White Plains planning board seeks stronger protections, clearer phasing in subdivision DEIS

White Plains Planning Board members met in a special work session on June 3 to finalize comments on the developer’s draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for a proposed multi‑parcel subdivision. Board members asked the applicant and staff to clarify wetlands jurisdiction, construction phasing and stormwater maintenance, and to quantify the environmental benefits of proposed lot configurations and open space preservation.

The board emphasized that the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) should resolve several outstanding items before the subdivision advances to site plan review and individual lot approvals. A planning department representative and the applicant’s consultant said the FEIS will include further detail on phasing, stormwater management and maintenance agreements that would be recorded with the subdivision.

Board members focused first on wetlands and agency review. Planning staff reported that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has already provided an initial determination: parcels A, B and C were identified as having no DEC jurisdictional wetlands while parcel D is subject to DEC jurisdiction, subject to boundary verification. The board pressed for confirmation that the FEIS will document DEC’s determination and the verification process so the city and applicant avoid later redesigns if DEC field verification changes delineations.

Stormwater management…