Despite a court order to do so, the White Plains Common Council during its meeting on Monday did not vote on the French-American School of New York‘s application to redevelop the former Ridgeway Country Club as its new consolidated K-12 campus.
Rather, the city announced it would appeal the Jan. 20 ruling from state Supreme Court Judge Joan B. Lefkowitz that ordered the common council to vote on a 2014 site plan and special permit application by Feb. 1.
The special permit calls for the closure of a portion of Hathaway Lane, a street adjacent to the site. At its Aug. 5 special meeting, the common council voted 4-3 in favor, but a supermajority of five votes was needed for the measure to pass.
White Plains Mayor Thomas M. Roach said Monday the item, number 138 in a lengthy council meeting, would not be untabled, and the council will proceed with its appeal. Without the road closure, he said, the application cannot be approved.
“That’s what’s happening tonight,” Roach said. “So, nothing.”
Audible groans could be heard from meeting attendees, one of whom said “we’re not all lawyers,” and asked for further clarification on the council’s decision.
Roach said the city’s attorneys advised them to appeal the January order to vote, adding they disagreed with the decision.
The city and FASNY are scheduled to appear next in court on Feb. 11.
FASNY’s planned $60 million, five-building school with five athletic fields would consolidate its three schools currently in rented facilities in Scarsdale, Mamaroneck and Larchmont.
In the ruling, Lefkowitz order the vote from the seven-member council was to be decided by a supermajority, rather than the simple majority vote that FASNY had requested.
