WPCNR SOUTH END TIMES. By John F. Bailey. June 10, 2009: Councilperson Milagros Lecouna told the CitizeNetReporter Tuesday night she thought the mysterious WInbrook Revitalization Project to replace all Winbrook apartments home to 450 families with new buildings, was a good project and saw no problem in approving the zoning required. She did say she did not  know if the Common Council would retain final creative approval as to what is built there, or whether the White Plains Housing Authority and the Federal Government would have their way as to what would be built on the Lexington Avenue corridor. Ms. Lecouna  said "that is a good question." She also said the council would pay close attention when a developer was selected, and indicated the council would not be approving the developer, but the Housing Authority would.

Milagros Lecouna Plays the CNA.

Milagros Lecouna,  was at the Council of Neighborhood Associations to discuss "green issues." In her remarks, she  pointed out that White Plains does not have building codes requring state of the art environmental  construction. She also noted that the city zoning code does not support such green constructions as solar panels and windmill-generated electric power The lack of zoning code acceptance she said allows neighbors to protest such improvements if they objected to the appearances.

Candyce Corcoran Departs CNA

The monthly meeting of the CNAalso saw Co-President Candyce Corcoran officially step down in a tearful farewell to the organization. Lou Bruno continues as President.  Ms. Corcoran charged  the CNA to move forward:"WPCNA as an organization which can be a powerful force in White Plains.  But it is you, the delegate that can make this continue to happen.  Be Proud of White Plains, your home, my forever home."

 Addressing the issue of “green” planning for the city, Lecouna said “you cannot stop the growth of our cities,(White Plains) but you need to take care of them (the cities),” and said that part of taking good care of the city was in knowing who lives in the city (“The better you know our city…the better we know our residents…you can’t talk about (the future of ) White Plains without talking about people. White Plains is all about people”

She said that environmental issues have to be weighed in planning future development, citing her upbringing in the Canary Islands as proof of why environment issues have to be considered in future development of cities but White Plains in particular. She explained how hotel development on  the beaches of the Canary Islands blocked the winds from forming the famous Sahara sand mountains of the Islands. It was not until after the hotels were built and the winds diminished that the effect on the sand mountains was discovered.

“When you plan for an area, you have to look into the future,”she said. “You must have vision.It doesn’t matter how good our comprehensive plan would have been if the economy is not there.”

She observed that as a politician, she likes things “to happen now,” but “as a planner I have to look into the future to let the city grow in a way that will benefit the environment and the next generation.”

She said she was tired of the overuse of “green” in the media today, saying it was used to mislead and confuse people.

She said investing in green technology will in the long term, save money for builders, homeowners and the city. “Eventually making money long term.” She noted in response to a question from Candyce Corcoran that thecity did not have construction standards requiring state of the art green construction, but did point out that in recent approvals the Common Council has extracted promises of such features as green roofs, storm water retention, pervious surface retention and other environmentally sound procedures from developers of the buildings. She stopped short of calling for establishment of city “Green Codes.”

She encouraged building analysis within the city by private consultants to identify areas that could save money and energy long term through green retrofits.

When asked about enforcement of  housing codes and violations, Ms. Lecouna said it is the responsibility of neighborhood associations to follow up and keep the pressure on the departments and the city. ‘Your group have the voice,” she said.

Asked about the condition of the city budget, Lecouna said that between 2008-09 and2009-10, the city was looking at an $18 Million budget gap. She said the council was looking at every budget line and looking at each city position in efforts to rein in spending.

Asked about Councilman Benjamin Boykin’s city trolley project, (a green transportation initiative), where that stood, Ms. Lecouna said you’d have toask Mr. Boykin. She was not aware of its status.

She encouraged people to take more buses. The eight member CNA organizations there said there were not enough convenient bus routes to the various neighborhoods of the city.

Since no CNA representatives asked about the Winbrook Mystery Revitalization Project, WPCNR asked Ms. Lecouna on her way out about the Winbrook Revitalization Project and whether the council had a problem with approving zoning for the project first before seeing the scope, height and density of the project--even a street level rendering.

Lecouna said she thought it was a worthwhile project because the zoning change only affected the parking allowed at Winbrook and along Lexington Avenue. She said it would not change height of the buildings allowed.

Asked if the council would have final say on what is built or whether the Housing Authority and HUD would have final creative/development decision power  – Lecouna said that was a very good question and she’d be looking into it. She indicated that the Council would not select the developer that the Housing Authority would.

The next CNA meeting is July 14.

Candyce Corcoran, in announcing her departure made this statement:

It is not easy for me to say good-bye, however, tonight I regret to inform WPCNA, that I am leaving my beloved White Plains and therefore, I am submitting my formal resignation.

Many of you sitting here tonight have known me since I was a baby, a child, teen and an adult.  It has been my honor to have been elected to serve as your Co-President for two terms.   You have touched my life and my heart. 

I have been involved with WPCNA for over 13 years and have cherished the friendships, dedicated volunteers and enjoyed seeing the completion of many ideas and problems that have been brought forward to our organization.

Under my tenure, new by-laws were written and adopted,  neighborhood association membership has reached an all time high compared to the past 10 plus years. 

WPCNA as an organization which can be a powerful force in White Plains.  But it is you, the delegate that can make this continue to happen.  Be Proud of White Plains, your home, my forever home. 

I wish all of you happiness, good fortune in life’s continuing journey. Please remember me always.