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Gedney Farms Newsletter
WINTER 2021
Gedney Association
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Dear Neighbors,
I am pleased to report that our first remote Annual Meeting last month was a pleasant success. Over 90 people attended the Zoom meeting and it went off without a hitch. Our guest speakers were County Executive George Latimer and Mayor Thomas Roach. The focus of their comments was the current and possible longer-term impacts of the Pandemic on Westchester County and the City of White Plains.
As you know, the Pandemic has resulted in a significant relocation of New York City residents to single-family homes outside the City. Gedney Farms saw considerable sales activity with an influx of new residents. Our beautiful and quiet tree-lined neighborhood was clearly an inducement for such new buyers. Gedney Farms open spaces, including Westchester Hills Golf Club and the former Ridgeway Country Club, have always been key attractions to our neighborhood.
In January, we will approach a milestone. It will be 10 years since The French American School of New York (FASNY) purchased the defunct Ridgeway Country Club. It has been a long and arduous battle to prevent FASNY from building a large, regional school on the environmentally sensitive property. The Gedney Association had to confront a well-financed PR campaign waged by the school and a City Administration that supported the proposal for a school of 1,200 students plus staff despite the neighborhood’s overwhelming opposition. Through the generous financial support of its residents, The Gedney Association challenged the decision to approve the school. The legal challenge continues before the Appellate Court.
Over a year has passed since FASNY decided to place approximately 48 acres on the market for sale. We understand that FASNY’s student enrollment dropped to about 734 students from 850 when they initially announced their plans. Regretfully, the property continues to be poorly maintained with numerous fallen trees throughout the parcels.
This year, Gedney Association Board members met with Mayor Roach. They indicated that the neighborhood would challenge any development proposal that differs from the current zoning which only permits detached, single-family homes on 30,000 square foot parcels. Any variance would not be compatible with the character of our historic neighborhood. Various residents have recommended that the City consider acquiring part of the property as a passive open space park, as the City’s own planning documents indicate the City’s inventory is below recommended levels.
Lastly, I would like to thank our membership for its generous financial support during these difficult times. So many members made contributions over the $45.00 membership dues. For those who have not paid their membership dues yet I would recommend you consider doing so as a small commitment to an Association whose intent is to promote our community and to protect its character and stability.
On behalf of the Board, I wish you and your families a Happy and Peaceful New Year.
Regards,
John E. Sheehan
President
History Corner: Hotel at Gedney Farm
The Gedney Farm Hotel was built from a huge barn once owned by Bartholomew Gedney. The French chateau-style hotel stood at the curve of Hotel Drive facing Gedney Esplanade and was designed by American architect Kenneth Murchison. It was built in 1912 and featured 300 guest rooms with private baths, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, bowling alleys, billiards, and much more. The hotel was destroyed by a fire on September 20, 1924.
Kathleen & Thomas Ammons
1 Little John Place
Jill & Mathew Levy
3 Hotel Drive
Kitty & John Dearie
27 Oxford Road
Please contact Linda Eisen at LEisen@gedneyfarms.net for information about membership (mailto:LEisen@gedneyfarms.net?subject=Membership)
Welcome to the Board!
Please join us in welcoming Howard Moskowitz of Sherman Avenue to The Gedney Association Board of Directors.
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Email us (mailto:info@gedneyfarms.net?subject=Why%20You%20LOVE%20Living%20in%20WP) Why You LOVE Living in Gedney Farms and we will include your story in our next Newsletter! (mailto:info@gedneyfarms.net?subject=Why%20You%20LOVE%20Living%20in%20WP)
City NEWS
CALLING ALL HEROES
The City of White Plains announced its Fire Fighter Civil Service exam on May 1, 2021. It’s not too late to apply! The application deadline is Thursday, January 21, 2021 by 5:00 PM. Click here (https://www.cityofwhiteplains.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1245) for more information.
The new Gillie Playground, located at 85 Gedney Way, is ready for action! The playground, which officially reopened in November, has separate play areas for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds. Click here (https://www.cityofwhiteplains.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1240) for more information.
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Link to full email: Gedney Association Newsletter WINTER 2021.