Pleasantville NY Town Scoop

Keep up to date with the current zoning, public town meeting agendas, etc. This blog is for keeping Pleasantville residents up to date on what is happening in our town. So, feel free to post about meeting, rumors, etc. The blog will be open for all (no moderation). What started my push for a blog was a 2nd Dunkin Donuts across from Jacob Burns. Voice your opinion and let's keep everyone aware of what is happening in our community. ** See the comments to see feedback from attended meetings. **

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, May 22, 2009

Stay connected via a blog, website, and now twitter

Hello All,

I'm sure you know about this blog & the official Village website to keep up to date on meetings, events, and local politics. But I figured I would mention other online ways to stay in touch with what's going on in Pleasantville when I come across them. Using a newer online communication tool, Chris Cornell, of the Cornell Gallery posts Pleasantville updates via his Twitter account. http://twitter.com/pleasantville .

Enjoy it.

-Ben Serebin
Pleasantville Resident

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Planning Commission Agenda 5/27/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

Planning Commission
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
8:00 P.M.
Village Hall
80 Wheeler Avenue
Pleasantville, New York

AGENDA

Sulejman and Esma Paljevic - 10 Marble Avenue, Pleasantville, New York
Proposed wine bar

Farrow’s Service Station – 332 Manville Road, Pleasantville, New York
Proposed site plan amendment to establish the sale of propane gas tanks via exchange type system

Official Village Recreation Center Survey

[A recreation center survey as received by Village Administrator. Please complete and return. -Ben]

Dear Pleasantville Residents,

The Board of Trustees and Parks Recreation Advisory Board needs your help!

Please participate in this brief survey that will help us gather your opinions on issues concerning a future home and site for Pleasantville's recreation programs.

The survey is attached here for your convenience.

[Here is the official Village URL for the survey.]

It can also be found on the Recreation Department's home page as well as under News and Announcements at www.pleasantville-ny.gov

Yours truly,
Patricia Dwyer
Village Administrator

Monday, May 18, 2009

Village Board Regular Meeting Agenda 5/18/09

[As received by Village announcement. Will post comments from attending on the comments field. -Ben]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009
8:00pm

Announcements: - Call In 769-1677

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

Memorial Day Parade, Monday, May 25th, 10:00am & Ceremony at Memorial Plaza

Pleasantville Volunteer Fireman’s Parade, Friday, May 29th beginning at 7:00pm

Farmer’s Market Opening Day, Saturday, May 30th, 7:00am to 2:00pm, Memorial Plaza

Regular Meeting, Friday, May 29, 2009 at 9:00am for the Purpose of Paying Fiscal 2008-09 Bills

Work Session, Monday, June 1, 2009 at 7:00pm

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

Written Communication:

Oral Communication:

Public Hearing:
Continuation of a Public Hearing Regarding a Local Law Amending Chapter 185 Zoning, Section 185-3 Definitions and Word Use and Section 185-19 Central Business A-1 District.

Resolutions:
Res. No. 2009-99-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2009-100-Approval of Minutes/May 11, 2009
Res. No. 2009-101-Appointing Legal Counsel
Res. No. 2009-102-Approval of Easement Agreement with Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Res. No. 2009-103-Authorizing Town of New Castle to Submit Grant Application for Ozone Generators at the Millwood Water Plant
Res. No. 2009-104-Appointments to PCTV Board
Res. No. 2009-105-Approval of DataServe Agreement for Printer Service
Res. No. 2009-106-Approval of Budget Amendments

Village Board Work Session Agenda 05/18/09

[As received by Village announcement. I will be attending this, and will post my comments following the meeting. -Ben]

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:00PM

7:00pm Executive Session
PBA Contract Negotiations
Real Estate Negotiations for 359 Bedford Road

7:45pm Miscellaneous Adminstrative Items
Part-Time Court Officers
DataServe Service Contract for Desk-Top Printers & PC’s

8:00pm REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Volunteers Needed 5th Annual Pleasantville Music Festival 7/11/09

[As posted on Village announcement email. -Ben]

Attention Volunteers!

Join us for the 5th Annual Pleasantville Music Festival, presented by 107.1 THE PEAK.

Volunteers are welcome to help us in preparing for the festival and on the day of July 11, 2009 at Parkway Field.

Headliners on the main stage include Big Head Todd and the Monsters and on the kids stage, The Dream Jam Band.

Volunteers should send their email address, phone number and age (only if you are under 21) to pleasantmusic -a -t optonline.net
Att: Sol Skolnick

Monday, May 11, 2009

Village Board Regular Meeting Agenda 5/11/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009
8:00PM

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

Pleasantville Day, Saturday, May 16th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Regular Meeting Monday, May 18, 2009 at 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm

Written Communication:

Oral Communication:

Resolutions:
Res. No. 2009-86-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2009-87-Approval of Minutes/April 27, 2009
Res. No. 2009-88-Approval to Close Holy Innocents Parking Lot for a Youth Service Event
Res. No. 2009-89-Authorization to Retain Adler Consulting for Traffic Engineering Services for Church Street
Res. No. 2009-90-Authorization to Retain the Services of Virtual Town Hall for Web-Site Design Changes
Res. No. 2009-91-Authorization to Retain the Services of the RBA Group for a Memorial Plaza Intermodal Access Project Design Report
Res. No. 2009-92-Levy & Extension of Property Taxes 2009-2010 and Authorization to Sign Tax Warrant
Res. No. 2009-93-Approval of Budget Amendments
Res. No. 2009-94-Approval of Outdoor Alcoholic Beverage Permit/Captain Lawrence Brewing

Village Board Work Session Agenda 5/11/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570

7:00pm Discussion on Recreation Center/Re-Issuing RFP (Request for Proposals)

Discussion Regarding Funding Capital Reserve for Economic Development

Review of All Hazardous Emergency Response Plans

Update on CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Funding for Roselle Park

Update on Hays Hill Water/Drainage Project

9:30pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
PBA Negotiations
Advice of Counsel on Policies & Procedures/Police Dept.
Verizon Franchise Negotiations

Planning Commission Agenda 5/13/09

[As received by Village announcement. with minor spelling correction. -Ben]

Planning Commission
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
8:00 P.M.
Village Hall, 2nd Floor
80 Wheeler Avenue
Pleasantville, New York

AGENDA

James Mitchell/Sandie Vecchio d/b/a Mitchell Tae Kwon Do Academy – 70 Memorial Plaza, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed karate studio

Sulejman and Esma Paljevic 10 Marble Avenue, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed wine bar

The Eyes of Mohr d/b/a Lucy’s Lounge – 466 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed addition and change of use to restaurant

Architectural Review Board Amended Agenda 05/07/09

[As received by Village announcement email. -Ben]

Architectural Review Board Meeting
Thursday May 7, 2009
8:15 p.m.
Village Hall
80 Wheeler Avenue
Pleasantville, New York

AMENDED AGENDA

Joe’s Repair Shop, - 159 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed pole signage modification

Jacob Burns Film Center – 405 Manville Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed ground sign

Jerry’s Brick Oven Pizza – 475 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposal to install window signage

Monday, May 4, 2009

Village Board Work Session Agenda 5/04/09

[Amended version as received by Village announcement. Will post comments based on my attendance. -Ben]

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
WORK SESSION - AGENDA
MONDAY, MAY 4, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570

7:00pm Discussion with John Krysco Re: Former Recreation Center

7:30pm Review of Proposal for Enhanced Web-Site Services

7:45pm Progress Report from Central Business District Master Plan Committee

8:30pm Presentation by A-Home Regarding Rehabilitation of 55 Pleasant Avenue

9:30pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
Advice of Counsel and Assignment of Counsel

Architectural Review Board Agenda 5/07/09

[As received by Village announcement. -Ben]

Architectural Review Board Meeting
Thursday May 7, 2009
8:15 p.m.
Village Hall
80 Wheeler Avenue
Pleasantville, New York

AGENDA

Joe’s Repair Shop, - 159 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed pole signage modification

Jacob Burns Film Center – 405 Manville Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposed ground sign

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
-----------------------------------------------------