Government Meetings
BLIND BROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION. Blind Brook Middle/High School Library, 840 King St., Rye Brook. 7:30 p.m. Regular monthly meeting. Open to the public. For information, agenda, call District Clerk Vivian Groccia at 914-937-3600 x1001, email her at [email protected] or visit blindbrook.org
Sunrise Senior Living looks to modify plan for 900 King St. community
Progress continues to be made for the development of 900 King St. into an age-restricted senior living community after a period of dormancy.
How do you close a local newspaper?
Parting is bittersweet
It’s the end of an era—and a particularly happy one.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Town of Rye Justice Courtroom, 350 N. Main St., Port Chester. 7 p.m. Draft agenda: 1) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the code re “Noise” re waivers for construction noise to provide the authority for the Board of Trustees to grant waivers in any zoning district. 2) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the code re appearance tickets to provide authority to issue appearance tickets for offenses to the zoning inspector. 3) Continued public hearing in connection with United Hospital’s amended site plan application. 4) Public comments. 5) Report of the village manager. 6) Authorizing the village manager to execute a stipulation of retirement between the Village of Port Chester and Building Inspector Kevin Donohue effective Dec. 20, 2024. 7) MOU between the Village of Port Chester and the Port Chester Historical Society. 8) Setting a public hearing to consider a local law amending the chapter re zoning administration. 9) Add-on: Designate The Journal News as the official newspaper of the Village of Port Chester. 10) Add-on: Article 78 settlement agreement with 28 Pearl Street Development LLC and 28-34 Pearl Street OZ Fund IV QOZB Manager, LLC. 11) Add-ons: Election of 3 new members to active membership to fire companies.
Tamarack Tower Turkey Trot jogs on a few days earlier than usual
Although it couldn’t be held on Thanksgiving morning as it traditionally has been, the Tamarack Tower Foundation Turkey Trot, held on Sunday, Nov. 24 on the streets around Port Chester High School, attracted about 200 runners and walkers including adults, high school students and children.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY. Village Hall Conference Room, 222 Grace Church St., Port Chester. 6:30 p.m. Regular monthly meeting. Open to the public. For information, agenda, call 914-937-6780 or visit portchesternyida.org
Will we recognize Port Chester in five years?
The Village of Port Chester is in a state of upheaval—with old buildings being demolished and new ones slowly taking their place. It’s called redevelopment and will without a doubt completely change the face of downtown. But will it be for the better in the long run? I hope so.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Town of Rye Justice Court, 350 N. Main St., Port Chester. 7 p.m.: Public meeting. Draft Agenda: 1) Public hearing to consider a local law amending the zoning code to exempt existing buildings in the downtown district from the parking requirements. 2) Public hearing to consider a local law amending the zoning code to correct language related to the impervious surface coverage requirement. 3) Public hearing to consider a local law amending the zoning code to amend the civic designation for parking lots and structures in the principal use table. 4) Public hearing in connection with the United Hospital amended site plan application.
Village board considering changes to plan for United Hospital site
Public invited to Monday, Dec. 2 hearing on adding 182 apartments to the mix
The owners of the former United Hospital site are moving forward with their application for an amended site plan for the property which would add 182 residential units and change the mix to focus on smaller apartments. The owners, Boston Post Road LLC, have been monitoring the changing needs for real estate and saw the demand for smaller units, said their attorney, Anthony Gioffre of Cuddy & Feder in White Plains, at the Nov. 4 Port Chester Board of Trustees meeting.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA WORK SESSION. Village Hall Conference Room, 222 Grace Church St., Port Chester. 6 p.m.: Executive session. 6:30 p.m.: Public meeting. Draft agenda: 1) Discussion: Panettone cookies for tree lighting event. 2) Discussion: Battery Energy Storage Systems Conceptual local law. 3) Discussion: Amending Chapter 224 Noise to provide the authority for the Board of Trustees to grant waivers in any zoning district. 4) Discussion: Planning report and recommendation re self-storage facilities. 5) Discussion: Extension of self-storage moratorium. 6) Discussion: Planning report and recommendation re accessory dwelling units. 7) Discussion: Authorizing the village manager to execute an agreement with G&S Port Chester LLC to terminate the Land Acquisition and Disposition Agreement. 8) Discussion: Current vacancies and forthcoming resignations from the Taxi Commission. 9) Report of the village manager. 10) Setting a public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the code “Noise” section “Waiver for Construction Noise” to provide the authority for the Board of Trustees to grant waivers in any zoning district. 11) Setting a public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the code “Appearance Tickets” section “Persons Authorized to Issue Tickets” to provide authority to issue appearance tickets for offenses to the zoning inspector. 12) Correspondence: From Janelle Carroll resigning from the Taxi Commission. 13) Correspondence: From the Taxi Commission requesting more members. 14) Work session on agendas for Dec. 2 and Dec. 16 meetings. Open to the public. For information, final agenda and backup, call 914-939-5202 or visit portchesterny.gov
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION. Port Chester Middle School Auditorium, Bowman Avenue, Rye Brook. 7 p.m. Regular monthly meeting. Open to the public. For information, agenda, call District Clerk Cathy Maggi at 914-934-7922, email her at [email protected] or visit portchesterschools.org
P.C. IDA seeks input on strategies to improve economic development
Nov. 20 webinar will educate and gather comments
With a flurry of development taking place in the Village of Port Chester spurred on by tax incentives from the Port Chester Industrial Development Agency, the IDA now has funds to undertake studies, according to its chairman, Frank Ferrara, a former Port Chester trustee.
Owners of former hospital site seek 182 more residential units
Boston Post Road Owner LLC is looking for an amended site plan for the former United Hospital property, according to discussion at the Monday, Oct. 28 Board of Trustees agenda-setting session.
Government Meetings
RYE TOWN BOARD. Crawford Community Center, 122 N. Ridge St., Rye Brook. 6 p.m. 2025 Rye Town Budget Workshop. Town clerk to present the Tentative 2025 Budget to the Town Board. Open to the public. For information, call Town Clerk Hope Vespia at 914-939-3570 or email her at [email protected]
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA WORK SESSION. Village Hall Conference Room, 222 Grace Church St., Port Chester. 6:30 p.m. Draft agenda: 1) Discussion: Using Civic Clerk to create and distribute meeting agendas and backup materials. 2) Discussion: Waiver of time limitations for construction noise for the development of the approved 12-story mixed use building at 146 Westchester Ave. (formerly 140-150 Westchester Ave.). 3) Discussion: Rye Town Park designation of lead agency in accordance with SEQRA for a specific project. 4) Discussion: December 2024 agenda calendar. 5) Discussion: Approving Board of Trustees regular meeting dates for 2025. 6) Discussion: Battery energy storage system conceptual local law. 7) Discussion: Parking requirements re change of use within downtown zoning districts conceptual local law. 8) Discussion: Impervious surface coverage zoning code cleanup conceptual local law. 9) Discussion: Removing “civic” requirement from parking lot/parking structures in principal use table for properties in the CD-4MU: conceptual local law. 10) Discussion: Accessory dwelling units. 11) Report of the village manager. 12) Correspondence: From the American Legion requesting an appropriation to assist with the Veterans Day ceremony. 13) Correspondence: From Brian Harris resigning from the Taxi Commission. 14) Work session on the Nov. 4 Board of Trustees meeting agenda. 15) Work session on the Nov. 18 Board of Trustees meeting agenda. Open to the public. For information, final agenda and backup, call 914-939-5202 or visit portchesterny.gov
Government Meetings
RYE TOWN BOARD. Crawford Community Center, 122 N. Ridge St., Rye Brook. 6 p.m. Special meeting and 2025 budget workshop. Agenda: 1) Judicial staffing, equipment, IT, contract expenses and training. 2) Tax receiver staffing, equipment, IT, contract expenses and training. 3) Crawford Park staffing, equipment, IT, contract expenses, program planning and capital planning. Open to the public. 4) Executive session to discuss specific personnel matters. Call Town Clerk Hope Vespia at 914-939-3570 for information.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Town of Rye Justice Courtroom, 350 N. Main St., Port Chester. 7 p.m.: Public meeting. Draft agenda: 1) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the code regarding the appointment of the chairperson of the Planning Commission. 2) Public hearing to consider an application for an exemption to the moratorium on self-storage facilities at 123 Oak St. 3) Public comments. 4) Report of the village manager. 5) Conditional offer of employment to Luis Marino, Jr. as a police officer. 6) Conditional offer of employment to Kevin Iglesias as a police officer....
900 King Associates partners with Sunrise to develop long-awaited senior housing
It wasn’t a surprise to members of the Rye Brook Board of Trustees, who had been kept in the loop, but it was news to the public on Sept. 24 that 900 King Associates LLC has contracted with Sunrise Development Inc. to build and operate the senior housing development previously approved for the site at 900 King St. where a vacant 200,000-square-foot office building and expansive surface parking lot now stand adjacent to Blind Brook Middle/High School and The Arbors townhouse development.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Town of Rye Justice Courtroom, 350 N. Main St., Port Chester.: Public meeting. Draft agenda: 1) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the zoning code to rezone property along Beech Street from R-2F, two-family to CD-4MU, General Urban Character District Mixed Use. 2) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the zoning code to amend provisions relating to parking space requirements. 3) Public hearing on the advisability of imposing a temporary moratorium on the creation of new accessory dwelling units in the village. 4) Public comment period related to the draft 2024 Downtown Revitalization Initiative application. 5) Public comments. 6) Report of the village manager...
The Magellan has risen and is now 75% leased
The Magellan, the 7-story building locals have watched rise at the corner of South Main Street and Boston Post Road and now wraps around that bend as a precursor structure torn down decades ago used to do, is complete. What’s more, the apartments within it are 75% leased.
Port Chester recognized as Pro-Housing Community
Certification strengthens village’s application for $10M DRI grant
Port Chester been recognized as a certified Pro-Housing Community by New York State Homes and Community Renewal. This recognition strengthens the village’s application for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant, a $10 million award from New York’s Empire State Development program, according to a Sept. 12 press release from the Village of Port Chester.
Government Meetings
RYE TOWN BOARD SPECIAL MEETING AND 2025 BUDGET WORKSHOP. Crawford Community Center, 122 N. Ridge St., Rye Brook. 5:30-7 p.m. Open to the public. For information, call 914-939-3570.
Anthony Napoli to lead Columbus Day Parade
The Columbus Day Observance Committee has been planning the annual Columbus Day Parade for months, and they have named a grand marshal to lead it—Anthony Napoli, a well-known and beloved community figure who was involved in the education of students for 57 years.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER HOUSING TASK FORCE. Village Hall Conference Room, 222 Grace Church St., Port Chester. 7 p.m. Meeting of this task force appointed by the village board to study housing options in the village and to make suggestions on how to improve them. Open to the public. For information, agenda, call the village clerk’s office at 914-939-5202.
Government Meetings
RYE TOWN BOARD. Crawford Mansion Community Center, 122 N. Ridge St., Rye Brook. 6 p.m. Regular monthly meeting. Open to the public. Hybrid meeting. The Town will also be using Zoom to host those who wish to join. Email Town Clerk Hope Vespia at [email protected] for the link. You can see the video and hear the audio of the live session on the Town of Rye’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TownofRyeNY/
New deputy village attorney is making an impact in P.C.
Calli Jones, Port Chester’s first deputy village attorney, is taking her job seriously and getting results. Among other legal functions, she is the village’s in-house code enforcement prosecutor. And her office is on the second floor at Village Hall in the Code Enforcement Department.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER HOUSING TASK FORCE. Village Hall Conference Room, 222 Grace Church St., Port Chester. 7 p.m. Meeting of this task force appointed by the village board to study housing options in the village and to make suggestions on how to improve them. Open to the public. For information, agenda, call the village clerk’s office at 914-939-5202.
Code enforcement dissected by an expert
Code enforcement—a topic important to every community, not just Port Chester.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Rye Town Justice Court, 350 N. Main St., Port Chester. 6 p.m.: Executive session to interview candidates for the Planning Commission. 7 p.m.: Public meeting. Draft Agenda: 1) Continued public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the zoning code imposing a temporary development moratorium on self-storage facilities. 2) Presentation from the Port Chester Carver Center which is in the process of completing a third CDBG application for the renovation of the facility parking lot. 3) Public comments. 4) Report of the village manager. 5) From Washington Engine & Hose on the election of Laurence Caligan to active membership. 6) Approving an extension of the Final United Hospital Subdivision Plat Approval by the Board of Trustees dated Mar. 18, 2024. 7) Authorizing the village manager to enter into a retainer agreement with Paul Derohannesian, Esq., an election attorney. 8) Setting a public hearing on a proposed local law amending the zoning code and the official zoning map of the village to rezone properties on Beech Street from R-2F to CD-4MU. 9) Authorizing IMA with the County of Westchester for access to the County Repository for Integrated Criminalistic Information. 10) Setting a public hearing to consider adopting a local law to amend the zoning code to amend provisions relating to parking space requirements and referring same to the Westchester County Planning Board and the Port Chester Planning Commission. 11) FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget Transfer – Fire Department training. 12) Establish capital project for sanitary sewer improvement on Irving Avenue. 13) Public comments and board comments. Regular bimonthly meeting. Open to the public. For information, complete agenda and backup, call 914-939-5202 or visit portchesterny.gov
What’s so bad about dogs in Port Chester parks?
As we have just celebrated International Dog Day on Monday, Aug. 26, let’s talk about dogs in Port Chester parks, which has been a hot topic around the village and a subject of discussion at village board meetings in recent months.
State legislature approves permit parking for P.C.’s Washington Park neighborhood
The Village of Port Chester is on its way to being able to implement a residential parking system in the Washington Park neighborhood to make it easier for residents to find a place to park on the street near where they live.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER TRAFFIC COMMISSION. Village Hall Conference Room, 222 Grace Church St., Port Chester. 6:30 p.m. Agenda will include discussion regarding parking on Nella Way within the Fox Commons residential development. Regular monthly meeting. Open to the public. For information, complete agenda, call the Village Clerk’s Office at 914-939-5202.
Out of season
I remember admiring the banners in the Port Chester Marina Parking Lot on Abendroth Avenue and taking photos of them the winter they were installed with snow on the ground.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Town of Rye Justice Court, 350 N. Main St., Port Chester. 6 p.m.: Closed session consultation with village attorney. 7 p.m.: Public meeting. Draft Agenda: 1) Presentation by Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman. 2) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the code imposing a temporary development moratorium on self-storage facilities. 3) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the code to increase the maximum weight of vehicles parked on residential premises. 4) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the zoning code to establish a Public Parking Incentive Zone. 5) Public hearing to amend the code imposing a temporary development moratorium on battery energy storage systems in order to review and make necessary changes to the zoning code. 6) Public hearing to consider adopting a local law amending the code on Senior Citizen Tax Exemptions to increase the extent of exemptions. 7) Public hearing to consider approving the Village of Port Chester’s CDBG application for the purchasing and installation of traffic controls and other improvements at the Westchester Avenue and Bowman Avenue intersection. 8) Public hearing to consider approving the Village of Port Chester’s CDBG application for the design and installation of a sanitary sewer relief pipe to be located at the intersection of Willett Avenue and Broad Street. 9) Presentation by Carver Center which is in the process of completing a CDBG application for the purchase and installation of security cameras.
Redesign of Bowman-Westchester intersection will make it safer for drivers and pedestrians
There are several problematic intersections in Port Chester, and one of them, arguably the most dangerous, will be getting a makeover within the next year. Located close to the Port Chester/Rye Brook border, the place where Bowman and Westchester avenues converge throws the inexperienced or unaware driver for a loop. Coming from Rye Brook on Westchester Avenue, do you stop as you go through the intersection or just yield to traffic filtering in on the right from Bowman?
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER PLANNING COMMISSION. Town of Rye Justice Court, 350 N. Main St., Port Chester. 6:30 p.m. Agenda: 1) Continued public hearing on application for site plan redevelopment approval for revisions within the 15-story building of 280 residential units, 8,700 s.f. of ground floor commercial space ad 271 self-parking spaces at 44 Broad St. 2) Continued public hearing on application for site plan approval and special exception use to allow for a 3-story self-storage facility at 120 Midland Ave. 3) Continued public hearing on application for site plan approval for reuse of the existing building to convert warehouse space into four loft style apartments at 189 ½ N. Main St. 4) Continued public meeting on application for site plan approval to redevelop the premises at 128-156 N. Main St. with 234 residential units and 245 off-street parking spaces. 5) New public meeting on application for special exception use and site plan approval for a proposed annex to an existing self-storage building at 123 Oak St. (FKA 200 William St.) Regular monthly meeting. Open to the public. For information, agenda backup, call 914-937-6780 or visit portchesterny.gov
Blood drive at AJP on Aug. 10 in memory of Anthony G. Sotire
Maria Sotire is hosting another blood drive in her husband Anthony G. Sotire’s memory on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center in Rye Brook. He was the owner of Double R A Construction Corp. in Rye Brook which she continues to operate.
Government Meetings
WESTCHESTER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY. County Executive’s Office, 148 Martine Ave., 9th Floor Conference Room 912, White Plains. 8:30 a.m. Open to the public. Members of the public may view this meeting online at meetings.westchestergov.com. For information, agenda, call 914-995-2932 or go to https://westchestercountynyexec.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
What a difference!
At the end of May I wrote in this column about an extraordinary eyesore at 123 Pearl St.—a fence surrounding the property that hadn’t been painted in years and often stopped me in my tracks during my weekly trips around the Villages of Port Chester and Rye Brook.
A neater image
The brand new Toter food scrap receptacles at the far end of the parking lot at Rye Brook Village Hall are more secure than the old ones, keeping out raccoons and presenting a neater image.
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Village Hall Conference Room, 222 Grace Church St., Port Chester. 6 p.m. Special meeting. Agenda: 1) Setting a public hearing for Aug. 5 for approval of the Village of Port Chester’s CDBG application for the purchasing and installation of traffic controls and other improvements at the Westchester Avenue and Bowman Avenue intersection. 2) Setting a public hearing for Aug. 5 for approval of the Village of Port Chester’s CDBG application for the design and installation of a sanitary sewer relief pipe to be located at the intersection of Willett Avenue and Broad Street. Open to the public. For information, agenda backup, call 914-939-5202 or visit portchesterny.gov.
From Our Editor: Westmore News recognized for its coverage of government
No matter what field you’re in, even local government, conventions are a highlight of the year. Besides being a learning experience, both through seminars and just catching up with and commiserating with other people in your industry about common problems, goals and solutions, they are meant to be fun and rewarding.
The Gulliver’s fire
Two communities remember a tragedy five decades later
The Gulliver’s nightclub fire of June 30, 1974 is ingrained in the psyche of most Port Chester residents who were alive at least 50 years ago, and particularly anyone related to the Port Chester Fire Department. For every volunteer firefighter celebrating 50 or more years with the department, it is the incident they recall most vividly and horrifically so many years later.
Government Meetings
BLIND BROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION. Blind Brook Middle/High School Library, 840 King St., Rye Brook. 6:30 p.m. Reorganization meeting. Agenda includes: Swearing in of newly elected board members, electing president and vice president of the board and yearly reorganization resolutions. Open to the public. For information, complete agenda, call District Clerk Vivian Groccia at 914-937-3600 x1001, email her at [email protected] or visit blindbrook.org
Government Meetings
PORT CHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION. Port Chester Middle School Auditorium, Bowman Avenue, Rye Brook. 5 p.m. Reorganization meeting. Agenda includes: Swearing in of newly elected board members, electing president and vice president of the board and yearly reorganization resolutions. Open to the public. For information, complete agenda, call District Clerk Cathy Maggi at 914-934-7922, email her at [email protected] or visit portchesterschools.org.
IDA awards Westchester Crossing $161.6M financial aid package
Incentive will make mixed-use project on United Hospital site viable
Following a public hearing on May 30 at which no one showed up to speak, the Port Chester Industrial Development Agency (IDA) met again on June 12 and approved a financial aid package to make possible the successful completion of Westchester Crossing, the long-awaited mixed-use development approved by the Port Chester Board of Trustees for the former 15.45-acre United Hospital property.
Government Meetings
RYE BROOK BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Meeting Room, Village Hall, 938 King St., Rye Brook. 6:45 p.m.: Executive session to discuss Unimac settlement. 7:30 p.m.: Public meeting. Draft agenda: 1) Considering approval of a legal settlement with Unimac LLC. 2) Considering approval of the scoping document for 975 Anderson Hill Rd. 3) Considering approving road paving list as per contract. 4) Considering approving/denying MOU and 2024 extension of electric service agreement to continue to participate in a community choice aggregation program managed by Sustainable Westchester.
Work can now resume on 30 Broad St. building
Work on the mixed-use building that will house a brewpub, apartments and offices across from the Metro-North station should resume soon.
Crosswalk to Crawford considered
Pedestrian walkway would make crossing North Ridge Street safer and slow traffic
Joe Laronga, who lives across the street from the entrance to Crawford Park, appeared before the Rye Brook Board of Trustees a few months ago to voice his concern about the speeding motorists on North Ridge Street and the need for a crosswalk to safely traverse one of the village’s main thoroughfares to the park. It didn’t take the Village of Rye Brook long to heed Laronga’s call for action.
Government Meetings
BLIND BROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION CELEBRATION OF TEACHING. George C. Trautwein Theater, Blind Brook High School, 840 King St., Rye Brook. Refreshments at 7 p.m., program at 7:30 p.m. Recognition of retirees and those receiving tenure. Open to the public. For information, call District Clerk Vivian Groccia at 914-937-3600 x1001, email her at [email protected] or visit blindbrook.org
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