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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019_09_25 Planning Board Minutes MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM C OF THE TOWN CENTER 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK,NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 25,2019 Present: Ralph Engel, Chair, Elizabeth Cooney, Vice Chair, Edmund Papazian, Ira Block, Ron Mandel, John Cuddy, Alternate Also Present: Robert Wasp, Town Engineer, Elizabeth Aitchison, Environmental Planner, Lisa Hochman, Counsel to Planning Board, Anthony Oliveri, Consulting Engineer, Stephen, Altieri, Town Administrator. CALL TO ORDER This duly noticed special meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. The approval of the draft minutes of September 11, 2019 were postponed to October 16, 2019. John Cuddy was welcomed as the Alternate Member. 1. Winged Foot Golf Course- U.S. Open 2020—Site Plan Approval and Wetlands & Watercourses Permit—Public Hearing Joe Cermele, of Kellard Sessions, addressed the Board on behalf of the applicant. Also present were representatives from the US Golf Association(USGA), Tim Lloyd, Charles Howe and Cohn Burns, the Manager of Winged Foot Golf Club. Mr. Cermele stated that they last appeared before the Planning Board in August. They appeared before the Coastal Zone Management Commission on September 23rd and the proposal was found to be consistent with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. They also attended a staff level meeting with the Town Police, Fire and Emergency services as well as the Building and Engineering staffs. Mr. Cermele explained the proposed stream crossing is the only permanent improvement and all of the other proposals such as fencing, access roads, lighting and tents are temporary and will be removed soon after the conclusion of the tournament. The grand stands and seating areas are to be placed on temporary platforms; there will be no earthwork. Currently,there are three existing access points: Fenimore Road, Old White Plains Road and Wesleyan. Two additional access points are proposed, one on Griffen Avenue and another on Old White Plains Road. The lighting plan was explained and Mr. Cermele stated that the Applicant responded to a comment from the August Board meeting by removing one light tower from the plan. Elements of the lighting plan were discussed including the type, illumination area, duration and location of 1 the lamps and light poles. Mr. Cermele stated that all lights will be pointed away from surrounding residences. Mr. Wasp stated he has reviewed the lighting spec sheet. Noise impacts and the noise level of generators were discussed. Mr. Cermele stated that the generators range from 30 KW to 1500 KW and they will be placed in locations to minimize noise on and off the golf course. Mr. Cermele explained the proposal to widen the stream crossing. The proposed temporary fencing was explained. The time frame for construction and restoration was discussed. Mr. Cermele stated that they would like to get started on the access roads this fall and begin working on the platforms for tents in early March. It is anticipated that everything would be restored to its now existing conditioning by early August except that a small number of tall evergreen trees will be transplanted and replaced with similar, 8-10 foot tall evergreens. Ms. Brill stated the application was duly noticed. Motion: To open the public hearing Action: Unanimously approved Moved by Elizabeth Cooney, seconded by Ira Block Public Comments: Mr. Altieri, the Town Administrator, explained that the similar 2006 event was successful and many of the same procedures will be implemented for the 2020 event. He described how representatives of the applicant have been working collaboratively with the Town, neighboring villages and Westchester County. Mr. Altieri discussed traffic and parking and how spectators and residents will access the site. Town, County and State Police will be patrolling the streets as well as the Club. The Fire Department and EMS will have units on the site. The County will provide a hazmat vehicle. The USGA is paying for the extra security. Mr. Altieri stated that the Town is basically following the 2006 script, with some slight tweaks. Mr. Engel asked whether there could be a TV screen at Memorial Park to broadcast the event. Mr. Alfieri stated that he is not sure that will work. Charlie Howe the Championship Director stated they will work with the Town and the Villages to make this a multi-community event. Mr. Altieri stated that the Town has regulations prohibiting helicopters from landing and taking off except for emergencies. The USGA wants drones prohibited, and the Town council will consider that. The number of people who will attend, work and volunteer at the event was discussed. 2 Contingencies for weather were discussed. Traffic was discussed. Mr. Howe explained that 125 buses are proposed which will shuttle people to and from the various parking areas and the Mamaroneck train station. Andrew Spatz, Esq. and Christie Derrico Esq., voiced concerns on behalf of Brian Dennis, 8 Championship Drive. They raised a number of issues such as the temporary road directly behind the Dennis home,the volume of traffic,possible grid lock, egress and access to the Dennis home during the event and concerns regarding tree removal, storm water runoff, noise, light and air pollution. They also asked questions about construction impacts. Mr. Cermele responded that the proposed road pitches toward the club to the upper pond and storm water analysis was done for the 100-year storm event and the conclusion is that there is ample capacity for storm water. Mr. Engel added that the Town's engineer and consulting engineer will review the plan. Mr. Oliveri and Mr. Wasp each responded that they have already reviewed the plans. Construction duration and hours were discussed. Daniel Chavez, of 211 Griffen Avenue, questioned the anticipated traffic to the media compound. Mr. Cermele stated that the existing asphalt drive will be extended with interlocking pads. Mr. Colin Byrnes stated that he welcomes a meeting with the neighbors to discuss and address their concerns and added that this event is a point of pride for the Club and the Town. Karen Weisburgh, of 2 Boulder Brea, stated that there are dead trees on her property and asked that they be removed. Mr. Brofman asked about the noise levels and stated that this is the 4th US Open at Winged Foot and each time everything has been properly restored. He voiced concerns about the closeness of the light towers to residences and questioned the vendor tents hours of operation and the placement of porta potties. Mr. Brofman also inquired about maintenance activities during the event and complained that the Club is not compliant with Town law in regard to gas leaf blowers and wants the Club to comply. Mitch Green, of 6 Meadow, stated that it was a great event in 2006 and he is confident that it will be great in 2020. He added that the Town has been an environmental leader, and he learned that Winged Foot is an environmental leader as well. He asked what the USGA will do regarding air pollution, water pollution and trash removal and asked that they be environmentally friendly. He 3 asked about the plan for sewage and water, trash, and food waste disposal. He further asked if compostable products can be used. Mr. Lloyd stated that they will address environmental concerns with their caterers and make an effort to be ecologically responsible about trash and food waste. Mr. Altieri stated that much of the garbage in Westchester County does not go to a landfill, it is burned to generate electricity. Mr. Engel asked about the hours of construction, food deliveries and garbage removal. Mr. Lloyd stated that they can be flexible but they will need a 12-hour work day. Mr. Spatz asked if the plan can show the location of porta potties, and about the possibility of a temporary traffic light. Mr. Altieri responded to the traffic light issue by stating that all impacted intersections will have either Town, Village, County or State police presence. The location of access points to Winged Foot was discussed. Mr. Lloyd responded that Old White Plains Road is safest and most efficient and he added that using Fenimore Road will not work for buses as there is not enough space and the area cannot be widened. Ms. Derrico passed around a photo showing that both roads will flank Mr. Dennis's house. Mr. Altieri stated that there will be an officer at the intersection during the tournament and there was no logjam in 2006 when they used the same area for the temporary road. There was discussion about requiring a bond to ensure that there will be appropriate restoration. Mr. Cermele requested that a draft resolution be prepared. Mr. Engel stated that as many conditions as possible should be set forth as notes on the site plan. Mr. Engel suggested that Winged Foot, the USGA and concerned neighbors set a time to meet. There was discussion about whether there should be another special meeting to continue the public hearing,but the public hearing was not closed. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M. Prepared cpby /Lar4e...e.i-x.sz„ Vg. Francine M. Brill, Planning Board Secretary 4