I HOPE THE ZONING BOARD RECONSIDERS THEIR STRAW VOTE AND GRANTS DELI DELICIOUS PERMISSION TO HAVE DRIVE THRU WINDOW

It is my hope that when the Greenburgh Zoning Board meets in February that they will reverse their straw vote to deny Deli Delicious the approval they requested to build a drive thru window. The owner of Deli Delicious, a town institution for nearly 30 years, will close its business if the straw vote is not reconsidered.
It's sad news for our town whenever a good business closes down. Deli Delicious has always been an asset to our community. The deli has bothered no one and the food is delicious. The building is also attractive looking. Whenever a local business goes under owners of the vacant buildings file certiorari actions against the town --seeking tax refunds. The result: every taxpayer pays more taxes to offset the refunds. The closure of a small deli will create more unemployment. It also sends the wrong message to other businesses that are considering opening up in our town--that the town is a difficult community to do business in.
If Deli Delicious goes under some of the neighbors of this deli will have won the battle but they may not win the war. At some point the property will be sold. The new complex (that will replace Deli Delicious) may create more traffic than a drive in window at a small neighborhood deli. This deli is also located in a commercial section of the Fulton Park neighborhood: bordering Route 119, a Staples store, abandoned Verizon office building and a closed down homeless shelter--that could become workforce housing in the future.
Finally--the straw vote taken by the Zoning Board highlights the need for the Greenburgh Town Board to amend our Ethics laws. One of my jobs as Town Supervisor is to encourage sensible economic development. I am currently prohibited by the Greenburgh Ethics Laws from appearing before either the Zoning Board or Planning Board to express my views on applications. I am also prohibited by our Ethics Code from lobbying members of the Zoning Board directly (I am permitted to write letters to the editor). Elected officials are blamed if there are substantial vacancies in our commercial districts. If we can't speak out in favor or against applications that impact the long term health of the community we can't do our job. The first amendment should also apply to the Town Supervisor and members of the Town Board.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor