FIELDSTON HISTORIC DISTRICT
Community Announcements
2 cats inherit $300K from late owner in the Bronx
Tuesday, August 22, 2017 06:09PM
BRONX (WABC) --
Who doesn't love a kitten? So, perhaps it's no surprise that a wealthy Bronx pet owner made sure her beloved cats would be taken care of after her death.
Troy and Tiger share a $300,000 bequest, just a small portion of author Ellen Frey-Wouter's $3-million estate, that includes a large home in an exclusive section of the Bronx.
Frey-Wouter was 88 and a widow with no children when she died. Two of her former home health aides now each take care of her precious pets.
They submit the bills for expenses like food, grooming and vet care and are reimbursed from that trust fund.
Of course, Troy and Tiger aren't the only pampered pets to be so singled out by a doting owner.
Back in 2007, when the infamous, "Queen of Mean," Leona Helmsley died she left her dog "Trouble" $12 million.
"I think that's incredible," said Demetri Tsoulos, a pet owner.
Fellow pet owner Tsoulos is among those applauding the thoughtfulness of his late neighbor, indicating he'd do the same for his dogs.
"Your pets are your family and leaving money behind so that they can be taken care of is a beautifully humane gesture and it's a lesson for the rest of us," Tsoulos said.
September 23, 2016
May 15, 2015
Announcement about Possible New Development
The Bloomfield family, owners of 4680 Fieldston Road, have proposed building 3 additional houses on their property at Fieldston and Indian Roads, adjacent to Indian Pond and Delafield Park. After neighbors raised concerns about the possible effects on the pond as well as issues of compliance with Special Natural Area District ("Greenbelt" or SNAD) regulations and Landmarks rules, FPOA retained environmental/land use attorneys to advise us.
The attorneys presented our concerns to the December meeting of the Community Board 8 Land Use Committee, which was attended by about 60 concerned neighbors, some of whom also spoke. After that meeting, our lawyers sent a detailed letter raising various issues to CB8 and the City Planning Commission (which administers the SNAD rules).
On December 23, City Planning wrote to the Bloomfields that it agreed with 3 points raised in the letter from our attorney:
1. The length of the proposed driveway into Livingston Ave. is 20 feet longer than allowed.
2. The proposed house on Indian Rd. and Fieldston Rd. does not comply with rear-yard setback requirements.
3. A drainage plan and soil report must be prepared by a professional engineer in order to assess whether there will be a major impact on natural features. (This seems to address our concerns about effects on the pond.)
Thus, the Bloomfields must refile their application to City Planning to address these issues. Once City Planning is satisfied that the revised application meets their requirements, it must be referred anew to Community Board 8. In light of this, the Bloomfields' lawyer has told CB8 that as a practical matter they do not expect that the application will be referred again to the Community Board before some time in February 2011.
In light of this, the Bloomfields' lawyer has told CB8 that as a practical matter they do not expect that the application will be referred again to the Community Board before some time in February 2011.
This action will result in a significant delay for the project. This is an unusual action for City Planning to take in response to a letter. It obviously thought those 3 arguments were particularly compelling. I don't think this means our other arguments were rejected -- we should be able to argue them in more detail.
We will keep you posted as the process unfolds.
May 15, 2015
Special Natural Area District (SNAD)
On February 2, 2005, a substantial revision to the Special Natural Area District (SNAD) was adopted by the New York City Council. The SNAD is a special zoning district overlay that provides added protections for an area’s natural features, without changing or altering the requirements of the underlying zoning. In most cases, a development, site alteration, or enlargement must be reviewed by the Department of City Planning to evaluate impacts on natural features. The SNAD was mapped in Riverdale in 1975 and covers approximately one-half of Bronx Community District 8 – including Fieldston. Two other SNADs are mapped in Staten Island and one is mapped in Queens. These new regulations increase the level of protection of natural features. The natural features include rock outcrops, geologic deposits, steep slopes, existing natural topography, topsoil, aquatic features, botanic environments and trees of 6 inch caliber or greater in size. A tree of 6 inch caliper or greater size that is dead, diseased, or potentially hazardous to property or person may be removed without special review. A certified arborist must be consulted to provide written documentation of the tree’s condition and justifying its removal. Removal of healthy trees requires prior review and certification.
For an informative discussion and FAQ's regarding the SNAD (Special Natural Area District) zoning regulations,
Please see www.riverdalenature.org
All questions about tree removal and site alterations which impact the natural features listed above should be addressed to The Bronx Office of the Department of City Planning.