Council adopts Consent Agenda (Items 1, 8-17, 20-78), 7–0

Adoption of Consent Agenda (Items 1, 8-17, 20-78)

7 yes, 0 no

Evelyn Alicea-Santiago (yes), Victoria Presser (yes), Justin C. Brasch (yes), Jeremiah Frei-Pearson (yes), Thomas Caruso (yes), Valerie Simmons (yes), Nick Wolff (yes)

Adoption of Local Law No. 1 of 2026 — Disabled Veterans Tax Exemption

7 yes, 0 no

Evelyn Alicea-Santiago (yes), Victoria Presser (yes), Justin C. Brasch (yes), Jeremiah Frei-Pearson (yes), Thomas Caruso (yes), Valerie Simmons (yes), Nick Wolff (yes)

Adoption of Ordinance — Verizon New York, Inc. Franchise Agreement

7 yes, 0 no

Adoption of Ordinance — 50-Year Lease with Urban Renewal Agency for Water Street Connector

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Finance

0 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Chairman of the Capital Projects Board requesting an amendment to the Operating Budget and the Capital Projects Fund by establishing Capital Project C5705, entitled “City Hall Roof and Parapet Wall Replacement.”

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Chairman of the Capital Projects Board requesting an amendment to the operating budget and the capital projects fund by establishing Capital Project No. C5706 entitled “City Hall HVAC.”

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Acting Corporation Counsel in relation to the settlement of tax review proceedings.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Public Safety in relation to a budget transfer for rolling stock repairs.

7 yes, 0 no

Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the transfer of funds from the 2026-2027 General Fund Reserve for financing in order to reflect additional costs associated with the repair of fire apparatus.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Public Works in relation to the closure of certain portions of public streets for the New Year’s Eve Spectacular.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Planning in relation to an an easement agreement with 40 Church LLC and Church Partners LLC for vehicular and pedestrian access.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Environmental Officer

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Director of the Youth Bureau requesting authorization to enter an agreement with The College of Westchester to offer college credit courses and digital training to youth.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Director of the Youth Bureau requesting authorization to enter an agreement with Calvary Baptist Church, Inc. for space rental.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Director of the Youth Bureau requesting authorization to receive a grant from the County of Westchester for the Youth Bureau’s Youth Employment Program.

7 yes, 0 no

Ordinance of the Common Council authorizing the City to receive a grant from the County of Westchester to fund Summer Youth Employment Services.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Director of the Youth Bureau in relation to receiving a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to fund services to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth.

7 yes, 0 no

Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the City to accept a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to fund services to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Director of the Youth Bureau in relation to receiving a grant from the Research Foundation of the State University of New York for the Youth Bureau’s Liberty Partnerships Great Potential Program.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Director of the Youth Bureau in relation to an agreement with North American Family Institute, Inc. in connection with the Youth Bureau’s Youth Police Initiative Program.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Recreation and Parks in relation to an agreement with White Plains Little League concerning the use of Gedney Field.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Recreation and Parks in relation to an agreement between the City and the New York Knicks for participation in the Junior New York Knicks program.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Recreation and Parks requesting authorization to accept the donation from Tennis Innovators.

7 yes, 0 no

Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor to accept the donation of wooden benches for the platform tennis courts at Delfino Park.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Personnel Officer requesting an amendment of the White Plains Municipal Code by reallocating a certain position title.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Public Works recommending the amendment of a condition of an approved site plan for a mixed-use project on property located at 200 Hamilton Avenue and known as Hamilton Green.

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Deputy Commissioner of Planning requesting that a Public Hearing be scheduled for December 7, 2026 in relation to Local Law Introductory No. 2 for 2026, entitled “A Local Law amending Title VIII of the White Plains…

7 yes, 0 no

Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains scheduling of a Public Hearing for December 7, 2026 in relation to Local Law Introductory No. 2 for 2026, entitled “A Local Law amending Title VIII of the White Plains Municipal…

7 yes, 0 no

Communications from Design Review Board

7 yes, 0 no

Commissioner of Planning

7 yes, 0 no

Commissioner of Public Safety

7 yes, 0 no

Commissioner of Public Works

7 yes, 0 no

Deputy Commissioner of Parking

7 yes, 0 no

Transportation Commission

7 yes, 0 no

Commissioner of Parking

7 yes, 0 no

Westchester County Planning

7 yes, 0 no

Environmental Officer

7 yes, 0 no

Environmental Findings Resolution

7 yes, 0 no

Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of 1 Water Street Acquisition LLC for amended site plan approval for the proposed development of a mixed-use project at Water Street…

7 yes, 0 no

Communication from the Commissioner of Building in relation to an application for a one year extension of the amended site plan approval and special permit approvals to construct a mixed-use project at 80 Westchester Avenue (aka “Adora…

7 yes, 0 no

Communications from Design Review Board

7 yes, 0 no

Commissioner of Planning

7 yes, 0 no

Commissioner of Public Safety

7 yes, 0 no

Commissioner of Public Works

7 yes, 0 no

Deputy Commissioner of Parking

7 yes, 0 no

Transportation Commission

7 yes, 0 no

Commissioner of Parking

7 yes, 0 no

Environmental Officer

7 yes, 0 no

Resolution of the Common Council granting the application of TB White Plains Apartments LLC for a one year extension of the amended site plan and special permit approvals to construct a mixed-use project at 80 Westchester Avenue (aka…

7 yes, 0 no

Two-family conversion, 1 Lafayette Street

1 Lafayette Street, White Plains, NY

Companion conversion of a second one-family house to two-family use with a rear addition, needing similar variances.

still pending

Pool installation, 2 Seymour Place

2 Seymour Place, White Plains, NY

Rear-yard in-ground pool with patio needing variances for structure separation and pool fencing distance.

still pending

Porch reconstruction, 210 Chatterton Parkway

210 Chatterton Parkway, White Plains, NY

Rebuild of an existing non-conforming front porch in the same footprint; listed as a no-appearance application.

still pending

Leffell School special permit amendment, 148-302 Rosedale Avenue

148-302 Rosedale Avenue, White Plains, NY

Additions to Building 1 and campus-wide alterations under an amended special permit; no enrollment increase and all additions zoning-compliant.

still pending

Buddhist Temple, 1 Sycamore Lane

1 Sycamore Lane, White Plains, NY

Conversion of a single-family home into a Buddhist temple with temple, artifacts building, pavilion, bridge, and parking — much of it inside the wetlands buffer.

tabled · still tabled

Second-floor addition, 49 Clinton Street

49 Clinton Street, White Plains, NY

Second floor over an existing first-floor front addition, needing four setback variances on a small non-conforming lot.

still pending

Garage extension, 15 Woods Way

15 Woods Way, White Plains, NY

One-story side-yard extension of an attached garage needing a 2.99-foot separation variance.

still pending

Front-yard sauna, 53 Midchester Avenue

53 Midchester Avenue, White Plains, NY

A pre-fabricated outdoor barrel sauna proposed in the front yard, which zoning doesn't permit without a variance.

still pending

Garage condition amendments, 135 Davis Avenue

135 Davis Avenue, White Plains, NY

Appeal of a Notice of Violation plus request to swap required evergreen screening for a stockade fence and relax a storage condition at a completed two-car garage.

still pending

Side-yard addition with deck, 14 Glendon Circle

14 Glendon Circle, White Plains, NY

One-story side-yard addition with deck needing three setback variances on a non-conforming lot.

still pending

Adora Row

80 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY

One-year extension of the amended site plan and special permit approvals for this mixed-use project granted on consent.

approved (7-0) · still approved

White Plains Hospital Center for Advanced Medicine and Surgery Building

The hospital can pay a fee instead of making sanitary sewer improvements to satisfy a site plan condition; Councilmember Frei-Pearson recused himself due to litigation involving the hospital.

approved (7-0) · still approved

1 Water Street Mixed-Use Project

Water Street and Ferris Avenue, White Plains, New York

Amended site plan approved for a mixed-use project; Councilmember Simmons noted the loss of the original three-bedroom units.

approved (7-0) · still approved

Water Street Connector

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Extension, White Plains, NY

The council authorized a 50-year lease with the Urban Renewal Agency so the city can build a new downtown park with $2.25 million in state grant funding.

approved (7-0) · still approved

NYPA Hamilton Green Parking garage signage

10 Dr. Martin L King Blvd

The council amended a condition of the approved site plan for this mixed-use project on consent.

approved (7-0) · still approved

34 East Post Road extension application

34 East Post Road, White Plains, NY

An application to extend an approved amended site plan at 34 East Post Road was referred to city departments and boards.

Discussed — no decision yet

34 East Post Road Project

34 East Post Road, White Plains, New York

A transmitted application seeks an extension of an approved amended site plan approval for the 34 East Post Road project.

Discussed — no decision yet

Water Street Connector linear park (C5691)

The city is leasing an overgrown 56,000-square-foot Urban Renewal Agency right-of-way near Water Street for 50 years to turn it into a public park connecting Hillside Terrace and Ferris Avenue to downtown. It's funded with $2.25 million of the city's $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, with public design sessions coming early next year.

What it means: $6,000 a year in rent to the Urban Renewal Agency, escalating 2% annually over 50 years, plus design and construction funded largely by state grant money.

Raised 2 times this week

Water Street Connector

The city would lease Urban Renewal Agency land along the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Extension to build the Water Street Connector — part of reshaping downtown connectivity.

What it means: Downtown travelers, pedestrians, and future development in the Water Street area.

Council public-comment procedures

A resident asked whether council members should be allowed to respond or correct facts during Citizens to Be Heard, or whether that should happen in a separate process. The council is still figuring out its rules.

What it means: Residents who speak at public comment would get clearer, more consistent exchanges with the council.

Disabled veterans tax exemption

White Plains veterans the VA rates permanently and totally disabled from service can now get a full exemption on city property taxes. Supporters said it can mean the difference between staying in their home or leaving the city.

What it means: Qualifying 100% disabled veterans and their families, who can stay in homes adapted to their needs.

1 Water Street site plan amendment

Councilmember Valerie Simmons flagged that the approved 1 Water Street project dropped its original three-bedroom units, urging developers and the council to plan more family-sized housing as household compositions change.

What it means: Buyers and renters of smaller units in the new project.

Electric shuttle service for downtown and close-in neighborhoods

A new Chapter 8-8 on Mass Transportation Services goes to public hearing December 7, paving the way for an electric microtransit shuttle. Council President Presser credited the Battle Hill Association's advocacy and a demonstration project.

What it means: Residents without cars and neighborhoods poorly served by existing transit.

Fire Apparatus Repair Funding

The fire department needs extra money from the general fund reserve to cover repair costs for its fire apparatus — keeping emergency equipment running.

What it means: Firefighters and residents who depend on emergency response.

2026 Street Closures for City Events

Selected downtown streets will close again for the New Year's Eve Spectacular, which draws thousands with fireworks, bands, and music. Mayor Brasch invited families to attend.

What it means: Residents and visitors attending the celebration, plus downtown businesses.

City Hall roof, facade, and HVAC modernization

The council created two new capital projects — C5705 for City Hall roof and parapet wall replacement and C5706 for City Hall HVAC — funding long-overdue building repairs.

What it means: Everyone who works at or visits City Hall and taxpayers who avoid costlier emergency repairs later.

Recreation partnerships: Little League, Knicks, benches

The council approved the Little League's use of Gedney Field, joined the Junior New York Knicks program, and accepted donated wooden benches for the Delfino Park platform tennis courts.

What it means: Young athletes, youth basketball players, and platform tennis players at Delfino Park.

Youth Bureau grants and library funding

A package of Youth Bureau agreements won approval: Jumpstart for Dads, college-credit courses with the College of Westchester, space at Calvary Baptist Church, county summer youth employment funding, SAMHSA alcohol-prevention money, Liberty Partnerships, and the Youth Police Initiative. Frei-Pearson called the Youth Bureau 'the secret sauce' of the city.

What it means: White Plains youth and families, particularly those needing mentoring, employment, and prevention services.

Verizon Cable Franchise Renewal

The city's cable franchise agreement with Verizon is up for renewal, with a public hearing set. This deal governs cable service terms and related support for community programming.

What it means: Cable subscribers and the city's community television operations.

Buddhist temple on environmentally sensitive Sycamore Lane site

A proposal to convert a single-family property into a Buddhist temple with multiple accessory buildings, most of it inside the 100-foot wetlands buffer. Neighbors and environmental impacts are likely flashpoints when the hearing resumes December 2.

What it means: The applicant congregation would gain a purpose-built temple and community space.

Proposed Buddhist temple at 1 Sycamore Lane

A proposal to convert a single-family property into a Buddhist temple with multiple accessory buildings, most of it inside the 100-foot wetlands buffer. Neighbors and environmental impacts are likely flashpoints when the hearing resumes December 2.

What it means: The applicant congregation would gain a purpose-built temple and community space.

Two-family conversions on Lafayette Street

Two companion applications would turn single-family houses into two-family homes, each needing variances for lot area, frontage, and setbacks. This touches on neighborhood density and housing supply.

What it means: The property owner gains rental or multi-generational housing options; tenants gain housing stock.

Leffell School campus expansion

The private school wants to add onto Building 1 and alter campus facilities. No enrollment increase is proposed, so traffic impacts shouldn't change — but neighbors may still weigh in.

What it means: Leffell School students and staff gain improved facilities.