Letter to the Editor: Proposed Garden Road Development Would Do Irreparable Damage to Neighbors and the Environment
- Details
- Written by: Richard Cantor
- Hits: 3144
The following letter was written by Scarsdale residents Richard Cantor on 9/11/25.
The significance of this date, 9/11, does not escape me.
Nor does the significance of the decision Planning Board members must make concerning whether to approve or disapprove the proposed development of the property at 80 Garden Road.
A few days ago, on September 6th the front page of the NY Post had a very poignant picture of a NYC Firefighter in full turnout gear sitting on a curb after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers with his head bowed, covering his face with a one of his hands.
The headline read: “The number of first responders with 9/11 linked cancers skyrockets to nearly 50,000”. In other words, the long-term loss of life is far in excess of the original 2,977 people killed during the initial attack. The damage continues to accumulate.
That article serves as a metaphor for the long-term devastation many developers have been permitted to do to our community and to the environment – damage which aggregates well beyond the immediate impact of their clear cutting of trees and assaults on the soil.
There are overwhelming reasons why the project as proposed to develop 80 Garden Road should be disapproved, and I will let others testify as to what those reasons are. Trusting that the Planning Board is sincerely committed to balancing the conflicting demands for reasonable development against the overriding need to provide adequate protection for our community and the environment, I would like to suggest workable criteria to evaluate when a project is reasonable and when it represents egregious levels damage.
My recommendation is very straightforward and workable. Let the same profit motivation developers seek be balanced by an equivalent dollar amount of rehabilitation developers are required to pay into a fund created by the Village to compensate for the damage they do. Easily accessible criteria already exist on line to evaluate the financial value of various trees, the financial value of fertile soil, and the financial value of animal habitats. All that has to be done is to put these criteria to use.
Taking the 80 Garden Road proposal as an example, and to keep the mental math simple enough to do in one’s head, let’s say the developer wants to cut down 200 trees and that the financial value of the average tree on that property is appraised at $5,000. Then for the tree removal portion of the plan the developer would be required to contribute $5,000 x 200 trees or $1,000,000 dollars into the fund, which the Village could use to rehabilitate the environment, to compensate neighbors for damages to their properties and to ensure against aggregate damages in the future. If the trees were appraised with a different value, the required contribution to the fund could be adjusted accordingly. To that amount the value of damage to the soil and natural habitats would have to be added.
In this way developers’ motivations for profits would be tempered by the requirement that they invest to mitigate the damages their developments inflict on our community, and the Planning Board would have a consistent and unimpeachable methodology for evaluating proposed projects. No longer would developers be able to seek as much profit as possible regardless of the consequences and then abandon others to absorb the costs of mitigating the damage they do. Their self-interests would be self-limiting and they would be motivated to temper their projects to much more sustainable scopes. This would accrue benefits to all current and future Scarsdale residents while still permitting reasonable projects to be approved, such methodology would clarify and simplify the review process, and before anyone raises knee jerk objections without careful consideration, let me offer that the various environmentally oriented organizations in Scarsdale would be delighted to assist the Planning Board in implementing this groundbreaking idea.
In the meantime, since the proposed project for 80 Garden Road would inflict irreparable damage on neighboring properties and the environment writ large, it should be soundly rejected.
Thank you for your consideration,
Richard Cantor
Innes Road
Scarsdale, NY
Applications Filed to Raze Seven Scarsdale Properties: Dolkart Says 21 Barry Road Should Be Preserved
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 4507
Seven more properties could be demolished if approved by the Scarsdale Committee for Historic Preservation at their meeting on September 16, 2025. On the agenda are applications to raze the Ethical Cultural Society and replace it with a 110 unit senior living facility, to demolish a grand farmhouse on Eton Road and to take down 2 homes on Garden Road where developers have applied to build a subdivision, that will be under consideration by the Planning Board.
What’s more? Andrew Dolkart, the Village’s preservation consultant, has provided his views on whether 21 Barry Road and 74 Carthage Road meet the Village’s criteria for preservation.
80 and 88 Garden Road
Applications have been filed by developer Eilon Amidor to take down both 80 and 88 Garden Road, two homes that are within a proposed development site to be called The Gardens. The application to build 5 new homes will be before the Planning Board on September 11, 2025. This means that these two homes are under consideration by two land use boards at the same time. Plans to develop the wet site have been scuttled many times. However now the developers appear to be moving forward pending approval.
Amidor has also filed applications to take down:
-54 Drake Road
-17 Highland Way
This brings the total to four applications by Amidor for one meeting of the committee.
24 Eton Road
An application to raze a prominent 1911 farmhouse atop a hill in the Grange, at 24 Eton Road has also been filed. Perhaps in anticipation of resistance to the demolition, the applicants, Mikhail and Iuliia Pavlova have retained Lucia Chiocchio of Cuddy and Feder to represent them. She argues that the home does not meet the Village’s criteria for preservation. See her letter here:
Ethical Culture Society
Another interesting application has been filed to demolish two buildings owned by the Ethical Culture Society at 7 Saxon Woods Road in order to build a 25,000 square foot, two-story senior living facility on the site. The building would house 110 seniors and would be located next to the Ambassador. See the application here:
21 Barry Road
Also of interest, Cultural Architectural Historian Andrew Dolkart has evaluated a home at 21 Barry Road for his views on whether or not it meets Scarsdale’s criteria for preservation. After considerable research he determined that the home was part of Scarsdale’s earliest development and was built in a subdivision known as Westover. The development was “characterized by modest houses, designed during the 1920’s in historical styles with each uniformly set back on its plot behind a lawn.” Dolkart found that the house meets criteria 1 for preservation in that “it reflects the broad pattern of Scarsdale history.” He concludes by saying “It would be detrimental to the character of Westover and to the character of Scarsdale were this well designed and largely intact house to be demolished.” See his full letter here:
74 Carthage Road
74 Carthage Road
Also asked to research a mid-century modern ranch at 74 Carthage Road, Dolkart did not recommend that it be preserved. He said it was “not of significant architectural interest.” See his evaluation here:
Yeonsoo Go Released on August 4, 2025 After Five Days of Fear and Uncertainty
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 3966
(Updated August 6, 2025) After five days in detention, Scarsdale’s Yeonsoo Go was released by ICE on August 4, 2025. The 20 year-old rising sophomore was detained at Federal Plaza by ICE agents on July 31 after a routine visa hearing.
Though her visa was not set to expire until December, 2025 and she was following all legal procedures to renew it, she was seized by ICE and flown to a detention center in Louisiana. Friends and supporters held a protest in Federal Plaza on August 2, 2025 and enlisted the support of New York lawmakers to intervene on her behalf.
See the statement below from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin who secured her release with other New York lawmakers. A vigil that had been planned for Yeonsoo in Chase Park on Thursday August 7 has now been cancelled.
August 4, 2025 Statement from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin on the Release of Yeonsoo Go
I spoke with Yeonsoo Go tonight, and hearing her voice—happy, relieved, and finally free—filled me with emotion I can hardly put into words. She is home, she is safe, and she is so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from this incredible community.
I am overjoyed, moved to tears, and filled with pride in everyone who stood up for Yeonsoo. The pain, fear, and uncertainty she and her family endured over the past five days should never have happened—but tonight we celebrate her freedom and the strength of a community that refused to stay silent.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman George Latimer, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and Congressman Mike Lawler for their swift efforts to help secure Yeonsoo’s release.
Because of this joyous outcome, the vigil and rally planned for this Thursday at 5pm is now cancelled. But the spirit behind it—unity, justice, and compassion—lives on. Let this moment remind us of the power we have when we come together, and of the work we must continue to ensure that no one is unjustly detained in this country.
August 6 Statement from State Senator Shelley B. Mayer
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "I am deeply relieved that Yeonsoo has been released from ICE custody and has been reunited with her family. While I am grateful for the swift actions of my colleagues Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Congressman George Latimer, Congressman Michael Lawler, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Chuck Schumer, the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and the advocacy of so many in our community, we must not forget that Yeonsoo should have never been detained. Based on the information provided by her lawyer, Yeonsoo is a lawful, law abiding resident of the United States and has not been accused nor convicted of any crime.
"ICE’s actions against Yeonsoo, like their actions against thousands of others across this country, were unconstitutional and unacceptable. There is no justification for detaining law abiding individuals who are residing lawfully in the United States and attending immigration hearings as required.
"While we celebrate Yeonsoo’s release and her safe return home, we cannot forget about the thousands of other individuals, including many of our own community members, who are being held in custody without due process right now. Nor can we stop speaking up about ICE’s inhumane and hyper-agressive actions which are tearing our communities apart in fear and anxiety. I continue to stand firmly with our immigrant neighbors and will never stop fighting in the New York State Senate to protect their rights and to uphold the premises of our system of democracy."
Hartsdale Couple and Nanny Charged in Connection with Brutal Kidnapping and Assault
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 3362
This in from the Westchester County District Attorney:
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced the indictments and arrests of a married Hartsdale couple and their nanny who were charged in connection with the kidnapping and assault of a 19-year old Queens woman.
All three defendants were arraigned by Judge Susan Capeci on July 10th. The details regarding the defendants and their charges are as follows:
Wayne Barnes, 44-years old of Hartsdale was charged with Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, two counts of Assault in the Second Degree and three counts of Assault in the Third Degree. He was released on $300,000 bond.
Jasmine Barnes, 42-years old of Hartsdale, wife of Wayne Barnes, was charged with Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Menacing in the Second Degree, two counts of Assault in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. She was released on bail.
Lizbeth Cerrato-Sanchez, 19-years old of Yonkers, was charged with Assault in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. She was released on $10,000 bond.
The allegations are as follows. On May 16, 2025, Wayne Barnes, the owner of Sons of Ink tattoo parlor in the Bronx, offered a ride home to the 19-year old female victim, an employee of Barnes. Barnes, who is married to co-defendant Jasmine Barnes, had become romantically involved with the victim. On the drive to the victim’s home in Queens, Barnes got into a heated argument with the victim at which time he forced her out of the car along the Grand Central Parkway in Queens. After allowing the victim back in the car he allegedly assaulted her, striking her numerous times with an expandable metal baton.
After receiving a phone call from his wife, co-defendant Jasmine Barnes, Wayne Barnes then drove back to the Bronx to pick up his wife, repeatedly striking the victim with the metal baton along the way. Jasmine Barnes, who was allegedly wearing black gloves and was also armed with a metal baton, then joined her husband and the victim and began to drive to their home in Hartsdale.
Upon arrival to their home in Hartsdale, Wayne and Jasmine Barnes dragged the victim into their home where Jasmine Barnes allegedly pushed the victim down a flight of stairs, dragged her by the hair and struck her with the metal baton. Lizbeth Cerrato-Sanchez, nanny for the Barnes family, was at the Hartsdale home tending to the Barnes children at the time of this incident. At one point, Cerrato-Sanchez also assaulted the victim, allegedly punching her in the face while Barnes continued to strike the victim with the baton. After allowing Cerrato-Sanchez to go home, Wayne and Jasmine Barnes continued to argue with and threaten the 19-year old female victim.
The victim was eventually able to convince Jasmine Barnes to give her cell phone back to her and was allowed to change out of her bloody clothes into clean clothes. The victim was then allowed to leave the house and go home in an Uber. The next day she was treated at a local hospital for her injuries and then reported the incident to the Greenburgh Police Department. After a swift investigation, Greenburgh PD placed the three defendants under arrest on May 20, 2025.
Wayne and Jasmine Barnes are due back in court in Westchester on July 29, 2025. Lizbeth Cerrato-Sanchez is due back in court on August 7, 2025.
Jasmine Barnes also faces the following charges in the Bronx: Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree Menacing in the Second Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree and Harassment in the Second Degree.
DA Cacace said: “The level of depravity shown by the defendants in this case is astonishing. Incidents like this underscore the importance of multiple jurisdictions being able to work together to swiftly deliver justice. I commend all of the agencies involved in this important case.”
This multi-jurisdictional case is being handled by the Greenburgh Police Department, Assistant District Attorneys Mollie O’Rourke and Sarah Gewirtz of the Special Prosecutions Division of the Westchester County DA’s Office, the NYPD, Bronx DA’s Office and the Nassau County DA’s Office.
Dim Sum Comes to Scarsdale
- Details
- Written by: Wendy MacMillan
- Hits: 2990
A new flavor has arrived in Westchester, and it’s ready to steal your heart and appetite. Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Scarsdale bringing handcrafted Chinese cuisine and vibrant culinary tradition to one of the region’s most beloved communities. The new Scarsdale location officially opened its doors on July 8th with a festive Grand Opening that included a special ribbon cutting ceremony and a traditional Lion Dance performance.
Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings began with a heartfelt gift—Kelly’s grandma, lovingly known as Nana, passed down her cherished family recipes with the hope they’d one day be shared more widely. Kelly and her husband Jack were living in Boston at the time, but eventually made the move to Colorado, where Jack began turning Nana’s recipes into something bigger. With the help of close friends and family, they opened what is now a growing brand with five successful locations across the state of Colorado.
Now, their story is coming full circle. Friends from the East Coast—many of whom grew up in the restaurant industry—are excited to bring Nana’s back home. For them, this isn’t just a business opportunity. It’s a way to honor tradition, carry on a legacy, and share food that means something deeply personal.
Step into Nana’s and be transported. This is more than a meal — it’s an experience. Every delicate dumpling, every fragrant bite, is a harmony of tradition and innovation. From classic techniques passed down through generations to bold new flavor profiles designed to surprise and delight, Nana’s invites you to taste a story in every dish.
About Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings
Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings is a family-run restaurant dedicated to bringing the rich flavors of traditional Chinese dim sum to Scarsdale. With a focus on handcrafted dishes and authentic culinary techniques, Nana's has quickly become a destination for global eats and Chinese cuisine.
Diners at the new Scarsdale location at 709 White Plains Roadd, can expect delicacies like:
-Handcrafted steamed and fried dumplings, including signature truffle soup buns
-Savory and sweet bao
-Crispy-skinned Peking duck
-Jumbo crab rangoons, baked eel, and a rotating menu of seasonal delights
Eat in or order takeout. For more information see their website here https://nanasdimsumanddumplings.com/
Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings
709 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 487-0030
(914) 487-0031
