Scarsdale Building Department Cites 1 Palmer for Violations
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The Scarsdale Village Building Department is citing the developer of the new building at One Palmer Avenue for non-compliance. The "Order to Remedy Violations" includes a long list of variances between the approved building plan and the building that has been built.
The order mandates the builder to either remedy the discrepancies or return to the Board of Architectural Review to approve the changes.
All of the violations involve changes to the exterior of the building including differences in the doors, railings, roofline, windows and building materials. Residents who have been questioning the building design may be happy to know that the building that has been constructed deviates in substantial ways from the building that was approved by the BAR.
Originally kosher food purveyor Supersol (aka Seasons) had intended to move into the space. But the deal was cancelled when Gristedes announced they were closing and now rumor has it that Seasons will stay in the Golden Horseshoe and move into the Gristedes space where there is ample above ground parking. Since the new building at One Palmer has no tenant, perhaps the developers have cut back on building expenses by using inexpensive substitutes for the exterior elements in the original plan.
Here is a list of the discrepancies:
Palmer Avenue Elevation:
- The top roof railing was to be a post and rail type roof guard. Instead the builder has installed a metal picket fence above the front door.
- The windows in the rounded section of the building at the corner of Heathcote Road and Palmer Avenue were to have decorative lintels over the windows. None have been provided.
- The exterior wall lights do not match the style of the lights indicated on the drawings.
Heathcote Road Elevation:
- The pitched metal roof should have extended past the second floor window and the two ground floor exit doors. The current pitched roof extends only to the end of the smaller ground floor fixed glass window.
- The top roof railing was to be a post and rail type roof guard. Instead the builder has installed a metal picket fence above the front door.
- The exterior wall lights do not match the style of the lights indicated on the drawings.
North Elevation as seen from Balducci's Parking Lot:
The approved drawing calls for the pitched metal roof to extend to the end of the building. The existing roof does not extend to the end of the building. An exhaust hood has been installed on the section of the flat roof that was designed to be a pitched metal roof.
East Parking Lot:
- The approved drawing calls for double glass entrance doors. The opening for the doors that was built is substantially smaller and includes a steel door rather than glass doors.
- The drawing calls for a decorative railing along the top of the first story above the glass doors. No railing has been installed.
- In addition, though the violation does not list it, the original renderings showed trees, landscaping and potted plants. The building that now stands is surrounded by a concrete sidewalk with no area for plantings.
The Law Committee of the Scarsdale Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 5:30 PM to hear a status report on the construction at One Palmer Avenue. They are expected to go into executive session to discuss litigation of alleged violations with the Village Attorney and Building Inspector.
Water Alert: Lawn Watering Limited to Two Days Per Week in Scarsdale
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Parched lawns and wilted foliage may be in our future due to limitations on watering that have been imposed by Scarsdale Village. The Village is restricting water usage for the remainder of the season – not because of a water shortage but due to the fragility of the Village's pumping station. This past weekend two pumps failed at the Reeves Newsome Pumping Station, Scarsdale's primary station, and caused a severe drop in water pressure. Now 61 years-old, the pump station is due for an overhaul. The Village upgraded the Ardsley Road Pump Station and reopened it in late 2011. They plan to rely on this facility when Reeves Newsome receives a planned $4 million upgrade.
On Tuesday July 23, the Village issued the following Water Alert that limits lawn watering to two days per week. Below find a schedule of days you are permitted to water your lawn, depending on the location of your home:
Properties located between the Bronx River Parkway and the Post Road are permitted to water their lawn on Mondays and Thursdays.
Properties located between the Post Road and Palmer Avenue/Wilmot Rd/Secor Rd/Old Mamaroneck Road are permitted to water their lawns on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Properties located between Palmer Avenue/Wilmot Rd/Secor Road/Old Mamaroneck Road and the Town of Mamaroneck Boundary are permitted to water their lawns on Wednesdays and Saturdays or Sundays.
See the map at right to find out when you can water: 
Some automatic sprinklers cannot be set at uneven intervals, so residents may need to control them manually.
The lawn watering restrictions will remain in effect for the balance of the summer and fall, unless otherwise determined by the Superintendent of Water. All residents are encouraged to utilize water conservation techniques and/or equipment to increase their water efficiency and reduce water demand. For more information visit the Village website or call the Water Department at 722-1138.
22 Murray Hill Road to be Razed: BAR Overrules CHP
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After considerable discussion, the Board of Architectural Review voted to override a decision by the Committee for Historic Preservation (CHP) to deny permission to demolish a 1920's Colonial at 22 Murray Hill Road at a July 8 meeting. The CHP decision centered on the home's owner, Warren Sinsheimer a prominent attorney who founded the Partnership for Children's Rights, a nonprofit organization that advocates for children with special needs by helping them obtain appropriate educational services. Since one of the criteria to save a home is the consideration of whether a person of historic importance lived there, the CHP had denied the applicant, David Fenton, permission to tear down the house. However, Fenton appealed the decision to the Board of Architectural Review, who overturned the CHP decision by a vote of 4-2, clearing the way for the house to be razed.
It is interesting to note that the Committee for Historic Preservation bases their decisions on whether or not a house is historic using different criteria than the Board of Architectural Review, who issues "certificates of appropriateness" for demolitions and has the power to overrule the CHP.
Here are the two sets of criteria:
Committee for Historic Preservation:
§ 182-5 Criteria for historical importance.
In considering whether the building in question appears to be of substantial historic importance, the Committee shall consider whether the building:
A. Is a building that is at least 100 years of age;
B. Is a building of historic significance;
C. Is a building which was the location of an event of historic significance;
D. Is a building related to an historically important individual;
E. Is the work of an architect or engineer of significance;
F. Is a work of architectural or engineering significance;
G. Is a significant example of an important building style or period; or
H. Has been listed on the National or State Register of Historic Places.
Board of Architectural Review
§ 182-6 Criteria for issuance of certificate of appropriateness.
The BAR, in making its determination whether or not to issue a certificate of appropriateness, shall consider the following:
A. Whether the building is of such architectural or historic interest that its removal would be detrimental to the public interest;
B. Whether the building is of such interest that it could be made into an historic shrine;
C. Whether the building is of such old and unusually uncommon design, texture or materials that it could not be reproduced or could be reproduced only with great difficulty; and
D. Whether the building's retention would promote the general welfare by encouraging interest in American history and architecture.
Commenting on the decision on 22 Murray Hill Road, William Silverman said, "I do think this decision highlights the unfortunate fact that the two committees, in deciding whether a house should be preserved, apply two different sets of criteria. I believe the public would be better served by a single set of criteria applied by the Committee on Historic Preservation with a direct appeal to the Trustees. I have expressed this position to the Trustees and the Mayor at public meetings and am encouraged that they are now considering amendments to the Village Code on point.
Lika Levi, founder of Save-Scarsdale.org spoke in defense of the house and said, "We should preserve what history we have in this young country. 200 years form now, there would be one less 300-year-old home to show, if we took this one down as well."
On Tuesday July 16, the CHP will consider applications to demolish three more homes. On the list are:
239 Fox Meadow Road, a six-bedroom fieldstone Colonial built in 1937 on a quarter of an acre in Fox Meadow. The house is listed for $1,299,000. Pictured here, the listing describes it as "a perfect home to raise a family."
The other two homes on the agenda are 11 Springdale Road, built in 1958 and 1159 Post Road built in 1957.
Attention Greenacres Residents: Data Mailers for Reval Include Error
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We received this notice from Nanette Albanese, Scarsdale Village Assessor about the data mailers that were mailed to Greenacres residents: The data mailers for Greenacres that were mailed on Saturday July 13 contained an error. Apparently the letter is dated July 11, 2013, and indicates that any corrections to the form need to be returned by July 15, 2013, which allows insufficient time for corrections.
On the data mailer itself, page two indicates that the corrections need to be returned by July 26, 2013, which is a lot more reasonable. This was an oversight by Tyler Technologies, the company that is conducting the reval. Please note that any corrections to the data about your home are due by July 26, 2013, not July 15, 2013.
Volunteers Needed to Serve on the Board of Architectural Review and the Conservation Advisory Council
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The Personnel Committee of the Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees has announced a vacancy on the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) and Conservation Advisory Council (CAC).
The BAR meets twice a month and strives to fulfill their mandate "to preserve and promote the character and appearance, while at the same time, conserving the property values of the Village". The BAR reviews plans for new structures and alterations to the exteriors of existing structures affecting the exterior appearance. They also conduct similar reviews for the installation of fences and signs. Prior to meeting to consider the applications, Board Members conduct on-site inspections of the subject locations. The Village Board prefers to fill the vacancy on the Board of Architectural Review with a licensed architect.
The Conservation Advisory Council advises the Village Board on the development, management and protection of its natural resources as well as other matters such as programs, areas, facilities, public relations and other matters pertaining to conservation of the environment.
All interested residents may apply online at the Village website, www.scarsdale.com, under "Village News, Volunteers Needed for Boards and Councils" or submit their resume directly to the attention of the Personnel Committee Chair, Trustee Thomas Martin, Scarsdale Village Hall, 1001 Post Road, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583. For further information contact the Village Clerk's office at 914-722-1175.
