Village Board of Trustees
Special Meeting
September 11, 2007
9:30 a.m.
A Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor, New York was held in the Village of Briarcliff Manor Village Hall, at 1111 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York of the 11th of September commencing at 9:30 a.m.
Present
William J. Vescio, Mayor
David Venditti, Deputy Mayor
Robert Mayer, Trustee
Elsie Smith, Trustee
Gayle Waxenberg, Trustee
Also Present
Michael Blau, Village Manager
Ingrid Richards, Assistant Village Manager
Christine Dennett, Village Clerk
Absent
Clinton Smith, Village Attorney
Public Hearing to Hear and Discuss the Draft of the Comprehensive Plan
Upon motion by Trustee Smith, seconded by Deputy Mayor Venditti, the Board voted unanimously to reopen the public hearing.
Trustee Smith introduced the Committee Members and the Consultants and thanked them for all their hard work.
Ms. Harlan Sexton of Buckhurst, Fish & Jacquemart presented the draft plan.
Mayor Vescio stated the Village currently did not meet the requirements of the County regarding affordable housing. He further stated the County was becoming more rigorous with enforcing it and the Village was looking at ways to control it and have it suit the Village’s needs. He stated he wanted the Village to be in control of its own destiny and didn’t want to be caught in the position of being mandated to comply. He stated the plan didn’t change any law or regulation but gave the Village a road map to use.
A resident from Schrade Road asked how much affordable housing was required.
Mayor Vescio stated as of 2005 the Village had not constructed any of the 67 required units and the County recently added an additional 76 units to be constructed.
Ms. Nancy Israel of Pine Road stated low income was not a dirty word. She asked if there was a plan for the north end of Pleasantville Road.
Trustee Smith stated the plan was for the central business district including the north end of Pleasantville Road.
Mr. Barry Bosak of 15 Old Sleepy Hollow Road stated in order for commercial property owners to rebuild the Village needed to make it appealing to them.
Mrs. Kane stated if the Board wanted to encourage police officers and teachers to live in the mixed use areas those occupations wouldn’t keep them out of their homes until 7:00pm like most commuters.
Mr. Chris Bogart of Revolutionary Road stated the Comprehensive Plan did a terrific job of capturing the current Village situation. He stated it was important to maintain the semi-rural character and green open space. He asked if up-zoning was enough.
Ms. Sexton agreed up-zoning wasn’t enough that more open space would need to be acquired.
Mr. Bogart stated the Board should think about whether or not they want specific areas to be up-zoned or not. He stated it might be too restrictive.
Mayor Vescio stated they tried to keep it broad enough to allow it to work its progress but specific enough to target future goals.
Ms. Paige Suplecamp of South State Road asked what the impact of the Route 9a Corridor Study would be on the residents that live in that area. She further asked if there were any plans for the bike path.
Mayor Vescio stated Department of Transportation would have public hearings at which time the Village would give input. He encouraged her to attend the meetings. He stated the bike path was not a Village facility and they couldn’t touch it but directed the Village Manager to send a letter to the County.
Ms. Denise Rempe of 27 Law Road stated decisions made by the Village impacted the school systems.
Trustee Smith stated the schools were part of their overall mission and objective.
Village Manager Blau stated the impact on the schools was part of the environmental review process.
Mr. Andrew Saunders of Todd Lane stated he was a commercial property owner and the Board needed to think about incentives. He further stated the Village Planning Board had a very difficult reputation.
Mr. Mort Berger stated the Planning Board process was very lengthy and the Architectural Review Advisory Council would extend it further.
Upon motion by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Mayer, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:30am.
Respectfully submitted by,
Christine Dennett
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