Village of Briarcliff Manor, New York
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Village of Briarcliff Manor, 1111 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510, was held in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 7:30pm.
Members Present: Edward Nolan, Chairman
Shelley Lotter, Member
Robert Murray, Member
Gary Herbst, Alternate Member
Also Present: Christine Dennett, Village Clerk
Dan Pozin, Village Attorney
David Turiano, Village Engineer
Sarah Yackel, Village Consultant
Absent: Stuart Halper, Member
Jay Neveloff, Member
Call to Order: Chairman Nolan called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
PB-6-2010- URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC. CHILMARK SHOPPING CENTER – SITE PLAN AMENDMENT: The Planning Board reviewed an application to amend a site plan. The property is located on Pleasantville Road. ADJOURNED TO JUNE 14, 2011.
PB-7-2011 – MILLAR/SOLOMON –VILLAGE CODE CHAPTER 220-15, PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES REVIEW (STEEP SLOPES APPROVAL): The Planning Board reviewed an application to construct a one-story rear addition to an existing single family dwelling. The property is located at 323 Elm Road.
Mr. Bjorn Slade, Architect for the Applicant, explained the application. He stated the area that the home was built in was flat.
Village Engineer Turiano confirmed the area was level and recommended approval based on the drawings submitted.
Upon motion by Alternate Member Herbst, seconded by Member Murray, the Board voted unanimously to approve the application as submitted.
PB-03-2006 - TRUMP – SITE PLAN AMENDMENT: The Planning Board reviewed an application to construct a Golf Pro Shop and Cottage Building on the existing golf course located at 339 Pine Road.
Ms. Jacqueline Tyler, Architect for the Applicant, highlighted the proposed changes.
Mr. Ralph Mastromonaco, for the Applicant, stated the made the minor changes suggested by the Village Engineer.
Village Consultant Yackel stated they were not removing any trees so a MTPP was not needed.
The Board directed Village Attorney Pozin to draft a resolution.
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT- The Board of Trustees has requested that the Planning Board provide comments on a proposed new Chapter 220-6(J)(15) for Shared Residence Special Use Permits
The Board adjourned the meeting for 10 minutes to meet with Village Counsel.
Chairman Nolan stated the Board would entertain comments from the public but asked that comments not be repeated.
Ms. Susan Cowie of 36 Revolutionary Road stated their home was directly across from the Manse Property and they put together a petition against the proposal. She stated they collected 147 signatures and strongly encouraged the Board to reject the proposal. She stated she wasn’t against affordable housing but it was not the right location for a Group Home. She stated the concept had limited success and there were safety concerns with the busy roadway. She stated the home was beautiful and should be put on the tax rolls.
Mr. David Steinmetz, Attorney representing the Bogart’s and Cowie’s, stated he was just retained and was scrambling to get up to speed. He stated they were in opposition to the proposal. He read excerpts from a letter written by the Village Manager giving support to the proposal. He stated they had several questions regarding the proposal and it was incumbent on the Board of Trustees to do a comprehensive review. He requested the Board hold off on their recommendation.
Mr. Robert Owen stated he lived in the Village since 1997 and he echoed and endorsed all previous comments. He stated he felt SRO’s needed supervision and he was concerned with the safety of the neighborhood.
Ms. Karen Abbott of 181 Revolutionary Road stated she worked for a NYS agency and this was not a model that worked. She stated she was opposed to this type of housing.
Mr. John Marwell, Attorney for A-Home, stated the tone of the comments was inappropriate. He stated should the Board enact the legislation, Special Permit and Site Plan approval would be needed. He stated A-Home had 26 years of history and success.
Ms. Joan Arnold, Executive Director and Co-Founder of A-Home, stated they reviewed the site very carefully and the Church would be actively engaged in the process. She stated she understood there were safety concerns on Revolutionary Road and they would work to mitigate them. She stated it was a good housing model (with one currently in Pound Ridge) and the group acted more like a family. She stated there was a rigorous selection process and Church representative would sit on the Board. She stated they did thorough background checks and it would be people with clean records only. She stated there would be case managers on staff to support the residents.
Mr. Norman Cohen asked what made the site desirable.
Ms. Arnold stated the architecture of the home and the church’s involvement. She stated she thought it would be an asset to the community and if something happened to A-Home the property would revert back to the church.
Mr. Steve Varvarro recommended people visit savescarborough.com. He stated A-Home had 2 maintenance people and 3 case managers to oversee all of their properties. He stated this was a de facto Ossining project and isolated from Briarcliff.
Ms. Caroline McCaffrey of 61 River Road stated the concept was undesirable at best.
Ms. Maxine Olson of 17 Quinn Road stated while she recognized it was difficult to separate; this was about reviewing proposed legislation. She stated more diversity was needed in Briarcliff Manor with a variety of income levels. She suggested expanding it to state “public transportation”.
Ms. Linda Martin of 96 Marlborough Road stated SRO’s did not work and this was not the way to meet the affordable housing requirements.
The Board had general discussion and made their recommendations regarding the proposed legislation. They instructed Village Counsel to draft a letter on their behalf.
VILLAGE ENGINEER’S REPORT
- Old Sleepy Hollow Estates have met their obligations and will file their map tomorrow.
- The SKAE telescope structure is up.
- The photovoltaic system for the DPW is in its final design phase.
- The pump station for the FWSP should be online in a month.
MINUTES:
Upon motion by Member Lotter, seconded by Alternate Member Herbst, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of April 12, 2011.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Member Murray, seconded by Alternate Member Herbst, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:25pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Christine Dennett
Village Clerk
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