Public Hearing on Moratorium Extension, FASNY Scoping Session Set for Oct. 3.

The White Plains Common Council voted at its regular meeting Tuesday to set an Oct. 3 public hearing on a local law that would extend the City’s moratorium on land use approvals by seven months.

The moratorium only affects parcels in the R1-12.5 and R1-30 zoning districts that are listed as parkland in the City’s comprehensive plan, and aren’t owned by the City or White Plains School District. It was originally set to expire on Oct. 17 when it was passed on April 4.

If the council adopts the new law the moratorium would be extended until May 17, 2012.

The moratorium forbids the approval of site plans; special permits; area variances; activity on environmentally sensitive sites; storm water management and sediment erosion control plants; flood development permits and more.

It was established so the City could conduct studies on remaining open spaces in White Plains, and decide whether the City’s current land use policies are properly aligned with the comprehensive plan.

As a result of the study, the City has proposed zoning and land use changes that would establish an Open Space Recreation District (OSRED). Council members explained that the extension is needed in order for the City to thoroughly complete the mandated state environmental quality review of the proposed zoning/land use changes, as well as allow for the public to have proper input on the matter.

The French-American School of New York—who plans to build a K-12 campus on the former Ridgeway Country Club site, which falls within the moratorium and OSRED’s jurisdiction—has called the moratorium “” and the OSRED “,” citing that it is targeted to hinder their plans.

Many local residents are opposed to FASNY's project saying that it would exacerbate existing flooding and drainage issues in the area; overwhelm local roads with traffic; change the character of the neighborhood; reduce surrounding property values; amongst other complaints.

Click for a story on the public hearing on the first moratorium, and for a story on the scoping session held on the OSRED. As both of these hearings ended up focusing on FASNY’s proposal, it could be expected that the same will happen on Oct. 3

The council will have final say on the project as they must vote to approve FASNY’s special permit, which is required to run a school on the site. The council declared itself lead agency for the environmental review of FASNY’s application for a special permit at Tuesday’s meeting.

FASNY will be making a presentation on its draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for their application during a scoping session to be held after the council’s meeting on Oct. 3. 

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