Arts and Entertainment

Details: Written by Melissa Hellman; Published: 15 February 2015; Created: 15 February 2015; Last Updated: 19 February 2015; Hits: 9635

chromebooks The second budget study session for the Scarsdale Schools 2015-16 school budget covering instruction, technology, special education and transportation was finally convened on February 11, 2015 after several weather delays. Though the administration is proposing budget increases ranging from 2-25% for these areas, the current estimate for the overall budget will require a 2.64% tax increase for Scarsdale and Mamaroneck strip residents, which is .29% below the allowable tax cap of 2.93%.

Instruction, presented by Lynne Shain, Assistant Superintendant for Instruction

Ms. Shain's opening slide showed a spiral depicting the teaching and learning cycle: Curriculum (what we teach), Instruction (how we teach) and Assessment (how we measure learning). She went on to discuss how the proposed budget supports this cycle.

The instruction budget is calling for an increase of almost 2%. Specific line items include continued support for struggling learners at the elementary level, STEM/STEAM initiatives for K-12, professional development specifically targeted for curriculum design, Arts and Aesthetics education, Scarsdale Teachers Institute (professional development for teachers), the Interdependence Institute (fostering a sense of global awareness and global citizenship in students), the Center for Innovation, sustainability, and curriculum research and assessment (covering visiting professors and other experts to help evaluate programs).

Based on the public comments (summarized at the end of this article) a major piece of discussion will focus on the proposal for a delay in the commencement of Spanish instruction from first grade to second grade. In order to support first and second graders who are struggling with literacy skills, the Administration is recommending adding an English Language Arts helping teacher and 2.5 Reading Specialists (½ day at each elementary school). In addition to hiring personnel, time to deliver instruction would be required and moving Spanish to second grade allows for more literacy skills teaching time.

Technology, presented by Jerry Crisci, Director of Technology

Mr. Crisci proposed a department reorganization, new equipment and increased service and support.

The technology budget is extensive and difficult to forecast due to the increasing rate of technology development and rapidly changing costs (both rising and decreasing) of equipment. It covers the technical needs of the District and also responds to demands for curriculum delivery such as coding instruction for K-12. The budget covers a wide range of technology concerns including the purchase, maintenance and support of equipment, network infrastructure, internet services, network security, installation and maintenance of audiovisual equipment, support for instructional technology and preparation of teaching materials, library technology, sound and stage lighting systems, and the installation and maintenance of mounted classroom technology such as SmartBoards. The department also hosts and provides programming for the District's public access channels.

The department will be reorganized to provide a greater focus on instruction, to streamline technical operations, and improve their efficiency and coverage (having duplication of skills among several positions in order to back-up absent personnel). Crisci proposed the merger of Administrative Technology and Technical Services, into a single Information Technology Department to be managed by Rachel Moseley who is currently the District's Chief Information Officer. Under this new heading, the department will manage behind the scenes technology needs and items such as student information (attendance, report cards), state reporting requirements, personnel records, payroll, email systems, purchasing, inventory control, repairs and maintenance, internet, A/V services, wireless services, phone system and mobile device support. Mr. Crisci would become the Director of Instructional Technology and Innovation allowing him to focus more time on addressing the increasing demands for curriculum and instructional development.

The proposed budget for Administrative Technology would increase by 25% over last year. Some of the specific items include hiring an additional technical support staff member, upgrading library technology, iPads for Grade K-3, Chromebooks for 7th Graders, phasing in the replacement of SmartBoards in high school classrooms (purchased over 8 years ago, many are beyond warranty) with LED screen versions. LED versions represent the latest technology, provide a crisp pictures, consume a lot less energy and do not require the replacement of costly bulbs.

This budget also requests funds for the redesign and maintenance of the district web site, helping to facilitate the distribution of online documents and decreasing paper use. One key piece of the redesign will address issues students and parents experience when trying to access information from tablets and mobile devices. Using Responsive Web Design, the website will automatically adjust its user interface based on the type of device being used for access at the time.

Special Education, presented by Eric Rauschenbach, Director of Special Education

The proposed budget would increase 7% and include additional funds for out-of-district placements. Currently, about 10% of classified students are serviced out-of-district but the district is seeing an increase in the number of students with social/emotional disabilities who access out-of-district placements. Mr. Rauschenbach noted this trend is being identified regionally and nationally too. The proposal also includes an allocation for professional development and the purchase of common assessment tools. The department has identified two major areas of need: services for students with social/emotional needs and continuity of assessment and program delivery. The goal is to expand capacity for providing services to emotionally disabled students within the district. Also, the Middle School will require one additional Special Education teacher to cover increased enrollment in the Parallel Program next year. The District plans to contract for occupational therapy services through an outside agency at an estimated net savings of approximately $31,000.

Transportation, presented by Linda Purvis, Assistant Superintendent for Business

The transportation budget is calling for the purchase of new vehicles to add to the District's rapidly aging fleet. There are some savings projected as a result of lower fuel costs, but overall there is an increase of approximately 6% requested for the transportation budget.

Public Comment

Several community members posed questions during the comment/question period. The Board stated that all questions would be noted and responded to at a later meeting targeted for March 2. Speakers included Diane Greenwald, Amy Hosseinbukus, Bob Harrison and others. For the community members who spoke at this meeting the common themes include:

• Whether the focus on literacy in the early grades is in response to a demonstrated need or due to low scores on mandated testing.
• Opposition to removing Spanish instruction from grade 1 (currently 80 minutes of instruction every 6 days) in order to implement the literacy curriculum in question.
• Support for Mandarin language instruction in the middle school. Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez of Fox Meadow Road made a statement asking the Board to add instruction in Mandarin to the middle school curriculum.
• Support for a consistent literacy curriculum across all grades/schools in the elementary schools.

Mary Beth Evans, Chair of the School Budget Study Committee of the League of Women Voters, posed several questions quoted below.

"Approximately what percentage of non-classified K-3 elementary students do you anticipate will require extra support in order to achieve faster progression in reading?

Can you explain the proposed change in reading emphasis, along with the new state-mandated Response to Intervention, in the context of Scarsdale's overall approach to the development of our youngest learners? For example, what has been Scarsdale's balance of direct instruction versus hands-on, experiential, inquiry based learning? Is this balance now shifting, and with what effect on that which makes us stand out from other districts?

About what percentage of the increase in the staff development budget represents real growth in opportunities for professional development, as opposed to increases in salary related costs? And, now that we have a younger faculty engaged in transforming their classrooms to meet the goals outlined in "A Scarsdale Education for Tomorrow," is professional development in all categories keeping pace with teacher demand?

From the Bond process last year the community got a clearer idea about how we have invested, or not invested, in our buildings, and what we need to do going forward. In order for the community to gain a similar understanding of our investment in the area of educational programs/services and professional development, can you tell us what this proposed budget does in terms of new educational programs or services, as well as real growth in opportunities for professional development? And can you provide us some historical perspective on the growth in our investment in these areas over time – including before and after the Recession?

Does the fact of the current budget proposal falling nearly $400K below the tax cap have implications for future budgets that could make it more challenging to invest in new educational programs and/or services?"

Margot Milberg, Fox Meadow PTA President, questioned why the front office staff and physical education staff at Fox Meadow school is being reduced. She urged the Board to provide the rationale for these decisions and also to reconsider them given the size of the school's population.

A third budget study meeting was held on Thursday, February 12, 2015 covering the topics of Employee Benefits, Debt Service and Fund Balance. Community members are encouraged to watch all meetings on the Board of Education's video-on-demand site, and to review the preliminary budget also available on the site. The next budget meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2015.

Kindergarten Registration:

Registration for incoming kindergarten students (for the 2015-2016 school year) will be held in all five of the Scarsdale elementary schools (Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Greenacres, Heathcote and Quaker Ridge) from Monday, March 2 to Friday, March 6. Students may be registered between 9 AM and 3 PM.

Children whose fifth birthday falls on or before December 31, 2015 may be registered. Documents needed include immunization records, proof of age such as birth certificate or passport, and proof of residency, along with the registration forms and instructions, which may be downloaded here (on the District Web site, click on the Parents dropdown menu, and then on "Student Registration" ) or obtained at the school.

Proof of residency can be either in the form of a copy of the deed for a house, or a signed rental agreement (lease), plus a utility bill. Please be aware that some homes in this area have a Scarsdale mailing address, but are not within the Scarsdale School District. If there is any doubt, you may contact the District office for verification: 914-721-2444. Enrollment in one of our five elementary schools is determined by the neighborhood in which you live.

If you have any questions concerning registration, please call your neighborhood elementary school.

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 09 February 2015; Created: 09 February 2015; Last Updated: 09 February 2015; Hits: 4508

fmtcpurple The women of Fox Meadow Tennis Club enjoyed a lively day of paddle tennis in frigid weather on Friday February 6. The Foxy Lady event brought out 32 paddle enthusiasts who were divided into four teams in an adult version of color war. In eight rounds of play, the team members were paired and rotated to play six games against members of other teams.

Adorned in war paint, beads and color coordinated neck warmers, no one even noticed the single digit temperatures. The day concluded with a delicious lunch inside the clubhouse while pro Gary Squires tallied the scores. In the end, the purple team beat out the blue team by just one point to take the top place, but there were smiles all around and everyone felt like a winner.

It was a great day of play, sportsmanship and camaraderie at Fox Meadow where the first paddle court in the country was built in 1931.

Fox Meadow Tennis Club (and paddle too!)
14 Wayside Lane
Scarsdale, NY 10583
foxmeadowtennisclub.com
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Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 26 January 2015; Created: 26 January 2015; Last Updated: 27 January 2015; Hits: 6508

fish Will Winter Storm Juno really dump over two feet of snow on Scarsdale? Though no one can predict the whims of Mother Nature, Scarsdale is preparing for a big one. At 8 am this morning there were already long lines at DeCiccos where the meat and fish counters were virtually empty. Fortunately there did seem to be enough milk, bread and staples to tide everyone over for a few days. The crowd was intent but polite.

Wary after the eleven-day power outage during Hurricane Sandy, some have purchased home generators while others are counting on their neighbors or the glow from the fireplace to keep them warm should the power go out again.

Please stay in touch with Scarsdale10583 during the storm and we will do our best to keep you informed. Send information, comments and photos to [email protected] and we will share them with the community.

Here's the latest information from the Village, the schools and other local organizations: deciccos

Schools:
Today, Monday January 26, schools closed early as heavy snow was predicted for the afternoon. The Board of Education meeting that was scheduled for Monday night was cancelled. School will also be closed on Tuesday.

Scarsdale Village:
The Village of Scarsdale, who is responsible for public safety is poised to confront whatever comes our way. A state of emergency has been declared as of 9 pm Monday night and all cars will need to be off the streets during this state of emergency to accommodate the snowplows.

The Village will open an emergency operations center at 6 PM on Monday. See below for information how to contact them should the need arise.

Garbage pick up scheduled for Tuesday January 27 will be done on Wednesday and all garbage must be placed at the curb.

The Village meetings at Village Hall scheduled for Monday night have been cancelled and the Village Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday has been re-planned for Thursday morning.

Greenburgh:
Greenburgh has also declared a state of emergency and asked residents to keep cars off the street to facilitate plowing. An Emergency Operations Center will be opened at Greenburgh Police headquarters at 5 pm tonight. See full details from Supervisor Paul Feiner below:

Here are a few notifications from other organizations around town:

Scarsdale Adult School:
The Scarsdale Adult School classes scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, have been cancelled. Information about make-ups will be provided to registered students once arrangements have been made.

The JCC of Mid Westchester:
The JCC of Mid-Westchester will close at 5 PM on Monday night and remain closed all day on Tuesday January 27th. All classes for adults and children are cancelled and the Arts & Talks session with Professor Ralph Buultjens has been rescheduled for Friday, February 6, 2015, 11:00AM - 1:00PM.

From Scarsdale Mayor Bob Steves:
Scarsdale Village Mayor Bob Steves has issued the following message regarding the upcoming winter storm. Due to the major area snow storm event, I have declared a state of emergency beginning at 9PM, tonight, January 26, 2015. Accordingly for the safety of residents and to facilitate the snow removal operations, all vehicular traffic and parking is prohibited on any street within the Village of Scarsdale. To assist residents in this regard, the Freightway Parking Garage is available for parking while the State of Emergency remains in effect. This State of Emergency will continue until such time is rescined when further public notice will be provided.

The Village will open its Emergency Operations Center at 6PM today. Any storm related calls should be placed to the Center at (914) 722-1150. All Police and Fire Emergency calls should continue to be placed using the 911 emergency call system. To report electrical power outages, please call Consolidated Edison directly at 1-800-752-6633 or visit www.coned.com. This website also provides up-to-date mapping of outage locations.

In addition, garbage collections scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2015 have been suspended. Collection of this garbage will be completed Wednesday, January 28, 2015. Due to the anticipated snow accumulations and resulting inability of Sanitation personnel to access rear yards, this garbage MUST be placed at the curb for collection. Collection of newspaper and commingled recyclables scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2015 is also cancelled until the next scheduled date.

Please be further advised that all meetings scheduled at Village Hall for tonight, Monday, January 26, 2015, have been cancelled. The Village Board meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at 8PM, will proceed as scheduled, however with a limited agenda. The meeting will be recessed to Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 8PM to consider the balance of the agenda.

The Village will provide periodic updates as needed. You may also access Scarsdale's website at www.scarsdale.com and our cable access Channels 75 (Cablevision) and 42 (Verizon) Thank you for your cooperation.

I also ask that all residents be mindful of any neighbors that may need special assistance during this storm.

From Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner:

We have declared a State of Emergency in the Town of Greenburgh ahead of the blizzard.

We are expecting blizzard like conditions and all cars should be off Town roads by 9:00pm.

Residents are reminded to keep all vehicles off town roadways for the duration of the storm. If town roads are not passable by Town emergency vehicles / snow plows due to parked cars, cars will be towed.

Snow is expected to continue until tomorrow afternoon with updated totals of 15" to 24" by Tuesday afternoon.

Heavy winds are expected to begin at 8:00am Tuesday morning and continue until 8:00pm Tuesday evening.

The Greenburgh Emergency Operations Center will be open at Greenburgh Police Headquarters starting at 5:00pm today and will remain open as long as needed.

All Town programs and events should be cancelled for Monday afternoon and all day and evening Tuesday.

Tuesday garbage collection is cancelled and re-scheduled for Wednesday.

Wednesday recycling collection is cancelled.

Hartsdale Parking Authority has advised that commuters are required to remove their vehicles from the Parking Authority property by 7:00pm this evening. Site A overnight permit holders may leave their cars in Site A without feeding meters on Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28.

The Town has offered free parking in the parking lot of Webb Field on Central Avenue.

The Theodore D. Young Community Center will be the Town Emergency Shelter if needed. If there are power outages...

Governor Cuomo has declared a New York State of Emergency.

The Greenburgh Parks Department (nutrition program) is providing elderly members of the community who receive meals as part of our meals and wheels program with extra food in the event we can't get to their homes during the storm.

Details: Written by Stacie M. Waldman; Published: 28 January 2015; Created: 28 January 2015; Last Updated: 29 January 2015; Hits: 13300

ski1 Haven't skied in a while? Or ever? Maybe you think your kids are too young to learn. Maybe you think you're too old to learn? Or maybe you haven't gone because you hear it's so expensive.

Whereas it's easier to learn to ski or ride as a child, it's not impossible to learn as an adult. (I learned to ski at age 36!) Over 20 ski areas exist within about two hours of Scarsdale, so you have the option to make it a day trip. (See our highlighted ski areas below.) We've even included secret tips to make it a less expensive sport for the whole family. (Full price tickets are listed under each individual ski resort.) All ski areas offer ski and snowboard lessons but some have age restrictions. Most offer tubing options and many offer nurseries for the youngest kids. They all have beginner to expert runs but vary by percentage of these trail types.

The Berkshires
Ski Butternut is in Great Barrington, Massachusetts- a fun, eclectic après-ski town. With 22 trails, 11 lifts, 2 terrain parks, affordable learn-to-ski/snowboard packages, $25 mid-week lift tickets, and a friendly vibe, Ski Butternut is a popular option for families. Early risers can start skiing at 8:15 am. The learning area does not require a parent to buy a lift ticket. Parents can walk next to their kids on the magic carpet and help their kids learn to ski down the bunny hill. Another perk is the mini lift at the learning area. Will, the lift attendant who seems to be there perpetually, teaches kids how to get on and off the lift safely. Lift tickets range between $25-$60 for adults and $15-$50 for children/juniors.

Jiminy Peak is in Hancock, Massachusetts. Not much else is there, but the resort has an inn and restaurants. (We even discovered that there is free hot chocolate and a magician après-ski in the Country Inn and you don't have to be a guest to enjoy it!) Jiminy has 9 lifts including a high-speed one that seats six and 45 trails, 21 of which are open for night skiing. Tickets are $69-77 for adults and $52-66 for kids/juniors. Note that ski school doesn't include lift tickets, an annoyance in my opinion if you want to do a run or two with the kids before heading out. Jiminy Peak tempts kids and adults alike with its mountain coaster. At $4 a ride, it's a thrill not to be missed! ski4

Catamount is upping the ante with a full-scale resort that is in the works. Catamount has 35 trails, 6 lifts, and night skiing. Lift tickets range between $33-63 for adults and $16-53 for kids. The charge for kids is only $12 if they stay on the magic carpet area. A zip line adventure tour is open at Catamount during the warmer months.

The Catskills

Windham recently made $11 million in capital improvements and you can feel it from the moment you drive up to the resort. It's easy to get in and out, and rentals are streamlined (although rather expensive) so the process goes quickly. There are 12 lifts including 2 high-speed quads leading to 50 trails. There are cross country ski trails on the property as well as snowshoe options and the town outside the resort is cute. Kids 6 and under are only $10. Other kids are $45-67 and adults are $68-78. There is no on-site lodging but there is a shuttle that will take you to lodging near by.

Hunter is popular with the New York crowds. Three mountains make up the ski area and there are ski in, ski out condos on site. There are 5 lifts and 47 trails. Kids 6 and under ski free all week and are $10 on weekends. Lift tickets for kids 7 and up are are $43-68 and adults are $66-76. Hunter has a four-season zip line adventure park.

Belleayre is a friendly mountain that has long green learning runs as well as expert runs for the more advanced. There are 55 trails and 8 lifts including a high-speed quad. There's a terrain park also. It's a senior-friendly mountain with great deals for the 65+ crowd. Kids 7 and under ski for FREE! For the more middle aged, prices range from $31-64 for a lift ticket. There's cross country skiing as well but no on-site lodging. ski2

The Poconos
Camelback is known for being a great learning mountain. Camelback has 16 lifts including 2 high-speed quads and all 34 trails are wired for night skiing. Seniors (70+) ski free all week and 5 and under ski free with a paying adult. Adults are $51-65 and kids 6 and up are $38-47. A water park is opening at the Camelback ski resort in the spring of this year and looks like 125,000 square feet of indoor fun.

Shawnee is another mountain in Pennsylvania known to be family friendly. Kids 46" and under ski for free. There are 23 slopes/trains, 2 terrain parks, 6 lifts, and 4 magic carpets for those practicing the bunny hills. There is no on-site lodging. Adults pay $50-60 and kids over 46" pay $40-45.

Really Close (45-90 minutes)
Plattekill is only 1 hour 15 minutes from Scarsdale. The website touts a "true family mountain experience" and a 2-mile beginner trail. With 3 lifts, 38 trails, and a terrain park, there's something for everyone. Kids 7 and under are free, kids 8 and up are $40-48, and adults are $50-59.

Thunder Ridge is 45 minutes north and tends to get crowded on the weekends with ski teams. But did I mention it's only 45 minutes away? It has 30 trails with 3 lifts and 4 magic carpets. Parents need a lift ticket in order to enter the magic carpet area, so no walking around in your boots to teach your kids to ski here. Lift tickets are $25 during the week for ages 6 and up and $12 any time for kids age 5 and younger. Adults are $40-50 on the weekends and kids over age 5 are $30-37. There are great deals for night skiing starting at 3 PM during the week.

Mt. Peter is also a short drive away. It's a small mountain with 14 trails and 4 lifts but it has a learning area with a magic carpet and night skiing as well as a terrain park and small lodge. Unique to Mt. Peter is weekly lessons. Eight consecutive weeks of 1 ½ hour lessons are offered in small groups (maximum of 5 people) but the weekend lessons fill up fast. Adults ski for $25-45 and kids ages 5-11 ski for $23-38. Kids under 5 are free.

Mohawk is in Western Connecticut and provides 25 trails serviced by 7 lifts (5 triples and 3 magic carpets). Mohawk is open for night skiing and has themed days such as pirate day, sixties day, and more to add a fun edge to a ski day. Parent-tot lessons are offered for kids 3-4 years old. Kids under 5 ski for $15 and 5-15 year olds ski for $52 on the weekends and $30 midweek. Adults are $60 during the weekends and $30 all week.

Discounts Galore!

Metroland Ski Club and other clubs charge a small membership fee that pays off with one visit to a discounted ski mountain. My family of four, for example, recently skied/snowboarded with our Metroland cards for $60 at Belleayre (instead of $128) and $110 at Butternut instead of $150. Individual memberships are $20, family memberships are $30. Lessons and rentals are discounted as well. Liftopia offers incredible discounts on lift tickets, as much as 50% off. The caveat is you need to purchase the tickets for a specific day and they're generally not refundable. Lift tickets are limited so if you see a good price and know the date you're skiing, get them while you can. Pedigree in White Plains has discounted ski passes that can save a bundle of money. Call to see what they currently have and compare with Liftopia or REI. Kids in 3rd and 4th grade ski free in New York. A ski "passport" is required and costs $25, but it can still be a reasonable deal.

What's your favorite place to ski or snowboard and why? Help inform others and answer in the comments below!

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 21 January 2015; Created: 21 January 2015; Last Updated: 21 January 2015; Hits: 5637

4DellRoad In response to residents' concerns about the size of new homes that appear to be popping up all over town, the Land Use Committee of the Scarsdale Board of Trustees agreed to take a look at the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) regulations that were adopted by the Village in 2002 and re-examined in 2006-7. This code regulates the size of new homes and renovations built in the village.

On Tuesday January 20, 2015, Village Planner Elizabeth Marrinan invited architect George Jones, of George Jones Associates who was previously with the Environmental Simulation Center who helped to formulate the original regulations.

Jones told the group that when the original law was drafted, it was not expected to make big changes to home development in Scarsdale -- rather it was intended to offer modest regulation of bulk. He showed the group the following quote from former Mayor Kronlein to illustrate the trustees' intent at the time:

"Big is not necessarily bad and small is not necessarily good. It (FAR) recognizes good design and provides flexibility by permitting a bonus or additional square footage if certain design guidelines are followed. Design factors other than size that contribute to the perception of bulk include shape and massing, roofline, the façade, the location of the garage as well as landscaping. If the house design can successfully hide or mask it bulk the bonus can be earned."

They therefore drafted regulations involving a system of penalties and bonuses that offered rewards in terms of increased space for certain design features and penalties for others that were thought to increase the appearance of bulk.

For example, under the 2002 guidelines, underground garages were penalized while above ground garages earned the builder a bonus. At the time, there was a perception that an underground garage would result in a taller house and an increased appearance of bulk. Also penalized were basements that extend more than three feet above grade and floor to ceiling heights above 14 feet. Oversized dormers would cause attic space to be counted in the floor air ratio equation, while limiting the size of the dormers would allow attic space to be omitted from the equation. Dormered areas above garages were also omitted from the floor area equation as well as basements, explaining why so many new homes today have garages with dormers and fully finished basements extending the entire span of the house. Increasing the side yard setback could also yield a reward of increased square footage.

Initially it appeared that the FAR regulations were causing a modest decrease in home sizes. In the 2006-7 study, experts found that home sizes decreased by 5% while the amount of development remained steady. The 2006-7 found that there was a universal dislike of the design guidelines that were originally accompanied FAR, and they were subsequently abandoned.

Jones then ran through a series of simulations showing the effects of the FAR regulations on an array of homes. He demonstrated how the adjustments mandated by FAR impacted home design and the appearance of bulk.

It was questionable whether or not FAR had been effective. Homes that previously had detached garages in the back of the property or a garage underneath the home were replaced with homes with two car garages with dormered roofs facing the street. Since builders receive bonuses for above ground garages and dormered attics they use that feature over and over again. While detached garages in the back of the house and underground garages are not visible from the street, the new two-car front-facing garages seem to increase rather than decrease the appearance of bulk.

Also discussed were requirements for corner lots, where builders can place the front of the house on the side of the lot, and minimize the setback from the street. While in most areas the setback from the street for the front of the lot is 30 feet, with the side yard setback is 10-15 feet. By facing the front of the house on the side yard, developers can build even bigger homes on corner lots.

Following the simulations, Jones drew a few conclusions:

-Overall, FAR improved the appearance of bulk by 3.3%
-It was marginally to moderately effective at limiting bulk.
-The FAR appear to be more effective on smaller lot that larger lots
-It is possible FAR regulation may have unintended consequences and in some permits may actually increase the appearance of bulk.

In the discussion that followed, Trustee Brodsky noted that though FAR was intended to limit home sizes, in the intervening years FAR has defined not only the maximum home size but the minimum size as well – as builders construct the maximum size homes allowable on the properties that they develop.

What are some alternatives to FAR? Jones reviewed several approaches taken by other municipalities to regulate the appearance of bulk.

A contextual approach would involve surveying existing homes in various zones in town and drafting laws that regulate building size and setbacks to conform to the existing housing stock in the neighborhood. Jones warned against this approach saying that it was not used widely because it is difficult to define the extent of a neighborhood and make contextual decisions on what should be allowed. Marrinan said, "It would be tough to regulate because it would depend on the neighborhood – and other houses on the street. At the time (2002) we thought it was overly complicated."

Form based zoning has become popular as it provides certainty but is inflexible and is often written to regulate styles which can change relatively rapidly. Using this system, laws are writing to define which architectural features can be included including porches, shutters, gables etc. Commenting on form based zoning, Trustee David Lee said, "We are trying to regulate bulk or volume and open spaces between houses. We don't want to regulate style because we don't know what it should be."

Two additional approaches to regulating bulk including defining a pyramid-shaped or angled building envelope in which the home needs to be contained, or using a
"volume" approach, which simply defines the ratio of the volume of the home to the size of the lot to ensure that home sizes are appropriate to lot sizes. Though it was agreed that it would be easy to do this calculation, this approach does not take setbacks and siting into consideration and laws would need to be written to assure that homes are setback from the street and from neighboring homes. Trustee Bill Stern spoke in favor of the volume approach, saying, "I think a ratio of the house footprint to the lot size would take care of a lot of it."

What about simply omitting the loopholes including the bonuses for garages, dormers and setbacks? Would the original code without these "give backs" to builders result in less bulky projects? Jones answered yes – but BAR member Farley Baker disagreed, saying, "I like the design guidelines. Let's keep those but decrease the allowable floor area."

The meeting spanned over two hours and at the conclusion it was evident that this complex issue does not have an easy, one-size fits all solution.