White Plains meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Planning Board recommends health club, mini-storage at former Walmart site

The White Plains Planning Board on Aug. 18 approved a site plan amendment for an in-ground pool and recommended approval of a special permit for a health club and mini-storage facility at 275 Main Street, the former Walmart building. The board also scheduled a public hearing for a 13-lot subdivision at the former Windward School site.

Planning Board actions

The board took several actions at its Aug. 18 meeting:

• Approved a site plan amendment for an in-ground swimming pool at 1148 Mamaroneck Avenue.
• Recommended approval of a special permit for a health club and mini-storage at 275 Main Street (former Walmart).
• Scheduled a public hearing for a 13-lot subdivision at 5 and 15 Windward Avenue (Whitmore Estates).
• Raised no objection to a master retail signage plan at 25 North Lexington Avenue.
• Adjourned a special use permit application for outdoor vehicle storage at 322 Central Avenue (Honda dealership) because the applicant was absent.

These actions are from the board's agenda and summary; minutes have not yet been published.

Design Review Board

On Aug. 12, the Design Review Board reviewed ten applications, including new signage, exterior modifications, and a major redevelopment proposal. The most significant item was a request for amended site plan and special permit approvals to renovate the building at 275 Main Street and add a health club and mini-storage facility. The board also considered a one-year extension for a site plan approval for properties at 27 Holland Ave and 7-11 Holland Ave. No decisions were recorded; the meeting was an agenda-only review.

Transportation Commission

The Transportation Commission met Aug. 18 to discuss parking-related requests and referrals. Items included the 275 Main Street site plan amendment, a retail signage plan at 25 North Lexington, and a request to change parking restrictions on Holland Avenue to "No Parking 10AM-11AM." Several items were held for further review or resident polling. No decisions were made.

Conservation Board

The Conservation Board meeting scheduled for Aug. 17 was cancelled. The next meeting is set for Sept. 21 at 7:30 PM in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall, 255 Main Street.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. The next Conservation Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21, outside that window.

White Plains Council Approves Grant Applications for Composting, Soccer Fest 2027

The White Plains Common Council on July 27 unanimously approved grant applications for a food waste composting initiative and a women's soccer event in 2027. The council authorized a $735,966 application for the Smart Composting Initiative, with $367,983 requested from New York State, and a separate application for up to $300,000 for Soccer Fest 2027: Women's World Cup, with up to $150,000 requested from Empire State Development. Both votes were unanimous, according to official minutes.

Council approves grant applications

The council's July 27 meeting also included a presentation on EV charging station funding and a clean energy outreach campaign. A proposed $200,000 budget increase for engineering services for the EV Charging Stations FY26 project, which would bring the total cost to $1,487,187, was discussed but no vote was recorded in the minutes.

Council to consider zoning change for mini-storage

At its August 3 meeting, the Common Council will hold a public hearing on a zoning text amendment to allow mini-storage facilities as a special permit use in the CB-3 (Core Business) District, provided they are located entirely below grade. The proposal targets the vacant 2.29-acre site at 275 Main Street, formerly home to retail stores, which would convert 90,000 square feet of basement space into self-storage. The amendment would require a minimum 2-acre lot, below-grade location, and vehicular access from major roadways.

The council will also consider a budget amendment for Capital Project No. C5672 (EV Charging Stations FY26), an amendment to the Taxicab Rate Schedule in the Municipal Code, a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for youth alcohol prevention, and a site plan and special permit extension for 161 South Lexington Avenue. The agenda also includes the reappointment of Philip M. Platz to the Board of Assessment Review, with a term expiring September 30, 2031. No minutes have been published for this meeting yet.

Zoning Board cancels August meeting

The White Plains Zoning Board of Appeals has cancelled its August 2026 meeting. Several applications have been adjourned to September 2, 2026, including a proposal to build a Buddhist Temple at 1 Sycamore Lane, which requires a wetlands buffer variance and multiple area variances, and a garage conversion and front porch addition at 27 Rose Street, which needs three area variances. New applications received but not heard in August include an in-ground swimming pool at 2 Seymour Place (two area variances), a one-year extension for a BESS facility at 118 Oakley Avenue, and a one-year extension for a 9-level parking garage at 34 East Post Road for White Plains Hospital.

Coming up

No meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days. The Zoning Board of Appeals will next meet on September 2, 2026, to hear the adjourned items.

White Plains Council Approves Grants for Composting Initiative and Soccer Fest 2027

The White Plains Common Council unanimously authorized two grant applications on July 27, moving forward on a food-waste composting program and a 2027 Women's World Cup soccer event.

Grant Applications Approved

The council voted unanimously to apply for a $735,966 grant for the "White Plains' Smart Composting Initiative," which would seek $367,983 from New York State. The council also voted unanimously to apply for up to $300,000 for "Soccer Fest 2027: Women's World Cup," requesting up to $150,000 from Empire State Development.

Both votes were recorded as unanimous. The official minutes confirm these as decided items.

EV Charging Stations Funding Discussed

The same July 27 council meeting included discussion of a proposed $200,000 budget increase for engineering services for the "EV Charging Stations FY26" capital project, which would bring the project's total cost to $1,487,187. The council also received a presentation from Sustainable Westchester. Minutes for these discussion items have not yet been published, so no vote outcome is confirmed.

The Capital Projects Board met July 23 to consider the same $200,000 increase to the EV Charging Stations FY26 project, bringing it to $1,487,187. That meeting's minutes are also not yet published.

Planning Board: Public Hearings and Extensions

The Planning Board met July 21 on two separate agendas. According to the agenda summaries:

• Public hearings were scheduled for single-family houses at 1020 and 1024 Hall Avenue, both on environmentally sensitive sites.
• A public hearing was scheduled for a site plan amendment for an in-ground pool at 1148 Mamaroneck Avenue.
• The board considered a third extension of site plan and special permit approval for Brookfield Commons Phase 3 at 161 South Lexington Avenue.
• A third extension of subdivision approval was listed for 2 Hunting Ridge Road.
• An application for a six-story, 27-unit residence at 98 Broad Parkway was on the agenda.
• A preliminary subdivision for 10 single-family lots at 252 Soundview Avenue was listed.
• The board recommended a zoning amendment to add mini-storage as a special permit use in the CB-3 district, limited to below-grade locations.
• A one-year site plan extension was approved for 126 Woodcrest Avenue.
• Several applications were adjourned without discussion, including a subdivision extension at 60 South Broadway.

Minutes for the July 21 Planning Board meetings have not yet been published, so items beyond the approved extension at 126 Woodcrest Avenue and the mini-storage recommendation should be treated as scheduled or discussed, not necessarily decided.

Coming Up

The Common Council meets August 3 to hold a public hearing on a zoning amendment that would allow mini-storage facilities as a special permit use in the CB-3 District, provided they are located entirely below grade. The proposal targets the vacant 2.29-acre site at 275 Main Street, which would convert 90,000 square feet of basement space into self-storage. The amendment would require a minimum 2-acre lot, below-grade location, and vehicular access from major roadways.

Also on the August 3 agenda: a budget amendment for Capital Project No. C5672 (EV Charging Stations FY26), an amendment to the Taxicab Rate Schedule in the Municipal Code, a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for youth alcohol prevention, a site plan and special permit extension for 161 South Lexington Avenue, and the reappointment of Philip M. Platz to the Board of Assessment Review for a term expiring September 30, 2031.

White Plains Council Advances $4.19M in Bonds; Mini-Storage Zoning Hearing Set for August 3

The White Plains Common Council moved forward on bond ordinances totaling $4,186,500 for capital projects at its July 6 meeting, according to meeting summaries. The bonds would fund the Library Parking Structure Rehabilitation and the Renaissance Fountain Rehabilitation. Meeting minutes have not yet been published.

Bonds for Capital Projects

The Council's agenda included a $3,530,000 bond ordinance to finance construction or reconstruction of city-owned buildings, identified in one summary as the Library Parking Structure Rehabilitation. A separate $656,500 bond ordinance was listed for the Renaissance Fountain Rehabilitation. Together, the two bonds total $4,186,500.

The source summaries indicate these items were approved, but the meeting record is marked "agenda only (minutes not yet published)," so the official vote tallies are not yet available.

Mini-Storage Zoning Amendment

A public hearing was scheduled for August 3, 2026 on a zoning amendment that would permit mini-storage facilities in the CB-3 (Core-Business) District as a special permit use. The Design Review Board also reviewed the same zoning amendment petition at its July 13 meeting.

Other Council Items

The July 6 Council agenda included several other items:

• An agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a joint terrorism task force memorandum.
• Contracts for legal case management software and audit services.
• Grants from New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital and the County of Westchester for Youth Bureau programs.

All items are listed as agenda-only with minutes not yet published, so final dispositions and vote counts are not confirmed in the available record.

Design Review Board — July 13

The Design Review Board reviewed the mini-storage zoning amendment petition along with a full agenda of sign installations and exterior alterations. Items included:

• A communication from the Building Commissioner regarding an extension for Brookfield Commons Phase 3.
• Exterior changes to the storefront and facade at Azul Bar & Grill, 8 South Kensico Ave.
• New exterior accessible ramps and parking layout at Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 468 Rosedale Ave.
• A color change to the exterior of the building at Cube Smart, 80 South Kensico Ave.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

Coming Up

The Planning Board meets July 21 with a public hearing on a site plan amendment for an in-ground pool at 1148 Mamaroneck Avenue. The board will also consider a third extension of the site plan and special permit for Brookfield Commons Phase 3 at 161 South Lexington Avenue, a third extension of subdivision approval for 2 Hunting Ridge Road, an application for a six-story, 27-unit residence at 98 Broad Parkway, and a preliminary subdivision for 10 single-family lots at 252 Soundview Avenue.

White Plains Council Approves $8M in Bonds for Vehicles, Elevator, Street Work; Zoning Board Adjourns All Applications

The White Plains Common Council approved more than $8 million in bond authorizations on June 29, funding heavy-duty vehicles, a prisoner elevator rehabilitation, and street reconstruction — the largest package of capital spending decisions made over the past two weeks.

Common Council — June 29

The Council adopted a consent agenda covering items 2 through 27 in a 7-0 vote, including appointments and ordinances. Several bond ordinances passed unanimously:

• **$5,277,000** to finance heavy-duty vehicles and equipment (7-0).
• **$2,348,000** to rehabilitate the Public Safety Building prisoner elevator (7-0).
• **$505,000** to replace the Orchard Street Pump Station roof (7-0).
• **$4.32 million** for a street reconstruction capital project amendment (7-0).

The Council also approved fund transfers for snow removal and a school bus purchase, and a budget amendment for the White Plains Soccer Fest, each by 7-0 votes.

Ethics Board appointments were tabled unanimously, and a Library Board appointment was filed.

Two projects — the Library Parking Structure Rehabilitation and the Renaissance Plaza fountain — were discussed but no votes were cast on either.

Common Council — July 6 (Minutes Not Yet Published)

The Council held first readings on additional bond ordinances and considered several contracts and agreements. Because official minutes have not yet been published, outcomes are not confirmed.

Items on the agenda included:

• A **$3,530,000** bond for construction or reconstruction of city-owned buildings.
• A **$656,500** bond for Renaissance Fountain rehabilitation.
• A zoning amendment to permit mini-storage facilities in the CB-3 (Core-Business) District as a special permit use, with a public hearing scheduled for **August 3, 2026**.
• An agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a joint terrorism task force memorandum.
• Grants from New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital and the County of Westchester for Youth Bureau programs.
• Contracts for legal case management software and audit services.

One agenda summary for July 6 referenced approval of $4,186,500 in bonds for the Library Parking Structure Rehabilitation and Renaissance Fountain Rehabilitation, but because minutes are not yet published, this cannot be confirmed as decided.

Zoning Board of Appeals — July 1

The Zoning Board of Appeals did not vote on any applications. Four items were adjourned to September 2, 2026:

• **Z-2024-20**, a Buddhist temple project.
• **Z-2026-13**, a rear addition application.
• **Z-2026-14**, a garage conversion and porch addition.
• **Z-2026-15**, a pool installation application.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents should watch for the scheduled August 3, 2026 public hearing on the mini-storage zoning amendment for the CB-3 district, and for publication of July 6 Common Council minutes, which would confirm the status of the city-owned building and fountain rehabilitation bonds.