Unfortunately, it was up to the North Street Association to do the legwork on behalf of the city in respects to their due diligence on the legality of this project.  The project would have likely been pushed through the planning board over a six-day period without the effort, research, and persistence of the North Street and Ridgeway Associations.  This is just another reason why the RRA must continue monitoring projects in or adjacent to our neighborhood and continue working with our neighboring communities on the south end of WP.  Great job to the North Street and Ridgway communities, as well as those of you in the RRA who contacted our officials on their behalf.

Please see the letter below from the North Street Association regarding this recent development and thank you for your support on this important issue.

NSA Neighbors & Friends,

White Plains has ruled that the 6.5 acre proposed solar farm at 1133 Westchester Ave has been declared a  NON-PERMITTED USE per our zoning laws and regulations!!!!  We are pleased that White Plains upheld our city’s integrity around our local zoning and ordinances in the face of inappropriate and aggressive developers. The upcoming Public Hearing for this Monday February 7, 2022 has been delayed until June 6th – we believe this is just a formality to record the rejection into record given the non-permitted use determination. We are awaiting response from our officials to help us understand the confusing communications around the hearing and will keep you posted should things change.

North Street Association led the efforts with our residents directly impacted as well as the MOST impacted neighbors living in the Ridgeway of White Plains HOA to pause this application, analyze the application, analyze the zoning & ordinances. We then engaged & educated our local government about the zoning violations and quality of life impacts and quite frankly the disintegration of this property including destruction of 10 acres of trees and invasive weeds and vines overtaking the remaining buffer. We are grateful that our Common Council members are accessible and receptive, as well as the Mayor’s Office and Corporate Council, who all fully engaged with us on this project; it is what Best-in-Class government looks like! But, we are MOST grateful for our NSA members and neighbors in the south end who every step of the way answered our call to action, took time to understand the issues around this project and then support your neighbors most impacted through your emails and phone calls to our local government. We cannot reinforce enough the huge difference your support and voices make in all of our efforts, our sincerest thank you to all of you.

Our work is not done. We will next pivot our efforts in to the updating of the Comprehensive Plan process. The Comprehensive Plan can be thought of as the “master document” that will guide and shape the future of our beloved city including drafting of new zoning and ordinances.  We will be reaching out soon to solicit your ideas and feedback for input into this important update process. In the meantime for those that are passionate about civic duty, please visit the One White Plains Micro site here. Go to the Participate tab/section and input your ideas and give a thumbs up or down for others ideas you see posted. FYI we have already input thoughts around much needed commercial solar utility zoning, proper recycling of discarded solar panels and requiring solar farm operators to provide decommissioning plans and post surety bonds in the GreenWP section.

North Street Association