Conservation Advisory Council Statement on Sale of Village Owned Land

Here is a statement from the Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council that was read at the Scarsdale Village Planning Board meeting on April 14, 2011 during a discussion of the sale of Village owned land at 2-4 Weaver Street to developer Stephen Oder.

Good evening, I am Lena Crandall, speaking on behalf of the Village of Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council. We are concerned with the long-term impacts the current and future use of the subject property may have on open space, neighborhood character and storm water management given the proximity of the land in question to neighboring undeveloped village parcels, the Five Corners Village Center, and the Sheldrake River Watershed.

The CAC’s Open Space Report, which is available on the Village website highlights the often unrecognized value of undeveloped land. The parking lot area in question, together with the other Village-owned parcels along Weaver Street and the By-Pass create a greenspace buffer and natural entrance to the Five Corners. Equal consideration should be given to the resident-friendly opportunities at this crossroads to promote pedestrian safety, extend the New Rochelle Bike Route into Scarsdale, and beautify the area with landscaping designed to absorb storm water runoff.

Returning now to the driveway and parking lot, please take notice of the intrusion of asphalt over the boundary line and under the trees in lot 91. We are told this is to accommodate excess parking needs for the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp. While this small, messy area may seem insignificant, it raises a number of red flags. If there is a demonstrated need for more Ambulance Corp parking; then an attractive, environmentally responsible solution should be determined after public hearings by the appropriate land use boards.

The Village-Wide Comprehensive Storm Water Management Plan details the importance of viewing all lands as being in a watershed. It is our understanding that there is a wet area located across the By-Pass, as well as continued flooding concerns downstream in the Village of Mamaroneck. Accordingly, this conservation council urges an analysis of the Draft Wetlands Map, prepared by Evans and Associates as well as the drainage patterns identified in the storm water study, in order to determine the relationship of these Village-owned lots to the local and regional wetlands and storm water systems. Given the recent development at Heathcote Manor, further studies may be warranted to protect the public.

In conclusion, it is the “big picture” of environmental considerations we ask you to include in your analysis of all village lands - all the time; but, this evening with particular focus on the public parcels located along Weaver Street. As the Village’s Conservation Advisory Council, we recommend that the Land Use Committee work together with staff

“...to give adequate consideration to ensure both the preservation of community character as described in the Village Comprehensive Plan and the protection of residents from the adverse environmental consequences our laws are designed to prevent.” Quote from the Scarsdale Forum’s [previously known as The Town and Village Civic Club Education Forum] Report of the Zoning and Planning Committee on Construction Project Approval Activities.