Scarsdale BOT Turns Down Tax Phase In Legislation - Plus, Home Sales, Featured Listings and Weekend Open Houses

Though the idea of offering tax relief to the hardest hit residents from the 2016 revaluation seemed like a positive step, after hearing no support for the move the Scarsdale BOT voted unanimously against the resolution.

The resolution would have requested that legislation be introduced into the NYS Assembly and NYS Senate to allow residents who are STAR eligible (earn less than $500,000 a year) and received greater than a 25% tax increase to phase in their increase over three years. The loss in revenue from those residents would be made up in tax increases to the balance of Scarsdale taxpayers.

Deputy Village Manager Robert Cole estimated that at most, 130 residents would qualify for the relief, and this number might be further decreased by those who had their assessments reduced by the Board of Assessment Review this summer.

A special meeting of the Town Board of Scarsdale was held on Tuesday October 25, following the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to consider the resolution to authorize the "Phase-In (of) Certain 2016 Residential Real Property Assessment Increases.

Mayor Mark gave each of the trustees an opportunity to state their view and they all concurred. Trustee Carl Finger called the resolution a "Well meant concept," and said though he was "sensitive to the impact to increasing taxes on a number of residents in the community," he had "not heard anyone favorably disposed to it. No one who would benefit has come forward." Therefore he said, "I find it difficult to adopt something that is not supported by the community."

Trustee Pekarek agreed with Finger, saying, "While it is humane and would supply relief, we didn't hear from anyone who would benefit. It would take significant effort. I would rather work on reforming the way properties are assessed."

Marc Samwick said, "The reval was intended to achieve equity. Similar legislation has enabled people in other towns to remain in their homes. Earlier in the summer we heard about similar hardships and this was designed to ease the burden for certain residents. But based on lack of community interest, I intend to vote against it but would reconsider it if community interest was expressed."

Jane Veron said, "When I first learned about this I was eager to explore it for Scarsdale.... especially because some felt forced to leave Scarsdale. But I have only heard negative comments. Residents were overwhelmingly not in favor. Given the lack of support I do not feel comfortable asking others to assume the additional tax burden."

Matt Callaghan said that this legislation would be perceived as an inequity. He said, "We have already raised certain people's taxes," and this "will cause taxes for others to go up. I am voting nay."

Trustee Stern agreed and Mayor Mark put the matter to rest, saying, "For all the reasons I have heard I am not in favor of this."

Sales:

30 Tisdale Road

This Fox Meadow center hall Colonial home is on 3/4 acre with Crane-Berkley Pond views. There is an eat-in-kitchen with banquette seating, a center island and a butler's pantry, and an open family room with built-ins leading to a covered patio overlooking the six acre private park. The living room and dining room each has a fireplace and built-ins, moldings and arches. A formal library with built-ins and an adjacent full bath and mudroom complete the first floor. The lower level has French doors to the patio, two additional bedrooms/media room, two full baths, a summer kitchen, gym, laundry/wrapping room and a 2,500 bottle wine cellar.

Sale Price: $3,425,000
Assessed Value: $3,200,000
Taxes: $74,144

10 Elmdorf Drive

This stone home has a slate roof, gravel drive, and hardwood floors throughout. There is an eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, and an study/office with a wall of stone off the living room/family room. The modern kitchen has a brick wall with a fireplace and breakfast area. The second floor has a master bedroom and four other bedrooms. The third floor has two additional rooms. There is also a studio over the garage.

Sale Price: $2,000,000
Assessed Value: $2,125,000
Taxes: $46,506

14 Chesterfield Road

This Fox Meadow Colonial, set on .30 acres, has central air conditioning, a two-car garage, a sun porch, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen with a door to a bluestone patio, and a family room with high ceilings and a fireplace. There is a master bedroom with a dressing room, private bath, four additional bedrooms and two more bathrooms. The 810 square foot lower level has an office, gym and full bathroom.

Sale Price: $1,871,000
Assessed Value: $1,650,000
Taxes: $42,384

22 Taunton Road

Tudor in Crane Berkley Tudor with a freshly painted exterior, hardwood floors throughout, and a renovated eat-in kitchen, which opens to a patio. The lower level has a playroom and laundry room. There is also a walk-up attic.

Sale Price: $1,632,000
Assessed Value: $1,400,000
Taxes: $32,773

36 Wynmor Road

This expanded and renovated classic center hall colonial in Heathcote is on .40 level and private acres of gardens with a deck. Features include four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a living room with a wood burning fireplace, a formal dining room, gourmet kitchen with granite counters and a breakfast room with a cathedral ceiling, sky lights, ceiling fan and French doors to the deck. The first floor master suite has a tray ceiling, a custom walk-in closet, bath with a jacuzzi and a separate office with built-ins. The second floor offers a bedroom with a bath with a jacuzzi, two bedrooms and a hall bath. On the lower level, there is a laundry room, utility room and a door to the property.

Sale Price: $1,550,000
Assessed Value: $1,375,000
Taxes: $31,679

24 Sycamore Road

This 1968 stone and shingle Colonial set on a one-third acre lot has an eat-in kitchen opening to a family room with a fireplace, a master bedroom with a full bath and dressing area, a first floor bedroom with an adjacent full bath, a mudroom and laundry room off the kitchen and a two car garage.

Sale Price: $1,070,000
Assessed Value: $1,175,000
Taxes: $41,489

257 Madison Road

This four bedroom Edgewood Dutch Colonial has an eat-in kitchen with bench style seating and a butler's pantry leading to the dining room, a sunroom, a covered porch and four bedrooms on the second level.

Sale Price: $860,000
Assessed Value: $725,000
Taxes: $17,004

173 Lyons Road

Colonial in Edgewood with a living room with a white brick fireplace, a formal dining room, an eat-in kitchen with a pantry, a full bath, and a family room. A room adjacent to the living room can serve as an office/nursery. The second floor features three bedrooms and a hall bath. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet. There are hardwood floors, a 330 square foot finished basement, and built-in corner curio cabinets in the living room and dining room. The door from the den leads to the deck and a fenced in yard.

Sale Price: $660,000
Assessed Value: $725,000
Taxes: $13,729

2 River Road

This Tudor Colonial has a private back yard and a two-car attached garage.

Sale Price: $638,000
Assessed Value: $1,150,000
Taxes: $27,127

Edgemont:

130 Old Army Road

This newly remodeled and expanded 4,045 square foot ranch is on one acre in the Edgemont School District. There are five bedrooms, four and a half baths, built around a Bluestone courtyard. Features include a formal living room with a fireplace and views of the side yard, a state of the art kitchen with high-end appliances and glass doors to the courtyard, a three room master bedroom suite with a walk-in closet and outdoor deck, a dining room and family room wing with a recreation room and bathroom, laundry/mud room plus a garage, vaulted ceilings, central air conditioning, a new 70 gallon hot water tank, and a new oil tank.

Sale Price: $1,600,000
Taxes: $45,802

44 High Ridge Road

This newly painted and updated stone colonial is located on a cul-de-sac in Edgemont. This home has five bedrooms, three and a half baths, three fireplaces, hardwood floors throughout and French doors from the dining room to a new covered blue-stone portico. There is a gourmet kitchen with granite counters, two ovens and a professional Wolf (gas) range and a library with a half bath and a door leading outside. The breezeway leads to an artist's studio. On the second floor, there is a master bedroom/bath suite and three additional bedrooms and a full bath. There is also a first floor bedroom with a full bath. Lower level features a fireplace and gym area.

Sale Price: $1,400,000
Taxes: $41,000

Featured Listings:

7 Paddington Road, Scarsdale

Convenient in-town location! Walk to Scarsdale train and village. Walk to grade school and high school, with free bus service to middle school as well. Handsome English Tudor set on a beautiful and level .50 acre in the heart of Fox Meadow. Meticulously renovated in 2008: kitchen, bathrooms, heating, electrical, plumbing, floors, windows, and so much more. This special home offers six-bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms, (with five of those generously sized bedrooms and three full bathrooms all on the second floor). Move right in and enjoy all that Scarsdale has to offer! For more information, click here.

List Price: $2,295,000

40 Crosshill Road, Hartsdale

Full renovation in progress on this mid-century Contemporary Ranch with open floor plan and with free-form in ground pool on .89 acres. In 2016: new roof, new kitchen including Brookhaven cabinetry, quartz countertops, center island, Bosch and SubZero appliances, new baths with all new tile work and fixtures, new wood floors throughout, new marble on fireplace, new light fixtures and wall sconces, new heating system, new central air, new electrical panels and wiring, new exterior wood soffits, new interior walls, ceilings and painting. A wall of glass on the rear facade of this house allows wonderful views of the property and its lush landscaping, of the in ground pool with natural stone surround, and offers a peek of the Sunningdale golf course. Master bedroom on the first floor opens to the slate patio where you can relax at the end of the day, before making your way to the pool. Above grade lower level with bedroom, bath and playroom has a separate entrance. Luxury living at its best! For more information, click here.

List Price: $948,000

Open Houses:

284 Soundview Avenue, White Plains
Sunday 10/30, 1:00-3:00pm

Reduced to sell-Motivated!: Ideally situated on Soundview, this contemporary colonial is on a park-like .72 acre of level property with golf course views and with an in-ground pool making this perfect for outdoor entertaining! Enjoy outdoor activities in a private setting! This 3,260 square foot sun-filled colonial features 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, hardwood floors, beautiful new baths, ample storage, upgraded appliances, recessed lighting, new roof over garage, new hi-capacity furnace, new duct work in finished basement, upgraded electric panel, water proofed perimeter of house, sauna, masonry updates, new pool filter and flooring, rebuilt chimney with new flashing and cap, surround sound & a home theater. Low taxes! Convenient to houses of worship, schools, restaurants and shopping. 35 min train to NYC! For more information, call Michele Silverman Bedell at 914-906-4376, email msilvermanbedell@gmail.com or click here.

List Price $1,125,000

2 Lincoln Road, Scarsdale
Sunday 10/30, 1:00-3:00pm

Located on a comfortable corner in the heart of Heathcote, this new and transitionally designed Colonial provides a fresh and desirable open floor plan that seamlessly integrates with today's active lifestyle by offering the coveted convenience of schools, shopping, restaurants, transportation and recreation, all a short walk away! Enjoy a fabulous kitchen/family room, private study, elegant living and dining rooms. In addition to the grand master bedroom, which boasts two oversized walk-in closets and a sumptuous private bath, there are five bedrooms and five more full bathrooms. A multi-functional lower level is perfect for recreation and relaxing. Nothing more is needed! Experience suburban living with urban convenience! For more information, click here.

List Price: $1,928,800

99 Boulder Ridge Road, Scarsdale
Sunday 10/30, 2:00-4:00pm

Newly reduced. One of the largest units at an incredible price. Three bedrooms with the possibility of two more bedrooms, this bright and spacious Dalton end unit is beautifully appointed and offers privacy and wooded views. Large living room/family room and fireplace, ceiling speakers and French doors to new deck. Eat-in kitchen, stainless appliances, granite countertops, new wine fridge and custom drawers. Bosch washer/dryer located on first floor. Private patio overlooks great yard.. Finished basement boasts a playroom, exercise area and potential guest room. Two car garage and tons of storage throughout. Enjoy the amenities of the complex including 24 hour security, landscaping, snow removal, pool, fitness room, clubhouse, tennis courts and playground. Town of Greenburgh rec. Bus to Ardsley schools. For more information, click here.

List Price: $874,999