Welcome to the third issue of The Open Space Advocate Newsletter, a new online newsletter focusing on open space issues in North Castle. If you missed the previous issues click here to read them: 2/14/07 Newsletter, 2/26/07 Newsletter,
Residents Tell Town Board to Protect Historic District
On February 28th, residents filled the auditorium of H.C. Crittenden Middle School for a public hearing and voiced their overwhelming support for preserving the Bedford Road Historic District. 15 of the 18 residents that spoke urged the Town Board to uphold the decision of the Landmarks Preservation Committee ("LPC") denying its approval of the Armonk Square project as presently planned because of the negative impact it will have on the Bedford Road Historic District.
These speakers included such respected members of our community as:
Reverend Harry Abernathy, Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church;
Donald Gregg, Warden of St. Stephen's;
Doris Finch Watson, North Castle Town Historian;
Jack Paschke, President- North Castle Historical Society;
Judge Sue Shimer, former North Castle Town Judge;
Howard Arden, Chair - Open Space Committee;
Alex Bacon, Chair - Architectural Review Board; and
Neil Singer, President - Whippoorwill Home Owner's Association
Many speakers stressed that the Town Board should support the LPC's decision because the LPC members have the necessary expertise and are empowered by the Town Code to make such decisions. They also noted that the LPC's decision was correct because of the negative impact that a two lane road would have on the Historic District. Other speakers noted that if the Town Board overturned the LPC's decision it would send a terrible message to every volunteer board and committee.
At the public hearing, Dr. Nicholas J. Cerullo, Chair of the LPC, explained the careful and painstaking process that the LPC used to review the documents provided to them by the developer Antares in order to reach its decision. Dr. Cerullo also noted that there was a need for "responsible communication" by the developer, noting that important traffic study information requested by the LPC was originally withheld by the developer. The developer did not provide the LPC with the requested information for a full five to six weeks after the LPC issued its decision on December 7, 2006.
The Town Board needs to hear from all of us on this important issue by this Friday. Please take a minute and e-mail the Town Board now at townclerk@northcastleny.com. Tell them to uphold the LPC's decision and protect our Historic District.
Town Board Should Not Postpone Its Vote on the Appeal of LPC's Decision
At the February 28th public hearing, the Town Board said that it would not vote on the appeal of the LPC's decision until the environmental review process on Armonk Square is complete. This decision to postpone the vote is contrary to the Town Code. The Town Code clearly requires the Town Board to decide the appeal within 30 days after the public hearing. Likewise, the Town Code provides that the LPC's decision is exempt from the environmental review process. Therefore the Town Board's decision of the appeal is also exempt from the environmental review process. For more information on the environmental review process click here "Environmental Review".
Is there a way to develop the Armonk Square property and protect the Bedford Road Historic District? Yes.
Antares has a right to develop its property, but not in a manner that is detrimental to the Bedford Road Historic District.
Antares should withdraw its appeal of the LPC's decision and work with the LPC to find a creative solution that protects the Bedford Road Historic District.
All public comments regarding the appeal of the LPC's decision on Armonk Square must be delivered to the Town Clerk's office by this Friday, March 30th at 4:30 pm.
Email the Town Board at this e-mail address: townclerk@northcastleny.com. Tell them to uphold the Landmarks Preservation Committee's decision and protect our Historic District.
Write to the North Castle Town Board and send it to Town Hall, 15 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504 or fax it to 273 - 4176.
The Open Space Advocate Newsletter is written by Kerri A. Kazak, an attorney and open space advocate. Ms. Kazak formerly served as co-chair of the North Castle Open Space Committee. She is co-founder of the North Castle Land Trust, a chapter of the Westchester Land Trust. Ms. Kazak is also co-founder and co-chair of the Citizens' Campaign to Save Seven Springs. This newsletter is an independent publication with no affiliation with the North Castle town government or any other community groups or organizations.
