SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS & RECREATION
MINUTES
APRIL 8, 2002
MEMBERS: MOSIELLO, SPRECKMAN, BRONZ
LEGISLATORS: ABINANTI, STEWART-COUSINS & SWANSON
STAFF: ETTERE & NEGLIA
OTHERS: BILL RANDOLPH (CE OFFICE); See attached sign-in sheet.
The meeting was called to order at 1:16 p.m.
Legislator Abinanti opened the meeting with some details regarding Westchester County’s Trailway System and his proposal to dedicate it as parkland.
§ 1990-91 – The County decided to piece together the old Putnam Right of Way. The land was purchased by amending the 1991 Capital Budget and the Parkland Acquisition Account but the legislation states its use is for general purposes.
§ Legislator Abinanti would like to see the entire Trailway dedicated as parkland. He suggested that the pieces of the trailway that are clear of any encroachments, leases, etc. be dedicated as soon as possible but would like to see a long-term plan to eventually dedicate the whole trailway.
Jerry Mulligan made a presentation outlining the entire Trailway.
§ The Trailway runs from the Putnam County Line south down the New York City (NYC) line.
§ There are 5 essential pieces to the Trailway System.
1. The North County Trailway runs from the Putnam border to Old Saw Mill River Road. This area is owned by the NYS
Department of Transportation (DOT) and is leased by the
County and managed by the County’s Parks Dept. It is a 25 yr.
lease and the County is about 3-4 yrs. into that lease.
2. Old Saw Mill River Road. to Warehouse Lane.
3. Warehouse Lane to Route 119 in Elmsford. Within that area there is a portion that the County did not acquire because of contamination on the adjoining property (Brookfield Auto). Then there is another portion of about a ½ mile that the County will wait to develop depending on the outcomes of the
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS AND RECREATION
MINUTES – APRIL 8, 2002
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Millennium Pipeline, the 9A Bypass and/or the Saw Mill River
Watershed Study.
4. Rt. 119 south to Barney Street.
5. Barney Street south to the NYC line. This area is the old Putnam Right of Way (PROW) and has not been developed yet. The area is clear and used by hikers and is managed the County’s Department of Public Works.
§ The area north of Warehouse Lane that connects the North County Trailway (@ 1.75 miles) is going out to bid within the month. This will bring the path down around Rt. 119 at which point you could continue down to Barney Street without interruption.
§ Mr. Mulligan indicated the Planning Department’s desire to complete the area south of Barney Street (to NYC line) in the vicinity of the Dunwoodie Golf Course section.
§ Currently, there are 2 utilities, Tenneco Gas & Con Ed, that have licenses to run lines across the Trailway.
§ The width of the PROW (Barney St. to NYC Line) varies anywhere from 30 ft. – 100 ft. The average is about 66 ft. Within that you have the actual paved path (@ 15 ft.) and 2 ft. on each side.
§ Mr. Mulligan stated that when the PROW was acquired in 1991 that the County Planning Board felt very strongly about maintaining the flexibility in its use meaning it could function as recreational, transportation or utility purposes as the legislation specifies.
Charlene Indelicato, County Attorney, stated that the County could dedicate the Trailway in pieces leaving aside those that have leases, encroachments or that the County is presently in litigation over adverse possession. Any land that is clearly titled can be dedicated.
Sal Carrera, Director of Economic Development, briefed the Committee on the status of lease agreements involved with the Trailway.
§ The County hired a consultant and an appraiser about 4 yrs. ago to evaluate the whole PROW. They found major encroachments – businesses that just took over sites, residents who have built pools or houses on or too close to the PROW and also some contamination was found.
§ The County went from 13 license agreements bringing in about $75K-80K/year to 26 – 5 yr. license agreements (with mandatory insurance) bringing in close to $220K.
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§ Mr. Carrera feels that if the Board of Legislators (BOL) dedicate the Trailway as parkland beyond the 20-30 ft. existing path that it will be a
tremendous economic hardship not just on the County but on the
businesses that exist.
§ Mr. Carrera stated that the County does not plan on leasing any property that is not currently rented.
Dave DeLucia expressed his concern regarding the idea of “carving out” sections along the trailway. He stated that possession rights and maintenance issues will become a problem and feels that the property lines should be consistent along the entire Trailway. A brief discussion followed.
Frank Jazzo briefed the Committee on the Greenburg Greenway Committee’s efforts to work on a network of recreational trails with neighboring municipalities.
Legislator Mosiello stated that he would hold a follow-up meeting in about 3-4 weeks. The Planning Department will prepare a detailed map of the
PROW. The County Attorney’s office will prepare an opinion on the legal basis of the Planning Board’s position and the Committee’s concerns regarding those portions that are encroached upon, in litigation or under lease agreements.
Legislator Spreckman made a motion to approve the minutes of March 25, 2002 and was seconded by Legislator Mosiello. The vote was 2-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:03 p.m.