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Gedney Farms Newsletter
SPRING 2021
Gedney Association
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Dear Neighbors,
One of the Board’s key responsibilities is keeping our members aware of the issues that could negatively impact our neighborhood. A 360-unit apartment building proposal for Westchester Avenue, the second application of its kind in the south end of the City, is such an issue. It’s another clear example of why the City, in our view, needs to update its Comprehensive Plan. A comprehensive plan, when done properly, considers input from citizens from all parts of the City.
Much has changed since the last update of the Comprehensive Plan: the office and retail markets have declined significantly with less expectation that they will return to their former state. A casual walk in downtown White Plains shows how dramatic the change is. Until the onset of the pandemic, the market for multi-family housing showed significant expansion. What, therefore, will be the potential impact on City services, including schools, water, sewer, parks and open space in this fast changing environment.
We urge you to contact the Common Council members and urge them to quickly initiate the process for updating the Comprehensive Plan.
One behalf of the Board I wish you all a Happy Easter and Passover!
John E. Sheehan
President
CITY NEWS
Apartments Planned South End of White Plains
A developer submitted a proposal to construct 360 apartments to the White Plains Common Council. It would replace a three-story office building with a five-story apartment complex across Bryant Avenue from White Plains High School and bordering the Old Oaks neighborhood. The application requires a zoning change to permit this.
Until recent years the Comprehensive Plan recommended prohibiting multi-family apartments in the outlying parts of the City. When the office parks were proposed the City assured the adjoining residential neighborhoods the office park would be low-density and principally operate Monday through Friday and generally from 9AM to 5PM.
Residents in the single-family neighborhood of Old Oaks and the North Street Civic Association have asked for our support in opposing this zoning change.
The Gedney Association Board unanimously voted to oppose this incursion of multi-family housing bordering a highly desirable single-family neighborhood. The Board believes this policy effectively expands more urban density into the single-family neighborhoods and regrettably sets a dangerous precedent. The former General Foods property on North Street, and various parcels on Mamaroneck Avenue opposite Saxon Woods Swimming Pool are also eligible for such a zoning change.
The Gedney Association believes multi-family apartments should be limited to Downtown where such housing is appropriate. In our view introducing multi-family development in the outlying sections of White Plains will adversely impact the existing character of the area making the single-family neighborhoods less desirable.
We intend to join with the North Street Civic Association, The Rosedale Residential Association and other associations in the south end of the City to vigorously oppose this zoning change.
Please contact the Common Council members to voice your concern.
Mayor Thomas Roach
troach@whiteplainsny.gov (mailto:troach@whiteplainsny.gov)
Justin Brasch
jbrasch@whiteplainsny.gov (mailto:jbrasch@whiteplainsny.gov)
Nadine Hunt-Robinson
nhrobinson@whiteplainsny.gov (mailto:nhrobinson@whiteplainsny.gov)
John Kirkpatrick
jkirkpatrick@whiteplainsny.gov (mailto:jkirkpatrick@whiteplainsny.gov)
John M. Martin
jmartin@whiteplainsny.gov (mailto:jmartin@whiteplainsny.gov)
Jennifer Puja
jlpuja@whiteplainsny.gov (mailto:jlpuja@whiteplainsny.gov)
Victoria Presser
vpresser@whiteplainsny.gov (mailto:vpresser@whiteplainsny.gov)
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Comprehensive Plan Update
The Gedney Association is working collectively with the Rosedale Residential Association and North Street Association to urge the City of White Plains to update the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which was last updated in 2007. The three south end communities are working with the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (WPCNA) to create a unified vision for the future growth of the City. The vision incorporates many common ground issues such as the preservation of low-density single-family zoning, the historic character of our neighborhood, open space preservation, the protection of area watercourses and wetlands, and the reduction of cut-through traffic.
City LINKS
REPORT A POT HOLE!
Tired of hitting the same pot hole every day!
CLICK HERE to submit a request online or report a pot hole directly with Public Works at (914) 422-1202. (https://talktomycity.com/create)
DID YOU KNOW…
White Plains plants 200 trees on City property and rights of ways every year?
If you would like a tree planted between the curb and your property line, call the Department of Highway, Forestry & Parks at 914-422-1202 or CLICK HERE (https://www.cityofwhiteplains.com/349/Forestry) for more information.
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Link to full email: Gedney Association Newsletter SPRING 2021.