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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Category: Real Estate

Published: 19 April 2023

Applicants who filed an application to tear down a home formerly owned by the Milstein family at 20 Heathcote Road failed to appear for their hearing at the meeting of the Committee for Historic Preservation on April 18. At the previous meeting of the committee the applicants did show up but decided to adjourn when all seven members of the committee were not present. This month, the house was on the agenda but no one came to plead their case.

The 10,500 square foot home with pool and tennis court on 5.49 acres was built in 1988 and sold for $8,150,000 in August 2022. It was previously owned by Vivian Milstein and the current owner is 20 Heathcote Road LLC.

Last month, the Scarsdale Board of Trustees upheld a decision to deny an application to tear down another home owned by the Milstein family at 76 Birchall Drive. That one had been the subject of several meetings and a campaign by neighbors to demonstrate that the home met Scarsdale’s criteria for preservation. Perhaps the owners of the home at 20 Heathcote Road were deterred by the Village’s willingness to defend the preservation laws and deny an appeal to raze 76 Birchall.

In addition to the no-show for 20 Heathcote Road, a second application to demolish a Tudor style home at 7 Tyler Road was withdrawn. This may be due to the findings of Andrew Dolkart, the Village’s architectural historian who was asked for an opinion and found that the home meets Scarsdale’s criteria for preservation.

7 Tyler Road was designed by Maxwell A. Norcross, a member of the AIA who was designed many buildings in Shaker Heights and many of his homes are on the national register and in historic districts. An application to tear down 7 Tyler Road was withdrawn.

Furthermore, Dolkart found that the house has not been altered and is a “fine example of the small Neo-Tudor style houses built for middle-class households in Scarsdale in the 1920’s and 1920’s. In his letter he details many of the homes significant architectural features.

Last Dolkart noted that in his Reconnaissance Level Cultural Resource Survey, done in 2012 for Scarsdale, he identified Heathcote Crest as a study area worthy of preservation. 7 Tyler Road is within this area.

The committee did however approve two applications:

One to take down a two car garage at 11 Ridgecrest North and another to take down a Tudor style house built in 1929 at 241 Nelson Road.

The decisions were unanimous among the seven members of the committee.

Featured Listings





8 Overlook Road, Scarsdale
4 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms, 3,317 Square Feet
Frank Lloyd Wright's long-time apprentice and protege, Edgar Tafel, designed and built this Mid-Century Modern masterpiece in 1950 on nearly 1 acre, in the prestigious Fox Meadow neighborhood of Scarsdale. Meticulously restored in 2019 to its original splendor and renovated for today's discerning buyer, the property is move-in ready and boasts an open floor plan with soaring cathedral ceilings, oversized fireplace and walls of windows overlooking the beautiful level property with mature specimen landscaping, a 45x15 Gunite pool (& spa) with electric cover, an oversized bluestone patio, a large playground area and expansive lawn. The living room, dining room and large lower level family room all open to the pool and patio area for great indoor and outdoor entertaining & living. The 1st level primary bedroom features a new bath with radiant floors and handmade Heath floor to ceiling tiles; 3 additional bedrooms, including one w/updated ensuite bath & a new hall bath complete the 2nd floor. The lower level features a huge family room w/original copper & brick details & wood ceiling, a 2nd fireplace and a new full bath (perfect for pool guests). The basement features the laundry room, a bonus space (perfect for storage, gym or home office) & a new full bath. Don't miss this opportunity to live in an architectural showpiece in your own private oasis in an absolute prime location, within walking distance to the elementary and high schools, Metro-North train and the award-winning Scarsdale Public Library.
Click here for more information 
Sale price: $3,299,000






29 Brite Avenue, Scarsdale
6 Bedrooms, 4.1 Bathrooms, 5,333 Square Feet
Entrancing, stone and shingle Fox Meadow Colonial offers everything the heart desires. This six bedroom, four and one-half bath home was expanded and renovated with highest quality finishes throughout. Foyer leads to spacious living room with bow window and fireplace and French door to private office. Dining room with bow window and wainscoting. Powder room. The heart of the home is a huge, open plan gourmet kitchen and step down family room with fireplace and built ins. French doors to patio and beautiful level yard. Guest suite with ensuite bath. Mudroom with built ins and two car garage. Second floor features sumptuous primary suite with tray ceiling, fireplace, his and hers WICs and spa bath. Large bedroom with ensuite bath and balcony. Three more bedrooms and hall bath. Great custom closets throughout. Lower level with walk up to yard has gym and play areas, laundry, storage and mechanicals. Walk to town, train, schools and shops on highly sought after block. Ideal for family living and entertaining-a true Fox Meadow gem!
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Sale price: $2,775,000

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Category: Real Estate

Published: 12 April 2023

Though state budget negotiations in Albany might not be on your radar, this year there is a lot at stake for Scarsdale residents, and local lawmakers are asking you to pay attention.

The budget has been stalled this year over two provisions: one is bail reform and the other is the Governor’s proposed housing compact, which if adopted, would have far-reaching and permanent effects for Scarsdale.

Both State Assemblymember Amy Paulin and State Senator Shelley Mayer have voiced concerns about the plan. In an email to constituents this week, Mayer explained, "1) this Compact does not focus on affordable housing, 2) the proposal was not built from the “ground up” with local voices included in the planning, and 3) it uses a one size fits all and punitive approach to our differing communities."

The Scarsdale Forum has issued a detailed report about what this housing plan could do to our landscape, our environment, infrastructure and schools. It would behoove every resident to read the detailed the report here.

But the long and the short of it is as follows:

If the housing compact is approved, Scarsdale would be required to build 3 percent more housing units every three years. That translates to 173 units by 2027 and about the same number every three years thereafter. At least initially, this could be accomplished at the Freightway site, and would have a minimum impact on our community. Ironically, the compact does not mandate the building of affordable units.

The second provision is what’s causing all the concern:

This portion of the housing compact is a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Initiative that requires local planning and zoning law changes within a three-year window to facilitate the development of multi-family housing in areas within ½ mile of 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.

What that means is that developers would have the right to override any local zoning code regulating building code, stormwater, parking and the environment – to build 50 units per acre on any land within a half mile of the Metro North Train station.

According to the report, “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."

To envision that, think five story apartment buildings in a wide swath of Greenacres and Fox Meadow. Any home that was put on the market could be purchased by a developer who would have the right to build multi family housing on any available lot, with the Village having no local control on what goes up.

According to the report from the Scarsdale Forum, 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.

What would happen if we don’t comply? 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.

So, even if you’re not accustomed to getting involved in local and state politics, this issue is at your front door. You should educate yourself and speak up.

Write to Amy Paulin at [email protected] and Shelley Mayer at [email protected] and contact Governor Kathy Hochul here. https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

Featured Listings





163 Fox Meadow Road, Scarsdale
5 Bedrooms, 5.1 Bathrooms, 6,344 Square Feet
Impressive young Center Hall Colonial with grand entrance, sweeping circular staircase, living room, home office, formal dining room, large chef's kitchen with whole house water filtration system, custom cabinetry, center island, granite countertops, skylights, wine cooler, coffee maker, steam oven, six-burner Wolf stove, undercounter microwave/oven, SubZero refrigerator/freezer plus convenient undercounter two fridge drawers, two DWs, two sinks, mudroom/laundry room, attached two car garage with Tesla charger, backstairs to guest/nanny room/full bath, door to patio, powder room, expansive family room with vaulted ceiling/fireplace, door to patio. Second floor features a grand master bedroom with cathedral ceiling, sitting room with Juliet balcony overlooking the back garden, WIC, spa bath with soaking tub and stall-jetted shower, dual sinks, bedroom/full bath, two bedrooms/full bath. Lower level offers a huge playroom, media room, second home office, wine cooler, full bath and abundant storage space. A Fox Meadow gem, convenient to the village, transportation, schools, parks and newly renovated library.
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Sale price: $2,950,000

75 Walworth Avenue, Scarsdale
6 Bedrooms, 4.1 Bathrooms, 3,316 Square Feet
This dreamy Greenacres Colonial complete with classic clapboard exterior, lush lawn and white picket fence is move-in ready! This fresh and happy home features an open layout with large scale rooms, tons of natural light, spacious eat-in chef's kitchen, newly refinished hardwood floors and new furnace and A/C. There are six ample bedrooms, four full baths, a gracious step-down Family Room with large fireplace and multiple outdoor areas to entertain family and friends. The private Primary Suite has French doors that open to a large second story deck for morning coffee or an evening cocktail while enjoying the sunset. From this home, it's an easy walk to the newly renovated Greenacres elementary school and Hartsdale train, shops and restaurants. Quintessential Greenacres!
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Sale price: $1,725,000

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Category: Real Estate

Published: 06 April 2023

The real estate market continues to suffer from a lack of inventory of homes to sell. For Scarsdale, according to a quarterly report from Julia B. Fee, during the first quarter of 2023 only 38 homes are on the market in Scarsdale, a decrease of 28% from last year at this time. And during the first quarter a total of 32 homes sold, vs. 34 in the first quarter of 2022. Year over year, the median sale price rose 8% from $1,829mm to $1,997mm.

In Edgemont, there are now 17 homes on the market a drop of 19% from last year. During the first quarter of the year 12 homes sold, vs. 16 in 2022, a drop of 25%. However, year over year, the median price rose 13% from $1,195,000 to $1,354,000.

Sales
12 Mohican Trail
Situated on a 1.14 acre dead end street lot in Scarsdale NY, this 6,000 sqft estate-like home offers an array of modern amenities while still retaining it's charm and character for today’s demanding luxury buyer. The main entrance greets your visitors with a two-story entry foyer with its staircase, architectural details, and lighting. The first floor layout boasts living spaces for your family and guests to enjoy all year round. The kitchen with a center island allows for great gatherings for those special occasions while the backyard showcases a yard and a pool surrounded by plantings and evening lighting. The master bedroom offers a master suite with a dressing room w/ built-ins, and his and her master bathrooms. There are 3 additional sun-drenched bedrooms upstairs that offer closet space. The finished basement features a rec area, exercise area, changing room & pool bathroom. 
Sale Price: $2,950,000
Real Estate Taxes: $74,000
Assessed Value: $3,000,000

38 Saxon Woods Road
Don’t miss this Quaker Ridge red brick Colonial home built in 1999 and set on .68 acres of property. This home offers a combination of privacy and convenience with a tree-lined front yard and backyard, with room for a pool, that borders the Saxon Woods Park and Golf Course. A layout for everyday living and entertaining, this home features an entry foyer with circular staircase, living room, sunlit formal dining room, butler’s pantry with wet bar and kitchen with island, premium appliances and two sinks. The kitchen opens to the sun room with built-ins, wet bar, two walls of windows and heated floors. The sun room opens to the family room with a gas burning fireplace and views of the backyard with gazebo. An office, powder room, 3-car attached garage, adjacent mudroom with washer/dryer and back stairs to the second level complete the first level of this stately home. The second level includes a primary bedroom suite with a bath/Jacuzzi tub, separate shower and double vanity, and two closets. Four other bedrooms complete the second floor, two that share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, one with an ensuite bath and another with an adjacent playroom or study and en-suite bath. The lower level contains a recreation room, wine room, full bath and two other versatile rooms i.e. gym, office, storage or a space of your choice. There is a space on the third floor. BBQ on the back patio. A fabulous opportunity!
Sale Price: $2,900,000
Real Estate Taxes: $77,568
Assessed Value: $3,075,000

33 Black Birch Lane
Quaker Ridge Colonial with low maintenance and modern amenities. Features include kitchen with SubZero refrigerator and appliances, natural gas for cooking and heat, family room off kitchen, newer roof, new hot water heater, closets, walk-out basement, attached garage, hardwood floors, a bi-level deck and backyard with sweeping views of the .33 acre property. Come enjoy all Scarsdale has to offer in the Quaker Ridge neighborhood!
Sale Price: $1,331,000
Real Estate Taxes: $25,034
Assessed Value: $975,000

63 Brown Road
Prime location in Scarsdale! Welcome to 63 Brown Road, a Colonial in Fox Meadow. This lovely home includes a living room with fireplace, hardwood floors, kitchen with breakfast nook and an adjoining dining room. Incredible potential to add your own style and touches and make this home your own.
Sale Price: $1,175,000
Real Estate Taxes: $19,802
Assessed Value: $775,000

Featured Listings





5 Sundale Place, Scarsdale PO/Edgemont
7 Bedrooms, 5.1 Bathrooms, 6,657 Square Feet
Spacious young Center Hall Colonial in the award winning Edgemont school district! Impressive reception hall open to the second floor with its wrap around staircase and Palladium window, guest powder room, living room, formal dining room, butler's pantry with wine cooler, chef's modern eat-in kitchen with center island and stainless steel appliances, SGD to level back property, family room/fireplace, door to patio, mudroom with backstairs to second floor, and attached 3 car garage! Upper level offers a very large primary bedroom suite with tray ceiling, 2 WIC, spa bath with Jacuzzi, stall shower and double sinks, one bedroom/full bath, 2 bedrooms/hall bath plus 2/1 off backstairs as well as convenient 2nd floor laundry room. Lower level features a huge recreation room with high ceilings, bedroom/bath, home office, gym fitness area plus ample storage space. Expansive back property has room for a pool. Welcome home to beautiful 5 Sundale Place!
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Sale price: $2,450,000

12 Hearthstone Circle, Scarsdale PO/Edgemont
4 Bedrooms, 4.1 Bathrooms, 4,666 Square Feet
Welcome to this stunning and impressive Contemporary Edgemont home, located on a private cul-de-sac near gorgeous Sunningdale Country Club, which offers a view of nature and privacy throughout like no other. Four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home with a sunny open floor plan, beautifully sited on a picturesque, private .73 acre in Edgemont. A large sweeping entrance shows off the entire living and dining area when you first walk in - wide open and perfect for large gatherings and parties. Entertain all your friends on the expansive deck in the summertime, adjacent to the fabulous gourmet eat-in kitchen with all updated new appliances: new refrigerator, new cooktop, new range hood, new dishwasher. Large center island and abundant storage cabinets. A kitchen skylight plus grand openings facing to the backyard will make your morning coffee pleasant. First floor master bedroom with large walk in closet and master bathroom. Second floor has full bathroom and two full-sized bedrooms, one playroom with tatami/flex space. Lower level has a gym and media center entertainment room, full bathroom with au-pair/guest room. First floor measures about 2,680 square feet; second floor 985 square feet; lower level 1,573 square feet. Don't miss your opportunity in this one-of-a-kind home.
Click here for more information
Sale price: $1,750,000

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Category: Real Estate

Published: 29 March 2023

Ending months of uncertainty, at the final meeting of the current Board of Trustees, the Board announced a decision on an application to tear down an iconic mid-century modern home at 76 Birchall Drive.

In September 2022, the Committee for Historic Preservation had denied the Milstein’s (PIM Holding Company) permission to tear down the house where they planned to subdivide the lot and build two new homes.

A group of neighbors did considerable research on the home and provided the Committee for Historic Preservation with evidence to show that it met the criteria for preservation. They also contacted the architect’s grandson, Bryan Zelnik, who is also an architect. He supplied them with historical documentation of his grandfather’s career and status in the world of architecture.

After the denial from the CHP, the applicants appealed that decision to the entire Board of Trustees who met on February 27, 2023 and March 20, 2023 to consider the appeal.

At their March 28, 2023 meeting, late into the night, Trustee Jeremy Gans read the resolution to deny the appeal, and it passed by a vote of 4-3. The trustees found that the home met two of the criteria for preservation and voted to maintain it, while permitting both the pool house and the pool to be demolished.

The Board disagreed with the applicants hired experts Dr. Emily Cooperman and Serita Paulsen who sought to demonstrate that the architect of the home, Simon B. Zelnik was not a master, despite a lengthy resume of accomplishments, achievements, recognition and publications. Rather the Board recognized Zelnik as a master, “a figure of generally recognized greatness in a field and a known craftsman of consummate skill.”

The Board was also not convinced by the applicants argument that the home was not the work of a master because Zelnik was better known for other kinds of non-residential designs (including the Joyce theater) and found instead, that the house at 76 Birchall Drive was unique and historically significant.

Another argument put forth by the applicant was that renovations to the original home had cause it to lose its integrity. The Board found that the home remained in its original setting and the renovations were done sympathetically to match the existing home.

Cooperman, who has been hired repeatedly by applicants wishing to tear down Scarsdale homes, used similar arguments in a case about 11 Dolma Road. That case remains tied up in state court.

The Board of Trustees concluded that the home possesses distinctive characteristics of the mind-century modern style and retained the majority of its features and integrity and voted to deny the appeal. Trustees in support of the resolution to save the house were Brew, Gans, Mazer and Veron with Whitestone voting against it, and Ahuja and Lewis abstaining as they did not attend the hearing. The two abstentions counted as NO votes.

Sales
6 Cayuga Road
Colonial, mixed with modern /Classic features, double panel door to foyer, open living room /family room, fireplace, build-ins, powder room, dining room, French doors to upgraded kitchen, Top of the line appliances, GLSD to wooden deck & fenced-in yard. There is a Guest suite/ bath, 3 Bedrooms/ Hall Bath, Master suite/Bath on the second floor. Finished 1620 SF basement, recreation, gym, theater, full bath, storage & utilities, access to yard. Improvements--New Roof 2016,New Flooring --2019, New furnace 2021, New water tank 2021, New tile flooring in basement , Fresh painted 1st floor, 2rd floor, and basement --2017/2021,New W/W carpet in master bedroom -2019,Fresh Painted deck --2019,New Dishwasher --2020,New Microwave Oven --2020. It's the home for your family.
Sale Price: $1,660,000
Real Estate Taxes: $42,342
Assessed Value: $1,668,475
Featured Listings

21 Stratton Road, Scarsdale
Bright new Center Hall Colonial with great open layout in Quaker Ridge built by one of Scarsdale's premier builders. Entrance foyer leads to a dining room and opposing living room (with fireplace). Straight back from the center hall is a chef's paradise kitchen with Sub-Zero fridge, Wolf six-burner stove, two Bosch dishwashers, microwave and Quartz center island and countertops completely open to the family room and doors to the level backyard and patio. There is also an enviable walk-in pantry, mudroom with cubbies and coat closet, and powder room. Upstairs is a tranquil master with spa-like bath, two walk-in closets, bedroom with en-suite bath, two bedrooms which share a bath and a laundry. The lower level has a great play area, bedroom and bath. There is plenty of space for a future gym area. The first floor boasts 10' ceilings and the second floor and lower level have 9' ceilings. Time to customize this stunning home! Learn more here.

List Price: $3,395,000

19 Cohawney Road, Scarsdale
Welcome to this distinguished home located on one of Fox Meadow's most picturesque streets where you will stroll to the elementary and high schools, Metro North train station, newly renovated Scarsdale Library (and free bus to Middle School). This 1926 architectural beauty has been meticulously maintained and thoughtfully renovated incorporating only the finest materials. The wonderful layout begins as you enter the large entry foyer leading to an elegant living room with dentil molding, the study which makes a perfect home office, the sun-filled formal dining room with paneling, chef's kitchen with island and high end appliances (Bosch DW, SubZero Refrigerator, Viking Stove/Range), family room addition with gas fireplace/doors to expansive bluestone patio, back staircase, mudroom to garage and powder room. The family room and patio addition were built seamlessly to work with the integrity of the house. The primary bedroom features a luxurious bathroom with steam shower/herringbone marble tiles, dual sinks/tub with jets, enormous walk-in-closet with island. Five more bedrooms, two baths plus the second floor laundry complete this floor. Features include hardwood floors throughout, slate roof, original brass hardware, arched doorways, new gas meter, French drains, Sonos surround sound on 1st floor and patio, whole house generator, copper gutters and most leaders, Belgian block apron and driveway trim, professionally landscaped yard with lighting by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives. The private backyard and glorious patio make the perfect backdrop for entertaining and relaxing around the fire pit. This home is truly a gem! Learn more here

List Price: $2,450,000