Committee to Consider Fate of Duck Pond Home
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One of Scarsdale’s original homes may be demolished. Architect Paul Benowitz, of Benowitz Shah Architects in Rye has filed a petition to raze the house at One Duck Pond Road on behalf of unnamed clients. The Committee for Historic Preservation was to consider the application on December 21, but the meeting has now been moved to January 18, 2011, due to the lack of a quorum on the original date.
Though the Village is now considering a new historical preservation law , under current code the Committee will consider the following criteria to determine whether or not the home can be demolished:
In considering whether the building in question appears to be of substantial historic importance, the Committee shall consider if it:
- Is a building that is at least 100 years of age;
- Is a building of historic significance;
- Is a building which was the location of an event of historic significance;
- Is a building related to an historically important individual;
- Is the work of an architect or engineer of significance;
- Is a significant example of an important building style or period; or
- Has been listed on the National or State Register of Historic Places.
Since the home was built in 1902, it is over 100 years old, but the committee will need to review the home in light of the additional criteria.
Almost two years ago, the house was originally listed for $8,000,000. Though it is not currently listed, the asking price had dropped to $5.300,000 before it was taken off the market. The real estate listing read as follows:
Set on nearly four acres of level land in the heart of the Heathcote Association Estate area, overlooking a private duck pond, this 1902 stone and shingle American Revival Colonial evokes a sense of timeless beauty, solidity and permanence. The residence boasts fifteen rooms on three levels: seven bedrooms, five full baths, two half baths and four fireplaces. There is an attached two-car garage plus a freestanding cottage with a three-room apartment, three-car garage, and workshop. The home is 8,000 square feet and sits on 3.73 acres. Asking price: $8,000,000
The assessed value of the home was discussed in a recent report on tax revaluation written by the Scarsdale Forum. In their report they note that the homes assessed value in 2010 was only $42,900 with property taxes of only $52,014. Of course, in the event of a revaluation, or a demolition, the property is sure to be reassessed.
The history of the house is interesting, if not significant. The stone and shingle home is located next to a pond at the intersection of Sherbrooke and Duck Pond Roads. Apparently the pond is man made and pre-dates the home, which was built in 1902. Notes from the Scarsdale Historical Society provide some information about the pond. During the summer of 1876, a Scarsdale farmer named Barney Hannefield, living in the old Dutch Underhill farmhouse on the Post Road reported the following:
“Now I'd like to tell you about farmers. There are still plenty of us who work our own land. Our hours are long; vacations are almost unheard of, and certainly not now in the summer. Although we enjoy a general comfort, none of us could be called rich. Hay is our most important crop. We feed it to our horses, oxen and mules. We nourish our dairy and beef cattle with hay, and our givers of wool, our sheep, are also fed hay. I have to tell you that we've had a terrible problem with our sheep in the last five years due to packs of wild dogs that are decimating our flocks. I had a real problem with my cattle drowning in the swamp up back of the house that is fed by deep springs, but we dug a small pond and that problem got solved."
The home was originally known as the Lawrence Churchill house. On October 19, 1915 the New York Times reported that, “Angell and Company have sold the Lawrence Churchill house in the Heathcote Association at Scarsdale to John E Muhlfeld. The property consists of a modern dwelling and two acres of land.”
John E. Muhlfeld was an inventor and executive of several major railroad companies. He served as the General Supervisor of motor power of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroads and as the Vice President and General Manager of the Kansas City Southern Railroad. He died in 1941 and his obituary was published in the June 27, 1941 edition of the Scarsdale Inquirer.
The home was later named “Oakmere” and its original address was Six Sherbrooke Road, rather than One Duck Pond Road, which is its address today.
We will keep our eye on the proceedings of the Committee on Historic Preservation and the fate of 1 Duck Pond Road and let you know what transpires.
In other Real Estate news, here are two recent closings:
170 Lyons Road: Front porch graces this colonial in the heart of Edgewood. Step inside to find a terrific layout with traditional moldings and details. A graceful entry with French doors leads to a formal living room with wood burning fireplace. Large eat-in-kitchen adjacent to a fabulous family room. A formal dining room and powder room complete the first floor.
List Price: $839,000
Sale Price: $815,000
Real Estate Taxes: $14,486
171 Nelson Road: Adorable and affordable colonial in Scarsdale. This sun-filled three-bedroom home is bright and cheerful with new windows, hardwood floors throughout and a fireplace. You'll find a big eat in kitchen with granite counter tops. The cute yard has a play set and room to roam. Great location -situated on a quiet side street with an easy walk to park, school, bus, Scarsdale Village and train.
List Price: $575,000
Sale Price: $590,000
Real Estate Taxes: $13,059
December Closings
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It’s December – and there are still more sales in Scarsdale and Edgemont. Take a look at the latest closings: 23 Stratton Road: Fully renovated four bedroom, three and a half bath home in a quiet location with a lovely private yard. Complete with gut interior renovation in 2008 with all high end materials and finishes including a large chef's kitchen, new baths, doors, windows, flooring, custom built ins, three-zone heat and air, expanded third floor playroom/family room with skylights, new hot water heater, roof, and furnace.
List Price: $1,290,000
Sale Price: $1,2750,00
Real Estate Taxes: $18,874
598 Fort Hill Road: Perfect blend of suburban and country living in this updated four bedroom/ three bath Colonial on level property in sought after Edgemont. Surrounded by evergreens and mature trees. Circular driveway, attached garage and side street parking. Freshly painted interior, crown moldings, fireplace, custom built-ins, family room, living room, dining room and den. Updates include new kitchen, baths, electric, plumbing, windows, doors, driveway, landscaping.
List Price: $845,000
Sale Price: $838,500
Real Estate Taxes: $22,101
26 River Road: A wonderful opportunity to live in a beautiful Greenacres Colonial home situated on .30 manicured acres in Scarsdale. Generous sized public and private rooms, granite countertops in the kitchen, cedar closets throughout, hardwood floors, glass doors to patio, built-in cabinetry in the den make this 2700 square foot home perfect. Close to train, shops and school.
List Price: $599,000
Sale Price: $582,000
Real Estate Taxes: $17,361
On and Off the Market
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With fewer homes sold this week, we’re showcasing a few Scarsdale homes that are on the market. Check these out: 8 Heathcote Road: Unique for its sizeable acreage, amenities and great privacy, this blissful setting features a 60' pool, cabana, tennis court, gazebo, playground, putting green, and gardens. The 1900 Colonial offers striking architecture, 8 fireplaces, grand living and dining rooms, a conservatory and library. In addition to expansive family quarters, a well-designed kitchen, recreation and media room, gym, wine room and ice cream parlor add to the many noteworthy amenities at this illustrious Heathcote estate.
List Price: $11,500,000
Real Estate Taxes: $89,170
Listed by Houlihan Lawrence
10 Cooper Road: A lush paradise on coveted street in Murray Hill, this estate is framed in specimen plantings on 1.22 acre with a terrace and pool, motor court and 4-car garage. This extraordinary home opens to a 28' high, grand, domed entry with sweeping, double staircase. Rear gallery highlighted by five, two-story arched windows overlooking terrace and pool. Banquet size dining room and extraordinary living room, both with fireplaces. Upstairs master suite is luxuriously outfitted.
List Price: $7,500,000
Real Estate Taxes: $137,357
Listed by Houlihan Lawrence
18 Butler Road: Magnificent French Normandy Tudor in the heart of Fox Meadow. An architectural masterpiece 
meticulously maintained showcases irreplaceable details and incomparable craftsmanship. This bright and stunning interior opens to an exceptional rotunda entry with a graceful circular staircase, grand living room (34x22) elegant master bedroom suite with barrel ceiling handsome cherry library. Oak floors, Ludivici tile roof, lovely gardens and plantings. House is also available furnished.
List Price: $4,495,000
Real Estate Taxes $35,556
Listed by Julia B. Fee/Sothebys
Recent Home Sales:
52 Woods Lane: 1928 Charming 1928 brick side hall Colonial with Vermont slate roof and copper gutters. Full kitchen renovation with new bathrooms, new garage doors, family room addition, Pella double-paned insulated windows, bluestone patio, fenced in backyard. Possible fourth bedroom in attic.
List Price: $1,135,000
Sale Price: $1,100,000
Real Estate Taxes: $26,745
7 Edgewood Road: First time on the market in a generation. Well maintained home in the heart of Edgewood. Prime location, condition, price and sensible layout.
List Price: $765,000
Sale Price: 800,000
Real Estate Taxes: $16,129
1 Woodland Road: Estate sale of undervalued center hall Colonial in Heathcote. Three-four bedrooms, plus two baths. Home sits in a cul-de-sac with expansion possibilities. Close to all.
List Price: $800,000
Sale Price: $864,000
Real Estate Taxes: $18,035
Thanksgiving Sales
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Here are the last November closings: 9 Rutland Road: Gorgeous Cotswold Tudor offers comfort, convenience and easy living. Walk to schools, train and private park. Large, sun filled rooms, many with built-ins. Two large main level family rooms, great six year-old kitchen with ample breakfast area, formal dining room, powder room, new stone terrace, total of six bedrooms and four and a half baths. Two-car garage. Set on lovely property. Lovingly maintained and updated.
List Price: $1,999,999
Sale Price: $1,850,000
Real Estate Taxes: $37,325
11 Pinecrest - Sold by the bank. Sherbrooke Park home on level .35 acre property with four bedrooms and three baths.
List Price: $1,049,000
Sale Price: $1,100,000
Real Estate Taxes: $30,186
22 River Road: Delightful, sunny Colonial in Greenacres set on a picturesque third of an acres. .Pretty decor. Tasteful upgrades throughout including 35 Pella windows. Spacious kitchen with lots of Corian counter space and copious Rutt cabinetry. A walk through the park to the Hartsdale Station!
List Price: $699,000
Sale Price: $645,000
Real Estate Taxes: $19,215
14 Sprague Road: A pretty package in Edgewood awaits. This sunny home has an updated kitchen, living room with fireplace, formal dining room and den. The master boasts an enormous walk in closet and new private bath. Gated driveway and lovely fenced yard make it perfect for year round outdoor enjoyment.
List Price: $789,000
Sale Price: $790,000
Real Estate Taxes: $12,224
44 Palmer Avenue: Classic 1928 Heathcote brick Colonial features 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. Entry foyer, living room with fireplace, den, dining room, eat-in kitchen, new marble powder room, master suite with renovated bath and custom closets. Four bedrooms and two renovated hall baths. Full unfinished basement. Private, landscaped level yard and two-car garage. Low taxes.
List Price: $995,000
Sale Price: $927,000
Estimated Taxes: $17,465
Greenburgh Town Hall on Central Avenue Retail Vacancies
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A Town Hall meeting was called by Paul Feiner to discuss the future of Central Avenue on Monday night November 8th. The Town Board, the Planning and Zoning Boards, and the Planning Department were on hand to discuss issues with local realtors and property owners.
The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm ideas on what Greenburgh could do to fill the vacant storefronts on Central Avenue, which have caused declines in tax revenues and mean less funding for school districts, fire district and town governments.
Approximately 50-60 people attended the meeting that was chaired by Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.
The loss of tax revenue from the vacancies is costing the town approximately $5 million per year. Those who spoke complained that parking restrictions are too stringent and need to be updated. They also reported that White Plains and Yonkers require fewer available spots per the size of the location as determined by the floor area ratio. They stated that the application process for variances need to be coordinated among Village Boards as it is now time consuming and frustrating for applicants.
In discussing the lack of restaurants, distance parameters from the street for fast food establishments along Central Avenue were cited as an obstacle. In addition, since Greenburgh requires a special permit to open a restaurant on Central Avenue, there is a long approval process that may discourage potential tenants.
Even more red tape prevents retailers from opening on sites where there are steep slopes, such as the Dilmaghani property that has been vacant for years. It was suggested that the steep slope ordinance be waived for properties along Central Avenue.
To make the street easier to navigate, some suggested that Central Avenue needs to be more pedestrian friendly and proposed the addition of sidewalks to make it easier to walk between retail malls.
In order to attract new businesses, attendees suggested that Greenburgh promote itself to the business community as a place where it is easy to do business. Others discussed the need for the town to balance tax revenues against the rights of residents who reside close to Central Avenue.
A new Comprehensive Plan for the area is in the works and portions of it are available for review on the town website at www.greenburghcomprehensiveplan.com
