WHITE PLAINS PLANNING BOARD MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF MARCH 20, John Ioris, Lynn Oliva, Anna Cabrera, Leonard Gruenfeld and Sarina Russell

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1 WHITE PLAINS PLANNING BOARD MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2018 MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: CB REPRESENTATIVE: COMMON COUNCIL: STAFF MEMBERS: John Ioris, Lynn Oliva, Anna Cabrera, Leonard Gruenfeld and Sarina Russell John Durante and Jon Westlund Robert Burg None Arthur Gutekunst, Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Christopher Gomez, AICP, Commissioner of Planning Luis Saiz, R.A., Plan Examiner Building Department Katie Crawford, Planner Eileen McClain, Secretary NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD The April 17, 2018 meeting of the Planning Board was announced. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Minutes of the February 20, 2018 meeting were adopted. SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARINGS (207-18) 9-11 Edna Street; R1-5 Zoning District Site Plan Application. Environmentally Sensitive Site. Owner, Chris Kalin appeared before the Board to present the site plan for a single family home located in the R1-5 district. The project had been previously approved by the Board but the approval expired. No changes to the plan have been made since the project's original approval. The Board had no comment at this time. Ms. Oliva made a motion to schedule the public hearing for April 17, 2018; Ms. Russell seconded, and it carried unanimously. (211-18) 1024 Hall Avenue; R1-5 Zoning District Site Plan Application. Environmentally Sensitive Site. Engineer Michael Stein and applicant Ernie Tartaglia appeared before the Board to present the site plan application for a single family home in the R1-5 zoning district. The proposed plan included limited disturbances to the steep slopes in the back of the property and in two other locations. The applicant was asked to show the wetland buffer area at the back of their property line on future site plans, and to show steep slope areas more visibly. Photographs of similar homes to the one proposed were given to the Board for reference. Page 1

2 The Board had no comments at this time. Ms. Cabrera made a motion to schedule the public hearing for April 17, 2018; Ms. Oliva seconded, and it carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS (225-17) 108 North Kensico; RM-1.5T Site Plan Application for a 16-unit multi-family building. Environmentally Sensitive Site. Ms. Cabrera made a motion to open the public hearing; Ms. Oliva seconded, and it carried unanimously. Anthony Fredrico, R.A. appeared before the Board to present the multi-family project. Mr. Fredrico explained the changes that had been made since the last public hearing on the project. These changes include modified landscaping, screening and fencing, as well as addressing comments received by the Conservation Board. None of the changes were significant. No public comments were received. Currently the Department of Public Works is reviewing materials submitted by the applicant. No actions were taken at this time. Ms. Oliva made a motion to adjourn the public hearing, Ms. Russell seconded and it carried unanimously. (237-17) Rosedale Avenue; R1-7.5 Zoning District Site Plan Amendment. Environmentally Sensitive Site. Ms. Russell made a motion to re-open the public hearing; Ms. Cabrera seconded, and it carried unanimously. Chris Crocco, R.A. and Landscape Architect Zoey Schaley appeared before the Board to present the updated landscaping plan. The landscaping plan shows larger trees and a 10' fence to screen the proposed home from Mr. Gottshall's home as requested the last time the applicant appeared before the Board. The roof on the proposed home has also been updated to a hip roof to further break up the mass on the left side. The Board has asked for more windows on the left exterior wall of the home to further breakup the wall. Chester Gottshall, neighbor (2 Manor Place), expressed continued concern about the wall facing his property, and acknowledged that DPW had addressed his concerns regarding drainage. Mr. Gottshall presented several pictures depicting a "tiered" approach that breaks up the exterior wall of the property, this would be his desired design of the home. Other photos included a blank wall of a built home that dissatisfies him as well as a photo of downed screening trees and plantings from his neighbor on the other side of his property following the recent storms. He is concerned that too much landscaping near the property line could create the same issue he currently has with his existing neighbor. Page 2

3 Page 3 The Board expressed concern over the height of the fence, concerned it may not be zoning compliant. The Board is also concerned with the amount of rock excavation that will be required to accommodate the proposed site plan's extended basement. Mr. Ioris stated that he does not find that the proposed design minimizes environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable, noting that a substantial amount of rock will need to be removed to accommodate the proposed basement. Due to the amount of rock outcroppings that will need to be excavated the Board is concerned that the site plan as proposed does not adequately minimize impacts to the rock outcroppings (environmentally sensitive feature) located on the property. Mr. Saiz asked that the floorplan of the home be reconsidered to reduce impacts on the rock outcroppings. Mr. Gruenfeld made a motion to adjourn the public hearing; Ms. Oliva seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. (202-18) 38 Reynal Road R1-5 Zoning District Site Plan Amendment for an Addition. Environmentally Sensitive Site. OTHER Manuel Andrade, architect, appeared before the Board to present the proposed addition to 38 Reynal Road. The second floor addition is proposed to be built above the existing garage. No ground changes are proposed. The applicant acknowledged that DPW had requested certain considerations during construction and that they will comply with the request. Paula Piekos, 42 Reynal Road, had no objection to the proposed addition. Ms. Russell made a motion to close the public hearing; Mr. Gruenfeld seconded the motion; Ms. Cabrera made a motion to declare the Planning Board as Lead Agency for this Type I Action, Mr. Gruenfeld seconded; Ms. Russell made a motion to adopt the Environmental Findings with the addition of the Conservation Board's recommendations regarding protection during construction, Mr. Gruenfeld seconded; and Mr. Gruenfeld made a motion to approve the project, Ms. Cabrera seconded and all motions carried unanimously. (206-18) 40 Chatterton Parkway; RM-2.5 Zoning District Site Plan Approval Extension for a 6 Unit Building Environmentally Sensitive Site. Peter Rossi appeared before the Board to request a Site Plan Approval Extension for the 6 unit building approved to be constructed at 40 Chatterton Parkway. Mr. Rossi explained that no changes to the project have been made and that financing is the reason for the slow progress on the project. Ms. Russell made a motion to approve a one year extension of the site plan approval, Ms. Cabrera seconded, and it carried unanimously. (208-18) White Plains Housing Authority Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard - Application for Site Plan and Special Permit approvals for a new multi-family residential building to be known as Brookfield Commons Phase 2. Common Council referral. Applicant: Trinity Financial Inc. Mr. Grunfeld announced that he will recuse himself from discussion of this matter.

4 Page 4 Mack Carter, the Director of the Housing Authority, Mark Blanchard, attorney, and several other members of the project team appeared before the Board to present Phase II of the Brookfield Commons redevelopment project, and some insight to the full Brookfield Commons Master Plan. Phase II redevelopment will create a 9-story, 129 unit mixed-income multi-family building, a majority of the units will be 2- and 3-bedroom units to accommodate families. The project will delay demolition of the existing building at 159 South Lexington Avenue until construction of Phase II is completed in order to not displace any existing residents. The new building will accommodate all existing families as well as provide an additional 39 units. The project is zoning compliant but will require a special permit to approve the 9-story height of the building. Mr. Carter explained that the project planning process heavily involved the residents, surrounding community, and other stakeholders. The resulting design includes pedestrian-oriented features such as "stoops" on the first floor of the building and community space where programming and other activities will be held. All proposed plantings will be low to the ground and easy to manage, lighting will be unconventional but visually appealing and bright. Ms. Oliva loves the first phase of the project, the Prelude, and has high hopes for the proposed structure. Ms. Russell thinks the structure will be a great addition and asked about potential shopping or retail opportunities. Mr. Carter said that such uses would be outside the scope of the current project. Ms. Cabrera thinks that the project looks good and asked how the parking area would be accessed. It will be accessed through the existing driveway at the Prelude. Mr. Ioris likes the proposed landscaping and lighting scheme. Ms. Russell made a motion to send a letter of positive recommendation for the project and to approve the special permit necessary to achieve the desired height to the Common Council. Ms. Cabrera seconded the motion, and it carried - Mr. Gruenfeld abstained from the vote. The Planning Board s letter to the Common Council is attached hereto. (209-18) Proposed amendment to the Zoning Map to re-zone certain properties on: A) Cobb Avenue from the R Single Family Zoning District to the R1-5 Single Family Zoning District; and B) Saxon Wood Park Drive from the R Single Family Zoning District to the R1-7.5 Single Family Zoning District. Common Council referral. Katie Crawford, Planning Department, presented the proposed amendment to the Zoning Map for certain properties located on and near Cobb Avenue and on Saxon Wood Park Drive. Ms. Crawford explained that the proposed amendment will make certain dimensionally non-conforming properties conforming to the dimensional requirements of the proposed district. Currently, all properties are zoned R The amendment would affect 18 properties located in the Cobb Avenue area. Currently, only one of the 18 properties complies with the setback requirements of the R district. It is proposed that these properties be rezoned to the R1-5 district. If the

5 proposed zoning is accepted all 18 lots would become dimensionally conforming for both frontage and lot area. The amendment would affect 26 properties located at the Saxon Wood Park Drive area. Currently 10 of the 26 properties meet the minimum lot area requirement of the R district, but none of them meet the frontage or setback requirements. It is proposed that these properties be rezoned to the R1-7.5 district. If the proposed zoning amendment is adopted, all 26 lots would become dimensionally conforming for both frontage and lot area. The zoning change will reflect existing conditions of the lots and reduce the need for area variances, which will help the owners and reduce an administrative burden for processing variances. Ms. Russell asked if these are the only properties in the City that need to be changed. These were the most straight forward zoning changes, however there are others elsewhere in the City. Ms. Oliva asked if the residents whose properties would be affected know of the proposed change. Not all of the residents know; however, the Planning Department's zoning review was initiated by questions from residents. Ms. Oliva also asked how these properties were initially developed without meeting the requirements of the district. They were likely built before the district was established. Ms. Russell made a motion to send a letter to the Common Council stating that the Board finds that the proposed amendment is appropriate as to form, and is generally consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The Board has no objection to scheduling the public hearing for the proposed amendment, and no objection to the Zoning Map changes as proposed. Ms. Cabrera seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The Planning Board s letter to the Common Council is attached hereto. (210-18) Proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of White Plains with respect to creating a new Light Industrial Mixed Use 2 (LI-M2) Zoning District, rezoning certain properties in the Light Industrial (LI) Zoning District, and amending the Official Zoning Map to remove the 10 foot special building setback on Haarlem Avenue, and 5 foot special building setback on Holland Avenue. Common Council referral. Chris Gomez, Planning Commissioner, presented the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to establish a new district known as Light Industrial Mixed Use 2 (LI- M2), and to remove the 10' special setback on Haarlem Avenue and 5' special setback on Holland Avenue. Commissioner Gomez explained that the new LI-M2 district is based on Transit Oriented Development (TOD), much like the zoning change affecting Westmoreland Avenue, near the main White Plains Metro-North station. New allowable uses in the district include multi-family dwelling units and light manufacturing, uses no longer permitted include car washes, manufacturing, fabrication or finishing of products, organic manufacturing, printing plants, storage facilities, laundry or dry cleaning, and automobile wrecking, storage, or treatment of junk. Ms. Oliva asked how many residential units would be allowed if all of the parcels in the district were developed. Approximately 600 new units could be developed if all existing structures in the proposed district were demolished and redeveloped with residential uses. Ms. Oliva feels that the impacts of this change should be further studied. Page 5

6 The proposed LI-M2 district will establish new setback requirements, rendering the 10' and 5' special setbacks unnecessary. Ms. Oliva asked what the original purpose of the special setbacks was. No one knows for sure due to inadequate information, but it is likely that land was reserved for future street widening. Ms. Russell asked if any physical changes will come as a result of the new zoning. Only if parcels were developed would changes be seen. Mr. Gruenfeld asked why the entire LI district was not rezoned, and about traffic volumes near the drop off near the existing City and Metro-North parking. Ms. Oliva asked if historic preservation is a main goal of the district as was the case with the previous LI district. It is not a goal here because the existing buildings are not historic in nature. Ms. Oliva also asked if there are hotels allowed in the district. No, they are not allowed. Ms. Cabrera made a motion to send a letter to the Common Council stating that the Board finds that the proposed amendment is appropriate as to form, and is generally consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The Board has no objection to scheduling the public hearing for the proposed amendment. Ms. Russell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The Planning Board s letter to the Common Council is attached hereto. Ms. Russell made a motion to close the meeting; Ms. Cabrera seconded, and it carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned just before 9:00 pm. ADJOURNED NO DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING (102-16) 283 Soundview Avenue; R1-30 Zoning District Four Lot Subdivision Application. Applicant: Bobby Ben-Simon (244-16) 6 Brad Lane R District - Site Plan Amendment for a Patio and Expanded Parking Area. Environmentally Sensitive Site. Applicant: Gelgis Espinal (219-17) 31 Gedney Way; R1-5 Zoning District Site Plan application for a Single Family House. Environmentally Sensitive Site. (201-18) 48 Hall Avenue R2-4 Zoning District Site Plan Amendment for a Deck. Environmentally Sensitive Site. WITHDRAWN Page 6

7 PLANNING BOARD MUNICIPAL BUILDING 70 CHURCH STREET WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK (914) FAX: (914) THOMAS M. ROACH MAYOR CHAIRMAN CHRISTOPHER N. GOMEZ, AICP COMMISSIONER OF PLANNING LINDA K. PUOPLO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER March 21, 2018 EILEEN McCLAIN SECRETARY TO THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL SUBJECT: WHITE PLAINS HOUSING AUTHORITY REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BOULEVARD - APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN AND SPECIAL PERMIT APPROVALS FOR A NEW MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING TO BE KNOWN AS BROOKFIELD COMMONS PHASE TWO At its March 20, 2018 meeting, the Planning Board considered the application by the White Plains Housing Authority to implement Phase Two of its redevelopment of the Winbrook property, now known as Brookfield Commons. The proposed 129-unit building will be occupied by 90 households currently residing at Winbrook Housing, and 39 households from the broader community. The Planning Board congratulated the applicant on the success of The Prelude (Phase One of the redevelopment), and appreciates the progress toward a master plan for redevelopment. The Board finds the proposed building, landscaping, and lighting design, attractive. The Board liked that security considerations were made in the design without sacrificing aesthetics and resident open space needs. Planning Board members voting in favor of positive recommendation on the site plan and special permit: J. Ioris, A. Cabrera, L. Oliva, and S. Russell (4); Opposed: None (0); Absent: J. Durante and J. Westlund, (2); Recused: L. Gruenfeld (1). Respectfully submitted, John Ioris, Chairman White Plains Planning Board Page 7

8 PLANNING BOARD MUNICIPAL BUILDING 70 CHURCH STREET WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK (914) FAX: (914) THOMAS M. ROACH MAYOR CHAIRMAN CHRISTOPHER N. GOMEZ, AICP COMMISSIONER OF PLANNING LINDA K. PUOPLO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER EILEEN J. McCLAIN, AICP SECRETARY March 21, 2018 TO THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP TO RE-ZONE CERTAIN PROPERTIES ON: A) COBB AVENUE FROM THE R SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT TO THE R1-5 SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT; AND B) SAXON WOOD PARK DRIVE FROM THE R SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT TO THE R1-7.5 SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT At its March 20, 2018 meeting, the Planning Board considered the proposed amendment to the Zoning Map to re-zone certain properties on Cobb Avenue from the R single family zoning district to the R1-5 single family zoning district, and on Saxon Wood Park Drive from the R single family zoning district to the R1-7.5 single family zoning district. The Planning Board finds the proposed amendment appropriate as to form and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The Board voted unanimously to recommend scheduling a public hearing on the proposed Zoning Map amendment, and to find no objection to the proposed amendment. Planning Board members voting in favor of a motion to send a letter to the Common Council finding the proposed amendment appropriate as to form and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and recommending scheduling a public hearing, and stating no objection to the proposed rezoning of Cobb Avenue and Saxon Wood Park Drive as proposed: J. Ioris, L. Gruenfeld, A. Cabrera, L. Oliva, and S. Russell (5); Opposed: None (0); Absent: J. Durante and J. Westlund, (2). Page 8 Respectfully submitted, John Ioris, Chairman White Plains Planning Board

9 PLANNING BOARD MUNICIPAL BUILDING 70 CHURCH STREET WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK (914) FAX: (914) THOMAS M. ROACH MAYOR CHAIRMAN CHRISTOPHER N. GOMEZ, AICP COMMISSIONER OF PLANNING LINDA K. PUOPLO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER EILEEN J. McCLAIN, AICP SECRETARY March 21, 2018 TO THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS WITH RESPECT TO CREATING A NEW LIGHT INDUSTRIAL MIXED USE 2 (LI-M2) ZONING DISTRICT, RE-ZONING CERTAIN PROPERTIES IN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (LI) ZONING DISTRICT, AND AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP TO REMOVE THE 10 FOOT SPECIAL BUILDING SETBACK ON HAARLEM AVENUE, AND 5 FOOT SPECIAL BUILDING SETBACK ON HOLLAND AVENUE At its March 20, 2018 meeting, the Planning Board considered the proposed amendment to the Zoning Map to create the LI-M2 zoning district and to establish the new district in a portion of the Light Industrial district in the vicinity of the North White Plains Train Station. The Planning Board finds the proposed amendment appropriate as to form and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The Board voted unanimously to recommend scheduling a public hearing on the proposed Zoning Ordinance and map amendment. The Board will further consider the advisability of the proposed amendment at its April 17, 2018 meeting, and make recommendations to the Common Council at that time. Planning Board members voting in favor of a motion to send a letter to the Common Council finding the proposed amendment appropriate as to form and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and recommending scheduling a public hearing: J. Ioris, L. Gruenfeld, A. Cabrera, L. Oliva, and S. Russell (5); Opposed: None (0); Absent: J. Durante and J. Westlund, (2). Page 9 Respectfully submitted, John Ioris, Chairman White Plains Planning Board