Scarsdale Forum Speaks Out on Hochul's Housing Compact
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The Scarsdale Forum has added their voice to the rising tide of those who object to Governor Kathy Hochul’s housing compact, which is now being debated in Albany. The mandate to increase housing stock and allow the state to override local zoning code could have far-reaching effects on the Scarsdale landscape along with the schools, infrastructure, tax base, services, sustainability and zoning and planning.
Though officials from many Westchester municipalities signed a recent position paper from the Westchester Municipal Officers Association outlining the pitfalls of the plan, no one from Scarsdale spoke up or signed the letter. The Forum is urging Scarsdale to take a stand.
Forum President Susan Douglass said, "Governor Hochul's proposed Housing Compact legislation will have a substantial negative impact on Scarsdale from multiple perspectives -- zoning, downtown planning, education, municipal services, sustainability, and of course the budget and taxes, since there is insufficient funding tied to implementation of this program." She went on to note, "Thus far, officials from many communities in Westchester have spoken out against this proposal. Scarsdale would face particular challenges if the plan were to be implemented."
Quoting from the report, “Implementing Governor Hochul’s Housing Compact would require that large portions of Scarsdale which are currently zoned for single-family units be completely re-zoned to allow for multi-family housing. This would allow for heightened building skylines to be created along all roads in Scarsdale which are within a half mile of a train station or its platform. For example, envision the first half-mile of the south end of Fox Meadow Road. Currently, each lot on either side of this residential road is occupied by a single-family house. Under the Governor's plan, developers can be expected to buy these properties and line both sides of the road with apartment houses similar to those along Garth Road or in downtown Hartsdale. The same is true along Walworth Avenue in Greenacres. Because the multi-family units zone extends for one-half mile in all directions, the Overhill area and Old Scarsdale neighborhoods near the Village Center would also risk being redeveloped into apartment buildings or townhouses.”
The report outlines potential impacts and calls for action by both the Village Board and individual residents to voice their opposition.
Read the opening of the report below:
Introduction
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has included in her 2023 New York State budget a two-part proposal for a “Housing Compact” program, set to commence in January 2024, with the goal of increasing affordable housing.
The first component would require every village, city and town in the New York metropolitan area, including the Village of Scarsdale (the “Village”), to increase their housing stock by 3 percent in the next three years and by 3 percent every three years thereafter. Should Scarsdale not meet this goal, a new fast-track approval mechanism that allows for multi-family projects will be automatically triggered, and will override whatever local zoning, planning and land-use regulations are currently in place.
The 3 percent requirement for Scarsdale would translate into approximately 173 new housing units by the end of 2027 (based on the current 5,454 units ), and likewise around the same number of units every three years thereafter.
The second part of the housing compact is a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) initiative, and requires local planning and zoning law changes within a three-year window to facilitate the development of multi-family housing in areas near a rail station. The program requires a forced amendment to Village law adding a new section, “Density of residential dwellings near transit stations.” Under the TOD proposal, the area subject to the mandatory zoning and planning changes would encompass all developed land within a half-mile radius from a train station.
There are four tiers to the program, which are distinguished by the proximity of a transit station to New York City. Scarsdale is in Tier 1, along with the other communities that are no more than 15 miles from the New York City border. Being in Tier 1, Scarsdale would be required to change its zoning laws to meet or exceed the density requirement of 50 units per acre for all properties within a half-mile radius of a train station.
The TOD proposal mandates a zoning change, but not a building mandate. As a result, homeowners within a Tier 1 area would not be forced to increase the number of units on their property. However, developers would potentially incentivize owners to sell and develop larger multi-unit buildings on single-family zoned lots. A “worst case scenario” assumes every current property owner within Tier 1 sells, and their property is developed to the maximum units per acre within the half-mile radius of the train station. New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who represents Scarsdale, estimates that the number of units in Scarsdale and Hartsdale combined would be in the range of 10,000 units. State Senator Shelley Mayer, whose district now includes Scarsdale, posits the requisite number of units would be in the range of 13,000 units.
Should even one property within Tier 1 be converted from single-family to multi-family, it would forever change the landscape and fabric of the Scarsdale community, let alone if this proposal proliferates on the scale estimated.
The mandated local code changes would be exempt from any state environmental review, and the Village would be prohibited from imposing unreasonable provisions relating to lot coverage, open space, height, setbacks, floor area ratios or parking requirements.
In the event of a failure of the Village to comply with the State-mandated zoning change, the Village would nevertheless be required to permit the 50 units per acre density requirement as mandated by State law and must review any qualifying projects that could come to the Village pursuant to a process outlined in State law, with enforcement by the State Attorney General.
Major Conclusions And Recommendations
While the Committees agree that affordable housing is needed in Westchester County and throughout New York State, the Committees oppose the Governor’s Housing Compact proposal. The position of the Committees is that it is the incorrect way to effectuate increased housing in New York State, and it will create irreparable damage to local communities including Scarsdale.
This Report recommends that the Village take the following actions immediately:
1. Issue a formal resolution in opposition to the Housing Compact ; and
2. Encourage the Village Board of Trustees and the community to contact the Governor’s office, as well as Scarsdale’s State Senator Shelley Mayer and State Assemblymember Amy Paulin, to voice opposition to this proposal.
Why is Village Hall Closing Its Doors to Civic Group Meetings?
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Village Hall will no longer be available as a site for civic meetings. Myra Saul, who heads the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee says that the group no longer has a place to meet. Here is her letter to the Mayor, dated March 17, 2022.
Dear Ms. Mayor:
Unhappily, I’ve been informed that Village Hall will no longer be available at night to hold meetings of Scarsdale civic groups in the near future. This includes the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee, which has been meeting monthly at night at Village Hall for years. Village Hall is a central location and has plenty of parking. The Committee meets at night so as not to interfere with work schedules, especially those of Scarsdale’s elected state and county officials, who are our frequent guests.
I’ve also been informed that the firehouses will not be available to hold meetings of civic groups at night as well.
The Village Manager’s office has given me alternatives, which the Committee is exploring. Unfortunately, while the Committee is exploring these alternatives, each is unsatisfactory for various reasons.
In addition, this change in policy could appear to drive our committee to hold all of its meetings remotely. Our committee values in person meetings, just as the trustees do. They foster cohesiveness and easy communications, among other things.
Why is Village Hall closing to civic groups for their night meetings? I’ve been given no official reason, but I surmise the reason is cost. If that is the reason, why not just increase the fees?
Scarsdale prides itself on the depth and breadth of its volunteer and civic organizations. The closing of Village Hall to nightly meetings does not comport with that vision.
Please keep Village Hall open.
Thank you,
Myra Saul
Chair, Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee
Trustee Karen Brew Brings Analytic Skills and an Open Mind to the Dais at Village Hall
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Trustee Karen Brew is completing her first two years of service as a Trustee on the Scarsdale Village Board. Below she reflects on her work to date and what she will continue to prioritize in her second term.
Why have you enjoyed serving as Village Trustee and why do you want to continue?
I have enjoyed using my strategic and analytical skills honed over my professional career in Marketing Management to make a positive impact for our community. I see this as a very transformative and exciting time for Scarsdale. Shortly after I started my 1st term we hired Rob Cole to be our next Village Manager. Village Manager Cole, together with the Village Board, is looking to move our local government forward, to be a 21st century leader. We have achieved many things during my two years on the Board but there is still much work to be done! I want to continue helping Scarsdale on this trajectory.
What do you think are some of the best features of Scarsdale and why do you like living here?
Scarsdale is a community of intelligent, caring people who value all that this suburban lifestyle has to offer. Scarsdale provides top-notch services; Village management continues to listen to residents and our invaluable Boards & Councils to continuously improve/add services in a fiscally and operationally prudent manner. I enjoy living here because I value our “Village in a park” environment but also the close proximity to New York City to easily take advantage of what it has to offer.
In your first term as Village Trustee, what work are you most proud of for yourself and the Village Board?
There are a number of items – As Personnel Committee Chair I was heavily involved in the search and appointment of a number of important positions in our local government: Village Manager Rob Cole, Deputy Village Manager Alex Marshall; Fire Chief Christopher Mytych; Village Clerk Taylor Emanuel and then also over 25 positions on our Volunteer Boards & Councils. I also led the research, Board and public discussion of the Village’s position regarding opting out of cannabis on-premise lounges and retail dispensaries. As a member of the Public Safety Committee we made huge progress leveraging communication between the Police, Fire, SVAC and the schools to improve Village and school-wide safety. Finally this work is clearly ongoing but I serve on the Pool Special Project Committee. To date we have completed an existing conditions study, a statistically valid community-wide survey, multiple focus groups and community engagement to determine that the vast majority (95%) of the community wants a pool and that a seasonal pool is the fiscally and operationally responsible path forward. We are now at the point of contracting the work to move forward with design and ultimately construction of the facilities. If I am re-elected I would wish to continue working on this committee.
The Village faces challenges in budgeting for everything that is requested by the community — roads, the pool, Village Hall, traffic improvements and more. How do you prioritize these needs in order to decide what should be funded?
This is certainly a continuous balancing act. Fortunately we have a strong village management staff with the knowledge and expertise to help guide our decisions during annual budgeting. The budget is formed from the department level up, with each department presenting their priorities for the year(s) ahead. Once this is all put together we as a Board, through questions, analysis and discussion, determine what should be funded now and what can be held for a future time.
What, if anything, has surprised you about serving as a Village Trustee?
I think what has surprised me most is that there are few easy decisions; rarely is there consensus in a community with so many passionate viewpoints. The listening, data gathering, analytical, strategy setting and collaborating skills I used on a daily basis in my professional work have enabled me to take a step back and approach issues with logic not emotion. It is imperative to perform the role with an open mind, hearing all sides and being willing to flex on your viewpoint given new information. I have achieved that in my 1st term and have subsequently added value as a member of the Board.
Tell us about your prior professional and volunteer experiences and how they have contributed to your service as Village Trustee.
I spent the majority of my professional career in Marketing Management which required setting strategies, developing plans to meet those strategies, and then executing to deliver the results. Through focus groups and research, I honed the ability to analyze my target audience and understand their needs and wants. I was responsible for creating budgets and managing workflows to fall within budget. I led cross-functional teams relying on the expertise of other functional groups to advise decision-making. My work required strong listening, fact finding and collaboration skills. As Village Trustee, I have put these skills to use for Scarsdale’s benefit, helping to set priorities and policies for the village’s future.
Get Tipsy at Tipsy Taco Bar on Garth Road
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We were happy to see that a new restaurant had recently opened on Garth Road – and even happier after we had dinner there last week. Tipsy Taco Bar of Mt. Kisco, now has a second location in the large space formerly occupied by Westchester Burger.
We stopped in on Thursday night and found the place hopping. After a short wait at the bar we were taken to the last available table. We were surrounded by a boisterous group of twenty and thirty somethings, enjoying colorful tropical drinks and clearly out to have a good time. A cheerful waitress handed us menus on iPads – and there was lots to scan and consider. There was a long list of colorful margaritas including blood orange and cucumber, plus sangria, mojitos, a vodka mule and “The Volcano,” which is coconut rum, fresh lime and coco loco in a fresh pineapple topped with 151 rum lit on fire. Watch out! You could easily pass an evening sipping cocktails accompanied by hors d’oeuvres at the long bar.
From a lengthy list of appetizers that included guacamole, chicken wings and empanadas, we opted for the tequila flamed shrimp and chorizo skewers. These were 3 bamboo skewers with shrimp, chorizo, red onions and peppers, doused in liquid and lit at your table. As I said above, watch out! The flame was larger than the waiter expected and almost set us on fire. 
Main course choices include skirt steak, grilled salmon, paella, chicken, enchilladas and even short ribs. There’s a wide selection of salads and another of bowls where you can choose from seared ahi tuna, grilled shrimp, skirt steak, or the Tipsy vegan bowl. But wait, there’s more. As in six types of fajitas, nine choices of quesadillas and tostadas as well as tacos, which was the reason we came. Tacos can be ordered individually. The waitress recommended that I choose three for dinner and I went with the salmon tartar, the roasted organic check tinga and the Atlantic grilled shrimp with cabbage slaw. There were all yummy. My husband picked the “Tipsy Trio Burrito,” a 13 inch tortilla stuffed with rice, beans, cheese, corn, guacamole, chicken, steak and shrimp. No wonder he couldn’t finish it.
Looking back now, it’s a feat that the kitchen could turn all of this out – in a very short time for so many tables. But they did – and the service was speedy and the food was hot. The bill was also a pleasant surprise. We both had dinner and drinks and it came in at under $40 pp.
So what’s the bottom line on Tipsy Tacos? In short, the food was delicious, the portions generous, the menu ample, the atmosphere informal and the price -- just right. Give it a try – and if you can’t find a place to park on Garth Road, the Freightway Lot is an easy walk away.
Tipsy Taco Bar 
56 Garth Road
Scarsdale
(914) 574-6242
STEP Ends After 55 Years of Bringing Students to Scarsdale
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(The following was submitted by Nan Berke and Diane Greenwald: Co-Chairs of STEP Forward)
After almost 2 years of study, the Student Transfer Education Program (STEP) is discontinuing its mission, and will no longer bring students to Scarsdale. STEP leaves a strong legacy, with over 55 years of improving educational and economic opportunities for students of color. This is a remarkable achievement for a small community organization, and something we can all take pride in during a bittersweet wind down of the organization.
What was STEP?
Begun in 1966 by beloved Scarsdale High School teacher Eric Rothchild (1937-2018), STEP was an immersion educational program that provided opportunities for promising students of color, from underserved communities, mostly in the South, to attend Scarsdale High School for their junior and senior years while living with a host family in the community. Beyond the innovative curriculum of Scarsdale’s public schools, students received intensive college counseling, participated in extracurricular and volunteer activities, and made new friends while exploring the vast cultural opportunities of the greater New York area. STEP was supported and funded solely by community donations and volunteer time.
How was the decision made to discontinue STEP?
During the 2021-22 school year, STEP hosted its last scholarship student, a senior from South Carolina, during the pandemic, which complicated an already logistically complex effort. For the second year, there emerged no viable applicants for the Junior STEP slot. As a small program with limited resources, the STEP Board had to take a hard look at why interest waned.
A 12 member “STEP Forward Committee” was formed to research the program’s challenges and benefits, including consulting a DEI expert, surveying stakeholders, discussing with the School District, assessing volunteer roles, reviewing other similar programs and analyzing programmatic resources. Among other hurdles, the Board recognized that removing high performing students of color from their home environments is an outdated model. New modes for supporting students on their paths to higher education were discussed, but many of the potential solutions under consideration fell outside of what this small volunteer program could successfully achieve, given its resources and limitations.
While still supporting the ideals that STEP was founded on, the committee recommended -- and the board ultimately voted-- to dissolve the organization.
What happens to STEP’s assets?
After 55 years as an active 501 c 3, the non-profit organization has unused funds. New York State law requires STEP to identify “significantly similar” non-profit organizations to receive STEP’s remaining assets. A small committee formed to review and recommend established local organizations that are thriving in their missions to improve educational opportunities for students of color.
These are the organizations:
1) Yonkers Partnership in Education (YPIE) https://www.ypie.org
YPIE is an established local organization whose mission is aligned with the STEP mission by serving high school 
students on an enriching path to higher education. YPIE has support offices embedded in each Yonkers high school and also has an after-school tutoring and enrichment center. In addition, programs are available to support the students during their first two college years. YPIE confronts the challenges of a low-income, urban school district by providing families with equitable access to the critical tools and services necessary for college success. YPIE has many connections to Scarsdale residents and includes the potential for volunteer opportunities.
2) Project Morry – https://projectmorry.org
Project Morry is an established local organization serving students on their paths to higher education. Named for a beloved camp director who died in an untimely plane accident, this project was begun over 20 years ago based on the idea that all children can benefit from the joy and development of summer camp. Project Morry expanded to be a year-round educational support program, offering underserved students, typically of color, and their families 9 committed years of support toward college. Acceptance into the program requires commitment and outcomes are proven with a strong track record of success. The model has expanded in 5 partner locations, and a camp in the Adirondacks, where students enjoy and develop. Project Morry has many connections to Scarsdale residents and includes the potential for local volunteer opportunities, with programs as close as Elmsford, Port Chester and the Bronx.
3) Grad Bag -http://www.gradbag.org
Grad Bag is a newer all volunteer funded local organization with a dual mission. First, they help students headed to college by giving them access to dorm goods that are refurbished from other college students. They partner with other organizations and give students entering college a prep day. Outfitted with useful dorm items, students headed to college can arrive on equal footing with other classmates. This is a green effort too – refurbishing goods rather than tossing them in landfill. Program started in Scarsdale by former STEP board members and is now growing into NY, CT, MA – 22 partners. This program recognized a small but important need, supporting students on their path to higher education and aligns with the STEP mission as a meaningful contributor to positive student experience. Now serving 1200 and hope to get to 2200. Grad Bag has a strategic plan and is hiring an exec director. There could be volunteer components.
4) Mt. Vernon Star Scholars - https://www.mountvernonstarscholars.org
Mount Vernon Star Scholars is a non-profit organization helping gifted students at Mount Vernon high schools (primarily service students of color) gain admittance to highly selective U.S. colleges and universities. 2-6 scholars/year are selected. They offer a two-year mentoring program. There is no cost to participate in this competitive program. Once designated as a Mount Vernon Star Scholar, a student will receive one-on-one guidance from a volunteer mentor as well as assistance with: SAT/ACT test preparation, evaluating potential colleges/universities (inc. college visits) and navigating the college application process, and securing financial aid. This small program is substantially similar to STEP and has nearby volunteer opportunities. 
Our hope is that Scarsdale residents will join us supporting these exceptional local organizations through generous donations and/or by volunteering time.
In April, STEP will be holding a final potluck celebration where gifts will be presented to the four organizations. We welcome any who served to contact Nan Berke at Ntberke@gmail.com or Diane Greenwald at dianegreenwald@icloud.com for details.
Please join us to thank the many students, volunteers, educators and community members who have devoted time and energy to helping teens achieve their goals, with open hearts and minds.
Nan Berke, STEP Forward Committee Co-Chairs
Diane Greenwald, STEP Forward Committee Co-Chairs
STEP by the Numbers
STUDENTS: 61
Since 1966, more than sixty students have attended Scarsdale High School (most for the junior and senior year) and gone on to higher education, attending a range of elite institutions. Most (not all) graduated and several went on to earn post-graduate degrees.
Representative Institutions:
Alabama A&M 
Anderson College
Bethel University
Boston College
Brown University
Case Western Reserve
Carnegie Mellon
Columbia University
CUNY / CUNY Brooklyn
Davidson College
Dillard University
Earlham College
Elmhurst College
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
George Washington University
Gustavus Adolphus
Harvard University
Howard University
Ithaca College
Jackson State
Lehigh University
Ohio Wesleyan
Oxford College at Emory
Pace University
Penn State
SUNY Binghamton
Texas Southern University
Tomlinson College
University of California, Riverside
University of Central Arkansas
University of Mississippi
University of Pennsylvania
University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Villanova University
Washington University
Williams College
Yale College
HOST FAMILIES: ~63
Over sixty families welcomed students to live in their homes for one or two years. It was an integral aspect of the program to provide the students with a home life, many perhaps leaving home for the first time, with the warmth of a family atmosphere. Host families provided more than just room and board but forged dynamic and often lasting relationships.
STEP BOARD/ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS: More than 300
Over the years, more than 300 people served on the STEP Board and the Advisory Board. They worked tirelessly, because the work was meaningful. Volunteers oversaw the detailed selection process of both students and host families; supported the host family; managed paperwork; oversaw healthcare needs; provided student logistics; welcomed the student on cultural activities, college visits, lessons and tutoring; and fundraised, promoted, advocated and recruited.
SHS Faculty, Deans and administration, and Students: Scarsdale High School welcomed every student as a 
valued member of the school community. Literally hundreds of faculty and administrators providing support, encouragement and opportunity. Local students offered welcome and help to transition through the SHS STEP Club and in the normal course of making friends.
Community Donations: STEP thanks all the organizations and individuals who provided services, tutoring, college counseling, activities, healthcare, college visits, and cultural enrichment.
