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The Facts About Our (FASNY) Plan for the Ridgeway Property
The French-American School of New York (FASNY) has acquired Ridgeway Country Club as the future location for our school.
Our plan, which is still in the early stages of development, will call for re-use of the existing clubhouse and adding some new facilities. Importantly, more than 60 acres of the property will be preserved as permanent publicly accessible open space.
We understand that there is concern within the community regarding any future use of Ridgeway. We also have seen some of the information that has been disseminated about the site and our plans for it. Unfortunately, some of what we have seen has been misleading or inaccurate. Here are some examples of what you may have heard and the FACTS about our plan:
What you may be hearing: By developing this property the City and your community will be losing valuable open space.
The facts: Our plan calls for a low density, park-like campus that will preserve over 60 acres of permanent and publicly accessible open space with walking trails. Much of the school will likely be concentrated along Ridgeway, leaving most of the existing golf course and areas around your home all park-like open space. FASNY looks forward to designing this open space with the community.
What you may be hearing: A country club is the best use for this property.
The facts: Ridgeway is no longer economically viable as a country club. It is not alone. Many area country clubs are struggling. In the past year Hampshire Country Club in Mamaroneck "led for bankruptcy and others may follow. A recent survey by the National Golf Foundation found that many as 15% of the roughly 4,400 private clubs nationwide are having serious financial problems.
What you may be hearing: The most environmentally sound or "green" approach is to continue using the property as a golf course.
The facts: Generally speaking, golf courses are not "natural" or "green." Massive amounts of water and continuous applications of hazardous pesticides and herbicides are required for regular maintenance. Our plan will restore the natural conditions of the property, improve the existing drainage conditions and stop the use of irrigation and pesticides. We are exploring possibly uncovering the underground streams if they exist, creating natural storm-water retention ponds, and using rain gardens and other green management measures to bring the site back to a more natural look and feel.
What you may be hearing: Development of the property will adversely affect property values of homes in the surrounding area.
The facts: Property values in the neighborhood would, at a minimum, be maintained. Families whose children attend FASNY will seek to buy homes in White Plains in order to be near the campus. Additionally, homeowners in White Plains whose children attend FASNY would be paying local school taxes while placing no burden on the White Plains public schools.
What you may be hearing: FASNY's plan for the property will create traffic congestion.
The facts: Traffic impacts will be thoroughly studied and can be minimized by staggering school sessions, sharing buses with other schools, handling all drop-offs on site and taking numerous other steps. Use of local streets can be restricted. And, unlike a school, a country club and golf course generate traffic seven days a week.
What you may be hearing: FASNY's campus will overwhelm the site with buildings that are two to three times the size of other private schools in the area.
The facts: FASNY's plan calls for retrofitting the existing buildings on the site, as well as adding new buildings totaling approximately 100,000 additional square feet of building footprint. Less than five percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces. The buildings will be no more than two and one half stories tall, and feature attractive architectural design harmonious with the neighborhood.
What you may be hearing: The Common Council should refuse to hear FASNY's application, and impose a moratorium.
The facts: FASNY is seeking a special permit, not a rezoning, and therefore the Common Council cannot refuse to hear the application. In addition, well established New York State law recognizes that schools by their very nature serve the public welfare, must be considered in the public interest and cannot be prohibited by zoning law or temporarily by moratorium.
What you may be hearing: As a not-for-profit institution, FASNY will not pay property taxes while impacting the city's infrastructure and services.
The facts: FASNY, like many other not-for-profit institutions in the City, including houses of worship, colleges and public schools, is exempt from paying property taxes. However, FASNY is willing to share its facilities with the community such as a gymnasium, cultural facilities and play areas for community use during o# hours. Moreover, our school will be an asset to the City's extensive educational community and will further enrich the cultural diversity of White Plains.
These are just some of the concerns that will be discussed as the planning process moves forward. We strongly believe in and are committed to having an honest and open dialogue with the community.
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Sale of Ridgeway C. C,
FASNY plans for RCC
The two site plans
Objections to school
FASNY rebuttal
Area photo album
W.P. Government
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