MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

MARCH 16, 1998 3:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Chair Oros, Legs: Bronz,

Young, Ryan

ALSO PRESENT: Commr. DeSantis and County

Attorney Scheinkman, Chairman

Latimer, Mr. Robertson, Mr.

Goldberger, Mr. Randolph Ms.

Hernstadt, Mrs. Keating.

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Chair Oros called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. He thanked all the Legislators for coming to Peekskill last week and thought it was a very successful evening. He also informed the Committee that he, Vice Chair Bronz and Chairman Latimer met with George Raymond last week to discuss housing.

The Committee went on to discuss Birchwood Springs with Leg. Ryan as the representative of the District, the County Attorney and the Commr. of Parks.

Leg. Ryan stated the those closest have asked that Birchwood be revisited. They believe that a pocket park can provide a recreational outlet for a certain number of people. They would like to see 125 families use the facility. If nothing is done, however, we cannot continue to have the site to remain as is. There are problems in the warmer months. There is a danger of climbing the rocks and being killed. If nothing can be done with the site then if should be bulldozed in. Leg. Ryan felt that this matter should be brought in front of the whole Board as a recreation area and to make use of the swimming and tennis facilities.

Commr. DeSantis stated that this has been a very difficult situation for the former Birchwood members. Somehow the Birchwood folks are of the opinion that they are at odds with the

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Commissioner. . This transpired when Mrs. Sochurek opted not to renew her lease. It was suggested that the members assume the lease for Mrs. Sochurek and resume the facilities. However, there is a deed restriction that indicates that unless the entire neighborhood wants to see it as a Swim Club, it cannot be. Mrs. Hearst has made an offer to do some modifications to the site to make it safer. Just after the lease expired, the Board of Legislators opted to dedicate this as parkland and add it to the Cranberry Lake Park.

The Commissioner made a recommendation to the Administration and he does not see it operating again as a private facility. He thinks it has some problems but was willing to try on an interim basis. He suggested that it be returned back to its natural state and eliminate any hazards that are there.

Leg. Ryan asked who has an oversight role for the County at the facility and the Commissioner stated only the Health Department standards had to be met. PRC has no jurisdiction. Leg. Ryan asked what types of steps would they have to address in the deed?

Mr. Scheinkman stated that the County would have to bring action. However, Mrs. Hearst would definitely object. Given the history of this matter to date, Mrs. Hearst would insert an objection. Commr. DeSantis stated that several homeowners in the area are against having it opened again.

Commr. DeSantis stated that the conditions of the buildings and the cabana are deteriorating significantly. The facilities have been vandalized. Since that time it has not gotten any better.

Sharon Hernstadt, a former member of Birchwood, was amazed of the sloppiness of the inaccuracy. She stated that Mrs. Hearst wanted the Bottling Plant. She is not hearing the same things right now that she heard at prior meetings.

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County Attorney Scheinkman stated that as he understood the situation even if all of the neighbors were to agree that they would have no objection as a bathing facility, the problem is that Mrs. Hearst does and when the property was carved out into two separate parcels the restriction was put in for whoever acquired the property. This was designed to benefit the people who own the other property.

Commr. DeSantis stated that we need to resolve this in a timely fashion and that the problems are very real and we must come to some resolution very soon.

Mr. Scheinkman stated that there is a letter from the attorney for Mrs. Hearst stating that she would pay for the cost of decommissioning the former Swim Club in exchange for an exclusive easement to use the existing roadway. The County would not be able to give her an exclusive easement, but that as a practical matter if the land became passive parkland there would be pedestrian and maintenance vehicles only.

County Attorney Scheinkman stated that the County would have responsibility for any acts that take place there. ‘

The purpose of this meeting was just to get some background information. No formal action will be taken at this time.

The Committee went on to discuss the granting of an easement to the Town of Greenburgh through Westchester Community College. Charles Goldberger, an attorney representing the Hebrew Home, was in attendance to explain.

The College, the Town of Greenburgh, BOCES and the Hebrew Home are all desirous of having this easement granted. It would be for emergency egress and ingress for Fire, etc., only. This would be a 24 foot wide easement over the college property. There will be a breakaway gate that Mr. Goldberger’s client will pay for and there is a restriction that if the easement is not used as it should, the agreement can be terminated.

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On motion of on Leg. Bronz, seconded by Leg. Young, the committee signed out the easement 4-0.

On motion of Leg. Bronz, seconded by Leg. Young, the minutes of March 11, were approved 4-0.

On motion of Leg. Bronz, seconded by Leg. Spreckman, the Westchester Housing Fund Communication as received and filed 4-0.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Leg. Young, seconded by Leg. Bronz, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 P.M.