Governor Removes ADU Proposal from State Budget, Plus a Letter to the Editor
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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After challenges to a controversial proposal to allow accessory dwelling units (ADU’s) on properties zoned for single family homes, Governor Hochul withdrew the plan from her budget. The proposal would have permitted state law to override local zoning codes which regulate lot coverage, setbacks and parking and often prevent secondary units in areas zoned for single family dwellings.
Explaining her decision, the Governor said she was amending her proposal, “to facilitate a conversation about how we build consensus around solutions." But reaffirmed her commitment to affordable housing saying, “I believe that increasing our housing supply is essential to the growth of our economy, to reaching our lower carbon footprint, to achieving our goals of equity and inclusion and to addressing the affordability challenges faced by so many New Yorkers.”
There has been no word about additional legislation in the budget to permit Transit Oriented Development which would also override local zoning code.
After reading an article about the proposed legislation on Scarsdale10583.com, we received the following letter from Michael Glassman, a graduate of Edgemont High School:
Living at home after college graduation wasn’t ideal. I was working full-time and couldn’t afford to rent in Westchester.
Legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) will reduce rental prices to allow more recent graduates to live independently and with dignity.
Current law states it is illegal to construct ADUs. That’s a shame. Homeowners ought to have the option for economic and social flexibility.
ADUs allow empty nesters to rent out their houses as they live in the community. Grandparents can live near their grandchildren and help with daily childcare tasks. Homeowners can rent out their extra units and earn passive income.
Property owners may decide not to make modifications to their homes. That’s okay. Their priorities may change over time. Let’s have that option.
There are plenty of positive externalities too. New York will fill a massive gap in the housing supply. Adding homes on existing footprints rather than building on undeveloped land reduces flooding. More housing options for different income levels will improve the financial position for groups who have been historically blocked from ownership.
Call your state representative and urge them to support homeowners’ ability to retire in place, earn extra money, and spend more quality time with family.
Michael is an Edgemont graduate and currently resides in Washington DC.
Letter to the Editor: CHP Actions Should Be More Transparent
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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This letter was written by Bobby Ben Simon, President of the KOSL Building Group:
To the Editor, As a long-time resident and active developer for many years, I must say the recent discussions amongst the BOT are unbelievable! Both the BOT and CHP appear to be at the cusp of ambiguously imposing harmful regulations that would be detrimental to property rights like never before. Posing as if they own every property in the Village, further emboldened by their voluntary board position, the most recent attempt to deteriorate due process and municipal accountability is shameful to say the least. The unfortunate incident that occurred that created this discussion should have isolated repercussions, strictly limited to that property, and segmented from residual residents within the Village! Five Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Two Scarsdale household will live to regret the consequences of the ridiculous statements insinuated to be enacted if they don’t stand up and reject it. It is well known that 95% of demolition applications are initiated by private homeowners, not developers. The poor actions of one property should not impact the rest of the public and further hinder our individual property rights.
The July 12, 2012, VILLAGE OF SCARSDALE, NEW YORK, RECONNAISSANCE LEVEL, CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY REPORT, must be published and inserted into the BAR guidelines for consideration of over 50% alterations. Every historic home that is documented within public Village records should be flagged and noted on its property card for equitable transparency. As consistently demonstrated over the years, the CHP’s lack of interest in advocating for a transparent and fair process is overpowered by their personal biases, regardless of their credentials and public facts. I am not alone when I firmly state that the CHP’s general disdain for property rights compounded with their unchecked accountability is fostering constant frustration and animosity amongst the public. If this board continues to neglect the implementation of fair and clear protocols without internal ramifications for failing to do so, the Village should recognize their obsolete presence and dissolve the board entirely.
Disturbingly, some of the BOT members recently made astonishing dictatorial statements;
Karen Brew said, “For those who demolish without permission, can we implement a process where 2 or 3 strikes and you’re out for multiple abuses? You lose the right to work in our Village?”
Jonathan Lewis said, “Let’s move forward with this stop gap measure while we look into larger solutions. Might we consider a moratorium until we can change this law to deter people from acting rashly if they think the law will be changed?”
It is the municipality’s obligation to hold members of power in check. Such unilateral positions that impact fundamental rights of thousands of innocent residents should be taken seriously. Members of any board that attempt to impose such drastic measures across the public should be removed from their seat without recourse.
Bobby Ben-Simon
Seneca Road
KOSL BUILDING GROUP LLC.
875 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 400
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Congressman Bowman Tours Scarsdale's Food Scrap Recycling Program
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Last week Congressman Jamaal Bowman joined Scarsdale Food Scrap Recycling Program residents and co-founders Michelle Sterling and Ron Schulhof, along with Scarsdale DPW Superintendent Jeff Coleman, Scarsdale DPW Assistant Superintendent Tyler Seifert, Scarsdale Mayor Jane Veron, Deputy Mayor Justin Arrest, Trustee Jonathan Lewis, Village Manager Rob Cole and Assistant Village Manager Alex Marshall to give the Congressman a tour of the program, celebrate its success and discuss how to bring the program to more communities in our region.
Sign up for Food Scrap Recycling. Please email [email protected] to start. It’s an easy and great way to help our environment!
Attention Attorneys!
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Village of Scarsdale is seeking an Acting Village Justice. In January 2022 Village Justice Joaquin (Jack) Alemany announced his retirement. In the interim, the current Acting Village Justice, Cynthia Dunne, will serve as Village Justice.
This leaves a vacancy for the position of Acting Village Justice to back her up. If you’re interested, here is how to apply:
According to a notice from Scarsdale Village, the Judicial Qualifications Advisory Committee is seeking individuals interested in serving as Scarsdale’s Acting Village Justice.
The Committee welcomes all qualified applicants who live in the Village of Scarsdale and are members in good standing of the New York State Bar with courtroom experience.
Interested persons should send a letter of interest and resume to Janet Gorman by email to [email protected] or by United States Postal Mail to 1001 Post Road, Scarsdale, New York 10583. The deadline for receipt of materials is February 18, 2022 by 12:00 pm. If the Committee wishes to interview a candidate, they will contact the candidate directly after the deadline for submissions has passed.
The Acting Village Justice serves in the absence or incapacity of the Village Justice. The Committee screens candidates for this position and reports their assessment of the candidate qualifications to the Mayor. The Mayor then makes the appointment with confirmation by the Village Board of Trustees. Due to a vacancy as a result of a promotion, the Acting Village Justice will serve the remainder of a one-year term, expiring April 4, 2022, at which point the Acting Justice may be reappointed for additional one-year periods, each commencing on the first Monday in April of the year in question.
CNC Nominates Whitestone, Mazer and Gans for Village Trustee
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On Thursday January 20, 2022, the Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) announced the candidates it selected for the Scarsdale Citizens’ Non-Partisan Party slate for the following Village offices:
-Randy Whitestone of 94 Sprague Road, a Village Resident for 26 years, Trustee
-Ken Mazer of 47 Church Lane, a Village Resident for 25 years, Trustee
Randy Whitestone has been nominated for a second term as Village Trustee.
-Jeremy Gans of 45 Harvest Drive, a Village Resident for 14 years, Trustee
Whitestone is currently a Village Trustee serving his first term and has been renominated for a second term while Mazer and Gans will be new to the Village Board if elected. Village Trustees Justin Arest and Lena Crandall will both complete two terms as Village Trustee in April.
Commenting on his renomination, Whitestone said, "Amid the challenges of the past two years, we’ve made significant strides in aligning the strategic direction of Scarsdale Village government to the needs of our residents. We have more to do to complete important budgeting, quality of life, and infrastructure initiatives, and I look forward to seeing them through."
Gans introduced himself saying, "I have lived in Scarsdale since 2006 and have served in a number of volunteer roles in the Village. I joined the Zoning Board of Appeals in 2016, and have served on that board for nearly 5 years. I also serve on the Executive Committee of the Scarsdale Forum and I am a member of the Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund Committee. From 2016-2019, I was President of Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club. Professionally, I worked as a corporate lawyer for seven years and currently serve as President of JDJ Capital Management Company."
"I am honored that the CNC has nominated me to serve as Trustee and I thank them for their service. If elected, I look forward to collaborating with the Board and Village staff so that I can continue serving my community. I expect that we will work together to find the most effective ways to improve our village and maintain the level of excellence residents expect."
The General Village Election will take place Tuesday, March 15, 2022. The Election will be held at the Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road in the Scott Room. Voting hours will be from 6:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Jill Spielberg served as Chair and Jon Krisbergh served as Vice Chair of the CNC. In addition to the candidates for Village office, the CNC selected Omer Wiczyk as Chair and Janet Han-Youm as Vice Chair for next year’s CNC. The CNC also elected Michelle Sterling to serve as Chair and Peri Zelig to serve as Vice Chair of the Procedure Committee.
Jeremy Gans“Starting in late November 2021, the CNC searched for potential candidates and then conducted extensive diligence. While deliberations and reference conversations are not shared publicly, the CNC considered and carefully researched the background, experience, and qualifications of each trustee candidate and engaged in significant deliberation,” stated Jill Spielberg, Chair of the CNC. “We thank the CNC Members for their hard work and diligence in selecting this strong slate of candidates,” she continued.
Ken Mazer
