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.
ANNOUNCES BEGINNING OF PHASE II OF MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT. $1.74 MILLION IN INTERIOR RENOVATION TO COMPLETE IN MAY. NO COUNTY MONEY INVOLVED.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WESTCHESTER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM WITH MUSEUM WORKERS POISED FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OF THE REST OF THE MUSEUM STRUCTURE AT THE MUSEUM TODAY AT PLAYLAND.TRACY KAY (CENTER) COMMENTS ON THE POPULARITY OF THE MUSEUM SINCE OPENING IN 2016. MARA MANUS, SECOND FROM RIGHT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK COUNCIL ON THE ARTS, WHICH FUNDED $824,000 FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION WHICH WAS MATCHED BY $824,000 IN PRIVATE DONATIONS. WPCNR VIDEOPANORAMA OF SPACE AT THE HISTORIC PLAYLAND BATHOUSE TO BE RETROFITTED WITH PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND IT SYSTEMS, NEW COLORING, SAFETY SYSTEMS, NEW ADMISSION AND ENTRANCER CIRCULATION AREA, NEW CLASSROOMS, GIFT SHOP, SNACK AREA AND QUEUING SPACE.
The museum has been slowly taking form over the last 9 years, delayed considerably by the former Robert Astorino County administration which was slow to turn over occupancy to the museum. The County, according to Mr. Kay, agreed to repair the decaying walls and interior of the deteriorated bathhouse for $6.2 Million when the museum was first conceived at the close of the Andrew Spano administration. The Museum paid $2.4 Million in contributions to install infrastructure in the portion of the museum that began operations in 2016.
WPCNR asked Mr. Latimer about whether Standard Amusements is still interested in taking over management of Playland. Mr. Latimer said, “The lawyers are still in negotiations.” He said Westchester County would run Playland this summer and by November 1, the county would see where things stood with Standard. He said he could not comment further because he did not want to influence the talks still going on.
WPCNR SOUTHEND TIMES.By John F. Bailey. March 13, 2019:
Promising his audience at the Council of Neighborhood Associations he would “give you all the answers,” Robert Weisz did just that last night
As he began his presentation on his “The Flats” apartments now in public hearings before the White Plains Common Council, before he’d even spoken two sentences, murmurs and raised voices from the circle of CNA representatives rose in clamor, before they were admonished by CNA President telling them to hold their questions until after Mr. Weisz had finished, calming the crowd for the duration of the meeting.
MR. WEISS EXPLAINING HOW HE WILL HANDLE ACCESS TO RIDGEWAY CONCERNS. WPCNR VIDEO
By meeting’s end, Mr. Weisz had won them over.
His patient, clear, unruffled answers and refreshing sincerity of style had appeared to have given most of the concerned satisfactory answers to their concerns and support of the project from most of the delegates. His passion as an owner was contagious to the crowd. He showed the audience he cared about being a good neighbor, saying,
“We have micromanaged this project. We don’t want to be a nuisance to anyone. We have tried very hard to do the right thing.”
Concerns of those at the Council raised centered on the heights of the 5-story apartments; whether paths leading into the Ridgeway neighborhood would be closed off from the 1133 complex to prevent access by pedestrian/trespassers; lighting from the complex and ability of the redesigned parking lot at 1133 would handle all the cars of 303 apartment dwellers and 1133 business tenants. Significantly, no traffic concerns or situations appeared an issue.
ON TRAFFIC
Saying he intended to build 250 additional parking slots for a total of 1,250 and redesigning the parking configuration with narrower parking slots, a traffic circle, landscaping, he eased parking capacity fear. He announced a daily shuttle service to take residents and workers to and from the White Plains Metro North Station and the the 1133 complex at various times during the day. He said he is working on designing an evergreen copse of trees to shield the Ridgeway and North Street areas from the compled during the winter when existing trees were devoid of leaves.
ON ENVIROMNENTAL CONCERNS
He assured them the 5-story apartments (to be erected on the Westchester Avenue/Maple Moor Golf Course side of the property) would be built on a 10-foot lower grade slope than the existing 1133 building assuring the tops of the solar-paneled rooftops would not be visible over the top of the 1133 office roof.
Weisz disclosed that his outreach to firms who were tenants at 1133 and looking for office space, had indicated, that they were interested in renting apartments as corporate suites for use by their companies, and apartments for their workers if they were to take space at the 1133 office complex, which currently is 90% rented, Weisz said.
He said the complex already is a natural gas customer of Con Edision, so it was not affected by the Con Edision moratorium on new natural gas connections after March 15. He also said that his existing building already had interrupted service installed, allowing them to use oil fuel in event of an excessive demand for natural gas.,
The new apartments with the name “The Flats” is to contain 170 one-bedroom apartments, 120 two bedroom apartments, and 10 three-bedroom apartments.
He anticipated getting approval by mid-summer, starting the project before winter (“We’re ready to go,” he said, and opening the project sometime in 2021.
Weiss commented his meeting Monday evening with the Ridgeway Association went well, too. He described a meeting where most of the participants were positive to the project at the close.
Weisz, answering a question of the CNA President about why White Plains appealed to him and the future of city zoning proposal allowing residential apartments in White Plains office parks in the city Here was his answer:
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 11, 2019:
Taxpayers in White Plains will be faced with a 3.5% increase in their school tax rate, if the preliminary Superintendent’s Budget stays as it is. And if there is no last minute legislative infusion of school aid to the White Plains School District, or cuts by the Board of Education
In one of the more detailed presentations of the budget this evening at White Plains Education House, before 40 persons, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Ricca detailed at $226,285,980 budget for 2019-20, a 3.4% increase over the current school year budget of $21,593,020.
The increase up from the $225 Million projection made in January previously, was two PILOT Projects expiring and going on to the tax roll.
According to Assistant Superintendent for Business, Ann Vaccaro-Teich the 3.4% increase in the budget /results in a 3.5% increase in the tax rate/per $1,000 of assessed valuation of $28, (raising the tax rate from $644.66 per to $672.66/ $1,000 of assessed valutation.
The $28 increase in the tax rate means that the median priced home in White Plains ($650,000) will pay approximately $462 more in school taxes, $11,082 compared to $10,620 this year.
The budget introduces a new Capital Reserve Fund of $25 Million to be raised over the next 10 years to pay for maintenaing the district aging buildings. The establishment of that $25 Million reserve decision would have to be approved in a proposition by the voters in the May 21 School District Budget Vote.
The vote on May 21 will also have a proposition to expend $6.4 Million out of the existing Capital Reserve Fund to cover infrastructure renovations at Highlands School and the high school.
The School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Rica told WPCNR that there were no cuts made to the original budget submitted a month ago.
He also emphasized during the presentation that White Plains School District would receive $65,000 in state aid this year an increased of ½ a percent. This, of course could change.
Dr. Ricca emphasized that if the budget is defeated twice it would have to be cut by 6.3 Million.
In reviewing projected White Plains School District enrollment, showing White Plains enrollment remaining at the 7,000 level over the next 4 years, Dr. Ricca said the projection did not project any increases from the 6,000 plus apartments planned to be
IN OUR 19TH YEAR FIGHTING FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAYMARCHING APARTMENTS DOWN PLATINUM MILE IN WHITE PLAINS.WINDWARD SCHOOL MOVING TO MARCH OF DIMES HQ–WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE OLD WINDWARD LOCATIONJOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS DR. ALEC MILLER OF COGNITIVE BEHAVORIAL CONSULTANTS WHITE PLAINS ON THE INTERNET ADDICTION IN TEENS AND ADULTS.
KAT BREZLER ADDRESSING COMMON COUNCIL ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK
WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica. March 3, 2019:
“The Governor has said that the challenge for this budget is dealing with the fiscal realities of revenue shortfalls and an unstable economy.
At our revenue forecasting conference, independent nationally recognized economists, including those invited by the Legislature, warned of a slowing economy.
The Federal SALT tax changes are hurting our economy and limiting our revenue raising options in the result of a recession.
“The revenue forecast is an essential starting point for the State budget, and the Senate, Assembly and Executive do not agree on a revenue estimate, with the Senate insisting on much higher revenues than the Assembly or Executive. By law, we now turn to the Comptroller for a binding revenue estimate.
“While the budget discussion always has differing political priorities and opinions, facts are still facts and numbers are still numbers and the numbers must govern a legitimate budget.
The Governor has said getting the budget done on time is important but it is more important to get the budget right. Because of our record of prudent budgeting, we have never had to do a mid-year budget correction, and we are not about to start now.”
WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER.From the City of White Plains. (Edited) March 1, 2019:
The proposal being put forward, which was presented to the Common Council at its work session on February 25th, would expand the City’s Affordable Rental Housing Program (ARHP) in several ways.
First, it would make the program applicable citywide in areas where multi-family housing with 10 or more units is permitted by the Zoning Code. Currently, the program applies primarily in the downtown area.
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Second, the proposal expands eligibility for the program to those whose incomes are 50% of AMI.
The City’s current Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice reveals that there are few housing options for those in this income range.
Subsidized housing exists for those whose income is below the 50% AMI threshold, and the ARHP is available to those whose income is above this threshold. This change would close an important identified gap in the current program.
Third, the proposal would increase affordable set aside amounts to 12% of units at 80% AMI and to 8% at 50% and 60% AMI.
Fourth, the proposal would establish a buy-out of the required affordable rental units as an option for developers.
The funds generated from the buy-out option would go into the city’s existing Affordable Housing Assistance Fund (AHAF) and would be used to create a range of housing assistance programs and more affordable units.
For example, the funds could be used for down payment assistance, the rehabilitation of existing properties, to subsidize existing housing stock, to purchase properties for public-private partnerships, and to defray a portion of the city’s administrative costs associated with management of the program.
Finally, the proposal includes increasing the annual income eligibility limits under the Senior Citizen Rental Income Exemption (SCRIE) and Disabled Rental Income Exemption (DRIE) programs. These are state programs in which the city has participated for many years. Several years ago the city increased the income eligibility limit to its current $30,000 level
.In an effort to encourage more participation in these programs, the proposal would increase the income eligibility limits to the current state maximum of $50,000/year.
These programs apply to those who live in Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) buildings, of which there are many in the city. Tenants in ETPA buildings who are participating in the SCRIE or DRIE programs are protected from rent increases and building owners receive a tax credit for their participation in the program.
The proposal is currently being discussed by the Common Council and will ultimately require the passage of a local ordinance and amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance
The City of White Plains has shown a strong commitment to affordable housing. Its program, which has been in place since 2003, requires multi-family developments to provide a 10% set-aside of affordable units reserved for those at 80% of the Westchester County Area Median Income (AMI) range. Alternatively, a developer could seek Common Council approval to provide 6% affordable units at the lower 60% AMI range. AMI is determined annually by HUD.
“While this program has certainly been successful in creating affordable rental housing units in the city, we recognize that maintaining White Plains as an affordable place to live for people of all income levels strengthens our city. It also requires our consistent attention to ensure that our program is meeting the housing needs of our residents,” said Mayor Tom Roach.
WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From the Rosedale Residents Association. March 1, 2019:
The RRA Board would like to alert you that there is a public hearing at City Hall (255 Main St.) on Monday March 4th, at 7:30 pm to consider two applications for zoning changes in the(C-O) campus office zone located in our community.
These applications are as follows:
Windward School at March of Dimes (Westchester Headquarters Campus office Zone, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue.)
The Planning Board at the January 15 meeting approved application for the enhancements of the property to house all grades of the lower (Windward) school (325+ students) in one location.
Per the Windward representative at the Planning Board meeting, we were informed that the old school (on Windward Ave) will be sold, but will not be used as another school in the future.
(This was taped and can be viewed on WP website)
1133 Westchester Ave (Flats)- Petition to amendment zoning map to overlay the Planned Campus Development District (PCD) in order to develop a multi-family residential project consisting of three five story buildings 303 dwelling units at grade parking, an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center.
If you would like to learn more about the proposed project in advance of these meetings:
WPCNA (White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations), North Street, and Rosedale met with developer Robert Weisz, of the RPW Group on Tuesday February 26.
He has an excellent reputation. He is transparent, reachable and professional. He is very passionate about developing this new mix use project concept in the campus office zone in White Plains.
His property at 1133 Westchester Ave. is on 74 acres and his proposal to the city is to utilize 20 acres. Ten years ago, he received approval from the city to build a 120-room hotel and office complex on the same site where the current proposed residential housing will be built. Due to the market conditions at the time he cancelled hotel-office project.
The RRA Board urges you to attend the public hearing on Monday March 4 at City Hall.
We have three properties in the Rosedale community in the Campus Zone that potentially could petition for this overlay zoning variance to build residential apartments in our low-density zone.
These properties are as follows; 1311 Mamaroneck Ave, 1301 Mamaroneck Ave, and 1275 Mamaroneck Ave. In addition, there are another five properties in the South of White plains which are as follows; 250 North Street, 701-777 Westchester Ave, 925-1025 Westchester Ave, 1111-1129 Westchester Ave, and 1101 Westchester Ave. These eight properties add up to an additional 161 acres in this campus zone.
(Editor’s Note: WPCNR has learned the Council of Neighborhood Associations had requested the Mayor’s Office that this hearing be postponed.)
