WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2008
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:00PM
7:00 pm Executive Session Topics
Cable Franchise Negotiation: Consortium Updates
Small Claims Assessment Review Petitions
7:30pm Departmental Updates
Linda Bellofatto, Superintendent of Recreation
Miscellaneous Administrative Items
8:30pm
Setting Summer Board Meeting Schedule
Nannahagan Road Discussion
(follow-up from Board field visit)
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The Dunkin Donuts Corner (SPECIAL FEATURE) - Updated Last 2008.10.07
---------------------------------------------------------------
Regular Announcements Below This - Scroll Down
---------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------
Regular Announcements Below This - Scroll Down
---------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------
4 comments:
Comments as reported by Ben Serebin from the Pleasantville Work Session Meeting on Mon, 6/16. I summarized some of the remarks and might have omitted others that I felt were duplicative. -Ben
Attending
- Mayor, Bernard Gordon (BG)
- Trustee, Jonathan Cunningham (JC)
- Trustee, Joseph Stargiotti (JS)
- Trustee, Mind Berard (MB)
- Trustee, Peter Scherer (PS)
- Village Administrator, Patti Dywer (PD)
7:30pm Departmental Updates
Linda Bellofatto (LB), Superintendent of Recreation
Pool Update (by LB)
- pool registration is going well. Plenty of lifeguards, too many.
- we had to take 15 year olds (inexperienced). Joe or Linda will sit as lifeguards before school ends (2:30pm).
- college students have internships, 1 college student, rest are 15 & 16 years old. A few 17 years. 8 x 15 year olds.
Dad's Club
- 6/18, Dad's Election is a concern due to a lot of conflict.
- outline of a contract between Dad's club and Village. PD will provide this. Initially, Dad's Club was suppose to provide it, but there has been no update.
- JS, per a meeting of Dad's Club, they preferred to be separate, and not a department of the village
- JC, mission statement should be the kids.
- BG, if fighting occurs internally, then Dad's Club is over and it'll be brought into the village. Agreed by PD & LB.
8:30pm Miscellaneous Administrative Items
RecreationCenter Discussion with John Krysko
- JK brought along architect of Marmaduke House
- add the rec center to the National Register or use a Village overlay zone for restricting future modification of the house
- BG, 3 RFPs returned to the Village. Accepted RFP is a single family resident that has experience keeping the character of the building.
- JS, best use for Village is different than best use from a user perspective. Single family is up to the RFP.
- JK's architect stated that the long term preservation of the building should be an important goal from the village.
- PS, a new offer is not allowed since then the Village would need to re-offer the RFP to everyone & it's a closed process due to the past RFP deadline. Also, PS felt it's the best RFP received.
- Board clarified that part of the RFP process was preserving the structure (convenant must be followed for buyer and future buyers)
- Board stated the winning RFP are employeed as an architect and engineer. They are current locally people known to the community.
Setting Summer Board Meeting Schedule
July 14, 28
August 11, 25
Sept 8, 15, 22, 29
Green Pleasantville Plan
Ickly Pledge Plan - helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the overall services of the Village. Purpose is to pledge to reduce overall energy and carbon footprint.
Wind Power - supplementary power. 25% goes to wind. Community Group for a certain percentage for the Village's power usage. Village is paying extra to purchase green power.
JC - what is the differential of wind power versus standard power? PD will look into it and let the board know.
JS - Ickly pledge is a bit broad and he doesn't feel the board should be making such such general society based decisions.
PS - the Village should seriously consider this plan to reduce energy usage.
Nannahagan Road Discussion
(follow-up from Board field visit)
Board - did a walk from Broadway to Country Club. Clearing portions of the Village right-of-way to allow for a side-walk.
JS - some areas that had 18" to 2' of space. Some people put down woodchips. Good surface to walk-on.
BG & board - agree that no sidewalk is needed.
Joan (resident) - wood chips is not sufficient, snow & leaves will not work.
JC - kids on the road walking back from pool. No one is going to walk on the street. Proponent of speed humps & school zone (probably won't solve, but it's easier to implement over a walk-walk). Doesn't believe in a sidewalk. Speed humps is a way to change the behavior. 3 speed humps, 1) top of hill. 2) bottom of hill, 3) 100' down from corner. Believes the speed hump is the best approach.
Joan (resident) - mentioned, that public wanted a sidewalk and accept the grant money. But, some of the residents didn't want it.
MB - school is being implemented, signage will be arriving next week.
JS - walks on the road some times, and doesn't view it as a concern.
PD - looked at muncipalities models on school street safety. 5' - 6' flags that are carried between 2 points back and forth. Put a few dozen, and let kids carry them to make them more visible to drivers.
BG - What is being implemented. Resolution for school zone has been accepted and signage (4 signs) will be added. 15 mph on school days and hours. About 1300' from school entrance. Most of Nannahagen will be covered by the school zone. Sidewalks are not practical. Board is looking at other ways to make the neighborhood safer.
Gretchen (resident) - believes that more folks will be walking due to high gas prices. So, the board should consider the future of the village and plan accordingly.
PS - huge numbers should walk to school. A huge # of folks drive when they live so closely, so parents drive to school and walk back. Also, seniors have access to parking spots, so it's a badge of honor to drive for them. Changing parking areas on streets surrounding streets. Believes traffic is an issue but sidewalks are too expensive & too contrary to too many people. Make incremental improvements.
JS - Positive steps are happening. Signage for school zone and clearing off of right of way. Raised crosswalk was complained about by residents.
Board - requesting specific details about humps, e.g. locations, labeling, etc from RBA (organization that works with roads).
Bad Weekend for Pleasanstville
- someone was stuck in elevator in Village Hall
- kids were throwing rocks at the pool over the fence. Police was called.
MB - upset he was not notified about the rock throwing incident. In the future, he wants to be notified for such serious incidents.
Pleasantville Music Festival Insurance Topic
- rain insurance discussed ($8k total cost, split with Peak radio station). Various board members for and against.
- businesses & non-profits provide Village separate insurance documentation
In my opinion, the comments posted here about the "Nannahagan Road Discussion" are incomplete and inaccurate. Many comments by residents of Nannahagan, Iroquios and Broadway who attended the meeting have been omitted. The comments included lead the reader to believe "incremental improvements" have been made, when in fact, this is not the case.
Hello Joan,
Thank you for your comments. I always try to accurately gauge the meeting's remarks and sentiment for board members and attendees. But, people are free to contribute to the blog via comments/postings.
As per the improvements on the areas near and on Nannahagan Road, overall I believe there is some progress being made. It might not be as much for some, and too much for others, but improvements are in in the works to make the area safer for walkers.
-Ben
Hello Ben,
I am not usually a "blogger." I stumbled upon this page after opening your recent e-mail to the Yahoo P'ville group.
What progress is being made on Nannahagan? If you would like to see the source of our (residents') frustration, I will gladly walk the route with you.
I can accept the opinion of some people (including Trustess) who feel Nannahagan Road is safe "as is." As you know, I happen to disagree with them.
What I cannot accept are statements claiming conditions have been improved for pedestrians. Conditions have not been improved. The "right of way" is not usable along many segments of Nannahagan Road because it slopes sharply down (South side) or up (North side). Pedestrians do not currently walk on the woodchips; and CANNOT walk on them when they are covered in mud, leaves, and snow. To suggest that walking there is a viable option for myself and my children is an insult. Tell me my road is safe, but do not tell me it has been "fixed" with a bag of woodchips.
Post a Comment