Plant More Trees...And Awnings are a No-Go

The most recent Board of Architectural Review meeting progressed quite smoothly, with most plans being approved.

Here are some of the more interesting topics that surfaced:

RGF Development is currently in the midst of building a new development on Fairview Court.

J Acocella is handling the landscaping plan for the project.

Acocella discussed the intentions of planting two trees at 4 Fairview Court, one of the new homes in the development. Plans for the home showed two trees to be placed in the front yard of the home. However, a street light had been placed exactly where plans showed one of the trees was supposed to be positioned. The board agreed to moving the two trees slightly over.

BAR members were ready to approve the plan, and then remembered to ask if any neighbors were present.

There were.

Bruce Cybul from 30 Fairview Road spoke to the members of the board and put forth his concerns regarding the setting of the development. "The side of my home faces this new one, which is now the view from my master bedroom," Cybul said. "I would like to know what intentions the developers have to screen the property."

Acocella explained, "We plan to place rhododendrons and laurel trees. Because of the shading of the property, and its limited sun, only certain plantings can be used and we have to be careful to pay attention to that."

Cybul requested the plans be specified to show exactly what he should expect, and requested as much privacy as possible.

Kay Eisenman, chair of the Board of Architectural Review, stated, "There is a generous intent for screening. However, we cannot require 20' evergreens to be placed. We can request and expect there to be reasonable coverage."

The board members also requested that at the next meeting Acocella bring in plans showing all the new homes, the landscaping plans, and what type of screening there will be from the surrounding streets and neighbors.

The motion to approve the landscaping plan for 4 Fairview Court was passed.

Last up at the board meeting was F & R Popham LLC, which is the owner of Citibabes.

Citibabes is located at 7 Popham Road above CVS, on the third floor. They currently have 210 families who are members. The organization opened in 2005 in New York City, and saw an opportunity to expand. Owners shopped for almost three years before they decided on the 7 Popham Road location.

Citibabes applied to the board seeking approval for an awning. Currently, this seems to be somewhat of a controversial topic in Scarsdale, since many of its structures are pre-war buildings. Many business owners have sought awnings in the past and their requests have been denied.

"In these difficult economic times, in addition to the new Popham Bridge construction, it will be especially important to make ourselves known to the residents," said a Citibabes representative. "A lot of people don't know where we are."

Some board members were more apt than others to consider the possibility of approving the awning. However, Eisenman stated, "We need to be careful not to set precedence."

David Esterman came up with this idea: "Maybe we can approve the awning for a specific amount of time and have them come back for approvals again in two years?"

Carolyn Mehta was open to approving the possible awning because "the awning would possibly dress up the building, which is just big and ugly right now."

Discussion went back and forth among members as to whether approvals for awnings could be limited to just new buildings, so the historic feeling of other older buildings in the area is preserved, such as the Harwood Building.

Another conversation took place in regards to whether or not Citibabes would be interested in a wood sign, which was previously approved for another business in the building. The Citibabes representative explained, "The only place for signage is under the window, and those spots are currently promised to CVS by the landlord."

In the end, the board decided to research the legality into what approvals are allowed for the building, and Citibabes was asked to apply again.