Nov. 6, 2013: Long-term parking in Bronxville, always at a premium, became more scarce by seven spaces at the regular Bronxville Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, November 4.
The spaces, currently unrestricted, on the west side of Pondfield Road between The Reformed Church and Bolton Gardens will be subject to a two-hour limitation in conformity with parking in the immediate area.
"The issue came to our attention due to the fact that people in the Bolton Gardens area found that the spots in front of their homes were occupied for long periods of time," stated Village Administrator Harold Porr.
Village officials realize, Porr added, that downtown parking presents complex and complicated issues. He cited the work of Peggy Conway, deputy treasurer, in compiling and analyzing an accurate inventory of parking in the village.
The purpose of Local Law #5-2013, restricting previously unlimited parking, he said, is to identify those areas of Pondfield Road that haven't been marked and to accommodate residents in that area.
Bronxville resident Thomas Wolff expressed concern about the restriction's possible impact on three constituencies who use the spaces: employees of The Bronxville School, which is across the street from the spaces; visitors to The Reformed Church; and contractors working at Bolton Gardens.
Porr noted that notice of the law was posted in newspapers, as required, and in several locations in the village.
"I think the school is aware we made the change," said trustee Guy Longobardo, "since we made the change in front of village hall. This is a continuation which makes it consistent."
Trustee Anne W. Poorman noted that the trustees have made their intentions quite clear in encouraging parking turnover in the downtown area while respecting all interested entities. In balancing the interests of people who are going to various locations, she said, "I don't think we want to turn our major artery into a long-term parking lot for any entity."
Local Law #5-2013 will take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state.
In other announcements of interest, Mayor Mary Marvin reported that the Town of Eastchester and the County of Westchester have finalized the Scout Field agreement. Village Administrator Porr and officials from The Bronxville School are working with the county to ensure that the soccer field to be built on the upper portion of the field will be regulation size.
All constituent groups, according to Marvin, continue working to reach an agreement on repairs to the Parkway Road bridge, closed since July. At issue is an equitable division of responsibility for the bridge, part of which sits in Bronxville and, therefore, the Town of Eastchester, and part in the City of Yonkers. In a separate comment, Marvin expressed hope that, since all parties are willing to talk, they, rather than the courts, can resolve the issue.
The next meeting of the Bronxville Board of Trustees will be on Monday, December 9, at 8:00 pm in the trustees room at village hall.
Pictured here: Bronxville Village Hall.
Photo by A. Warner
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400