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On September 8 a number of Palisades residents attended the HABR hearing to protest against the size of the building. Because the house will be contiguous to HABR member Larry Buccarelli’s property, Larry recused himself and spoke, along with a number of other people, about his fears that approval of a building this large would set a precedent for the building of enormous houses in the hamlet and eventually destroy its special character. Alice Gerard reminded the Board that the Historic Law requires that “New structures are to harmonize in general character with structures built in the immediate surrounding area.” (Chapter 12-4 G) The law’s definition of “harmonize” states that this refers to features such as building height, width, and square footage (Chapter 12-3). In other words, new houses should fit in with the older houses already in the area.

Concern was also expressed because some of the property is a wetland, and the proposed raising of the ground level by 10 feet by the builders to avoid this problem could impact the drainage of the contiguous properties. Members of the board listened to those speaking against approval for the house at its present size and suggested that the Chungs decrease the size of the house before returning in October to continue the application.

On October 13 the HABR met again to consider the Chung house. Revised plans were submitted and the overall size of the house was reduced to 10,359 square feet. Although fewer Palisades residents attended, Larry Buccarelli reported that all who spoke were articulate and heartfelt about preserving the quality of life here in Palisades. He pointed out that no house in the neighboring area is anywhere near that size. Most of the homes in Snedens Point vary in size between 4,500 - 6,000 sq.ft. with one home approximately 8,000 sq.ft. on a larger than average lot. The average of all homes in the vicinity at large, Snedens Pointe and Historic Area homes on 9W and Closter Road/Oak Tree Rd (north side only) up to the Walther home, is 3900 sq.ft. The revised Chung home will be 63% larger than “neighborhood” homes and 44% larger than the average of the Snedens Pointe homes. Members of the Historic Board suggested again that the Chungs decrease the size of the house before returning in November to continue the application.

There was a larger turnout of Palisadians at the November 10th hearing. They listened as the board reacted to changes made in the application, which included removing the basement, thus lowering the height of the house from 48.7 feet to 41.2 feet. Bill Walther told the applicants that although they had made changes, they still weren’t quite there. Thano Schoppel wondered if this was the right building for that part of town, since it didn’t fit in with the neighbors on Closter Road. During the public comment section of the meeting, one resident after another spoke about their concerns. Susan Nemesday reminded us that if you Google “Palisades, New York,” the community is described as being quaint, historic, and charming. She fears that approval of this building would eventually lead to the loss of what we value here. Phil Baumann pointed out that there has not been one voice of support for the building. Alice Buchanan felt that approval of a house of this size would completely change the nature of the community. Elizabeth Quinn said that she and her husband had left New Jersey to get away from extra-large houses. Carol Baxter stated that even in Alpine, known for McMansions, most houses are not larger than 8,000 square feet. Kopek Lane has already established a new normal – what will be next?

In rebuttal to the objections raised by residents, Erica Chung’s representatives stated that because of the size of the building lot (over two acres) and the screening they plan, the residence would not affect the other houses in the area, that the applicant, Erica Chung, has made a good faith effort to deal with the concerns of the community, and the house is well situated, several hundred feet from the nearest house, not visible to people driving by.

Their arguments were unsuccessful; four out of the five HABR members voted against the proposal in its present form.We don't know when — or if — it will return for another hearing. Hopefully, the house will be smaller. It is important that people attend meetings and continue to make their opinions known in order to preserve Palisades as we know it today.

A few weeks ago I happened to meet Erica Chung, a warm, attractive woman who later told me about her life and why she wants to build a house here. She wrote, “I came from Korea to the USA to go to college and stayed to pursue my dream of becoming a successful businesswoman. My dream was rather odd since I came from a family of generations of scholars, my father being a well-respected professor and writer. I succeeded and am now the CEO of the premium skincare brand 3LAB, sold in fourteen different countries and counting for more. I bought the Palisades property in 2005 not knowing the town, but I always wanted to have a private home with lots of land. The more I spent time here the more I realize that I want this to be my final home. I feel blessed to have a friend, Miki Hyun, who lives in Palisades and I love the scenery and the state park. After living in the US for 36 years, I look forward to living in Palisades, which feels already like my real home.” Erica has not yet attended a meeting of the HABR to discuss the house. Perhaps if she had heard Palisades residents express their fears she might understand why her proposal has been so controversial. If her house is eventually built, I hope that the community will welcome her in spite of past opposition to her proposals.