Pl' . Debev0lse Debevolse Impton LLP James Johnson to 919 Third Avenue Partner New York, NY 10022 jejohnsn?debevoise.com +1 212 909 6000 +1212 909 6646 December 15, 2015 BY FIRST CLASS MAII, AND EMAIL Robert P. Astorino County Executive Westchester County 148 Martine Avenue White Plains, New York 10601 United States ex rel. Anti?Discrimination Center of Metro New York, Inc. v. Westchester County, New York, No. 06 Civ. 2860 (DLC) Dear Mr. Astorino: I write regarding a proposal to build a senior-citizen multifamily housing development on a vacant seven?acre site zoned for commercial and industrial use along John Walsh Boulevard in the Village of Buchanan. The proposed development would contain 56 units of AFFH housing and 10 market-rate units. The Buchanan Village Planning Board recommended that the proposed site be re?zoned to permit the construction of multifamily housing, as contemplated by the Village?s 2004 master plan. I understand that the County has supported the proposal. It would appear that the development could potentially be counted in determining whether the County has met its obligations under the consent decree. The matter is now before the Village Board, which is expected to vote on the rezoning proposal on January 5, 2016. According to news media reports, three of the five members of the Village Board have signaled their opposition to the rezoning. See, e. g, David McKay Wilson, Times Square hero opposes Buchanan senior housing, THE JOURNAL NEWS, Nov. 20, 2015, available at: wilson/2015/1 l/ 7 6067396/ . Buchanan Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker has criticized the proposed development and opposition from village residents appears to stem, at least in part, from the fact that the AFFH units would be marketed to surrounding counties, including New York City. Id. Paragraph 76) of the Settlement provides that the County ?shall use all available means as appropriate to address? action by municipalities that hinder the Robert P. Astorino 2 December 15, 2015 objectives of the Settlement?s affordable housing development benchmarks. Given the County?s interest in ensuring that this development moves forward, I respectfully request, pursuant to my authority under paragraphs 13(b) and 16 of the Settlement, that the County provide responses to the following interrogatories: 1. What incentives has the County considered offering to Buchanan to in?uence Buchanan?s decision to grant zoning approvals for this development? 2. Will the County use its discretionary funding policy to encourage Buchanan to grant zoning approvals for this development? Please respond to these questions by January 4, 2015. I. "a ."James cc: Kevin J. Plunkett, Deputy County Executive Robert F. Meehan, Esq., County Attorney Mary J. Mahon, Special Assistant to the County Executive Michael B. Kaplowitz, Chairman, County Board of Legislators Holly M. Leicht, Regional Administrator, HUD Glenda Fussa, Esq., Deputy Regional Counsel, HUD David J. Kennedy, Assistant United States Attorney (S.D.N.Y.) Benjamin H. Torrance, Assistant United States Attorney (S.D.N.Y.) Lara K. Eshkenazi, Assistant United States Attorney (S.D.N.Y.) Alexander H. Roberts, Westchester Workforce Housing Coalition Glenn Grif?n, Grif?n?s Landscaping