http://www.facebook.com/RosedaleWP/
PO BOX 199, White Plains, New York, 10605

Greetings RRA Neighbors,

The RRA and several other neighborhood associations are requesting that the City of White Plains begin working on an updated or entirely new city-wide Comprehensive Pan.  The city’s Comprehensive Plan has not been updated since 2007.  It is completely inadequate to address the economic and land development needs for our city post-COVID-19.  Though the city says that the planning process is beginning soon, the RRA wants to ensure that our vision (see below) for our neighborhood is incorporated in the city’s larger plans.

RRA Vision Statement for Comprehensive Plan

• Our vision for the Rosedale Residential Association (RRA) to maintain and improve upon the character of our low-density neighborhood so that we can continue to flourish as one of White Plains’ premier residential communities.  In our endeavor, we would like to address Upper and Lower Rosedale’s needs while supporting the visions of our fellow adjacent neighborhoods and the city overall.
• We envision a neighborhood that is friendly to all residents and visitors.  We would like to see welcome signs on the book ends of Rosedale to receive residents, guests, and people who are just passing through our neighborhood.
• We envision a neighborhood that has a playground for all of our RRA residents that have children.  We are one of the only neighborhoods in WP that does not have its own playground.
• We envision a neighborhood that is safe for pedestrians and encourages walking and riding bikes.  A neighborhood that ensures the safety of its residents and neighboring associations, especially those that are in high traffic areas near schools and places of business.  We would need an assessment on narrow streets to determine if new traffic signs or speed limits are necessary, as well as areas that may require new sidewalks to be built.
• We envision a neighborhood that has 24 hr. a day, 7 days a week fire over-watch that is fully manned to protect the South End communities and the city as a whole.
• We envision improved road maintenance and storm drain modernization (grates) because our neighborhood is a de facto bypass to traffic from the Hutchinson River Parkway, and is in close proximity to Mamaroneck Avenue, the main thoroughfare for White Plains
• We envision all utility power lines and cable lines being buried underground to avoid widespread power outages that are likely to increase as a result of climate change weather patterns.
• We envision a neighborhood that is a part of the planning and decision-making for all existing and new development of any residential or office buildings that are a part of, or adjacent to our neighborhood.

The below letter to the Mayor and the Common Council is requesting that the RRA and the other neighborhood associations be a part of the comprehensive planning process from the beginning.  If you would like to be a part of the discussion, please email us at wprra@yahoo.com.  Also, please feel free to email our city leadership at the below email addresses.  We should be a part of the process as we embark on this very important planning development, not only for our city and local businesses, but to also protect and improve upon the character of our beautiful RRA neighborhood.

Mayor Roach and Common Council Members:

Many neighborhood associations and residents of White Plains are increasingly concerned about recent development trends in our City. We believe that a thorough update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan is essential before any significant development is considered by our elected officials. A successful update requires the participation of many residents to assure that all voices are heard, as an updated Comprehensive Plan should clearly represent the consensus views and goals of the citizens regarding the future of our City.

Representatives of numerous neighborhoods in the City have come together, including Gedney Farms, North Street, Rosedale, Highlands, Fisher Hill, Old Oaks, Prospect Park, Carhart, and Stewart Ross to express their concerns with the thrust of some of the recent development proposals. Too often, it appears new developments are reviewed on an ad hoc basis as a negotiation between the City leaders and the developer in question, resulting in Spot Zoning.

Although everyone wants an active and vibrant Downtown, there is growing concerns that the City is permitting buildings more like Manhattan-type densities than a smaller suburban city. As most would agree, White Plains land use is a very delicate balance with only 9.89 miles in area. There is concern that development must not adversely impact the existing character of the residential neighborhoods.  It is essential that the neighborhoods’ input from those most impacted by any proposed developments be considered early in the process.

An update to the Comprehensive Plan is also necessary considering the economic trends impacting Downtown, specifically pertaining to the significant declines in the retail and office sectors. The Pandemic has also altered the residential landscape in the New York metropolitan area and will likely have additional ramifications on our City’s future. Indeed, a more thorough analysis of the impact of so many multi-family projects on City services such as schools, parks, open space, police, fire, water, sanitation, and sewers must be a critical component of the updated Comprehensive Plan.

We believe that an update to the Comprehensive Plan that incorporates the consensus views and goals of the City’s residents is imperative. Our neighborhood associations would like to work with our elected leaders to work toward an update of the Comprehensive Plan that works for all stakeholders in our community including residents, businesses, and nonprofit institutions. Therefore, we respectfully request the presence of the Mayor and all the members of the Common Council at a special WPCNA meeting within the next 30-45 days. The meeting will be coordinated through the WPCNA with the above-mentioned neighborhood association’s leadership. We look forward to hearing back from you and beginning the process of planning for our city and our neighborhoods.

Thank you  in advance for your response to this very important topic.