COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPORIATONS
MINUTES
DECEMBER 3, 2002
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wishnie, Bronz, LaMotte, Stewart-Cousins
OTHERS PRESENT: Budget: L. Bennett; Planning: J. Mulligan, N. MacMillan, N. Hadley, W. Brady; Housing Opportunity Comm: R. Hyman; CE’s Office: B. Randolph; Citizen: J. Brill; BOL: S. Schecter, S. Vanderberg, B. Dodds.
According to the graph provided, Ms. Hadley said the cost of homes and apartment rentals in Westchester County has risen significantly over the last 4 year; this can be attributed to a reduction in housing construction. This coupled with an average salary of $34-37,000 dollars a year exacerbates the County’s need for affordable housing.
Also before the Board of Acquisitions and Contracts, the $450,000 being requested of the New Homes Land funds will go towards the acquisition of the property, financing from NYS AHT will go towards construction and the buying down of the individual purchase price for each unit. The proposed project, for first time homebuyers only, will be located in the City of Rye and the Village of Port Chester and will consists of 9 town homes. The actual site consists of two lots totaling 24,000 square feet (300 are in the Village and will only be used for access). They will all have 3 bedrooms one and a half baths, totaling about 1500 square feet each. The total development cost is $228, 720,000, unsubsidized the sale price will be $253,000 per unit, subsidized, $145,000 per unit. In order to remain affordable for 40 years, there are severe restrictions regarding resale. A median income of 80% or below is required and buyers are required to attend first time homebuyer’s classes. The project is to be developed by the Lazz Corporation.
The screening process is open to residents of all municipalities.
As per the concern raised by members, the possibility of long term monitoring of the property will be investigated and the findings will be to the Committee.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2004 and expected to last about 10 months.
For Budget: On the motion of Mr. Wishnie seconded by Mrs. LaMotte, the item was carried 4-0.
For Housing: On the motion of Mrs. Stewart-Cousins seconded by Mrs. Bronz, the item was carried 2-0.
On the motion of Mrs. Bronz seconded by Mrs. Stewart-Cousins, the Committee on Housing was adjourned at 9:51 a.m.
This is a proposal to sell a portion of the Putnam Right-Of-Way on which a building essential to the La Stazione Restaurant to the restaurant. The land coincides with the South County Trailway in Elmsford. Mr. Mulligan said the sale would not affect the use or continuity of the South County Trailway. The County currently leases the former Putnam Right-Of-Way railroad station to the restaurant for use as a kitchen. A recent appraisal has reduced the property value from about $100,000 to $37,500 due to the fact that its land locked. The Municipal government feels the restaurant plays an important part in the local economy.
On the motion of Mrs. Bronz seconded by Mrs. Stewart-Cousins the item was carried 4-0.
With no further business to discuss on the motion of Mrs. Bronz seconded by Mr. Wishnie the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.