In another recent email blast, Mr Feiner all but admitted he and his Board have helped to hurt business along Central Avenue. He said, “The Austin Ave & Ridge Hill developments have hurt businesses located on Central Ave. And the soon to open up Rivertowns Square shopping plaza off the Saw Mill River Parkway will hurt local businesses even more.” Mr Feiner has never met a major project or developer he has not endorsed or supported. While these two examples were not approved by he and his Board, the Unincorporated Town is full of similar projects, showing his largess to developers by his actions. Although there is now one he's gone against, The Jefferson in Ardsley.
More importantly, many residents, business owners, the G10 and others concerned with all of the regulations, fees, fines, permits, etc., that business owners are faced with from the Town have warned of the ill-effects it will have on not only our retail businesses, but our service industries in general. One example several years ago was when the Town Board directly tried to create a fine through a “new regulation” addressed specifically against the Apple Farm.
It seems that one of the Board members had gone to the Apple Farm and saw the flimsy wooden and/or cardboard crates stacked on the sidewalk after being delivered that morning. Seizing on an opportunity to balance the Town’s budget given its lawsuit payments and fines, a discussion about safety ensued. Of course the end result was a new regulation with a fine. This was never about safety. And, the sidewalk is on private property and doesn’t even fall under the aegis of the Town.
There is little left in our Town that isn’t taxed, regulated, or fineable, has a fee attached to it or allows for simply something you can do without government overreach fondling our wallets. And when there does happen to be something not regulated, requiring a fee or is, perish the thought, free, there’s a politician researching how to write a new bill to allow government to tax it! Is it any wonder people are voting with their feet? But, it turns out Greenburgh is not alone.
The City of White Plains released their proposed budget several days ago. As do all politicians, they bemoaned the NYS 2% Tax Cap as the cause for their financial woes. The reality is the tax cap is superficial and the real issue is their lack of budgetary and financial savvy. Let’s take a look at a few of their budget changes. The low hanging fruit, if you will, are the successful businesses that won’t do more than balk a bit and then pay up. Case in point is the Cabaret Licensing that was just approved by the White Plains Council to the tune of a 400% increase from $500 per year to now $2,500 per year! In White Plains these cabaret licenses must be renewed yearly, effective July 1, 2016. Although, come election-time, you’ll hear them all profess, “I’ll fight for you!”
According to White Plains Common Council President James Kirkpatrick, “But we had a ridiculously low tax cap this year — one tenth of one percent — and we haven’t raised some of these fees in a long time.” So, there you have it, a valid reason to increase fees 400% - simply because it hasn’t been done in a while. He claimed that cabaret licensing required a significant amount of work by city staffers to review and administer these applications. Hello? This is why you have these staff members, to do the City’s work, review applications and paperwork. Why are some taxpayers being taxed a second time and forced to pay twice for services?
The state tax cap has limited the amount of money local governments can raise through taxes to two percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. For Greenburgh it is about the same as White Plains, which is 0.12 percent. However, all these various Boards must do is vote to go beyond the tax cap and then they can do whatever they feel the need to do. The real problem is fear. None of them want to be the bad guy who voted openly to raise taxes.
Fee increases are also coming for eateries that provide sidewalk seating and service during the spring and summer. Those businesses currently pay $7.50 per square foot of public sidewalk that is used. Beginning July 1, the rate will be $8 per square foot. Coin operated laundries in the city will see their annual licensing fee escalate from $50 to $150 for those with 30 machines or fewer, and from $100 to $250 for laundromats with 31 or more machines.
All businesses will be charged more for alarm permits, with the annual license renewal doubling from $100 to $200 a year. Businesses will also see an increase in the cost of the annual fire inspection required by city fire code, from $4.20 per $1,000 of assessed value to $5 per $1,000 — a 19 percent increase.
Most business owners never saw it coming. Commuters and residents won’t be spared from fee increases either, with the price of city parking permits going up by varying amounts, depending on type of permit and location of the lot or garage. The residential alarm permit application fee remains the same at $50, but the annual permit renewal cost has been doubled from $25 to $50. Also going up, from $7.50 to $10, is the cost of obtaining a police accident report. The price of a police Good Conduct certificate, which is sometimes requested by potential employers, is rising from $5 to $25. Look around in White Plains when you are searching for a parking space. There is no place you can park for free. Frankly, many have stopped shopping in White Plains for that reason alone.
So why does all of this matter? It’s simple really. Again, in his daily email blast, where Mr Feiner discussed Austin Ave & Ridge Hill developments and the impending Rivertowns Square shopping plaza off the Saw Mill River Parkway, his solution is to shut down one lane or one side of Central Avenue and treat it like a street fair once a month. Not only is this absurd, it would be a logistical nightmare from a safety, traffic, travel and crowd control standpoint. Frankly, it’s not a solution, it’s another Feiner deflection away from the real issue – over-development. Plus, all we need is one senior to drive the wrong way or get confused and turn into the wrong area and it was all for naught.
Here’s a better idea. Plan a budget that works within the amount of money the Town takes in through all of its current revenue streams. Then start reviewing those that have been inactive, unused or ignored and delete them. Then begin to incorporate a Comprehensive Plan for each city, town, village and community and adhere to it. Most important, however, is to have the politicians, who know nothing about operating a successful business, get out of the way of business and let them do what they do. They are the experts and they will figure out the solution.
Finally, Mr Feiner, as you approve these major building proposals throughout the Town, you have been told by many how these projects will affect business. Sadly, while you and your Board refuse to listen, many residents, especially those with kids, are too fearful to take a bike ride on our streets because you have over-developed the area and there is just too much traffic. There is no cohesive planning to develop and more importantly maintain walking and biking throughout our Town. Why fix it when you can talk about it? This has to stop. Only then will we get A Better Greenburgh.
Showing posts with label Apple Farm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple Farm. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, November 23, 2015
Best Market Opens To Favorable Crowds
Mega supermarkets seem to be today’s norm. The Super Stop and Shop on Rt 119 near the borders of Elmsford and Tarrytown is the latest testimony of this. While it is certainly huge and offers a tremendous selection, there are days when you just need a few basics or just a bit “more”. The Apple Farm, also on Rt 119 nearer White Plains, is focused primarily on produce, fish and deli items, and always seems to be busy. H-Mart offers a more specified focus to the Asian community and it too is usually busy.
Sustaining what could be termed “regular” supermarkets in our area has proven to be a challenge at the very least for the A&P. Fraught with issues of sustainability and viability for years, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its Westchester (and then some) based stores. The A&P franchise included the brand names A&P, Food Emporium, Pathmark, Waldbaums and others. However, the stores at the crux of this bankruptcy were popular in our area and impacted many people when they were closed.
Smaller food retailers seem to thrive when focusing on a specific market. Turco’s in Hartsdale did well for years. After they decided to close and focus on the northern demographic, Morton Williams took over the space. Owned by ShopRite, with several stores of the same name in NYC, they never seemed to catch on as Turco’s had. Having a limited run, they soon closed as well. Finally, Mrs Green’s, a natural and health food store closed their smaller Scarsdale location and opened in this location. Alas, their fate was predetermined as the health food market was not a viable one at this new location.
After a quick makeover of the store, the new owner of the space, Best Market, stocked shelves, cleaned and put their touch onto the facade. They have not only moved into the same space as the previous food retailers, but they’ve made a great first impression! Visiting the store has seen lines at the cash registers as their new employees master the checkout systems. Assisted with senior personnel, the lines kept moving. Walking through the store found a good mix of reasonable prices as well as somewhat higher, although not prohibitive prices for certain items.
Everyone in the store seemed to enjoy that the staff was friendly and seemed interested in helping those looking for assistance. ABG staffers visited the deli department and were asked by a younger employee how we liked the store? Whether this was instructed to the staff or he was genuinely interested didn’t really matter. He came across as sincere and sparked a bit of a longer conversation. Regardless of why the conversation took place, he represented the store and his employer well!
Judging on the crowds, the positive chatter throughout the store and a varied selection with good pricing that should engage the neighborhood, we are hopeful for a long and prosperous run for Best Markets. It’s helping to make A Better Greenburgh.
Sustaining what could be termed “regular” supermarkets in our area has proven to be a challenge at the very least for the A&P. Fraught with issues of sustainability and viability for years, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its Westchester (and then some) based stores. The A&P franchise included the brand names A&P, Food Emporium, Pathmark, Waldbaums and others. However, the stores at the crux of this bankruptcy were popular in our area and impacted many people when they were closed.
Smaller food retailers seem to thrive when focusing on a specific market. Turco’s in Hartsdale did well for years. After they decided to close and focus on the northern demographic, Morton Williams took over the space. Owned by ShopRite, with several stores of the same name in NYC, they never seemed to catch on as Turco’s had. Having a limited run, they soon closed as well. Finally, Mrs Green’s, a natural and health food store closed their smaller Scarsdale location and opened in this location. Alas, their fate was predetermined as the health food market was not a viable one at this new location.
After a quick makeover of the store, the new owner of the space, Best Market, stocked shelves, cleaned and put their touch onto the facade. They have not only moved into the same space as the previous food retailers, but they’ve made a great first impression! Visiting the store has seen lines at the cash registers as their new employees master the checkout systems. Assisted with senior personnel, the lines kept moving. Walking through the store found a good mix of reasonable prices as well as somewhat higher, although not prohibitive prices for certain items.
Everyone in the store seemed to enjoy that the staff was friendly and seemed interested in helping those looking for assistance. ABG staffers visited the deli department and were asked by a younger employee how we liked the store? Whether this was instructed to the staff or he was genuinely interested didn’t really matter. He came across as sincere and sparked a bit of a longer conversation. Regardless of why the conversation took place, he represented the store and his employer well!
Judging on the crowds, the positive chatter throughout the store and a varied selection with good pricing that should engage the neighborhood, we are hopeful for a long and prosperous run for Best Markets. It’s helping to make A Better Greenburgh.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Loehmann’s Files Third Bankruptcy, Plans To Liquidate
ABG is a strong supporter of businesses in our Town and is always saddened to learn of any which are forced to close their doors. Such was the case when we learned the A&P on Central Avenue would soon be closing. We’ve posted previously about Mr Feiner’s Supermarket-Free Zones throughout the Town. Amazingly, most of the Villages in the Town have a supermarket. Gee, how do they do it?
We’ve learned that Loehmann’s in the shopping center they’ve shared with White Plains Bowl and Apple Farm on Rt 119 for years will be closing as they’ve filed for their third bankruptcy, with plans to liquidate. Loehmann’s was known for its deep discounts on designer fashions, but will now join a list of other low-price apparel retailers such as Filene’s Basement that have closed their doors. The company, which has 1,600 employees, said its assets are worth between $50 million and $100 million.
The store chain was founded in 1921 by Frieda Loehmann and her son, Charles, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Loehmann’s has about 40 stores and competes with chains like Ross and TJ Maxx. Interestingly, the CEO was recently on the popular CBS television show Undercover Boss, going under cover to see how to help improve his company. Loehmann’s, now based in the Bronx, has filed for the third time for bankruptcy protection and plans to shut down its business. Loehmann’s first declared bankruptcy in 1999, closing 25 stores in the process. The company then filed again for bankruptcy in 2010, shutting nine more stores.
We’re sorry to see all of these employees lose their jobs and income as well as having to say goodbye to another long-time retail resident that has been a part of our community. Depending on when the store is rented, if its rented, the shared parking nightmare patrons are forced to endure will be temporarily eased. What an unfortunate way to accomplish this. We wish those affiliated with Loehmann’s the best of luck.
We’ve learned that Loehmann’s in the shopping center they’ve shared with White Plains Bowl and Apple Farm on Rt 119 for years will be closing as they’ve filed for their third bankruptcy, with plans to liquidate. Loehmann’s was known for its deep discounts on designer fashions, but will now join a list of other low-price apparel retailers such as Filene’s Basement that have closed their doors. The company, which has 1,600 employees, said its assets are worth between $50 million and $100 million.
The store chain was founded in 1921 by Frieda Loehmann and her son, Charles, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Loehmann’s has about 40 stores and competes with chains like Ross and TJ Maxx. Interestingly, the CEO was recently on the popular CBS television show Undercover Boss, going under cover to see how to help improve his company. Loehmann’s, now based in the Bronx, has filed for the third time for bankruptcy protection and plans to shut down its business. Loehmann’s first declared bankruptcy in 1999, closing 25 stores in the process. The company then filed again for bankruptcy in 2010, shutting nine more stores.
We’re sorry to see all of these employees lose their jobs and income as well as having to say goodbye to another long-time retail resident that has been a part of our community. Depending on when the store is rented, if its rented, the shared parking nightmare patrons are forced to endure will be temporarily eased. What an unfortunate way to accomplish this. We wish those affiliated with Loehmann’s the best of luck.
Lawsuit To Stop Expansion
ABG recently discovered correspondence between the Town and Haynes-Boone, the counsel representing Wakefern Food Corporation and Shop-Rite Supermarkets (below). Specifically, they represent the Shop-Rite supermarket in the Midway Shopping Center. The issue at hand is that the owner of the shopping center, Midway Shopping Center, L.P., has petitioned approval from the Town’s Planning and Zoning Boards to make specific and major alterations to the shopping center.
It was learned some time ago that the shopping center is planning to “expand” and add at least two additional retail buildings onto the site. One would be opposite the Panera Bread store and another would be in the roof area of the existing main building that is currently used for parking. Talk at the time was that these would each be restaurants, sharing parking spaces in the already at-capacity parking lot. Additionally, they are seeking to eliminate the entrance and exit onto Ardsley Road as well; with access/egress from Central Avenue only. Shop-Rite is against this expansion, claiming it will significantly alter their business operation and contractual agreement in their lease agent and the Town.
As can be read in the above letter from the Hayes-Boone law firm, an injunction has been filed to prevent Midway from proceeding with the proposed plan. While no court date has yet been set, ABG finds it a bit ironic that Mr Feiner, found guilty with the Fortress Bible Church discrimination case and finally decided to settle on the damages we must pay them, will go right back into court and start all over again wasting more of our Town resources. An unrelated sidebar is that the A&P on Central Avenue near Curry Chevrolet, is scheduled to close soon. We believe this will increase the already exasperating traffic congestion for the Midway Shopping Center and the immediate area.
Shared parking spaces is currently the rage with our Supervisor and his Planning Commissioner, regardless of how unworkable it is and that reality proves its a failure. If you are not sure about the feasibility of shared parking spaces, visit the Loehmann’s/White Plains Bowl/Apple Farm shopping plaza on Rt 119 on any given day now that Smashburger is open. Visit on the weekends, and you’ll experience a nightmare of congestion, frayed tempers and non-moving traffic in the area’s already F-Rated roadways. The lot as well as the roadways surrounding it simply cannot keep up with the traffic demands. The traffic lights in the area are controlled by the City of White Plains. Guess who the traffic lights are set to benefit? In fact, what is currently happening L/W/A lot is taking place at the Midway Shopping Center with one exception on Saturdays, when one of the stores is closed until the evening (during the holidays), freeing up their spaces for other businesses.
The theory behind shared parking is one that has become popular in other parts of the country where real estate is more affordable and expansive. The businesses utilizing the concept are not open with the same kind of extended hours we see here in our region. It is truly an apples to oranges comparison. Mr Feiner endorses it because he needs as many rate-ables as possible to pay for the damages incurred by he and his administration’s guilty verdicts. Shop-Rite had already petitioned the Town to allow for fewer spaces upon construction renovation in a variance to Town codes. Now that there are fewer and fewer supermarkets in the Town, this one always seems busy. With operating hours during two shifts, numerous eateries and shared parking space congestion, two additional businesses is madness.
Mr Feiner is fond of creating supermarket-free zones in the Town, especially in the Fairview area that he has saturated with lower income, non-driving, lesser-resources residents, forced to shop in their immediate area. But, there’s so few staples you can purchase from Dollar stores. He has helped to close supermarkets such as Pathmark, Crossroads A&P, Morton Williams and now the Central Avenue A&P. Yet he continues to espouse affordable housing in these same areas because they are within walking distance from the subsidized housing for non-residents he insists on building. As a non-experienced manager, aided with a planning commissioner seeking job security, Mr Feiner continues to tax businesses through fees, registrations, taxes and other impediments toward doing business. In one Town Board meeting, the Board struggled to find a way to tax The Apple Farm through violations for storing their food delivery crates on the sidewalk in front of their store until employees could bring them inside. Fortunately, they failed to come up with a fine (tax), which saved this small market from Mr Feiner’s Midas Touch. The solution is to stop the lawsuits, certiorari payouts and increased application and permit fees that are punishing our entrepreneurs businesses.
Central Avenue has seen its ups and downs. Those residents who have endured the changes may recall the Steak and Brew restaurant that was a mainstay of the “strip” years ago. That space is still empty. Many store fronts along Central Avenue are vacant with For Lease or For Rent signs for a reason. A new development of a four story building is being “pitched” across from the Hess Gas Station that promises more traffic and congestion. This is a plan of increased building sizes on Central Avenue and Rt 119 is endorsed by our Town Board and the Planning Department – job security. Gas stations have been assaulted by the Town with a new tax because of Mr Feiner and his Board’s missteps with the Cumberland Farms Corporation. These other established owners found themselves at Town Hall complaining about the new “fee” (tax) but the barn door was already closed after the horse was already out. Our Town Board listened, but did they hear? Of course not – they were instructed not to.
It remains to be seen what will happen on these two thoroughfares. We need to see a Comprehensive Plan that address the increases favored by Mr Feiner. With a real plan, we should see a real vision toward a positive, cohesive growth for our Town. While we’ve been promised a Comprehensive Plan, we’re past it’s “birth” day. Time and scrutiny will tell if we’ve been sold another of Mr Feiner’s lies or if this is truly a forward thinking plan for the Town. If it is, we may finally see A Better Greenburgh.
It was learned some time ago that the shopping center is planning to “expand” and add at least two additional retail buildings onto the site. One would be opposite the Panera Bread store and another would be in the roof area of the existing main building that is currently used for parking. Talk at the time was that these would each be restaurants, sharing parking spaces in the already at-capacity parking lot. Additionally, they are seeking to eliminate the entrance and exit onto Ardsley Road as well; with access/egress from Central Avenue only. Shop-Rite is against this expansion, claiming it will significantly alter their business operation and contractual agreement in their lease agent and the Town.
As can be read in the above letter from the Hayes-Boone law firm, an injunction has been filed to prevent Midway from proceeding with the proposed plan. While no court date has yet been set, ABG finds it a bit ironic that Mr Feiner, found guilty with the Fortress Bible Church discrimination case and finally decided to settle on the damages we must pay them, will go right back into court and start all over again wasting more of our Town resources. An unrelated sidebar is that the A&P on Central Avenue near Curry Chevrolet, is scheduled to close soon. We believe this will increase the already exasperating traffic congestion for the Midway Shopping Center and the immediate area.
Shared parking spaces is currently the rage with our Supervisor and his Planning Commissioner, regardless of how unworkable it is and that reality proves its a failure. If you are not sure about the feasibility of shared parking spaces, visit the Loehmann’s/White Plains Bowl/Apple Farm shopping plaza on Rt 119 on any given day now that Smashburger is open. Visit on the weekends, and you’ll experience a nightmare of congestion, frayed tempers and non-moving traffic in the area’s already F-Rated roadways. The lot as well as the roadways surrounding it simply cannot keep up with the traffic demands. The traffic lights in the area are controlled by the City of White Plains. Guess who the traffic lights are set to benefit? In fact, what is currently happening L/W/A lot is taking place at the Midway Shopping Center with one exception on Saturdays, when one of the stores is closed until the evening (during the holidays), freeing up their spaces for other businesses.
The theory behind shared parking is one that has become popular in other parts of the country where real estate is more affordable and expansive. The businesses utilizing the concept are not open with the same kind of extended hours we see here in our region. It is truly an apples to oranges comparison. Mr Feiner endorses it because he needs as many rate-ables as possible to pay for the damages incurred by he and his administration’s guilty verdicts. Shop-Rite had already petitioned the Town to allow for fewer spaces upon construction renovation in a variance to Town codes. Now that there are fewer and fewer supermarkets in the Town, this one always seems busy. With operating hours during two shifts, numerous eateries and shared parking space congestion, two additional businesses is madness.
Mr Feiner is fond of creating supermarket-free zones in the Town, especially in the Fairview area that he has saturated with lower income, non-driving, lesser-resources residents, forced to shop in their immediate area. But, there’s so few staples you can purchase from Dollar stores. He has helped to close supermarkets such as Pathmark, Crossroads A&P, Morton Williams and now the Central Avenue A&P. Yet he continues to espouse affordable housing in these same areas because they are within walking distance from the subsidized housing for non-residents he insists on building. As a non-experienced manager, aided with a planning commissioner seeking job security, Mr Feiner continues to tax businesses through fees, registrations, taxes and other impediments toward doing business. In one Town Board meeting, the Board struggled to find a way to tax The Apple Farm through violations for storing their food delivery crates on the sidewalk in front of their store until employees could bring them inside. Fortunately, they failed to come up with a fine (tax), which saved this small market from Mr Feiner’s Midas Touch. The solution is to stop the lawsuits, certiorari payouts and increased application and permit fees that are punishing our entrepreneurs businesses.
Central Avenue has seen its ups and downs. Those residents who have endured the changes may recall the Steak and Brew restaurant that was a mainstay of the “strip” years ago. That space is still empty. Many store fronts along Central Avenue are vacant with For Lease or For Rent signs for a reason. A new development of a four story building is being “pitched” across from the Hess Gas Station that promises more traffic and congestion. This is a plan of increased building sizes on Central Avenue and Rt 119 is endorsed by our Town Board and the Planning Department – job security. Gas stations have been assaulted by the Town with a new tax because of Mr Feiner and his Board’s missteps with the Cumberland Farms Corporation. These other established owners found themselves at Town Hall complaining about the new “fee” (tax) but the barn door was already closed after the horse was already out. Our Town Board listened, but did they hear? Of course not – they were instructed not to.
It remains to be seen what will happen on these two thoroughfares. We need to see a Comprehensive Plan that address the increases favored by Mr Feiner. With a real plan, we should see a real vision toward a positive, cohesive growth for our Town. While we’ve been promised a Comprehensive Plan, we’re past it’s “birth” day. Time and scrutiny will tell if we’ve been sold another of Mr Feiner’s lies or if this is truly a forward thinking plan for the Town. If it is, we may finally see A Better Greenburgh.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
It’s Been Said Before
The G8 has said it before. Other residents have gotten up at Town Board meetings and said it before. Town employees, with and without contracts have said it before. The lamestream media has quietly said it albeit in a muted voice. And of course, ABG has said it before. The King of Greenburgh, aka The Paul, lies and treats those not in his close circle of giving, with distain, deceit, and duplicity. Of course, very simply, he lies to those he doesn’t like or care about: his constituents.
We continually refer to The Paul and his Stepford’s spot zoning debacles in most neighborhoods. There are numerous examples and more awaiting the sweep of his crippling hand. He has routinely spot zoned throughout the Town as lead agency for so many projects, developers recognize it as their “norm”. He made sure that those trains don’t even slow down as it approached the Planning, Zoning, Building and Codes Department stations.
When Westhab purchased the former transitional housing property in Fulton Park from “Z” that had been used by the County to house the homeless, The Paul openly lied to the neighborhood in private meetings, along with his Stepfords, saying they (meaning Westhab) would need to find another location for the proposed seven story apartment building. Did they? No! He rezoned the .7 acre property from M-22 (22 units per acre) to match Hartsdale’s worst zoning nightmare of M-174 (174 units per acre). He maintained the value of the location because of the “walking distance” of area supermarkets, even though those supermarkets are now gone.
Next, The Paul and his Stepford’s leveled crippling demands of the Fulton Park Garden Apartments, when they applied to the Town to rezone their property from it’s current zoning to match the newly spot-zoned Westhab neighbor next door. They informed the Board that they were requesting the change so they could remove the existing buildings, rebuild in the same footprint, with no ground level apartments or utilities as they currently flood with most rain storms. The utilities would be on the roof, away from flood conditions and the apartments would be up higher. They were looking to increase their buildings by six stories to match the Westhab height. The Paul mandated they develop flood mitigation plans, offer flood control solutions throughout the neighborhood and so on. It was clear that The Paul sought to discourage this project by overburdening them with untenable demands. When Deli Delicious sought to pave almost the entire property for a flawed drive-thru window, no similar demands were made of him. Another lawsuit seems imminent.
The Paul has tried to systematically fine many of our already beleaguered businesses with more “fees” if they put products for sale on the sidewalk in front of their establishment. One such victim was The Apple Farm on Rt 119. The Board wrestled with wording and dollar amounts continually entertaining more fees and fines for the Town to utilize for financial collections. The temporary situation for the Apple Farm is that they store their produce (and sometimes other) deliveries on their private sidewalk until their staff can bring it inside. We hope the Stepfords see the light and do what they can to help maintain this store without additional taxes through fines - just for doing business.
Stop and Shop recently closed in Tarrytown at the intersection of Routes 9 an 119, to reincarnate into a CVS. We need more CVS stores like we need Alan Hochberg chairing another useless committee. Having been there as a supermarket for years as First National, Finast and then Stop and Shop, the corporate decision was made to close this branch and relocate to a new space on Rt 119 near several hotels close to Benedict Avenue. This is all part of The Paul’s, Planning Commissioner Thomas Madden and Westchester County’s grand plan to transform the entire Rt 119 corridor into an industrial, mega apartment building and thoroughfare like many of the “Central Avenue”-like corridors in New Jersey.
The Glenville area protested with complaints of increased traffic, flood mitigation and congestion as well as other concerns. These all fell on deaf ears. The Paul had decided along with his Planning Commissioner Thomas “Let Me Help You Build It (for my job security)” Madden, that Stop and Shop’s new megastore would be built, regardless of the objections. But the zoning wasn’t correct for this store to be built. No matter, The Paul waved his hand over the plans, the soft watercolor presentation and it was a done-deal. Interestingly, according to Councilman Kevin “Henchman” Morgan, who recently said when the Dobbs Ferry Road residents (no real count or names provided) protested the police department’s proposed move to 715 Dobbs Ferry Road (the former Frank’s Nursery), The Paul and the Stepford’s acquiesced and withdrew the plans. Given the GameOn 365 debacle currently underway, it now makes more sense than it did then.
The old Union Carbide property in North Elmsford has continued to quietly be (over)developed in recent years. The Eastview property houses a now expanded corporate park to the west of Old Saw Mill River Road, with several huge new buildings and the requisite parking capability, increasing and adding to the impervious surfaces there. They have gotten approval from The Paul and his Stepford’s to build 400+ condominiums on the property as well. Water that would previously be absorbed into the ground will increase and head south toward the Fairview Park area, which itself has been increasingly developed.
This section of the Town no longer has the previous water absorption capability and forces its runoff south. Sam’s Club, at the sight of the old Drive-In Theatre, knew about the flooding and built their property up five to ten feet to be above the flooding problem. It worked for a while, but the over-development north of them has caused so much water flow to come south, it became the new marker for where flooding begins as water encompasses the businesses and residences south of it, culminating at Babbitt Court lake. The Paul and his Stepford’s authorized all this development with the blessing of Commissioner Madden. They just won’t say no to any developer.
On the opposite side of the Town, in the Fulton Park lake region along the Bronx River, The Paul searches out the tiniest parcels of land and offers them up to not the highest bidder, but the most connected bidder. And while residents wrestle with the Planning Department employees, rules and high fees for even the simplest fixes, changes and additions to their homes, the developers are hand-held and walked over to the express lane for their projects. Of course, the Westhab seven-story project mentioned above is but one glaring example of this. Right next door the “former” Deli Delicious, which illegally installed signs stating he was closed for business and for lease has not been fined for illegal signage or not paying the sign permits and fees. This move was not only blessed by The Paul, but probably suggested to him by The Paul. The owner continues to work from the basement office.
While no change in taxes is an impossibility in this Town, The Paul has mastered the double-digit tax increases for property, sewer, water, building fees and so on for our residents, all while managing to drive out struggling businesses, seniors and our young couples looking to spend their twilight years and/or start their lives together in something other than the Greenburgh mecca of public housing. His tax and spend policies, along with guilty lawsuit verdicts, have driven out two key and strategically located supermarkets forcing many residents to shop for their staple food items at various dollar stores and occasional farmers markets. This just in: SanMar Laboratories in north Greenburgh, which benefitted with a $750k grant from the Empire State Development, the real Bank of New York, to stay in NY, and then an additional $250k, will be relocating to Pennsylvania. Well played.
The list of issues being pummeled by The Paul continues with other locations and neighborhoods. One project that appeared successfully “discouraged” was that of the Fortress Bible Church. Until Fortress Bible Church went to court for help. The Paul thought he had succeeded in helping out his buddy, Tom “Proclamation” Abinanti, to keep the church out of his neighborhood. When Abinanti realized The Paul would lose the case, he moved to Tarrytown! Then the Federal Courts found The Paul and the Board guilty of discrimination, perjury, willfully destroying evidence and more. The Appellate Division Court upheld the verdict. It will soon cost the Town’s Unincorporated residents millions of dollars because The Paul feels he’s exempt from laws only others must follow. We may finally be able to take advantage of the AAA Bond Rating that The Paul feels obliged to brag about at the most inopportune times. We can borrow the money to pay his fines and try to not be assaulted with his high tax increases while claiming fiscal restraint due to the NYS 2% Tax Cap. That is a sham in itself. We need a change at the top, in the middle and throughout the Town. We can only hope.
We continually refer to The Paul and his Stepford’s spot zoning debacles in most neighborhoods. There are numerous examples and more awaiting the sweep of his crippling hand. He has routinely spot zoned throughout the Town as lead agency for so many projects, developers recognize it as their “norm”. He made sure that those trains don’t even slow down as it approached the Planning, Zoning, Building and Codes Department stations.
When Westhab purchased the former transitional housing property in Fulton Park from “Z” that had been used by the County to house the homeless, The Paul openly lied to the neighborhood in private meetings, along with his Stepfords, saying they (meaning Westhab) would need to find another location for the proposed seven story apartment building. Did they? No! He rezoned the .7 acre property from M-22 (22 units per acre) to match Hartsdale’s worst zoning nightmare of M-174 (174 units per acre). He maintained the value of the location because of the “walking distance” of area supermarkets, even though those supermarkets are now gone.
Next, The Paul and his Stepford’s leveled crippling demands of the Fulton Park Garden Apartments, when they applied to the Town to rezone their property from it’s current zoning to match the newly spot-zoned Westhab neighbor next door. They informed the Board that they were requesting the change so they could remove the existing buildings, rebuild in the same footprint, with no ground level apartments or utilities as they currently flood with most rain storms. The utilities would be on the roof, away from flood conditions and the apartments would be up higher. They were looking to increase their buildings by six stories to match the Westhab height. The Paul mandated they develop flood mitigation plans, offer flood control solutions throughout the neighborhood and so on. It was clear that The Paul sought to discourage this project by overburdening them with untenable demands. When Deli Delicious sought to pave almost the entire property for a flawed drive-thru window, no similar demands were made of him. Another lawsuit seems imminent.
The Paul has tried to systematically fine many of our already beleaguered businesses with more “fees” if they put products for sale on the sidewalk in front of their establishment. One such victim was The Apple Farm on Rt 119. The Board wrestled with wording and dollar amounts continually entertaining more fees and fines for the Town to utilize for financial collections. The temporary situation for the Apple Farm is that they store their produce (and sometimes other) deliveries on their private sidewalk until their staff can bring it inside. We hope the Stepfords see the light and do what they can to help maintain this store without additional taxes through fines - just for doing business.
Stop and Shop recently closed in Tarrytown at the intersection of Routes 9 an 119, to reincarnate into a CVS. We need more CVS stores like we need Alan Hochberg chairing another useless committee. Having been there as a supermarket for years as First National, Finast and then Stop and Shop, the corporate decision was made to close this branch and relocate to a new space on Rt 119 near several hotels close to Benedict Avenue. This is all part of The Paul’s, Planning Commissioner Thomas Madden and Westchester County’s grand plan to transform the entire Rt 119 corridor into an industrial, mega apartment building and thoroughfare like many of the “Central Avenue”-like corridors in New Jersey.
The Glenville area protested with complaints of increased traffic, flood mitigation and congestion as well as other concerns. These all fell on deaf ears. The Paul had decided along with his Planning Commissioner Thomas “Let Me Help You Build It (for my job security)” Madden, that Stop and Shop’s new megastore would be built, regardless of the objections. But the zoning wasn’t correct for this store to be built. No matter, The Paul waved his hand over the plans, the soft watercolor presentation and it was a done-deal. Interestingly, according to Councilman Kevin “Henchman” Morgan, who recently said when the Dobbs Ferry Road residents (no real count or names provided) protested the police department’s proposed move to 715 Dobbs Ferry Road (the former Frank’s Nursery), The Paul and the Stepford’s acquiesced and withdrew the plans. Given the GameOn 365 debacle currently underway, it now makes more sense than it did then.
The old Union Carbide property in North Elmsford has continued to quietly be (over)developed in recent years. The Eastview property houses a now expanded corporate park to the west of Old Saw Mill River Road, with several huge new buildings and the requisite parking capability, increasing and adding to the impervious surfaces there. They have gotten approval from The Paul and his Stepford’s to build 400+ condominiums on the property as well. Water that would previously be absorbed into the ground will increase and head south toward the Fairview Park area, which itself has been increasingly developed.
This section of the Town no longer has the previous water absorption capability and forces its runoff south. Sam’s Club, at the sight of the old Drive-In Theatre, knew about the flooding and built their property up five to ten feet to be above the flooding problem. It worked for a while, but the over-development north of them has caused so much water flow to come south, it became the new marker for where flooding begins as water encompasses the businesses and residences south of it, culminating at Babbitt Court lake. The Paul and his Stepford’s authorized all this development with the blessing of Commissioner Madden. They just won’t say no to any developer.
On the opposite side of the Town, in the Fulton Park lake region along the Bronx River, The Paul searches out the tiniest parcels of land and offers them up to not the highest bidder, but the most connected bidder. And while residents wrestle with the Planning Department employees, rules and high fees for even the simplest fixes, changes and additions to their homes, the developers are hand-held and walked over to the express lane for their projects. Of course, the Westhab seven-story project mentioned above is but one glaring example of this. Right next door the “former” Deli Delicious, which illegally installed signs stating he was closed for business and for lease has not been fined for illegal signage or not paying the sign permits and fees. This move was not only blessed by The Paul, but probably suggested to him by The Paul. The owner continues to work from the basement office.
While no change in taxes is an impossibility in this Town, The Paul has mastered the double-digit tax increases for property, sewer, water, building fees and so on for our residents, all while managing to drive out struggling businesses, seniors and our young couples looking to spend their twilight years and/or start their lives together in something other than the Greenburgh mecca of public housing. His tax and spend policies, along with guilty lawsuit verdicts, have driven out two key and strategically located supermarkets forcing many residents to shop for their staple food items at various dollar stores and occasional farmers markets. This just in: SanMar Laboratories in north Greenburgh, which benefitted with a $750k grant from the Empire State Development, the real Bank of New York, to stay in NY, and then an additional $250k, will be relocating to Pennsylvania. Well played.
The list of issues being pummeled by The Paul continues with other locations and neighborhoods. One project that appeared successfully “discouraged” was that of the Fortress Bible Church. Until Fortress Bible Church went to court for help. The Paul thought he had succeeded in helping out his buddy, Tom “Proclamation” Abinanti, to keep the church out of his neighborhood. When Abinanti realized The Paul would lose the case, he moved to Tarrytown! Then the Federal Courts found The Paul and the Board guilty of discrimination, perjury, willfully destroying evidence and more. The Appellate Division Court upheld the verdict. It will soon cost the Town’s Unincorporated residents millions of dollars because The Paul feels he’s exempt from laws only others must follow. We may finally be able to take advantage of the AAA Bond Rating that The Paul feels obliged to brag about at the most inopportune times. We can borrow the money to pay his fines and try to not be assaulted with his high tax increases while claiming fiscal restraint due to the NYS 2% Tax Cap. That is a sham in itself. We need a change at the top, in the middle and throughout the Town. We can only hope.
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