FASNY Debate to Return to City Hall Tonight

The French American School of New York's plan to build a campus on the former site of the Ridgeway Country Club will again be discussed at City Hall Wednesday night.

A long line of speakers debated the proposal long into the night on Sept. 20 during the first public hearing. More of the same is expected the second time around tonight at 7 p.m.

FASNY's proposal, which includes a 46-acre school campus and 84-acre conservancy, requires a special exempt permit from the City's Common Council. FASNY purchased the property from the country club in 2011, and has faced resistance from surrounding neighbors since. Members of the Gedney Neighborhood Association fear the added traffic, development and overall change to the former golf course will forever alter their neighborhood if approved.

Officials from FASNY, however, have touted the conservancy on the northern side of the property as a "win-win" for the City, while downplaying the amount of traffic the school will bring into the area.

The proposed campus would house about 1,200 students and 250 staff members. In addition to the 84-acre open space conservancy, the proposal includes the construction of an upper, middle and lower school totaling 230,863 sq ft., three playgrounds, four tennis courts, four soccer fiends, a six lane track, a basketball court, baseball and softball diamonds and 428 parking spaces.

Once the public hearing is complete, FASNY officials will respond in writting to any environmental concerns raised during public discussion. 

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Written comments will also be received until 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 and should be directed to the City Clerk, City Hall at 255 Main St., White Plains, NY 10601.

Click here to view the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the project. A copy of the DEIS will also be available for view at the White Plains Public Library.