VOL Board Will Ask County for $2.5M to Add Turf Field

Also: Opponents of the Esposito Apartment Project Call for Board Action

by Judy Silberstein

(February 1, 2007) It was a big money night for Larchmont’s Village Board on Monday, January 29. In unanimous votes, board members accepted a $456K bid to purchase a new fire engine (see: New Engine Approved), decided on financing for a $145K dump truck that’s showing up in a few weeks, and formalized raises for its civil service employees (with some give back on health benefits for future hires).

The biggest money was $2.5 million. The board unanimously approved a resolution to request that amount from Westchester County’s Legacy program to install an artificial turf field and associated improvements at Flint Park.

The Flint Park vote followed a standing-room only presentation of the plan on January 11, and two well-attended work sessions the following week. Initial plans have undergone numerous transformations based on input from the Flint Park Conservancy, Fields for Kids, the sports leagues and many individuals. The modification and additions have gone a long way towards addressing concerns about traffic, parking, open space and tennis facilities.

One early critic, Mike Zupon from the Flint Park Conservancy, thanked the mayor and trustees for responding to requests for broader input. “The plans as they sit before us are vastly improved,” he said.

“Actually, we should thank you for bringing forward ideas,” said Trustee Marlene Kolbert.

“It’s your plan,” said Mayor Liz Feld to the many individuals in the audience who had helped shape it.

So what is the plan – or more properly the plans?

JAN 29 PLANS: Compared to the last rendition, there is increased parking, landscaping and a new soccer field at left; a smaller parking lot near the American Legion Hall, and more picnic space near the artificial turf field (top).

At this point, the Larchmont Board envisions a series of staged, coordinated and overlapping field projects at Flint and Lorenzen Parks.

• Installing a rectangular varsity-sized artificial turf surface for soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and baseball, with a portable backstop and pitchers’ mound
• Creating a nature walk on the water’s edge.
• Adding new drainage, irrigation and grass for the “east” or “back” fields with room for a full-sized baseball and soccer field.
• Using Flint Park Field A (at the entrance of the park) for soccer rather than Little League.
• Adding another Little League field at Lorenzen in place of a soccer field.
• Retrofitting the six tennis courts that will remain after the three back courts are removed to make way for the new turf field.

All of the above, however, is contingent upon the funding – a combination of Legacy funds, bonds issued in 2004, previously awarded grants, and private donations to be raised by Fields for Kids, the Flint Park Conservancy and others. Additional funds, at least for ongoing maintenance, might come from the Mamaroneck Schools, which now use the fields for free.

The board expects to hear by the end of February on the success of its Legacy application. If the money comes through, the hope is to move quickly, starting with the synthetic turf field.

Opponents of the Esposito Project Call for Board Action

A contingent of Pine Brook residents reiterated their opposition to two apartment buildings proposed by Esposito Builders for Palmer Avenue and North Avenue and questioned board members about their role in the approval process.

“Our legal advice is that we don’t have a role,” said Trustee Marlene Kolbert. Assistant Village Attorney Joanna Feldman explained that the Village Board approves the zoning laws and appoints the Planning and Zoning boards, but after that, “they are truly independent.” She explained that Planning Boards often recommend that an applicant seek a variance when they believe going outside the zoning code would create a better overall plan. There are rules for approving a variance.“It can’t just be "arbitrary and capricious” or “ad hoc,” she said.

Why, then, has the Mamaroneck Town Board taken the lead on the Forest City apartment proposal? asked Carolyn John, a resident of Coolidge Street a few blocks from the Esposito property. Trustee Anne McAndrews explained that Forest City’s proposal had begun with a request for a revision to the zoning code, which is the responsibility of the Town Board to approve or deny. Mr. Esposito is asking for a zoning variance, which is considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Asked to confirm or deny that there were links between the Esposito and Flint Park projects with respect to work force housing, Mayor Feld said, “Absolutely not.”

In applying for Westchester County Legacy funds for Flint Park, Larchmont would be asked for a quid pro quo, quite possibly a commitment to enhancing or developing affordable housing. “However, we are exploring other real estate in Larchmont for work force housing,” she said. The Esposito project, which will include some work force housing, predates the turf field by many years, said the mayor.

"Would the board consider a moratorium on development?” asked Richard Mannix, a Stuyvesant Avenue resident.

“We tried that – everyone went mad,” said Mayor Feld. “How are we going to modernize and stay current?” commented Trustee Mike Wiener.

Opponents of the Esposito project planned to take their next stand before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The project was expected to be on the February 7 agenda, but the applicant has asked for an adjournment.

Front Page

Print This Page
Email this page