WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. October 5, 2004: After approximately 10 citizens spoke out strongly against the city renewing the New York Presbyterian Hospital site plan approval for another year, because the city environment had changed and there was question about the commercial partners of the project,  the council voted 5-2 to extend it.

New councilmen Arnold Bernstein and Larry Delgado (both of whom had the excuse of not being present at the original approvals) chose to extend the plan, along with Mayor Delfino, Robert Greer and Benjamin Boykin. The Councilmen voting for the extension said the hospital had been diligent, and that

Rita Malmud voted "No" because she said the project had definitely turned commercial in nature, in her opinion, and Tom Roach cast a "No" vote because of significant change occuring in the city. Roach also accused Planning Commissioner Susan Habel of misinterpreting the intent of the city zoning code to allow the extension. WPCNR asked Benjamin Boykin why the council did not table the matter for a month to get more information from the hospital, and Mr. Boykin started to answer then said "No comment," and walked away from this reporter.

IN THE FIRST TRAFFIC STUDY IN REAL TIME SINCE DEVELOPMENT BEGAIN IN THE WHITE PLAINS  RENNAISSANCE, Tom Soyk, Commissioner of Traffic, reported to the Council that "real time" traffic counts taken from the traffic signal sensors that record traffic at the four major intersections around New York Presbyterian Hospital, show that traffic volumes had reached 47% of the anticipated volume in the year 2006, based on the New York Presbyterian Hospital study at this time. (That is 47% before the City Center towers are filled, before the Cappelli Hotel and Condominiums are built.) Photo by WPCNR News. 

Soyk told WPCNR that if the hospital project was not built by 2006, traffic could be expected to exceed the volumes anticipated by the hospital traffic study in subsequent years, when the project comes on line. WPCNR estimates the proton accelerator/biomedical research facility will not be compelted until 2008 or 2009. The Traffic Study, according to Rick Ammirato of the Mayor's Office will be available at 12 noon.  The Common Council also approved the contact for the Civil Service Employees Association granting wage hikes totaling 19% out through 2007.