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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987_02_26 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes U 104, Ar CSCR D Town of Mamaroneck , Mai DiC ioccio Conservation Advisory Commission K cK 4, ^TRICIA Area Code 914 740 West Boston Post Road ASW Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543 LIMN! MINUTES A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, February 26, 1987, at the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road. The meeting commenced at 7:55 P.M. Members present: Robert Komitor, Chairman Gloria Allen Susan Amlicke Charles Bernstein Elinor Fredston Robert Funicello Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus Others present: Clifford Emanuelson, Conservation Consultant P. Thomas Leddy, Beautification Director Irma Volk, Environmental Management Council Claudia Ng, Environmental Assistant Administrative Matters Approval of Minutes - After several corrections were made, the minutes of December 18, 1986 and January 15, 1987 were approved. Next Meeting - The next CAC meeting was scheduled for March 26, 1987. Water Courses and Water Bodies EMC Water Resources Workshop - Mrs. Volk reported that she and Susan Gallion, County Planner, reconnoitered the waterways of Mamaroneck, but had not yet finalized the tour for the stream/basin management workshop to be held on April 25. The committee had considered starting in the Town Court Room and holding lunch in the Senior Citizens Center. The County will issue the public notices. Mrs. Volk said she would find out when the flyers will be distributed. Minibuses will be provided for the tours. Topics will include flooding, siltation, and pollution. Gardens Lake Dredging, - Mr. Emanuelson informed the Commission of the initial findings of the feasibility study. Approximately 8,000 cubic yards would be dredged out. The spoils were determined to be unuseable for fill as is; it would have to be drained, dried and mixed with other substrate before it could be used on Hommocks Field. Piping of the sediment from Gardens Lake downstream to the Rockland Thruway Pocket is one alternative being considered. Mr. Emanuelson believes this would be more economical. However, CAC minutes - 2/26/87 dikes must be installed and permission must be obtained from the Village of Mamaroneck since it is their property. Another method under consideration is to slowly drain Gardens Lake by removing the dam and allow the spoils to drain on the site before transferring it to Hommocks Field. This creates a precarious situation, however, in that a major storm occurring at that time could distribute the silt as far as Columbus Park. For this reason, Mrs. Amlicke thought that the Village of Mamaroneck would be receptive to the first alternative of using the Rockland Thruway Pocket. The dredging of Gardens Lake to be done by Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. , will cost the Town $80,000- $96,000. Mr. Emanuelson suggested buying a Pontoon dredger, instead, because it could be repeatedly used for many other lakes and ponds that will eventually need to be dredged as well. It would save money in the long run and costs could be divided if other municipalities joined in. The details of transportation and deposition of the spoils has not yet been addressed in the engineering company's report. Proposed Sale of Larchmont Property - The Village of Larchmont is considering to sell a parcel of land, which contains the West Branch of the Sheldrake River, along Pine Brook Blvd. in New Rochelle. It was originally bought to protect the Larchmont Reservoir when it served as a water supply. The Chairman read the letter from the Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC) addressed to the Village of Larchmont Board of Trustees stating its opposition to the sale. Mrs. Johnson proposed a complimentary letter for CAC endorsement (copy appended). She suggested that the Town consider undertaking maintenance of that property because of its importance to the Sheldrake River System. The possibility of having the Village deed the land to the Town (to relieve it of maintenance responsibilities), as had been previously done, was discussed, but many believed this to be a different situation. Mr. Funicello noted the possibility that the prospective owner could increase his subdivision of adjacent land by adding this parcel to his total acreage; thereby circumventing the intent of restricting usage of the small parcel itself. Mrs. Johnson incorporated these comments in the letter. It was further suggested that the Town be sent a copy with a memo requesting the consideration of obtaining or maintaining the property. Development Projects Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center Addition - The FEIS is done. Ms. Ng will get a copy. Jay Property - The FEIS for Diane Millstein's subdivision proposal has been completed. Opponents are attempting to get federal protection. It was noted that Ms. Millstein rejected a $6 million offer from the State for the land for which she had paid $1.2 million. Westchester Day School - Mr. Bernstein reported that the Westchester Day School, located on Bleeker Street in the Village of Mamaroneck, has cut down many trees in order to create an athletic/playing field. The Village of Mamaroneck's tree preservation law does not protect trees on private property. The Chairman will write a letter to the Mayor and Village Board to recommend that they revise their law to include private properties. The Town implementation of such a law shows that it can be successful. Mrs. Amlicke pointed out that violations could occur; to which Mrs. Johnson remarked that the planning boards need to be kept aware of the need for enforcement. -2- CAC minutes - 2/26/87 Coughlin Office Building - Mrs. Johnson reported that Alan Mason of CZMC has written a letter in review of this application to build a 2-story office building with an underground garage and an accessory parking lot across the street. Davids Island Development - Mrs. Fredston reported on the initial public hearing for the Davids Island Project. One of the engineering consultants for this project spoke first. A representative from Suffolk County spoke against the proposed bridge on behalf of protecting their power lines. Mayor Paduano spoke in favor the project, to which he received a bit of heckling. Mayor Curnin spoke against the proposed project, which was well received. The hearing was adjourned to a later date, however, because there were too many people to fit in the auditorium. Mrs. Fredston read the statement she had drafted on behalf of the CAC (copy appended). The members discussed some of the issues. Mr. Funicello told the Commission that he has prepared a statement for the Federal Conservationists of Westchester County (FCWC). He emphasized the inadequacy of the DEIS and the need for it to be rejected as such. He hopes to create a coalition of commissions against the project. Mrs. Fredston identified the need to get New Rochelle residents and those more directly affected to speak out against it. Also noted was the extremely high cost of these condominiums and flight obstruction. Mayer of Westchester, Inc. , Auto Sales and Service Center - Mrs. Allen said that she had attended the Planning Commission meeting of the Village of Larchmont. The applicants plan to have two dry wells on the outside, but no effluent device for inside the building. Mr. Emanuelson pointed out there were no maintenance provisions and questioned the holes on either side of the detention basin. He has already discussed these concerns with Wallace Irwin of CZMC who will take these comments to Fred Kellogg, Larchmont Village Engineer. The public hearing for this case is scheduled for March 14. Mrs. Allen will get together with Ms. Ng to write up a letter expressing CAC concerns. Gordon Single-Family House - The applicant wishes to build a house on a lot located at the corner of Beach and Woodbine Avenues. Only two trees will need to be removed and the Commission agreed that they see no environmental problems with the development. SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL Leaf Composting - Mr. Leddy informed the Commission that the Town will be able to use the Taylors Lane site for leaves for another year. Mr. Emanuelson mentioned some options that the Town is considering for when Taylors Lane does close. Four acres located on Rock Ridge Road belonging to the Village of Mamaroneck is a possible future site. County Recycling and Disposal - Mrs. Amlicke talked about the State proposal to achieve recycling of 50% of all waste disposal. It was noted that although the Charles Point facility is over capacity, garbage generated from the Davids Island Development will be privately carted to the Mount Vernon transfer station which will inevitably go to Charles Point. -3- r CAC minutes - 2/26/87 Recycling Poster Contest - Mrs. Allen reported that the elementary school contest is underway and that volunteers have been giving 10 minute presentations in classes to educate the students about the local recycling program and its benefits. Communications to Commissions CAC Forum Followup - This matter was tabled till the next meeting. New or Other Business Letter of Appreciation to Alan Mason - Mrs. Johnson drafted a letter expressing CAC's appreciation of all the work that C. Alan Mason, previous chairman of the CAC, has done. Mr. Komitor will wait a few days for additional input from other members and then will sign and send the letter. Annual Report - Ms. Ng had distributed articles to be incorporated into the annual report and requested that the members review them and sent in comments as soon as possible. CAC vs. CZMC Responsibilities - Mrs. Johnson reminded the Commission of the need to follow up on separating and establishing duties between CAC and CZMC. C There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. -4-