from Lohud:
Town officials slammed the brakes on a development trend that some residents say is causing damage in their neighborhoods. (See recent editorial)
Throughout the town, single-family homes are being torn down and replaced with much larger homes. (See our coverage)
In the process, trees are being leveled and properties are being re-graded, which causes some flooding issues and rocking chipping damages to neighboring homes, according to residents and town officials.
“We’ve had some very serious changes in single-family residence lots,” said Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson, specifically mentioning the Murdock Woods and Durham Road sections. “Those sites are not part of the site plan approval process in the town, so the town has little control over what happens on those lots.”
The town will now decide whether it wants to draft a new law that would require developers to get approvals from the town’s land use boards before making significant changes on single-family lots.
In the meantime, the Town Board on Dec. 16 unanimously passed a three-month moratorium on major construction on single-family properties in residential zones. The moratorium takes effect Jan. 1, and ends March 31.
“We had sporadic incidents like this over the last five years, but it’s been a trend that accelerated this past year,” Seligson said. “We want to take a break and look at this without any particular projects hanging over our heads.”
Before the Town Board passed the moratorium, residents shared stories during a public hearing about how construction in their neighborhoods was impacting them.
Lori Kupferburg, who lives on Rockingstone Avenue, said rocking chipping at a construction site next to her home caused damage to her oil tank and gas lines. Carrol Carrozza, who lives on Robin’s Nest Lane, said she was driving home one night and saw a crane towering above her home lift a tree out of the ground.
Both women were among those who applauded the moratorium. But some architects and attorneys who represent developers had different views.
“As an architect, it’s a little hard to understand how to proceed with clients during this moratorium,” said Diana Eaton, an architect from the Mamaroneck-based Keller/Eaton Architects. “Hopefully, three months is enough because it does put some hardship on the profession.”
Seligson stressed this moratorium is different than the one Larchmont is considering, which would impose a moratorium on developments in residential areas while a village planner reviews Larchmont’s zoning code.
Nobody wants a 6,000 sq foot house built where a 2,500 square house once stood. Trees come down first-then the neighborhood is permanently altered. The Town needs a new zoning law-with limits on sq footage as well as setbacks. Contracters won’t find it so desirable to tear down.
A major reason for living in Larchmont is that it has pretty houses and lovely trees. It is not a center city town in which as many buildings as possible are crammed into existing lots, or a replacement building is allowed to fill most of the existing lot. Having lived in Larchmont for 40 years, I am saddened by this recent increasing trend and support efforts to stop it.
The house they are putting up next to us has been described as “collossal” a “monstrosity” a “warehouse” and more. Our view of trees from our kitchen and family room has been replaced by a gargantuan building that blocks most of our light. Our shades now remain closed. Our enjoyment of the property we have lived on for 25 years is totally compromised. It’s very sad what the town has allowed. And it’s the last place I’d ever recommend to anyone wanting to move to the suburbs.