WPCNR SOUTHEND TIMES. From a White Plains CitizeNetReporter. November 2, 2006 UPDATED November 6, 2006: The lawyer for the German School was at the Board of Appeals Zoning meeting last night to discuss why the request for a variance to increase the 375 student cap to 500 students at the German School on 50 Partridge Road has been on the board's agenda for so long without any activity.  William Null said the White Plains city Planning Department has suggested subdividing the former Kempner property to afford the school access to North Street.

It is the second time in two months that the city has shown an interest in aiding a property owner achieve an objective with their property, the other city-inspired subdivision being the Memorandum of Understanding with New York Presbyterian Hospital. WPCNR had not previously been aware of this subdivision which we have been advised by the city, originally was filed in March 2003. This was not made clear at the meeting by Mr. Null, according to Don Hughes who reported this to WPCNR.

Mr. Null indicated that the school had purchased the adjoining Kempner property a number of years ago to be able to provide a requested additional accress road to the school.  They had been planning to use the existing building on the property for administration purposes. 

He said that the planning department had indicated that they would not approve of the use of the building for administration purposes (similar to the White Plains School District's use of Education House) and that the city requested that the German School subdivide the property into 9 lots and use the resulting street as the access road.

Mr. Null indicated that it has taken additional time working with the city staff to develop the new proposal.  He also indicated that they hope to have something to present in February.