Public hearing opened on DEIS for Farrell Estates at Ridgeway; neighbors raise stormwater and open-space concerns

The White Plains Planning Board on March 18 opened a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Farrell Estates at Ridgeway, a proposed subdivision on the former Ridgeway Country Club that would create 105 lots — including 99 single‑family homes, one clubhouse lot and five open‑space lots — on roughly 129 acres in the R‑130 zoning district.

Corey Salomon, attorney for the applicant (Zarin & Steinmetz), told the board the DEIS was prepared following a scoping outline the board adopted July 18, 2023, and that the board found the DEIS adequate for public review at the prior meeting. He said the board will keep the public hearing open through the April 15 full meeting and that the written comment period closes April 28; comments submitted will be responded to in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

Project engineer Diego Villarreal of JMC described the subdivision layout divided into four parcels (A–D), roadway connections, and the plan to preserve wetlands and other environmentally sensitive features. He said all proposed residential lots will meet the R‑130 minimum lot area — “all of the lots are at least 30,000 square feet in size” — and that the applicant requests flexibility on dimensional requirements for approximately 58 lots to preserve open space without increasing density. Planner Abigail Rudow of VHB and environmental planner Abby (who identified herself as a senior environmental planner with VHB) summarized the DEIS chapters, saying the plan retains roughly 40.4 acres (about 31 percent) of open space, preserves three wetland features and several drainage ditches, and includes a stormwater pollution prevention plan designed to meet both city and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation standards.

During the comment period, multiple nearby residents raised concerns about existing groundwater, flooding and the adequacy of proposed stormwater controls. Nick Wolf, a lifetime White Plains resident who lives near the project, said existing basements in the area require pumps because the “water is ongoing and getting worse as the storms get worse,” and urged expanded mitigation for areas near Macy and Murchison. June Hochberger, who said she lives in the Clubridge area (parcel D), said the plan pushes houses closer to existing homes and places a new roadway adjacent to her property, and said long construction would “destroy” the views and tranquility she has enjoyed for 31 years. Eleora Netzel said a years‑long construction soundtrack and water issues would have affected her decision to renovate her home and asked the city to reconsider the development. Resident Frank Lipsch submitted photographs and emphasized the site’s persistent moisture and the need for factual hydrologic analysis; he cited rainfall records and asked who will maintain detention ponds. Resident David Azrin urged that the design preserve public access to the pond and lake on Parcel D and recommended creating easements and alignment changes so new and existing residents can use the open space.

Applicant engineer Diego Villarreal responded briefly on stormwater, saying the project team completed more than 100 test pits to determine groundwater elevations, designed stormwater management systems to state and city standards, and that many homes on the site would be built without basements to avoid groundwater impacts. He said some ponding on the property is from failed golf‑course drainage systems and that the project’s full site plans (submitted with the DEIS) show the location of catch basins and stormwater infrastructure. Rudow noted that any disturbance within wetlands will meet regulatory requirements and that the team will submit a jurisdictional determination to DEC.

The board reminded speakers that the hearing’s purpose is comments on the DEIS and that the FEIS will address the written and oral comments received. The planning board will continue to accept comments through April 28, and the FEIS will respond to points raised before the board takes later land‑use or zoning actions on the application.