[0:09] Okay. Good evening everyone.
[0:13] I call this march. I call this march 30th, 2026,
A special meeting of the common
[0:19] council of the city of
White plains to order. Councilwoman santiago, please
Lead us in the pledge of
[0:25] allegiance to our. Rise for the pledge.
[0:30] I pledge, pledge allegiance to
The flag of the united states of america and to the
Republic for which it stands.
[0:37] one nation under god,
Indivisible, with liberty and
[0:42] justice for all.
[0:50] madam clerk, could you
Please call the roll? Mr. Caruso.
[0:56] present. Mr. Fry pearson. Here.
[1:00] miss presser. Here. Mrs. Santiago. Present. Miss simmons here. Mr. Wolff.
[1:06] here. Mr. Mayor. Here. Before we get on to the
First item of business, I just want to say that this is
A regularly scheduled work
[1:13] session, which often becomes
A special session of the white plains council.
[1:19] these are scheduled every month. And I just want there was a
Little bit of confusion, and I wanted everyone to know that
This is standard procedure for
[1:26] the way we run city government
In white plains, and if you have any questions, you can
[1:32] certainly ask me or
Any of us afterwards. Now, our first item of business
Is a communication from the
[1:37] commissioner of public safety
In relation to an agreement with winifred madison burke
Rehabilitation hospital to use
[1:42] property located at 7085
Mamaroneck avenue to conduct
[1:47] fire department training. I moved to file and
Spread the communication.
[1:53] I second the motion. All in favor?
[1:58] I carried. I asked unanimous consent to
Offer an ordinance entitled
[2:03] ordinance of the common council
Of the city of white plains, to the white plains, to white
Plains, authorizing the
[2:10] commissioner of public safety
To enter into an agreement with winifred masterson.
[2:16] burke rehabilitation hospital
To use property located at 785 mamaroneck avenue to conduct
Fire department training.
[2:23] unanimous consent is granted. I move the adoption of
The following ordinance.
[2:30] I second the motion. Madam clerk, please
Call the roll.
[2:35] mr. Caruso. Yes, mr. Pearson? Yes.
[2:41] miss presser. Yes. Mrs. Santiago. Yes. Miss simmons? Yes.
[2:46] mr. Wolfe? Yes. Mr. Mayor. Yes.
[2:50] just so that everybody
Understands that was so that we can use the burke
Rehabilitation center for some
[2:55] fire department training,
Which is stated clearly anyway. Our next item is a capital
Project entitled traffic light
[3:02] pole replacement. The commissioner of public
Works intended to report on
[3:07] this but was unable to make it. I was given this background
On this capital project.
[3:11] two vehicular accidents
Occurred last year, one at the intersection of hamilton avenue
And cottage place, and another
[3:18] at fisher avenue and bank
Street, both of which resulted in the destruction of
Traffic signal poles.
[3:24] this capital project
Encompasses the design and construction of the new
Poles at these locations.
[3:30] the project was initially
Estimated at $470,000. The department of public works
Put the construction portion of
[3:37] the project out to bid, and
Received bids that exceeded the original estimate due to
Inflation and tariffs.
[3:42] accordingly, the department
Requests an additional $125,000 for this project, bringing
The total project to 595,000.
[3:50] our next item is a capital
Project pertaining to the proposed acquisition of
The city center garage.
[3:57] I'd like to call mike kelly,
Senior assistant corporation counsel to the podium.
[4:04] good evening. Kelly, senior citizen
Corporation counsel.
[4:09] uh, proposed capital projects
C5687 is for the proposed acquisition of the white
Plains city center garage.
[4:17] city staff have been working
To lay the groundwork for the acquisition of the garage,
Including the negotiation of an
[4:23] agreement with the owner of the
City center retail development and performing the legally
Required environmental reviews
[4:29] of the transaction. Staff is now attempting to
Finalize negotiations over the
[4:34] acquisition of the garage. The acquisition of the garage
Will enable the city to remove
[4:39] the garage from the challenging
Financial and operational situation it is now in, and
Further enable the city to make
[4:45] much needed improvements
To the garage. The proposed draft capital
Project would involve the
[4:51] issuance of $8.3 million of
Bonds of the city to finance the acquisition.
[4:58] this number was based upon
Information available to the city, as the amount of the
Principal and interest on the outstanding garage bonds,
The amount owed to the bonds
[5:05] insurer, as well as amounts
Being held by the bond trustee. This past friday, the bond
Trustee and the bond insurer
[5:12] informed us of their position
That the amount to pay the principal and interest on the
Bonds would be higher than
[5:18] expected, approximately
$11 million. Staff is working with the
Insurer and the trustee to
[5:24] account for this increase, and
Is staff's intention that a more accurate amount will
Be ready for the council's
[5:30] approval on april 6th. That being said, even if the
City were required to pay more
[5:35] to retire the bonds, the amount
Would still be well within the value of the garage and
Would continue to result in a
[5:41] substantial savings to the city. Thank you.
[5:47] I just want to thank you in
Particular for all of your hard work on this.
[5:52] this is a very difficult and
Complicated project, and it is imperative and a great thing
Ultimately for the city, that
[5:56] we will take over the city
Ownership of the city center garage and get things on an
[6:01] even keel and fix
Up those problems. So thank you. All right. Thank you very much.
[6:07] our next item is a presentation
From commissioner of planning chris gomes on downtown
Revitalization initiatives.
[6:13] good evening. Good evening, mayor
And common council.
[6:18] I have the exciting privilege
To present again the downtown
[6:23] revitalization initiative award
That the city did receive just a couple of years ago now.
[6:31] it was a $10 million
Grant award the city got. If you all recall, there
Are multiple rounds.
[6:35] the cuomo administration
At the state level. I had this $10 million option
Available to certain as a
[6:40] competitive grant for
Many municipalities. It was like a hunger games
Esque kind of competition with
[6:44] her neighbors. And I was part of many of the
Applications for many years.
[6:50] and just recently, in round
Seven, the city was awarded the $10 million.
[6:57] many of you here and in the
Audience, I know we're very excited, attended a lot of the
Public meetings and hearings we had on some of the proposed
Ideas, but I'm going to give
[7:03] you a refresher, because we're
Getting to the point now. We're at your april
Council meeting.
[7:09] you're going to have the first
Contract with new york state to fund two of these
Specific projects.
[7:13] so we all deserve a
Round of applause. It's been a long road. Yes. And I want to
Celebrate with this picture.
[7:18] this was again the
$10 million check. We tried cashing it,
But alas, it was.
[7:22] just a piece of cardboard. And this is full disclosure.
[7:27] this is my image that we took,
The official image that the governor's website
Press release had.
[7:33] you can see I'm behind
The governor there. Behind. I'm right there
With my eyes closed. So every.
[7:38] picture literally. One of the most exciting
Moments in our planning career here in white plains.
[7:44] and I do want to thank
The planning department. I mean, everybody was involved
In this, but I would be remiss if I didn't point out judy
As our deputy commissioner,
[7:49] christy knecht, we had eileen
Mclean, katie crawford, uh, ingrid's here as
Well in the picture.
[7:56] so a lot of the administration
Worked on this with the planning department. So and I can see many of you
In the photo here as well with
[8:00] your eyes open. Um. So this is what happened.
[8:05] we submitted back in 2023. Uh, we were awarded the grant
Excitedly in 2024, as I noted.
[8:09] and then we embarked kind
Of on the tail of the city's comprehensive plan outreach,
Which was multiple years on,
[8:16] kind of a parallel track of
Outreach and engagement, both in the spanish speaking
Community as well as the
[8:21] business community, to really
Kind of get ideas to shape the types of projects.
[8:27] we were going to fund
This $10 million grant. Um, so we had, as you can
Imagine, a lot of digital outreach and some great
Feedback from the community.
[8:33] um, this all kind of culminated
In the purpose of the outreach, I should say, was to really
Have an open call for projects.
[8:39] so while the $10 million was
For a lot of city projects I'll get into in a moment.
[8:46] there was also the opportunity
For people in the public, business owners to apply for a
Portion of those grants funds. So there was a public
Kind of call for projects.
[8:53] we also established a
Local planning committee. So there were six
Total meetings.
[8:59] these were people that were
Members of the community. That really helped kind of suss
Through the applications for the use of these grant funds.
[9:07] and so here we are the last
Few steps, the lpc, the local planning committee, in
Consultation with the
[9:13] consultants that we hired
Through new york state or we were basically forced to hire,
They're wonderful, but they
[9:17] were part of the grant. Uh, they were very wonderful.
[9:21] I shouldn't say it that way. And they helped us with the
Local planning committee, prepare a cip, a strategic
Investment plan that went up to
[9:26] new york state for approval. That was essentially us
Identifying what we wanted to
[9:32] fund, how we're going to fund
Them, and how it was going to really revitalize
Downtown white plains.
[9:36] we did find out that
Was in december. In may of last year, we found
Out that we had city projects
[9:41] that'll get into the moment. Seven of them were funded and
The kind of smaller, private,
[9:46] not for profit applications. Five of them were funded.
[9:51] and as I said, as of march
And coming up in next week's council meeting, we're going
To have our first contract with
[9:55] new york state for the city
Council, the common council's authorization to get
This project moving.
[10:00] so this is the. Downtown revitalization area
That in the aerial photography,
[10:05] all the red outline is kind of
What we identified as kind of the project specific area.
[10:11] and these are essentially the
7 or 8 projects we kind of combined, two of them that were
Actually funded, and I'm going
[10:18] to hit each of them very high
Level now for the benefit of the public.
[10:23] and these are things, again,
You'll be seeing in the coming months as the contracts get to
The council and these projects move along.
[10:30] incidentally, the amount to
About 8.5 million of the $10 million grant are all directly
Against state grant funding to improve and enhance our
Already wonderful downtown.
[10:37] so we had $1,000 we'd put
In for installation of new
[10:41] windows, handicap accessible
Bathroom and new paint, a fresh coat of paint or so, maybe
More at the slater center.
[10:49] so that's a $600,000
Grant we're excited about. Pretty straightforward there.
[10:55] um, one of the larger ones was,
Uh, we've been looking at, uh, for a long time in the
Comprehensive plan, additional
[11:00] east west bike access and enhancing our bicycle
Infrastructure.
[11:05] so the hamilton avenue
Corridor, which planning departments offices look right
Out on, and we see people kind
[11:10] of biking through there, we
Think would be a wonderful idea to have a two way bike lane.
[11:14] very challenging. We've been talking
About this for years. Even the transit district
Plan from a decade ago.
[11:19] um, but this is something we've
Finally gotten funded to some extent to 2.7 million.
[11:23] lots of designs still to go. But it's something that, you
Know, we've put out there in the past.
[11:29] this one I'm very excited about. This is our water
Street connector. We're going to brand it.
[11:33] this is. Just. The east of the pepe
Cadillac dealership. Um, off water street.
[11:40] this really connects what was
Or is an unused right of way that the urban
Renewal agency owns.
[11:46] uh, back way back during urban
Renewal, martin luther king boulevard here was to extend
Under ferris avenue, under the
[11:51] train tracks, out towards
The bronx river parkway. Uh, that was
Obviously never built.
[11:57] so the urban renewal agency
Does have these two sort of, uh, parcels here out parcels, I
Should say, where we've looked about greening for a long time.
[12:05] we've thought about if you
Go out there now, you'll see images of people with these
Desire lines of crossing from
[12:09] hillside terrace, walking down
Into our downtown through this nice little kind of
Green, informal oasis.
[12:15] and the goal with the funding
And our grant ideas, uh, and working with some design
Concepts with the consultants
[12:21] already, is to really create an
Engaging, safe, uh, connector pathway between the ferris
Avenue community and downtown,
[12:28] which includes lighting,
Potentially some, you know, new trees or canopies, maybe even a
Playground at the flatter area.
[12:36] so this is exciting coming
To a theater near you. We've gotten state funding to
Really enhance what is a very
[12:42] used piece of green space in
The heart of our downtown.
[12:46] similarly, the carhart neighborhood is
Famously under parked.
[12:51] we've looked at
This for a while. How do we provide more public
Park opportunities here? So this is off waller avenue.
[12:57] if you blink, you might miss it. But the city doesn't own a
Surface parking lot, which is used, but not, you
Know, kind of sparsely.
[13:05] and so the thought with
Commissioner livingston and others was, could we green this
And create an opportunity for a public park facility?
[13:11] so we've gotten $745,000. It's right behind the td bank
Off of mamaroneck avenue behind the cvs.
[13:18] kind of. So it is kind of a nice
Opportunity for kind of an infill pocket park and same
Idea to be designed fully.
[13:23] but this is an example of,
You know, water bottle filling stations if we can afford it.
[13:30] um, dog park play equipment,
That kind of stuff will be a nice kind of opportunity
With state funding.
[13:35] I should have ended on this
Because this is the most exciting one of all.
[13:40] everybody. I kind
Of wish howard. Waldman was here and our
Friends in fisher hill, and we've heard about
This for a long time.
[13:46] uh, the clock does not work. I mean, it's I think it's right. Twice a day, we're
Not sure, but it is.
[13:51] and so. This clock tower. Um.
[13:55] we. Have grant money in here,
$270,000 to both fix the actual mechanism so the
Clock will work again.
[14:02] and then we also have this
Concept during this process to reimagine and kind of refine it.
[14:07] so is there a way
To beautify it? Is there a way to
Think outside the box? Um, and in speaking with the
Mayor recently, you know, it's
[14:13] beyond just kind of looking at
Sort of artistic competition or ways to kind of wrap or be
Creative and from a visual
[14:19] perspective, but also the
Base of the clocktower. I mean, it's really something
That you're seeing thousands of
[14:25] people a day traverse. There's no seating, there's no
Opportunity for, you know, kind of signage or kind of maybe
It's stuff about the community.
[14:31] so we've had a lot of ideas and
And the mayor had a great one on that regard as well.
[14:36] so we did have a
Public idea session. The deadline was march 20th.
[14:42] a lot of people have responded with what they
Would like to see. And as we move forward, the
Thought was, and I've seen this
[14:47] on social media, there was a
Lot of excitement around around branding this like
Saving our clocktower.
[14:54] we're not tearing it down. This isn't my, well, kind of
My idea, but I saw it on social
[14:58] media as well that when we
Opened this thing, we maybe the city should have like a
[15:03] lookalike competition
Or something. That kind of really brand that
Marty mcfly and doc brown have been there.
[15:10] so just to close, um, this
Is two actual projects. This is both streetscape
Improvements right to our
[15:15] downtown sidewalks and then
Something that again, the city for at least a decade, uh, I've
Been here, we've talked about
[15:20] ad nauseam, and that's a real branding campaign
For our signage.
[15:25] so folks both have directional
Signage, but also a real true brand to the city.
[15:30] so this was something that we got over $1 million,
1.3 million. And, you know, just examples
Of illustrative examples.
[15:35] these aren't, you
Know, sussed out yet. But this is what was in our
Application from planners
[15:39] enhancing our planner stock
To maybe creative benches, uh, even bike racks.
[15:46] there's many ways to look at sort of the bike infrastructure, even so far as
Artwork on garages.
[15:52] you know, we have to, again,
Get into the weeds on this. But other communities have done
Things to sort of beautify and kind of create this cohesive
[15:58] vision, even
Decorative lighting. This is the handler
Walk, as everybody knows. Uh, right there, that goes
To a chester maple garage.
[16:04] so is there a way to do
Some creative lighting or architecture there?
[16:08] and the same idea, thinking outside the box
For court street. Um, and then, you know, this
Is, again, they're not going to
[16:15] look like this, but this is
Sort of like the kind of things that, you know, we could
Potentially do, you know,
[16:21] branding, even identifying
Parking facilities. So using this money both to
Design and be creative with
[16:25] infrastructure for signage in
A way that, uh, you know, is quite costly, frankly.
[16:32] we used to have something there. But, you know, how do we brand
On the train bridge and have information kiosks?
[16:37] so all to be decided. But this is something as well
As the clock tower that you'll be seeing coming to april
Meeting, just authorizing us to
[16:43] enter the city, to enter in a contract to finally
Get this money.
[16:47] that's been a long time coming. And last but not least, there
Is a small project fund we put
[16:52] in for. This is kind of individual
Grants for sort of business
[16:57] owners and the like up to
$75,000 to, you know, look at outdoor seating opportunities
For art in the community in
[17:04] facade enhancement. So this is something we
Have to work through.
[17:08] we have $600,000. But frankly, I've been involved
In these projects in other communities in terms
Of facade grants.
[17:14] and depending on how much
Interest we get from the community, you know, the
City has to administer. We'll see, because
It is reimbursable.
[17:19] folks have to go out and spend the money and then
Be reimbursed. But we're hoping that there
[17:25] could be some
Takers here as well. And that's it. There's any questions?
[17:29] well, I'll just say thank you. I know that you and I had a
Very long meeting recently
[17:34] about it. And these are really, you know,
That many of us worked hard.
[17:38] I know vicki pressler, our
Council president, as well, to get this funding.
[17:43] and it's really going to
Beautify our city, make it better, safer and give
Us more green space. So I want to thank you and
Deputy commissioner mizzi for
[17:48] all of your efforts on this. You're here.
[17:54] so item six is a presentation
On the proposed application submitted on behalf of f45
Training white plains for a
[17:59] proposed health club at
25 north lexington avenue. I'd like to invite philip
[18:05] future of architects
To the podium. Nice to see you.
[19:28] I should be working.
[19:47] right. Okay.
[19:52] okay. Reboot sometimes
Means a boot.
[20:14] good evening, mr. Mayor. Members of the common council.
[20:23] interesting. I'm philip proctor
Of pep architects, p.c., um
[20:29] representing um vital lifestyle
F45 training white plains.
[20:36] uh, in this special use permit
Application for an existing um
[20:41] in an existing demise. 2250 square foot retail space
On the ground level of 25 north
[20:49] lexington avenue.
[20:54] I apologize. For visuals.
[21:00] um, this is, uh, on the hamilton
Avenue side of the building.
[21:07] um, that's hamilton
Avenue in the foreground. Uh, I apologize for
That, uh, cut off shot.
[21:15] um, the, um.
[21:20] the proposed space is an
Existing demise area and it is
[21:27] below parking in the building
And above parking, and it has
[21:33] retail on either side. It is not adjacent to any
[21:38] existing residential
Occupancies. The proposed use is an
Instructor led group fitness
[21:45] studio operating exclusively
On a scheduled class model.
[21:49] the facility does not
Operate as an open gym. Class attendance is limited
By pre-registration, and
[21:57] controlled class capacity
Is limited to approximately
[22:01] 30. Through an online
Registration system, walk ins
[22:06] or unscheduled use is not
Permitted and there is no spa
[22:10] or food service in the proposal. The studio is located within a
Dense, walkable mixed use area
[22:19] and is expected to primarily
Serve individuals who live or work in the immediate
Surrounding area.
[22:26] um. At the march 17th uh
Planning board meeting, the
[22:31] planning board voted to provide
A positive recommendation to
[22:36] the council on this matter. Um, I'm happy to
Answer any questions.
[22:47] seeing none. Thank you so much.
[22:51] looks like a nice thing. It's not a giant space. Looks like having an additional
Health club in our city is a good idea, so thank you.
[22:58] thank you. Good evening. Good evening.
[23:04] our last item for this evening
Is a presentation for a proposed application
At one sycamore lane.
[23:11] I'd like to invite commissioner
Of planning chris gomez and deputy commissioner judy metz
To the podium for an overview.
[23:23] thank you, mayor and council. So this evening I'm going to
Give a brief overview of sort
[23:29] of and I have a nice
Little nifty chart. You've seen these probably in
The past on the galleria mall
[23:35] to hopefully distill what
Is a fairly complex, uh, environmental review process,
Site plan, process, etc.
[23:42] into, you know, just a few
Bullet points at a general high level this evening.
[23:47] I'll do that fairly quickly. And then we're going to
Hear from the applicant. We thought it kind of
Necessary, frankly, with a
[23:53] newly constituted council with
A few new members, of course, to get an update from the
Applicant in terms of the the
[23:59] site plan that has been
Submitted for the site, um, and then via zoom, we do have the
Independent wetland consultants
[24:06] that the common council had
Retained to really look at the wetlands issues.
[24:12] both analyze. Their scope of work was to both
Analyze the applicant's sort of wetland analyses and their
Studies, as well as kind of
[24:18] guide the council moving
Forward in terms of recommendations for any, any
[24:24] sort of mitigation
Or work, etc.. So I'll start and then I'll
Hand it over, I guess, to mr.
[24:28] steinmetz on the applicant,
And we'll finish again with the independent consultant
The city has retained.
[24:34] um, so here we are to date. Um, I'm going to go through
Quickly and then kind of some
[24:39] general next steps so
You can follow along. But there was an application
And you'll get more detail in a
[24:43] moment from the applicant, uh,
For the buddhist temple at one sycamore lane.
[24:49] uh, that was back on
January 10th of 2025. Um, and there are multiple
Variances that are also
[24:54] associated with that
Site plan, parking, etc.. Again, the applicant can get
Into some of that detail on a
[25:00] site specific basis. But that was submitted to the council way back
In january of 2025.
[25:04] now in february, at the
Regularly scheduled council meeting, there was an action
By the common council to, uh,
[25:11] declare themselves lead agency
Under secre, which is a state environmental quality
Review act for a coordinated
[25:18] environmental review. Now what does that mean?
[25:23] that means that because there's
A site plan to redevelop the site that has associated
Variances that are required from the zoning code.
[25:31] both you, the common council
And the zoning board have some jurisdiction in the approval
Of any type of project in the
[25:36] future on the site. So when there's more than
One approval agency that has
[25:41] jurisdiction, in this case,
The new york state law really recommends and for this type of
[25:46] action, frankly,
Requires a coordination. And having one established lead
Agency or approval agency that
[25:51] will conduct the environmental review to study the
Kind of impacts.
[25:57] you know, by virtue of this
Redevelopment may occur. Traffic, parking, wetland
Disturbance, all those things.
[26:02] so the council, by action on
February 3rd, declared the intent to say we're going to
Be the lead agency for the
[26:08] environmental review
Of this entire project. Now, the project
Is obviously again.
[26:14] what's being proposed is to
Build a buddhist temple, but the action includes analyzing
What the impact of any
[26:19] variances granted will be, as well as sort of site
Specific concerns.
[26:24] so you are the common council
Declare their intent on february 3rd and you also in
April, established with no
[26:32] objection to the zoning board
Of appeals, that you are, in fact, the lead agency under
The state environmental quality
[26:38] review act to review the entire
Action so I can get into the weeds if there's questions.
[26:45] but essentially, that's the
Important key here that this project, you know, cannot
Move forward until such time.
[26:49] there's a conclusion on the
Environmental review by you as lead agency.
[26:55] in february, there was also
The action to retain this independent wetland consultant,
Which you'll hear from again,
[27:00] we'll medlin from from woodard and curren is on um
And read as well.
[27:05] and then also where we are this
Evening again is march 30th,
[27:09] and we're going to hear from
The results of that which have been posted as part of this
Agenda, that independent
[27:14] wetland analysis. So next steps in a
Very general sense.
[27:19] um, the common council, you
Know, at some point moving forward, can clearly refer to a
Complete site plan application,
[27:26] making sure everything is
Complete prior code, like we always do in a site plan
Application process to all city
[27:31] departments, boards and commissions for
Review and comments.
[27:36] so that's an important step. Um, and then ultimately,
Based on that sort of referral
[27:41] process and moving along
And getting the requisite information, this body needs
To make environmental kind of
[27:46] analysis moving forward and
Conclusions, ultimately, this common council will have to
Weigh in, make a determination
[27:52] and findings essentially on
All the potential environmental impacts by virtue of the
Variances, site plan, etc., for
[27:58] this application. And then, and only then would
The zoning board of appeals
[28:03] have the ability to consider
And take action formal action on any variances.
[28:10] and then once assuming
Variances, it got to that point where granted, then the
Application would come all the
[28:15] way back to the common council
To consider what would then be a conforming site plan, because
The requisite variances have
[28:20] been granted. So it's a long road. This is a very general.
[28:25] um, those are the
Different steps. I can't put time on those
Steps, but I just want to let you know kind of where we
Are and what's ahead so I can
[28:30] answer any questions and dive
Into the weeds any further. Yes, I.
[28:36] have, because I'm brand new. I have a very simple question. Um, so what exists there now
[28:40] versus what they're
Planning to build? You'll hear in great detail,
But it was a single family home
[28:47] with, uh, you know, some other
Outbuildings and such, you know, tennis court or
Padel tennis court.
[28:53] so it's been vacant
For some time. And they're proposing a
Buddhist temple and some other, um, you know, I want to steal
The applicant's thunder, but.
[29:00] okay, quite a few
Resources there. Um, it is an environmentally
Sensitive site.
[29:05] I should have said that from
The beginning in the sense that there is wetland presence on
Site, as well as outcroppings,
[29:11] a flowing watercourse. So under the zoning code of the
City, it is classified as an
[29:16] environmentally sensitive site,
Which really does two things. One, it requires sort of a
Level of scrutiny as a type one
[29:23] action under secre, which is
A little bit higher level of scrutiny, of course, but it
Also down the road for any site
[29:28] plan approval would require
A supermajority of the common council as the approval agency
To approve a site plan, which
[29:35] means five votes as opposed
To a typical majority of four. So thank you.
[29:42] but yeah.
[29:46] so the area you said already
Was a prior previously a home and outbuildings for those
Built on the wetlands, the environmentally sensitive area.
[29:53] I'll let the applicant in our
Consultant weigh in on that. But know that there's buffer
Areas around the actual they're
[29:58] not on the wetlands but
There's actually buffers. And that's part of what the
Action is going to be, is how
[30:03] do you, as the common council
Define in our independent consult will weigh
In on that later on.
[30:08] um, what type of buffer? We have different types of
Buffers in our zoning code. Restrictive. Protective.
[30:14] a lot of the mapping of that, as you all is the
Approval agency. The determinations frankly made
On whether the wetlands have
[30:20] been disturbed previously, what
The current condition is, etc.. So, um, you know, upon our
Independent consultants
[30:26] recommendation and other
Factors, you, as the common council, will make the
Determination of where that
[30:31] buffer should be. Um, but no, not the
Actual wetland itself, but encroachment into the buffer
In any case, however that gets
[30:37] defined is obviously part of I
Shouldn't say obviously is part of the applicant's proposal.
[30:42] you'll see in a moment. Can you? Just one quick thing.
[30:48] can you give a quick, quick
Overview of how we hire the independent consultant
And how that works? Yeah. So the city I it was
Actually my recommendation.
[30:55] um, again we have some very
Competent staff of course, but we don't have necessarily
Wetland hydrologists on site or
[31:00] within sort of city
Staff resources. So which is typically done
During the environmental review
[31:06] of these types of projects. The common council basically
Authorized the establishment of
[31:12] an escrow account so the
City didn't pay for it. The applicant.
[31:17] much like in all environmental
Reviews, puts money into an escrow account and the
City independently finds a consultant that we believe
Is sort of has the right
[31:24] resources, staff, expertise. What an intern who you hear
[31:30] from, um, is well
Known to the city. They've been used quite
Frequently on large environmental reviews for the
City, uh, working with dpw.
[31:37] so, for example, analysis of
Just recently the environmental review process for
The gallery of mall.
[31:44] we have consultants woodard and
Kern, a different division of woodard, but so they're well
Familiar with westchester as
[31:48] well as these sorts of issues. So it was, again, our choice as
A city to select the consultant
[31:53] and get an independent review. Thank you.
[32:01] I believe that you will be
Introducing the applicant. Mr. Commissioner?
[32:08] yes. So this is, uh. Mr. Steinmetz, on behalf of the
Applicant who will introduce
[32:12] the team.
[32:28] while paulette is
Teeing us up here. Good evening, mr. Mayor.
[32:34] members of the common council,
David steinmetz from the law firm of zahran and steinmetz. Very pleased to be here this
Evening on behalf of the pro
[32:39] ghassan foundation and the buddhist temple at
One sycamore lane.
[32:45] I am joined here by paulette
Dmowski, our project architect, and angela tang from the
Buddhist temple is here, along
[32:54] with several members of the
Foundation and some of the buddhist monks.
[33:16] you all have the materials that
We provided in advance in front of you.
[33:22] regardless if we have
Some difficulty here. Yes. So I'm going to keep going. So we use our time efficiently.
[33:27] so we're here tonight in
Connection with the repurposing of this four acre
Property at sycamore.
[33:34] rosedale. And I appreciate the introduction from
Commissioner gomez.
[33:40] one thing that I would mention,
Just so I know so many of you are new and have not
Heard this before.
[33:45] um, this actually has been
Pending since well into 2024. Um, it came before the
Common council in 2025.
[33:52] once the wetland issues were
Identified as significant and we began to seek a coordinated
Environmental review.
[33:59] the application actually began
In 2024, in front of your zoning board of appeals
For a variety of variances.
[34:06] I say that just because I want
All of you to know that this applicant has been at it for a
While, has been quite patient,
[34:12] and I'm really happy to be here
Tonight because I'm pleased that you finally got
This wetlands analysis.
[34:19] um, I'm delighted that your
Wetlands consultants are on screen because it is a really
Important issue and it's one of
[34:24] your primary concerns
As lead agency. So the property is located in
The r-1 30 zoning district.
[34:32] the significance of that
Is that makes religious institutions a
Permitted lawful use.
[34:38] so we are not seeking anything
With regard to the legality of having a house of
Worship on this property.
[34:44] a house of worship
Is indeed permitted. Responding to the question
About what's there.
[34:51] um, there is a single family house,
A pool, an outbuilding, a
[34:57] tennis court and a variety of other things that
Were developed?
[35:02] I think this goes back
Into the 40s and 50s. It's a really kind of a neat
Old large house, which has
[35:07] paulette will explain
In a little while. The concept is to reuse
That particular structure.
[35:13] however, responding to the
Second half of your question, there actually are a number
Of those improvements that are
[35:19] either in the wetland or the
Wetland buffer are here we go. And
[35:26] I'm going to let the wetland specialists tell
You what's there. And I'm going to speak a little
[35:31] bit about it
Briefly in a moment. But the good news for all of
Us in the city is that the
[35:35] ultimate conclusion, I'm not
Going to I'm not going to hide the the conclusion here.
[35:42] the conclusion is that much of
What's being proposed in this application actually improves
The wetlands, removes
[35:46] encroachments from the buffer,
Things that have been there literally for decades.
[35:53] and we think actually forget
What I think your consultants have concluded there's
No significant adverse
[35:58] environmental impact to the wetlands as a result
Of this application. So what we're looking at
Here is that slide two okay.
[36:05] what we're looking at here is
The location of the property. You've got rosedale kind
Of going on an angle.
[36:11] and sycamore which is a private road here in the city coming in.
[36:15] and that's our site on the left. The four acre site immediately on the opposite
Side of sycamore.
[36:22] many of you may know, is a
Church and a montessori school. Um, significant, because this
Is not the only potential
[36:28] institution that would be
Located in this neighborhood. As I would speak to a
Little bit more in a moment.
[36:34] next slide. Please.
[36:38] that's okay. There we go. There's the stream.
[36:45] there is a stream that meanders
Sort of on a north south basis,
[36:49] coming down sycamore and
Slicing through this. This property been
There for obviously.
[36:56] for. It predates the
House that's there.
[37:00] um, it's been there since before the neighborhood
Was was created.
[37:04] but the significance is that
When you go beyond us or upstream, there are several
[37:10] properties that
This stream crosses. It crosses lawn area that's
[37:14] fertilized and homes
That are there. It crosses under and I mean
Under one of the houses on
[37:21] sycamore that bridges
The the stream. And the property immediately
Adjacent to us has a manmade
[37:28] impoundment or some other
Structure that I'll defer to the experts in terms of the
Significance of something that
[37:35] was built into
And on the stream. This is not a
Pristine wetland area.
[37:40] this is a neighborhood that has
Historically, for decades lived in connection with the wetlands.
[37:47] and some folks are actually
Right up against, if not on top of the wetlands.
[37:51] again, significant for what
We're trying to do on this property and how it fits
Into the overall context.
[37:56] um, because I don't know if we
Skipped the development team, did we skip the
Development team slide?
[38:01] you can go to the next one. Perfect. Well, you've got
The project architect. Pull that behind me
And me here tonight.
[38:08] I want you all to know in terms
Of what we've been doing for 18 or more months.
[38:14] um, there is a project engineer
From hudson engineering, our civil engineers, traffic
Engineers from dts provident,
[38:18] because there were
Questions about traffic. Um, our wetlands consultant,
Paul janey prepared the initial
[38:25] wetlands report. The application is sort of
Impending long enough that paul
[38:29] has since retired. So the good news for me is that
Steve marino from tim miller
[38:34] associates was good
Enough to take the baton. And I've worked with steve.
[38:39] and some of you may know,
Steve, I'm a highly regarded wetlands biologist in the
County and in the region.
[38:43] steve has agreed to come on and
Basically assume what paul's work is and paul's
Work is significant.
[38:50] you all hired an independent
Consultant at substantial and I mean substantial expense to
The buddhist temple to review
[38:57] paul's work. That was done.
[39:01] that report is
Now in the record. I think you have like a 40
Page report from these folks. And I'm again, I'm delighted
They're here tonight.
[39:08] we also have a landscape
Architecture firm, benedictine ticehurst, significant because
With a wetland application, the
[39:14] subsequent plantings that go
On to the site, the removal of invasives, the removal of
Species that are not helping
[39:20] the wetland, and the
Replanting of the wetlands with appropriate species is critical
To the life and the vibrancy of
[39:27] the wetlands. We're proposing that.
[39:31] why this site, angela, and the
Foundation found this four acre site, found it to be in a in
A lovely area and thought with
[39:39] the stream and the
Existing structure. It was a wonderful bucolic
Place for a buddhist temple.
[39:45] what's a buddhist temple? Um, buddhism as some of you may
Know, fourth largest religion
[39:51] in the world. Over 300 million
Followers of buddhism.
[39:56] buddha. Tibetan buddhism is not
Your typical, for me, typical
[40:00] congregational
Religious practice. It's more of a private
Meditative practice.
[40:05] buddhist temples
Tend to be smaller. Not always.
[40:11] they tend to not attract large
Congregational gatherings. It's more as you learn and you
Can read where people actually
[40:16] go for their own private
Meditation in front of the buddha statue.
[40:23] so this, this application is
To build a buddhist temple or shrine, a place for some of the
Monks to actually reside, to
[40:29] study, to learn, to teach,
And for parishioners to come.
[40:34] you're going to have
Hundreds of people coming. It's a small operation with a
Handful of folks who would be
[40:40] there at any one time. It's why it's conducive to
This particular location.
[40:45] let's go to the next
Slide with the two more.
[40:49] perfect. And this is a little hard to
See on the screen, but you all
[40:54] have it on in front of you. We put this together because as
Someone who lives and works in
[41:01] the city of white plains, I'm
Quite familiar with the north street corridor.
[41:08] I drive it every single day,
Sometimes multiple times a day, from westchester
Avenue to the hutch.
[41:13] there are 13, I repeat, 13
Religious institutions along the north street corner.
[41:19] they're all listed
On your page there. I say that because this mile
And a half stretch of our
[41:23] county, of our city is one
Of the most densely populated areas with religious
Institutions in the county.
[41:30] there are a lot of them. There are a lot of them
In residential areas. They're permitted in
Residential areas.
[41:36] we have 13 of them
Prior to this. Another reason why angela, when
She was looking, found this to
[41:41] be an attractive potential
Place for a peaceful and quiet
[41:47] religious institution.
[41:54] let's go to our next slide.
[41:58] so what we have here is a site
Plan that lays out the site.
[42:04] now I mentioned that this
Application has been pending for 18 months or more.
[42:10] as a result of the back and
Forth that my architectural team, my client's architectural
Team, engineering team and
[42:15] others have had with the
Building department, the department of public works, the
Planning department, the zoning
[42:20] board of appeals. There have been changes
That have been made to this
[42:24] application as a result of
Interaction that has been conducted with the neighbors.
[42:30] there have been reductions,
There have been some of the buildings have
Been made smaller.
[42:34] some of the buildings have been
Pulled further away from the wetland buffer area. And most importantly, there was
An attempt to avoid a direct
[42:40] connection to sycamore lane as
The primary means of ingress
[42:44] and egress. Originally, my client and the
Team showed it an access to the
[42:50] site from sycamore. There was objection from
Some of the neighbors.
[42:54] we evaluated the site
Distance along rosedale. Determined that appropriate
Lawful it institute of traffic
[43:01] engineer site distance could be
Established and they relocated
[43:06] the the access point. This site plan that you have
Before you shows a connection
[43:11] to rosedale. It shows a small parking
Area off of rosedale.
[43:16] it shows the adaptive reuse
Of the existing home that's
[43:21] presently visible from rosedale
As sort of the rectory or the
[43:26] monks residence. You can see the square or
Rectangular building with the
[43:32] green area in the middle. That's the proposed shrine or
Temple, and the reason that
[43:38] there's an open
Area in the middle. Again, this is not a large
Church or synagogue or mosque
[43:46] where a number of people would come in and pray simultaneously.
[43:51] it's largely an open air
Building that's quiet, peaceful, and you have an
Opportunity to come in and and
[43:58] meditate before
The buddha statue.
[44:03] paul, that's going to
Explain some of the details. I'm going to let you go to
The next slide and just talk a
[44:10] little bit about the buildings,
And then I'll take it back. Perfect.
[44:15] so let's start with this slide. You got it. Okay. Thanks.
[44:19] good evening mayor, council members, thank you
So much, david. I just want to walk you
Through the three buildings.
[44:25] and I know there was some question about what's there now. And right now, there's an
Existing two and a half story
[44:31] single family dwelling
Which we will repurpose. We we plan on doing an interior
Renovation there, which will
[44:38] house the parish rectory. So there'll be a teacher
Living there full time.
[44:44] it's very conducive for that. It's got a kitchen, bedrooms,
And we're going to, um, modify
[44:49] the outside a little bit just
To accommodate the entrance to the new driveway.
[44:56] but that building
Will stay intact. Our second building
Is the building.
[45:00] is this building right here,
Which is an we're calling it an
[45:04] artifacts building. It's a much smaller building.
[45:09] it's a single storey and
It's a split level building. So you enter it at the the main
[45:14] level of where the
Parking lot is. And because the site cascades
Down, the topography dips down.
[45:19] you will exit the building
On the lower level. So it's a split level so it's
[45:26] half the size of the
Existing dwelling.
[45:30] the main building which is our primary building, is the temple.
[45:35] and as david said, it's a
Rectangular building with an open courtyard in the middle.
[45:40] this will house visiting monks. There's some sleeping rooms
For some three visiting monks.
[45:46] the main shrine proper for the
Buddha will be there where they do the worship and meditation.
[45:52] and there are some meditation rooms in that, in that building. So I just want to point out.
[45:59] what's the approximate
Capacity of that. Great question.
[46:05] three monks is the
Capacity of people. Visiting, people visiting.
[46:10] just so we have an idea, there are 150 people coming
To this facility. There's going to be about 15 to
[46:15] 20 people at any
Given time in there. Could you mention the number of
[46:20] square feet in the
Original house? Yes, the.
[46:24] second building and
The third building. How many? So the main the existing
House right now is 2600ft.
[46:32] the other accessory structure
That we're proposing, the artifacts building is 4400ft,
[46:39] so it's half the square footage. And then the principal
Building is 6800ft.
[46:45] so it's two levels. Yes, two levels.
[46:51] so if I give you, you know,
Length and width of these because I think that would be
[46:56] very helpful to
Understand the scale. The existing house is
About 55ft by 80ft.
[47:00] and it's I'll show
You the plan of that. I think it will
Be helpful to see.
[47:07] I'm just going to jump ahead. This is the the plan
Of the existing house.
[47:12] so from this point to this
Point, it's about 80ft. From this point to this
Point, it's about 55ft.
[47:20] the plan of the
[47:24] temple is about 64ft by 90.
[47:29] so very similar in footprint. And then the artifacts
Building is about 32ft by 46ft.
[47:38] so half. I'd like to just mention that
[47:44] again that this is
A four acre site. All the surrounding properties
Along sycamore are one one acre
[47:51] across rosedale. There are about, I think there
Are either a quarter or a half
[47:56] an acre, so much smaller. So when we think about the
Property in these buildings, we
[48:01] think about density. How dense is this
Site going to be?
[48:05] and if I just show you the. Just show you
[48:12] this. This. Site plan.
[48:17] this was prepared by
Our landscape architect. You could see how much
Green space there is.
[48:21] so when we talk about building
Coverage and density by code, we're allowed 20%
Building coverage.
[48:27] we're proposing 4.5%. So much less.
[48:32] than. So when we think about
Building coverage. Would you put the microphone?
[48:38] sorry. There you go. How's that? Okay. How about that?
[48:42] okay. So when we talk about
Density and building coverage on a property, we think
Of it in percentage.
[48:48] so the zoning code allows 20% in this district of
Building coverage.
[48:54] we're proposing
Only 4.5% coverage. So we have a lot more that we
Could potentially build, which
[49:01] were not because we want to
Maintain that open space, that beautiful landscaping.
[49:08] if you look at this, um, this
Site plan, you can see I don't know if you could see my cursor.
[49:13] uh, there it is. So this is the main temple. Everything in that light
Brown color is building.
[49:20] this is the artifacts building,
And this is the existing house. So you could see how much green
[49:27] space we're maintaining
On this property. And like I mentioned earlier,
The property does go down slope
[49:34] from sycamore. So what you're perceiving at
[49:39] that level is just
The single story. You won't really see much of
That building as it's built
[49:45] down in that lower
Portion of the property. You were talking before about
Capacity for the building being
[49:52] 15 to 20 against worshippers. How much turnover is
That then like in a day?
[49:59] what are we actually
Talking about. Because people are not going
To be there I assume, for the
[50:03] entire day. You know.
[50:09] I have a similar question and I
Don't know how buddhism works. If there's a man, you know,
Like I'm catholic, so you go to a mass or service, you know.
[50:16] so how do you mitigate, um,
Preventing or having just 20 people at a time versus, you
[50:23] know, 40 people
Parking in an area? So.
[50:28] okay, so, um, we didn't bring
Our traffic consultant with us this evening because we were
Told to try to keep this short
[50:34] and introductory, but we did a
Rather extensive analysis and had our traffic consultant
Draft that into a traffic
[50:39] report that was
Previously submitted. And angela is here if we
Need to answer any specific
[50:45] questions, my understanding is
That we have, first of all, 34 parking spaces, am I right?
[50:51] yeah. 37 parking spaces. Um, we have more than enough
Parking, in our opinion, for
[50:55] the operation there. There's no desire to spend the
Time, the effort and the money
[51:00] to do this and have an
Inability for folks to enjoy,
[51:05] um, being parishioners in terms
Of the number of people in a given day, probably under 50,
If it turned over two times
[51:14] behind the initial, it
Doesn't get used a lot. It really is something that I
Would urge you, as we do this
[51:22] together and go through this
Process to gather as much empirical data as we can
On tibetan buddhist temples
[51:29] because again, this is not something I'll speak for myself.
[51:34] um, I haven't been
To your congregation. You maybe not have not been to
[51:39] mind, but it's
It's not like mine. It's probably not like yours. And it's unique.
[51:44] it's something that you all
Have to take into account. Because we are not building a
Church like probably 11 of the
[51:50] other 13 on the corridor. I say 11 of the other 13.
[51:56] I'll come back to the fact
That one of them is a buddhist temple of a slightly different
[52:02] nature, but at a
Buddhist temple. And I'll come back to you, mr. Mayor, do you want
To ask something?
[52:06] well, I just I think
It's a fair question. I mean, and I know I'm putting
You and your client on the spot, but could the applicant
Just give us some idea of how
[52:11] how it works with us? Absolutely. Angela. Did you
[52:18] know, could you please go up to
The microphone and just tell us your name, please? Thank you. We just want to understand.
[52:24] a lot of new faces. But thank you for you.
[52:28] don't be nervous. We want. We want to hear it from you. Nicely into the
Mic now and then. We'll hear.
[52:33] that is better. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yes, this is angela,
So I'm kind of. Kind of volunteer to support
This project financially and
[52:39] also operationally. So we have a few
Months here, you see.
[52:44] so we have a very similar place
In brooklyn, um, like a one
[52:49] acre place. And every day they receive like
A maximum 10% because tibetan
[52:55] buddhism is like a
Private consultation. It's not like, not like a
Group chanting or group prayer.
[53:02] we don't do that. That's why we estimate 10 to
15 people, maximum visitors and
[53:09] only one, the only one big
Celebration day is april 15th,
[53:16] which is a buddha birthday. That's the only day probably
We will see like 30 people.
[53:21] and for regards to the operating hours
We are looking at.
[53:26] we try to avoid the school time. You know, we have a pretty
Decent neighbors there, the
[53:31] kids, school bus or whatever. So we are considering operating
Hours from 10 to 4:00 and from
[53:37] monday to saturday and sunday. Because the church
Has activities.
[53:43] we try to mitigate the traffic
With our neighborhood church. So we are closed on sunday.
[53:49] so you can be closed on sunday? Yes. And you're going to be 10
To 4 monday through saturday.
[53:53] that's right. This is a very specific
Question, but it relates to
[53:59] what council member
Santiago raised. How long does somebody I mean,
I know it's individual, but
[54:04] like, does somebody sit there
For 7 hours or 2 hours or how does that work?
[54:10] and that affects the flow of traffic and the
Neighbors concerns. Yeah. Regarding the so we
Don't we don't do that.
[54:15] tibetan buddhism is just
Self meditation at home. But normally the people come
Over to see the master to
[54:21] receive the instructions,
The infraction? Probably. We know in the
[54:26] current broken we
Have a broken branch. It's basically people come over
Like 1 or 2 hours, but we have
[54:31] to reserve online because
We follow the orders. We finish one person because
We are not sharing the privacy
[54:38] with each other. So if it's first come first.
[54:42] so they have to book online
For their reserved slot. Normally some people half
An hour, but if some more
[54:49] difficult questions probably
Make them two hours per person for a slot.
[54:55] yeah, I have a question. What is your one.
[54:59] celebration. Day? You said you have. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So does. That.
[55:04] bring a lot of people? Yeah. Um, so the both the
Buddha's birthday, we call in us, we call vesak.
[55:09] vesak day. Right. Um, in the lunar year is
April, and for the western is
[55:13] like, may 16th. That is the only day in a year.
[55:19] what kind of crowd
Does that attract? I'm sorry.
[55:24] how many. People and how do you handle any extra people
Who would come that. Way?
[55:29] yeah. So we will put that
Like, you know, because it's a birthday celebration. We will put a small golden
Buddha there and people come
[55:34] over for the flower there, or
Just put some water clean as a
[55:39] buddha statue and leave. They're not going to be there,
Like for the whole day eating
[55:44] or things. It's just a very quiet
And peaceful activity.
[55:49] council members. How many people maximum.
[55:53] would come. 3030. On that day? Yeah. Yeah. Thank you.
[55:57] yeah. Because in united states, we don't have the
Public holidays. Only the people who have to
Take their personal leave as
[56:03] they come over. We don't see a big group.
[56:08] but if you see singapore, it's
A public it's a government official holiday.
[56:14] we will expect more people. Yeah. Council president presser.
[56:19] yeah, I just I think that for
The purposes of understanding the how this
[56:24] will be used. To think of it more as a
Retreat than as a church.
[56:29] mhm. Yeah. Yeah.
[56:35] there are people who go to. People would not
Reside overnight. There. Right.
[56:40] there are, there are people who
Will go to monasteries for a day of meditation as. So I'm thinking that that's
[56:46] more of, of what
We're talking about. But no, people are
Not staying overnight.
[56:51] this is not an inn. Right. Councilman caruso?
[56:56] yes. So my understanding is you're
Talking about having three visiting monks and residents
And one monk pretty much
[57:02] permanently there. So would that mean there'd
Never be more than if people
[57:08] are coming for instruction only
There would never be more than four people there at a time.
[57:14] no we don't. So normally. No. So the master.
[57:19] right? The master
Will stay here. But also he has other visiting
Plans around the year.
[57:24] so when he is away. We will invite the
Visiting monk as a backup.
[57:29] you know, the one we
Have over there will be. Come over to backup.
[57:34] yeah. So I think we have
Determined that. And you can correct
Me if I'm wrong.
[57:41] it's been a while since
We were in the numbers. At the worst case, daily
Scenario would be 12 people on
[57:46] on campus at any one time. Is that correct?
[57:51] that's. I wouldn't say no from the monk. Right. Because when we define
It as a temple, the volunteer,
[57:55] we are not allowed to leave. Only the monk can
Live on the site.
[58:00] that is a religious requirement. But if you ask me to tell
People, we will probably have a
[58:04] volunteer drive over to
Cleaning, you know, to do the administration this kind of
Thing, but they are going to
[58:10] leave end of the
Day, end of each day. How many people are volunteers?
[58:15] I would call probably a uh, maximum for for like one
For cooking, cleaning and the
[58:22] reception for. Yeah.
[58:27] yeah. Yeah. Correct. And then there's
The visiting people.
[58:32] yeah. Oh, you are talking
About the visitors?
[58:37] yes. Our visitors. Yeah. Yeah.
[58:41] yeah. Sorry. Yeah. It's okay. Yeah. We're trying to just. Get the. Approximate maximum.
[58:45] number of. Yeah. 15. Yeah. 15. Yeah.
[58:50] thank you. 15. So one. Monk. Uh, 3 to 4 volunteers,
Plus the ten visitors. We are talking about 15
People maximum a day.
[58:56] so. Yeah, quite a bit, we believe. Yeah. Um, that the site is over.
[59:01] I've said it all along. We believe the site
Is over parked. We we have, um, attempted to
Minimize the parking and would
[59:07] be delighted to explore ways to
Reduce the parking, but we have parked the site for more people
[59:15] then conceivably would be there. The monks are not
Driving in and out.
[59:20] um, the parishioners may or
May not come in small groups. There's not again.
[59:25] you're asking. You're asking the same
Questions we did a year and a half ago.
[59:30] there's not this typical. Oh, well, there's the 9 to 10
Group, and then there's the 10 to 11 group, and it turns
Over multiple times a day.
[59:36] again, I urge you, as we go
Through this process together to ask your questions and
To do some homework with us.
[59:43] and I'm sorry, just
One more point. Before.
[59:48] I come to my seat. So the broccoli. Stay here by. The mic. Yeah. So, um, so I think in our
Application, we particularly
[59:53] put a brooklyn branch
Office address. So if people have any concerns
To see really to validate what
[1:00:01] what is a tibetan buddhism
Temple looks like, you can feel free to visit.
[1:00:08] it's only like an
Hour drive from here. It's exactly the same tibetan
Buddhism branch, same teaching, same number of the monks.
[1:00:14] all these kind of things. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
[1:00:20] um, just to try to move it along and get to the
Wetlands consultant. One of the things that I want
To underscore, because we just
[1:00:27] saw the wetlands report, um,
Within the last couple of days, chris, chris and eileen know
I've been asking to to see this
[1:00:33] report for some time, and we
Really appreciate the fact that it was now made publicly
Available that would incur and
[1:00:38] completed it. I want to remind all of you the
Analysis that your consultants
[1:00:43] did was done last,
I think, april. They were out on the site
With our team and several city
[1:00:48] officials for over two hours
Doing, um, walking the site, doing auger tests of the soil.
[1:00:54] they did a rather
Extensive analysis. What my key takeaways, and I'll
Let the experts speak to it in
[1:01:00] terms of the conclusions. A the project will not result
In a significant adverse impact
[1:01:05] to the wetlands, which is a really important
Threshold issue.
[1:01:09] be much of what's proposed
Here in terms of removing the invasives, removing lawn area
And planting native and wetland
[1:01:16] species will serve to only
Improve wetland a and wetland
[1:01:20] b, as you'll read in the report. And c and probably most
Importantly, this is an issue,
[1:01:27] a legal issue that we have been
Discussing and making written submissions to the city
Over the last year.
[1:01:34] there is no legitimate basis
For a, quote, restrictive buffer here.
[1:01:40] a protective buffer
Is appropriate. Um, while I think our
Consultants feel it's probably not even necessary, there's a
Big difference under our white
[1:01:46] plains code between a
Restrictive buffer and a protective buffer.
[1:01:51] restrictive buffer. Could you. Sorry, mr. Steinmetz. We have a lot of
New people here.
[1:01:55] could you just describe in
Short order the distinction? Absolutely. Just again,
Thank you, mr. Mayor.
[1:02:01] um, the restrictive buffer
Would actually prohibit certain things from being
Built within them.
[1:02:06] period. The end. Nothing could be built in the
Restrictive buffer that would preclude our development.
[1:02:13] certainly aspects
Of our development. We have been waiting for your
Consultants to opine on that.
[1:02:17] our consultant opined
On that over a year ago. A protective buffer warrants
Protection and analysis by
[1:02:26] government, but certainly
Not a prohibition. And again, you read your report.
[1:02:32] my client waited a long time
And paid a lot of money for you to go out and get your
Own independent analysis.
[1:02:37] it confirms what paul janey
Told us over a year ago, and it tells us, actually, that
The improvements that we're
[1:02:43] proposing, not the least
Of which is the extensive plantings that are being
Proposed, will ultimately
[1:02:48] improve the wetland. So we were pleased to
To finally get this.
[1:02:53] in terms of religious uses,
I've not appeared in front of several of you.
[1:03:00] some of you have known me
For for quite some time. Some of you may not know we
Represent a wide variety of
[1:03:05] religious institutions
Throughout the county, from churches and synagogues to the
Archdiocese of the state of new
[1:03:10] york to islamic centers. So I am not unfamiliar with the
Law that that governs your job
[1:03:16] when you're reviewing
A land use application. Religious uses, as your legal
Team will explain to you, are
[1:03:23] presumed to have a beneficial
Effect on the community. The case law, one of the
Leading cases, cornell versus
[1:03:30] bhagwati, talks about religious
And educational uses, religious and educational institutions.
[1:03:37] as a matter of law, you've got
To weigh the benefit against the detriment of the community,
And the law presumes a benefit to the community.
[1:03:44] that's why you have 13
Religious institutions in residential zones along
The north street corridor.
[1:03:48] they are not anathema to to
Sound government and existence.
[1:03:53] and folks, I was amazed when I
Came across this new york times
[1:03:57] article from may 10th, 1992.
[1:04:02] they say history repeats itself. Well, history is
Repeating itself.
[1:04:06] in 1992, the white plains common
Council was wrestling with a
[1:04:11] neighborhood group that was
Opposing a buddhist temple on north street and councilman, I
Think then councilman shulman.
[1:04:18] he ultimately became mayor. Correct. Then councilman
Shulman took on the cause of
[1:04:24] trying to understand the issues and try to mediate
Between the parties.
[1:04:30] it was a multi year process
With the neighborhood there opposing that buddhist temple,
Our buddhist temple that's here
[1:04:38] in our community today. The same community organization
Had opposed the trinity church
[1:04:44] in the 50s that's sitting
At bryant at north street. So again, people have every
Right to come to the microphone
[1:04:50] and speak their mind. I know that I'm at too many
Meetings, too many nights a
[1:04:55] week, but I'm going to tell you
This virtually every meeting I do with regard to a religious
Institution, there's concern,
[1:05:00] there's confusion,
There's mystery. Now try taking on a
Tibetan buddhist temple.
[1:05:05] you're going to have a lot
Of people who don't really understand and ask
Your questions.
[1:05:10] but I'm telling you this as a
Matter of law, under new york state common law and the
Federal statute, you all have
[1:05:15] to give them the benefit of the
Doubt because they're presumed to have a beneficial effect.
[1:05:21] the exact same thing
Happened 30 years ago. It's there now.
[1:05:26] it was lawfully approved. I say that because I want to
Make sure you all understand.
[1:05:30] angela and her group are not
Unaware of of what has been
[1:05:35] going on. They have tried to work and
[1:05:40] make some adjustments
For the community. They have tried to make some
Changes to their design and most importantly, they've
Cooperated with the city, the
[1:05:45] neighbors, and I don't know if all of the new
Members know this.
[1:05:51] the neighbors were not happy
With your building department's interpretation that they issued
With regard to their review of this application.
[1:05:57] she submitted building plans. The building department
Did what they do. Daimon and his team did what
They do on every application. They reviewed it.
[1:06:04] they issued a have
Denial letter. And they told us what variances
We needed in terms of parking, location, setbacks, etc..
[1:06:09] okay. The neighbors felt that
Damon and his office did not interpret the code correctly.
[1:06:14] they challenged it in their own zoning board of
Appeals application.
[1:06:19] the zoning board unanimously
Upheld damon's determination, and the neighbors then sued
The city and challenged that.
[1:06:26] you need to know that because,
Again, I would like nothing more, and I think my client
Would like nothing more than
[1:06:33] peaceful, amicable coexistence
With the neighborhood. That is their goal.
[1:06:38] that's kind of what they
Sort of stand for in terms of peaceful existence. And go read about
Buddhism as I have.
[1:06:43] it's really kind of interesting. It's a lot different from
Some other religions. Having said that, you need to
Know we're doing everything we
[1:06:48] can to cooperate. The neighbors are going to
Do what they have to do.
[1:06:52] I'm sure they will. We are simply asking
For a fair shake. That's it.
[1:06:59] finally. Chris knows I've been asking for that wetlands report. Thank goodness we got it
Because it says what I was told
[1:07:03] over a year ago. My client had to pay, I think,
Over $40,000 for the city to
[1:07:08] get their own report, but
It's now part of the record. Having said that, we are here
Tonight to hear the wetlands
[1:07:15] report proposed and or
Presented by your consultant. We're here to answer
Your questions.
[1:07:21] I'm delighted that your
Council is the lead agency. I'm sorry that you're going to
Have to deal with some of the
[1:07:26] baggage that comes along with
This application, sort of that you guys didn't
Listen to cy shulman.
[1:07:34] he would have told you 34 years
Ago that this this may well happen once again. It's here again.
[1:07:39] um, we will do what's asked of
Us by your professional staff. I don't think any of them are
Going to tell you that our team
[1:07:44] has been anything other than
Cooperative and responsive, so I'm happy to answer any other
Questions other than that.
[1:07:49] this was our initial introduction of
This application.
[1:07:54] so you know what it's about. And you understand why
We're here with a full team. And we're doing everything
We can to bring a peaceful
[1:08:00] religious institution into
The city of white plains.
[1:08:05] good. Are we going to hear from
The wetland consultants now?
[1:08:09] okay.
[1:08:16] thank you. Thank you.
[1:08:35] can you guys hear me now? Yes, yes.
[1:08:40] hello. Good evening,
Common council. Thank you for having us today.
[1:08:45] my name is bill medlin. I'm a senior principal and
Senior technical leader with woodard and I manage our
National environmental planning
[1:08:53] permitting practice area. I have worked with me and my
Partner senior level ministry.
[1:09:00] thank you again for the opportunity to talk
With you tonight.
[1:09:05] I'm going to start by going
Over the scope of work that we engaged with the city of white
Plains on initially back in
[1:09:11] march of last year. And uh, and then I'll go into
Some of the key findings.
[1:09:17] and I do want to say thank
You again to chris gomez and eileen, uh, as well
As data to their team.
[1:09:23] I appreciate the, um,
The feedback so far. So where we started, in terms
Of our scope of work was a
[1:09:32] wetlands focus, um, field
Assessment, desktop assessment
[1:09:36] and permitting support for this
Project that included review of
[1:09:41] the project, documentation
Provided by the client, by the
[1:09:46] applicant on to include civil
Engineering design plans that
[1:09:50] were current at the
Time we received them. Uh, landscape plans, um,
Environmental documentation and
[1:09:58] also a review of other publicly
Available documents, um, to
[1:10:03] support our wetlands
Focus analysis. Uh, our scope included
Geospatial mapping, which if
[1:10:11] you look at the report, you'll
See, um, we also had a site
[1:10:15] visit, uh, as david
Alluded to earlier. Um, a site specific assessment
That we did on april 24th of
[1:10:23] last year. Uh, with the whole team there.
[1:10:28] uh, and then all of this
Information was synthesized into a technical memorandum and
Had multiple rounds of comments
[1:10:34] and coordination, uh, with
The city, uh, and our team.
[1:10:39] um, so what were
Our key findings? Uh, so we completed the desktop
Assessment, and when we were
[1:10:47] looking at the information that
Was publicly available, we did see national wetlands
Inventory, uh, and national
[1:10:53] hydrography data set. Um, information there on the
Site related to the stream
[1:11:00] system that was there. Um, but there were no
Previously mapped, uh, new york
[1:11:05] state dec wetlands. Um, additionally, we completed
Our site visit, as I mentioned,
[1:11:12] in april of 2025 during that site visit.
[1:11:20] as david mentioned, we did our
Own independent wetlands and water body delineation, uh,
Following the appropriate
[1:11:26] local, state and
Federal methodologies. Uh, we found consistent with
What the applicant's consultant
[1:11:34] found, one stream or
Watercourse and two wetlands,
[1:11:40] wetland, a wetland we didn't find that was
Completely consultant or
[1:11:46] completely consistent. Was wetland b had a small
[1:11:50] difference in area
Where we delineated. Towards the north side of the
Site, that was about a, you
[1:11:56] know, less than a 10th of an
Acre difference just north of the elevated paddle
Tennis court on site.
[1:12:02] um, we noted, as paul noted,
Um, the wetlands consultant for
[1:12:08] the applicant, but the site
Is previously developed and disturbed and that the
Resources there are
[1:12:14] historically altered. Um, interesting.
[1:12:21] we were just provided with
The, uh, october 23rd, 2025.
[1:12:26] um, new york state d.c. Freshwater wetlands
Jurisdictional determination,
[1:12:32] which we have been
Asking for for a while. And that letter found that the
New york state edc determined
[1:12:39] that there are no freshwater
Wetlands on the site. That's an important
Thing to mention
[1:12:47] based on our assessment. It is our professional opinion,
As david alluded to, that the
[1:12:55] city of white plains should
Utilize a protective rather
[1:12:59] than restrictive
Buffer on this project.
[1:13:05] our opinion is that the project
Does not have a significant adverse effect
[1:13:11] under secret, with respect to wetlands and watercourses
Specifically.
[1:13:17] I would remind everybody that
Our scope of the environmental assessment was related
Directly to wetlands.
[1:13:21] finally, from a planning and
Permitting perspective, um,
[1:13:27] while we are suggesting a
Protective buffer, the the
[1:13:32] wetlands that we delineated on
Site may likely require a corps
[1:13:38] of engineers permit, uh, which would be known as
Nationwide permit or general
[1:13:44] permit, uh, for the wetland
Impacts associated with the removal of the elevated paddle
Tennis court and other work to
[1:13:51] be done within the limits of
Disturbance and potentially an
[1:13:56] associated clean water act. Section four of or excuse me,
Clean water act of 1st march.
[1:14:00] water quality certification. These are the most relevant and
[1:14:07] high level findings
From our report. Um, if others have questions,
I'm happy to take those.
[1:14:13] at this point in time. Councillor pearson I guess so.
[1:14:19] in looking at it, there's. One stream and two
Wetlands, right? Correct.
[1:14:26] and if I understood your report
Correctly, and I appreciate all the work that went into it, and
I certainly appreciate that,
[1:14:32] that we have a religious
Institution that would be very beneficial to the city.
[1:14:39] but if I understand it
Correctly, what you're saying is that all of the building
That would come with building this temple and would come with
Disturbing kind of stuff that
[1:14:46] was built in the 1940s and
1950s and wasn't so sensitive, would ultimately not create any
Increased risks of flooding.
[1:14:55] and just to belatedly preface
This question, we have a community that's been hit
With a lot of extreme weather
[1:15:02] events, a lot of flooding. So there's a lot
Of concern here.
[1:15:06] can you just give us a little
Bit more comfort on that point. In terms of an engineering
Analysis for flooding?
[1:15:13] you know, that was not part of
The scope that we assessed from
[1:15:18] a wetlands perspective,
Specifically the building footprint.
[1:15:25] and the disturbance will be
Within the buffers, but the wetlands themselves may indeed
Actually be expanded when they
[1:15:32] remove the elevated paddle
Tennis court and the footers and foundation, um, materials
That are beneath it.
[1:15:41] there wasn't a
Replant that area. The wetlands may actually
Expand on the site.
[1:15:46] so then let me ask you a
Question, which is probably born out of my ignorance.
[1:15:51] and I appreciate the
Wetland expansion. There was no looking into what
[1:15:56] this will do with
Increased and flooding. Might be an extreme word,
But increased runoff?
[1:16:00] it's going to cause problems
For people when we have our, you know, once in a century
[1:16:05] storms that we now
Get once a year. We did not evaluate it from
A floodplain management
[1:16:11] perspective or a civil
And resource engineering perspective, sir.
[1:16:17] okay. Thank you. Commissioner gomez. Yeah. If I could. Just chime in.
[1:16:22] um, yeah, I know the
The consultants, right. I mean, this was a very narrow
Scope, mainly because as we do environmental review
Comprehensively on any of these
[1:16:29] applications, we have very
Sophisticated flood, you know, sweep requirements through the
Department of public works.
[1:16:34] and so we're well versed in
Looking at, you know, flooding issues, what any sort of, you
Know, watercourse issues are so
[1:16:39] kind of outside of
What they're studying. But that is definitely part
Of any sort of environmental
[1:16:44] review that will be
Conducted by the city. So I apologize.
[1:16:49] so we'll get information
On that later. Yeah. Well just like everything. So any time any large
Environmental review, the
[1:16:53] stormwater prevention pollution
Plan, pollution prevention plan sweep is a very voluminous
Document that's provided by
[1:17:00] applicants to the city. Anything over an acre of
Disturbance, our city, either
[1:17:04] internally through our
Department of public works, engineering bureau or
Consultants, depending on the
[1:17:10] scale of the project, analyzes
Flooding impacts of every project in the city.
[1:17:16] so frankly, that's probably
The biggest part of any environmental review the city
Ever does is looking at these sweeps, which are, again,
Incredibly voluminous, very
[1:17:22] technical documents that
Look at existing conditions, hydrology conditions, what
May or may not be impacts of
[1:17:28] proposed development, what
Sort of mitigation is required before any sort of approval by
Our public works department?
[1:17:34] um, so yeah, it's a much
Broader issue than, you know, wetland a and b in this
Specific thing, which I know is
[1:17:40] a very sensitive in terms of
The actual building footprint. So absolutely part of any sort
Of approval or moving forward.
[1:17:46] um, so I don't want you to
Think that there's any sort of it wasn't included here
For as an oversight.
[1:17:51] it certainly will be studied. No. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you for
The clarification.
[1:17:55] when does that. Councilman wolf. Commissioner gomez. So review.
[1:18:00] so. The full review, just like
Any site plan application. Um, you know, they have
Submitted a formal site plan
[1:18:06] before it gets referred out to
All the city departments and boards and commissions, you
Know, planning board, drb, all
[1:18:12] that stuff. Um, there is the full, um,
Completeness review to make
[1:18:18] sure that the stormwater
Pollution prevention plan that's been presented meets the
Standards for the department of
[1:18:23] public works to
Conduct the review. Um, so that's the
First thing, right?
[1:18:28] that's the first check dam,
So to speak, no pun intended. Um, and then once that's done,
Any sort of environmental
[1:18:34] finding by you write any sort
Of secre before you can act to
[1:18:38] approve something or vote in
Anything, there has to be an environmental finding statement.
[1:18:44] and that environmental finding
Statement under seeker looks at everything from air impacts to
[1:18:49] hydrology to wetland
Impacts to traffic. Um, basically, there's a
There's a litany of findings
[1:18:54] that you make before you vote. So that would be done anytime
Before, in this case, even
[1:18:59] before any potential
Variances could be granted. Because, as I said before,
This application needs certain
[1:19:05] variances as the
Applicant represented. Um, the zoning board of appeals
Is the only body in the city
[1:19:11] that has jurisdiction to grant
Variances from the zoning code, not the common council.
[1:19:18] so they have jurisdiction, but
They can't act or even make any formal vote on those potential
Variances moving forward.
[1:19:22] until you, as the lead
Agency, who's coordinating the environmental review for the
Entire project, inclusive of
[1:19:29] any proposed variances, um,
Makes a finding environmentally that there's not a significant
Adverse impact, you know, um,
[1:19:37] that can be mitigated
As part of this project. So.
[1:19:42] again, chris, I really
Appreciate commissioner gomez. I appreciate all the
Education you're giving us.
[1:19:48] and I'm relatively new at this,
As I think are my colleagues. Sure. But how would we?
[1:19:52] it seems to me flooding is a significant environmental issue. So if we're taking care of the
Wetlands, that's fantastic.
[1:19:57] and it seems like this report
From the experts gives us a lot of comfort there.
[1:20:03] but aren't the wetlands
Inherently disturbed if there is flooding? So how does that all work. Well in her inherently.
[1:20:10] now disturbed? No. So if if the if the
Results of making these changes increase the risks of water
Overflow doesn't, that isn't
[1:20:17] that relevant to the way in
Which the wetlands are treated?
[1:20:21] well, I think and I don't
Want to you know, what. Will or the consultant
Would talk is.
[1:20:26] yeah, just. Enhancing the capacity of the
Functionality of wetlands, I
[1:20:30] think, is tied in instrumental
Right to the functionality of, of how to retain water.
[1:20:35] right. So it's a much bigger
Discussion than just and I don't know if will wants
To chime in about the functionality, right?
[1:20:40] disturbed wetlands
Versus purely functional. If there's going to be
Improvements on site and how that delves into what the
Ultimate downstream impacts
[1:20:46] will be vis a vis flooding and a much more analysis
Of the watershed.
[1:20:51] but it's more of a discussion
For, again, commissioner mignon dpw, in terms of how they deal
With these very, very, very
[1:20:56] detailed engineering studies. And frankly, you know, it is
Usually the as I said, the
[1:21:02] largest, uh, back and forth or
Or the largest review lead time
[1:21:07] item, I would say with any site
Plan that both the planning board and the common council
Evaluate is the stormwater
[1:21:14] prevention pollution plan,
And it really is in depth. So I mean, I could I'm an
Expert to a point, but again,
[1:21:21] the engineers at public works
And others can speak and will. I don't know if you want
To chime in about the
[1:21:26] functionality of wetlands in
Terms of capacity and benefits, I don't know.
[1:21:32] the one thing I would say is
That the applicant has done a nice job of avoiding
The wetlands, right?
[1:21:37] they've avoided the
Stream that's on the site. The site itself is not located
Within the fema 1% annual
[1:21:46] floodplain. So in their
Design, they looked at.
[1:21:51] okay, well, here's where our
Environmental features are and stepped back away
From those things.
[1:21:58] now the buffer is a is sort of
A separate issue, but there are no direct fill impacts that
Would take up wetland area and
[1:22:06] turn it from wetland into
Upland or piping of the stream,
[1:22:10] or relocating of the stream. Um, those kinds of things.
[1:22:16] so those are typically the the
Types of activities that I see in my experience of planning
And permitting and wetland
[1:22:22] science and things like that. Or when fema gets involved
Where you are going to drive a
[1:22:28] flooding impact, the the site
Of which is the wetlands.
[1:22:32] and then, as I mentioned
Earlier, it has a potential to
[1:22:37] potentially even expand
The wetland area. And in terms of the planting
Plan that they put together,
[1:22:46] it's going to be improvement from an ecological
Function standpoint.
[1:22:52] the site as it is right now is
Particularly wetland b is sort
[1:22:57] of a groundwater seepage
Bowl type wetland, right.
[1:23:01] and it's all lawn. It's partially filled with
Woodchips and things like that.
[1:23:06] if implemented, the wetlands
Will be enhanced by what the applicant is proposing.
[1:23:13] there are impacts
To the site, right? I understand that, right.
[1:23:18] but when you when you look
At what's going on with the wetlands, those wetlands
Will be enhanced in our view.
[1:23:23] and I don't know if you want to add anything from
Your perspective.
[1:23:28] um, yeah. I'll just say at a high level
By global, saying the impacts
[1:23:33] to wetlands are limited to
Removing the paddle tennis court that has existed there
For decades, which is placed
[1:23:42] above a wetland. So when we look at that, if
You look underneath it, you can
[1:23:47] kind of see groundwater
Expressing itself, but there's no vegetation growing under it.
[1:23:52] um, when that's removed, we
Would anticipate kind of that's what he was talking about with
An expansion of the wetland
[1:23:59] area plus the planting
Of native species. On the stormwater question,
You know, we did not review any
[1:24:06] stormwater control plans. We talked briefly with the team
On site, and we understand they
[1:24:11] have a plan for controlling
Stormwater, uh, from the parking area.
[1:24:18] uh, so that will have
To be a separate review. All right.
[1:24:22] mr. Mayor, may I respond very briefly to councilman
Fry pearson? Um, first of all, tonight is
Was not really we were not told
[1:24:27] tonight was it going to be
About engineering and flooding and stormwater management.
[1:24:33] your question is totally
Appropriate, and I'm glad you asked it because I in my notes,
I was going to say something and I passed it too quickly.
[1:24:38] you should know. You should all know that there
Is presently no stormwater management on this
Four acre site.
[1:24:44] there are no manmade
Contemporary stormwater features that you all and your
[1:24:49] planning board and
Your dpw requires. Of all of my clients, when they
Come in with applications, this
[1:24:54] site will have all
New modern stormwater. What's the significance of that?
[1:25:00] mr. Steinmetz the significance
Is we, my client, cannot increase the rate
Or volume of runoff.
[1:25:05] they have to manage
All of that water. That's why when we did this
April investigation with these
[1:25:11] gentlemen, you had at least
2 or 3 people from dpw there along with the
Planning department.
[1:25:18] so short answer, allow us to
Come back when we come back and we're going to do a night
On stormwater management.
[1:25:23] I'm completely aware of the
Flooding issues that have occurred in this community.
[1:25:29] I sat in front of your zoning
Board and listen to numerous people lament about
Pre-existing conditions that
[1:25:33] you all we all have
In the community. This application
Can't make it worse.
[1:25:39] dpw can't allow that to happen. And I'm delighted I didn't
Ask them to say that.
[1:25:44] these gentlemen have explained
To you that if we actually enhance the wetlands, we make
Some of nature more functional
[1:25:50] in dealing with
Stormwater management. Another night,
Another presentation.
[1:25:56] I'll have my engineer here. I will have my wetlands
Biologist explain what will has been talking about I got it.
[1:26:02] we're not going to spend
Millions of dollars to build a buddhist temple and have a
Situation where it floods out,
[1:26:07] and there's all kinds of poor
Management that you won't your dpw won't let that happen.
[1:26:14] regulation concern that at night.
[1:26:20] patiently. Thank you.
[1:26:24] thank you for your comment. And this is probably a little
Premature, but having lived in
[1:26:28] the rosedale area a lot of my
Life and being in real estate,
[1:26:32] I consulted with people on
Willowbrook, where the stream runs down from all the way
Up on samuels lane and.
[1:26:41] the golf course by the golf. Course.
[1:26:46] so I'm very concerned for the
Future, and I don't expect you to answer that now
About the runoff.
[1:26:51] about how many roofs? Three buildings, roofs, 37
Parking spaces, how all of that
[1:26:58] water is going to be handled. Going down to a little stream
That I walked along on saturday
[1:27:05] on rosedale avenue, just
East of brooke hills drive.
[1:27:10] and then a bigger area that's a
Catch basin, which both I think
[1:27:14] need to be enlarged to
Handle future water. That's all.
[1:27:22] just as a suggestion. Totally. Appreciate the question. Let the engineers speak to it. I hear you loud and clear.
[1:27:26] I don't live far
From that either. And I've walked the same card. Or you have. Councilwoman santiago.
[1:27:32] I would be curious if you
Do present on flooding. We had a historic.
[1:27:38] we had two historic snowstorms. What was the current
Impact of that? Would that be included
In your report?
[1:27:44] it wouldn't be in the report
That was already submitted. And part of the record.
[1:27:49] you already have a stormwater
Pollution prevention plan. But I hear the question. I'll ask our engineers
To respond to that.
[1:27:55] and I'm sure you can talk to
The commissioner of dpw and have the commissioner
Of dpw respond to you.
[1:28:00] again, having nothing to do
With my client's property. You've got a you've got a
Drainage basin that you've
[1:28:04] heard from. The councilman has
Existing conditions.
[1:28:08] and I heard in the record has
Lots of folks that live in that area that have
Flooding issues today.
[1:28:13] thank you, councilman caruso. And this may be a question for
Later with the engineers, but
[1:28:20] do you know, will this project
Create more impervious surface area or less impervious.
[1:28:26] on our site. Um, paula, can you can you
Speak to that off the cuff? Just the surface area.
[1:28:34] I'm not really sure. Councilman. Let us.
[1:28:39] I don't have my civil
Engineer tonight. I told him he didn't need
To be here tonight, so. And I don't want to give.
[1:28:45] that's a that's a critical
Question that you deserve an accurate answer. Thank you. Council president presser. Thank you, mr. Mayor.
[1:28:50] back to the wetlands. Do I understand correctly that
The report showed that the
[1:28:57] stream is not feeding into the
Wetlands, nor is the wetland or
[1:29:02] the wetlands draining
Back into the stream? I remember that the draining
[1:29:07] part being down into the ground. Is that.
[1:29:13] do I have that correctly? Well, it does drain and
It abuts straight line.
[1:29:17] oh, it does. The stream on the side, so it
Does drain directly to it, what
[1:29:22] can be is isolated in that. It's a depression in
The middle of the sky.
[1:29:28] there is a small upland area
That separates wetland d from
[1:29:33] wetland a, um, but whether it
Be does receive, uh, what we
[1:29:39] believe to be
Groundwater seepage. Although the source of that
Groundwater is unknown.
[1:29:44] that seepage comes in, as
We mentioned, goes later to elevated mountain sport.
[1:29:51] and it sort of flows through
What would be generally a south southwestern direction.
[1:29:58] so there could be subsurface
Flooding that flows towards. Okay. Um. Thank you.
[1:30:04] and the another question I
Have, just to refresh my, my memory on the
Benefits of wetlands.
[1:30:09] if I remember correctly, a well
Maintained wetlands almost act
[1:30:15] like a sponge in terms of mitigating flood
Flooding issues.
[1:30:23] if that's a question,
Then I would say yes. Um, there's the analogy I like
To say is that the kidneys are
[1:30:30] the watershed, and it's very
Important that by protecting them, you do, um,
[1:30:38] you do good for a variety
Of things, including power
[1:30:42] recharge, wildlife contract,
Flood mitigation and things like that.
[1:30:49] again, not speaking from an
Engineering perspective or hydrology water resource
Management perspective, but wetlands are important
For managing flooding.
[1:30:56] yes. Thank you. Thank you.
[1:31:02] item seven we're
Going to conclude now.
[1:31:07] item seven is a communication
From the commissioner of planning, transmitting the
Technical memorandum pertaining
[1:31:13] to one sycamore lane. I moved to file and
Spread the communication.
[1:31:20] all in favor? I.
[1:31:25] just want to. Before we
[1:31:29] conclude our meeting,
I want to remind you. I don't want to mind.
[1:31:33] I just want to share with
Everybody that this is a very important and spiritual
Week for most of us. It's easter and passover.
[1:31:39] we, on behalf of myself and
The council, we want to wish everybody happy and
Meaningful holidays.
[1:31:44] and may we all recommit to
Doing our bit to make the world a little bit better.
[1:31:49] that concludes tonight's agenda. Is there a motion to
Adjourn the meeting? So move.
[1:31:54] second. All in favor? Hi, carried. Have a great evening, everyone.
[1:31:58] thank you.