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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - Chapter 12 - Municipal Facilities & Community CharacterPlan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  171  12. MUNICIPAL FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY CHARACTER The municipal and institutional facilities within Rye Brook play a significant role in the Village’s character and the quality of life of its residents, while historic and cultural resources further contribute to Rye Brook’s identity within the surrounding region. This chapter provides an overview of these resources and identifies key issues and opportunities. Figure 35 illustrates the location of each of these facilities and resources. 12.1 Village Administration The Village Administration and most municipal departments are housed at Village Hall on King Street. The facility, built in the late 1990s, houses the departments of Administration, Building, Engineering/Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Treasury, and the Police Department on the lower level. In 2010, the Village completed a Space Analysis Study of Village Hall which recommended a 1,780-square-foot expansion of the Police Department space and a 520- square-foot addition to the Village administration space, with the improvements estimated to cost about $2.6 million. This expansion was not implemented. The Village reports that the small expansion to Village Hall, which primarily entailed added space for Information Technology, may no longer be needed, as more digitization of files allows for greater space efficiencies. Other Village operations are based at the Rye Brook Firehouse north of Village Hall, the highway/public works garage on West William Street and the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center on Garibaldi Street. The Village Administrator is the chief administrative officer of Rye Brook, overseeing the daily operation of the municipal government, and also serves as the Budget Officer and Village Clerk. Rye Brook Village Hall BFJ Planning RYE BROOK, NY PLAN RYE BROOK SOURCE: WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING FIGURE 35: COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND HISTORIC RESOURCES MAP ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ ^` ^` ¹ ¹ ¹ ¹ !(!( $+ $+$+ © © © © © Æc B.O.C.E.S.Administration Center Purchase School Park AvenueElementary School Port ChesterMiddle School Ridge Street School Thomas A. EdisonElementary School KennedyElementarySchool Port ChesterHigh School Blind Brook HighSchool/Middle School King StreetElementary School HolyRosarySchool School- Holy Child HS UCP ofWestchester CorpusChristi School State Universityof New York at PurchaseColumbia University Schoolof Social Work RYEBROOK RYE T PORTCHESTER PURCHASE F.D. PORTCHESTER F.D. PORT CHESTERF.D.PORTCHESTER F.D. 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Ward House Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  173  12.2 Emergency Services 12.2.1 Police The Village of Rye Brook Police Department consists of 27 officers and one civilian support staff position. In addition to its regular law enforcement duties, the department administers crime prevention programs for residents, schools and senior citizens, including the D.A.R.E. program. The Police Department was a key focus of the 2010 Space Analysis Study, and the space constraints identified in that study remain an issue today. Currently, the department operates in about 3,200 square feet of space on the lower level of Village Hall. This space is configured as typical office space, leading to security issues, particularly when transporting prisoners. It is recommended that the 2010 study be revisited to determine whether its recommendations are still valid and can be appropriately implemented. The department reports that its current staffing is adequate but at a minimal level, which can cause scheduling problems for special events or other extenuating circumstances. Further, the Police Department reports that its current equipment is sufficient to meet its operational needs, and that the Village’s capital budgets generally address any equipment needs. Parking is not an issue. However, the department uses space at the Village’s highway garage site for secure impounds, and this space does not meet typical security standards for that use. When the garage is rebuilt, the new facility should incorporate impound space with the adequate level of security. 12.2.2 Fire The Village has a contract with the Port Chester Fire Department to cover fire protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That department has 12 full-time paid firefighters and a large volunteer contingent. All three chiefs are volunteers. In addition, Rye Brook has eight paid firefighters who report to the Port Chester chiefs for fire calls. These firefighters staff the Rye Brook Firehouse from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the Port Chester Fire Department staffing the facility from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The Rye Brook Firehouse, located next to Village Hall, was built in 2004. Rye Brook Police Department BFJ Planning Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  174  12.2.3 Emergency Medical Services Rye Brook is served by the Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook Emergency Medical Services (EMS), which has a paramedic, emergency medical technician (EMT) staff of about 20 and volunteers, and operates from its headquarters on Ellendale Avenue in Port Chester. The organization – which serves Rye Brook, Port Chester and Rye City – operates two ambulances around the clock, and typically requires assistance from neighboring EMS providers about 15 times a year. 12.3 Engineering/Public Works Department The Engineering/Public Works Department employs nine full-time staff and various seasonal employees in the spring and fall. Its primary functions are maintaining streets, storm drainage and sewers, with duties including leaf collection, emergency road repair, plowing/salting, landscaping and tree maintenance. The department also manages the two pump stations at BelleFair and Village Hall, as well as the composting site on Lincoln Avenue. In recent years, a major area of focus for the Engineering/Public Works Department has been implementing recommended stormwater management and other infrastructure improvements (see Chapter 5). In 2010, Westchester County undertook a reconstruction project of North Ridge Street, with work including milling and paving of the roadway from the Hutchinson River Parkway to High Street, as well as additional drainage, concrete curbing, signal improvements and concrete sidewalks. In addition, due to field conditions and the location of property lines, Ridge Street near the Betsy Brown intersection was shifted approximately 4 feet to the west, resulting in a new retaining wall on the northwest side of this intersection. Work was completed by the Village in the fall of 2013 to upgrade sidewalks on King Street between Anderson Hill Road and Arbor Drive. At the same time, Rye Brook has worked to eliminate a number of isolated residential sidewalks to ensure more efficient provision of resources and respond to individual neighborhood needs. A major change for the Engineering/Public Works Department in future years will be the construction of a new highway garage complex. In 2013, Rye Brook authorized the issuance of a $750,000 bond to purchase the existing garage at 511 West William Street from the Town of Rye, from which the Village had leased the property since 1982. The 31,700-square-foot facility occupies a parcel just east of Ridge Street between West William Street and Ellendale Avenue. Because of the inadequacy of this complex, the Village plans to replace the highway garage on the same site. In conjunction with that replacement, this Plan suggests that the Village pursue a right of first offer on the residential property adjacent to the municipal site to the west on Ellendale Avenue. Acquisition of that additional parcel would allow for a larger and more uniformly shaped highway garage site, which would improve its practical function. Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  175  12.4 Parks and Recreation Department The Rye Brook Parks and Recreation Department employs four full-time office and program staff from its office at Village Hall, and oversees the Village’s network of municipal parks (see Chapter 6) with four maintenance staff. In addition, the department offers a range of recreational programs for Rye Brook residents. The Parks and Recreation Department is supported by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council, a nine-member advisory board whose role is to evaluate current programs and address community needs. As discussed in Chapter 6, this Plan recommends that the Village undertake a comprehensive study of a potential multipurpose recreational center to determine the need for such a facility, the potential uses and amenities that could be accommodated, estimated construction and operating costs and the fiscal and tax implications of such a project. 12.5 Building Department The Building Department, located at Village Hall, is responsible for code enforcement within the Village. The department receives and reviews applications, drawings and plans for building permits and other approvals; performs inspections to ensure compliance with applicable codes and regulations; and refers applications to the appropriate Village board (Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Architectural Board of Review or Village Board). The department reports that its staff is adequate for the time being, but will likely need to be supplemented in the long-term. It is currently switching files to a digital format and intends to move older files off-site. This should alleviate space and storage issues, and help with staffing levels for the near-term. 12.6 Senior Services The Department of Senior Services is based at the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center on Garibaldi Street, across the street from Garibaldi Park. The department provides a full range of services, including social and recreational programming, transportation and lunches, open to all Village residents aged 55 and older with an annual membership. About 300 seniors are members, approximately 100 of which can be considered active members. The department also works closely with surrounding communities such as Port Chester and the City of Rye, to coordinate efforts on reaching seniors. In addition, the Community Center may be rented out for special events accommodating up to 140 people. The Department of Senior Services reports that facility rentals generate approximately $15,000 a year in revenue for the Village. However, based on the results of the Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  176  online public survey conducted as part of this Plan, it appears that public awareness of the Community Center as a rental facility is low. The department should continue to explore ways to increase rental of the facility. In recent years, usage of the Village’s senior services has shifted. Whereas in the past, the Community Center was a focus of activity and accommodated seniors all day, now more people tend to come only for certain events, particularly exercise programs and trips. The Department of Senior Services is also seeing greater demand for its transportation services, which are provided with its 20-person bus for special events and by appointment. The bus is also used in the summer for the Rye Brook Teen Travel camp, which presents some potential for scheduling conflicts. To adapt to the changing needs of the population, as Rye Brook’s senior population is likely to grow and more baby boomers become seniors (see Chapter 3), the Community Center may consider broadening its programming to attract a greater range of ages (including children and teens), with a focus on becoming an entertainment and services hub and promoting “lifelong learning.” This could involve partnerships with schools, the library and other institutions within the region, as well as greater coordination with the Village Parks and Recreation Department. The Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center is generally in good condition, with most long-term issues addressed. The department unsuccessfully applied for CDBG funding for a lift to the basement, and that project is in the Village’s current Proposed Capital Improvement Plan. This would allow for greater usage of the substantial storage space available in the basement, which is presently used for file storage for various Village departments. The Department of Senior Services also reports that the Community Center could use some multimedia upgrades, and that the senior bus should be upgraded when it is retired, as the current vehicle is meant for local trips but is being used more for longer rides. Finally, parking at the Community Center is an ongoing issue; the Village should continue to pursue opportunities to gain additional parking to serve both the center and Garibaldi Park, as discussed in Chapter 6. 12.7 Library Rye Brook is served by the Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, which is located at 1 Haseco Avenue, just off Westchester Avenue, in the Village of Port Chester. Serving a total population of more than 36,000 residents, the library is governed by an 11-member board of trustees comprised of residents of both communities. In 2012, the library completed a major renovation including creation of a teen room and multipurpose meeting room, new furniture and carpets, relocation of the children’s room and addition of an elevator. The renovation, the library’s first major project since a 1967 addition, did not add square footage. The library has two main spaces for use by community groups: the Davidson Community Room, which can accommodate up to 150 people, and two second-floor meeting rooms that can hold small groups of 15 people each, or 30 people combined. Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  177  12.8 Village Boards and Commissions The following Village boards, commissions and committees are active in Rye Brook:  Advisory Council on Environmental Conservation  Advisory Council on Parks and Recreation  Airport Advisory Council  Architectural Review Board  Ethics Board  Fire Protection Board  Planning Board  Records Management Committee  Technology and Communications Commission  Traffic Commission  Zoning Board of Appeals 12.9 Schools Rye Brook is served by two school districts: the Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District and the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District (see Figure 12.1). Each school district is controlled by its own legislative body, independent of the Village. Thus, this Plan makes no recommendations on school operations or facilities; this section is provided for informational purposes only. 12.9.1 Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District The Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District serves approximately 70% of Rye Brook and has a total enrollment of about 1,500 students. The district has three schools: Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street Elementary School, Blind Brook Middle School and Blind Brook High School. As shown in Table 36, enrollment in the Blind Brook School District grew steadily in the early part of the 2003-2013 decade, peaking in 2008 with 1,555 students. However, since that peak, the number of students has fallen more than 4%, as the region and nation have seen record-low birth rates in the face of continuing weak economic conditions and shifting demographics. In response to declining enrollment, the school district has begun to recruit new students from outside its boundaries and charging tuition ranging from $19,569 to $21,500 depending on the grade. As a high-performing district, the Blind Brook School District is positioning itself as an alternative to area private or parochial schools. Most open spots for out-of-district students are at the elementary school level, which has seen the steepest declines in enrollment in recent years.23                                                              23 De Avila, Joseph. “The $20,000 Public School: Westchester School Markets Itself as Alternative to Private Institutions.” The Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2013.   Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  178  Table 36: Blind Brook-Rye Union Free School District Enrollment Grade 2003- 2004 2004- 2005 2005- 2006 2006- 2007 2007- 2008 2008- 2009 2009- 2010 2010- 2011 2011- 2012 K-5 726 740 759 781 791 818 752 729 678 6-8 321 300 311 317 337 344 378 385 392 9-12 323 367 390 389 376 393 394 408 418 Total 1,370 1,407 1,460 1,487 1,504 1,555 1,524 1,522 1,488 Source: New York State Report Card, New York State Education Department 12.9.2 Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District The Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District serves about 30% of Rye Brook, generally south of Crawford Park, with a total enrollment of nearly 4,200 students. The district operates six schools: Edison, JFK Magnet, King Street and Park Avenue elementary schools, Port Chester Middle School and Port Chester High School. All of the elementary schools are in Port Chester, while the middle school is in Rye Brook and the high school is in both villages. As Table 37 indicates, the Port Chester School District is experiencing the opposite problem of the Blind Brook school district; enrollment is rising sharply. Since 2003, enrollment for the district increased by nearly 25%, with substantial growth across all grade levels. In December 2013, the district drafted a resolution urging officials from both Port Chester and Rye Brook to discourage any additional residential development that would bring more students to the Port Chester School District. The district is considering options to construct more classrooms, but likely will defer action until 2017, when several bonds are due to expire and a new one can be issued to fund more classroom space. In addition, the district has not ruled out condemnation as a means to acquire property for school expansions. The district currently rents space at the Holy Rosary School on South Regent Street in Port Chester.24 Table 37: Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District Enrollment Grade 2003- 2004 2004- 2005 2005- 2006 2006- 2007 2007- 2008 2008- 2009 2009- 2010 2010- 2011 2011- 2012 K-5 1,734 1,754 1,764 1,776 1,814 1,945 1,992 2,071 2,136 6-8 726 752 781 790 786 807 864 884 880 9-12 898 892 1,080 1,062 1,109 1,137 1,154 1,178 1,172 Total 3,358 3,398 3,625 3,628 3,709 3,889 4,010 4,133 4,188 Source: New York State Report Card, New York State Education Department 12.9.3 Higher Education Although there are no institutions of higher education in Rye Brook, two colleges are located nearby in Harrison which can be expected to have some impact on the Village.                                                              24 Donahue, Casey. “Port Chester Schools Struggle with Growing Enrollment.” Port Chester Daily Voice, December 13, 2013. Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  179  The State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase was opened in 1972 and is off Anderson Hill Road along the Harrison-Rye Brook border. The college’s enrollment has steadily grown, with 4,148 undergraduates in the fall of 2011. The college also contains the Neuberger Museum of Art and Performing Arts Center, which are valuable cultural institutions in the area. Manhattanville College is a private institution with approximately 1,700 full-time undergraduate students and 1,000 part-time graduate students. Originally founded in New York City in 1841, the college has been located on Purchase Street, south of Anderson Hill Road, since 1952. 12.10 Historic Resources One property in Rye Brook is listed on the National Register of Historic Places: The William E. Ward House off Comly Avenue along the Village’s border with Greenwich. Built between 1873 and 1876, the building is notable as the first and oldest existing reinforced concrete structure in the United States. From 1976 to 1992, the building housed the Museum of Cartoon Art. It was listed on the National Register in 1976 and later jointly designated as a National Historic Civil and Concrete Engineering Landmark by the American Concrete Institute and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Known locally as Ward’s Castle, it is currently a private residence.25 12.11 Community Identity The outreach process conducted for this Plan, as well as prior planning efforts, makes clear that Rye Brook residents care deeply about their community and are proud of its assets. While the village does not share the characteristics of many of Westchester County municipalities – such as a traditional downtown, train station or historic buildings – it has a reputation as an attractive, close-knit community with excellent schools, municipal services and transportation access. Nearly three-fourths of the public survey respondents supported the idea of Rye Brook having a distinct identity. While forging such an identity is an organic process that often occurs over time, there are a number of steps that communities can take to cultivate their unique character and make it known throughout the region.                                                              25 Village of Rye Brook Planning Base Studies. Original sources: U.S. Parks Service, National Register of Historic Places and American Society of Civil Engineers. Ward’s Castle, Rye Brook’s key historic site. BFJ Planning Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  180  For a community, and especially its downtown or primary business area, to become a recognizable "place," branding is essential. This process typically involves trying to distill the essence of a community, using icons, attributes and perhaps history, that will signal what it represents. A starting point is often the development of a new (or revised) village seal or logo. The widespread application of this on signage, official documents, uniforms and general publicity will foster recognition among a wide range of audiences. Done successfully, a branding program will aid in wayfinding and encourage visitors and residents to shop, dine, leave their cars and generally become aware of the community’s ambiance. Gateways announce a sense of arrival; information kiosks allow local government to "talk" to visitors; newly designed street names extend the image; walking tours create neighborhood awareness. In addition, if funding permits, communities can develop façade programs to discourage visual clutter among retail stores and further establish a sense of place and community pride. Lighting also plays an important part, with the design of fixtures also becoming part of the "branded environment." Chapter 11 suggests several urban design strategies to establish a stronger sense of place in Rye Brook’s Village Center, including creating building design and signage guidelines, landscaping and improvements to the pedestrian environment. Some of these measures are most appropriate for a “downtown” environment, but others can be implemented village-wide, such as newly designed street signs, banners and other recognizable symbols. This planning process provides an example of the branding concept, with the use of a consistent color palette, font and layout for all publicity materials and project deliverables. The goal was to establish a project image that would be instantly recognizable and visually appealing. A similar effort could be undertaken for the Village as a whole, with the assistance of branding experts. 12.12 Issues and Opportunities Revisit Police Department and Village Hall Space Analysis Study The 2010 Village Hall Space Analysis Study recommended a 1,780-square-foot addition to the Rye Brook Police Department, to address current and projected needs to 2030. The study’s recommendations also incorporated a 520-square-foot addition to Village Hall to accommodate administrative departments. Due to tight economic conditions, these recommendations were not implemented. The Police Department reports that its space issues have not changed, and that it continues to face constraints and security problems. However, due to greater efficiency created by digitization of documents, the Administration Department reports that it may no longer require an addition. Given the varied needs of the two departments, as well as an altered economic picture, the Village should revisit the Space Analysis Study to determine the extent to which its recommendations for the Police Department remain valid and may be best implemented. Look at Broadening the Constituency of the Community Center The Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center serves a vital role in Rye Brook and the surrounding community and is one of the Village’s most valuable community resources. However, some in the Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  181  Village seem to have limited awareness of the center, notably its availability for rental by residents of all ages. At the same time, the Department of Senior Services reports that the role of the Center has shifted. Whereas in the past, seniors were interested in being at the center all day, now they use it as more of an informational hub and a place for specific events and activities. To adapt to these changing priorities and the needs of the Rye Brook population as a whole, the Center should look at broadening its programming to appeal to a wider demographic and to become a destination for lifelong learning. Forging partnerships with area institutions such as schools and the library, and improving coordination with the Village Parks and Recreation Department, would allow the Center to expand the breadth of its programming to attract more users. Targeted building investments such as multimedia upgrades could make the facility more attractive to hosting a greater variety of events and activities. Obtaining additional parking adjacent to Garibaldi Park – and clearly marking it as usable for the Center with improved signage and wayfinding – would also enhance the center’s visibility and ease of use. Finally, the center should explore ways to cultivate its image through branding and expanded outreach to the larger community, in particular marketing for rental for special events. In considering any of these measures, the Center should ensure that there is no negative impact to the use and enjoyment of the facility by its current clientele – Rye Brook’s seniors – who are, and will continue to be, its core constituency. Coordinate with School Districts on Future Needs The two school districts in Rye Brook operate independently of the Village and of each other; therefore, it is not in the purview of this Plan to make recommendations as to their long-term goals, policies and projects. However, the health of the districts has a direct impact on residents’ property values and quality of life. The discussion above suggests that both the Blind Brook and Port Chester school districts are grappling with issues of enrollment – either too much or too little. The Village should maintain a strong and cooperative relationship with both districts to ensure that they can continue to meet the needs of students and their families, while retaining and enhancing the community character of Rye Brook as a whole. Undertake a Village Branding Initiative In order to establish a distinct identity and better publicize Rye Brook’s special character and assets, it is recommended that the Village launch a community branding effort, with a particular focus on the Village Center. While such an initiative would likely require the retention of branding experts to guide the process, it could also involve members of the community. For example, the Village could solicit logo designs from local students, seek broad input on a new Rye Brook slogan or engage local artists to fabricate key branding elements. This not only serves to engage the community in fun and creative ways, but it also helps to achieve buy-in from residents and business owners, by giving them a stake in the project outcomes. Plan Rye Brook  Chapter 12: Municipal Facilities and Community Character  182  12.13 Municipal Facilities and Community Character Recommendations  Revisit the 2010 Police Department and Village Hall Space Analysis Study to determine the extent to which its recommendations for the Police Department remain valid and may be best implemented.  Look at broadening the constituency of the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center to appeal to a wider demographic and attract more users, while ensuring that the center continues to serve its core constituency of Rye Brook’s seniors. Measures to be considered include: o Forging stronger partnerships with area institutions such as schools and the library, and improving coordination with the Village Parks and Recreation Department. o Targeted building investments such as multimedia upgrades to make the facility more attractive to hosting a greater variety of events and activities. o Obtaining additional parking adjacent to Garibaldi Park and clearly marking it as usable for the Community Center, with improved signage and wayfinding. o Enhanced branding and expanded outreach to the community at large, including improved marketing of the center’s availability for event rentals.  Continue to maintain a strong and cooperative relationship with the Blind Brook and Port Chester School Districts to ensure that they meet the needs of students and their families, while retaining and enhancing the community character of Rye Brook as a whole.  Undertake a village-wide community branding initiative.