What's Up At Village Hall

We chatted with Scarsdale Mayor Carolyn Stevens about the viability of an indoor pool and community center as well as other items on the village agenda in the coming months:

We asked what she thought about the possibility of undertaking the $25 million indoor pool and community center project, given the strained Village budget.

Here is her response:

• The project would not begin for two to three years and in that time the economy should improve.
• The financing for the project would come out of an enterprise fund, not the Village operating budget.
• All the data presented by the SCC shows that the facility would be self-sustaining and seems quite sound.
• Last, she explained that even if the current Board gives the Scarsdale Community Center (SCC) the go ahead, this Board’s recommendation would not bind future boards. Therefore, if the SCC is successful at raising $8 million in contributions, the Board of Trustees at that time would need to make the decision to issue the $16 million bond to fund the project. Stevens plans to schedule one or two meetings to mull the plan over and get more reaction from the community.

The Mayor also gave this update on other issues under discussion at Village Hall:

The Federal Monitor has approved the model code provision in the County’s Affordable Housing Settlement plan. However there has been no ruling on the entire plan. Monitor James Johnson said, “The model ordinance proposed by the County, in its current form, offers a template to municipalities that both meets the requirements of the Stipulation and is likely to be used by municipalities in Westchester County as a model for actual local ordinances.” Now that it has been approved, Scarsdale has the option of adopting this model code and the Mayor has asked the Village Attorney and Village Planner to study the model code provisions and report to the Trustees. Learn more here:

The Village is coming close to adopting new parking requirements that should clear the way for restaurants to open downtown. Under the new law, parking requirements for restaurants would be the same as they are for retail stores. In addition, the Village would have the power to waive the requirement for up to 1/3 of the parking spaces to accommodate a restaurant tenant.

Trustees are also still considering the adoption of an Open Space Fund that would allow the village to purchase available parcels and protect them from development. The funds would come from an addition to the mortgage tax new homebuyers pay at closing and would not be assessed for refinances. Alternatively, according to Stevens, a small amount could be added to resident’s real estate taxes.

Another key issue is a possible Village wide tax revaluation. Stevens plans to have a resolution on revaluation before the Board in December.

Discussion a potential traffic rotary at the Heathcote Five Corners, Stevens reported that the Village put out an RFP to traffic engineers for a feasibility study of the roundabout. Nine responses were received; the Village has looked at the top four and will soon make a decision on the vendor selection. Since the site involves county roads, the Village hopes to get funds from the state or federal government for the project.

Last, Trustees are currently considering changes to the law to preserve historic homes and sites. Read more on developments here.

Stevens’ two-year term as Mayor ends in April 2011.