New Rochelle Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Public Workshop #2: Meeting Summary New Rochelle, NY Prepared on behalf of: The City of New Rochelle 515 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10801 Prepared by: BFJ Planning 115 5th Avenue New York, NY 10003 www.bfjplanning.com Date: February 10, 2016 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Workshop Agenda ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Workshop Summary & Public Feedback ....................................................................................................... 2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 City of New Rochelle Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Public Workshop #1 Summary February 10, 2015 1 Introduction As part of the planning process for updating its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), the City of New Rochelle hosted the second of three public events related to the project on February 3, 2015. The workshop was attended by approximately 18 participants, many who attended the first public meeting. While there was a lower than expected number of public attendees, those who did attend provided thoughtful feedback that helped inform how the LWRP recommendations could be improved. In addition to the general public, four of the members of the LWRP Working Group were in attendance: Ed Ackerman, Nina Arron, Sal Gugliara, and Ayanna Wayner. The Workshop Agenda is provided below with a description of the content presented and the public feedback received after each section: Workshop Agenda 1. Welcome 2. Presentation • Introductions • Overview and Process • LWRP Policies • LWRP Projects Workshop Summary & Public Feedback Welcome Ayanna Wayner, Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Development, began the meeting by introducing the LWRP project, its purpose, and the format of the presentation for the evening. The format of the evening involved BFJ Planning reviewing the proposed LWRP policies and projects. The projects were organized into three planning areas that encompass the entirety of the LWRP area. A period of 15 minutes was allotted for a discussion for the proposed projects in each planning area. Introductions, Overview, and LWRP Policies Frank Fish continued by explaining the structure of the LWRP, the role of different stakeholders in the planning process, and the timeline for completion of the LWRP. Frank went over the 13 Long Island Sound policies that are included in the LWRP. Frank explained that these policies are developed by the New York State Department of State and that every Long Island Sound community should adopt these recommendations as they are written. He directed the public to make comments and recommendations on the detailed policy recommendations which are meant to be responsive to the needs of the New Rochelle waterfront. Planning Area One Frank addressed the proposed projects in Planning Area One. These recommendations were primarily focused on creating access to Davids Island and what future type of future development is feasible and desirable on the island. The feedback jumped to dredging in the channels, and how this plan would encourage better maintenance of the navigable channels. Many of the questions relate to the need to City of New Rochelle Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Public Workshop #1 Summary February 10, 2015 2 balance the ecological, recreational, and economical needs within the LWRP bodies of water. The recommendations proposed for dredging throughout the LWRP are focused on areas outside of protected wetlands, and are focused in areas that are heavily used for maritime activities. Gary Sorge, from Stantec, spoke about the need to ensure that stormwater mitigation efforts must be implemented on land to ensure that siltation does not undo the expensive dredging work that is critical for the LWRP area. Other questions related to the curernt plans for Davids Island. BFJ will provide as much detail on the timeline for environmental remediation being done on Davids Island in the existing conditions section of the LWRP. Planning Area Two Sarah Yackel, BFJ Planning, went over the proposed projects in Planning Area Two. The major proposals relate to cluster development on the southern half of Davenport Neck, and a greenway connection that link existing public open spaces via pedestrian and bike paths. One participant asked about the ways to encourage clustered development on Davenport Neck, and it was explained that there are a variety of land use controls that could encourages development that ensures better open space that accounts for expected sea level rise. Another participant at the workshop asked if FEMA flood maps were being considered while developing projects for the LWRP. It was explained that the existing FIRM and preliminary updates to the FIRM maps are both being considered and will be included in the existing conditions portion of the LWRP. There was a recommendation by the public to develop a patrol system for floating debris within the navigable channels in the LWRP area. The Harbormaster explained the existing resources available to the public by the City, and BFJ will incorporate the recommendation into the LWRP. Planning Area Three Simon Kates, BFJ Planning, provided an overview of the projects proposed for the Planning Area Three. The significant proposals presented in this section relate to the dredging of Echo bay, future development on publicly owned property on Echo Bay, and a proposed redevelopment of the Municipal Marina. One participant asked if the Armory in Echo Bay would be considered for demolition. The recommendation in the LWRP does not suggest that demolition is desirable. Some questions were raised about the ability to dredge and fill the wetland directly adjacent to the WWTP. Since the area is a protected wetland, it is unlikely that dredging will occur in that area. It was suggested by other participants that better vegetation could be introduced to improve the aesthetics of the area. The recommendation to include productive vegetation for the wetland habitat will be considered in the LWRP. Area-wide and Harbor Management Projects Gary Sorge, Stantec, gave an overview of recommendations in the LWRP that relate to the entire LWRP area and Harbor Management projects. These projects cover a wide range of proposals related to dredging, boat pump-out provisions, linking existing waterfront parks, and new opportunities for non- motorized boating activity in the LWRP Area. One participant asked about the ability for neighboring municipalities and states to coordinate plans for portions of the Long Island Sound waterfront that extend beyond the boundaries of the City of New Rochelle. A section of the LWRP requires the City to coordinate between neighboring municipalities to develop plans that are not in conflict with one another. A question was raised about the ability to develop funding streams between the State of New York and Connecticut for plans. The recommendation will be considered in the LWRP, but the best opportunities for coordination of the LWRP planning process exist at the local municipal level and New York State. Some City of New Rochelle Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Public Workshop #1 Summary February 10, 2015 3 Recommendations were made by the public to use Davids Island as a center for educational opportunities that relate to the health of the Long Island Sound and programming that would support those efforts. The recommendation will be considered for the LWRP. More sailing schools were also recommended to be supported through the LWRP process, and it will be considered in the LWRP. There were also suggestions to expand non-motorized boat storage and launching capacity through new regulations, amending the City Code, or other mechanism. City of New Rochelle Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Public Workshop #1 Summary February 10, 2015 4 Conclusion The second public workshop was helpful in gathering public opinion on the proposed projects for the LWRP. Outside of designated wetland areas, dredging of existing navigation channels was a key recommendation provided by the public in attendance. The economic and recreational benefits along with the improved safety from dredging New Rochelle’s waterways were repeated by several of the public participants at the workshop. Improving the performance and appearance of existing protected tidal wetlands was an important recommendation from the public. The next step in the process of developing the LWRP will be for the LWRP Working Group to discuss outcomes from the second public workshop, and refine the projects and policies that will eventually be posted for the public review. City of New Rochelle Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Public Workshop #1 Summary February 10, 2015 5 WaterfrontNR Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Public Workshop #2 February 3, 2016 Agenda Sign-In (6:45 – 7:00) Welcome (7:00 – 7:05) Facilitated Discussion (7:05 – 9:00) . Presentation 1 – Overview, Policies and Planning Area 1 (7:05 – 7:35) . Presentation 2 – Planning Area 2 (7:35 – 8:00) . Presentation 3 – Planning Area 3 (8:00 – 8:30) . Presentation 4 – Entire LWRP Area (8:30 – 9:00) Public Workshop