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Published: 26 October 2011

Created: 26 October 2011

Last Updated: 27 October 2011

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Scarsdale is finally ready to adopt new Village code that would support Westchester County’s mandate to provide 750 fair and affordable housing units, per a 2009 settlement agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. A new law will likely be passed in Scarsdale that will require all future housing developers to provide at least one fair and affordable unit for every ten single units, or for every five to nine multi-family units. The fair and affordable units are to be marketed in accordance with the requirements, policies, and protocols established by the county. Furthermore, the exterior appearance of the affordable units must be compatible with all other units within the development. You can review the entire text of the recommended code here.

Three people approached the microphone to voice their opinions regarding the fair and affordable housing law during a hearing at the Scarsdale Board of Trustees meeting at Village Hall on Tuesday night. The board deferred the vote to allow time to consider the opinions of residents who came out to speak their minds.

Thus, if you’d still like to make a comment, it’s not too late. After delivering a complete review of the proposed amendments, Trustee Stacey Brodsky announced that a continuation of the public hearing is to resume during the subsequent meeting, which will be held on November 9th. Residents will again have the opportunity to speak their minds before the Board votes to adopt the recommended language into law.

Beatrice Underweiser represented the Scarsdale Forum’s Zoning and Planning Committee and voiced her organization’s support before she asked a question that turned the heads of a few board members.

“Who will pay for the monitoring?” Underweiser exclaimed. Under the new act, implementation and compliance will have to be monitored and it will not be done for free. A few of the Board members looked reluctant to take the question, but Brodsky came forth with a reassuring response. She stated that the developers and landlords will eventually foot the bill; but until then, Westchester County will be held responsible. Ultimately, the monitoring costs will not be coming out of Scarsdale’s budget.

Represented by Kit Rosenthal, the Scarsdale League of Women Voters also expressed their support of the proposed act. Their only concern was the marketing requirements for the units, as the League expressed their desire to make housing available to those who live and work in Scarsdale. The board did not have an immediate response for Rosenthal, and they may find this concern to be a larger issue than expected. In the section titled, “Affirmative Marketing,” the act reads as follows:

“The affordable units created under the provisions of this Article shall be sold or rented, and resold and re-rented during the required period of affordability to only qualified income-eligible households. Such income eligible households shall be solicited by the seller or lessor in accordance with the requirements, policies and protocols established by the County of Westchester and in accordance with the monitoring agency so designated pursuant to §310-116 of this chapter, so as to ensure outreach to racially and ethnically diverse households.”

Since the act requires the units to be marketed to racially and ethnically diverse households, a high majority of Scarsdale residents will not qualify for the new housing. This will surely be addressed on November 9th, as well as the Board’s replies to questions posed by local resident, Martin Kaufman, which were submitted in writing for further review.

So, why not come to the next meeting to express your opinions? There were less than ten seats filled by residents last night, so I’ll advertise this meeting right now. Scarsdale, a place that has a lacked low-income housing, is about to take a huge step towards complying with the terms of the settlement. This act has been a vital topic of discussion for all of Westchester County for over two years, and Scarsdale is two weeks away from a decision. Let them know what you think.

Here is the Scarsdale League of Women Voter's Statement that was read at the meeting:

Scarsdale League of Women Voters Statement on the Proposed Amendment of the Zoning Code relating to the provision of Fair and Affordable Housing October 2011

The League of Women Voters has a longstanding position in support of measures to increase the supply of housing in Scarsdale for a wider income range than now exists and therefore supports an affordable housing zoning code amendment. There remain certain provisions of this amendment that necessitate further comment from the LWVS.

We understand the proposed amendment of the Zoning Code relating to the provision of Fair and Affordable housing has been carefully reviewed and further clarified by the Planning Board and thereafter by the Board of Trustees with special notes for further clarification of the marketing and monitoring components. We also understand that this amendment will not limit FAH to Scarsdale residents and workforce but will be marketed broadly throughout the area. Our positions have historically included provisions for Scarsdale seniors, municipal and school employees and others on whose presence every community depends. We ask the Village to also continue to encourage affordable housing opportunities for Scarsdale residents and employees.

Author Michael Kanner is a graduate of Union College with a background in English and a passion for the written word. He worked at Scarsdale Golf Club as a tennis pro before offering his services to a private clientele, and he loves hearing constructive criticism from anyone willing to speak their mind. Michael can be contacted at Michael.Kanner4@gmail.com

 

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Published: 01 November 2011

Created: 01 November 2011

Last Updated: 02 November 2011

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Police and firefighters had an extraordinary weekend, responding to continuous calls for help due to broken branches and downed power lines. The incidents are too numerous to list, but at the bottom of this page is a partial record of where emergency responders were called on Saturday and Sunday to remove branches and tape off streets. The damage was extensive.

Storm claims: A branch from a Village owned tree fell on a 2011 Toyota parked in a Madison Road driveway on the afternoon of October 29th. The branch damaged the car. Also on 10/30, at around 4 pm a limb from a Village owned tree fell on a 2006 Honda as it was travelling on Secor Road. The car belongs to a Manhattan man.

Here’s news from the police log from earlier in the week:

DWI: Mosa Naber, age 47 of Ossining was arrested for DWI on Sunday at 11:30 am when his 2001 Jeep Cherokee stalled on the Post Road at Crane Road. As he spoke with police they noticed he appeared drunk. Naber failed sobriety tests and was found to have a BAC of .16. His car was towed, he was given a court appearance date and released to his wife.

Death: Francine Nolinstein of New Rochelle found her 96 year-old neighbor dead in a Dickel Road home on the afternoon of October 25th. No further details were provided by the police.

Missing student: Police were called on the morning of 10/24 when a foreign exchange student failed to get off the train at Scarsdale. The 17 year-old girl was supposed to meet someone at the station at 10:46 am but never appeared. Police contacted the MTA, and the Greenburgh and White Plains police departments. At 1:35 am the girl called and said she had returned to her hotel in Manhattan.

Missing zebra: A ceramic zebra that sits on a traffic triangle at the intersection of Colvin Road and Greenacres Avenue was stolen for the second time. The striped zebra disappeared on October 24th. If you see it, please email scarsdalecomments@gmail.com so that we can arrange for it to be returned.

Found: A red and silver Rhino bike was found on the north side of the Metro North train platform at Scarsdale Station on the morning of October 25th.

Police were called to Lange’s Deli on the afternoon of 10/24 to help get a man with psychological problems to go to White Plains hospital. SVAC arrived and transported the man to the hospital.

Trapped: A Post Road woman got locked in her bedroom when the doorknob fell off. At 9 am on 10/29. Her son was outside the house and could not get in because the front door had a dead bolt. The Fire Department got into the house through a bedroom window and let the woman out.

A caller was trapped under the garage at 2 Overhill Road on the afternoon of 10/24. An employee was able to assist.

Dispute: On October 25, a Dell Road homeowner reported that her tenant had removed a “For Sale” sign from the front lawn of the property. The homeowner is in the process of evicting the tenant for unpaid rent. The tenant denied removing the sign.

On 10/26 a Sheldrake Road man complained that his neighbor’s dogs are defecating on his lawn and no one is picking up after them.

A Church Lane man surrendered a firearm he found in his attic on the afternoon of October 24th.

An Old Orchard Lane woman reported that a bleeding coyote was in her backyard at 5:46 pm on October 25th. The coyote was gone by the time police arrived.

Harassed: On 10/24 a Broadmoor Road woman reported that she has been harassed by her housekeeper’s husband since February. He sends her annoying text messages. Though she asked him to stop, he continues to text her.

A Dolma Road man reported the receipt of two threatening text messages on October 26th. The man felt threatened and alarmed by the messages as he is involved in several legal situations.

Scratched: A car belonging to a Garth Road woman was damaged when it was parked across the street from the high school on the morning of October 24. The Jeep Wrangler had a long scratch on the rear passenger door when the woman returned to her car.

The top of the trunk of a Honda was keyed when it was parked in the Freightway Garage on October 22nd.

On 10/26, an 81 year-old Meadow Road man sold three watches of sentimental value to his family to a Greenburgh man. When the seller’s son found out, he came to police to ask them to intervene and see if they could have the watches returned. The buyer agreed to return the watches.

Accidents: Alice Weinrib, age 92 of Whig Road accidentally hit the accelerator when her 1998 Volvo was parked on East Parkway on the afternoon of October 28th. The car hit a parking meter and then ran into an unoccupied car parked on Christie Place. No injuries were reported.

A representative from Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling reported a 7 year-old child walking alone on East Parkway on the morning of 10/28. When police arrived they found that the child was actually 12 years old and was walking to the village for breakfast with his father’s permission.

Here is a list of where police were called this weekend to assist with storm related problems:

Palmer/Sycamore, Chesterfield/Brite, Butler/Chesterfield, 5 Fairview, School Lane, Sherbrooke Road, 19 Heathcote Road, Penn Boulevard, 26 Overhill, 24 Ogden, Post/Mamoroneck, Saxon Woods/Black Birch, Myrtledale/Bansom, 2 Harwood Court, Broadmoor/Griffin, 107 Brewster, Boulevard between Bradley and Madison,14 Clarence, 36 Kent,Kensington/Cahawney, 14 Autenreith, River Road, Mamoroneck/Saxon Woods, 75 Huntington, 55 Morris Lane, 8 Palmer, 37 Lawrence, Cambridge/Oxford, Hamilton/Drake

9 Walworth, 9 Ridgecrest, Vanderbilt, Broadmoor, Post/Ferncliff, Bell/ Carmen, Ogden/Paddington, 21 Hutchison, Walworth/Brook Lane, 1 Berkeley, Fox Meadow/Olmstead, 69 Griffen, Mamaroneck/ Harvest, 305 Heathcote, Church at Popham, 193 Saxon Woods, 41 Ogden, Church at Wayside, 19 Rectory, Post south of Fenimore, 1159 Post Road, Lee Road at Potter, Fairview between Greendale and Post, 73 Huntington, Heathcote Bypass, 4 Ridgecrest, East Palmer at Secor, Eton/ Windmill, Johnson at Boulevard, Drake at Madison

35 Herkimer, Secor at Balducci Store, 5 Coralyn Norma/Coralyn, Ogden at Fox Meadow, Black Birch Road, 30 Whig Road, 2,4,6 Jefferson, Mamaroneck at Myrtledale, 21 Hutchinson, Madison at Tunstall, Nelson/Edgewood,2 Ferncliff, Crane, Ferncliff, Boulevard/Nelson, Kingston/Montrose, Hampton/Butler, Lee Road, 4 Wayside, Brewster at the High School, 7 Westview Road, Hampton/Olmstead, 7 Forest Road, 9 Haverford, Brite/Fenimore/Sage, 197 Madison, 152 Bradley, Kingston/Greenacres, 28 Bradford, Nelson/Tunstall, 227 Madison, Circle Road,Johnson/Boulevard, 4 Seneca Road, 155 Clarence, Spraque/White, 31 Walworth, 73 Griffen, 10 Canterbury, 4 Coralyn, 2 Rodney, Cohawney/Kensington, 8 Autenrieth, 14 Hamilton, 61 Brown, 1 Copper Beach, 25 Carmen

 

 

 

31 Valley Circle/Overhill 14 Ross Rd 950 Post Rd Gorham/Farley Brite/Chesterfield Hampton/Butler 4 Walworth 27 Valley Claremont/Walworth Rodney/Jefferson 103 Brown 18 Paddington 7 Westview 7 Forest 262 Nelson 260 Nelson Olmstead/Brewster Graham/Tyler 182 Lyons 73 Brewster Rodney/Jefferson/Hamilton 14 Claremont 2 Penn Ogden/Paddington 22 Fairview Bethal Road

 

 

 

 

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 20 October 2011

Created: 20 October 2011

Last Updated: 27 October 2011

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Seven-term County Legislator and Democrat Bill Ryan faced off with Republican challenger Iris Pagan at the LWV debate on Wednesday, October 19 at the Scarsdale Library.  Pagan, a newcomer to politics is a teacher who worked her way through college at Pace and ultimately earned her doctorate in education from Columbia Teacher’s College.  In her opening statement she said she was running because high taxes threaten the American dream. Ryan, the former Chairman of the County Board of Legislators and an experienced voice in county and state government asked voters to re-elect him so that he could continue to “find the best answers” to confront declining revenues, high taxes and budgeting in the face of the 2% tax cap.

The format of the debate allows for only short statements and rebuttals and in many instances forced timekeepers to cut off the candidate’s comments before they could be fully developed. The League posed questions about affordable housing, the tax cap, Medicaid and the stagnant economy and here is a recap:

Affordable housing:  In Ryan’s view the $51 million dollar affordable housing settlement, signed in 2009 allowed Westchester to buildhousing and avoid paying estimated damages and penalties of up to half a billion dollars to the U.S government. According to Ryan, Westchester is ahead of schedule on the construction of these units and is doubtful that Scarsdale will play any role in fulfilling the mandate for 750 units.  He reassured the audience that the county had not found any discriminatory local zoning and did not plan to challenge the localities.

Pagan was determined to raise a red flag about housing and repeatedly cited a May, 2011 letter from HUD that added more stipulations

to the settlement agreement including a call for 3-bedroom units, and a proviso that the county challenge local restrictive zoning laws.

Though Ryan pointed out that a July letter from HUD had clarified these issues, Pagan insisted that the “Ryan/Spano” settlement had morphed into an “integration plan,” and called for the audience to “stand up against federal housing” which in her view threatens to bring affordable housing “next to neighborhood schools.”

In response to a question about how the county could meet the 2% tax cap, Pagan said she “would focus on social services and making sure that programs are running efficiently and effectively, adding  “We need to look at the recipients to be sure that funds are going to their targeted use.”

Ryan called the cap a “budgeting nightmare” that does not keep pace with the average rate of growth of expenses or mandated costs.  He said that the cap allows counties to raise $90 million to cover $280 million in mandated expenses.

In her rebuttal, Pagan contended that “Scarsdale schools have a surplus” and suggested that this surplus would allow the district to comply with the cap. She ended by saying,  “that’s called responsible budgeting.” Ryan told the group, ”As long as the state is forcing us to spend money we will have trouble complying with the tax cap.”

 

In a question about stagnant local revenues, the candidates parried back and forth about why White Plains does not have it’s own Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Pagan argued that an IDA would bring more business to the area while Ryan contended that White Plains is covered by the county IDA and that forming an additional IDA would be redundant.

Next the conversation turned to moving Medicaid costs from the county to the state level.  Currently, 40% of the Westchester County tax levy goes toward funding mandated Medicaid payments. Assemblywoman Amy Paulin is one of the sponsors of a bill with bipartisan support that would shift the responsibility for Medicaid to the state over a nine-year period. In total,  $211 million in expenses would be removed from the county budget. The state’s Medicaid Redesign Team would look to generate savings through reform and a new payment model. Pagan argued that the shift would mean lower county taxes but higher state taxes for local residents.

The question and answer period touched on safety concerns, consolidation of services, tax reduction and the housing settlement with little new ground covered.  Ryan’s familiarity with the issues and the numbers resulted in a smooth, logical presentation while Pagan struggled to form complete thoughts and sentences and fell back on canned phrases and rhetoric. However she did have a dedicated group of supporters in the audience; a mix of Scarsdale and White Plains Republicans who cheered and clapped with vigor at Pagan’s efforts to state her views.  Perhaps their enthusiasm will invigorate the November vote.

At one point in the evening, judicial candidate Ed Borelli stopped in to introduce himself to voters. He is running for NYS Supreme

Court Justice for the ninth judicial district. Unfortunately his pitch was also cut short due to time limitations and prevented the audience from learning much about him. He was the only judicial candidate to come by. In the future, perhaps the League should reconsider the format to allow candidates a longer introduction period to explain their platforms. The time restrictions appeared to be frustrating for both the speakers and the audience.

(Pictured at top: Bill Ryan and Iris Pagan)

Photos by Sara Werder