Bonnett Avenue & Board Tempers Boil Over Park & Parking Lot

Judy Silberstein

(July 14, 2003) A months-long simmering situation between the Board and residents of Bonnett Avenue came to a boil on Monday night, July 14, with the Mayor and one of the residents engaged in a heated disagreement.

The situation goes back to March 27 and the removal of the trees and bushes lining the back of the Addison Street park and the CVS parking lot. The Bonnett Avenue neighbors contend they received no warning, and the removal of the foliage opens them up to loud noises, bright lights and unsightly views of the parking lot and negatively impacts on their privacy and security. The neighbors of CVS, the Schearers, claim that the previous owners of their property joined with the Village in paying for a 70 foot-long, 10-foot wide buffer beyond an extra-tall stockade backyard fence. The buffer’s 15-foot privet hedges and maple trees and a metal guardrail were removed in March to allow for expanded parking and traffic circulation in the lot.

Since then, there have been numerous meetings and communiqués between the neighbors and the Board and the chairperson of the Parks and Trees Committee, Jan Feinman. The Board admitted to problems with the notification process during planning for the lot and park, and is considering improvements. Further, the Board agreed to restore the buffer and share costs for replanting the hedge, and there has been collaboration over how to replant.

However, the neighbors continue to express dissatisfaction with the pace and nature of the plantings. At this point, the neighbors are distressed that planting has halted until September, and the Mayor is frustrated with what he views as time-consuming, escalating and shifting demands.

At the June 2 meeting, it appeared all had been worked out, but since then, “Things have gone south,” the Mayor reported. He listed all that had been done and said, “I don’t know what else you expect.”

In response, Bruce Shearer said the problem was a question of execution: scraggly privet plants, no sprinklers to water the new park plants, and delays in planting, for example. “I’ll be up here every meeting,” he promised.

Later he remarked, “It was unexpected – the Mayor’s resistance to our request. I was disappointed that the Mayor mischaracterized what I said.”

He noted, “There has been a lack of full disclosure of information by the Village and a polarization that has prevented constructive dialogue between the Boards and the residents.”

“Both sides are responsible for this,” he conceded, “But the Village leadership has failed to move to real dialogue and consultation with the residents.”

Trustee Liz Feld was also surprised by the acrimonious interchange at the Board meeting. “I’m dumbfounded that we’re at the stage that we’re at, after all the work that has gone into this at both ends."

Reached at home, Parks and Trees Chairperson Jan Feinman said it was her understanding that after discussion with all parties, plans had been approved. “However, when planting started at the beginning of July,” she related, “The neighbors had further concerns, so planting has been delayed.”

At this point, garden plots have been laid out and roto-tilled, and a few trees have been planted, but the majority of the perimeter planting has yet to occur. Furthermore, the interior of the park remains unchanged. The neighbors have raised numerous concerns and questions about future plans for the tiny park. Should it remain a “passive recreation area” with a few benches (and few users)? Or should it become a “destination spot” with features to attract more use (but potential nuisance for the immediate neighbors)?

The neighbors have raised fears that plans may be implemented without their input, particularly since exploratory concepts for the rest of the park have been shared with the Planning Commission. However, Feinman stressed, “The only consideration for Addison Park at this time is for perimeter planting.”

Trustee Marlene Kolbert said, “I think this can be resolved satisfactorily in a way that takes into account the wishes of people on Bonnett Avenue and is cognizant of all the work that has been done by Jan Feinman and Parks and Trees.”

However, she has sent a memo to her colleagues suggesting a process to help avoid similar situations in the future. “Park renovations have often been contentious,” she commented. She has consulted with landscape architect Frank Buddingh who outlined steps taken in Amsterdam, a larger municipality in which residents also live 'cheek by jowl.' There, park plans receive input from planners, municipal agencies, neighbors and other citizens, and are not finalized until after two rounds of collaborations.