From the Mayor: Village Comprehensive Plan Is Both an Aspirational Document and a Working Template |
![]() |
By Mary C. Marvin, Mayor, Village of Bronxville Jul. 10, 2019: The trustees and I continue to finalize our 2019 comprehensive plan. Though sounding innocuous like a document headed for a bookcase shelf, it is actually a very important instrument for village governance. This will be the sixth community plan for Bronxville: the village’s first overall plan was adopted in 1971 and subsequently reviewed in 1980, 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2009. The plan actually fulfills a statutory obligation so wisely placed in our village code by our prior governing boards. Essentially, experts in planning, design, traffic, and development are hired under one umbrella firm to look at the village from 30,000 feet and assess whether we are achieving optimal aspirations for the village. In essence, the overall goal of the plan as envisioned is to:
The subcategories needing review to preserve the village character include: Residential Areas
Transportation and Parking
Commercial Uses
Open Space and Recreation
Community Facilities
Tax Base
As an illustration of how the plan will guide changes in village codes and policies, the planning and zoning realms provide specific examples. Even just during the course of the comprehensive planning process, the village board of trustees adopted Local Law 1-2019 to amend Chapter 112, Building Construction Regarding Demolition Permits in response to concerns over “teardowns” of vulnerable historic homes. Through stakeholder engagement, members of village boards and committees, and the public, it was clear that there was a need to address the issue of homes being torn down with larger homes, sometimes out of context with the neighborhood, being built on-site. Local Law 1-2019 places additional constraints on demolitions as a “circuit breaker” that provides the village with tools to encourage construction that is historically contextual and proportional to lot size. After our comprehensive plan review, it is now clear that the definition of floor area ratio (FAR) components needs to be examined. These include how basements and attics are included in FAR calculation. In the same vein, our zoning code could enact new provisions to better maintain the proportionate ratio between homes and lot sizes without infringing on residents’ ability to make reasonable modifications. In addition, home renovations projects are now lasting for long stretches, negatively impacting the quality of life in neighborhoods. Rules on the length of permits, contractor parking, and road damage will need to be considered. The comprehensive plan not only serves as an aspirational document but as a working template to jumpstart changes in policies and procedures in order to maintain the character of the village for future generations. Pictured here: Mayor Mary Marvin. Photo by N. Bower Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff |