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TOWN BOARD WORK SESSION- DISCUSSION ON PARKING DISTRICT 6 PM TUESDAY

TO DISCUSS SEEKING LEGISLATION TO EITHER EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE HARTSDALE PUBLIC PARKING DISTRICT OR TO SEEK STATE LEGISLATION TO ABOLISH BOARD AND TO TURN OVER THE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE TOWN BOARD (THERE ARE TOO MANY LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT IN NYS)

My reasons explained…see quote from Hartsdale Public Parking districts website-parking only for unincorporated Greenburgh…questions that the Hartsdale Public Parking District Commissioners need to answer

The recent article in the Scarsdale Inquirer and mass e mail sent by Edgemont incorporation proponents to residents of the town yesterday regarding my interest in exploring NYS legislation which would either expand the Hartsdale Public Parking District from three to seven members or dissolve the Hartsdale Public Parking District and bring ownership and control of commuter and merchant parking at the Hartsdale Metro North Train Station to the Town, is neither mysterious or secret. There is nothing clandestine to my actions, as my intent is simply to ensure that an absolute, legal right to an adequate number of affordable commuter and merchant parking spaces are available to residents of unincorporated Town of Greenburgh today and for decades to come. The immediate dissemination of this article on social media by the Edgemont Incorporation Committee and their vocal criticism of my actions crystalizes this issue for our community.

To be clear, I strongly believe that the Hartsdale Public Parking District three person Board’s past and current refusal to share with the community or the Town Board, any information regarding the possible loss of 40% of it’s commuter parking spaces and an even greater percentage of its total budget, to a possible, future incorporated Village, is an abrogation of their responsibility to the community. I also am personally offended by the requirement that only property owners can serve on this policy making Board. Tenants and spouses of property owners can hold every other policy making position in the country -President, Governor, County Executive, Town Supervisor, Town Board member--but not Commissioner of the Hartsdale Public Parking District. In the past I have run against renters for Town Supervisor. Renters can be Town Supervisors but they can’t be Parking Commissioner.That’s ridiculous. I also believe that all residents of the Unincorporated Town have a right to know the course of action, if such a course even exists, that the HPPD Board will pursue to protect the legal rights of current and future residents of the Unincorporated Town. The Hartsdale Public Parking District Board’s responsibility, based upon its charter, is not to any newly formed Village, but to the existing and future residents of unincorporated Greenburgh.

it is my belief that the current HPPD model of governance has not ensured the protection of this critical service. I will suggest strongly to the Town Board that they vote in favor of pursuing legislation which better and permanently protects the rest of unincorporated Greenburgh. The Parking District was formed to benefit unincorporated Greenburgh residents.

I believe that we are country of laws and that following these laws is critical for every level of government in our democracy. I agree that groups of Greenburgh residents have the absolute right to incorporate as a Village under the current NYS Village Law, as long as they adequately fulfill the requirements of the law. However, such a change in governance may come with the loss or reduction of excellent services and resources developed over 100 years of Town governance. If Edgemont voters eventually decide to incorporate they should recognize the fact that decisions the Town Board makes will not come at the current or future expense of the remaining residents of unincorporated Greenburgh. They may lose parking privileges to residents of unincorporated Greenburgh who would otherwise be on a waiting list and may lose other services that they currently enjoy.

The Hartsdale Public Parking District was created as a “Special District” by a NYS Legislative Act of 1952 to provide commuter parking for residents of the Unincorporated Town of Greenburgh and to provide general public metered parking in support of the local business community. The District owns and operates two multi-level garages and four open parking lots.

FROM THE PARKING DISTRICTS WEBSITE – PARKING IS FOR UNINCORPORATED GREENBURGH RESIDENTS

I don’t live in the Unincorporated Town of Greenburgh area but a family member does. Can I have them get a parking permit for me?

No. Permit use is restricted to residents of the Unincorporated Town of Greenburgh. The HPPD has established application criteria to prevent issuing permits to those residing outside of the Town. Aside from the documents applicants are required to submit, a diligent effort is made to continue to verify that any permit issued is used by the applicant and that the applicant continues to reside within the unincorporated Town. Permits are not transferable.

QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE THE HARTSDALE PARKING DISTRICT TO RESPOND TO (THEY HAVE REFUSED SO FAR)

We would like to discuss the impact of any incorporation on the parking sites and to discuss the following:

1. Will the HPPD collaborate with the Town and share information regarding strategy and planning around possible incorporation?

2. Can the HPPD insure the Town that it will not lose the pipeline and Bronx River Parkway parking sites;

3. The EIC has asserted that Edgemont will own the two sites and Edgemont residents will have absolute rights to parking there. Does the HPPD believe the unincorporated area will not have rights to these sites?

4. If the EIC is correct and the two sites leave the HPPD, can the HPPD make up the income shortfall from the loss of spaces and from the loss of cell towers?

5. If litigation ensues with a Village of Edgemont, where will the HPPD funds for the litigation come from?

6. If incorporation occurs and they take the spaces and/or, the Elmwood and Four Corners development plans are realized, either or both could result in increased demand for parking. In both instances the HPPD is looking at increased demand, with less supply or the pre-existing shortage of spaces. Does HPPD have a plan for meeting these needs?

We believe the community has a right to know the ramifications of incorporation on parking.

Paul Feiner

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

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