Zoning – Schomning! That’s what a lot of developers and buyers with deep pockets are saying these days….
In a world increasingly divided between the have mores and the have nots, and municipalities struggling to make ends meet – those with deep pockets feel that minor incidentals such as “zoning” and a “city planning” are small obstacles to be pushed aside with relative ease. All they have to do is purchase a property – zoning not withstanding – plant their flag and impose their “vision” for the future of the land on the community.
- Zoning – Who cares? We’ll just threaten litigation if the city refuses us.
- Declining Property Values? Change is inevitable - so if a few people get “hurt” in the name of progress – that’s life.
- City Planning? – We bought the land – the city will just have to change its “plans!”
Read the rest of this entry »
For those still looking for Westchester Christmas light displays – stay tuned. There is more to come in the next few days. This latest set are from Gedney Farms White Plains. These displays come under the heading of “less is more” variety of light displays. They are lovely, but perhaps a bit more geared to grown ups. Still – they are great for the entire family. The last photo is more spectacular to look at than the photo indicates. Its amazing what spot lights and with very little in the way of glitter can do to light up a home. Subtle – but spectacular. My next photos will be more high voltage! This was definitely a low key display…..
Read the rest of this entry »
The Gedney Farms White Plains NY neighborhood has been on pins and needles since the 2009 announcement that the Ridgeway Golf Club including the Golf course that graces the neighborhood was up for sale. The financial reversals of 2008 hit the Ridgeway’s members severely and the resulting drop in membership forced the Ridgeway to put their beloved golf club on the block to the highest bidder. It went on the market at $20 million.
Recently the Golf Club sent letters to the residents of Gedney Farms that stated there was a buyer who was willing to use the land as a golf course for at least five years. The residents heaved a sigh of relief. Bulldozers were not moving in tomorrow.
Ridgeway Golf Club back on the market
However, the neighborhood was rocked again by the news that the deal had fallen through and the golf course was once again up for sale.
Now that the price of the golf club has been reduced to $13.5 million – it is literally on the block for a “song.” Naturally, the difficult real estate market had no small effect on the price. But what many don’t know is that only a portion of that land is capable of being developed given the extensive wetlands the golf club sits on. The new price certainly is a reflection of both of these issues.
Read the rest of this entry »
Gedney Farms White Plains NY:
When buyers are looking for high-end single family homes in White Plains NY – A home with plenty of green space and old-world charm – Gedney Farms is the first neighborhood that comes to mind. Gedney Farms was named after John Gedney who bought the land in 1740. Gedney Farms was a working farm that remained within the Gedney family right through the Civil War. It has long ceased to be farmland and is now a well established neighborhood.
Through much of the Gedney area the zoning is for no more than three homes per acre, so most lots have at least .33 acres of land which for lower Westchester is very difficult to find at a decent price. The roads are fairly narrow the wind around giving the feeling of country roads. No checkerboard streets here! This is also a plus because the streets are generally quiet as this discourages cut-through traffic that sometimes occurs in other parts of White Plains. The homes are a mix of Tudors and colonials many of them built during the Great Depression or before with a smaller percentage being built in the 50s and 60w. This is a mature neighborhood with very little buildable land remaining.
The Ridgeway Golf Course:
The Ridgeway golf course defines the neighborhood and depending on your location. It bisects the Gedney neighborhood in several places and many of the homes have spectacular golf course views. Some even have the fairways coming right into their back yards giving an illusion of almost endless open space. This type of amenity is difficult to match in lower Westchester and is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the City Center and the Ritz Carlton of downtown White Plains. Some homes have their back yards extending right into the fairways. It looks like open space as far as the eyes can see.
Unfortunately, at this time the fate of the Ridgeway golf club is not settled. Although the club has no wish to sell its land to developers, difficult financial times may force that issue. So far they have been holding on. Much of the area is wetlands, so the quantity of building would be quite limited. Nevertheless, the loss of such a vista would be a blow to the area. Everyone is hoping that this issue will resolve itself as the economy continues to improve.
Read the rest of this entry »
