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Planning Board

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1. When and Where does the Planning Board meet?

The Planning Board meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers, located at 255 Main Street (2nd floor), White Plains.

2. How many copies of my plans do I need to provide to the Planning Board?

The Planning Board requires 12 copies of plans and any supporting documentation. 

3. Where can I find a Planning Board application?

There is no Planning Board application. All site plan and special use permit applications are filed with the Building Department. The plans will be referred to the Planning Board for review and approval after they have been reviewed for completeness by the Building Department. 

4. What is the submission deadline?

Applications and plans must be filed with the Building Department at least two weeks before the Planning Board meeting date. 

5. How do I file public notice of a hearing?

Public notice instructions can be found here.

6. Where can I find a Subdivision application?

Subdivision application forms can be found here.

7. What is a subdivision?

A subdivision is the division of a lot, parcel, or tract of land into two or more lots for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of ownership transfer or building development with or without proposed new streets. The changing of the dimensions of two existing tax lots where no additional lots are created does not require subdivision approval. This is handled instead through what is called an "Administrative Lot Line Change," for which applications are made to the City Assessor's Office.

8. Who approves a subdivision?

The White Plains Planning Board is empowered by state and local laws to review and approve, approve with modification, or reject subdivision applications.

9. How can I find out what is required to prepare a subdivision application?

Subdivision applications should conform to Section 1-7 of the White Plains "Requirements for Approval of Subdivision Plans," and the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and must include an environmental assessment form and Tree Preservation Plan.

10. Where do I get the necessary forms and information about filing a subdivision application?

The City's Department of Planning handles subdivision applications for the Planning Board. The Planning Board is a seven member citizen board authorized to review and approve subdivisions. All forms and information about what is required to prepare the application, as well as Planning Board meeting dates and other background can be obtained in our department.

11. What happens after the application is filed with the Planning Board?

The Planning board meets once a month on the third Tuesday. Applications need to be filed at least a week before the meeting date. Before the Planning board takes any action on a subdivision application, it is referred to other city boards, agencies, and departments for review and comment.

Depending on the particular subdivision, a number of city departments and boards may be asked for comments on the proposed subdivision. These include the Building, Public Safety, Traffic, Public Works, Planning, and Law Departments. In addition, the Environmental Officer, the Tree Preservation Committee, Conservation board, and Traffic Commission may also be involved.

12. Will my subdivision application require a public hearing?

All subdivisions require a public hearing. It is the applicant's responsibility to publish a notice of public hearing in the newspaper and to notify neighbors by certified mail. Specific instructions for public notification requirements can be obtained from the Department of Planning.

13. What happens after the Planning Board approves my subdivision?

Once the subdivision plat is complete and meets all the requirements of the board and regulations, it is signed by the Commissioner of Public Works, the Receiver of Taxes, and the Chairperson of the Planning Board.

14. What is the final step in the approval process?

After all conditions of subdivision approval are met, all fees paid, and the subdivision is signed off by the County's Commissioner of Health, the applicant may file the approved plat with the Westchester County Clerk - Division of Land Records. Please view the full instructions here.

15. What is a site plan?

Site plans are prepared for proposed new developments or modifications to existing developments. The site plan document contains drawings and related support materials, such as legal data, topography and natural features, building elevations, existing and proposed structures and utilities, and other information, as required by Section 7.3 of the Zoning Ordinance. This document allows the Building Department and the approving agency to review the site plan in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Zoning Ordinance. Site plans must be prepared and signed by a professional architect, landscape architect, land surveyor, or engineer licensed to practice in the State of New York.

16. Who approves a site plan?

The Common Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, or Commissioner of Building exercise site plan approval authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.2 of the Zoning Ordinance. When a site plan is part of another application such as a special permit use, the approving agency for the special permit usually also approves the site plan.

17. How can I find out what is required to prepare a site plan application?

The site plan application must conform to all of the requirements of Section 7 of the Zoning Ordinance, and must include an Environmental Assessment Form and Tree Preservation Plan. In addition to the formal application requirements, a cover letter from the applicant to the approving agency outlining, in general terms, what is being proposed should be included as part of the formal submission.

18. Where do I get the necessary forms and information about filing a site plan application?

Application information, number of copies, and forms can be obtained from the Department of Building, located at 7-11 South Broadway. Filing fees are required. The Department of Building's staff, as well as staff of other city departments, will answer questions about the application and the review process.

19. What happens after an application is filed with the Department of Building?

The Department of Building will first determine whether the application is complete and conforms with zoning. If all requirements are met, the Department of Building will send the application to the approving agency which will be responsible for the review and approval of the site plan.

Site plans are referred by the approving agency to appropriate city departments and agencies for review and comments, depending on the location and/or the proposed use of the site or building. In addition, the Westchester County Planning board and/or abutting municipalities receive referral for review and comment where required.

Every applicant should become aware of which city agency will be receiving a referral of the application from the approving agency. The applicant should find out the meeting place, time and date of all reviewing boards and agencies and determine if attendance at these meetings is necessary.

20. What action is required by the approving agency before I can start work on my project?

The approving agency, after receiving and considering comments from referral agencies, and fulfilling all the other requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and environmental reviews, will adopt a resolution approving, approving with conditions, or denying the application.

The approving agency resolution may contain conditions which need to be complied with before building permits are issued. In addition, any required changes or additions to the construction plans must also be completed and accepted by the Department of Building.

After the site plan is approved by the approving agency, any subsequent major changes to the plans must be approved by the agency with site plan jurisdiction.