White Plains · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in White Plains public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Buddhist temple on environmentally sensitive Sycamore Lane site
The proposed Buddhist Temple at 1 Sycamore Lane needs variances to build within the 100-foot wetlands buffer and to make up a 10-space parking shortfall. The case was pushed to October 7, so neighbors near the wetlands site will weigh in next month.
City Hall roof, facade, and HVAC modernization
City Hall still cools its offices with window AC units. A $750,000 project would replace them with a building-wide heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which also improves building security.
Disabled veterans tax exemption
A proposed local law would give seriously disabled veterans a property tax exemption under state Real Property Tax Law Section 458-A. A public hearing is set for November 2 before any adoption.
Water Street Connector
The city would lease Urban Renewal Agency land along the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Extension to build the Water Street Connector — part of reshaping downtown connectivity.
Electric shuttle service for downtown and close-in neighborhoods
White Plains is close to finalizing a three-year NYSERDA grant (about $2.3 million) for a free, on-demand electric shuttle connecting downtown with close-in neighborhoods like Battle Hill and Ferris Avenue. Rides are free the first year, then could cost up to $5, and a public hearing on the enabling law is expected in November.
Whitmore Estates subdivision of former Windward School property
A developer wants to turn the old Windward School site into 13 house lots with a new public road. Neighbors worry about drainage, rock removal and construction impacts, and won extra time to have an engineer review the plans.
Farrell Estates at Ridgeway 105-lot subdivision
The former Ridgeway Country Club site is proposed for a 99-lot single-family subdivision on about 127 environmentally sensitive acres. Developers revised the plan to protect the Gedney Esplanade trees and wetland buffers, and the final environmental review could reach the board by April with action by May or June.
Library Parking Structure Rehabilitation funding increase
A 2024 engineering study revealed major structural problems in city garages, and the library garage is the worst priority. Phase 1 column repairs need an extra $3.5 million because deterioration extended into surrounding slabs; the mayor called the overall garage repair bill 'the tip of the iceberg.'
Municipal parking garage rehabilitation
The city is borrowing $3.03 million to fix aging parking garages — membranes, joints, drains, lighting, and fans — plus a $275,000 electrical upgrade at City Center Garage. Expect repair work in the garages over the coming year.
YWCA resident conditions at 69 North Broadway
A resident of the YWMA/YWCA at 69 North Broadway described reduced services, pest problems, lost security, missing hygiene supplies, and no carbon monoxide or smoke alarm inspections. She asked officials to intervene.
Residential street parking and traffic safety requests
A fatal crash two years ago and several trees struck by cars show a dangerous speeding pattern on Battle Avenue in Battle Hill. Residents want the city to study safety improvements on streets designed in 1905 for Model T speeds.
Brookfield Commons Phase 3 extension
The council signed off on lender-required paperwork for the third phase of the Brookfield Commons affordable housing development, which brings roughly $8 million in County infrastructure funding to the city.
Ebersol Rink capital improvements and sponsorship legislation
The city partnered with the New York Rangers on a youth hockey program at Ebersole Rink. Council Member Caruso called the rink an underappreciated gem that leverages outside funding well.
Property tax assessment refunds
The city settled assessment challenges from eight property owners, refunding about $115,000 in city taxes with no interest. That's money coming off the tax rolls, though the amounts are modest.
Sale of City Center Garage to the City
The city is buying an interest in the major portion of the parking garage at 237 Martine Avenue, borrowing up to $11.1 million to do it. This shifts a piece of downtown parking infrastructure into public hands — a move that could affect parking rates and downtown development decisions for years.
23 Quarropas / Court Street permit extension
The 141-unit, 100% senior affordable project needs one more year to close financing, with Westchester Medical coming in as a healthcare provider. The board raised no objection.
Second-story signage precedent for cannabis dispensary
The board refused to back a variance letting Elevated Cannabis put an illuminated sign on the second floor of its Westchester Ave building. Members worried that saying yes once would open the door to similar upstairs signs elsewhere downtown.
275 Main Street redevelopment
Argent Ventures wants to fill the vacant former Sears/Walmart building with below-grade mini self-storage (about 800 units), a trampoline park, pickleball courts and a gym — reviving a long-empty downtown building. The zoning amendment must come back for formal council action.
Sidewalk and crosswalk gaps on North Street and Bryant Avenue
A parent says kids walking to the high school have no sidewalks on North Street and Bryant Avenue and must walk in the roadway. She's asking the city to add sidewalks and crosswalks at two Bryant Avenue intersections. The Commission held the request for more review.
Fire Station 2 feasibility study cost
The city will spend $400,000 to figure out the future of the Ferris Avenue fire station that also houses parking and public works — renovate it, rebuild it there, or build on the Water Street parcel. The study will also look at other uses for Water Street if a new station doesn't pencil out.
Former Walmart building redevelopment at 275 Main Street
The empty former Walmart behind the transit center is slated for a health club, below-grade mini-storage, and recreation tenants like a trampoline park and pickleball venue, with a major facade upgrade. The board recommended approval to the Common Council.
Shopping cart hazards from downtown garage
A resident says teens throw 30-50 shopping carts off a garage roof yearly and he was nearly struck. He's asking for cameras and enforcement before someone is killed.
Mini-storage zoning amendment in CB-3 district
The Council changed the zoning to let mini-storage facilities operate in the core business district — but only fully below ground, on 2-acre-plus lots with main-road access. This unlocks the vacant former Walmart site at 275 Main Street for a self-storage facility and health club.
Bursley Place parking congestion
Hospital employees, construction workers and valet vehicles are filling the narrow street, blocking trash pickup and frustrating residents. The Commission held the item to poll residents before changing regulations.
Below-grade self-storage at former Sears/Walmart building, 2705 Main Street
The owners of the vacant former Sears/Walmart building want to fill its 90,000-square-foot basement with self-storage, with fitness, pickleball and trampoline uses planned for the rest of the building. The zoning change now goes to the Common Council, which would hold a public hearing and later decide any special permit. It could bring a long-vacant downtown building back to life with minimal traffic.
Youth Programs Expansion
A grant keeps the Grandpas United program running, and new contracts bring karate instruction and media support to Youth Bureau programming.
Proposed Buddhist temple at 1 Sycamore Lane
A proposal to turn a single-family property into a Buddhist temple complex sits partly inside the 100-foot wetlands buffer and falls 10 parking spaces short. The board put off a decision to July 15, so neighbors will have to wait for the outcome.
Youth Bureau transportation crisis and school bus purchase
The state ruled the Youth Bureau's passenger vans ineligible to transport youth, forcing an immediate shutdown of rides to programs, from school, and to pools and field trips. The Council approved up to $450,000 for compliant school buses, with service expected to resume in four to six weeks.
Mt. Hope Plaza senior affordable housing funding
The city put another $850,000 into finishing a 56-unit affordable senior apartment building at 63 Lake Street that's been years in the making. Costs rose due to tariffs and high interest rates, and the county is contributing $1.25 million more.
Water Main Replacements and Infrastructure
The City is borrowing $1.212 million over 30 years for citywide sanitary sewer reconstruction — the pipes that keep wastewater moving and basements dry.
2026-2027 City Budget
The agency adopted its operating budget for the year starting July 1, 2026, covering the cost of running the urban renewal agency itself.
27-unit condominium proposal at 98 Broad Parkway
A surface parking lot would become a six-story, 27-unit condominium building with 44 spaces. Month-to-month parkers using the lot will have to find parking elsewhere.
Buddhist Temple at 1 Sycamore Lane
The Dro Gah Sang Foundation wants to turn a 4-acre residential property into a Buddhist temple complex. An independent wetlands consultant found the project likely won't significantly harm the site's wetlands and could actually improve them if an old paddle tennis court is removed and native plantings expanded.
Galleria Mall redevelopment subsidy terms
The nonprofit CAWS laid out four conditions for any public money going to the Galleria project: real affordability, good value for taxpayers, integrated affordable housing, and public discussion of deal terms before the council votes.
Traffic safety at Cross Westchester Parkway off-ramp near Clinton Street
A 25-year Clinton Street resident says cars exiting the 45-mph parkway aren't slowing for the 10-mph suggested turn onto his residential street, causing repeated crashes 15 feet from his driveway. He wants signage, rumble strips or other traffic calming before someone is hurt.
$2.424 Million Street Reconstruction Bond
The city will borrow $2.424 million to repave and reconstruct streets citywide, including curbs, sidewalks, drainage, lighting and tree replacement.
FY 2026-2027 Budget public hearing
The council set May 4, 2026 as the public hearing date for next year's city budget. That's the public's formal chance to weigh in on city spending before adoption.
Gardella Park basketball league safety
A resident is asking the city to permanently move the Gardella summer basketball league to a larger venue, citing a 50-round shooting at the 2025 semifinals, drug and alcohol use, illegal parking, and families staying indoors after 7:15 on game nights.
Public Safety Staffing Expansion
Public Safety grows to $96.3 million, adding 2 fire and 3 police positions for 420 total. The department plans more community engagement, new events staffing, and City Hall security enhancements.
12-unit apartment building at North Broadway and Brookdale
A vacant office building would come down for a three-story, 12-unit multifamily building. The board is inclined to approve but wants to review the conditions first — a vote is expected May 19.
Congregation Kol Ami 10-lot subdivision
The synagogue wants to carve ten house lots out of 8.5 wooded acres, keeping a 2.6-acre green buffer toward Scarsdale and replacing overflow holiday parking with 36 restriped spaces. Staff review comes first, then a public hearing.
Ferris World Ball tournament at Gardella Park
A resident asked the administration to bring the community ball event back after it was shut down without community input following an incident, noting parking challenges but its value to the neighborhood.
Anti-masking ordinance for law enforcement
Four speakers urged the Council to pass a law requiring federal agents, including ICE, to identify themselves and not wear masks in White Plains. They argue masked enforcement spreads fear, enables impersonation, and undermines accountability.
Summer camp demand outpaces supply
Both Camp Condor and Camp Panawok sold out the same day registration opened. Families who missed the January 28 opening may be shut out of summer camp options.
274 Hamilton Ave service station expansion
The Gulf station at Hamilton and Cottage has long been a traffic bottleneck, with cars queuing up Hamilton Avenue and cutting in from Cottage Place. The board wants the ZBA to require right-turn-only exits, one-way circulation, and longer pump hoses as a condition of the expansion.
Immigration resolution and law enforcement identification ordinance
The Council adopted a resolution supporting immigrants, denouncing ICE enforcement tactics, and urging state and federal governments to ban officers from masking their identities.
Local Elections
Valerie Simmons fills the seat vacated by Jennifer Puja's resignation and was sworn in at the meeting, restoring the council to full strength.
Unauthorized tree clearing and site work at 101 Hillair Circle
A homeowner on an environmentally sensitive site cut down 30-plus mature trees, disturbed rock outcroppings, and added unapproved paving without board approval. The board is demanding a full accounting and a replanting plan before any hearing.
Summer camp registration and sibling discount
Summer day camp registration opens online only at 7:30 a.m. on January 28, with phone support available. Families are still waiting to learn whether a sibling discount will be offered — no decision has been made yet.
Life Time health club at The Source, 1 Maple Avenue
Life Time wants to turn the old Raymour & Flanigan space into a 60,000-square-foot gym with studios, a wellness clinic, cold plunges and a café. The city's boards all back it, with strict soundproofing conditions since offices sit above and a big-box store below. Parking studies show plenty of garage capacity.