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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981_09_16 Planning Board Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD SEPTEMBER 16 , 1981 , IN THE AUDITORIUM OF THE WEAVER STREET FIREHOUSE, WEAVER STREET AND EDGEWOOD AVENUE, LARCH- MONT, NEW YORK. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 8:20 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Mr. G. Norman Blair, Chairman Mrs. Mary Carlson Mr. Warner Pyne, Jr. Mr. Anton Schramm Mr. Paul Kalos Also present: Mr. Charles R. Elfreich, P.E. , Town Engineer APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of July 15, 1981 were presented and on motion duly made and seconded, approved as submitted. PUBLIC HEARING - APPLICATION OF GARFIELD HOUSING CORPORATION - BLOCK 133 PARCELS 148 and 299 The Chairman asked the Secretary to read the notice. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Mamaroneck Planning Board pursuant to Section 276 and 277 of the Town Law will hold a Public Hearing on September 16 , 1981 in the Auditorium of the Weaver Street Firehouse, Weaver Street and Edgewood Avenue, Town of Mamaroneck, Larchmont, New York at 8: 15 P.M. on the application of Garfield Housing Corporation for the amalgamation of two parcels in one and the extinguishing of three Town streets with the creation of one Town street on the property located on the southwesterly side of Chatsworth Avenue and known on the Tax Assessment Map of the Town of Mamaroneck as Block 133 Parcel 148 and 299 . TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all persons present will be given an opportunity to be heard. The Chairman explained to those present that the Board was only acting on the "amalgamation of the two parcels" as stated in the Public Notice and that this was the purpose of the meeting. Mr. Forbes, the Attorney for the applicants stated that according to Town Law the only issue was whether or not the subdivision is valid and if it should be approved. Mr. Forbes, also, said that the Environmental Impact issue had already been discussed and the applicants have made chanties to accede to some requests of the neighbors and the Town of Mamaroneck. 1 Mr. Gasthalter of 2 Lafayette Road spoke and said that he felt that the decision regarding the Environmental Impact Study was not made at a Public Hearing and that II:0 they had a right to be heard. It was pointed out that it was not necessary for a Public Hearing for the determination of the Impact Statement and that the only thing in the Ordinance that the Board had reviewed that might require an Environmental Assess- ment Impact Study was the parking and the interpretation of the law as to whether it referred to indoor or out- door parking. The Board had determined that it was a Type I Action but that there would be no significant effect and a Draft EIS would not be necessary. The Board had, also, determined that the Town 's Type 1 list was more stringent than the States , specifically, regarding parking facilities for more than 250 cars . Mr. Forbes said that he objected to the remark that it was illegal since it was not necessary to have a Public Hearing on the Environmental Impact Assessment Form and the Planning Board had already made their decision that no Environmental Impact Study was required . A question was raised as to the water problem and it was pointed out that an Engineering Study had been made by a private Engineering firm and Mr. Blair said that the proposed construction will help the residential pro- perties in the vicinity and that Mr. Feder may have a water problem to solve. Mr. Blair, also, said that as far as the use for the property it is presently zoned RTA which allows a tower apartment and the Board cannot deny anyone the right to use their property properly. A representative of the Premium Property owners appeared and said they were concerned as to the effect the pro- ject would have on the Premium Marsh land. The neighbors, also, expressed concern about the addi- tional traffic and Mrs. Ryan of 1 Overlook Terrace said she could not imagine what it is going to be like with the extra cars on North Chatsworth Avenue. Mr. Pyne said that he felt the Board members had all done a sincere and good job and all the members of the Board lived in Town. Mr. Pyne, also, said that they had all acted within the law. Mrs . Gilda Kaplan , who is Secretary of the Larchmont Hill Civic Association presented the Board with an evalua- tion of the applicant's Environmental Assessment Form in which she questioned some of the answers and said she did not believe the Environmental Assessment Form reflected the actual environmental impact of the proposed construction . An objection was raised from the floor as to whether Mrs. Kaplan 's presentation was an indivi- dual opinion or an official opinion of the Larchmont Hills Association. Mr. Paul Dierkes of 21 North Chatsworth Avenue wrote a letter registering his objection to the high rise apart- ment. Mr. Henry Korngold had left a letter at the Chairman's home with a graphic layout of what the neighbors feel is necessary to implement their proposal . Mr. Korngold said that in regard to the proposed streets they wanted the present deadend streets to remain the same to pro- tect the children who live on the streets. Mr. John Troy, Vice President of the Pine Brook Associ- ation presented a letter in which they expressed their concern about the environmental impact of the proposed construction. The League of Woman Voters presented a letter in which they urged the Board to reconsider their decision and require an Environmental Impact Statement especially as it affects the environment and traffic. The Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission had sent their opinion and recommendations dated August 4, 1981 . Tne Conservation Advisory Commission said that they neither favored or opposed the project but felt that the SEQR (the Town Engineer believes they mean an EAF instead of SEQR) as submitted did not deal fully enough with the questions raised and requested clarification of certain items with the hope that their report will assist the proponent of the project in the preparation of a complete Environmental Impact Study. An allegation was made by Mr. Gasthalter that the Board had "waived the Environmental Impact Study" and Mr. Pyne said he strenously objected to that allegation. Mr. Math of 1-3 Washington Square said he felt that an Environmental Impact Statement should be required. Mr. David Tulchin of 9 Lafayette Road spoke and raised the question as to the necessity of having the Environ- mental Impact Statement. The meeting was adjourned for a short recess and when the Board returned Mr. Blair suggested that in view of the fact that originally some had thought an Enviromental Impact Study should be made and the extreme concerns of the neighbors the meeting should be adjourned without prejudice and with the possibility of the request for an Impact Statement. Mr. Forbes said he did not agree with the decision and asked the Chairman if he expected to consult the Town Attorney. A question was raised as to whether the Town Attorney would give his opinion on the replies contained in the Assessment Form and the questions about the way the form was filled out and Mr. Blair said he didn 't think the Town Attorney would make his judgment on that basis . The Chairman said he thought Mr. Johnston would make an assessment on what is the best thing for the community because there apparently is so much feeling about the matter. Mr. Kalos said the Town Attorney would probably decide what is "legal " and let the Board members vote. Mr. Blair said that Mr. Johnston would not tell them what to do but would advise them whether or not it would be legal to change their minds and ask for the E . I .S. The Chairman said the next meeting of the Planning Board would be scheduled for the second Wednesday in October. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before this meet- ing it was adjourned at 10:40 P.M. Rita A. Joh n; Secretary A Court Stenographer was present for the application of Garfield Housing Corp. and his report is filed in the folder for the applicant.