Westchester council approves preliminary reauthorization of downtown Business Improvement District plan
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Summary
The Westchester Borough Council voted to advance the Westchester Business Improvement District’s proposed five‑year plan to a 45‑day owner‑objection period after a public hearing where the BID outlined goals, budget details and an expansion of the benefited area.
The Westchester Borough Council on July 16 advanced the Westchester Business Improvement District’s proposed five‑year reauthorization plan and expansion, beginning a 45‑day objection period for affected property owners.
The proposal was presented at a public hearing by Mark Thompson, counsel for the BID, and John O’Brien, the BID’s executive director, who described the plan as a strategic update that would hold the millage rate at 3 mills and expand the district’s footprint to add 85 parcels to the existing 263‑parcel district.
The BID said it will continue a residential discount program that assesses only commercial square footage in mixed‑use buildings. O’Brien told council the district’s goals include recruiting new retail and professional‑service businesses, reducing vacancy, increasing foot traffic and expanding events and beautification programs. He said the BID expects to keep the assessment rate at 3 mills and to grow non‑assessment revenue through sponsorships, event income and advertising.
During public comment, business owners and property owners asked for details about who was notified, typical assessment amounts and how the expansion would affect parcels with residential uses. The BID replied that the mailed notice included a map and a list of parcel numbers (the plan lists properties beginning on page 19), and provided annual assessment averages and medians: current‑district average $1,100 (median $390); expansion‑area average $223 (median $373.65). The BID said billing is sent in June and that parcel voting for objections is calculated per parcel.
Council members asked about the voter/objection process, the composition of the BID board if the expansion is approved, and whether services would reach properties in the expansion area. O’Brien said the reauthorization process is governed by the Neighborhood Improvement District Act and includes a required public notice, the two‑step hearing and a 45‑day objection window; if owners representing 40% or more of parcels object to the final plan during that window, the increase or change cannot proceed. He also said the BID intends to recruit board members from the expanded area post‑reauthorization and to tailor events and cleaning/beautification efforts to the expansion footprint.
After discussion, a council motion to approve the BID’s preliminary plan was moved and seconded; the council voted to advance the plan to the statutory objection period. The BID will mail the notice again to commercial property owners with instructions for filing written objections with the borough manager. O’Brien and Thompson said they will be available for one‑on‑one meetings with property owners who request more detail.
The hearing portion of the meeting ended and the council proceeded to other business.
