Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in White Plains public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues with high priority
Buddhist temple on environmentally sensitive Sycamore Lane site
The proposed Buddhist Temple at 1 Sycamore Lane needs variances to build within the 100-foot wetlands buffer and to make up a 10-space parking shortfall. The case was pushed to October 7, so neighbors near the wetlands site will weigh in next month.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Disabled veterans tax exemption
A proposed local law would give seriously disabled veterans a property tax exemption under state Real Property Tax Law Section 458-A. A public hearing is set for November 2 before any adoption.
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.
Farrell Estates at Ridgeway 105-lot subdivision
The former Ridgeway Country Club site is proposed for a 99-lot single-family subdivision on about 127 environmentally sensitive acres. Developers revised the plan to protect the Gedney Esplanade trees and wetland buffers, and the final environmental review could reach the board by April with action by May or June.
Whitmore Estates subdivision of former Windward School property
A developer wants to turn the old Windward School site into 13 house lots with a new public road. Neighbors worry about drainage, rock removal and construction impacts, and won extra time to have an engineer review the plans.