”

Legislator John Nonna (D,I,WF – Pleasantville) said, “The establishment of the Collaborative Assessment Commission is an important step in working with our municipalities to help them create a transparent, fair and equitable assessment process. The creation of a database for commercial and other properties will assist municipalities in establishing sound assessments and reducing certioraris. As a former mayor, I am well aware of the burden the certioraris–return of taxes because of over assessment– places on our municipal governments. This collaborative effort is a classic example of shared service and County government working with its constituent towns, villages and cities to help them fulfill their missions.”

Legislator Bill Burton (D,I,WF – Ossining) said, “This establishment of this Commission shows that Westchester County understands what is necessary to help reduce unfair taxation and bad assessment practice. By using the County’s strengths in data processing and volume purchasing power, Westchester County is helping local officials take steps to make taxes fairer and, ultimately, less onerous.”

The members of the WCAC will be from the Westchester County Tax Commission, the Westchester Municipal Officials Association and the Westchester County Chapter, New York State Assessors Association with the Executive Director of the Westchester County Tax Commission serving as liaison to the County Board. The WCAC will be responsible for the development of a regional model for the collection and maintenance of property data that would be used by local assessing units as the standard for recording the characteristics of every parcel of property in their communities.

Specifically, the WCAC will have the following objectives:

· To develop a model for the recording and maintenance of property data by the municipalities with assessing units which is to result in the design of a property information card with appropriate fields that will standardize all property data in the county for assessment purposes;

· To provide a time and cost estimate for updating the property data to be maintained and utilized by the local assessing unit; and be it further

The resolution also supports the photometry recommended in the Collaborative Assessment Report including oblique aerial photography and street level photography. The resolution establishes a centralized commercial assessment data base to be maintained by the County as recommended in the Collaborative Assessment report.

Taxi Drivers Claim City Racist in Their Treatment of Drivers.

Posted on July 8, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR HEARD AROUND CITY HALL. July 8, 2009: The Citizens to be Heard (untelevised) portion of Monday’s Common Council meeting was the scene of a raucous continuous filibuster by a group of White Plains cabbies protesting new cab rules being enacted by the city, which include auctioning more cab medallions. According to an observer, the drivers protested that the Common Council in supporting the proposals was exhibiting racism in the treatment of the drivers.

The observer reports: The taxi drivers really acted like total thugs during yesterday’s Citizens to Be Heard forum. The language used by their leader was so over the top, too identifying their struggle to rise with Martin Luther King’s struggles for equality and even saying their treatment was similar to the treatment of Jews during the holocaust. That’s really what I was hearing, and it was scary and bizarre. They really have a vicim-mentality concerning their taxi raises. They pulled in every historic civil rights issue imaginable and were pretty much calling the Common Council racist.

Via Quadronno Closes. Trattoria to Be Named Later to Replace It in Month.

Posted on July 7, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. Special to WPCNR from Cappelli Enterprises. July 7,2009 (EDITED): In three weeks, a new classic trattoria will be opening in the heart of downtown White Plains. Located at the strategic corner of Main Street and Renaissance Square, the stylish new restaurant will open in the space formerly occupied by Via Quadronno which closed over the July 4 weekend.

“This street level location in the historic Bar Building quickly proved to be very successful,” said Mr. Cappelli. “But Via Quadronno’s price points were relatively high and, as a result, its volume was affected by the recession. After speaking with our customers, we decided to adjust both the venue and the approach to better match the price point needs with today’s cost-conscious dining patrons. We look forward to the venue becoming Westchester’s newest dining hot spot.” Photo, WPCNR NEWS ARCHIVE

Mr. Cappelli said the trattoria will be brought on-line in a matter of weeks. “We will capture the peak alfresco dining months and are confident that this will be a restaurant that will quickly be a favorite eatery year round,” he said.

Paul Garbuio, who served as manager/owner of Café Antico, Mt. Kisco, for 12 years, will be the new manager. Prior to Café Antico he was co-owner of Café Nosidam of the Upper East Side of Manhattan for 12 years.

Mr. Garbuio said: “The focus will be the creation of classic trattoria pasta and other dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients. In addition, we will offer weekly chef specials. We are confident that the up-beat, trendy and very approachable trattoria we are creating will be embraced by our customers and win new fans.” He added: “The attractive bill of fare will enable patrons to enjoy coming to this restaurant a few times a week rather than dining out on special occasions only.”

Co-owners Louis Cappelli and Lou Ceruzzi are creating the trattoria — which will operate under new management and a new name — as a result of a shift in dining trends. A name has not yet been selected.

Since Via Quadronno was originally designed and built with Italian elegance in mind, major modifications will not be required to accommodate the new approach.

The trattoria will be open seven days a week. Lunch and dinner will be served Monday through Saturday. On Sunday dinner will be served from noon – 9:00 pm. The restaurant will be open from 11:30 am – 10:00 pm on Monday to Thursday and from 11:30 am – 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. Dinner entrees will start at $15. An extensive list of moderately priced wines will be available.

Mr. Garbuio, the chef, also noted that a new website will be launched to provide the public with updates on menus, weekly chef specials and other information about “our plans for this exciting new dining destination.”

The restaurant is co-owned by Messrs. Cappelli and Ceruzzi. Mr. Cappelli is also co-owner of the spectacular “42” located on the forty-second floor of Tower One at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester. Mr. Ceruzzi has extensive restaurant ownership experience, with his flagship Bottega Del Vino on 59^th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City.

County Explains Reversal of Planning Department on Winbrook Rezoning

Posted on July 7, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. July 7,2009: Westchester County Communications Director Donna Greene, in response to WPCNR’s request for an explanation why the County Planning Department withdrew its call for a thorough SEQR review of the Winbook-Lexington Avenue site before the zoning change approved last night, has issued this statement,after consultation with Westchester County Planning Commissioners:

Commissioner Habel forwarded additional information to the Planning Department on Monday relating to the Winbrook rezoning proposal. She also spoke with the Planning Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Monday to advise them that the city previously had provided incomplete information to the county Planning Board with regard to this action. She noted that the previously submitted information gave the mistaken impression that there is a site plan for the Winbrook property when in fact there is none – only a concept to show that at least one option can work on the site.

The newly submitted information will be reviewed by (White Plains) Planning Department staff and, as may be appropriate, recommendations will be made to the county Planning Board for its consideration.

With regard to redevelopment of the Winbrook site, the county Planning Board previously wrote to the city that “Planning for a mix of fair and affordable housing to a range of incomes, integrated with commercial services, should set the framework for creating a more attractive, functional and vibrant urban community.”

Should Graduations Come Back to High School and Middle Schools

Posted on July 7, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS POLL. July 7,2009: New Superintendent of Schools Christopher Clouet announced last night at the Board of Education, he was convening a committee of school officials to explore the possibilities of moving high school and middle school graduations back to WPHS and either Highlands or Middle School or both. He said the committee would be looking into the cost of holding them at the Westchester County Center, as well as other venues, pros and cons, and issues. He said he was doing so because many in the district on his introductions to the district the last month had asked him about it.

What do Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains think? Give us your thoughts in the poll at the right.

Prior Winbrook zoning Rush, Frank, Waters Say Halt Approvals for New Demolition

Posted on July 7, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR POTOMAC POST. By John F. Bailey. July 7, 2009: Congressman Barney Frank and Congresswoman Maxine Waters asked Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan in a letter dated June 15, to place a “one year moratorium on the approval of applications for the demolition or disposition of public housing units.”

Frank and Waters in their letter to Mr. Donovan, ask no approvals for future demolitions should be made “until such time as housing authorities are required to replace demolished or disposed units on a one-for-one basis, we risk losing the crucial investment and significant asset these units represent,”

It is not clear how this would affect White Plains Housing Authority ability to obtain immediate HUD HOPE VI funds, grants or any of the $4 Billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funs for the Winbrook replacement project that the council in essence approved last night, in effect, by approving the zoning for the project. Executive Director Mack Carter did not specify “a laundry list” of funding sources the White Plains Housing Authority was going to pursue last night and was not pressed for a timetable by the Council, or for what he expected to raise.

The White Plains Housing Authority proposes do just that,replace units one for one. But it is unclear what effect, if any, the Frank-Waters request of Secretary Donovan will have. WPCNR will check with Mr. Frank’s office and HUD.

It was obvious from Mr.Carter’s remarks that the Housing Authority does not have any requests for approval on HUD’s desk, so if there is going to be a moratorium by HUD on such approvals, the Housing Authority is perhaps overly optimistic in how soon funding could be secured. Again, the Council did not ask for details on the Housing Authority plans.

WPCNR was advised of this by a housing executive just today, and though Councilman Roach was informed of the effort by the influential Mr. Frank and Ms.Waters, he chose not to mention it at this evening’s meeting as a possible reason to delay the vote of the zoning.

The existence of the suggested halt in new demolition projects was not mentioned by White Plains Housing Authority Counsel or Housing Authority Executive Director Mack Carter, but perhaps they did not know about it.

If Applications approvals are halted for one year, it is unclear how this affects the project ability to fund itself. Carter did not say how much money the Housing Authority needed to do the paperwork to apply for the unspecified grants, other than Hope VI grants. He was not asked by the Common Council either how much he needed.

For members of the Common Council, and whoever would like to read the letter from Mr. Frank and Ms.Waters in its entirety, go to http://www.ntic-us.org/images/HJM/waters%20%26%20frank%20moratorium%20letter.pdf

Council Blesses Rezoning Winbrook. Try for Mystery Stimulus $ Starts New Era

Posted on July 6, 2009 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. July 6,2009: The Common Council unanimously agreed to include Winbrook and the West side of South Lexington Avenue in the Central Parking Area, allowing retail and mixed use establishments on the Winbrook site, and 5 buildings 15 stories in height which will become homes for 450 apartment residents who live there now.

No citizens spoke in support or against the measure in the Public Hearing that lasted about 25 minutes. Attorney William Null representing the White Plains Housing Authority explained circumstances explained in the SEQRA Handbook under which a major development such as this could have a zoning change without a full-range SEQRA review.

Commissioner of Planning for the City, Susan Habel said that the County Commissioner of Planning and the Deputy County Commissioner of Planning who had advised the city to do a thorough environmental SEQR Review before zoning have reversed their opposition over the weekend to the zoning, because she said they did not actually “understand” the zoning, now, Ms. Habel said they definitely are behind the project, whatever it may be.

Mr. Null explained the designs shown publicly last week are “conceptual,” and they were not shown to the public tonight. But, they were shown to residents of Winbrook last week. Commissioner Habel described the Winbrook project as the beginning of a rebuilding of both sides of Lexington Avenue and West Post Road. Mack Carter, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority, said the DeKalb building would be next in the WPHA rebuilding program.

All members of the council said it was important that all residents remain living on the site. Ms. Lecouna, the councilperson, expressed that the phasing of the building of the new buildings had to be carefully looked at. Mr. Null said it would at the time a real site plan was presented.

Dennis Power, asked Mack Carter, Executive Director of the Housing Authority what sources of funding the White Plains Housing Authority would pursue. Carter said there were a number of sources they would pursue, starting with grants, and they also hoped for Hope VI funding. Power, significantly did not ask when Carter and the Housing Authority were going to send in the applications, whether they would be in by August 1 for example.

Mr. Null went to great length to say on television, that the number of units of Winbrook was not being increased, when the actually zoning change allows 1,100 units according the project architect, Gary Warshauer in a public meeting last week.

The public viewing this hearing would not know that the project would also include mixed income units of affordable housing and market rate units. No one on the council asked any questions about a timetable for the process.

The North Street Community public hearing was moved to August 3, after about an hour and fifteen minute discussion (three times as long as the hearing on Winbrook, coincidently) of the new automated parking system, followed by concerns expressed by Councilperson Rita Malmud, and Councilperson Lecouna about the density.