Monte Nido Withdraws Application to Open Treatment Center on Morris Lane

Scarsdale10583 received this information on December 23 from Nancy Turett who represents Monte Nido. The company had filed a highly controversial application to open a treament home for adolescent girls with eating disorders in a large home at 2 Morris Lane in Murray Hill. After much discussion, Scarsdale Village Trustees filed an objection to the application and a hearing with the Commissioner of Health was planned for after the New Year.

However,in the interim, Monte Nido decided to withdraw their application after neighbors stated their intentions to litigate over easements and driveway access. Since the property sits on a flag lot, the driveway crosses neighboring properties and easements were granted for residential use. Save for these issues, the Padavan Law would have protected the applicant's from objections from neighbors. 

Here is the information we received:

(from Nancy Turett)
Sadly, Monte Nido is ceasing its pursuit of the property at 2 Morris Lane. Thanks to Scarsdale10583 for e-enabling an open conversation.

We want to ensure Scarsdale leaders and citizens have a clear and accurate understanding of how this came to pass. Attached is an explanatory message from Vicki Kroviak, CEO of Monte Nido:

December 23, 2015

Monte Nido message regarding Scarsdale situation

In order to stay true to its mission to provide superb residential treatment for adolescent girls in regions where the unmet need is especially great, Monte Nido is going to cease planning to move into 2 Morris Lane. Despite our proposal to establish that home being solidly within the spirit and letter of the New York State Padovan law, and the wonderful support of many citizens and leaders across the Scarsdale community, a few neighbors have threatened driveway-access and easement-related litigation that while baseless, could tie up progress at this address for years. While Monte Nido is quite confident that the Village of Scarsdale's rejection of the 2 Morris Lane site was without legal support or justification under the New York State Padavan law, we have chosen to pursue other alternative sites and communities. There is no single property objective more important than getting the families in the area access to Monte Nido residential care as soon as possible.

We appreciate the outpouring of advocacy and support that has come from people across Scarsdale and the region, and at the same time have learned about the lack of understanding about eating disorders and their treatment that even highly educated and accomplished individuals may have. Our residential program in Irvington for adults is operating smoothly and without disruption to the local community. Monte Nido remains fully committed to expanding its services in Westchester County and the surrounding area to address a recognized health care need.

We will turn our attention in this area to other properties with neighbors and leaders that welcome residential resources for people with eating disorders. We'll also partner with local health, civic and educational leaders fill the knowledge gaps that interfere not only with establishment of nearby residences but early detection and best-practice-care of eating disorders in our children and loved ones.

Vicki Kroviak
CEO
Monte Nido & Affiliates