Response to How Big is Too Big

Dear Scarsdale10583: Congratulations on writing the most important piece of information I have seen about Scarsdale in the past 44 years that I have lived here. The property on 21 Carstensen borders on my property where I have lived for 30 years. With a few neighbors I vigorously tried to prevent the seven additions that they built in addition to the pool, barbeque (which if you have seen the drawings at Village hall looks like it belongs at a Caribbean resort and is 10’X 8’) and the fireplace close to the neighbors property which is approximately 13.9’ high, 10’ wide, and 3’ deep and looks like a Mayan temple. In addition to the claustrophobic backyard, more recently they have added retaining walls around most of the property. We initially thought these were going to be 3’ high sitting walls but they are now approximately 4’.

At the zoning board meeting this spring I mentioned that the house was in a drain sensitive area which was extremely problematic due to our recent storm-related weather problems; nobody cared and the Village said this was not an issue. Despite neighbors concerns the Village allowed everything to go forward. My neighbor and I who are most impacted by this project are extremely upset by this disaster which has been ongoing. I knew the people very well who lived in what was once a beautiful house.

Keep up the good work Scarsdale10583 and let me know if I can be of any help.