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.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Village Board Regular Meeting Agenda 8/25/08

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008
8:00PM
Scheduled Meetings: All meetings are held at Village Hall, 80 Wheeler Avenue, 2nd Floor, Pleasantville, New York

Monday, September 8, 2008 Regular Meeting 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm

Monday, September 15, 2008 Work Session 7:00pm

Resolutions:
Res. No. 2008-178-Approval of Minutes/August 11, 2008
Res. No. 2008-179-Approval of Block Party Request/LeLand Avenue
Res. No. 2008-180-Approval of Block Party Request/Sunnyside Avenue
Res. No. 2008-181-Approval of Budget Amendment
Res. No. 2008-182-Accepting Resignation from Police Officer Michael DeMaio
Res. No. 2008-183-Approval of Small Claims Assessment Reviews
Res. No. 2008-184-Authorization to Advertise for RFQ’s/RFP’s for a Recreation Center Siting Study
Res. No. 2008-185-Introductory Local Law -Zoning Changes in the A1 District with respect to permitted uses and separation requirements Chapter 185 Zoning, Sections 185-3 Definitions and Word Use & Section 185-19 Central Business A-1 District
Res. No. 2008-186-Authorization to Submit 2008 Justice Court Assistance Program
Grant
Res. No. 2008-187-Approval of Proposal from Architectural Woodworking Ltd For New Courtroom Bench and Jury Box
Res. No. 2008-188-Amending Parking Permit Sales Policy


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Village Board Agenda 8/25/08

WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:00PM

7:00pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
Personnel Evaluation/Village Administrator
Contract Negotiations/Recreation Center

7:30pm Miscellaneous Administrative Items
Senior Citizen Programs & Services Update
Revised Parking Permit Policy
Web Casting Update

8:00pm BOARD MEETING

9:00pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
Advice of Counsel/Police Personnel Matters
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Monday, August 11, 2008

Village Board Regular Meeting Agenda 08/11/08

[FYI: I label the postings based on the criteria I believe constituents would have an interest in. Do not hesitate to post a comment if you feel otherwise. -Ben]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008
8:00PM


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


Monday, August 25, 2008 Regular Meeting 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm


Resolutions:
Res. No. 2008-168-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2008-169-Approval of Minutes/July 28, 2008
Res. No. 2008-170-Approval of Out-of-State Conference Request/Police Chief
Res. No. 2008-171-Accepting Various Donations/Senior Programs
Res. No. 2008-172-Establishing a Central Business District Master Plan Update Committee
Res. No. 2008-173-Introductory Local Law/Exemption for Persons with Disabilities & Limited Incomes
Res. No. 2008-174-Approval of Part-Time Employee Salaries/Sr. Center
Res. No. 2008-175-Authorization to Sign Employment Agreement/Village Administrator
Res. No. 2008-176-Approval of Management/Confidential Salaries
Res. No. 2008-177-Authorization to Bid for New Public Restroom Facility at Soldiers and Sailors Park
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Village Board Work Session Agenda 08/11/08

WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570


7:00pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
Assessor Interview


7:30pm Miscellaneous Administrative Items
Parkway Field Lighting Estimate

8:00pm BOARD MEETING

Work Session Continued
8:30pm RBA’s Traffic Study & Conseptual Design
for the Route 141 (Broadway-Bedford Road) Corridor
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Monday, August 4, 2008

Architectural Review Board Agenda 8/07/08

[FYI - corrected spelling mistake and added 914 prefix. -Ben]

Architectural Review Board Meeting
Thursday August 7, 2008
8:15 p.m.
Village Hall
80 Wheeler Avenue
Pleasantville, New York


AGENDA

Pleasant Village Estates – 21 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed new single-family residence


Mr. and Mrs. Steven Hardy – 125 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposal to remove shag bark hickory tree - HOUSE IS LOCATED IN THE SPECIAL CHARACTER OVERLAY DISTRICT


Jerry’s Brick Oven Pizza – 475 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposal to install new entrance sidewalk


Steve and Jackie Zucker – 301 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposal to modify previously approved plan/deviation HOUSE IS LOCATED IN THE SPECIAL CHARACTER OVERLAY DISTRICT


Jacob Burns Media Center – 405 Manville Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposal to modify previously approved Architectural Review Board submission


FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON EACH CASE PLEASE CONTACT THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT 914-769-1926
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Sunday, August 3, 2008

Village Board Regular Meeting Agenda 7/28/08

[Apologies for the delay in posting this, but I was away on a trip. -Ben]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008
8:00PM


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


Monday, August 11, 2008 Regular Meeting 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm


Oral Communication:


Public Hearing:
Local Law Amending Chapter 173 Vehicles & Traffic, Section 173-60, Schedule XII: Parking Prohibited At All Times of the Village Code of the Village of Pleasantville/Depew Street


Resolutions:
Res. No. 2008-159-Approval of a Local Law Amending Chapter 173 Vehicles & Traffic, Section 173-60, Schedule XII Parking Prohibited At All Times/Depew Street
Res. No. 2008-160-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2008-161-Approval of Minutes/November 26, 2007
Res. No. 2008-162-Approval of Budget Amendments
Res. No. 2008-163-Approval of Planning Advisory Proposal/2008/2009
Res. No. 2008-164-Approval of Police Internship
Res. No. 2008-165-Approval of Block Party Request
Res. No. 2008-166-Appointment to Architectural Review Board
Res. No. 2008-167-Authorization to Engage Services for Small Claims Assessment Hearings
Res. No. 2008-168-Authorization to Sign Proposal for Record Storage Facility Study
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Village Board Work Session Agenda 7/28/08

WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570


7:00pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
Assessor Interview


7:30pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
Personnel/Management Evaluations


8:00pm BOARD MEETING


8:30pm WORK SESSION
Parkway Lighting Project Estimate
Central Business District Moratorium/Follow-Up
Legacy Application
Partial Tax Exemption for Disabled

9:00pm EXECUTIVE SESSON
Contract Evaluation/Peak
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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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