Public Hearing – ONE White Plains Draft Comprehensive Plan
Monday, March 4th at 7:30pm

Location: Common Council Chambers, 255 Main Street, 2nd Floor

Dear Neighbors,

Many Gedney Farm residents are deeply concerned about the City’s Draft Comprehensive Plan update, which is a radical departure from the existing Comprehensive Plan as it introduces significant changes to land use and zoning. It appears that the City Administration envisions increasing densities citywide and restructuring zoning in traditional single-family neighborhoods, which runs contrary to the pre-existing goals of preserving the City’s unique neighborhoods. The Gedney Association Board believes that the following proposed modifications, among others, will disrupt the delicate balance of land uses in White Plains, ultimately leading to a significant alteration of the City’s character and home values. Many other neighborhood associations including CNA (Council of Neighborhood Associations) have raised similar concerns and plan to voice their views at the upcoming public hearing.

Some concerns are:

• The recommendation to amend subdivision regulations to permit cluster housing on all lots over 10 acres in single-family zoning districts (liveWP 13)
• Amending current zoning regulations for conservation developments to permit attached housing units on parcels greater than five acres (liveWP 14)
• Permitting senior housing such as assisted living facilities in single-family districts (liveWP 6)
• Creating standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on single-family properties, essentially transforming single-family neighborhoods to multi-family (liveWP 1)
• Permitting the extension of multi-family apartment buildings on campus-office zoned sites in the low-density southern end of the City. This would impact many properties like the former General Foods property on North Street, Bryant Avenue and properties in Rosedale along Mamaroneck Avenue (liveWP 17)
• Overall push for Manhattan-type density Downtown and whether the City’s infrastructure and services can accommodate this proposed density

Please click here to review the Gedney Association’s letter dated January 15th to Mayor Roach and the Common Council regarding the draft plan.

Your input in this matter is crucial! We strongly encourage your attendance and participation in the hearing on March 4th. If you cannot be present in person, please consider calling or writing to the members of the Common Council.

The Gedney Association 

The Gedney Association’s Vision Statement on the One White Plains Comprehensive Plan

Pertaining to Gedney Farms:

• Preservation of low-density single-family zoning;
• Preservation of historic character of Gedney Farms;
• Encourage Open Space Preservation;
• Protection of Area Watercourses and Wetlands resources;
• Preserve natural areas that provide flood protection;
• Reduce cut-through traffic;
• Preserve R-30 single family zoning on golf course properties;
• Consider and manage flood risk; analyze properties at risk such as the Farrell Property (former Ridgeway Golf Course) and other areas such as Gedney Park Drive.

Pertaining to South End of City:

• Protect low-density single-family zoning;
• Prohibit cut-through traffic on local streets;
• Prohibit multi-family apartments on existing low-density office parks;
• Limit retail to community related needs and limit to existing local retail centers;
• Maintain requisite fire and police services and consider future needs. 

Pertaining to City-Wide Issues:

• Protect the delicate balance between Downtown and surrounding single-family neighborhoods;
• Consider impacts and limits on City Infrastructure (i.e. schools, sewers, roads, traffic congestion, fire & police services and parks and recreation services);
• Return to lower height restrictions of residential and office properties in Downtown zoning;
• Limit multi-family housing to Downtown;
• Assess the decreasing role of retail facilities Downtown;
• An Open Space Plan should be a key component of a revised Master Plan;
• Examine the decline and changes of the office market downtown.