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