Letter to the Editor: Application for Flag Lot Should be Denied

March 31, 2016
Scarsdale Planning Department/Board of Appeals
Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583

To Whom it May Concern at the Scarsdale Board of Appeals:

We write to you as neighbors of the Friberg/Peterson family at 54 Park Road in the Greenacres section of Scarsdale. We are writing to strongly object to the family's application to the Scarsdale Zoning Board of Appeals for area variances in order to create a "Flag Lot" on their premises. We are objecting to this application for the following reasons:

1. One of the most unique and precious qualities of "the Grange" in Greenacres, especially Park Road, is the existence of gracious lots and open space on and around individual properties. We feel so fortunate to have lived in this area and raised our children here. We believe that any variances which might result in increased development potential at 54 Park Road would pose a threat to the future quality of life on our street. If a flag lot is designated on this property, thereby allowing for future subdivision, the use of the property would change to allow for the development of two separate large homes with accessory structures and facilities.
2. If the variances are granted and the property use is changed, there will be a significant environmental impact on Park Road in and around 54 Park Road resulting from increased traffic and use of utilities.
3. Any increased development potential on this site will increase the density of our immediate area and adversely affect our property values. There is such a scarcity of open space and larger lots in Scarsdale, we are hoping to protect the quality of our lovely neighborhood in the present and future as well.

While we appreciate that no new construction has been proposed at 54 Park Road either in conjunction with this application or for the near future, we are well aware that any variances granted will "run with the land" and permanently guide the future uses of this site. We recognize the claim that the Friberg/Peterson family is motivated to seek the subject variance for the purpose of personal estate planning. While we are sensitive to their objective of providing for their family, we believe that this estate planning can be better and comprehensively achieved through legal instruments. Our neighborhood should not have to bear the negative consequences of their personal estate planning. No one can predict the future; if in fact the applicants want to safeguard the existing structures on their beautiful property, the most effective way of doing this is by leaving the property and its uses "as is."

We understand well and appreciate the mission of the Zoning Board of Appeals to balance the property rights of an individual owner versus those of the larger community. We are hopeful that this respected Board will see that the protection of the quality of the neighborhood and its residents outweighs the requests of the Friberg/Peterson application. There are very good reasons why this Board has not
granted a new Flag Lot since 1989, and we are cautiously optimistic that this record of maintaining the character of our special community through sound planning decisions will continue.

Respectfully yours,
Maria and Jacques Brand
55 Park Road