COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
MINUTES
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Leslie Bennett; CBAC: Barbara Strauss; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Ingrid Bent; Real Estate: Sal Carrera; DPW/DEF: Commissioner Landi; Law Dept.: Rick Cashman; BOL: Robert Hoch, Chris Chang, Sally Schecter, Robert J. Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:20 a.m.
Chair Carsky called the Community Affairs Committee to order at 10:21 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
Singer Property: Legislation regarding the acquisition by the County of Westchester of property in the Town of Cortlandt adjacent to the county’s Sprout Brook Ashfill. (Item also referred to CA)
· Community Affairs Chair Carsky stated for the record that this item was placed on the agenda for today’s meeting at the request of the Administration on 4:00 p.m. on Friday. The County Attorney’s Office confirmed that this was ample and appropriate notice for the meeting to take place.
· Legislator Oros began by informing the Committee that this is an act that came down to the Board in the last term but was not acted upon due to concerns from the Town of Cortlandt.
· The property is approximately 6 acres that adjoins what is now the Sprout Brook Ashfill. The town was concerned that this would ultimately be used as an expansion of the ash pit site and they objected to that.
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· In the course of the last 6-7 months, there have been numerous discussions with the town with regard to this matter. A resolution was unanimously passed by the Cortlandt Town Board on February 15th indicating their willingness to have the County purchase this property.
· The County has agreed that at the expiration of the bond it will turn this property over to the Town of Cortlandt for whatever purposes they wish to use it for.
· Mr. Oros questioned the fact that the deed’s restrictive covenant prohibiting the site from being used as additional capacity for ash is not noted in the act. It is in the County Executive’s transmittal letter as well as the Committee Report and Mr. Oros stated that he would like it added to the act. The Committees were in agreement. Law Department will add the new language.
· The property is property is currently owned by Mr. Frank Singer. The County will pay $400,000 for the property plus reasonable and customary closing costs.
· The conveyance is subject to a life estate allowing the Singers to remain on the premises during their respective lifetimes. Mr. Kaplowitz noted his concern with regard to a liability issue. He stated that he felt the legislation should include a clause whereby the Singers would waive their right to sue for health issues given that they will continue to live on the property. The Committees agreed. Law Department will add the new language.
· NOTE: Due to a change to the original legislation (signed out by B&A on January 19, 2000 and referred to CA for further action) the current legislation before the Committees will supercede the original.
FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item, as amended, was carried by a vote of 8-0.
FOR THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item, as amended, was carried by a vote of 2-0.
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Chair Carsky recessed the Community Affairs Committee meeting until 3:00 p.m.
Chairman Kaplowitz called the Environment Committee to order at 10:42 a.m.
Item A8: Conveyance of County Property: Proposed Act authorizing the conveyance of certain County-owned property to New Rochelle Storage Partners LLC for the purchase price of $40,000. (1/24/00) (Also referred to ENV)
· This property is located between Cedar Street and the New York State Thruway in New Rochelle. Mr. Carrera stated that this is located right off of the thruway and is not considered a residential area.
· Mr. Abinanti stated that he has great difficulty in supporting this, not because of the specifics, but because of the principle. He is fighting in Greenburgh right now on several parcels with the state in selling off what they call excess land. It is creating additional development in neighborhoods that don’t want it. He stated that he is personally the lawyer for his neighbors suing right now to stop development on a parcel down the street from him. He stated that he would like to know if the neighborhood is in favor of it. He further stated that in some instances the excess land is viewed as a buffer zone where the community wants to keep it as a buffer zone. He said that if this is not that kind of a situation then he would support it, if it is what the community wants.
· Mrs. LaMotte stated that she agrees that there are wetlands and flood plains in the Greenburgh area that are very different than land around the thruway.
· Mr. Kaplowitz noted that on the Short Environmental Assessment Form it states that vegetation or fauna, fish, shellfish or wildlife species, significant habitats or threatened or endangered species would not be adversely affected since the site is currently cleared, consists of gravel, and is surrounded by intense development, any future development that might result in the conveyance of the land to the private sector will not have a significant impact on fauna or flora.
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· The property, acquired by the County in 1926, was to be used for the Pelham Port Chester Parkway. The property was never dedicated as park property and, in fact, has never been used by the County for any purpose. Mr. Abinanti stated that purchasing property for parkway purposes would make it parkland. Mrs. Carsky stated that residual parkway land was always considered equivalent to parkland. Committees would like something in writing from the County Attorney as to whether this is considered parkland and whether the County needs some kind of sign-off from the state.
· Mr. Boland noted that this property is not listed as county owned land on the list he received from New Rochelle. Mr. Carrera stated that it is an empty lot and only found out that the County owned it after a search was done. County received a write-off from the state that it doesn’t belong to them and they don’t want it. He stated that there is much that can be done with this land. The only person that this land is good for is the property owner that is already there. It is only 6,000 feet that can be used for parking, turn-around, etc. He further stated that he is sure that there are other such parcels out there.
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 2-0 with Legislator LaMotte signing “Without Prejudice”.
FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators LaMotte, Swanson, and Carsky signing “Without Prejudice” and Mr. Abinanti out for vote.
ADJOURNMENT – ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:
There being no further items for discussion for the Environment Committee, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 11:03 a.m.
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A&C CALENDAR:
The Committee reviewed the March 2, 2000 A&C Calendar.
PATHWAYS TO HOUSING INC.:
The Committee received a hand-out (on-file) on the Pathways to Housing Inc program proposal for permanent housing with support services for individuals who are homeless and have psychiatric disabilities.
The hand-out will be placed on the Board’s agenda from both the Budget and Community Affairs Chairs to be referred to the Committees and will be discussed in detail at a future meeting with the Commissioner of Social Services.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.