You are cordially invited to attend the
94th Annual Meeting of the Gedney Association
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 | 7:30 PM
Westchester Hills Country Club
Agenda:
i. President’s Welcome
ii. Guest Speakers
– Commissioner of Planning: Christopher Gomez
– Commissioner of Public Works: Richard Hope
– Deputy Commissioner of Traffic & Parking: Thomas Soyk
– Police Chief: Joseph Castelli
iii. Treasurer’s Report
iv. Election of New Board Members
v. FASNY/Former Ridgeway CC Property Status
vi. Other Neighborhood Issues
vii. New Business
Gedney Association Board of Directors:
John Sheehan, President
Ron Palmer, Vice President
Albert Dold, Treasurer
Tom Broderick, Secretary
Melanie Kolby, Information Officer
Ellen Berger
Zack Salino
Guy D’ Antona
Linda Eisen
Garry Klein
Midge Sanchez
COME AND MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS
Wednesday, November 20 at 7:30pm!
October 29, 2019
Dear Fellow Neighbors,
2019 has been relatively quiet in the neighborhood as compared to recent years where the FASNY issue dominated the news. Nonetheless, the Board has been active regarding a number of ongoing issues and potential problems that could impact Gedney Farms and the south end of the City.
FASNY
It’s hard to believe it has been almost 10 years since FASNY purchased the former Ridgeway Country Club property and seven months since it announced it was planning to sell approximately 48 acres of the roughly 129 acre property. We understand that FASNY is considering offers for the entire property. Recently, we sent two letters to the Common Council: one concerning the lack of maintenance on the property and the other confirming our position that any new development proposal complies with the existing R-30 zone regulations and that preservation of open space is paramount.
Cut-through Traffic
One of our greatest concerns is increasing vehicular traffic especially cars cutting through the neighborhood streets. Recently, we contacted the City Traffic Engineer regarding traffic volume and speeding on Heatherbloom Road. The City did an analysis and found that a significant number of vehicles were using our local streets to enter Burke’s campus. The Common Council decided to prohibit right turns from Heatherbloom Road into Burke during the morning rush hour period. It has resulted in a measurable decline in traffic. Other streets such as Ridgeway are witnessing increases in traffic volume. Traffic apps are directing drivers to local streets from congested roads such as the parkway.
Gedney Farms Greenways
The Board has been working with the City to improve the quality of the Gedney Park Drive Greenway and Gedney Esplanade. Projects have included broad grass reseeding, tree pruning and planting daffodils along Gedney Esplanade. Unfortunately, yard debris was increasingly being disposed in the area and cars were parking on the lawns. In order to rectify this, the City decided to install a fence along the Gedney Park Drive perimeter.
Gedney Farms Historic District
Gedney Farms is the oldest planned subdivision in the City with many historic and architecturally distinctive homes. We have recently met with the City’s Historic Preservation Commission to discuss the neighborhood’s history and ways to preserve its distinctive features.
Multi-Family Apartment Development in the City’s South End
Recently, the Common Council, despite our opposition, approved an apartment complex development on property bordering Maplemoor Golf Course. The Gedney Board believes this approval contradicts the Comprehensive Plan which recommends low-density residential development in the City’s south end. We indicated that we believe multi-family development should be focused downtown where it is appropriate.
We have a great program planned for the Annual Meeting, including a panel of City officials to answer questions regarding City development, traffic, neighborhood safety and Public Works projects.
Please click here for membership information and to pay Annual Dues online. Please provide your e-mail address as it is now our principal means of communication with the neighborhood. We hope to see you at the Annual Meeting on November 20th at 7:30 PM at Westchester Hills Golf Club. Please encourage your new neighbors to join us.
Very truly yours,
John E. Sheehan
President