Bronxville Launches Initiatives to Improve Business Climate

Written by Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin

At the Village Board of Trustees Meeting in July, the Trustees and I adopted zoning and parking changes with the goal of increasing local shopping, services and dining.

On the zoning front, we have streamlined a process to streamline the process of opening a business in the Village. In addition, we expanded the types of businesses that can offer outdoor seating.

The outdoor option will be renewable yearly to ensure that the Village has control over the cleanliness, ambience and seat regulations on the site.

Our revamping of the Village Zoning Code, largely written in the 1950’s – 1960’s for another day and time is an on-going process to reflect the needs of the current economic environment. To retain a viable business district in the 21st century, a new balance has to be struck between the sale of soft goods and the delivery of services.

On the parking front, at the request of customers, we will be adding a non-coin phone app option for meter payment called PANGO beginning in August.

Time may be added remotely to a meter up until the hour limit of the specific meter. As example, if parked at a three-hour meter at which you paid for two hours, one can add the extra hour via mobile device.

However, one cannot add hours beyond the meter limitation. Without this regulation, commuters could park in front of Value Drugs all day by adding time from their Manhattan office, totally defeating the goal of stimulating local shopping.

To assist businesses whose customers require longer stays including restaurants, hair salons, the theatre and exercise studios, three and four-hour meters have been added in both the Garden Avenue and Cedar Street lots. In addition, all lot meters designated for commuters and merchants are open to the general public after 3pm.

We continue to encourage our merchants and their employees to make use of the more outlying parking spaces.

There is nothing more frustrating for a merchant to arrive at work to find a fellow merchant parked all day in front of his store.

Like our neighbors in Tuckahoe, Yonkers, White Plains and Ridge Hill, we have extended our on street meter hours – in the Village’s case until 9pm.

To avoid having to leave a movie or dinner, coins or PANGO can be added just once to reach the nine o’clock limit. It is important to note that only on street meter parking is affected. All of our lots remain a free option. As example, if one parks right in front of the movie theater, payment will be required vs. the free option across the street in the Kraft lot.

The benefit is two fold. Obviously, there is a monetary one. Village residents live in the most highly taxed community in the most highly taxed county in the country. The additional meter revenue is anticipated to lower Village taxes by at least 1 percent next year.

After diligent surveillance, we also determined that many of the formerly “free spaces” in the evenings were being used by folks heading into Manhattan events vs. frequenting local businesses. In the end, shopping local is the goal of all or our modifications restated above.

Small businesses are the backbone of the sustainability and value of Bronxville, just as they are for our economy nationwide. They are the peak job creators, currently generating over half of all the new jobs in the country. When a small businesses flourishes there is a multiplier effect on the economy of other new hires with the ancillary employment of accountants, lawyers, architects, cleaning staff etc.

As a result, many of the forward thinking communities throughout the nation, Palo Alto, Winnetka, Morristown come to mind, have realized that keeping purchases local creates local jobs, keeps money local, saves on fuel and ancillary transportation costs, encourages a walking environment, fosters a human connection between merchant and customers, and increases overall property values.

They have so named their initiatives, “Support our Supporters” recognizing that it is the local merchants not the Amazons, the Zappos, the Costcos that provide the gifts to every local organization.

Contrary to popular belief, purchasing on the Internet may be a tax-free convenience at midnight, but long term it is ultimately no bargain. Without local purchasing, Bronxville would have lost approximately $900,000 in sales tax revenue last year translating into a whopping 12% tax increase for Village residents.

So as you soon prepare for Back to School shopping, please think local and support Bronxville merchants. It is the best long-term bargain of all.

Two issues related to both the business district and the summer months have surfaces that require your attention and vigilance as well. During the warm weather, there is a cadre of folks who walk through village streets just to test car doors and if unlocked take what they can, be it change, wallets, GPS and sunglasses. This practice is prevalent throughout lower Westchester and simply a crime of opportunity. If cars are locked, they are bypassed, if not, front seat contents are taken. Please do not forget to lock all car doors.

In addition, we are seeing a proliferation of solicitors, be it for the purchase of candy or simply a donation for a “worthy cause.” Sadly, we have found these charities lacking the required Village sales permit and devoid of legitimacy. If you are approached, just ask for a valid Village permit. Quite often just the polite inquiry has resulted in departure from the Village. As a reminder, the First Amendment protects the “selling” of an idea so those requesting your time or signature to discuss perhaps fracking or clean water are constitutionally protected to do so without any prior Village approval.