MINUTES

HOUSING COMMITTEE

APRIL 22, 2002

PRESENT:  Co-Chair Lois Bronz and Co-Chair Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Staff:  Robert Boland, Barbara Dodds and Jean Cloidt

GUESTS:  Nancy MacMillan & William Brady, Planning Department, Peter Eschweiler, Pleasantville Housing Development Fund, Bill Randolph, County Executive’s Office

Co-Chair Lois Bronz called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m.

Co-Chair Bronz stated that this would be a single item agenda.  This special meeting of the housing committee was being convened because of questions about an item on the A & C agenda.

Mr. William Brady of the Planning Department was introduced to give an overview of the Pleasantville project.  Mr. Brady explained that it was a 24 unit, Low Income, Senior Housing Development.  The building will be three stories with the first housing a Senior Nutrition Center.  The second and third floors will have the housing units; the second level in the rear of the building will go directly to street level.  The building is in close proximity, walking distance to the train station and the main street shopping area.  The building will have an elevator for use by the residents.

Mr. Brady explained that the County has paid $90,000 in pre-development costs for this project and that they are now requesting an additional $750,000.

Discussion centered on the monetary procedure that was being used to fund this project.  Mr. Brady explained that they will be using monies from various sources such as the land acquisition fund, CDBG, etc., and that this needed to be shown in order to get federal funding.

Mr. Brady stated that Ashbourne will be the developer of the project and that it would incorporate the Non-Profit Group in Pleasantville and the Pleasantville Housing Development fund.  This needed to be done because of the paper trail that needs to be created for federal funding.

Mr. Jonathan Rose has been hired because of his experience.  He created the Burnham Building in Irvington, which was done and has been such a success.

It was suggested that the problem is with the way the money has been shown in that it looks like we have been funding it for years and it is now only coming before the Board.  Mr. Brady stated that they would be resubmitting a revised resolution to better clarify the money and expenditures.

Mr. Brady stated that the building would have low income – 50 to 60 percent median of Westchester.  They are hoping to have residents with lower income medians but this could not be stated in the paperwork.

Mr. Eschweiler stated that the Village welcomes this project and they are hoping that it is finalized. 

Motion made by Co-Chair Stewart-Cousins to adjourn, seconded by Co-Chair Bronz.  Adjourned at 1:00 p.m.