Outcry Over Ice Rink Proposal Continues at Second Rye Brook Hearing

Fears over traffic, safety and quality of life first expressed during the January public hearing on Reckson Operating Partnership, L.P.'s proposal to build a four-rink ice facility were echoed during the second hearing held on Tuesday night. The hearing specifically covered Reckson's application for approval of a special permit and amended site plan for its current site at 1100 King Street 

Most of the continued opposition came from residents of Doral Greens and Belle Fair, the two communities that surround the Reckson site.

Of the more than 30 speakers, several spoke in favor of the plan. They said there is a great demand for ice time, that hockey is a positive activity for children and that the facility would provide a significant economic boost to the area. Most of those in favor were not from Rye Brook and all said that they had some connection to hockey or skating; Rye High School Varsity hockey coach Peter Thomas was among them. 

At the start of the meeting, Reckson attorney, William S. Null of the law firm Cuddy & Feder, LLP, responded to some concerns aired during the January hearing. He explained that they have reduced the seating from 1,230 seats to 799 seats, a request made during the last public hearing. He and other Reckson representatives discussed the numerous traffic studies they have conducted. The facility would add about 200 to 400 vehicles during rush hour, they said.

The also said that Reckson and QMC would seek a second access road for emergency vehicles only between King Street and the parking lot to prevent delays in case of an emergency. The Emergency Services Task Force has reviewed and approved plans for fire truck turns, Null said.

Additionally, they will move bus parking to an area behind the buildings to keep buses further from the surrounding residential communities.

Reckson representatives said their fiscal impact analysis showed there would be a $29 million economic impact to the area and that the village would see an additional $7.5 million in revenue by the fifth year of operation.

Mayor Paul Rosenberg emphasized that the board was not voting Tuesday evening and they and village consultants are still considering the many studies and other documents Reckson representatives have presented. He also reiterated a point made by former Mayor Joan Feinstein at the first public hearing that Reckson would not be under a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement. During the first hearing, Feinstein and Null clarified that Reckson would be paying about $241,000 in taxes per year, based on a vacant land assessment of $12.5 million; about 65 % of that, $160,000, would go to the Blind Brook school district.

Also, the village attorney explained that the village board is the lead agency in the SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) process. This means the board will consider the project and decide if it would have a potential positive or negative impact on the environment.

Talk of impact analysis and traffic studies did not assuage residents’ fears. Many spoke passionately against the project, arguing that on top of traffic and safety concerns, the facility would significantly change the entire character of Rye Brook.  

“One of most important reasons why we chose Rye Brook as new home was because of quiet residential character but now we are in danger of changing that character,” said Marsha Goldfinger, who moved from Milton Point, Rye to Doral Greens 20 years ago.

 Her neighbors emphasized her points and others.

“I consider it my civic duty to oppose this plan,” said Patricia Grabel, a nine-year resident of Doral Greens. She listed her concerns: emergency services access, hazard to the airport, danger for cyclists like herself, and traffic.

Another resident, Marcia Teschner, the Chairman of the Rye Brook Airport Council said the project could be a hazard to the airport. Village Administrator Chris Bradbury said that the project is required to be submitted to the FAA for review.

Rye High School Varsity hockey coach Peter Thomas called the Rye Brook residents’ fears “fiction,” and spoke in favor of the plan.

“The notion that people are not going to benefit in this community is not true,” Thomas said. “This will benefit everyone involved…It is not going to be the traffic monster everyone makes it out to be.”

A Belle Fair resident who is a doctor said she partially attributes her success on her skating discipline, training, teamwork and competitiveness that she learned from skating.

“Theses children need positive outlet in order to grow and develop,” she said, explaining the facility would provide that.

Another supporter, Dave Smith, a Yonkers resident who coaches the Westchester Mariners, said he sees the project as a way to put the property back into the “stream of commerce.”

Several people in the crowd of about 70 applauded for Thomas and the other supporters. Others kept their hands still and saved their applause for those who spoke out against the proposal.

Null, Reckson’s attorney, acknowledged the information from both sides, but emphasized that the board has data provided by and being vetted by experts.

“Many of what the impassioned speakers said about their fear over traffic stated and restated things that were not accurate in the information being presented. I ask you to listen to what the data is and analyze that,” Null said to the board.

 “None of the data reflects or supports that there will be a dramatic change in the character of the community," he said. 

Noise won’t be an issue, there will not be congregation in the parking lot, there will be increased security in the parking lot and in the facility to make sure people don’t linger, Null said. He also added that there would be food on site and the facility will not be lit in a way that could distract planes.

He implored the board to listen to its consultants and experts who are continuing to review the additional proposal documents.

Rosenberg extending the public hearing to the May 28 village board meeting. The hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Rye Brook Village Hall, 938 King Street, Rye Brook.

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Editor's Note: This article has been changed slightly from its original version to provide more detail on the speakers. 

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