Mayor & Board of Trustees

Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting August 20, 2024 7:30 p.m. A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor, New York was held at the William J. Vescio Community Center on the 20th of August, 2024 commencing at 7:30 p.m. Present Steven A. Vescio, Mayor Peter S. Chatzky, Deputy Mayor Kevin Hunt, Trustee Rhea Mallett, Trustee Malcolm Netburn, Trustee Also Present Josh Ringel, Village Manager Josh Subin, Village Attorney Absent Christine Dennett, Village Clerk/Assistant Village Manager Pledge of Allegiance Continued Public Hearing to amend Chapter 220, Table 4 Permitted Lot Sizes, Setbacks, Height Requirements (Commercial) and Chapter 220-2, Definitions Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief synopsis of the proposed changes. There were no public comments. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to September 3, 2024. Public Hearings: Amend Chapter 220-6, Special Permit Uses and Chapter 220-3 and the Zoning Map Adopted thereunder of the Village of Briarcliff Manor Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Netburn, the Board voted unanimously to open the public hearing. There were no public comments. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to September 3, 2024. Amend Chapter 207-6 Speed Limits and Chapter 220 Schedule II Speed Limits Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Trustee Hunt, with one abstention by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted to open the public hearing. Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief synopsis of the proposed changes. Roll Call: Trustee Hunt Aye Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Netburn Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief synopsis of the proposed changes. Mrs. Berkenblit of 599 Pleasantville Road stated while running she often saw cars making illegal turns off Route 9A and stated it needed to be addressed. Mr. Randy Golden of 122 Macy Road stated the residents of Macy Road welcomed lowering the speed limit and he previously requested his road be designated a park zone. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to September 3, 2024. Amend Chapter 218, Wetlands Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to open the public hearing. Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief synopsis of the proposed changes. The Board had general discussion regarding balancing protecting the wetlands and their buffers with modest additions to homes that can’t otherwise be expanded. Mr. David Steinmetz, Attorney representing Jon Kass, stated he submitted a letter back in March. He thanked the Board for holding a public hearing and asked them to consider expanding the change to 500 square feet instead of 400 square feet. The Board had general discussion regarding impervious surfaces and other potential impacts to wetland areas. Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to September 17, 2024. Public Hearing JAM 555 Storage, LLC – 555 Pleasantville Road – Special Permit Request Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to open the public hearing. Mayor Vescio gave a brief review of the overall process and stated a letter was received from the Planning Board regarding their review of the request and also regarding the Board’s intent to declare lead agency. Mr. David Steinmetz, Attorney representing the Applicant, explained the proposal to adaptively reuse one of the existing buildings and convert it into self-storage. He stated there would be no tractor trailers accessing the site. He further stated they would make sure there was fire access, safety measures and adequate screening from the neighbors. He stated the proposed use was a significantly lower impact than some of the previous uses and some of the other potential uses and it was a lawful use and less impactful to the community. Mr. Paul DuMont, Project Engineer, reviewed the site plan. Mr. Steven LaRocco, Project Architect, reviewed the access doors, security lighting and cameras. The Board had general discussion regarding the types of items to be stored, loading area, lighting, truck types and noise. Mrs. Kyra Berkenblit of 599 Pleasantville Road stated her home abutted the property and she was concerned about traffic, noise and privacy. She stated the current office park use was quiet and only occupied during the day. She requested the hours not be as early as 6:00am and that the lights go off at night since it was in a residential area. Ms. Eliana Magarinos of 554 Pleasantville Road stated the Planning Board was neutral and not in support of the application. She stated the application did not meet the standards of Chapter 220 and the current occupants were quiet and minimally lit. She listed concerns with traffic impacts, noise, lighting disturbances, potential crime and illegal activities. She asked if the future development of the rest of the site was being considered. She stated she had concerns the use was out of character with the neighborhood and would lower their property values. Mr. Tim Fisher, owner of the property, stated he lived just outside the Village but close by and the previous uses of the property had non-traditional hours because it was a hotel and conference center. He stated they were looking to improve the overall site. Mr. David Steinmetz read an excerpt from the Planning Board letter and stated they were generally supportive. He stated the Board spent a great deal of time on the CT Zones and their potential uses and self-storage is a lawful use of this property which his client purchased the property because of that. He stated they’d make sure the property was developed responsibly and they’ll submit a supplemental package with further information. Upon motion by Trustee Netburn, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to September 17, 2024. Board of Trustees Announcements  Briarcliff Bashes are a wonderful addition to the Village’s lineup of events.  Upcoming dates: o The pool is open. Hours are posted through Labor Day. o Floatie Fridays are underway. o Poolside Acoustic Concerts are happening on Sunday’s. o Chamber of Commerce Concert on 8/29. o Fall Registration begins 9/4. o Community Day is 9/7. Diaper Dashers are needed.  Residents are encouraged to join the Fire Department.  Volunteers are needed for various Boards and Committees and the newly created LDC. Village Manager’s Report  Ossining will soon begin the 2025 update to appraisals. Representatives will be driving by properties and may walk up driveways if homes cannot be seen from the street. GIS data will be used for those homes they cannot get to. Public Comments Mr. Randy Golden of 122 Macy Road stated his property abutted Chilmark Park and over the past year he’s noticed a change in use. He stated on Sundays in particular, a large group who he assumed weren’t residents occupied the entire park. He stated he felt a permit should be required and their use made entering the park uncomfortable. Mr. Charles Blowe of Colby Lane thanked the Board for their support of the Recreation programs. He stated the Superintendent, Dana has brought ideas, vitality and a wonderful expansion of programs. Mr. Randy Golden commended the Parks team for their maintenance of the parks. Authorize Village Manager to Execute an Agreement with OVAC Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Netburn, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute an addendum to the agreement with the Village of Croton on Hudson, NY and the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Inc. (OVAC) for Fly Car Services and to negotiate such modifications and revisions to the contract as may be in the Village’s interest. Roll Call: Trustee Hunt Aye Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Netburn Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Negative Declaration – Lead Agency – Law Park Drainage Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution as amended: WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County, New York, is proposing the installation of a new drainage line to provide additional relief to the Law Park retention pond and village's park and the reconstruction of Pine Road to install an adequate drainage system where none currently exists (“Proposed Action”); WHEREAS, the new drainage infrastructure proposed within Law Park, located at Law Park, 1031 Pleasantville Rd, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510, would provide an increase in conveyance capacity from the pond to the outfall just upstream of the Pocantico River. The reconstructed roadway & new drainage within Pine Road will provide underground conveyance of stormwater and reduce flooding and erosion of the properties on the east side of Pine Road; and WHEREAS, in support of the Proposed Action, the Village’s Consulting Engineer, Hudson Engineering, prepared a Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 (“Short EAF”), dated June 5, 2024 pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act [“SEQRA”(6 NYCRR Part 617)]; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees reviewed the Short EAF Part 1 for preliminary assessment of the environmental impacts of the Proposed Action under SEQRA, determined that it is subject to SEQRA, that it does not involve any federal agency, that it will involve other agencies, and that it is classified as an Unlisted Action under SEQRA, and by Resolution adopted July 2, 2024, declared its intent to serve as Lead Agency for the purpose of a coordinated review of the environmental impacts of the Proposed Action under SEQRA, directed the Village Clerk to transmit and file a notice, dated July 2, 2024 of the Board of Trustees’ intent to serve as Lead Agency pursuant to 6 N.Y.C.R.R. §617.6(b), and preliminarily classified the Proposed Action as an Unlisted Action under SEQR pursuant to 6 N.Y.C.R.R. §617.6(a).; and WHEREAS, the Village Clerk transmitted the Board of Trustees’ Notice of Intent to serve as the SEQRA Lead Agency to the Village of Briarcliff Manor Planning Board, Village of Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, Westchester County Board of Legislators, Westchester County Department of Planning, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Town of Ossining, Village of Ossining, Town of Mt. Pleasant, and the Village of Sleepy Hollow; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees received and reviewed a Short Environmental Assessment Form, Part 2 (“EAF Part 2”) prepared on its behalf by Hudson Engineering for assessment of approval of the Law Park and Pine Road drainage improvements; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617, State Environmental Quality Review, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby confirms its Lead Agency designation for the SEQR Review of the Proposed Action. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to Part 617 of the implementing regulations pertaining to Article 8 (State Environmental Quality Review Act) of the Environmental Conservation Law, the Lead Agency has determined that the Proposed Action will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment for the reasons enumerated in the attached Negative Declaration Form (Short EAF Part 3). BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this SEQR Negative Declaration resolution shall have an effective date of August 20, 2024. Roll Call: Trustee Hunt Aye Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Netburn Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Schedule Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 153, Parks and Recreation Mr. Randy Golden of 122 Macy Road stated while the park closed at dusk, the police often didn’t get there until after dark. Superintendent of Recreation, Dana Durso stated the proposed language would better balance the usage of the parks and facilities. Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that a Public Hearing is hereby scheduled for the September 3, 2024 Board of Trustees meeting at 7:30pm at the William J. Vescio Community Center located at 1 Library Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York to hear and discuss a proposed local law to amend Chapter 153, Parks and Recreation of the Code of the Village of Briarcliff Manor. Approval of Grant Application to the Hudson River Valley Greenway Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: WHEREAS the Village of Briarcliff Manor is applying to the Hudson River Valley Greenway for a grant under the Hudson River Valley Greenway Planning Grant Program for a planning project for the Village of Briarcliff Manor titled Comprehensive Plan Update; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby does approve and endorse the application for a grant under the 2024 Hudson River Valley Greenway Planning Grant Program, for a project known as Comprehensive Plan Update for and within this community. Fire Department Membership - Crosskey The Board thanked the new member for volunteering. Upon motion by Trustee Hunt, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby approves the membership of JuanJuan “JJ” Crosskey to the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department. Minutes Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2024 Regular Meeting. Adjournment Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:57pm. Respectfully Submitted By, Christine Dennett Village Clerk/Assistant Village Manager