Our Existing Building Code is Failing Us
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 1365
(The following letter was sent to us by Mary Beth Evans and Dan Moretti of Edgewood Road)
Dear Mayor Arest and Village Trustees, Thank you for proposing a temporary pause on single-family housing development. This pause is necessary to allow you time to address long-standing but increasingly critical issues regarding the quality and scale of new construction, along with the loss of the tree canopy and open space in Scarsdale.
Our existing Village codes and regulations are clearly failing two of the four main community goals articulated in our Comprehensive Plan, namely: “1) To preserve the village’s existing architectural character and scale of development” and “2) To maintain the image of a village in a park” (Comprehensive Plan, Scarsdale, NY, pp. i-ii). Moreover, if permitted unchecked, current building trends in a context of continued global warming threaten to exacerbate existing Village-wide stormwater management issues and related costly property damage.
We both grew up in Scarsdale, and since we moved back in 1995, the sizes of new single-family homes being constructed here have been steadily increasing. We understand the need for new development and the rationale for tearing down and replacing some old homes, but the most recent trend seems to be to build as much house as possible – to more than double the square footage of the previous home -- at the expense of open space and mature trees and seemingly without regard to how the volume or bulk of the new structure relates to surrounding properties.
In our area of Edgewood, many lots are in the range of 5 - 10,000 square feet. As the Village Board recently noted, much of 
247 Nelson RoadEdgewood was developed during the 1920s as “a more modest neighborhood” (“Findings of the Village of Scarsdale Board of Trustees, 247 Nelson Road,” p. 6). But we’re now seeing modest sized parcels being consumed by well over 4,000 square foot homes, with 6 bedrooms and 7 baths and 9 to 10-foot ceilings, such as one would more typically find on half acre or larger lots in Scarsdale. If our building and zoning codes continue to permit this, in short order much of Edgewood will lose its tree canopy, will no longer resemble a “village in a park,” and will be vulnerable to more frequent and damaging flooding.
The new homes we’ve started to see going up in Edgewood also have asking prices that are well more than double what they’ve replaced. This represents a further narrowing of the range of housing stock diversity, making Scarsdale an even less economically diverse place to live. We note this in response to a questionable statement that one resident developer made at the November 14th and again at the December 12th meeting, when he claimed that a 6-month moratorium would prevent new families from moving in and thus serve to impede diversity in Scarsdale. To the contrary, it is the high cost of single-family homes, along with the continued absence of more affordable multi-family housing, that has been a major deterrent to young families moving in and the main impediment to diversity in Scarsdale. In this regard, we believe it is appropriate that the current proposed moratorium does not affect multi-family housing construction, and we urge the Board to finally address the development of the Freightway property and for Scarsdale to start doing its fair share in meeting the dire need for more affordable housing in Westchester.
At the November 14 and again at the December 12th meeting, other developers reminded us that we rely on increases to the tax base to keep Scarsdale property taxes in check. We agree that this is a benefit. Yet, it is a benefit we now see as coming with lasting costs. Certainly, it’s time for us as a community to start weighing all the costs against the supposed benefits of a permissive single-family housing development policy. A 6-month moratorium is the most even-handed and fair way to allow the necessary time and space for this long overdue process to happen. Even those who are against the moratorium say they support the idea of revisions to the building and zoning codes. But without a moratorium, how does Scarsdale prevent 6 more months’ worth of construction based on current codes that so many agree are allowing lasting harm to be done to our community?
Sincerely,
Mary Beth Evans
Dan Moretti
Edgewood Road
Friends of the Cohen Family Set Up GoFundMe Page
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 2850
Friends of Brooke and Toby Cohen who passed away in a tragic accident on Thanksgiving night have set up a GoFundMe page. They are raising money to help the couples three children, twin boys Jake and Cooper and their younger sister Addison.
Below find the appeal and the link to give.
It is with great sadness that we invite you to join The Cohen Family fundraiser. Brooke and Toby Cohen — loving parents to Jake, Cooper, and Addison — died in a tragic car accident on Thanksgiving. Jake, Cooper, and Addison continue to recuperate in the hospital, in the constant love and care of Brooke and Toby’s families.
To honor Brooke and Toby’s memory and legacy, and with the permission of both families, we have established this fundraiser to support Jake, Cooper, and Addison. We are raising funds to be used directly to support the kids’ care now and as they grow up. We hope to make a lasting difference in their lives and provide all we can after this tremendous loss. They have so much life ahead of them.
GoFundMe requires a goal, but we welcome any support for The Cohen Family.
Thank you for supporting Jake, Cooper, and Addison, and sending all your love in these darkest days.
Lovingly,
Brooke & Toby’s Friends
Locals Attend March for Israel Rally in Washington
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 1444
Photo Credit: Cynthia SamwickTwo busloads from Westchester Reform Temple and twelve from synagogues in White Plains were among the 290,000 people who travelled to Washington D.C. on Tuesday November 14 to demonstrate support for Israel on the mall. The press reported that the March for Israel Rally was the largest Pro-Israel demonstration in history.
Speakers included:
-ActressTovah Feldshuh, Graduate of the SHS Class of 1966
-CNN Political Commentator Van Jones
-NYS Senator Chuck Schumer
-House Speaker Mike Johnson
-Senator Joni Ernst
-House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries
-Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt
-Actress Debra Messing
-A video address from the President of Israel Isaac Herzog
-Rachel Goldberg, mother of a hostage
Cynthia Samwick said, "Participants represented a diverse tapestry of Jewish life, with individuals spanning various religious beliefs and backgrounds. Among them were students, groups of old and new friends, families, neighbors from near and far, and Israelis, all united in a peaceful display of solidarity. The atmosphere was awe-inspiring, evoking a unique sense of hope and spirit. Contrasting the event's harmony, the gathering served as a stark juxtaposition to those who advocate violence and hate, highlighting the contrast between peaceful unity and destructive discord. Am Yisrael Chai."
Another resident reported that the demonstration was peaceful but the crowd got fired up at times with frequent chants of “Bring them Home, Am Yisrael Chai, Never Again, and at one point, No Cease Fire.”
It was an exhausting day for those who travelled from Westchester as buses left a 6 am and did not get back until 11 pm. All in all it was a 16 hour day – with a two hour rally.
State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin travelled with the two busloads of people from Westchester Reform Temple. She said, “I was proud to march today in solidarity with Israel and against anti-semitism and hate! Together We Will Prevail! יחד ננצח”
Amy Paulin, Rabbi Blake and two busloads from Westchester Reform Temple.
Former Village Trustee Rochelle Waldman, Former Mayor Marc Samwick, Cynthia Samwick and Jessica and Sydney Waldman.
Photo Credit: Cynthia Samwick
Photo credit: Flo Wiener
Photo Credit: Cynthia Samwick
Photo Credit: Flo Wierner
Annual Light the `Dale Celebration – December 01
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Kick-off the holiday season with us at Scarsdale’s annual tree and menorah lighting ceremony, Light the ‘Dale, on Friday, December 01, from 5-7 PM at Boniface Circle! The lighting will take place at approximately 5:30PM. Bring your friends and family to enjoy great food, festive music, and other fun holiday activities including cookie decorating and photos with Santa!
Children can enter their names for a chance to Light the ‘Dale with Mayor Arest. Click here and use the registration portal to enter your child for a chance to create an extra special holiday memory. If you have entered the drawing for a chance to light the tree with the Mayor, you must be present by 5:15PM. Names will be drawn after Santa arrives.
The Village will continue the tradition of participating in the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign. This year, understanding the increased needs of the less fortunate, Mayor Arest is issuing a special challenge at the Light the `Dale celebration: “Fill A Van for Toy’s for Tots.” Let’s come together to show our community’s generosity in a big way. Bring an unwrapped toy and place it in the donation van, prominently parked at the event. Your contribution can make this holiday season extra special for a child in need.
A special thanks to the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, Scarsdale Police and Fire Departments, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the Scarsdale Business Alliance, for making this wonderful event come together.
Heathcote Neighbors Object to the Demolition of a Mid-Century Modern Home on Lincoln Road
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 1297
Neighbors are becoming more pro-active about preserving their neighborhoods and trees. In the past month, residents have launched appeals to save 27 Woods Lane, to fight renovations on Autenreith Road and now to bar the demolition of a Mid-Century modern home on Lincoln Road. The application to raze 46 Lincoln Road comes on the heels of a decision by the NYS Supreme Court to deny an appeal to override the Scarsdale Village Board and permit the demolition of another Mid-Century modern home on Birchall Drive.
We received this flyer today concerning an application to tear down 46 Lincoln Road that will be heard by the Committee for Historic Preservation on Tuesday night November 14, 2023 at 7 pm.
Save 46 Lincoln Road, Scarsdale
On Tuesday evening, November 14th at 7:00 the Committee for Historic Preservation will meet in person at Village Hall to discuss the DEMOLTION of this beautiful historic residence.
As per one of the Criteria to Determine Historical Importance the Committee shall consider the level of significance in American History, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture present in the building, as well as the integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship and: That the building embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction that possess high artistic value.
Being that this home, is one of only a few Mid-Century modern homes remaining in town and perhaps the only remaining “Usonian” home it achieves this criterion in many ways.
The term “Usonian” was intended to describe an architectural style that was tailored to the United States’ society. Like the adjective “American”, it was intended to define the North American society: a way of life that existed in harmony with nature and free from previously prevailing conventions.
The use of Native Materials: a mix of wood, stone, and metal utilized in manners not done today.
The exterior connects with the Interior; the stone wall at the rear enters the home and becomes the fireplace or hearth of the home. The home has low stone walls that blend into the landscape.
This home, at the corner of Carthage and Fayette Roads, appears to be too large for the lot.
Usage of flat roofs with large, cantilevered overhangs for passive solar heating and natural cooling.
The home is embedded in the landscape, sits on the site in harmony with the surroundings for views of nature and privacy. The layout of this special home is governed by the site not by the setbacks.
“No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.” Frank Lloyd Wright
If you can attend, please come to the meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday November 14 at Village Hall and let’s try to protect this wonderful home and our neighborhoods.
