Hartsdale residents oppose proposed netting at Scarsdale Golf Club

The course is asking the Town of Greenburgh Zoning Board of Appeals for variances to move forward with several projects, including erecting a pair of massive nets and installing temporary seasonal enclosures over two tennis courts.

Jonathan Gordon

Aug 10, 2022, 12:19 AM

Updated 789 days ago

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Some Hartsdale residents say the Scarsdale Golf Club is shanking its proposal to put up a massive net between the course and neighboring apartments.
The course is asking the Town of Greenburgh Zoning Board of Appeals for variances to move forward with several projects, including erecting a pair of massive nets and installing temporary seasonal enclosures over two tennis courts.  
The proposed netting would be 90 feet high and 150 feet long. It would go along the driving range which backs up to several housing complexes. Current law limits the driving range netting to be 12 feet high maximum, according to the application.
The course says it initiated the netting proposal after residents at 140 East Hartsdale Avenue complained about balls from the range being hit over the tree line and damaging their cars.
Hartsdale resident Rudolph Rinaldi says he had five or so windows broken 15 years ago from stray golf balls but has had no issues since the course put trees up five years ago.
"No problems right now," he said. "We were very happy. What is happening now is that you have this issue next door and that is creating an issue."
The course would remove roughly 20 trees to make room for the poles and netting. Residents say the project will damage the local environment, could lead to additional netting projects in the future and negatively impact their homes' value.
Lawyers for the golf course previously argued that netting will have "almost no visual impact," there's "no feasible alternative," and "no adverse impact on the [surrounding] environment."
Neither the Scarsdale Golf Club nor its lawyer has responded to News 12's request for comment. But attorneys did respond to allegations made by Hartsdale residents in a letter to the town Zoning Board of Appeals last month which has been included in its application.
"There is no evidence whatsoever that the typical safety netting will have any impact on animal life," added Steven Wrabel, a lawyer for Scarsdale Golf Club.
The town Zoning Board of Appeals is set to take up this debate at its next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at Greenburgh Town Hall.