Board of Appeals Considers Fate of Cudner-Hyatt House

Concern about the fate of the Scarsdale Historical Society’s 18th century building attracted a crowd to the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at Scarsdale Village Hall on Wednesday night March 14th.

The Board of Directors of the Scarsdale Historical Society has filed an application to remove the variance that requires Cudner-Hyatt House to operate as a museum. They contend that removing the variance would allow them to explore ways to make this property financially viable and permit the Historical Society to continue their work. According to the Board, with the variance in place they are having trouble exploring alternative uses for the building and having serious  negotiations with others who could take over the property. They looked into moving the building, and leasing it to another group but have not had any success.

In recent years the building has seen little use as it appears that there are no longer people in the community willing to invest their time, money and energy to produce the fairs and educational events that were formerly the lifeblood of the Society. According to the Board, the house is “no longer relevant to the community.” They argue that the Historical Society does not need to “own real estate to accomplish their mission.” Maintenance of the house is draining the Society’s funds, leaving them without resources to pursue other projects such as the digitization of historic issues of the Scarsdale Inquirer or awarding grants for the study of the Scarsdale history.

Speaking in support of the application were many who have previously fought to protect the Village’s historic assets. Society Board Member Carolyn Mehta said, “There is not much at the society that is Scarsdale based history. Right now the Society’s funds are being spent on building maintenance. We have events and fairs but no one comes. Lifting the variance will free funds for the society to do what it wants to do.”

In a written statement, Lucas Meyer, who has served on the Society’s Board for ten years said, “Despite my lifelong commitment to historic preservation I cannot ignore the fact that the ongoing maintenance of the building is beyond the scope and financial ability of the Scarsdale Historical Society. I also trust that this board understands the Society’s Board of Trustees has been extraordinarily thorough in its year-long deliberations, and that we are completely united in our decision.”

Linda Blair, who has served on the Committee for Historic Preservation and the BAR said “ I am a steward of the past but a believer in appropriate use. Though I love old things I understand what is happening now. Free this board to do what they need to do.”

However others urged the Zoning Board of Appeals not to act in haste. Speaking on behalf of the Scarsdale Forum, VP Dan Hochvert asked that the Attorney General make a determination on the variance before the Board of Appeals takes action. He also requested that the Society continue to maintain the house while awaiting a decision. A statement from the Scarsdale Forum’s Executive Committee on the house was issued under expeditious treatment and presented to the Board of Appeals.

Lena Crandall urged the Board of Appeals to refer the matter to the Village Board to do its own study to see if another group is willing to operate the house as a museum. She said, “We need another Eda Newhouse to come along with energy and imagination.”

Former Historical Society President Eda Newhouse called the application “shocking and absurd.” She told that board that when she ran the Society there were 25 people on the Board of Directors as well as scores of others on the Advisory Board. and that they “had a party every year and worked hard to find ways to keep the money coming in.” She also asked the Board of Appeals to give the item more time on the agenda, saying, “You are shortchanging the Historical Society to say what we think in such a short time.”

Former Mayor Ed Morgan spoke on behalf of the Scarsdale Arts Council. They also submitted a statement supporting the position of the Scarsdale Forum. He said, “When the trustees granted the variance they believed it was a landmark worth saving. The Attorney General can get involved at any time. Other neighborhoods have recently saved their historical societies. I don’t have all the answers but it is premature to say there are no answers. We endorse the recommendations made by the Scarsdale Forum and ask you to wait until the Attorney General can get involved.”

When the current president of the Scarsdale Historical Society returned to the table he said, “I want to thank everyone who came tonight. This is the most interest we have had in the Society in years. I agree with what was said. We are dealing with a zoning issue. We want to look for opportunities in the best possible way. As a responsible board we continue to look for options. Grant this so that we can continue to do our due diligence.”