‘It’s bad enough that projects are presented and developed with NO COMMUNITY INPUT but it’s brazen to ignore the elected representative of the area.’

By Philip Armstrong | The Yonkers Ledger

There is an ongoing concern by the citizens of Yonkers who request that any development is responsible and fits within the character of where it is proposed.

The recent City Council meeting on the rezoning of 900 N. Broadway exposed a problem with the process that’s really more like an open secret. These developers have access to our elected officials and they ignore the concerns of residents to simply line up the council votes to achieve their goals.

‘Subject to community review’

In the past, residents have approached members of the City Council to request they amend the zoning code with a requirement that the Planning Department consult with local groups and ask about their concerns and for their guidance. In many other cities, community boards do just this. This involvement early on–long before variances are granted and permits are filed–allows not only for collaborative development, but also saves the developer in potentially wasted expenses.

Former City Council Member representing the First District, Shanae Williams, assured us in November of 2023 that this proposal had been submitted to attorneys within the Council. Upon their review, it could then be presented to the City Council for discussion. We have asked the new Council Member of that district, Deana Robinson, to follow up on this request.

Just four votes

At the last Real Estate Committee and City Council meetings, it was revealed that the developer of the project at 900 N. Broadway reached out to the Council Members of Districts One and Three. However, they made no attempt to meet with the representative of District Six–where the development site actually exists. I would ask, how could this happen? It’s bad enough that projects are presented and developed with NO COMMUNITY INPUT but it’s brazen to ignore the elected representative of the area.

So, it seems that a well-known person in the City Of Yonkers went around and lined up support from politicians whose political campaigns they support and contribute to. Votes on this project at the end of the night were 4-to-3 in favor of the development. Majority leader John Rubbo, Majority Whip Deana Robinson, Minority Leader Mike Breen, and Tasha Diaz voted for the developer’s wishes.

And this 4-to-3 majority will ensure that whatever is needed by the developer continues to pass through the City Council. For example, Spot Zoning in the City of Yonkers is illegal, but the City Council can override most ordinances with a simple majority anyway.

‘For the people’

One must note that this is not one political party against another. Rather, it’s just four politicians against three elected officials who work for the citizens they represent.

I do hope that what we observed at the meeting–where a council person was attacked for advocating for the concerns of their constituents–is not to be repeated. The members of the Council are paid more than twice the average income of their constituents. So, they should be working full time for the citizens of Yonkers and spend less time lining up big dollar support for their future elections.

Yonkers is a great city IF WE CAN KEEP IT in the hands of our citizens. ##

[Reporter/Author Philip Armstrong is a native of Dublin Ireland born in 1949 who immigrated by boat in 1954 entering the US for the first time through New York Harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty as he entered. His family moved to South West Yonkers in 1962. He graduated from the Yonkers High School of Commerce and joined the United States Army in 1970; serving a tour in Vietnam. He then joined the Carpenters Union and opened a service business that he ran for over 25 years while attending Westchester Community College for seven years at night on the GI bill.]