- Target:
- East Hills Village
- Region:
- United States of America
- Website:
- planet-in-peril.org
Over the objections of a 42-year direct neighbor on Round Hill Road, among others, the Board approved a new house TWO AND A HALF TIMES the size of the classic “Cape Cod” now there, which new house will cover TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT of the third-acre lot, up from UNDER 10%.
The ARB was created to “Preserve the prevailing aesthetic character of the neighborhood and its environs, and to enhance the character of the Village by ensuring compatible buildings” (Village Code §271-186(A)(2) as well as to “protect the tree canopy for current and future generations” (§186-1(B)).
The Board also approved the destruction of the only large tree at 132 Deerpath, a young 50-foot-tall Oak tree roughly fifteen feet from the current house.
There are several options including appealing to the Zoning Board of Appeals and asking the Board to hold a “re-hearing”.
12/11/16 -- We East Hills residents call on the Architectural Review Board ("ARB") to hold a re-vote ("rehearing") on the new house and tree removal approved on Dec. 5, 2016 for 132 Deerpath, at which time we would like the opinion of an independent architect to analyze the compliance of the proposed new house with the standards stated in the ARB law, particularly Village Code §271-186 (A)(1-6) which sets out the "objectives" of the law: "(1) To encourage beneficent building design and appropriate appearances, and to relate such design and appearances to the sites and surroundings of buildings; (2) Preserve the prevailing aesthetic character of the neighborhood and its environs, and to enhance the character of the Village by ensuring compatible buildings; (3) Promote and encourage the finest quality of architectural design and utilization of land when new buildings and new exteriors are constructed or erected, reconstructed, refurbished and altered; (4) Assure the design and location of any proposed building, or the addition, alteration or reconstruction of any existing building, is in harmony with the existing topography of its site and the existing building as well as the neighboring properties; (5) Discourage and prevent any design that would adversely affect or cause the diminution in value of neighboring property, whether improved or unimproved; and (6) Prevent design and appearances which are unnecessarily offensive to visual sensibilities, which impair the use, value, aesthetics or desirability of neighboring properties and/or the general welfare of the community at large." Further we call on the Board to reconsider the removal of the only large tree on the property -- a young 30-50-foot Oak tree -- given the mandate of the Board "to protect the tree canopy for current and future generations" (Village Code §186-1(A)).
The Reverse Approval of 132 Deerpath in East Hills petition to East Hills Village was written by Richard A. Brummel and is in the category City & Town Planning at GoPetition.