January 29, 2013
Honorable Amanda M. Burden, Chair
New York City Planning Commission
22 Reade Street
New York, NY 10007-1216
Dear Chair Burden:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Riverdale Nature Preservancy
January 29, 2013, page 2
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board
January 29, 2013
Honorable Kenneth J. Knuckles
New York City Planning Commission
22 Reade Street
New York, NY 10007-1216
Dear Commissioner Knuckles:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Riverdale Nature Preservancy
January 29, 2013, page 2
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board
January 29, 2013
Honorable Orlando Marin
New York City Planning Commission
22 Reade Street
New York, NY 10007-1216
Dear Commissioner Marin:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Riverdale Nature Preservancy
January 29, 2013, page 2
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board
January 29, 2013
Ms. Carol Samol, Director
New York City Department of City Planning
Bronx Borough Office
One Fordham Plaza, 5th Floor
Bronx, NY 10458-5891
Dear Ms. Samol:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Riverdale Nature Preservancy
January 29, 2013, page 2
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board
January 29, 2013
Honorable G. Oliver Koppell
New York City Council
250 Broadway, Room 1877
New York, NY 10007
Dear Councilmember Koppell:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Riverdale Nature Preservancy
January 29, 2013, page 2
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board
January 29, 2013
Honorable Leroy Comrie
New York City Council
250 Broadway, Suite 1865
New York, NY 10007
Dear Councilmember Comrie:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Riverdale Nature Preservancy
January 29, 2013, page 2
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board
January 29, 2013
Honorable Jessica S. Lappin
New York City Council
250 Broadway, Suite 1762
New York, NY 10007
Dear Councilmember Lappin:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Riverdale Nature Preservancy
January 29, 2013, page 2
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board
January 29, 2013
Mr. Charles Moerdler, Chair
Bronx Community Board 8 Land Use Committee
5676 Riverdale Avenue
Bronx, NY 10471
Dear Mr. Moerdler:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board
January 29, 2013
Mr. Robert Fanuzzi, Chair
Bronx Community Board 8
5676 Riverdale Avenue
Bronx, NY 10471
Dear Chair Fanuzzi:
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is concerned that the potential development by the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale (HHAR) of the property at 5801 Palisade Avenue,
previously owned by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and known as Gethsemaneon-Hudson Monastery and Cardinal Spellman Retreat House, could undo critical work
done over decades to preserve the history, natural beauty, and character of the area.
Mr. Dan Reingold, President and Chief Executive Officer of HHAR, and Mr. Richard
Rosen, of Perkins Eastman Architects, presented their initial design for development
of this property at an information session to the Land Use committee of Bronx
Community Board 8 on January 7, 2013. The proposed development, a 300-unit
multi-family project, is located in the Riverdale Special Natural Area District (NA-2)
and does not conform to the existing zoning, which is R1-1.
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy works to protect the natural beauty and
neighborhood character of the Riverdale area through public information, monitoring
of development, and long-term planning. Our organization has supported the vision of
our community 197-a plan, adopted by the City Planning Commission in 2003, and the
subsequent zoning actions taken to carry out this plan: improvement of the SNAD
regulations, changes in zoning in North Riverdale in R3 zones, and most relevant to
this letter, the changes in zoning from R1-2 to R1-1, approved in 2005, to preserve
the predominant development pattern of single-family detached dwellings on large
lots, in the area near the Riverdale MetroNorth train station, which includes the
property that the HHAR seeks to develop.
The community 197-a Plan emphasizes protecting the scale and unique character of
area neighborhoods as well as the area’s sensitive natural features and their
surrounding contexts. The character of the immediate neighborhood that includes
HHAR’s R1-1 property is one of residential lots generally greater that 9,500 square
feet in size and fully planted with a variety of established shrubs, grasses, and
groundcovers; of mature trees, both public and on private lots; of rock outcrops and
steep slopes; of institutions serving all of New York City and its surrounding counties;
and of narrow, winding streets with a rustic character, some without shoulders or
sidewalks, some lined with low stone walls or stone-lined storm water channels.
Our larger community has worked for decades to protect and preserve the history and
character of the area, as well as its Olmstedian legacy of natural topography and
green spaces. We are vitally concerned with the potential degradation of
neighborhood character and overwhelming of local streets that can occur if the HHAR
exceeds the current development potential of its R1-1 site. The Preservancy fully
supports the Community Board’s letter to the Bronx Office of NYC Department of City
(over, please)
Riverdale Nature Preservancy
January 29, 2013, page 2
Planning, dated June 27, 2003 and clarifying recommendations in the community 197-a Plan, which
“urges that agencies, developers and other organizations consider [stone walls, historic roads, and
other features that contribute to community character] in the course of their future actions in the
SNAD-2 area.”
Our organization is eager to hear from HHAR and its team regarding its plans, and hopes that an
organization that is a leader in eldercare and in support of the arts will respect the effort behind and
the vision of the community plan and resultant zoning actions. This privately-owned site represents a
crucial open space and potential link in the proposed Greenway along the Hudson River being studied
by NYMTC (New York Metropolitan Transportation Council). It is an important scenic vista as seen
from the Greenway, the Hudson River, and the Palisades, and an important part of the green corridor
envisioned by our top governmental leaders. Development of the site and any expansion of the
Hebrew Home campus should be based upon the existing zoning and these natural qualities.
Sincerely,
Peter Kohlmann
Co-President
Elizabeth Haase, MD
Member of the Board