Appendix H OPRHP Correspondence

Transcription

1 Appendix H OPRHP Correspondence

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3 Environmental and Planning Consultants 440 Park Avenue South 7th Floor New York, NY tel: fax: November 2, 2011 Ms. Nancy Todd Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Delaware Avenue Cohoes, NY Re: French-American School of New York 400 Ridgeway, White Plains, Westchester County Section , Block 2, Lot 3 and Block 9, Lot 3; and Section , Block 1, Lot 6 and Block 3, Lot 43 Dear Ms. Todd: Enclosed please find a Project Review Cover Form to initiate consultation with your office on behalf of the French-American School of New York (FASNY) regarding the proposed construction of a new campus for its Nursery/Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten, Lower School, Middle School, and High School on the site of the former Ridgeway Country Club (400 Ridgeway) in the City of White Plains in Westchester County, New York. Also included in this submittal are a brief project description and maps and photographs illustrating the project site and nearby properties. Please inform us as to whether your office has any architectural resources concerns associated with the proposed project. In addition, please advise if you have any archaeological concerns that warrant preparation of a Phase 1 archaeological study. We will be preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this project which will be submitted to your office in the future. Please let me know if you have any questions or require further information at Thanks very much. Sincerely, AKRF, Inc. Molly McDonald, RPA Technical Director/ Architectural Historian & Archaeologist AKRF, Inc. New York City Hudson Valley Region Long Island Baltimore / Washington Area New Jersey Connecticut

4 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau Peebles Island Resource Center, PO Box 189, Waterford, NY (Mail) Delaware Avenue, Cohoes (Delivery) (518) PROJECT REVIEW COVER FORM Rev Please complete this form and attach it to the top of any and all information submitted to this office for review. Accurate and complete forms will assist this office in the timely processing and response to your request. This information relates to a previously submitted project. PROJECT NUMBER PR COUNTY 2. This is a new project. If you have checked this box you will need to complete ALL of the following information. If you have checked this box and noted the previous Project Review (PR) number assigned by this office you do not need to continue unless any of the required information below has changed. Project Name French American School of New York Location 400 Ridgeway You MUST include street number, street name and/or County, State or Interstate route number if applicable City/Town/Village City of White Plains List the correct municipality in which your project is being undertaken. If in a hamlet you must also provide the name of the town. County Westchester If your undertaking* covers multiple communities/counties please attach a list defining all municipalities/counties included. TYPE OF REVIEW REQUIRED/REQUESTED (Please answer both questions) A. Does this action involve a permit approval or funding, now or ultimately from any other governmental agency? No Yes If Yes, list agency name(s) and permit(s)/approval(s) Agency involved Type of permit/approval State Federal NYS DEC General SPDES Stormwater Permit B. Have you consulted the NYSHPO web site at ** to determine the preliminary presence or absence of previously identified cultural resources within or adjacent to the project area? If yes: Was the project site wholly or partially included within an identified archeologically sensitive area? Does the project site involve or is it substantially contiguous to a property listed or recommended for listing in the NY State or National Registers of Historic Places? Yes No Yes No Yes No CONTACT PERSON FOR PROJECT Name Molly McDonald, RPA Title Technical Director/Arch. Historian & Archaeologist Firm/Agency AKRF, Inc. Address 440 Park Avenue South City New York STATE NY Zip Phone ( ) (646) Fax ( ) (646) mmcdonald@akrf.com ** then select HISTORIC PRESERVATION then select On Line Resources

5 The Historic Preservation Review Process in New York State In order to insure that historic preservation is carefully considered in publicly-funded or permitted undertakings*, there are laws at each level of government that require projects to be reviewed for their potential impact/effect on historic properties. At the federal level, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) directs the review of federally funded, licensed or permitted projects. At the state level, Section of the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law of 1980 performs a comparable function. Local environmental review for municipalities is carried out under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) of regulations on line at: then select HISTORIC PRESERVATION then select Environmental Review Project review is conducted in two stages. First, the Field Services Bureau assesses affected properties to determine whether or not they are listed or eligible for listing in the New York State or National Registers of Historic Places. If so, it is deemed "historic" and worthy of protection and the second stage of review is undertaken. The project is reviewed to evaluate its impact on the properties significant materials and character. Where adverse effects are identified, alternatives are explored to avoid, or reduce project impacts; where this is unsuccessful, mitigation measures are developed and formal agreement documents are prepared stipulating these measures. ALL PROJECTS SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL(S). Project Description Attach a full description of the nature and extent of the work to be undertaken as part of this project. Relevant portions of the project applications or environmental statements may be submitted. Maps Locating Project Include a map locating the project in the community. The map must clearly show street and road names surrounding the project area as well as the location of all portions of the project. Appropriate maps include tax maps, Sanborn Insurance maps, and/or USGS quadrangle maps. Photographs Photographs may be black and white prints, color prints, or color laser/photo copies; standard (black and white) photocopies are NOT acceptable. -If the project involves rehabilitation, include photographs of the building(s) involved. Label each exterior view to a site map and label all interior views. -If the project involves new construction, include photographs of the surrounding area looking out from the project site. Include photographs of any buildings (more than 50 years old) that are located on the project property or on adjoining property. NOTE: Projects submissions will not be accepted via facsimile or . *Undertaking is defined as an agency s purchase, lease or sale of a property, assistance through grants, loans or guarantees, issuing of licenses, permits or approvals, and work performed pursuant to delegation or mandate. r.

6 French-American School of New York A. PROPOSED PROJECT The French-American School of New York (FASNY) proposes to construct a new campus for its Nursery/Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten (Nursery), Lower School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12 with International Baccalaureate) on the site of the former Ridgeway Country Club (400 Ridgeway) in the City of White Plains (the Proposed Project ). When completed, the campus would house a maximum of 1,200 students and approximately 225 to 250 staff in new buildings located at the southern end of a acre assemblage of parcels. The existing clubhouse at the west corner of Ridgeway and Hathaway Lane would be reconfigured as the High School. A new Middle School and combination gymnasium/performing arts building would form an academic quadrangle behind the High School. To the east of Hathaway Lane would be a new school building with two wings housing the Nursery /Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten and Lower School. Three athletic fields, a softball diamond, four tennis courts, and a six-lane running track would be constructed to the west of the main quadrangle running from Ridgeway north to Gedney Esplanade. One baseball field would be located north of Gedney Esplanade. The academic buildings, parking lots containing 428 parking spaces, and athletic fields would occupy approximately acres of land. An additional acres of land in the southern portion of the property would comprise protected wetland areas and buffer. The remaining acres would be preserved as open space to be known as Gedney Preserve. Access to the FASNY campus would be from a new driveway from Ridgeway in the vicinity of Fairway Drive. All buses and students and staff arriving to the High School and Middle School would use the main driveway to enter the site. Exiting vehicles would exit the property and head southbound only on Hathaway Lane to its intersection with Ridgeway. A small parking area accessed off Hathaway Lane would be available for visitors to the High School and administrative offices. This driveway would also provide access to the existing loading dock at the front of the former clubhouse, which would continue to serve as the primary kitchen for the campus. Buses, students, and staff accessing the Lower School and Nursery could use either the main driveway off Ridgeway or new driveways off Hathaway Lane to enter the loop driveway and parking areas. No access is proposed off Gedney Esplanade. FASNY intends to occupy the High School, Middle School, and gymnasium/performing arts building in September The Nursery and Lower School is anticipated to be complete by September FASNY would continue to lease its current buildings in Larchmont, Mamaroneck, and Scarsdale until the new campus spaces become available. B. SITE DESCRIPTION The proposed project site is the existing location of the Ridgeway Country Club at 400 Ridgeway in the City of White Plains, Westchester County, New York. The Property is approximately acres in size, divided into four (4) separate tax parcels, and is bound by Ridgeway to the south, North Street to the east and Bryant Avenue to the north. The Property is entirely within an area known as "Gedney Farms" with dozens of homes bordering the golf course. The Property is also adjoined by the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital on Mamaroneck Avenue to the west; Bryant Gardens, a 409-unit cooperative apartment complex on Bryant Avenue to the northwest; YWCA on North Street to the northeast; First Baptist Church on North 1

7 French-American School of New York Street to the northeast; Green Lawn Garden Center on Ridgeway to the south; and Westchester Hills Golf Club across Ridgeway to the south. In 1912, a luxury resort hotel, Gedney Farm Hotel, was built on and around the project site, which included a golf course, tennis facilities, and a swimming pool. In 1924 a fire destroyed the Hotel. The golf course remained as part of the Gedney Farm Golf Course until 1952 when it was purchased and renamed the Ridgeway Country Club. The former Ridgeway Country Club facilities include an 18-hole golf course designed by Peter Clark in 1923 and redesigned in 2001 by Jeffrey Meyers; 10 tennis courts; and Olympic-sized swimming pool; a Club House; and parking for approximately 180 vehicles. The Property contains four tax parcels. For the purposes of this description, they are referred to as Parcels A, B, C and D. Parcel A (Section , Block 9, Lot 3) is approximately acres in size. It is bound by Ridgeway to the south, Hathaway Lane to the east and Gedney Esplanade to the north. The western edge of the parcel is bound by single-family homes (9 on Murchison Place, 4 on Hotel Drive and 1 on Gedney Esplanade). Parcel A contains a majority of the Country Club facilities, including the Club House building; the Annex Building; a pool; paved parking areas (126 spaces); 10 tennis courts; a Pro Shop building; a driving range; and four of 18 holes of the golf course. Parcel B (designated on Tax Maps as Section , Block 2, Lot 3) is approximately acres in size; the smallest of the four parcels. It is bound by Gedney Esplanade to the south and Heatherbloom Road to the north. The eastern and western edges of the parcel are bound by single-family homes (2 on Gedney Esplanade, 8 on Macy Avenue, 2 on Heatherbloom Road, 9 on Oxford Road and 3 on Robinhood Road). Parcel B contains 2 of 18 golf holes on the course (#13 and 17). Parcel C (designated on Tax Maps as Section , Block 1, Lot 6) is approximately acres in size. It is bound by Bryant Avenue to the north and Heatherbloom Road to the east and south. The northern edge is also bound by two (2) single-family homes on Bryant Avenue. The western edge of the parcel is bound by the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Bryant Gardens Condominiums. Parcel C contains 3 of 18 golf holes on the course. Parcel D (designated on Tax Maps as Section , Block 3, Lot 43) is approximately acres in size; the largest of the four parcels. It is bound by Ridgeway to the south, Hathaway Lane to the west, Bryant Avenue to the north and North Street to the east. The southern edge of the parcel is bound by several single-family homes on Ridgeway, as well as a Landscape/Nursery business whose parcel extends into Parcel D, and whose operations encroach onto the subject property. The eastern edge is bound partly by a 'paper street' and by singlefamily homes on Robinhood Road and North Street. Single-family homes, the YWCA, and First Baptist Church on North Street, border the northeastern edges of the project site. Parcel D consists mainly of 9 of 18 golf holes. The parcel also contains a paved parking area (approximately 54 spaces) at the southern end. A small building within the paved area served as the starter's hut/caddie shack. The site s topography is varied with elevations ranging between approximately 320 feet and approximately 246 feet (NAVD 1988). The site drains toward the Mamaroneck River within the Lower Long Island Sound drainage basin. The site lies adjacent to an area of higher elevation between Hathaway Lane, Oxford Road and Heatherbloom Road containing single-family homes (between parcels B, C and D). 2

8 French-American School of New York C. PROJECT CONSTRUCTION The proposed new campus would be constructed on Parcel A and the southern-most portion of Parcel D. Construction activity on Parcel A includes renovating and reusing the existing clubhouse and clubhouse annex buildings to function as the new High School. Extensive renovations would be required for this change of use. A new Middle School building will be constructed to the north of the existing clubhouse on Parcel A. A new shared gymnasium/auditorium building would be built to the west on Parcel A serving both the Middle and High Schools. A bus/dropoff traffic loop will be constructed around the new buildings. Parking will be provided in multiple areas on Parcel A, specifically to serve the Middle and High Schools needs. Athletic fields will occupy the western portion of Parcel A. Two of the existing tennis courts will remain and two new tennis courts will be constructed. Stormwater management facilities will occupy both sides of the access driveway from Ridgeway at the southwest corner of Parcel A. Parcel B is proposed as open space, with the exception of a new baseball field to be constructed on the south end of the lot. This will include a backstop and team benches, but no other improvements such as field lighting. Parcel C is proposed as open space. Parcel D is the proposed location for the Lower School which includes a one-story wing for the Nursery to Kindergarten program, and a two-story wing for the Grades 1 through 5 program. A bus / drop-off traffic loop will be provided, with short-term parking nearby for parents dropping off the youngest children. Staff, teacher, and visitor parking will also be located nearby. Play areas, with play structures and a youth Athletic Field, will be located on the southern half of Parcel D. The vast majority of Parcel D, including the pond area, surrounding wetlands, and wooded area will remain open space. D. MAPS LOCATING PROJECT A United States Geological Survey (USGS) map (White Plains and Glenville Quadrangles) indicating the project site location is attached as Figure 1. In addition, an aerial map showing the project site is included as Figure 2. E. PHOTOGRAPHS An AKRF architectural historian conducted a site visit in January 2011, in which the properties on the project site and properties within 400 feet of the project site were surveyed and evaluated. Photographs of the project site and immediate vicinity are included as Figures 3 through 7. The vantage points from which these photographs were taken are indicated on Figure 2. Project Site No NHLs, S/NR-listed resources or historic districts, or resources previously determined eligible for such listing were identified on the project site. No properties included in the White Plains survey of locally significant historic properties are located on the project site. Based on limited research and a preliminary site visit by an architectural historian, the buildings, structures, and landscape features currently existing on the project site do not appear to retain sufficient historic integrity to qualify for the S/NR, although they do meet the 50-year age criterion for S/NR eligibility. 3

9 French-American School of New York The buildings now known as the Ridgeway Country Club s Clubhouse and Garage were originally constructed as part of the Gedney Farm Hotel complex ca (see Figure 3). The main hotel building, which was located northwest of the current Clubhouse and Garage buildings, was destroyed by fire in The site became the Ridgeway Country Club in While the Clubhouse and Garage retain part of their original form and details, they have been substantially altered. Alterations include new roofing and siding materials, multiple additions, and window replacements. Study Area For the purposes of initial evaluation, a preliminary Study Area was delineated, extending 400 feet from the Project Site. There are no NHLs or S/NR-listed or eligible architectural resources located within the 400-foot study area. The New-York Presbyterian Hospital Westchester Division, an S/NR-listed property located at 21 Bloomingdale Road, is situated just outside of the Study Area, approximately 500 feet north of the Project Site. One property included in the White Plains survey of locally significant historic properties is located within the 400-foot study area: the Old Ridgeway School (also known as the Girl Scout House). This resource is located at 410 Ridgeway, just east of the RCC parking lot on the east side of Hathaway Lane (see Figure 4, Photo 3). Based on initial map research, the structure was built as a schoolhouse during the second half of the 19th century. While the structure appears to retain its historic form, windows, and cladding materials, it has been substantially altered by the construction of multiple additions and conversion for residential use. The building appears to lack historic integrity sufficient to qualify for S/NR listing. Westchester Hills Golf Club, located at 401 Ridgeway, immediately across from the southern boundary of the project site, includes a Clubhouse and an 18-hole golf course constructed ca and designed by Peter Clark (see Figure 4, Photo 4). The Clubhouse is a Spanish Missionstyle stucco-clad structure. While this property meets the 50-year age criterion for S/NR eligibility, it appears to lack sufficient integrity due to physical alterations, including additions and window replacement. Based on limited research and a preliminary site visit by an architectural historian, the following properties located in the 400-foot study area meet the S/NR age criterion and may be eligible for the S/NR: The Burke Rehabilitation Center, 785 Mamaroneck Avenue: The Burke Rehabilitation Center property is located adjacent to the northwestern portion of the project site (see Figure 5, Photo 5). The Rehabilitation Center includes several Neoclassical brick institutional buildings constructed in the early and mid-20th century as part of the Winifred Masterson Burke Relief Foundation. The Main Building is an H-plan structure with an Ionic colonnade, cupola, and large walled courtyard. While some additions and alterations have occurred within the Rehabilitation Center property, overall the complex appears to retain a high degree of historic integrity and likely meets the S/NR eligibility criteria. Former Little Farm Building: At the eastern edge of the study area, northeast of the intersection of North Street and Little Lane, there is a single-story building with a stone foundation, a jerkinhead roof with dormers and a cupola, and six-over-six-light doublehung sash windows (see Figure 5, Photo 6). The structure appears to date to the mid- to 4

10 French-American School of New York late 19th century. Historic map research suggests that by the early 20th century, the structure probably functions as an ancillary building on the Little Farm, which was owned by Emile Anthony. The building was probably originally clad in wood clapboard, but currently appears to be parged with stucco. Further research would be required to determine whether the structure possesses sufficient historic significance and integrity to qualify for S/NR eligibility. Multiple Residences: A number of residential buildings in the study area appear to meet the S/NR criteria, and as a grouping may constitute one or more potential historic districts. The Gedney Farms neighborhood was subject to substantial residential development between the 1910s and the 1950s. Many of the buildings in this area were constructed in the Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival styles for upper middle class families. Many of the residences in the study area appear to possess a high degree of historic integrity, including those along Hathaway Lane and Oxford Road in the central portion of the study area and along Antony Road in the eastern portion of the study area (see Figures 6 and 7). Additional research and field assessment would be necessary in order to determine the boundaries of any potential residential historic districts in the study area. 5

11 C D B A N 0 Project Site Boundaries 2000 FEET SCALE Project Site Location USGS: White Plains and Glenville Quads French-American School of New York Figure 1

12 SHERMAN AVE MACY AVE NORTHDALE RD NORTH ST New York Presbyterian Hospital WYNDHAM CLOSE COLONIAL RD N BRYANT AVE EASTDALE RD BRYANT AVE MIDDALE RD NORTH ST LEIR CT GABRIEL CT BRYANT CRES Parcel C HEATHER LN SOUTHDALE RD 6 5 Burke Rehabilitation Hospital Parcel D ROBINHOOD RD 10 ANTONY RD LITTLE LN Former Little Farm Building HEATHERBLOOM RD ROBINHOOD RD HATHAWAY LN STANLEY RD LAUREL RD ROBINHOOD RD Parcel B OXFORD RD PARTRIDGE RD TOPLAND RD GEDNEY PARK DR BURLING AVE RIDGEWAY GEDNEY ESPLANADE LITTLE JOHN PL HATHAWAY LN MONROE DR ROGER PL GEDNEY ESPLANADE Parcel A 3 HOTEL DR 4 1 CLUB POINTE DR GEDNEY CIR MAMARONECK AVE WESTWAY SEYMOUR PL MURCHISON PL 2 Old Ridgeway School DUPONT AVE FAIRWAY DR RICHBELL RD ALEX DR MAMARONECK AVE Project Site Boundaries GLENDON CIR HOMESIDE LN JARED DR 400-Foot Study Area AVONDALE RD Historic/Potential Historic Resources N LAKE CIR FEET 1 Photograph Location and View Direction SCALE French-American School of New York Aerial Map and Photograph Locations Figure 2

13 The buildings now known as the Ridgeway Country Club s Clubhouse and Garage were originally constructed as part of the Gedney Farm Hotel complex ca The Clubhouse, pictured here, has been substantially altered, with modern windows, siding, and several additions; it does not appear to meet the S/NR eligibility criteria 1 The Garage, located on the Project Site, was also built in the early 20th century, but has been substantially altered 2 Photographs French-American School of New York Figure 3

14 Located at 410 Ridgeway, the Old Ridgeway School (also known as the Girl Scout House) was included in the White Plains survey of locally significant historic properties. Based on initial map research, the structure was built as a schoolhouse during the second half of the 19th century. While the structure appears to retain its historic form, windows, and cladding materials, it has been substantially altered with multiple additions and conversion for residential use 3 Westchester Hills Golf Club, located at 401 Ridgeway, immediately across from the southern boundary of the project site, includes a Clubhouse and an 18-hole golf course constructed ca and designed by Peter Clark. The Clubhouse is a Spanish Mission-style stucco-clad structure. While this property meets the 50-year age criterion for S/NR eligibility, it appears to lack sufficient integrity due to physical alterations, including additions and window replacement 4 Photographs French-American School of New York Figure 4

15 The Burke Rehabilitation Center at 785 Mamaroneck Avenue is located adjacent to the northwestern portion of the project site. The Rehabilitation Center includes several Neoclassical brick institutional buildings constructed in the early and mid-20th century as part of the Winifred Masterson Burke Relief Foundation. The Main Building is an H-plan structure with an Ionic colonnade, cupola, and large walled courtyard 5 A single-story building with a stone foundation, a jerkinhead roof with dormers and a cupola, and six-over-six-light double-hung sash windows, this structure is located northeast of the intersection of North Street and Little Lane. It appears to date to the mid- to late-19th century. Historic map research suggests that by the early 20th century, the structure probably functioned as an ancillary building on the Little Farm, which was owned by Emile Anthony. The building was probably originally clad in wood clapboard, but currently appears to be parged with stucco Photographs French-American School of New York Figure 5 6

16 The Gedney Farms neighborhood was subject to substantial residential development between the 1910s and the 1950s. Many of the buildings in this area were constructed in the Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival styles for upper middle class families. Pictured here are several Tudor Revival-style residences along Hathaway Lane, adjacent to the Project Site 7 Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival-style residences on Hathaway Lane 8 Photographs French-American School of New York Figure 6

17 Another example of a Tudor Revival-style residence in the study area, this half-timbered building with a slate roof is located at 39 Oxford Road 9 A number of substantially intact Tudor Revival-style residences are located along Antony Road 10 Photographs French-American School of New York Figure 7

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