Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Flood Mitigation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Owner details flood history and buyout questions as Greenburgh considers FEMA acquisition at 25 Old Jackson Avenue
Summary
A property owner told the board he purchased 25 Old Jackson Avenue in November 2022 for $750,000, described repeated flood damage and volunteer rebuilds, and said FEMA buyouts would likely require demolition with the county possibly covering the local 10% share. He also raised differing valuation figures and water‑treatment cost estimates required by the county Board of Health.
At a Greenburgh Town Board work session, a property owner referred to in the meeting as Mr. Duda outlined repeated flood damage to a building at 25 Old Jackson Avenue and described discussions with county flood‑mitigation staff about a possible FEMA acquisition (buyout).
"FEMA is buying the property at 25 Old Jackson Avenue," the owner said during the board’s question-and-answer period, explaining his understanding that FEMA would pay the bulk of the buyout and that county staff had indicated a 90% federal share with a 10% local share. He said early filings had shown other splits but that county staff later told him FEMA would cover 90%, and that the county might agree to pick up the local 10% through a separate funding process.
The owner presented several valuation figures in the record: a Hartford liability figure around $2.4 million, a flood‑insurance figure near $2,063,000, and a town assessment he relayed at about $2,011,600. He said he purchased the property on 11/10/2022 for $750,000 and described volunteer-driven repair efforts after storms including Ida and Ophelia. "If we were to hire people, it would have been 660,000 just for the craftsman work," he said, summarizing contractor-cost estimates he gave to staff.
Board members asked how the property value is determined and whether permits for repair work had been obtained. A board member asked whether building permits had been filed; the owner said an electrician filed a permit and had an inspection, but plumbing permits remained unresolved because Westchester County Board of Health rules require chlorination and booster pumps for buildings with more than 25 occupants. The owner said an engineer estimated the cost of required water-treatment infrastructure at about $150,000 if housed inside the building, or about $200,000 if an attached structure is needed.
The owner said he had proposed that, if the buyout proceeds and the town later owns the land, it could be used as passive open space or a walking trail. He said county planners suggested the county might hold an easement for the period covered by any county bond; he also noted the potential for improved stream access from the site that could reduce flood risk on nearby Jackson Avenue.
Board members thanked the owner for his presentation and asked staff and county partners to clarify the local-share funding and the easement terms. The meeting did not conclude with a decision on the application; staff said the board would continue to work with county staff to clarify financial commitments and next steps.
