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Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Will this have an impact on ConEd's Yonkers cable?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/31/nyregion/31mbrfs-electricity.html

Yonkers Arts Council for Downtown Development Discussed

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/NEWS02/701310351/1018

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Yonkers IDA meeting. Thursday, February 1, 8:30 am

Yonkers IDA meeting
Thursday, February 1, 8:30 am
Yonkers City Hall
Mayor’s Reception Room

Click on the Link for the Agenda

http://www.cityofyonkersida.com/PDFs/Agendas/Agenda_2_1_07.pdf

Environmental Notice Bulletin: 2 Yonkers Notices

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/enb2007/20070103/not3.html


ENB - REGION 3 NOTICES
Completed Applications
Consolidated SPDES Renewals

Brownfield Cleanup Program
Site Name: Cacace Center Site
Site Address: 76 Broadway
Yonkers, New York 10701
County: Westchester
Site No.: C360093
Requestor: Struever Fidelco Cappelli, LLC

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) administers the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) pursuant to State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) 27-1400 et seq. The BCP was created to encourage the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated properties known as brownfields. The requestor indicated above has submitted a BCP application for investigation of the site indicated above.

NYSDEC will accept public comments concerning the application. A copy of the application and other appropriate documents (application package) is available in the site document repository located at the address indicated below.

NYSDEC will review the application package and public comments received and then make a determination on the eligibility of the application.

Comments should be submitted by February 2, 2007 to:

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Environmental Remediation
Remedial Bureau C
625 Broadway
Albany, New York 12233-7014
Attention: Matt Hubicki

Repository address:

Yonkers Public Library
One Larkin Center
Yonkers, New York 10701

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Site Name: Former Palisades Avenue Exxon Station Project Site
Site Address: 58 and 68 Palisades Avenue
Yonkers, New York 10701
County: Westchester
Site No.: C360096
Requestor: Struever Fidelco Cappelli LLC

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) administers the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) pursuant to State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) 27-1400 et seq. The BCP was created to encourage the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated properties known as brownfields. The requestor indicated above has submitted a BCP application for investigation of the site indicated above.

NYSDEC will accept public comments concerning the application. A copy of the application and other appropriate documents (application package) is available in the site document repository located at the address indicated below.

NYSDEC will review the application package and public comments received and then make a determination on the eligibility of the application.

Comments should be submitted by February 2, 2007 to:

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Environmental Remediation
Remedial Bureau C
625 Broadway
Albany, New York 12233-7014
Attention: Matthew Hubicki

Repository address:

Yonkers Public Library
One Larkin Center
Yonkers, New York 10701

PARK HILL LAND CONSERVANCY : POSITION PAPER – YONKERS WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

PARK HILL LAND CONSERVANCY
P.O. BOX 8
YONKERS, NEW YORK 10705

PARK HILL LAND CONSERVANCY

POSITION PAPER – YONKERS WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

A. THE PARK HILL LAND CONSERVANCY
The Board of Directors of the Park Hill Land Conservancy submits these comments to the City Council in regard to the redevelopment prospectus for the Yonkers downtown as proposed by Streuver Fidelco Cappelli LLC on Friday, November 17, 2006.

Certainly the Yonkers downtown is in need of a facelift, but it is essential to remember that what is done now along the Yonkers waterfront will be held up as a model, for good or ill, for future decisions taken about waterfront development by the other Riverfront communities

The Park Hill Land Conservancy is an incorporated not-for-profit Land Trust for the City of Yonkers. The Conservancy is concerned with the protection of open space in an urban setting and related environmental issues. It holds several conservation easements within the Park Hill section of the city. There are many aspects to the far-reaching, comprehensive redevelopment plan for the entire downtown of Yonkers, but in accordance with its particular mandate as an open space advocate, the Land Conservancy will only comment on the proposed changes to be effected along the Hudson River waterfront, west of the Metro North train tracks.

B.THE HUDSON RIVER
Yonkers citizenry is privileged to enjoy the splendor of a unique river, and we have the opportunity to incorporate new recreational uses of this river into the downtown rehabilitation project. But this privilege comes with fundamental responsibilities that must be considered in any discussion about the revitalization of our waterfront. The city holds a unique position as the largest municipality along the Hudson River north of New York City. As such, the city should feel obligated to take seriously its role as a steward of the River, and its position as a civic leader in the appropriate maintenance of this precious American resource. We must integrate our desire to make human use of the waterfront with the physical needs of the waterway itself, and we must absolutely consider the role it plays in the Hudson Valley ecosystem as we decide what should be designed and installed along its shore. We must, as well, be a caretaker of our view of the Palisades. We are fortunate that the city is placed across from the permanently protected Palisades, the natural phenomenon that is in itself considered to be one of the wonders of the world.

C.“RESPECTING THE HORIZON”
Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of the lower Hudson River is its absolutely straight course as it flows downstream to New York Harbor. The River does not meander; its unusual width and the sweep of the Palisades on its western shore create a natural horizontal visual line – a horizon - that can be seen from virtually all of the River vantage points in Yonkers. How unique! And we are at an historic crossroads. This is the moment to respect this horizon, to be sure that it can continue to be viewed from all vantage points as it is now, by all the residents and visitors to the city. We urge the City Council to respect the horizon.

Do not approve the two 25-story buildings proposed for Parcels H&I. We ask you to approve, at the most, a return to the six-eight story height limit that the city itself proposed in its own 1998 master plan for waterfront development. We further ask that these buildings be designed and sited in such a way that they do not obstruct the views of the River and the Palisades. Instruct the developers to create plans accordingly and to place all taller buildings east of the train track and out of any views of the River.

D. PROTECTING THE RIVER
The Land Conservancy is greatly concerned about any proliferation of automobile traffic and parking garages in close proximity to the waterfront. The River has only recently begun to recover from decades of runoff and pollutant abuse.

1. Impervious Surfaces
No impervious surfaces should be used between new buildings and the River.
The use of impervious surfaces along the “esplanade” will force pollutants and storm runoff to flow directly into the River.

2. Pollutant Runoff
Special provision should be made to control and contain pollutant runoff such as; Oil, Antifreeze, Coolants, Gasoline, Restaurant Cleaning Products. We should be very concerned about an influx of such pollutants into the River from a combination of rain water runoff and the hosing maintenance of parking facilities and outdoor cafes.

3. Parking Facilities
The Land Conservancy urges the City Council to consider building any future parking facilities east of the train tracks, creating a “car-free” zone west of the tracks. The trolleys envisioned by the developers could also bring people from parking garages to the waterfront or to the proposed Prospect Street bridge.

4. Riverbanks
The river banks, which are an integral part of the ecosystem of the waterway, must be replanted with native species that will hold the banks in place, feed the health of the river, and provide pleasure to the people visiting the waterfront. Consultants that are experts in

(D4. Continued)
the reconstruction of waterways should be hired to assist with waterfront planning. The development of a tidal marshway at the mouth of the Saw Mill River would be an asset to both waterways.

5. Native Species and Shoreline Preservation
Native species that utilize the River for food and habitat will be protected by the use of appropriate shoreline materials. The shoreline itself should retain its natural aspect. Impervious materials should not be incorporated into the shoreline restoration.

6. Bird Migration
The Hudson River is an important flyway for migrating songbirds and its banks host these populations as they travel. The planting of trees and shrubs that support birdlife would help protect our dwindling bird populations while providing pleasure to the people visiting the waterfront.

E. THE ESPLANADE AND PARKLAND

The dictionary definition of “Esplanade” is path, walkway, sidewalk, or boulevard.
An “Esplanade” of impervious materials, surrounded by roads and concrete sidewalks, is NOT the proper design for the riverbank.

1. Passive Parkland
The entire length of the waterfront should be planted with native species of trees and shrubs and should be passive parkland designed to reinvigorate the natural waterfront. Bike and walking paths made of a pervious surface material should be kept to the “inland” side away from the edge of the waterway.

2. Parkland/Esplanade Depth
The Esplanade at Parcels H&I, as well as along the waterfront areas planned for Phase 2 Development, should be a minimum of 150’ deep at all points.

3. Public Amenities
There should be benches and other seating for public use and public toilets should be included in one of the buildings designated for first floor retail space. Look to the model along NYC’s Riverfront Park. It is vital that public land remains public and does not become an amenity for condo owners and for restaurant owners in which to set up outdoor tables.

F. OPEN SPACE AND GREEN SPACE
A comparison of municipal open space from 1994 – 2004 of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle shows that each city has increased its amount of open space as follows:*

Yonkers 8% (with Ridge Hill 81 acres deducted from Yonkers open space total)**
White Plains 11.7%
New Rochelle 22%
*from: Westchester County Statistical Chart: 2004 Open Space Acreage by Municipality
** the 1994-2004 Westchester County Statistical Chart was compiled prior to the loss of 81 municipal acres to the Ridge Hill Village development.

(F. continued)
Redevelopment of the downtown presents Yonkers with the opportunity to redress the imbalance between Yonkers and the other two major cities in Westchester County. Yonkers has one of the worst open space vs. population ratios in the area. The land along the riverfront is our best choice to add substantial acreage to our open space.

We wish to state that the current open space adjacent to the Pier may be "open" but it is certainly not "green" nor has it any visual appeal. Manmade materials stretch in every direction! It should NOT be factored into a table of so-called “replacement open space” when parkland is lost to urban renewal throughout the city.

The Land Conservancy urges the City Council to remember that parks, a.k.a. “green space,” should actually be green. Professional landscape architects should be involved in each stage of development.

G. SUMMATION
We strongly urge the City Council to work with all developers to resolve two major issues
There should be no high-rise building west of the train tracks
Additional open and green space should be provided along the length of the river front.

The Yonkers public has vehemently rejected the proposal to build high-rises west of the train tracks, and has equally vehemently emphasized their desire for additional open space along the River. The Park Hill Land Conservancy supports public opinion on these two important matters.

December 11, 2006

Park Hill Land Conservancy
Board of Directors

Gail Averill, Chairman
Terry Joshi, Vice Chairman
Dorothy Fitch, Secretary
Marilee Scheuneman, Treasurer
John Close
Colin Cooke
Deborah Holcombe
Robert Whitney

ACCROSS THE RIVER: ROCKLAND REV's UP RIVER WATER

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/nyregion/30water.html

POLITICAL POST PATAKI PLANNER FOR YONKERS

http://yonkerstribune.typepad.com/yonkers_tribune/2007/01/amicone_names_p.html

Read Hezi Aris's article on YonkersTribune

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070130/NEWS02/701300367/1018/NEWS02

Read Mike Gannon's Article in today's journal news.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Ned Sullivan of Scenic Hudson on the Lighthouse Landing plan

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070129/OPINION/701290308/1076/OPINION03

Minutes of the Yonkers Empire Zone Administrative Board Meeting

Minutes of the Yonkers Empire Zone Administrative Board Meeting
May 31, 2006

Present- Board Members
Honorable Philip A. Amicone, City of Yonkers Mayor – The Chairman
Honorable Charles Lesnick, City of Yonkers Council President, Vice-Chairman
Frank J. Rubino, City of Yonkers Corporation Counsel
Louis (Skip) Caloia
Augustine (Guss) Hayes
Julius Walls, Jr.


Non-Members Present
Marty Peterson, Zone Certifying Officer
James LaPerche, City of Yonkers Finance Commissioner
William Regan, City of Yonkers Deputy Mayor
Louis Kirven III, Esq., Director Business Development, Empire State Economic Development Corporation
Christine Sculti, Regional Director-Mid Hudson Region, Empire State Economic Development Corporation
Shawn Griffin, Esq., Partner, Harris Beach LLP
Barbara Gordon Espejo, City of Yonkers Special Counsel
Rocky Richards, City of Yonkers Council President Office, Chief of Staff
Thomas Cathcart, City of Yonkers Assistant Corporation Counsel
Richard Heichel, City of Yonkers Economic Development Program Assistant
Mary Alice Brady, City of Yonkers Zone Coordinator
Helen Tvedt, Assistant Director Economic Development

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 11:41pm and the roll call was taken.
Six members were present.

Minutes of November 30, 2005 meeting
The Chairman introduced the minutes from the November 30, 2005 meeting.
Mr. Rubino motioned to accept the minutes. Mr. Hayes seconded the motion. The vote on the motion:
Approved 5-0

Resolution for Empire Zone Application for Certification
The Chairman reported that we were requested by the Governor to assist in extending benefits of the Empire Zone program to Bayer Health Care LLC as a “regionally significant project” to prevent the State from losing the company to Connecticut and losing 750 New York State jobs; and by supporting the application from Bayer, potentially 100 new jobs would be created to staff a new research division Greenburgh, N.Y, twenty-two of which would be Yonkers residents. . In addition, by designating a company as a “regionally significant project” the Yonkers Empire Zone does not lose any benefits or acreage. By resolution adoptedon November 30, 2005, this Board approved submitting the application of Bayer Health Care LLC to the City Council as a “regionally significant project” in the Yonkers Empire Zone, which became effective as of February 22, 2006. The Chairman informed the Board that on April 25, 2006, Empire State Development Corporation (“ESDC”) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles A. Gargano notified us that Bayer Health Care LLC-Diagnostics and Bayer Health Care LLC-Diabetes Care was now eligible to apply for Empire Zone certification. The Chairmen then requested that the Board vote on the application for certification for Bayer Health Care LLC. Mr. Lesnick motioned to accept the Resolution for Application for Certification. Mr. Hayes seconded the motion. The vote on the motion:
Approved 6-0

The Chairman stated “for the record” that the Town Supervisor of Greenburgh still has not thanked us for doing this for the town of Greenburgh.

Mr. Kirven concluded the matter by informing the Board that the Yonkers Empire Zone could extend its benefits anywhere in Westchester County as a regionally significant projectMr. Kirven and Ms. Sculti thanked the Board, on behalf of ESDC , for the support of the regionally significant project.

Other Business
The Board’s By-Laws were distributed to Board members.
Mary Alice Brady explained that since the legislation for the Empire Zones program was amended in April 2005, the Board is required tovote on all applications for certifications .. Board-approved applications for certificate have either passed the 15/1 benchmark cost benefit analysis or a justification has been provided. At the last Board meeting, November 30, 2005, approximately 15-20 applications were presented to this Board. Mr. Lesnick stated that it was his first Board meeting and a lot has changed since he worked with the program several years ago..

Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 12:15pm by Mr. Lesnick and seconded by Mr. Rubino. The vote on the motion:
Approved 6-0

Sunday, January 28, 2007

YOU HAVE GOT TO LOVE DOLLAR DEALS!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/28njfort.html

THE IMPACT OF VIEWS ON YOUR PROPERTY VALUES: RELEVANT TO YONKERS

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/realestate/28deal1.html

GREEN BUILDING BY HABITIAT FOR HUMANITY

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/28cthabitat.html

Yonkers Empire Zone Administrative Board Meeting

Agenda

Yonkers Empire Zone Administrative Board Meeting
Mayors Reception Room
Tuesday December 19, 2006
10:30 am

Roll Call

Approval Of Minutes From Last Board Meeting

Resolution for Zone Capital Credit Community Development Project-
Allison B. Tannenbaum, Hudson River Museum

RESOLUTION OF THE YONKERS EMPIRE ZONE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD APPROVING SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION OF KIMBER MFG. INC. AND POP DISPLAYS USA LLC TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR INCLUSION IN YONKERS EMPIRE ZONE AS REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS Barbara Gordon Espejo, Special Counsel


RESOLUTION OF THE YONKERS EMPIRE ZONE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD APPROVING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO RE-DESIGNATED BOUNDARIES OF THE YONKERS EMPIRE ZONE Barbara Gordon Espejo, Special Counsel

Resolutions for Empire Zone Applications for Certifications- Mary Alice Brady, Empire Zone Coordinator
A& A Maintenance Enterprise, Inc.
Etectonics LLC
D& S Auto Collision Inc.
OCD Properties, Inc.
Beverly Hills Limo & Corporate Coach, Inc.
Thruway Builders Inc.
Drive Land Development Corp.
Lashe Corporation
3 Square Meals LLC
Paul’s Custom Woodwork

Other Business

Adjournment