Frequently Asked Questions by Residents

Last Updated 2009.07.27

Upcoming/Recent Events
Farmer’s Market Opened - Sat, May 30th, 7:00am to 1:00pm, Memorial Plaza

Q: Do you know you can watch Board Meetings, School Meetings, and a number of other events live and recorded?
A: They are available via the PCTV76 website.

Q: What's going on with the run-down home at 55 Pleasant Avenue?
A: The County is considering donating the above dilapidated home for rehabilitation for middle class housing as managed by A-Home, a non-profit. The house would include an accessory apartment as well. This is allowed under Village Zoning ordinances (section 185-31). Currently, it's not on Village tax rolls and is an eye sore. So, this could be a win-win situation. There has been some local neighborhood negative feedback due to flood control and house size issues. This project is still in the planning phase.

Q: What is the status with Verizon FiOS TV service?
A: The board has been negotiating with Verizon almost on a daily basis as reported by the Mayor, and has requested the same deal offered to neighboring municipalities. Verizon has been extremely slow to respond. The Village TV station and other services are based on the tv fees, so it's important they are not cut. Once Verizon offers a "fair" amount, they will be welcomed into the community. Keep in mind, Verizon FiOS internet costs more than Cablevision's so I'm not sure it'll reduce everyone's cable costs.

Q: What is the status of the Church Street sidewalks?
A: At the Mon 5/18 board meeting, the board has hired a traffic engineering company (Adler) to look into the feasibility of sidewalks on Chruch Street. At the end of June 09, Adler should have their initial report ready. Board had been looking into what options exists from a traditional sidewalk to path.

Q: How can I ask a question?
A: Send an email to Ben Serebin. My email address is: ben "the @ symbol" serebin "dot" com.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Village Board Work Session Agenda 12/21/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570

7:00pm Metro North-Location of Future Substation

7:30pm Miscellaneous Administrative Items
Local Government Efficiency Grant Program 2010
Richard Lampert Housing Proposal-Washington Ave. Property
Prospero Winery Expansion

9:0pm Executive Session
Updates on litigation matters
Advice of Counsel on personnel matters
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Village Board Regular Meeting Agenda 12/14/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 , 2009
8:00PM

Scheduled Meetings: All meetings are held at Village Hall, 80 Wheeler Avenue, 2nd Floor, Pleasantville, New York

Work Session, Monday, December 21, 2009 at 7:00pm

Regular Meeting Monday, December 28, 2009, 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm

Oral Communication:
Speaker: Judith McCarthy-Intergovernmental Affairs of the Lower Hudson Region, Office of the Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo.

Pubic Hearing
Continuation of a Public Hearing regarding a Local Law Amending Chapter 173, Vehicles and Traffic, Section 173-63, Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours/Weskora Avenue

Resolutions:
Res. No. 2009-228-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2009-229-Approval of Minutes-11/23/09
Res. No. 2009-230-Approval of Small Claims Assessment Refunds
Res. No. 2009-231-Approval of a Local Law Amending Chapter 173, Vehicles and Traffic, Section 173-63, Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours/Weskora Avenue
Res. No. 2009-232-Engaging Engineer Services Re: Replacement of Stone Masonry Wall-Bedford Road
Res. No. 2009-233-Approval of Management Confidential Salaries
Res. No. 2009-234-Authorization to Sign Employment Agreement/Administrator
Res. No. 2009-235-Accepting Donations for Senior Programs
Res. No. 2009-236-Approval of Budget Amendments
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Village Board Work Session Agenda 12/14/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:00PM

7:00pm Miscellaneous Administrative Items
Skytop Drive - Discussion regarding implementing no
parking restrictions

8:00pm Regular Meeting

9:30pm Executive Session
Verizon Franchise Negotiations
Real Estate Matters
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Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda 12/30/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

Pleasantville Zoning Board of Appeals
Wednesday December 30, 2009
8:15 P.M.
Village Hall
80 Wheeler Avenue
Pleasantville, New York

AGENDA

Case No. 2009-12 – Mr. Michael McCormack – 526 Washington Avenue, Pleasantville, New York- Proposal to construct a new covered portico on-site in violation of section 185-36.B.(1) schedule I “bulk requirements”, regarding an insufficient front yard setback and section 185-46.C.(2)exceptions regarding expanding the degree of existing building non-compliance
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Planning Commission Agenda 12/09/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

Planning Commission
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
8:00 P.M.
Village Hall
80 Wheeler Avenue
Pleasantville, New York

AGENDA

Sarles Lane Corporation–68-70 Sarles Lane, Pleasantville, New York Proposed three lot subdivision.

Adoption of Resolutions
Ternion Inc. d/b/a/Bollywood Bistro – 68 Wheeler Avenue, Pleasantville
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Village Board Work Session Agenda 11/30/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:30PM

6:00pm-7:00pm Meeting at Pleasantville Library
Pleasantville Union Free School District
Superintendent Search/Scoping Session

7:30pm Work Session at 80 Wheeler Avenue

Discussion on how to fund proposals for planning services, Central Business Master Plan and Text Amendments

Sarles Lane Subdivision Updates

MetroNorth Communication re: Sunnyside Avenue
Bridge Replacement; Alternate plans for locating a substation

8:00pm Meeting with ARB Members re: Streamlining Application Process

9:00pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
Personnel Matters
Foreclosure Updates
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Architectural Review Board Agenda 12/03/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

Architectural Review Board Meeting
Thursday December 3, 2009
8:15 p.m.
Village Hall
80 Wheeler Avenue
Pleasantville, New York

PNV PV Realty LLC – 6-8 Paulding Street, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed new siding, windows and store front - Petition to Architectural Review Board – Letter dated November 20, 2009 from Frank J. Tancredi, Architect – Building Application November 20, 2009 – Short EAF dated November 20, 2009 – Photos and associated improvement plan - enclosed
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Village Board Amended Regular Meeting Agenda 11/23/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
8:00PM

Scheduled Meetings: All meetings are held at Village Hall, 80 Wheeler Avenue, 2nd Floor, Pleasantville, New York

Work Session, Monday, November 30, 2009 at 7:00pm
Regular Meeting, Monday, December 14, 2009, 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm.

Oral Communication:
Annual Youth Recognition
Stephen Johnson, Superintendent of Public Works-DPW Updates
Chief Anthony Chiarlitti-Police Department presentation

PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Local Law Amending Chapter 21, Changing the Residency Requirements of Certain Court Employees

Local Law Amending Chapter 173, Vehicles and Traffic, Section 173-63, Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours/Weskora Avenue

Resolutions:
Res. No. 2009-219-Approval of a Local Law Amending Chapter 21, Changing
the Residency Requirements of Certain Court Employees
Res. No. 2009-220-Approval of a Local Law Amending Chapter 173, Vehicles and Traffic, Section 173-63, Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours/Weskora Avenue
Res. No. 2009-221-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2009-222-Approval of Minutes-November 9th
Res. No. 2009-223-Approval of Budget Amendments
Res. No. 2009-224-Approval of Police Management Salaries
Res. No. 2009-225-Approval of Inter-Municipal Agreement with Westchester County Re: Solid Waste and Recyclable Disposal
Res. No. 2009-226-Appointment to Ethics Board/Erik Kristensen
Res. No. 2009-227-Approval to use Manville Road Parking Lot by the Jacob Burns Film Center
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Village Board Work Session Agenda 11/23/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANVILLE
WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:00PM

7:00pm John Fearon & Library Board-Strategic Planning and 2010 Budget Update

8:00pm Regular Meeting

9:30pm Executive Session
Sale of Recreation Center
Management Personnel Issues
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Village Board Regular Meeting Agenda 11/23/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
8:00PM

Scheduled Meetings: All meetings are held at Village Hall, 80 Wheeler Avenue, 2nd Floor, Pleasantville, New York

Work Session, Monday, November 30, 2009 at 7:00pm
Regular Meeting, Monday, December 14, 2009, 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm.

Oral Communication:
Annual Youth Recognition
Stephen Johnson, Superintendent of Public Works-DPW Updates

PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Local Law Amending Chapter 21, Changing the Residency Requirements of Certain Court Employees

Local Law Amending Chapter 173, Vehicles and Traffic, Section 173-63, Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours/Weskora Avenue

Resolutions:
Res. No. 2009-219-Approval of a Local Law Amending Chapter 21, Changing
the Residency Requirements of Certain Court Employees
Res. No. 2009-220-Approval of a Local Law Amending Chapter 173, Vehicles
and Traffic, Section 173-63, Schedule XV: Parking Prohibited Certain Hours/Weskora Avenue
Res. No. 2009-221-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2009-222-Approval of Minutes-November 9th
Res. No. 2009-223-Approval of Budget Amendments
Res. No. 2009-224-Approval of Police Management Salaries
Res. No. 2009-225-Approval of Inter-Municipal Agreement with Westchester
County Re: Solid Waste and Recyclable Disposal
Res. No. 2009-226-Appointment to Ethics Board/Erik Kristensen
Res. No. 2009-227-Approval to use Manville Road Parking Lot by the Jacob
Burns Film Center
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The Dunkin Donuts Corner (SPECIAL FEATURE) - Updated Last 2008.10.07

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Regular Announcements Below This - Scroll Down
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Tue 10/7 Update
Last week, Dunkin Donuts decided to hang up a traditional Dunkin Donuts sign violating the Signage Ordinance and the Architecture Review Board's agreement with the Donuts Donuts franchise owner, TBG. Numerous complaints were lodged with Village Hall and they demanded TBG immediately remove the illegal sign which they promptly did. TBG complained that the wood curved sign was taking too long, hence they broke the rules to advertise Dunkin Donuts.

Wed 9/10 Update
On Monday, 9/8 the Pleasantville Board of Trustees announced the following proposed amendments to the introductory local law 2008-181 which to summarize the major points improves upon the definition of what a restaurant is, prohibits drive-throughs for non-bank establishments, adds a new formula fast food establishment definition and restricts their establishment, and clarifies and restricts 1st floor permitted uses for professional services (e.g. legal services, architectural, brokerage firms, accounting, etc) in the central business districts. Public comment is open now. You can read the original document on the Village's website. Next public comment meeting is on the agenda for the Mon, October 27th meeting. Please provide feedback to the trustees and village administrator before then as well.

- Ben Serebin, Pleasantville Resident
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Hello Everyone,

The vast majority of the people I speak with are upset to hear about the planned Dunkin Donuts across from the Jacob Burns (2nd Dunkin Donuts in Pleasantville), so I realized it would be good if I had a special section dedicated to it. I'll update this area with Dunkin Donuts related issues which includes the business moratorium and ordinance changes.

This issue was caused by a ruling by the Pleasantville Building Inspector (Mike Testa) on 11/28/07 due to the lack of definition of the current zoning for a bakery (section 185:11, no definition of bakery), simplistic definition of a fast food restaurant (more than 8 seats with ready to consume food), "one hundred feet of the intersection" of any business street as per section 185-22 section 12 (a) [4], and "lack of applying the interpretation or conflict of the zoning and ordinances, the more restrictive language should apply" (section 185-59 section B). His consultation of a dictionary for defining what a bakery is should have been targeted to the board of trustees for clarification especially since most people would probably classify Dunkin Donuts as fast food (since the company labels it as such and so does the franchise owner). In essence, the application was a technique of a wolf in sheep's clothes. Challenges via a Zoning Board Appeal in section 185-55 or an article 78 to applications are required within 30 days, which was not available to me since I became aware of this after that period.

There is a solution that we can promote to prevent uncontrolled increases of fast food businesses and franchises in Pleasantville, and it's called Business Formula Ordinances (BFOs). To summarize the explanation of this, it means that each business would need to be to a certain degree unique and could not be cookie cutter like, e.g. same trademark, signage, tables, lighting, menus, uniforms, etc. The BFOs can be as restrictive (e.g. no businesses sharing trademarks, menus, signage, etc) or accommodating as desired (e.g. capping the # in an area or entire business district, such as up to 5 business allowed in the village sharing trademarks, menus, signage, etc). Traffic safety should also play a role in approving businesses in Pleasantville.

Read the following PDFs or websites just by clicking the links:
Original Building Permit Application filed by T.B.G. Food Acquisition Corp (aka Dunkin Donuts owner Manhattan based private equity firm The Beekman Group L.L.C.) on November 25, 2007. There are mistakes on the application and the identity of the signature of the owner is unknown even to Mike Testa (building inspector).

Background on The Beekman Group Private Equity Firm and TBG as per Westchester County Business Journal interview with John Troiano and Peter Marrinan. Peter has attended at least one Pleasantville meeting. Or read it on the Westchester County Business Journal website.

The Examiner Article of March 10, 2008 announcing the Pleasantville Downtown Business Moratorium and "know your Neighbor" highlight of Ben Serebin.

The New York Times Article on May 25, 2008 "Punching a Hole in Paradise" about the planned Dunkin Donuts and use of Formula Businesses. Interview with Mayor Bernard Gordon and Pleasantville Resident Ben Serebin. Or read it on the NY Times website.

Pleasantville Zoning Map of Business Districts (A1 & A2) Affected by Business Moratorium.

[Provided to Pleasantville Board of Trustees during May 19, 2008 meeting & Westchester County Legislator John Nonna who was present]
List of some Municipalities that have Implemented Formula Business Ordinances (e.g. Port Jefferson NY, Fairfield CT, Bristol RI, Chesapeake City MD, Nantucket MA, Portland ME, Ogunquit ME, Coronado CA, Pacific Grove CA, San Francisco CA, Sanibel FL, Sauslito CA, & York ME to name a few.

Formula Business Ordinance upheld by California Court of Appeals

[Provided to Pleasantville Board of Trustees during May 19, 2008 meeting & Westchester County Legislator John Nonna who was present]
Port Jefferson, NY (on Long Island) Business Formula Ordinance (BFO) Code (I've provided the exact sections that discuss the BFO.)

City of Portland, ME's BFO Code. This is a good example like the Port Jefferson, NY code.

Pleasantville, NY Local Law code for Signage as of Jan 2008

Dunkin Donuts Website Press Release announcing that Dunkin Donuts received the award of "Best Fast-Food Coffee" - maybe they are a fast food franchise company?

-Ben Serebin, Pleasantville Resident
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