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| Wow. |
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| d |
Monday, February 4, 2013
Mohegan Lake: 2/3/13
I don't have much to add. It was very pretty Sunday morning. Top of the lake looking south (Stay away from the East side[left in this pic], it's thinnest). The other photos are of Ansonia Lodge and the condos.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Good Questions
And now, back to the memo from Jacobs Engineering which is the engineer under contract by Yorktown to review the traffic study prepared by Faith Bible Church's traffic consultant, John Collins Engineering.
The first question that the town's engineer asked tipped me off that he's on the ball.
Question #1
The project is not an expansion or renovation. It's a new development. When you demolish all existing structures on a site, it's impossible to "grandfather" them. Example: a two family home with a commercial use on a single zoning lot in Yorktown burns to the ground. Can't be rebuilt and needs to be demolished. When they go back to build what was there, they are kindly informed by the town that zoning doesn't allow for a 2 family house on the lot, single family only. Tough luck. That's a true story. You cannot "grandfather" that which does not exist. They are trying to pretend it's an expansion of existing facilities. That's not true. The existing facilities--including the 2 illegally converted homes--will be 100% demolished. A new building of 5 newly combined lots (the lots are still separate) is more accurate.
Question #5
Interesting. A shuttle from a remote parking facility? Where is that? CVS and SOLE Beach? Good question raised by the town's traffic consultant. The planning board has actually raised the question before in a working session. It's important to note that if this were to be an actual arrangement, the applicant, at a minimum, would require an easement with the owner of the remote parking facility. Very interesting.
You can review the initial correspondence between the town's engineer and the applicant's here.
The first question that the town's engineer asked tipped me off that he's on the ball.
Question #1
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Question #5
Interesting. A shuttle from a remote parking facility? Where is that? CVS and SOLE Beach? Good question raised by the town's traffic consultant. The planning board has actually raised the question before in a working session. It's important to note that if this were to be an actual arrangement, the applicant, at a minimum, would require an easement with the owner of the remote parking facility. Very interesting.
You can review the initial correspondence between the town's engineer and the applicant's here.
"Nature's Zamboni"
This photo was sent in by reader Abby from the south side of Mohegan Lake with the subject "Nature's Zamboni." I love it cause's it's true. That warm spell and heavy rain did us ice skaters a favor. Sure looks choppy in spots, but I'm exited to explore this weekend and next--at least.
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Be careful on the edges. Be very careful. Take some basic safety measures (life jacket and ice claws is a good start). Be prepared for the worst. Never go near the Mohegan Ave culvert as that is moving water. The east side edges of the lake are thinnest, in my opinion. One more solid week of sub freezing temps and we should be at least 10 inches.
Keep thinking chilly thoughts. It continues to work.
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Be careful on the edges. Be very careful. Take some basic safety measures (life jacket and ice claws is a good start). Be prepared for the worst. Never go near the Mohegan Ave culvert as that is moving water. The east side edges of the lake are thinnest, in my opinion. One more solid week of sub freezing temps and we should be at least 10 inches.
Keep thinking chilly thoughts. It continues to work.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Good Feeling
I had a feeling this morning to inquire about any new material regarding Faith Bible Church's planning board application. Sure enough, there were a couple new items in the file, one of great interest. I'm including the entire document below. There's a lot of questions raised by Jacobs (the town traffic consultant reviewing the applicant FBC's engineer). I'll certainly review it in detail and opine, but here's an interesting tidbit:
To read all of the comments from Jacobs, click on the "read more" link below.
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| It would seem that John Collins Engineers (FBC's paid traffic consultant; why do I mention that? FBC had the option to hire Jacobs directly and instead chose to engage John Collins Engineers P.C., at an additional cost; curious move from a financial standpoint) used a ratio of nearly 1/2 the proscribed code standard [.31 instead of .61]. Rookie move? Unlikely since they've been around a long time and have a great reputation. I'm interested to see the explanation. Stay tuned. |
To read all of the comments from Jacobs, click on the "read more" link below.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Doin' It Right
Wow! What a weekend. I think I skated for 20 miles. No lie. And it looks like we will get one really warm day to hopefully Zamboni the entire lake and a deep freeze sets in on Friday. It's really hard to predict, but I'm hopeful we'll have another weekend of pure, unadulterated, awesomeness.
Keep thinking cold thoughts, Mohegan Lake. Me and my cousin made this sweet ice rink in front of our house to practice on. Just look at my 6 and 4 year olds getting the hang of it. Not too bad. I'm going to go ahead and call the +50K on our home value.
Hope to see you next weekend.
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| Courtesy of the National Weather Service |
Hope to see you next weekend.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
That's a tough lie.
Which brings me to my next point: who's hitting golf balls on to the lake in below freezing weather?
There Oughta Be a Law...
Oh, wait, there actually already is a law.
I've written extensively about the egregious violations of the Yorktown Code that occur immediately adjacent to my family's home. I wrote dozens of correspondence to the Yorktown Building Department and Code Enforcement office over a 2 year period. I supplied all of the town records of the Assessor and Building Department showing that the two houses next to my house are--in fact--still legally houses and were illegally converted to enlarge a very small church to a much bigger one. I never once received a courtesy of a reply and the owner that violated the law and continues to do so gets off Scott free. In fact, they are using the illegal conversion which drastically altered the character of this small residential community to make an argument that the they should be allowed to triple it without increasing parking.
This weekend, there were three things that brought it all into focus for me:
1) I was reading The Yorktown News (that paper you get in the mail and doesn't publish online) about the new garbage hauler, Competition Carting. It was a mostly complimentary article (I've been satisfied with them so far), but near the end, it stated that the Competition was parking their trucks on a parcel that does not have the requisite special use permit to park trucks. It went on to state that the Yorktown Code enforcement office Jason Zeif sent a notice of violation to the property owner. I point out nearly an identical case of an owner needing a special use permit and operating without it for years and the Town is silent. These trucks are parked like this for 2 weeks and the town issues a violation. It appears that the only place the town enforces its laws are in Yorktown Heights!
2) I was speaking with the president of one of the 7 Home owners association yesterday (I'm vice president of the Mohegan Highlands Property Owners Association). I was ice skating on the lake, he ice fishing. After a long discussion about local politics, development, the Holland club (don't you dare try to do anything but passive recreation there, Yorktown!) , he said "they [Yorktown government officials] treat us like second-class citizens." I've only lived here a few years, but I have to agree with the spirit of his sentiment.
3) A commenter on another subject on the Patch pointed out that Mohegan Lake has not really had a representative on the Town Board since 2000. It feels like most of the TB members familiarity barely extends beyond Route 6 which is probably the most blighted of the entire area; an area that is predominantly residential.
That said, I'm running for the Yorktown Town Board this year. I'm doing it for two specific reasons:
1) I want to bring a voice to the board for residents of Mohegan Lake and Shrub Oak. This area is more dense population-wise because the area is zoned much smaller than Yorktown Heights, yet 100% of the Town Board lives on the "south side." I think that needs to change and we can do it.
2) I have an architecture degree from the Cooper Union and have worked for the last 12 years in New York City as a building code and zoning consultant. This period was the biggest overhaul of their system bringing about more accountability, transparency while streamlining the approval and building process. This experience uniquely qualifies me as a person who can take the initiative to revamp Yorktown's antiquated and outmoded building department.
Originally being from Colorado, with it's strong libertarian bent, I'm choosing to run independent. I don't want the baggage that comes with the entrenched Democratic and Republican parties.
I've written extensively about the egregious violations of the Yorktown Code that occur immediately adjacent to my family's home. I wrote dozens of correspondence to the Yorktown Building Department and Code Enforcement office over a 2 year period. I supplied all of the town records of the Assessor and Building Department showing that the two houses next to my house are--in fact--still legally houses and were illegally converted to enlarge a very small church to a much bigger one. I never once received a courtesy of a reply and the owner that violated the law and continues to do so gets off Scott free. In fact, they are using the illegal conversion which drastically altered the character of this small residential community to make an argument that the they should be allowed to triple it without increasing parking.
This weekend, there were three things that brought it all into focus for me:
1) I was reading The Yorktown News (that paper you get in the mail and doesn't publish online) about the new garbage hauler, Competition Carting. It was a mostly complimentary article (I've been satisfied with them so far), but near the end, it stated that the Competition was parking their trucks on a parcel that does not have the requisite special use permit to park trucks. It went on to state that the Yorktown Code enforcement office Jason Zeif sent a notice of violation to the property owner. I point out nearly an identical case of an owner needing a special use permit and operating without it for years and the Town is silent. These trucks are parked like this for 2 weeks and the town issues a violation. It appears that the only place the town enforces its laws are in Yorktown Heights!
2) I was speaking with the president of one of the 7 Home owners association yesterday (I'm vice president of the Mohegan Highlands Property Owners Association). I was ice skating on the lake, he ice fishing. After a long discussion about local politics, development, the Holland club (don't you dare try to do anything but passive recreation there, Yorktown!) , he said "they [Yorktown government officials] treat us like second-class citizens." I've only lived here a few years, but I have to agree with the spirit of his sentiment.
.JPG) |
| Fresh tracks on Mohegan Lake 1/26/2013 |
3) A commenter on another subject on the Patch pointed out that Mohegan Lake has not really had a representative on the Town Board since 2000. It feels like most of the TB members familiarity barely extends beyond Route 6 which is probably the most blighted of the entire area; an area that is predominantly residential.
That said, I'm running for the Yorktown Town Board this year. I'm doing it for two specific reasons:
1) I want to bring a voice to the board for residents of Mohegan Lake and Shrub Oak. This area is more dense population-wise because the area is zoned much smaller than Yorktown Heights, yet 100% of the Town Board lives on the "south side." I think that needs to change and we can do it.
2) I have an architecture degree from the Cooper Union and have worked for the last 12 years in New York City as a building code and zoning consultant. This period was the biggest overhaul of their system bringing about more accountability, transparency while streamlining the approval and building process. This experience uniquely qualifies me as a person who can take the initiative to revamp Yorktown's antiquated and outmoded building department.
Originally being from Colorado, with it's strong libertarian bent, I'm choosing to run independent. I don't want the baggage that comes with the entrenched Democratic and Republican parties.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Conditions Are Perfect: 1/25/13
Are you ready for the First Annual Mohegan Lake Ice Fishing Derby and Skating Extravaganza that begins tomorrow?
Here's some video from Thursday evening. There is some interesting ice on the lake; my sphincter tightens as I go over the starfish-octopus-blood vessel shaped black ice. The previous ice never melted and the old fishing wholes opened up in that warm spell, creating those interesting shapes. I reached my hand in an ice fisherman's hole (created late this afternoon) and it's 6+ inches in the middle of the lake. The edges are thinner; the SOLE beach is just frozen so stay away.
Hope to see you out there tomorrow. I'm aiming to do a lap around the entire lake tomorrow morning with my cousin. Under the bridge? Maybe.
Here's some video from Thursday evening. There is some interesting ice on the lake; my sphincter tightens as I go over the starfish-octopus-blood vessel shaped black ice. The previous ice never melted and the old fishing wholes opened up in that warm spell, creating those interesting shapes. I reached my hand in an ice fisherman's hole (created late this afternoon) and it's 6+ inches in the middle of the lake. The edges are thinner; the SOLE beach is just frozen so stay away.
Hope to see you out there tomorrow. I'm aiming to do a lap around the entire lake tomorrow morning with my cousin. Under the bridge? Maybe.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Mohegan Lake Improvement District Meeting 1/31/2013
Below is a message from MLID.
Meetings are held at the Mohgan Colony Association's awesome facilities. Check out their Awesome Martha Guinsberg[sp?] Pavilion, below. The meetings are held across the street from here, indoors--in a heated space. Brrrr...Stay warm.
There will be a meeting of the Mohegan Lake Improvement District on Thursday January 31st. Details to follow in a few days. Hope you can join as we deal with the many things to be accomplished to improve Mohegan Lake water quality.
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| It begs a summer movie festival, right? Anyone have a projector and some audio equipment to lend us? |
Monday, January 21, 2013
It's Colder Than A...
Keep thinking chilly thoughts. The 1st annual Mohegan Lake Ice Fishing Derby and Magical Skating Party will begin on 1/26/2013. It will continue as long as the weather cooperates. The high of 31 we see today will be the highest temp through next weekend with a low of 6 on Wednesday night.
In researching lake ice, I came across this great blog from a fellow from upstate [?]. I highly recommend you take a peek; if nothing else, at least check out the ice safety sections. This is a link to the ice growth section where I found the chart.
In the meantime brush up on your ice safety; if you need supplies like an ice auger to drill a hole to ice fish, shop local at the Mohegan Sportsman. Bear Mountain will sharpen you skates for five bucks (great deal and they do a great job); a good edge is essential for a fun time on skates.
I leave you with this amazing video (also found on the Lake Ice blog) from Sweden. It's on a lake 1.5 times as big as Lake Champlain and has underwater waves that creates this powerful display of ice sheets being crushed together like tectonic plates? I really don't know what's going on, but check it out.
In researching lake ice, I came across this great blog from a fellow from upstate [?]. I highly recommend you take a peek; if nothing else, at least check out the ice safety sections. This is a link to the ice growth section where I found the chart.
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| Many factors weigh into ice formation, such as lake flow, vegetation, the topography of the lake bed, etc...but this is a good rule of thumb for average temps. This puts us at least 5 or 6 inches of new ice (plus the existing) next Saturday. |
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Lake ice: It's science!
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I leave you with this amazing video (also found on the Lake Ice blog) from Sweden. It's on a lake 1.5 times as big as Lake Champlain and has underwater waves that creates this powerful display of ice sheets being crushed together like tectonic plates? I really don't know what's going on, but check it out.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
1st Annual Mohegan Lake Ice Fishing Derby and Ice Skating Festival
It's ON! (maybe)
I'm closely monitoring the weather and the National Weather Service is telling me that we'll max out at 30 degrees Fahrenheit beginning Sunday night (1/20/13) through Friday. If that holds, I'm going to make a bold prediction that we're skating on Saturday morning through the weekend.
Ice fishing? You know it. Considering that this is probably the last hurrah before another early spring and a prolonged algae bloom, I say we celebrate with an ice fishing derby and ice skating festival. 1st annual. If you don't show up, I'm taking home all of the prizes.
All lake activities will be conducted "at your own risk," as it may be a little dangerous. It's also advisable that you have lake rights so you're not trespassing. There are ceratinly precautions you can take, like wearing a life vest under your coat, the buddy system, ice claws, etc... to ensure you're safe. NYSDEC recommends 2 inches (seems thin, right?) of solid clean ice for people. 3 inches for people single file. 7.5 inches for small cars, etc..
Anyhoo, stay tuned. We may get another winter miracle that provides us with a 105 acre ice skating/fishing ground next weekend.
I'm closely monitoring the weather and the National Weather Service is telling me that we'll max out at 30 degrees Fahrenheit beginning Sunday night (1/20/13) through Friday. If that holds, I'm going to make a bold prediction that we're skating on Saturday morning through the weekend.
Ice fishing? You know it. Considering that this is probably the last hurrah before another early spring and a prolonged algae bloom, I say we celebrate with an ice fishing derby and ice skating festival. 1st annual. If you don't show up, I'm taking home all of the prizes.
All lake activities will be conducted "at your own risk," as it may be a little dangerous. It's also advisable that you have lake rights so you're not trespassing. There are ceratinly precautions you can take, like wearing a life vest under your coat, the buddy system, ice claws, etc... to ensure you're safe. NYSDEC recommends 2 inches (seems thin, right?) of solid clean ice for people. 3 inches for people single file. 7.5 inches for small cars, etc..
Anyhoo, stay tuned. We may get another winter miracle that provides us with a 105 acre ice skating/fishing ground next weekend.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Mohegan Lake Police Blotter: Napoli's Edition
The Daily Yorktown is reporting that one of the two brothers at Napoli pizza was arrested for selling cigarettes to a minor. I've seen them selling loosies before. This is a shame. For what it's worth, I still think they make the best pie in the area at a very reasonable price. Plus they are pretty funny guys. They should just get out of the cigarette business altogether. In related news, I quit smoking over 3 years ago using Chantix.
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