Mohegan Lake Legal Defense Fund

History of this site

This site was originally set up to fight 3 of 5 zoning variances proposed by the FBC development at Sagamore Trail and Mohegan Ave that eliminates two single family homes while nearly quadrupling the parking and occupancy loads of the old Lakeland Jewish Center. That effort failed and the application is currently before the Planning Board.

While Save Mohegan Lake will continue to update you on that issue, we are moving on to all issues affecting the lake, such as Mohegan Lake Improvement District (MLID) meetings, agenda and budget. This site is not an official mouthpiece for MLID, but some updates will be provided on this site; the official site is located here.

We do it all here, so long as it's Mohegan Lake related. Feel free to submit comments, content, garage sale notices, police blotters, PSA's, essays on the virtues of our 105 acre ice rink, rants, raves, etc... We love it all.

Email: YorktownCode@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Hilltop Service Station

You guys know it.  It's the old-school gas and auto service station at East Main where Sagamore Dead Ends into it.  The new owner started selling used cars there and I really can't tell the difference from the old one; certainly doesn't look much different than from how the old owner kept it.

Anyhow, we've previously noted how the Yorktown Supervisor seems hellbent on twisting one property owner's nuts while turning a blind eye to another doing nearly the exact same thing (from a zoning perspective) a couple blocks down Route 6 at the intersection of Mohegan Ave/Lakeland St. where Mohegan Lake Motors set up shop at a legal eating and drinking establishment (formerly Anthony's Pizzeria).

Susan Seigel has studious notes from the last Town Board working session.  I'd bring you video of the discussion, but apparently such work sessions do not merit public scrutiny, unless you can make it to the meeting and lean in on their table.  If you don't already follow Ms. Seigel's Citizens for and Informed Yorktown email list--it's informative; did you know there will be a public hearing about our water bills going up 25% very soon (it doesn't matter what you say, it's happening)?  Here are her notes from the 1/26/16 Town Board work session on Hilltop Service Station:


Chris Sciarra showed the board photos of what he said was the “look” the owner wanted to achieve as part of his efforts to “beautify” the site.   He said the owner planned to apply for a rezoning to allow the sales of used cars but before he did, he wanted a sense of the board as to exactly what it wanted.  (Based on a passing comment, the applicant may be applying for a new transitional zone for the two parcels that currently comprise the site; one parcel is used residential, the other already is a transitional zone.)



Supervisor Grace repeated his issues:  he is concerned with the aesthetics along the Route 6 greenbelt; he sees  no difference between cars parked for sale and cars packed to be repaired, a point challenged by a resident in the audience who was allowed to speak.  The supervisor suggested he would not be happy seeing a “ditch” along Route 6 and he also wanted to “soften” the site’s  look from Route 6.  Councilman Bernard asked the owner to touch base with the state to see what plantings might be possible along Route 6; otherwise, he said, the invasives will just grow back.



The major aesthetic issue was differences of opinion on whether a canopy should be permitted, and if so, what size and shape. Councilman Diana said he was opposed to one and wanted to keep the “old style” look of the station. He added, however, that he would be open minded if the owner came back with something smaller.


Mr. Sciarra said that the station was one of only two in Yorktown did not have self service and that it was important to help a local business. The owner explained that if the pumps are not protected by a canopy, they will deteriorate.

John Tegeder suggested that one solution to retaining the 1940s look might be to see if the roof line of the building could be extended over the pumps.

There was also a discussion of signs and it was unclear whether the owner was planning on keeping the existing signs or planning new ones.

The applicant will have to prepare a formal site plan (not, as the supervisor said, a drawing on a napkin) when he submits the rezoning application.
I leave you with this clip from "Chinatown," because water is important and this is one of the most important movies in the American movie lexicon that addresses it; if you have never seen it, put it in your queue (plus, it has Jack Nicholson):

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Where'd The Cheese Go?

Someone was caught cutting stealing the cheese at DeCicco's Marketplace on Lee Blvd.

 

Monday, January 25, 2016

Do You Live In Mohegan Lake?


There are seven beach associations around the lake; we are the people that pay taxes that fund lake improvements.  If you like the lake and want to be involved with the communities that help maintain it, you should attend the Mohegan Lake Improvement District (MLID) meeting this Wednesday, 1/26/16 at 7:30pm.  Here's a message from MLID president Ken Belfer:

Our January Mohegan Lake Improvement District meeting is this Wednesday at 7:30 PM at the Calvary Chapel at 99 Baron De Hirsch Road in Crompond.  We begin work on the 2016 season, which we hope will be even better than 2015.  Hope to see you at the meeting.

Last year we applied copper sulfate every Tuesday during the swimming season and--lo and behold--the lake didn't get closed by the Department of Health for algae blooms. They were still present, but much, much clearer than the last 5 years since Save Mohegan Lake has been around, and beyond.  We hope to improve upon that with an aluminum sulfate permit which should not need to be applied nearly as often; I've heard up to 3 years.

Oh, hey, did you see the skating rink and trails I made at the top of the lake?  Please don't stand on the surfaces when it's above 32 degrees.  It has to reset to be skatable and if one walks on it, it's going to not freeze flat.  Let nature Zamboni our baby--naturally:)




Thursday, January 21, 2016

And...We're Off

Hi Mohegan Lake,

So the Lake is now sufficiently frozen across about 75% of its 110 acres to skate.  I took depth readings of about 2-7/8" on the edge to nearly  4" in the middle (the ice extends above the water line in the pic below).  New York State DEC used to say 2" of clean clear ice is good for adults; but they changed that to 4".    The extreme edge is dicey.  Oh, and there are a few death traps like the giant hole between SOLE and FBC.  Know what you're doing if you go out there.

Mmm...so thick.

 How Pretty is that?

 Awwww, freshies!
And the obligatory first skate video.  Please come join us, but again, do so at your own risk.


Sunday, January 17, 2016

The Big Chill

Not only is it a movie old people like, but it's also a way to describe the weather for the next week.  Think cold, Mohegan Lake.  We don't want this years Mohegan Lake Ice Fishing and Skating Extravaganza to be too abbreviated.  Consulting the ice growth chart, we're estimating new ice at about 3/4" to one inch per day, based on the average temperature forecast by the National Weather Service.  With highs topping out at 34 degrees, we may be skating very soon.  New York State says 2" of clean clear  ice is safe for people to walk on; we start skating at 4".  Hope to see you out there soon. 
   
Welcome forecast.                  



Wednesday, January 13, 2016

The End Times Are Near In Yorktown

That's a bit dramatic, but my five year legal battle with Yorktown will be ending soon--one way or another.  Motion to dismiss thwarted.  Supplemental Appendix (Volumes I and II, 415 pages) being served tomorrow by the Westchester County Sheriff.  Adversaries' briefs due by February 18.



Since it seems like I'll be heard on the merits of my brief (arguments), I thought I'd share it with the Mohegan Lake community--as if you are not at least vaguely familiar with it; this is the most refined it's been.  I had intended to share every paper and reply and whatnot, but it's exhausting and not a great legal strategy--or so I've concluded, as a pro se petitioner.

That said,  here it is!:

To be argued by: Evan Bray, Pro Se
Time Requested: 15 Minutes


APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET No. 2015-02066


SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPELLATE DIVISION: SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
45 MONROE PLACE
BROOKLYN, NY 11201
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN THE MATTER OF
EVAN DANIEL BRAY                                            
--PETITIONER/APPELLANT-   
v.
TOWN OF YORKTOWN ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN OF YORKTOWN PLANNING BOARD, TOWN OF YORKTOWN TOWN BOARD, FAITH BIBLE CHURCH, AND HUDSON RIVER TEACHERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
--RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVAN BRAY
APPELLANT PRO SE

Click on the small "read more" link located below, and to the left, to read more.


WESTCHESTER
INDEX #1049/14


Friday, January 8, 2016

Big News

Guess who passed the "bat-shit crazy" pro se petitioner test?  This guy! [two thumbs pointed at chest]  Much more to come shortly, but I have some work to do.


Thursday, January 7, 2016

What Is Camp Nabby Up To?

Good question.  I'm glad you asked.

Camp Nabby has been an institution in the neighborhood for a long time.  Most of the people in the immediate neighborhood don't utilize it because it's like 4 or 5 thousand dollars (if I'm not mistaken) for an 8 week camp; thankfully Mohegan Lakers can camp out at one of our 7 private beach associations 5 months of the year. 

There is a bit of a traffic issue when dropping off, and picking up, kids during Camp Nabby season.  And by a bit, I mean it gets crazy.  Cars queuing for blocks along the street.  If an expansion of the existing buildings would increase the occupant load, it would be reasonable to request the owner to provide more on-site parking and queuing so the adjacent property owners don't get the shaft.

The signs you see on their property mean they have a pending zoning variance application.  They are pretty substantial--on paper.  A rear yard setback (meaning the houses on Holly Wood Street) of 20 feet where ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FEET are required in an R1-10 zone (our town's smallest residential zone).

In summary, this may not be a big deal and it could be harmless, but this is why we need to pay attention to the tiny black and white Zoning, Planning, and Town Board applications along the side of the road. They are important. [Note: it's hard to stay current with Yorktown's business.  Of the last 57 public meetings going back to October 19, 2015, there are five published meeting minutes online.

I implore the Town Board to move Yorktown Forward and keep minutes of the town business current, but I digress.

So what is Camp Nabby up to? Anyone know? 


Mohegan Lake Puppy Mill

"Only one protester, animal rights activist Karen Conlon, who lives in New York, attended a planned rally outside state Superior Court in Danbury. She said she hoped that drawing attention to Doyle’s case would force the closure of the Danbury shop, as well as his two other stores in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Mohegan Lake, N.Y."

Apparently this "American Breeders" puppy mill has been next to Subway for years.  Just noticed it after Mr. Doyle started making the news.

Puppies!
  

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

The Ice Man Cometh (Hopefully)

Mohegan Lakers,

Did the record setting temperatures in December give you the SAD's?  Me too.  Good news though.  Temps seem to be getting back to normal, with normal being colder than a witches tit.  Since I leave when it's dark and come home when it's dark, I can't supply a picture, but the lake is now partially frozen.  Yay.  Oooooh, and look at this forecast from the National Weather Service (don't trust any other):



Hope to see you on the ice soon!